Zelensky urges stronger pressure on Russia as strikes intensify and Moscow expands forces

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged the United States, European Union and major non-Western powers to increase pressure on Russia following another series of aerial attacks on Ukraine.

Zelensky said strikes overnight on Sept. 26 killed two people in Zaporizhzhia and injured 14 others, while damaging homes, educational institutions, businesses and energy facilities across several regions. In a Sept. 27 statement, he said Russia had launched more than 2,200 attack drones, about 1,650 guided aerial bombs and 38 missiles during the week. He called on China, India, Brazil, South Africa and other G20 countries to use their influence over Moscow.

Zelensky also asked U.S. President Donald Trump to implement sanctions authorized under legislation targeting Russian banks, energy revenue, oligarchs, sanctions-evasion networks and foreign entities supporting Moscow’s war. He sought additional EU sanctions as well.

Separately, Zelensky said Trump had approved a license allowing Ukraine to manufacture Patriot missile interceptors after the leaders met during the U.N. General Assembly. Trump later told Fox News that he had asked Zelensky to ease Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries because of their effect on global fuel markets. Zelensky had previously said their private meeting included no effort to force Ukraine to halt such strikes.

Zelensky also said Ukrainian intelligence had reported that Russia was conducting additional troop recruitment and seeking greater foreign participation, including a possible deployment of another 10,000 North Korean troops. Russian state media reported that President Vladimir Putin had authorized a 15,500-person increase in active-duty military personnel.