By NewsMata
Zelensky: US Citizens in Ukraine Hotel Struck by Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said U.S. citizens were among those who had checked into a hotel that was hit by a Russian strike overnight.
The strike came a day after the Trump Administration paused sharing intelligence with Ukraine as it applies pressure on Kyiv over peace negotiations with Russia.
“All night, a rescue operation continued in Kryvyi Rih at the site of a Russian missile strike,” Zelensky posted on X.
“A ballistic missile struck an ordinary hotel. Just before the attack, volunteers from a humanitarian organization—citizens of Ukraine, the United States, and the United Kingdom—had checked into the hotel.
“They survived because they managed to get down from their rooms in time. Unfortunately, four people were killed in this attack. My condolences to their families and loved ones.”
Newsweek asked the State Department for comment outside of normal hours via its online media request form. Newsweek also emailed the Russian foreign ministry’s press office for comment.
Image from the scene of the hotel strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, shared on X by President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian emergency services
What to Know
Zelensky posted a video with the statement showing Ukrainian emergency workers helping the injured in Kryvyi Rih, his boyhood home. He said more than 30 people were hurt and are receiving medical treatment.
“Many civilian buildings around the hotel were also damaged. Rescue workers are still on-site, and all emergency services continue to operate,” Zelensky said, adding his thanks to those on duty to respond to incidents such as these around the clock.
He did not name the humanitarian organization whose workers had checked into the hotel that was struck.
Karol Swiacki, founder of UK-based charity Ukraine Relief, told the BBC he was in the hotel with two Americans.
“We took two steps and there was a big boom, absolute nightmare, everything just within seconds changed…We are all safe, we didn’t have a scratch, it is incredible…we still don’t know how we survived this, honestly,” Swiacki said.
Russia Continues War Amid Push for Peace
There has been no let-up in Russian aggression, despite growing talk of peace from all parties, as the strikes on Kryvyi Rih and elsewhere in Ukraine show.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, said on Wednesday that Moscow’s “main task today” remains “inflicting maximum defeat” on Ukraine.
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to broker a peace between Russia and Ukraine. He has criticized the vast destruction and loss of life, and the large cost to American taxpayers. American military aid has been vital to Ukraine’s defense.
But the Trump Administration paused military aid to Ukraine and its intelligence sharing after a public spat broke out in the Oval Office between Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday, February 28.
A critical minerals deal was supposed to be signed between the U.S. and Ukraine that day but has been delayed.
Zelensky later wrote a letter to Trump expressing his desire to repair their relationship and sign the minerals deal, which the American president has signaled he will do.
Ukraine wants security guarantees from the U.S. to protect it from further Russian aggression once the fighting stops. But the U.S. said guarantees may come later down the line, and that economic partnership would suffice for now.
Trump said he thinks Russia’s President Vladimir Putin is ready to come to the negotiating table and talk peace. The two leaders have spoken by phone several times in recent months.
What People Are Saying
Zelensky said in his statement on X: “There must be no pause in the pressure on Russia to stop this war and terror against life.”
Ukrainian activist Serhii Sternenko posted on X about the strike on Kryvyi Rih: “Russia just wants peace. Trump is telling the truth. Russians are for peace. Here is the proof.”
Dmitry Medvedev posted on VK on Wednesday: “Russia is advancing. The enemy is resisting and has not yet been defeated…Therefore, inflicting maximum defeat on the enemy ‘on the battlefield’ remains our main task today.”
Trump told Congress on Tuesday night: “It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides.”
What Happens Next
There are talks behind the scenes between all parties to seek at least a ceasefire, if not a full peace in a war that has raged since February 2022.
How long it will take to silence the guns remains to be seen, but Trump has increased the pressure on Ukraine and the Europeans are yet to find solutions that could replace what the Americans provide to Kyiv.
Ukrainians and their allies fear Russia now has the upper hand in any negotiations and a sympathetic ear from Trump, whose biggest priority is ending the war.