3-Month-Old Baby Dies in Odessa Bombing... Zelensky Expresses Anger with Profanity

Published 24 Apr.2022 20:46(KST)

Updated 24 Apr.2022 20:48(KST)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced in a video message on the 18th (local time) in the capital Kyiv that a large-scale Russian military attack on the eastern Donbas region has begun.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] As civilian casualties increase due to Russia's ongoing offensives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had maintained composure, unleashed heated remarks.

On the 23rd (local time), The New York Times (NYT) reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky shouted "bastards" at Russia during a large-scale press conference held at the Independence Square subway station in Kyiv, the capital.

This was an expression of outrage over Russia's missile attack on the southern port city of Odesa. On the same day, Anton Herashchenko, advisor to Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, stated via Telegram, "Russian forces fired more than six cruise missiles at Odesa, striking military facilities and civilian residential buildings." As a result, eight people, including a three-month-old infant, were killed and 18 were injured.

President Zelensky said, "The baby who died was born one month before the war started," and added, "They are bastards." He also referred to the Russian military as Nazis and "Rushists." "Rushist" is a Ukrainian neologism combining Russia and fascist.

This is the first time since Russia's invasion of Ukraine that President Zelensky has used strong profanity in an official setting. Until now, he had maintained composure in over 200 video speeches posted on social media and virtual addresses to parliaments of more than 20 countries. The Financial Times reported that during the press conference, although Zelensky expressed support for diplomatic efforts to end the war, he showed anger with his heated remarks.

President Zelensky also made blunt statements regarding peace negotiations with Russia. According to CNN, he declared that if the Ukrainian military and civilians in Mariupol are annihilated and Russia conducts fake referendums in occupied areas, he will halt negotiations. This marks a stark contrast to his previous calls urging Russia to come to the peace negotiation table.

The background to this shift is the significantly increased military support from the West. Since Russia launched a full-scale offensive in eastern Ukraine on the 18th, Western arms support has become more active. Initially, the United States and NATO provided only defensive weapons to avoid direct confrontation with Russia, but their stance has changed.

Of the $3.4 billion (approximately 4.2 trillion KRW) in military aid the U.S. has provided to Ukraine since the war began, $1.6 billion (about 2 trillion KRW) was delivered in the past ten days. The U.S. has sent large quantities of heavy weapons to Ukraine, including 155mm howitzers, M113 armored vehicles, and Mi-17 helicopters.

Following the U.S., other allied countries have also rushed to provide weapons. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced on the 23rd that Poland had sent weapons worth 1.5 billion euros (about 2 trillion KRW) to Ukraine. The United Kingdom promised $130 million (about 160 billion KRW) in aid this month, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles, and Norway agreed to supply 100 short-range missiles and lightweight anti-tank weapons. Germany, Denmark, Spain, and others have also continued their arms support.

Meanwhile, President Zelensky stated at the press conference, "People will come from the U.S. tomorrow (the 24th). I will meet with the U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense." The U.S. Department of Defense and the White House have not confirmed this. If the meeting takes place, it will be the first visit by a top U.S. official to Ukraine since the war began.