Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the international community to take decisive action to cut off Russia’s energy revenues that fund its war in Ukraine. The plea came after Moscow launched one of its most sustained attacks on Kyiv since the conflict began. Zelenskyy said on Telegram that “the time for decisive action is long overdue” and urged the United States, Europe, the G7, and the G20 to respond firmly.
Over Saturday night and into Sunday morning, Russia fired nearly 600 drones and more than 40 cruise missiles, targeting Kyiv and regions including Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv, and Odesa. The bombardment lasted more than 12 hours and left at least four dead, including a 12-year-old girl crushed by a falling concrete slab in Kyiv, and wounded 67 people across the country. Several buildings were severely damaged or set on fire, with the Zaporizhzhia region reporting nearly 40 injuries. Zelenskyy described the attacks as “vile and cowardly” and promised Ukraine would “strike back.”
The president highlighted that the bombardment coincided with the conclusion of UN General Assembly sessions in New York, during which Donald Trump expressed support for Kyiv. Zelenskyy accused Moscow of continuing the war to benefit from energy revenues and the operations of its “shadow fleet,” emphasizing that the Kremlin “deserves only the harshest pressure in the world.”
The United States is reviewing Ukraine’s request for long-range Tomahawk missiles to aid its defense. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News that European nations could transfer the missiles to Ukraine if Trump approves. Tomahawks have a range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), giving Ukraine the ability to target Russian positions deep inside occupied territories. Trump has previously denied such requests but expressed frustration over Moscow’s refusal to negotiate a peace deal. Vance added that Russia’s invasion has recently stalled, with minimal territorial gains despite heavy losses.
Zelenskyy’s latest appeal underscores Kyiv’s urgent call for international support to weaken Moscow’s war funding and maintain pressure on Russia amid ongoing attacks. The Ukrainian president warned that unless energy revenues are blocked, the Kremlin will continue to wage war and spread terror across Ukraine.
