European leaders call for swift sanctions as Russia pounds Ukrainian cities overnight
Photo: Europe urges tougher sanctions on Russia after massive attack (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Russia's overnight barrage of missiles and drones on Ukrainian cities drew swift condemnation across Europe. Leaders and diplomats stressed the response must be fast and decisive.
The massive strike on September 28 lasted more than 12 hours. As rescuers cleared the rubble, European officials called for new sanctions and stepped-up aid to Kyiv.
European Union
Katarina Mathernova, Head of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, said large-scale combined attacks have become routine.
"Kyiv and the Kyiv region were the main targets... One of the explosions also damaged cars in the EU Delegation parking lot. All of my colleagues are safe and we continue our work. Kyiv stands – and the European Union stands with it," she said.
She reminded that Russia deliberately strikes civilians to intimidate them.
"It will not succeed. Ukraine has the right to live in peace and security. The EU will continue supporting Ukraine's righteous war effort, providing humanitarian aid, and helping rebuild what was destroyed," the diplomat added.
Estonia
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna called the attack cynical, noting that as the world gathered for the UN General Assembly, Russia shelled Ukraine for 12 hours.
"A terror state strikes again... Enough hesitation. The response must be immediate and unforgiving: escalate sanctions, impose tariffs, cut ties. Isolation must be total," he said.
Norway
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described Moscow's actions as hypocritical.
"In the halls of the United Nations, Russia speaks of peace; on the ground in Ukraine, its illegal war continues day and night," Eide said.
Lithuania
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's words at the UN Security Council were lies, as Moscow attacked Ukraine at the same time.
He called the strike one of the largest since 2022 and a deliberate escalation against civilians. Budrys urged Europe to stop buying Russian energy and to give Ukraine stronger air defenses.
Finland
Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the overnight attack, following the UN General Assembly week, exposed Moscow's false narratives.
"Now is the time to approve the next EU sanctions package and keep the pressure on Russia's war machine," Stubb said.
Latvia
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže also sharply condemned the strikes on civilians.
"The only way to stop Russia is to degrade its military capabilities, while supplying Ukraine with the right weapons to increase its ability to strike legitimate military targets and defend itself," she said.
NATO
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelenskyy briefed him on Russia's "treacherous attack" involving drones, missiles, and ballistic strikes. They also discussed the PURL program, which allows Ukraine to purchase weapons to protect civilians.
Russia pounds Ukraine in massive September 28 attack
Today, Russian forces launched 595 drones of various types and 48 missiles across Ukraine, including Kinzhal missiles. So far, at least 70 people have been reported injured nationwide, and 100 civilian facilities have been damaged.
In Kyiv, four people were killed in the attack, including a 12-year-old girl. Fourteen others were injured.
More than 30 people were also reported injured in the Kyiv region.
For more details about the consequences of the attack, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
