Israeli FM slams Russian strikes on Kyiv, backs Ukraine's security

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar strongly condemned the latest Russian missile strikes on residential areas of Kyiv, calling the attacks “enormous and tragic” in their human toll.

Speaking on August 1, Saar said: “I condemn the Russian strikes on residential areas of Kyiv, which have resulted in enormous and tragic human casualties. I express my condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the many injured.”

Saar also shared that the home of a staff member at Israel’s embassy in Ukraine was damaged in the attack. “I just spoke with the secretary of the Israeli ambassador to Ukraine, whose home was also damaged in these attacks,” he said.

Reiterating Israel’s broader position, Saar added: “We call for a lasting and stable peace that will ensure Ukraine's security.”

His statement followed confirmation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that all search and rescue operations in Kyiv had concluded after Russia’s massive airstrike on July 31. According to Zelenskyy, 31 people were killed in the attack, including five children. “The youngest child was only two years old,” he noted. “My condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. 159 people were injured, 16 of them children. Everyone is now receiving the necessary medical care.”

Zelenskyy also thanked the emergency response teams: “Thank you to the rescuers, police officers, doctors, nurses, utility workers — everyone who is helping people right now. This is very important,” he wrote on his official Telegram channel.

Saar’s condemnation comes just a week after his own visit to Kyiv, where he expressed strong support for Ukraine. “We condemn Russian strikes on the civilian population. We call for a lasting and durable peace that guarantees Ukraine's security. Israel supports Ukraine and its people,” he said during the trip.

His remarks mark a notable shift in tone from his predecessor, Eli Cohen, who visited Ukraine in 2023 but avoided directly criticising Russia. However, later that year in Berlin, Cohen did explicitly condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

By Tamilla Hasanova