Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia's use of a new ballistic missile on Dnipro yesterday shows a "clear and severe escalation" of the war.
"The use of a ballistic missile against Ukraine today is yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace," Zelensky said in his nightly address yesterday.
The move was Russian leader Vladimir Putin's "second step" in escalating the war, Zelensky said, the first being the use of more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers in the ongoing conflict.
Zelensky said Putin "disregards calls from China, Brazil, European countries, the United States, and others" and he is "doing everything to prolong" the conflict which started more than a thousand days ago.
"The world must respond," he said, saying that a "lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behaviour is acceptable".
"Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilisation - not just against Ukraine."
