Zelensky Condemns Deadly Russian Strike in Ternopil as Dozens Remain Missing
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply condemned one of the deadliest Russian strikes to hit western Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The attack, which struck a residential apartment block in the city of Ternopil, left extensive destruction, ripping away the top floors of the building and leaving emergency responders scrambling through massive piles of debris. As of Thursday, Zelensky confirmed that 22 people were still missing, a grim figure revealed a day after at least 26 civilians — including three children — were reported killed in the strike.
According to Zelensky, rescue crews worked throughout the night to find survivors or recover remains of those believed to be trapped under the collapsed structure. In a statement posted to social media, he emphasized both the scale of the tragedy and the urgency of ongoing operations.
“All night long, our rescuers worked in Ternopil, and search-and-rescue operations are still ongoing. Twenty-two people are still missing,” Zelensky wrote, stressing that the number of casualties may continue to rise as the rubble is cleared.
Zelensky Calls for Strength and International Support
To support the massive emergency response effort, Zelensky said that more than 200 rescue personnel from various regions of Ukraine were deployed to Ternopil. Their task is made even more challenging by the destruction of the building’s upper floors — a common Soviet-era apartment block — which collapsed in on itself after the missile strike. Large cranes, spotlights, and heavy machinery have been brought in to lift debris and allow responders to search layer by layer for those still unaccounted for.
The attack stands out not only for its death toll but also for its location. While eastern and southern Ukrainian regions have experienced the brunt of Russian missile and drone strikes, large-scale attacks on western cities like Ternopil have been less frequent. This strike, however, underscores the widening reach of the conflict and the vulnerability of civilian areas far from the frontline.
Residents of Ternopil reported hearing a massive explosion shortly before parts of the apartment building collapsed. Those living nearby described scenes of chaos as dust, debris, and shrapnel filled the air. Some survivors recounted rushing into the streets barefoot, carrying children and elderly relatives as rescuers and neighbors immediately began digging through the rubble with their bare hands before emergency services arrived.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service later confirmed that more than 20 people remain unaccounted for. Oleksandr Khorunzhy, a spokesperson for the agency, emphasized that rescue teams cannot provide definitive numbers until the site has been fully cleared.
“Over 20 people are currently unreachable. Until we take the structure apart and complete a full inspection, I cannot release any information,” Khorunzhy told reporters.
Images released late Wednesday by emergency authorities showed rescuers working through the night with headlamps and floodlights, climbing through mangled concrete, twisted metal, and remnants of personal belongings scattered among the ruins. Cranes hovered above the shattered building as teams attempted to remove large sections of collapsed flooring and walls.
President Zelensky has repeatedly used incidents like the Ternopil strike to remind international partners of the ongoing threat posed by Russian missile attacks on civilian areas. He stressed that Ukraine urgently needs additional air-defense systems to protect cities across the country from similar tragedies.
In his remarks, Zelensky called on allies to act swiftly, arguing that every delay costs innocent lives. He framed the Ternopil attack as yet another example of why stronger protective measures are essential not only for frontline regions but for all Ukrainian communities.
As rescue operations continue, Ternopil faces a period of deep mourning. Local authorities have begun setting up support centers for families awaiting news of missing loved ones. Psychologists, medics, and volunteers are working alongside emergency responders to help residents cope with the trauma of the attack.
For the families of those still missing, the wait is excruciating. Many have gathered near the site, clinging to hope that rescuers will find survivors despite the scale of destruction.
The deadly missile strike in Ternopil represents one of the most tragic moments for western Ukraine since the war began. As President Zelensky continues to update the nation on the search-and-rescue efforts, the country watches anxiously, hoping that the number of victims does not climb further. The incident has reinforced the urgent need for enhanced air-defense support and has once again highlighted the human cost of the ongoing conflict.
Source- EWN
