Zelensky Urges Regime Change in Russia After Deadly Kyiv Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called on global allies to pursue regime change in Russia, following a devastating overnight drone and missile assault on Kyiv that left seven civilians dead, including a six-year-old boy.

The Russian strike, which targeted residential areas in Kyiv’s western outskirts, reduced part of a nine-storey apartment building to rubble and injured dozens more, according to Ukrainian officials.

Meanwhile, the Russian military announced the capture of Chasiv Yar, a key strategic town in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, where intense fighting has raged for months. However, a Ukrainian military spokesperson denied this claim, calling it “lies” and insisting that the town remains contested.

Russia has intensified its aerial attacks in recent months, pushing ahead with its nearly four-year-old invasion despite increasing international pressure, especially from the United States.

Addressing a conference commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cold War-era Helsinki Accords, Zelensky said Russia could be “pushed” to halt its aggression. However, he warned that unless there is a global effort to change the regime in Moscow, the Kremlin would continue threatening regional stability even after the war ends.

The Ukrainian air force reported that over 300 drones and eight cruise missiles were launched by Russia from Wednesday night into early Thursday, with Kyiv being the main target.

This latest escalation came shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a 10-day ultimatum demanding that Moscow cease its offensive or face further sanctions.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed the “liberation” of Chasiv Yar, a town that had a pre-war population of around 12,000 but is now largely in ruins. If true, the gain would allow Russian forces to move closer to Kramatorsk and Sloviansk — critical Ukrainian strongholds in Donetsk.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga urged stronger global action, praising President Trump’s efforts to mediate but stressing the need for harsher measures. “It’s time to make [Putin] feel the pain and consequences of his choices,” he posted on X. “It’s time to put maximum pressure on Moscow.”

While Russia maintains that it does not intentionally target civilians, it has not yet issued a statement on the Kyiv attack or Zelensky’s remarks. President Putin, in turn, has also called for Zelensky’s removal and continues to question the Ukrainian leader’s legitimacy.