Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on a series of recent attacks by Russian troops on Ukrainian regions, stating that such actions have become routine for Russia, and the international community is demonstrating insufficient pressure on the aggressor.
This is reported by Kyiv24
New attacks on cities and civilian infrastructure
According to the president, on the night of September 16, the Russian army struck residential buildings and urban infrastructure in Zaporizhzhia, as well as attacked a civilian logistics center in the Kyiv region with drones. Subsequently, Russian forces hit the center of Kharkiv, destroying the premises of the National Pharmaceutical University. In addition, Zelensky reported regular Russian airstrikes on communities in Sumy, Kharkiv, and Donetsk regions, FPV drone attacks in Zaporizhzhia, and artillery shelling in Kherson.
The president’s position on ending the war and the need for pressure
“The only reason Russia can afford all this is that it does not feel pain. As long as Russia does not experience truly significant losses, especially economic ones, it will avoid real diplomacy and ending the war. It is important for the world to respond to every strike. It is important for Europe, the United States, the G7, and G20 countries not to give Russia time – time for war. Strong sanctions are needed. Strong tariffs on Russian trade are needed. Strong protection of lives is needed,” he urged.
Data from the Air Force indicates that on the night of September 16, Russian troops launched a massive attack on Ukraine, firing 113 strike drones, about 70 of which were Shahed-type drones. As a result of the shelling of Zaporizhzhia, reportedly from a multiple launch rocket system, at least 20 people were injured.
Russian forces regularly use various types of weapons – strike drones, missiles, guided aerial bombs, and MLRS – to attack Ukrainian cities and villages. Despite this, Russian leadership denies strikes on civilian infrastructure, while Ukrainian authorities and international organizations classify these actions as war crimes by the Russian Federation and emphasize their intentionality.