Ukraine war: Zelenski insists on retaliation in kind after the most intense Russian attack on Kiev

Ukraine's capital Kiev was subjected to the largest drone and missile attacks since the beginning of the war on the night linking Wednesday to Thursday, resulting in the death of at least 27 people. While Ukrainian authorities stated that this large-scale attack on civilian infrastructure and housing was part of Russia's attempt to destroy strategic targets in the city and intimidate the population, images from the region revealed massive devastation. While rescue teams worked intensively to extract citizens trapped under the rubble, hospitals were flooded with the wounded, and due to the urgency of the situation, the international community began to react harshly.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, who met with military officials in Belarus before going to the scene, published a harsh message on his social media account after the attack, reiterating his promise of 'retaliation in kind' against Russia. In his statement, Zelenski emphasized that such attacks would not break the resistance of Ukrainians, but on the contrary, would unite them and increase their determination to retaliate, implying that the Ukrainian army has the capacity to make Russia pay the price of the attacks on Russian soil. Despite increasing drone attacks in recent weeks, the Ukrainian administration appears determined to strengthen its defense systems and continue its counter-attack strategy by striking facilities belonging to Russia's energy infrastructure.

On the other hand, US President-elect Donald Trump called for a 'peace agreement' immediately following the bloody attack in Kiev, drawing attention to the brutality of the war. In his post on a social media platform, Trump stated that thousands of people have died on both sides and that the war has turned into an increasing 'meaningless massacre', arguing that disagreements must be resolved immediately and peace must be established. This statement was notable as it contradicts the current Western view that peace is not possible without compromising Ukraine's territorial integrity and Zelenski's rhetoric of retaliation.

On the Russian side, while the Kremlin adopts a different narrative about the course of the war, figures close to Vladimir Putin and Russian military propaganda claim that the attacks are necessary to break Ukraine's 'war capability'. The prolongation of the war and the intensification of the attacks are straining Russia's economic and military capacity, while the Putin regime continues to become increasingly isolated both inside and outside. Russian officials claim that military support provided by Western countries to Ukraine is prolonging the war and that the attacks are being used as a tool of pressure to cut this support.

In the international diplomatic arena, developments are being followed closely; for example, while intelligence units define Russia as the biggest threat, even countries in a neutral position like Switzerland are acting in line with Brussels and hardening their policies against Russia. Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil facilities and military operations against Crimea are considered critical turning points that could change the course of the war. As the likelihood of peace negotiations between the parties decreases, the continuation of the conflict with increasing intensity and violence deepens the uncertainty regarding both regional security and the global economy.