(OTTAWA) Canadian diplomacy responded with fresh condemnations of Russia after the Russian military unleashed a deadly barrage of strikes on several Ukrainian towns on Monday, including downtown in the capital Kyiv, where at least six people were killed.
Posted at 10:34 a.m.
Updated at 11:43 a.m.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said the strikes were in retaliation for what he called Kyiv’s “terrorist” actions – a reference to Ukraine’s attempts to repel invading forces from Moscow, including an attack this weekend on a key bridge between Russia and the annexed Crimean peninsula.
President Putin has promised a “tough” and “proportionate” response if Ukraine carries out further attacks that threaten Russia’s security.
“No one should doubt it,” he said.
Missile strikes Monday across Ukraine marked the largest and most widespread Russian attacks on the country in months.
According to the Ukrainian emergency services, at least 11 people lost their lives and 64 others were injured in the morning attacks across Ukraine.
Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Larisa Galadza, said consular staff, both local and Canadian, were safe.
Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly called the attacks shocking and horrifying in a social media post, saying targeting civilians is a war crime for which Russia will be held accountable. She added that Canada stands with the Ukrainian people.
Mme Joly said she spoke with Larisa Galadza and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba about the Russian strikes.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit, said the Group of Seven industrial powers will hold a video conference on the situation on Tuesday, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend.