The latest deadly incident in Russia’s war with Ukraine was its missile strike on a shopping center in Kremenchuk. Pope Francis recently condemned the strike that killed over a dozen people, calling it the latest in Russia’s string of “barbarous” attacks.
The Pontiff Wednesday condemned the Russian missile strike on a shopping center in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk. Authorities said around 18 people were killed in the attack that took place Monday, and at least 60 people were injured.
“Every day, I carry in my heart dear and martyred Ukraine, which continues to be flagellated by barbarous attacks like the one that hit the shopping center in Kremenchuk,” Pope Francis told the crowds in St. Peter’s Square as the church celebrated the feast days of St. Peter and St. Paul.
“I pray this mad war can soon end and I renew my appeal to persevere without tiring in praying for peace,” said the Pontiff. “May the Lord open those paths to dialogue which men either do not want or not able to find. May they not neglect to help the Ukrainian population, which is suffering so much.”
Russia’s defense ministry claimed it hit a legitimate military target and that the shopping center was vacant.
The war Russian dictator Vladimir Putin is waging on Ukraine is in its fourth month, and Putin said Wednesday that Moscow will issue a response should the NATO alliance set up infrastructure in Finland and Sweden after they join the military alliance.
Putin added that relations between Moscow, Helsinki, and Stockholm would ultimately sour when the two neutral countries decided to join NATO.
Putin’s comments follow the move by NATO member Turkey to lift its veto over Finland and Sweden’s bid to join the alliance, clearing the way for membership after the three countries agreed to protect each other’s security.
The Russian dictator reiterated the objectives of what he called a special “military operation” in Ukraine, that its goal was to “liberate” the Donbas region that was occupied by pro-Russia separatists. Putin added that there was no need to set a deadline for the so-called military operation.


Bangladesh Election 2026: A Turning Point After Years of Political Suppression
Trump Backs Nexstar–Tegna Merger Amid Shifting U.S. Media Landscape
Trump Signs Executive Order Threatening 25% Tariffs on Countries Trading With Iran
Trump Says “Very Good Talks” Underway on Russia-Ukraine War as Peace Efforts Continue
Ghislaine Maxwell to Invoke Fifth Amendment at House Oversight Committee Deposition
Sydney Braces for Pro-Palestine Protests During Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s Visit
Bosnian Serb Presidential Rerun Confirms Victory for Dodik Ally Amid Allegations of Irregularities
Jack Lang Resigns as Head of Arab World Institute Amid Epstein Controversy
US Pushes Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks Before Summer Amid Escalating Attacks
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project
New York Legalizes Medical Aid in Dying for Terminally Ill Patients
Antonio José Seguro Poised for Landslide Win in Portugal Presidential Runoff
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality
Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S.
Israel Approves West Bank Measures Expanding Settler Land Access 



