Ukraine calls for tighter sanctions as Russian attacks spark Kyiv gridlock

What the report says

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged allies to intensify sanctions on Russia after overnight drone strikes caused major disruption in Kyiv, according to Al Jazeera. The attacks closed several key bridges across the Dnipro River, leading to heavy traffic congestion and interruptions for cars and public transport in the capital on Friday.

Al Jazeera reported that the Southern Bridge, Paton Bridge and part of the Metro Bridge were shut after the strikes. Zelenskyy said the drones hit the Southern Bridge multiple times and argued that Russia’s war effort still depends on foreign-made components. He appealed for stronger political action to stop those supply chains and said sanctions should be tightened if Moscow continues escalating attacks.

The report said one person was killed in the latest wave of strikes, with more than 100 drones launched across Ukraine. Other locations hit included Kherson, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk and Sumy, where a kindergarten, shop and apartment buildings were damaged or targeted, and at least four people were wounded in different regions.

The article also noted that Ukrainian forces carried out overnight strikes inside Russia, including on energy-related facilities, while Russian officials claimed their drones struck infrastructure in Kyiv and elsewhere. The developments come amid broader international debate over sanctions enforcement and renewed pressure on Russia’s military supply chains.