Zelenskyy Cuts South African Visit Short After Massive Russian Missile Strikes on Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he is cutting short his visit to South Africa following a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine that left dozens injured and at least nine people dead in Kyiv, Zelenskyy wrote on X on April 24.

“I am canceling part of the program for this visit and will return to Ukraine immediately after the meeting with the President of South Africa,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

Zelenskyy said he will use his time with President Cyril Ramaphosa — whose country currently holds the G20 presidency — to brief him on the latest Russian strikes and to request support in securing the return of Ukrainian prisoners and children abducted and deported to Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha will remain in South Africa to conduct all other scheduled meetings and “fully inform the country’s political and civil society leaders” about the war and Ukraine’s needs, Zelenskyy said.

“Forty-four days have passed since Ukraine agreed to a full ceasefire and a halt to strikes. This was a proposal from the United States. And it has been 44 days of Russia continuing to kill our people and evading tough pressure and accountability for its actions,” the president added.

Zelenskyy also ordered Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to urgently coordinate with international partners on boosting Ukraine’s air defenses in response to the latest wave of attacks, which involved nearly 70 missiles and around 150 Shahed-type drones.

Earlier, Zelenskyy arrived in South Africa for high-level talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives from across the African continent.

“We are preparing for important meetings in South Africa with President Cyril Ramaphosa and representatives of political, civil, and student communities of African countries. It is crucial to bring a just peace closer. We are working to ensure that the G20 countries are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He added that Ukraine counts on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, and added that this meeting will also strengthen cultural and educational ties between the two countries.

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