Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified attacks on the Ukrainians with over 1,260 aerial bombs hitting regions in Ukraine in just 7 Days.
Additionally, nearly 1,550 drone attacks have been launched by Russia against Ukraine, as reported by the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Over the past week, Russia launched nearly 1,550 attack drones against Ukraine, more than 1,260 guided aerial bombs, and two missiles,” Zelenskyy stated.
According to the president of Ukraine, Russia is financing the war against Iran through the increased sale of crude oil due to the easing of the sanctions.
The United States (US) had earlier issued a 30-day waiver of Russian oil sanctions amid the ongoing war in Iran.
Zelenskyy commented on the waiver, stating that the easing of the sanctions could provide Russia with approximately $10 billion for the war.
He added that the revenues gained by the Russians give them an advantage in the continuity of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Zelenskyy has called for continued pressure and sanctions against the Russians. He also called for leaders to work towards ensuring that the Russians are not a threat.
He added that there is a need for continued coordination with international partners to increase pressure on Russia.
German Leaders on the Sanctions against Putin’s Oil
During the discussion on sanctions against Russia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the decision to issue a waiver on Russian oil was a bad decision during his meeting with the heads of state and government of the Group of Seven industrialized democracies.
“Six members of the G7 expressed a very clear view that this (waiving of Russia sanctions) is not the right signal to send,” Merz said during a visit to Norway.
He added that despite the expressed concern of the six members of the G7, the US government decided to issue the waiver.
Also Read: Trump Extends Putin Oil Lifeline Worth Billions, Kim Jong Un Shut
The temporary exemption from US sanctions is set to remain in place until April 11, 2026. The U.S. Treasury Department claimed that the waiver was intended to free up Russian cargoes stranded at sea and ease supply shortages caused by the ongoing war in Iran.
French President Emmanuel Macron, however, noted that the broad sanctions on Russia still stand despite the temporary U.S. waiver.
Earlier, Zelenskyy had signed sanctions on Russia’s weapons and crypto support firms and companies linked to missiles and drone production.
Putin’s attacks on Ukraine over the past week
Zelenskyy confirmed on his X account of the Russian attacks on March with over 1,770 drones, 86 missiles, and cruise missiles launched at Ukraine.
The missiles used in the attack allegedly contained at least 60 foreign components that Russia has obtained by evading sanctions, according to Zelenskyy.
A combined missile and drone attack on the Kyiv region killed at least four people and wounded at least 15 overnight into Saturday, according to the head of the regional administration.
On March 21, two people were killed in a Russian drone attack in Zaporizhzhia, as reported by the local authorities in Zaporizhzhia.
The attack took place before new talks between Ukrainian and American negotiators in the US on the ongoing war.
US-mediated talks between Moscow and Kyiv are now on hold following the war in Iran, according to Zelenskyy. The talks could resume in the coming week.
Also Read: GOP Congresswoman Explains Why Trump Is Negotiating With Russia’s Vladimir Putin
Ukraine Weaponization
In an attempt to receive high-end weapons that cannot be manufactured in Ukraine, the Ukrainians have offered to give their expertise in drone interceptors to the United States and its Gulf partners for the war in the Middle East.
Donald Trump, in response, stated that the US does not need help from Ukraine on drone defense. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has received requests for help with drones from six countries and has sent expert teams to three countries.
