Zelensky imposes sanctions on former press secretary Mendel who echoed Russian propaganda

"I anticipated the possibility of sanctions. This does not change my position," Iulia Mendel said.

"This is (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's terror, 'knocking' directly on the doors of the EU and NATO. Russian barbarians are at your gate, dear partners," Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claimed Russia had previously avoided indiscriminate strikes but changed its approach after Ukraine began targeting Russian economic and strategic infrastructure.

"He's causing a shortage of diesel," U.S. President Donald Trump said.

"Drones were operating and even striking targets located very close to the Polish border," Polish Armed Forces' Operational Command spokesperson Jacek Goryszewski said.

In Sloviansk, a city in Donestk Oblast that has faced Russian attacks since 2014, residents continue to seek spiritual support as the threat of occupation and further destruction draws closer.

Two people were killed and 12 others injured, Russian regional authorities said. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the figures.

"Ukraine right now does not want to do that," U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy and son-in-law Jared Kushner said.

Russian forces suffered 1,520 casualties over the past day.

The increase comes amid mounting evidence that Russia has relied on foreigners, particularly people from lower-income countries, to replenish its forces.

"A Russian missile destroyed our apartment in Odesa. The only thing that survived was a Roland Garros towel," Yastremska wrote on Instagram.

The statement follows a renewed U.S. diplomatic push to restart negotiations.

"Five hundred Shahed drones per day is certainly not the right time to even begin a discussion about easing sanctions," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sept. 12, after France reportedly joined Slovakia in calling to delist Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov.

The attacks on Volyn and Rivne were part of a wider Russian drone assault across Ukraine on Sept. 12. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia launched nearly 500 strike drones at the country during the day.