Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for tougher international sanctions after Russia launched one of its largest aerial attacks in recent months, firing nearly 600 drones and over two dozen long-range missiles in a single night.
In a statement on Friday, Zelensky said Russia had launched 597 attack drones, including hundreds of Iranian-made Shaheds, and 26 cruise missiles in an overnight barrage. He described the scale of the attack as unprecedented and warned that the intensity of Russia’s strikes is escalating.
“The pace of Russian air strikes requires swift decisions,” Zelensky said. “It can be curbed right now through sanctions.”
Ukraine’s air force reported it had successfully intercepted 319 Shahed drones and 25 missiles, but confirmed that one missile and approximately 20 drones struck targets across five locations. Authorities did not provide details on the affected areas or casualties.
Zelensky renewed calls for Western allies to move beyond symbolic gestures, urging action against those enabling Russia’s military capabilities. “There must be consequences for everyone who helps Russia produce drones and profits from oil,” he said.
Russia’s growing use of Iranian-made Shahed drones has drawn widespread condemnation. The unmanned aerial vehicles, typically used in swarms to overwhelm air defences, have become a central part of Moscow’s long-range strike strategy, targeting Ukrainian infrastructure, cities, and energy facilities.
Zelensky’s comments reflect growing frustration in Kyiv over the perceived slow pace of international responses, particularly when it comes to enforcing and expanding sanctions aimed at Russia’s defence and energy sectors. Despite existing restrictions, Russia has continued to export oil — a vital lifeline for its wartime economy.
The latest assault comes amid a broader uptick in Russian attacks as the war, now in its third year, grinds on with little sign of resolution. Ukrainian officials have repeatedly warned that continued strikes are draining their air defence supplies and hampering efforts to stabilise critical infrastructure.
Zelensky’s plea for action was directed not just at governments but also at companies and individuals involved in supplying components for drone production or facilitating the trade of Russian oil.
“More than just signals are needed,” Zelensky said. “Only concrete steps — sanctions that bite — will stop this war machine.”
The overnight barrage underscores the mounting pressure on Ukraine’s Western partners to step up military and economic support as the country braces for more aerial attacks in the months ahead.
