Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the United States to impose additional sanctions on Russia, accusing Moscow of demonstrating a lack of genuine interest in pursuing peace following recent drone attacks across Ukraine.
President Zelensky highlighted specific strikes targeting his hometown of Kryvyi Rih and the northern Sumy region. These attacks occurred shortly after ceasefire agreements brokered by the United States in Saudi Arabia were announced.
Although the U.S. confirmed separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia to halt strikes over the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure, uncertainty remains over their exact implementation timeline.
While Zelensky stated the agreements took immediate effect, the Kremlin argued that the Black Sea agreement would only become active if Russian banks regained access to the international financial system. Russia, however, claimed it was already upholding the energy infrastructure ceasefire.
President Zelensky criticized Russia’s recent drone attacks, stating:
“Launching such large-scale attacks after ceasefire negotiations is a clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace,” Zelensky wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Russia reported neutralizing nine drones, claiming Ukraine targeted a gas storage facility in Crimea and energy infrastructure in Russia’s Kursk and Bryansk regions.
Kyiv had not immediately responded to Russia’s claims at the time of reporting.
The Ukrainian military confirmed 117 drone strikes overnight, with local officials describing the attack on Kryvyi Rih as the most severe since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Oleksandr Vilkul, head of Kryvyi Rih’s military administration, shared on Telegram:
“Apparently, this is how the occupiers want peace.”
Vilkul noted that at least 15 explosions damaged buildings and caused multiple fires within the city.
