Russian airstrike on Latvian consulate in Sloviansk, six civilians killed

A Russian attack on Friday struck the Latvian honorary consulate in the Ukrainian city of Sloviansk, killing at least six civilians and injuring dozens. The Latvian foreign minister expressed her outrage, while the EU and the Baltic states issued numerous condemnations.

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze confirmed "with indignation" that Russian guided bombs had struck the Latvian honorary consulate in Sloviansk, in the Donbas region. The honorary consul, Oleksandr Pavenko, was not injured in the attack, according to Latvian public broadcaster LTV Zinu dienests.

“Russia can destroy buildings, but Ukraine’s will and Latvia’s support cannot,” said Baiba Braze, adding that she had informed her counterparts in the EU and NATO, as well as international organizations. Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics called the attack a “war crime” and reaffirmed Riga’s support for Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the casualty figures and specified that the strike had damaged "ordinary homes, the consulate building, and vehicles." He took the opportunity to reiterate the urgent need for arms deliveries: "Interceptors for Patriot systems are the number one priority," he insisted, emphasizing that "the protection of lives also depends" on Ukraine's partners.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced a "flagrant violation of international law" and called for "strong international reactions".

On the European side, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered her condolences to the victims' families and condemned Russia's "total disregard for diplomacy." "Russia is losing the war it started and is increasingly targeting civilians in a desperate attempt to break Ukraine's morale," she stated. European Council President António Costa strongly condemned what he called a "grave and unacceptable act."

The Baltic states reacted with equal firmness. Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys asserted that these strikes would not "break the courage" of the Ukrainian people. His Estonian counterpart, Margus Tsahkna, spoke of a "deliberate attack" against Ukrainians and European diplomatic missions, warning that "the pressure will intensify."

This is not the first time a European diplomatic facility has been targeted in Ukraine. Last August, strikes on Kyiv "severely damaged" the EU offices, killing at least 17 civilians.