Blunt rebuke comes after deadly airstrike by Kremlin forces killed at least 17 civilians

16:26, Thu, May 7, 2026 Updated: 16:26, Thu, May 7, 2026

Vladimir Putin has ignored Ukrainian calls for a ceasefire

Vladimir Putin has ignored Ukrainian calls for a ceasefire (Image: Getty)

Britain has delivered a tough eight-word warning to Vladimir Putin after a deadly Russian bombing in Ukraine killed at least 17 civilians. The Kremlin launched its most lethal attack of the year on Tuesday with a massive bombardment of glide bombs smashing into the cities of Kramatorsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv.

A total of 45 people were also wounded in the devastating airstrikes, prompting a swift rebuke by Britain at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna. The bombing came just days after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called for a ceasefire to the crippling four-year conflict. UK counsellor Ankur Narayan told the OSCE on Thursday: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is the deadliest conflict on our continent in generations, bringing death and destruction on a scale not witnessed since the Second World War.

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“It represents a direct assault on the principles-based order.”

The Kremlin has blamed the West for escalating and exaggerating tensions since its illegal invasion of Ukraine, lashing out with its own terrifying warnings to OSCE nations about getting more deeply involved in the conflict.

But Mr Narayan said it was “disingenuous to argue that the breakdown in dialogue is caused by excessive criticism, institutional bias, or other member states’ unwillingness to listen”.

He added: “Ukraine has repeatedly shown itself as the party of peace. It has consistently expressed readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire.”

Mr Zelensky said Russia’s continued drone strikes showed Vladimir Putin was ignoring calls for peace.

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In a blunt eight-word warning, Mr Narayan said: “We urge Russia to end its barbaric attacks,” while also reiterating calls for a “full and lasting ceasefire”.

He went on to say: “In contrast to Ukraine’s serious efforts towards peace, Russia launched another massive air attack and killed at least 17 civilians on Tuesday night.

“We unequivocally condemn Russia’s irresponsible threats to strike at the heart of Kyiv and its warnings for diplomatic missions to leave the city.

“Such threats further demonstrate Russia’s disregard for civilian life and for basic norms that underpin international security.

“Russia must demonstrate its commitment to peace by agreeing to a ceasefire as a first step towards a full and lasting cessation of hostilities.”

The warning came a day before VE Day, marking the end of the Second World War. Mr Narayan said the 81st anniversary was a “test of whether we have learned the lessons of that catastrophe”.