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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has strongly condemned Russia, Iran, and North Korea as a “coalition of murderers” during his visit to London on Monday. Meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Zelenskyy discussed strengthening defense cooperation and increasing pressure on Moscow to halt its aggression.
The visit came just hours after Russia launched a massive aerial assault on Kyiv, deploying 352 drones half of which were Iranian-made Shahed drones—and ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea. Zelenskyy described the attack as “a completely cynical strike,” which tragically killed at least 10 people and severely damaged five civilian apartment buildings.
“Many drones and missiles were intercepted by our air defenses—but not all,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “Everyone in countries neighboring Russia, Iran, and North Korea should seriously consider whether they could protect their people if this deadly coalition continues its campaign of terror.”
Images from the attack’s aftermath show rescue workers amid the rubble of a residential building in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district, where part of a five-story apartment block collapsed. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported six fatalities in that district. Emergency teams also rescued 10 people, including a pregnant woman, from a nearby damaged high-rise.
Zelenskyy, who has publicly supported recent U.S. missile strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, accused Tehran of enabling Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, now entering its fourth year. Ukraine relinquished its nuclear weapons in the 1990s in exchange for security guarantees from the U.S., UK, and Russia—promises that failed to prevent Russia’s 2022 invasion.
The purpose of Zelenskyy’s UK visit was to coordinate with British leaders on strategies to pressure Moscow into ending its attacks. This trip follows a tense meeting earlier this year in Washington, where former President Donald Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War Three,” and Vice President JD Vance criticized him for perceived ingratitude.
In London, talks reportedly focused on new sanctions against Russia. Zelenskyy also addressed frustrations over the Trump administration’s halt in U.S. weapons deliveries to Kyiv and reluctance to impose tougher penalties on Moscow.
“We are negotiating powerful new steps to increase pressure on Russia and to stop these brutal strikes,” Zelenskyy stated.
Alongside meeting Prime Minister Starmer, Zelenskyy visited Ukrainian troops training in the UK and held a private meeting with King Charles at Windsor Castle. He is also expected to attend the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague, where he will meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. It remains uncertain whether he will meet former President Trump, who is due to arrive soon and is expected to urge NATO members to increase defense spending.
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, Russia has intensified its air campaign in Ukraine, rejecting Zelenskyy’s offer of a 30-day ceasefire and targeting civilian infrastructure. Monday’s strikes hit residential neighborhoods, hospitals, and sports facilities, with Shevchenkivskyi suffering the most damage.
“I heard the rocket whistle and froze in terror,” said Oleksii Pozychaniuk, a Kyiv resident near one of the struck buildings. “Windows shattered, glass flew everywhere. My child and I barely made it downstairs. Everything was on fire.”
