As a result of a large-scale air attack by the Russian Federation on the night of April 16, civilian targets once again became the main focus. This was stated by Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga. According to him, at least four people were killed in Kyiv, eight in Odesa, three in Dnipro, and one person in Zaporizhzhia due to the shelling.
This is reported by Kyiv24
International Reaction and the Need for Sanctions
Andriy Sybiga emphasized that such actions cannot be perceived as normal and stressed the necessity of holding those responsible accountable. He called on the international community to immediately unblock decisions that would increase pressure on Russia, particularly regarding the introduction of new sanctions and the expansion of support packages for Ukraine.
“It is immoral, counterproductive, and dangerous to delay sanctions against Russia and support packages for Ukraine. Every day of further inaction on key decisions sends the wrong signals and encourages the aggressor to continue, prolong, and escalate the war.”
Establishment of a Special Tribunal and Europe’s Reaction
Sybiga highlighted the importance of creating a special tribunal for the crime of aggression against Ukraine, emphasizing that the inevitability of punishment for the Russian leadership would be a fitting response to terror. The minister informed that Poland and Iceland have joined the agreement to establish such a tribunal, and with the support of 17 member states of the Council of Europe, the issue will be put to a vote in May.
According to the Air Force, on the day before April 16, the Russian army launched 703 aerial targets at Ukraine, among which Ukrainian air defense forces neutralized 19 X-101 cruise missiles, eight ballistic missiles, four Iskander-K cruise missiles, and 636 drones of various types.