Zelenskyy Urges Swift Sanctions After Deadly Russian Strike on Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on Western allies to accelerate sanctions against Russia following a massive aerial assault on Kyiv that killed two people—including a police officer—and injured 23 others.
“Sanctions must come faster, and pressure on Russia must be strong enough for them to truly feel the consequences of their terror,” Zelenskyy said on social media. He accused the Kremlin of escalating its campaign with “constant strikes” and the near-nightly use of hundreds of Shahed drones.
According to Ukraine’s air defense forces, Russia launched 400 drones and 18 missiles in a coordinated overnight attack targeting multiple regions, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of the offensive. Northern and northeastern areas including Chernihiv, Sumy, and Kharkiv were also hit. For hours, loud explosions echoed through Kyiv as air defense systems engaged a wave of so-called kamikaze drones—nicknamed “mopeds” by locals due to their loud, buzzing engines. Residents took shelter in metro stations, underground passageways, and basements.
On Thursday morning, Kyiv woke to a city blanketed in smoke. “Everything was covered with smoke when I walked my dog in the morning,” said one resident.
This latest assault followed the largest Russian missile and drone barrage since the full-scale invasion began over three years ago, and came just a week after another major raid on the capital.
One of the victims was identified as 22-year-old police officer Mariia Dziumaha, who served in Kyiv’s metro police. A drone struck her apartment building, igniting a fire. “During nights like these, you think how unbearable it is,” journalist Kristina Berdynskykh posted. “But in the early morning, you buy a coffee in a cafe and wonder if it was all a dream.”
Dozens of residents sheltered overnight in a central metro station, sleeping on mats, comforting pets, or waiting out the strikes on camping chairs.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that falling debris ignited fires in several districts, including Solomyansky and Shevchenkivsky. Additional fires were triggered at garages and a fuel station in Darnytsky due to drone wreckage. The scale and intensity of the attacks continue to strain Ukraine’s air defense systems and wear down its civilian population.
Zelenskyy was in Rome on Thursday for an international aid conference on Ukraine’s recovery. There, he briefed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the latest attacks and met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to discuss air defense needs and domestic drone production.
He also held talks with U.S. General Keith Kellogg, an envoy of President Donald Trump. The meeting came after Trump resumed weapons shipments to Ukraine, following a brief freeze that had raised concerns in Kyiv.
Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has promised to end the war quickly, adopting a more conciliatory tone toward Moscow compared to former President Joe Biden. However, after reinstating military aid, Trump issued unusually direct criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, dismissing his peace overtures as “meaningless.”
Trump also indicated potential support for a bipartisan sanctions bill drafted by Senator Lindsey Graham. The proposed legislation would include sweeping measures—such as 500% tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other key exports.
Speaking at an ASEAN foreign ministers’ summit in Kuala Lumpur, Senator Marco Rubio said there were no signs the Kremlin was prepared to compromise. After talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Rubio said Trump was “frustrated by the lack of flexibility” from Moscow. He confirmed the U.S. was actively discussing potential sanctions with Congress.
Asked about Trump’s criticisms of Putin, Kremlin officials responded calmly, stating that they remained committed to repairing what they described as a “broken” relationship with Washington.
