Zelensky Denounces ‘Insane’ Russian Bombing of Ukrainian School Leaving 40+ Dead

POLICY WIRE — Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued sharp condemnation following a devastating Russian aerial assault that claimed at least 40 lives at a school facility in southeastern Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader reported that search and rescue teams remain active three days after Russian forces deployed nine aerial bombs over the town of Komyshuvakha.

In a statement shared on social media platform X, Zelensky noted that the attack initially targeted civilians seeking humanitarian assistance, followed by police officers and first responders who rushed to the site.

He expressed frustration over the perceived lack of international attention regarding the event, labeling the strike an “insane attack.”

Zelensky emphasized that this incident, alongside thousands of other alleged war crimes committed against the Ukrainian people, necessitates a powerful global response.

In a separate development, the Russian retailer Ozon announced that one of its warehouses in southern Russia was hit by a drone, resulting in a fire and the temporary suspension of certain customer orders.

While Ozon did not identify the source of the strike, both the company and its rival Wildberries have faced frequent Ukrainian attacks on their infrastructure in recent months.

Kyiv maintains that these major retail entities provide financial support to Vladimir Putin’s military operations.

Additionally, reports indicate that the Ryazan oil refinery was the target of a Ukrainian drone strike overnight, with social media footage showing significant fires and explosions at the site.

Owned by the state entity Rosneft, the refinery is among Russia’s largest energy hubs, capable of processing roughly 17 million tonnes of crude annually.

Russian officials have not confirmed the strike, and the extent of the damage has not been independently verified.

The facility has a history of drone strikes, including an October 15 attack that disrupted the operation of a primary distillation unit.

Recent Russian strikes on Ukraine’s infrastructure have caused the most severe water shortage in Kyiv since the conflict began, leaving residents without water for over 24 hours.

Mykhailo Yatsuk, director of the Institute of Water Problems and Reclamation, warned that central city restaurants were forced to close and that the situation could deteriorate as winter approaches.

Meanwhile, thousands of European troops are scheduled to gather in Poland this month for a military exercise focused on planning post-war reconstruction and economic recovery.

The exercise, led by France and Britain as part of the ‘Coalition of the Willing,’ faces hurdles regarding American support and the impact of upcoming French elections.

Zelensky has reiterated that any future peace agreement must include robust security guarantees from Western allies, specifically the United States, to prevent future Russian aggression.

To recognize humanitarian efforts, Zelensky signed a decree on November 2 awarding US First Lady Melania Trump the First Class of the Order of Princess Olga, citing her work with displaced and deported children.

Ukrainian officials credited Melania Trump with a vital role in negotiating a six-day ceasefire that allowed for the evacuation of civilians from the occupied town of Oleshky.

Zelensky also held “very detailed” talks with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner ahead of a trilateral meeting scheduled with Russia next week.

The President stated that negotiations must move forward at maximum speed to end the war, noting that Ukraine has presented clear proposals regarding air defense and the need for Patriot interceptors.

In Russia, authorities in the Belgorod region reported that a drone strike on a minibus on Wednesday killed three members of the same family, including an eight-year-old child.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)