KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for global action to tighten export controls, accusing Russia of using Western-made components to fuel its escalating drone and missile attacks on Ukraine.
In a social media post, Zelenskyy revealed that in October alone, Russia launched over 2,000 Shahed drones, nearly one per day, targeting Ukraine. “Such a massive number of Shaheds requires over 170,000 individual components that should have been blocked from reaching Russia,” he wrote, noting that parts continue to come from suppliers in China, Europe, and the United States.
“This ongoing supply chain highlights, yet again, the urgent need for the world to step up export controls on special components and resources,” Zelenskyy urged, warning that Russia must not be permitted to “circumvent sanctions that were imposed long ago in response to this war.”
Zelenskyy also emphasized that existing sanctions must be strengthened to prevent evasion tactics, adding that each method used to bypass restrictions “is a crime against people and the world.” He warned that these schemes enable Russia’s support for other regimes, including Iran and North Korea, stressing that only a “global, unified pressure” can effectively counter the threat.
The Ukrainian leader’s statement follows heightened tensions amid Russia’s continued air assault and a call for allies to bolster the sanctions regime against Moscow.
