Ukrainian President slammed Russia for striking Kyiv on the same day that the United Nations secretary-general was visiting, saying Thursday that the attack spoke to Russia’s efforts “to humiliate the U.N. and everything that the Organization represents”.

“Moscow claimed they had allegedly ceased fire in Mariupol. But the bombing of the defenders of the city continues. This is a war crime committed by the Russian military literally in front of the whole world. Russia’s shelling of Mariupol did not stop even when the UN Secretary-General was holding negotiations in Moscow.

“And today, immediately after the end of our talks in Kyiv, Russian missiles flew into the city. Five missiles. And this says a lot about Russia’s true attitude to global institutions. About the efforts of the Russian leadership to humiliate the UN and everything that the Organization represents. Therefore, it requires a strong response”, - said Volodymyr Zelensky.

Earlier on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said that Russia had targeted Kyiv while U.N. chief António Guterres and Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov were visiting with Zelensky.