Every strike must have a price — Russia’s aggression cannot go unpunished

The Ukrainian World Congress vehemently condemns the latest wave of attacks launched by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its civilian population. These are not acts of war; they are acts of terror, deliberate, calculated, and in violation of every principle of international law and human morality.

As Ukrainians prepared to celebrate Kyiv Day, a moment of unity, pride, and cultural resilience, Russia unleashed an unprecedented wave of missile and drone strikes. The sheer scale of these attacks over the past three nights may be record-setting, a deliberate escalation designed to terrorize civilians and disrupt any hope for peace. This is not just another assault, it is an unmistakable signal from Moscow that it rejects the very notion of negotiations.

Russia’s brutality persists because it is enabled, through hidden supply chains, weak sanctions enforcement, and international hesitation. Words of concern are not enough. The Ukrainian World Congress calls on the global community to act decisively to stop this cycle of terror. Specifically, we demand:

• The immediate disruption of Russia’s missile and drone supply chains. Governments, businesses, and civil society must unite to track and halt the flow of critical components fueling this war machine.
• A new model for sanctions: “pay for every hit.” Each new attack on peaceful Ukrainian cities must trigger direct and escalating consequences, from asset freezes to severe financial penalties. The world must make Russia feel the cost of its terror in real, tangible ways.
• An immediate and enforceable ceasefire in the air. No more delays. Civilian lives must be protected, and Ukraine must receive the air defense capabilities needed to neutralize this threat.

Every delay, every weak response, emboldens Russia to strike again. Today, it is Kyiv. Tomorrow, it could be another nation facing the consequences of unchecked aggression.

What should have been a celebration of Kyiv’s endurance has instead become a mourning of its suffering. Yet Ukraine will not be broken. And the world must not look away. Stand with Ukraine, not just in statements, but in action.