Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for stronger international pressure and sanctions against Russia following a series of strikes in Kyiv that resulted in fatalities, injuries, and damage to civilian infrastructure. According to Zelenskyy, Russian jet-powered drones struck two kindergartens, two schools, a residential building, an auto repair shop, and several warehouses and communications facilities in Kyiv.
The strikes, which Zelenskyy described as "terrorism," killed an unspecified number of people, with dozens more injured. The Ukrainian president claimed that Russia used 277 attack drones of various types, including 155 jet-powered drones, in the previous day. The attacks also damaged a building used as the residence of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador, a sports school in the Dnipro region, and a regional children's home in the Sumy region.
Zelenskyy disputed Russia's claims of de-escalation, stating that if Moscow were genuinely seeking to reduce tensions, it would not be engaging in such attacks. He urged the international community to take a "sober view" of the situation and not be swayed by Russia's diplomatic signals, which he said were intended to delay strong responses to the conflict.
The Ukrainian president also called for the implementation of US sanctions legislation, specifically the Lindsey Graham sanctions and tariffs law, which he believes can significantly impact Russia if fully enforced. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for stronger pressure from international partners, including the G7 and G20, to prevent Russia from continuing its aggressive actions.
In response to Zelenskyy's statements, new sanctions packages are being prepared to target Russian financial networks, supply chains for components and equipment used in weapons production, and companies and individuals involved in producing Russian ballistic missiles. These sanctions aim to take effect as early as October to provide a stronger foundation for changing the situation and pushing Russia toward real diplomacy.
Meanwhile, according to a Russian news agency TASS report, Ukraine's armed forces shelled residential areas in the Donetsk People's Republic 11 times over the previous 24 hours, damaging two residential buildings and two civilian infrastructure facilities. There were no reports of casualties among civilians.
In a separate development, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that its air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 43 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and the Black Sea during the day. The ministry also reported striking an Omega Telecom data centre in Kyiv, a Novaya Pochta logistics centre in Odesa, and a cargo ship carrying military equipment and dual-use goods to the port of Odesa.
Key points
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls for stronger sanctions against Russia following strikes in Kyiv.
- Russia used 277 attack drones of various types in the previous day, according to Zelenskyy.
- New sanctions packages are being prepared to target Russian financial networks and companies involved in producing ballistic missiles.
