US says Russian strike on Ukrainian grocery store 'horrifying'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - A Russian strike on a grocery store in eastern Ukraine is another "horrifying" reminder of the need to continue arming Kyiv's forces, the White House said Thursday.

"Can you imagine just walking to the grocery store, with your kids trying to figure out what is it that you're going to make for dinner, and you see an explosion happen, where bodies are everywhere. And it's horrifying. It is incredibly horrifying," spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

"This is why we're doing everything that we can to help Ukraine, to help the brave people of Ukraine, to fight for their freedom, to fight for their democracy. And so, this is again what the president keeps talking about over and over again. We have to be continuing to support the people of Ukraine, because this is the horrifying nature that they live in every day," she added.

At least 51 people were killed in what Ukrainian officials said was a Russian missile strike near Kupiansk in eastern Ukraine. Officials have warned that the casualty toll is likely to climb.

"Russian missile struck an ordinary grocery store in the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region. This was a fully deliberate, demonstrative, and brutal terrorist attack," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X.

"Russian terror must be stopped. All those who help Russia circumvent sanctions are criminals. Those who continue to support Russia are all supporting evil. Russia needs this and similar terrorist attacks for one reason only: to make its genocidal aggression the new normal for the entire world," he added.

Zelesnkyy is in Spain to take part in a European security summit, and said that he is appealing in the meetings for additional air defenses to thwart additional Russian strikes.

Biden said Wednesday he is worried that Republican "dysfunction" in the House of Representatives could lead to a lapse in continued US security assistance for Ukraine. His comments came hours after now-former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted following a historic vote in the chamber.

"It does worry me, but I know there are a majority of members of the House and Senate in both parties who have said that they support funding Ukraine," he said. "I don't think we should let the gamesmanship get in the way, blocking it."

Opposition to additional Ukraine funding has grown considerably among Republican members in the House, particularly the wing that successfully maneuvered McCarthy's departure.