France Condemns Massive New Russian Strikes on Ukraine

“France utterly condemns the massive wave of Russian missile and drone strikes against Ukraine that left at least 4 dead and 92 injured in the city and region of Kyiv and in the city of Kharkiv,” the Frech Foreign Ministry declared in a statement posted on its website on Jan. 2

“In launching nearly 100 missiles and dozens of drones across Ukraine four days after a strike of unprecedented dimensions that resulted in at least 39 casualties, Russia is continuing its strategy of terror aimed at destroying Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, in order to weaken the resilience of the Ukrainian people during the second winter of the conflict,” the statement said. “Russia alone bears responsibility for this escalation, which has no justification whatsoever and which primarily affects civilians.”

The statement concluded with the following reaffirmation of France’s support for Ukraine:

“As Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna has repeatedly emphasized, France will continue to work closely with its partners to bolster Ukrainian resilience and to provide Ukraine with the aid it needs to ensure its legitimate defense. France will also continue its support for the Ukrainian courts and the International Criminal Court to combat impunity for crimes committed by Russia.”