'Strong country, weak reaction': Zelenskyy blasts US over Russia's deadly missile strike on hometown

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy launched a scathing attack on US, calling it a "strong" country that reacts weakly to Russia's assault.

Zelenskyy 's statement came after Moscow's missile strike in Ukraine that killed 18 people, including nine children, in his hometown of Kryvyi Rih.

The attack occurred on Friday when a Russian ballistic missile struck a residential neighbourhood in the central Ukrainian city. According to Zelenskyy, 62 people were injured in the strike.

Taking to social media on Saturday, Zelenskyy expressed his disappointment with the US Embassy's reaction. "Such a strong country, such a strong people -- and such a weak reaction," he wrote. "They are even afraid to say the word 'Russian' when talking about the missile that killed the children."

US ambassador Bridget Brink had posted on X shortly after the attack, before the full casualty toll was known. "Horrified that tonight a ballistic missile struck near a playground and restaurant in (Kryvyi Rig). More than 50 people injured and 16 killed, including 6 children. This is why the war must end."

Brink's statement did not mention Russia by name, drawing criticism from social media users and prompting Zelenskyy's rebuke. Many online commenters questioned why the embassy failed to attribute the attack to Moscow.

Brink, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden and has served as ambassador since May 2022, has in recent weeks avoided directly naming Russia in her public comments on attacks in Ukraine. This marks a shift from her earlier messaging, which regularly called out Moscow for its aggression.