Zelenskyy Urges Tougher Sanctions on Moscow After Overnight Russian Strikes
After a massive overnight assault that struck multiple regions across Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for new sanctions and tariffs against Russia, arguing that only sustained economic pressure can curb Moscow’s aggression until diplomacy delivers results.
The Gaze reports this, referring to Zelenskyy’s statement on social media.
In a message posted on Telegram, Zelenskyy described the strikes as “demonstrative attacks” intended to sow fear but which instead highlight the urgency of tightening restrictions on Russia.
“Tonight, due to a drone strike on Okhtyrka in the Sumy region: 14 people were injured. After the shelling, a family with wounded children – 5 months, 4 years, 6 years – sought help,” Zelenskyy wrote.
In Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region, a Russian glide bomb damaged five apartment blocks, leaving at least three people trapped under rubble as rescue efforts continued.
Zelenskyy also reported a strike on a gas distribution station in the Odesa region, as well as additional shelling in Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Poltava.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia began the assault around 19:30 on August 19, using two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 93 Shahed attack drones, accompanied by decoy UAVs.
Air defense units, including aviation, missile forces, electronic warfare systems and mobile fire groups, repelled much of the assault.
By Wednesday morning, Ukrainian forces reported shooting down or suppressing one Iskander-M and 62 drones over northern and eastern regions, though at least 20 sites recorded direct hits.
In the statement, Zelenskyy also thanked Ukraine’s international partners for continued support and stressed the importance of binding commitments.
“Together with the United States, Europe and all those who want peace, we are working every day to guarantee security,” he said. “We need strong security guarantees to ensure a truly reliable and lasting peace.”
As The Gaze reported earlier, on August 18, commenting on the latest Russian strikes on Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, and Odesa, Zelenskyy said that Russia would kill demonstratively in order to continue putting pressure on Ukraine and Europe and to undermine diplomatic efforts.