Biden urges Congress to pass additional aid following Russia’s aerial assault on Ukraine

President Joe Biden on Friday condemned Russia for launching its «largest aerial assault on Ukraine» since the start of the war, warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin «must be stopped,» and used the attacks to implore Congress to pass additional aid for Ukraine.

«Strikes reportedly hit a maternity hospital, a shopping mall, and residential areas — killing innocent people and injuring dozens more. It is a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, Putin’s objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped,» Biden said in a written statement following the attack.

Russia launched 122 missiles and dozens of drones against Ukrainian targets in an onslaught that killed at least 30 civilians across the country, officials said Friday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed following the attacks that his country would «surely respond to terrorist strikes» and that «Russian terror must and will lose.»

Biden said that Ukraine was able to deploy their air defense systems to intercept some of the missiles, thanks to support from America and other allies, but warned that the help from the United States has run out, once again calling on Congress to pass supplemental aid for Ukraine in the new year, after they failed to pass to take action earlier this month.

«The American people can be proud of the lives we have helped to save and the support we have given Ukraine as it defends its people, its freedom, and its independence. But unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act