Ukrainians and Americans organized an emergency demonstration at Times Square demanding more US action against Russia following a massive Russian attack on Ukraine that killed more than two dozen people on 17 June.

The rally took place on the evening of 17 June, with demonstrators carrying Ukrainian flags and signs reading “Google Kyiv today,” “‘Ceasefire’ – they said,” and “Sanctions against Russia – now,” according to protest participants Vsevolod Myrnyi and Marichka Hlyten.

Myrnyi called on participants to contact their elected officials.

“Call your representatives and senators. Tell them: ‘We demand more sanctions against Russia. We demand air defense systems for Ukraine. We demand more military aid – weapons that help save lives,'” he wrote.

He emphasized that Ukraine is defending itself while Russia targets civilian buildings, and noted that while Congress already has many supporters for Ukraine, constituent voices help drive action.

The demonstration responded to a Russian assault on the night of 17 June that targeted Kyiv and multiple Ukrainian oblasts. Russian forces launched 440 drones and 32 missiles against Ukraine, striking Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Kirovohrad, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv.

Ukrainian air defenses destroyed most of the incoming targets, but hits were recorded in 10 locations, with debris from downed objects falling in 34 locations. In Kyiv, 28 people died and 134 were injured, with the death toll from a missile strike on a 9-story residential building reaching 23 people.

In Odesa, a 60-year-old woman was killed and 17 people wounded, with damage to residential buildings, an inclusive center, a preschool, and garages.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told G7 leaders that Russia intensified its nightly drone attacks as “the only real change” since Trump returned to the White House, with Moscow now routinely deploying 100 drones per night compared to what would have been shocking levels a year ago.

The Ukrainian leader argued this escalation proves supporters of stronger sanctions are “absolutely right.” While Trump told reporters at the G7 summit he would not approve new sanctions against Russia, citing costs to the US, Zelenskyy called for a $30 per barrel price cap on Russian oil and $40 billion in annual budget support for Ukraine.

The US is currently blocking European efforts to lower the existing $60 per barrel price cap to $45, despite EU and UK pressure to reduce Moscow’s war funding, with Zelenskyy arguing that “Russia blocked all efforts” at ceasefire negotiations and continues military operations without adequate consequences.

Nataliia Hrabarchuk traded toys and children’s laughter for an Igla man-portable air defense system and the roar of combat launches. Ukraine’s West Air Command has shared the story of this brave defender of the skies.

Once a kindergarten teacher, now an anti-aircraft gunner, the soldier joined the military on the eve of Russia’s full-scale invasion despite strong opposition from her family. 

Her very first combat launch, in November 2024, was a direct hit: she downed a Russian Kh-101 cruise missile.

Until 2021, Nataliia Hrabarchuk was a kindergarten teacher. But sensing the inevitability of a major war, she made the difficult decision to join an air defense missile unit just before the invasion, even though her entire family was against it.

She spent five months in intensive training at a military center, where she learned to operate various types of man-portable weapons and conducted hundreds of simulated launches on training systems.

Then, in November 2024, during one of Russia’s massive missile-and-drone attacks, her moment came. While on combat duty, Nataliia Hrabarchuk destroyed an incoming Russian Kh-101 cruise missile using an Igla man-portable air-defense system.

“It was her first combat launch — and a perfect hit!” Air Command West proudly report.

Nataliia recalls that when the Russian missile appeared before her, she instantly set aside all emotion and nerves, focusing solely on the mission.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, has awarded Nataliia Hrabarchuk a commendation from the Ministry of Defense for her courage and successful completion of the combat task.

On the night of 26 May, Russia launched 439 Shahed-type drones against Ukraine, which is an absolute record. This comes as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for Kyiv-Moscow peace talks, allegedly to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia, meanwhile, has escalated its air attacks against Ukrainian cities, ignoring all calls for a ceasefire.

On 25 May, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy harshly condemned the overnight Russian attack that struck more than 10 regions of Ukraine. He accused the world of silence, which, he said, only encourages Putin to commit further crimes. 

During the 24-25 May night assault, Russia launched 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and deployed 250 Shahed drones and decoys.

“Today, rescue workers were active in over 30 Ukrainian towns and villages following the massive Russian strike,” Zelenskyy said.

Nearly 300 strike drones were launched by Russia overnight — most of them Shaheds. Almost 70 missiles of various types, including ballistic ones, were also used, the Ukrainian leader reported.

According to him, the targets included Kyiv and the surrounding region, as well as Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil, Chernihiv, Sumy, Odesa, Poltava, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy oblasts.

“Residential buildings were destroyed and damaged. In Kyiv, university dormitories belonging to the faculty of history were hit. There were also strikes on industrial facilities. Tragically, there are fatalities, including children. My condolences,” he wrote on social media.

Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia is dragging out this war and continues killing every day.

“The world may go on a weekend, but the war goes on — regardless of weekdays or holidays. This cannot be ignored. America’s silence, the silence of others around the world, only emboldens Putin. He must be forced to think not about launching missiles, but about ending the war,” the Ukrainian president said.

He called for new sanctions against Russia and stressed that this brutality cannot be stopped without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership.

“Sanctions will absolutely help. Determination matters now—the determination of the US, of European countries, of all those in the world who seek peace,” he added. 

The Russian attack killed 12 people and injured more than 50 civilians.