«We need to push Russia to peace»: Zelenskyy reacts to strike on Mykolaiv

Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacts to the attack on Mykolaiv. Photo: Getty Images

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the nighttime Russian strike on Mykolaiv.

He noted that this strike once again proves that «Russians are fighting against our people, against life in Ukraine».

«An ordinary Ukrainian city, ordinary civilian infrastructure. This has nothing to do with the fighting and the situation at the front, it proves once again that the Russians are fighting against our people, against life in Ukraine. And they are fighting viciously, without relenting. This is not what those who really want to restore peace and prepare for negotiations do. We need to push Russia to peace. The recent attack of Shahed drone on the shelter at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, this attack on Mykolaiv, all other similar Russian attacks should lead to a strong reaction, to strong interaction between us — all partners — and to work together to force Russia to peace», he wrote.

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Shelling of Mykolaiv on 16 February: what is known

On 16 February, at 0:50, the first explosion occurred in Mykolaiv. Later it became known that the city was under attack by drones. By 1:42 a.m., six more explosions had occurred in Mykolaiv.

In the morning, the head of the Mykolaiv regional military administration, Vitalii Kim, said that the strike had damaged critical infrastructure and apartment buildings. At least four shops, a catering facility and office premises were also damaged.

In addition, a 64-year-old man was injured in the attack. He was hospitalised and his condition is currently assessed as satisfactory.

Later, it became known that as a result of the nighttime Russian shelling , some residents of the city were left without heat supply.

According to the mayor of Mykolaiv, Oleksandr Sienkevych, work is underway to assess the damage and restore heat supply. 46,000 customers are currently without heat supply.

In addition, due to Russian shelling, Central Avenue in Mykolaiv will be partially blocked in the area of Mala Morska Street.

Sienkevych added that traffic on the avenue from the bus station is unaffected. In the direction of the Bus Station, trolleybuses will run along Velyka Morska Street through the Arkasivske Ring to Sadova Street and then along the route.

Later, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than one hundred thousand people in Mykolaiv were left without heating as a result of a strike by Russian Shahed.