Kyiv,Sept 10:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for increased international pressure on Russia over continuing attacks that have killed and injured civilians, warning that Moscow must not be allowed to continue its military campaign unchecked.
Zelenskyy made the appeal as Ukraine faced another wave of Russian missile and drone attacks targeting cities and civilian infrastructure. Kyiv has experienced some of its heaviest bombardment since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than four years ago.
The Ukrainian President urged countries supporting diplomatic efforts to step up pressure on Russia and strengthen measures aimed at stopping the attacks. He said the international community should not allow Moscow to continue the war into the winter without facing greater consequences.
According to United Nations figures cited in current reports, July recorded the highest number of civilian casualties in Ukraine since March 2022, with more than 437 people killed and around 2,600 injured. Recent attacks have also caused civilian deaths and injuries in Kyiv and other parts of the country.
The continuing attacks have come despite repeated international efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. US diplomatic representatives have held discussions with both Kyiv and Moscow, but there has been little visible progress towards ending the war.
Ukraine has also stepped up its long-range drone attacks on Russian targets. Ukrainian strikes have reportedly hit military and strategic infrastructure deep inside Russian territory, including targets thousands of kilometres from Ukraine.
The escalation has raised fresh concerns over the humanitarian impact of the war as winter approaches. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on Ukraine’s allies to provide additional air-defence systems and other military assistance to protect cities and civilians.
The Ukrainian leadership has maintained that increased international pressure, rather than prolonged negotiations without consequences, is necessary to persuade Russia to move towards a meaningful peace settlement.