Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed Wednesday that the European Union would intensify pressure on Russia through additional sanctions and bolster military support for Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 17 people had been killed in overnight strikes.

According to Anadolu Agency, Macron expressed his condemnation of the attacks, stating that Russia's decision to target civilians in Kyiv and its surrounding region was a deliberate policy of terror. He emphasized that such actions are unacceptable and that Russia must be held accountable for its crimes, underscoring the EU's commitment to not yielding to fatigue or intimidation while standing firmly with Ukraine.

Macron further detailed that the EU, along with its partners, will ramp up pressure on Russia by implementing new sanctions and enhancing military support for Ukraine. This initiative aims to empower Ukraine to defend itself and safeguard its population amidst ongoing hostilities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the overnight strikes resulted in the deaths of 17 individuals and wounded 44 others in Kyiv and its surrounding areas. The attack involved a combination of 24 ballistic missiles, four Tsirkon and Oniks missiles, and 115 drones, many of which were jet-powered, as stated in Zelenskyy's Telegram message.