President Joe Biden on Friday urged Congress to “act” and send more aid to Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a massive airstrike against the embattled country.
Russia has hit six major cities and surrounding countryside with 122 missiles and dozens of drones in the most intense, brutal air campaign since Putin's invasion began 22 months ago.
At least 144 people were injured and an unknown number buried under rubble during the roughly 18-hour attack, Ukrainian officials said.
Biden responded in a lengthy statement issued while on vacation on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. In it, he condemned the attacks and took the opportunity to renew his call for Congress to pass his $61 billion aid package.
President Joe Biden with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on December 12
President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and their granddaughter Natalie arrived in St. Croix for vacation on Wednesday
'Strikes have reportedly hit a maternity hospital, a shopping center and residential areas, killing innocent people and injuring dozens of others. It is a stark reminder to the world that, after almost two years of this devastating war, Putin's objective remains unchanged. He is trying to wipe out Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped,” Biden said.
“Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems that Ukraine needs to protect its people. “Congress must act and act without further delay,” the president added.
Biden has asked Congress for $61 billion in aid to Ukraine, but Republicans are refusing to approve the aid without an agreement with Democrats to tighten security along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Now that US aid is questionable, Russia attempted to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses in most major cities. The Ukrainian Air Force intercepted 87 missiles and 27 Shahed-type drones in one night, Ukrainian military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said.
And Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country would continue the fight.
'Today Russia used almost every type of weapon in its arsenal: 'Kindzhals', S-300s, cruise missiles and drones. Strategic bombers launched X-101/X-505 missiles. In total, about 110 rockets were fired at Ukraine, the majority of which were shot down,” he wrote on X.
“My condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. We will certainly respond to terrorist attacks. And we will continue to fight for the security of our entire country, every city and every citizen. Russian terror must and will lose,” he added.
Video released on social media showed a Russian missile attack on Kiev. A high-rise building was hit in Kiev
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 2nd from left, looks at a map during his visit to the Ukrainian 110th Mechanized Brigade in Avdiivka, the site of heavy fighting with Russian forces in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Friday
Smoke rises over a residential building after a Russian missile and drone attack in Kiev
Western officials have warned that Russia has limited its cruise missile attacks for months in an apparent effort to build up supplies for massive attacks over the winter, hoping to break the spirit of Ukrainians.
That seemed to happen on Friday. Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk called it the 'most massive airstrike'
It topped the previous largest attack, in November 2022, when Russia launched 96 missiles, and the largest this year, with 81 missiles, on March 9, according to Air Force data.
Ukrainian officials have urged the country's Western allies to provide the country with more air defense. Their calls have come as signs of war fatigue, straining efforts to maintain support.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the attack should galvanize the world into further action in support of Ukraine.
“These widespread attacks on Ukraine's cities show that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin will stop at nothing to achieve his goal of eradicating freedom and democracy,” Sunak said of X. “We must continue to support Ukraine – as long as the country takes.'
Britain is sending around 200 air defense missiles to Ukraine to help protect civilians and infrastructure from Russian drones and bombings, the British Ministry of Defense said on Friday.
Officials believed that Russian President Vladimir Putin (above) had been stockpiling missiles in recent months to launch Friday's massive invasion.
A business center damaged by Russian shelling near Lukianivska metro station in Kiev
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse that was heavily damaged in a Russian missile attack in Kiev
Meanwhile, Biden on Wednesday announced a $250 million arms package to Ukraine, which officials said could be a final amount of U.S. aid unless Congress approves new funding.
The White House has warned that unless Congress allocates additional aid to Kiev, funds will run out by the end of the year.
The package included air defense ammunition, anti-armor ammunition, ammunition for high-mobility artillery rocket systems and more than 15 million small arms ammunition.
Congress has approved more than $110 billion for Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022, but has not approved any funds since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in January 2023.
Earlier this month, Senate Republicans blocked an aid package for Kiev because it did not include changes to border security policy.
Biden has said he is willing to compromise with Republicans, but no deal was reached before Congress left Washington DC for the holidays.
is expected to resume in early January. Congress also faces a January 19 deadline to fund the US government.
Negotiations are expected to resume in early January. Congress also faces a January 19 deadline to fund the US government.
The president received Zelensky at the White House in early December to emphasize the need for more money.
“Without additional funding, we will quickly reach the end of our ability to help Ukraine respond to the country's urgent operational demands,” Biden said during his meeting with the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky also met with senators to make his case for more aid.
Biden's request to Congress would give the government an additional $7 billion in authority to make gun donations. It would also provide $18 billion to replenish donated U.S. supplies and $12 billion for long-term arms production contracts for Ukraine — all seen as a lifeline in Kiev's fight against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
His request also includes $14 billion for Israel to fight Hamas and $14 billion for U.S. border security.