Ukrainian FM urges "devastating sanctions" on Russia after as heavy overnight attacks on Kyiv, Odesa PHOTO

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha has stated that the Russian Armed Forces are carrying out the “strongest attacks” on Kyiv and Odesa, and therefore called on allies to immediately impose “devastating sanctions” against Moscow.

“Another night of Russian terror in Ukraine. Kyiv and Odesa under heaviest attacks by hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles. Russians struck a maternity ward and ordinary residential buildings, killing and injuring civilians,” Caliber.Az quotes Sybiha as writing on his X page.

The minister accused the Russian side of avoiding steps to achieve peace: “Russia rejects any meaningful peace efforts and must face new, devastating sanctions. Already now. There is no more time to wait.”

“Energy, including a lower oil price cap, banking, and secondary sanctions are among the most sensitive areas. These sanctions are not just intended to support Ukraine. They are essential to our partners. Such economic restrictions defund Russia's war machine, which is directed not only at us, but also at them,” Sybiha stressed.

In addition to sanctions, Sybiha urged allies to step up military support for Ukraine: “Equally important are steps to strengthen Ukraine, especially additional supplies of air defense capabilities.”

For the record, the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and the southern port city of Odesa were hit by massive Russian drone attacks overnight from June 9 to 10.

In Kyiv, at least two people were injured as debris fell in several districts, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, Timur Tkachenko. Fires broke out in residential areas and a business centre suffered damage.

In Odesa, one civilian was killed and at least four others injured. A maternity hospital’s administrative section was damaged, while a nearby residential building was struck directly. The city’s emergency medical services station was also destroyed, and several ambulances were damaged.

By Khagan Isayev