Latvian foreign minister confirms consulate in Ukraine was hit by deadly Russian attack
Latvian Foreign Minister Confirms Consulate Hit in Deadly Russian Strike
Usagevpn.com – Latvian foreign minister confirms consulate in Ukraine was targeted in a devastating Russian attack that claimed multiple lives. Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže announced with visible indignation on Friday that a Russian aerial bombardment had severely damaged the Baltic nation's Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk, a city in eastern Ukraine. The deadly strike resulted in the deaths of at least six Ukrainian civilians, while dozens more sustained injuries ranging from moderate to severe. "I have informed EU and NATO ministers and international organisations," Braže stated in an online declaration. "Russia can destroy buildings, not Ukraine's will and Latvia's support." According to Latvian public broadcaster LTV Ziņu dienests, Latvia's Honorary Consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, emerged unharmed from the incident despite the extensive damage to the surrounding area.
International Response and Diplomatic Solidarity
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy verified that guided aerial bombs were responsible for killing half a dozen civilians on Friday, with additional casualties reported. In a statement posted on social media platform X, he emphasized that the attack damaged "ordinary homes, the consulate building, and vehicles." "It is important that our partners fully understand that protecting lives also depends on them. Interceptors for Patriot systems are the number one priority," he declared, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced air defense capabilities.
European Council President António Costa expressed that the EU stands in full solidarity with both Ukraine and Latvia. "Russia's attack on the Latvian Honorary Consulate in Sloviansk is a grave and unacceptable act. I strongly condemn this strike, which claimed lives and left many injured," he said in an online statement, underscoring the collective European response to Russian aggression.
"Russia can destroy buildings, not Ukraine's will and Latvia's support." — Baiba Braže, Latvian Foreign Minister
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys denounced Russia's actions against Ukrainian civilians and Latvia's political infrastructure, insisting they will not "break the courage, resilience, and determination of the Ukrainian people, nor the resolve of those who stand with Ukraine." Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the incident a "deliberate attack" on Ukrainians and European diplomatic offices. "These attacks will not go unanswered. Pressure will intensify, and support for Ukraine will not waver," he added.
In August last year, Russian strikes on the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv "severely damaged" the EU's diplomatic offices, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stating at the time she was "outraged" by the assault, which killed at least 17 Ukrainian civilians. This pattern of targeting diplomatic facilities demonstrates Russia's strategy of undermining international presence in Ukraine.
The Latvian foreign minister confirms consulate damage comes amid escalating tensions as Russia continues its military campaign. The attack on Sloviansk's Honorary Consulate represents not only a blow to local Ukrainian residents but also a symbolic challenge to European diplomatic missions operating in conflict zones. International observers note that such incidents highlight the vulnerability of foreign representations in active war zones and the critical importance of robust air defense systems in protecting both civilian populations and diplomatic infrastructure from aerial bombardment.