As Russia Targets Civilians, Pressure Mounts On Trump To Use Sanctions Powers

WASHINGTON -- A new wave of deadly Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian cities is fueling bipartisan calls in Washington for US President Donald Trump to use sweeping new sanctions powers against Moscow, with lawmakers arguing that greater economic pressure could strengthen efforts to end the war.

Russia's bombardment killed at least nine people and wounded more than 80 on September 28, according to Ukrainian officials. Moscow's forces struck apartment buildings, offices, data centers, and the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv in a daytime attack.

Early on September 29, authorities in Kyiv reported a new wave of Russian attacks, with journalists reporting several large explosions in the Ukrainian capital. Details were not immediately available.

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The strikes followed a week of diplomatic efforts at the UN aimed at gaining traction for negotiations to end Russia's full-scale invasion, now in its fifth year.

"The [US] president must move out quickly to capitalize on the Graham Sanctions Bill," Republican Representative Don Bacon told RFE/RL on September 28, referring to the recently approved legislation.

"The Russians keep bombing cities and civilians. Americans overwhelmingly want to see the president take action now," Bacon said. "The Russian economy is one of our leverage points, and we need to take advantage of that."

The call is part of a bipartisan, bicameral push for Trump to make use of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Congress passed by wide margins and Trump signed into law this month.

Pressure From Congress

Senator Roger Wicker, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also urged Trump on September 28 to use the economic tools provided by the legislation to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a statement shared with RFE/RL, Wicker praised Trump's efforts to pursue a negotiated settlement but said Washington must remain "clear-eyed" about Putin, arguing that Moscow has continued attacking Ukraine despite diplomatic efforts.

“He mocks the peace process," Wicker said, "but he might be compelled to take it more seriously if his bank account is threatened.”

Wicker said the law gives Trump several options, including imposing additional financial restrictions on Putin's associates and companies supporting Russian weapons production, sanctioning major purchasers of Russian energy, and targeting Russia's so-called shadow fleet used to evade existing restrictions.

"Peace will come through American and Ukrainian strength, not through Putin's good will," Wicker said, urging Trump to use the new authorities "to the fullest extent."

Democrats backing the legislation are also pressing for implementation, with a particular focus on cutting the energy revenues that help finance Russia's war.

"We're going to be watching the implementation very closely," Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, told RFE/RL on September 17. "It's not just the sanctions piece that we think is important, but it's also, as I said, shutting down the revenues," she said.

Shaheen said pressure should extend beyond Russia to countries continuing to purchase Russian energy, singling out China.

Shaheen also called for action against transactions involving the shadow fleet, saying buyers should not be able to obtain Russian oil and gas through opaque trading networks at discounted prices.

Attacks In Daylight

The calls came as Ukraine reported another series of strikes on civilian and economic infrastructure. Russian drone attacks in the Kyiv region killed four people and wounded eight, officials said.

In Kyiv, a woman was killed when a strike hit the National Academy of Sciences in the Shevchenkivskiy district. Russian forces also hit a pharmaceutical company and gas stations in the capital.

Denys Sienik, charge d'affaires at the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington, told RFE/RL on September 28 that the attacks showed Moscow was expanding its targeting of Ukraine's economic and technological infrastructure.

"These attacks make clear that Putin is investing in continuing the war, not ending it -- with devastating consequences for civilians," Sienik said.

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He described people trapped in the burning, smoke-filled National Academy of Sciences building, standing at windows as they tried to escape.

"This is not an isolated incident, but part of a sustained pattern of Russian aggression that continues to claim civilian lives across Ukraine," Sienik said.

He argued that greater sanctions pressure was therefore "an essential part of the effort for peace," saying measures constraining Russia's ability to finance the war could help save lives.

Where To Apply Pressure

The legislation gives the administration several potential avenues to increase economic pressure, but sanctions specialists say some of the most immediate opportunities involve targets that have so far escaped US restrictions.

"Many of the authorities enacted in this law were already at the president's disposal," Elaine Dezenski, head of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told RFE/RL.

"But the law will provide additional impetus for review of individuals and entities who may be subject to sanctions but who haven't yet been targeted," she added.

Dezenski pointed in particular to Russia's shadow fleet and foreign entities involved in its energy trade.

"That's significant as many of Russia's shadow fleet vessels remain unsanctioned," she said. "The same goes for many of the Chinese buyers of Russian oil and suppliers to Russia's sanctioned energy infrastructure projects."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that the legislation gives Trump substantial discretion over how to apply the new authorities.

"The law gives the president tariff authority," Rubio told reporters in New York on September 23 in response to a question from RFE/RL.

Rubio said the law also provides national-security waivers, allowing Trump to apply the measures selectively. "What the president has now is a tool in his toolbox that he can use not just to influence what happens in Russia and Ukraine and in that conflict but potentially what's happening with Iran as well," Rubio said.

"How he'll use it is up to him to decide, and up to him to announce."

 
As Russia Targets Civilians, Pressure Mounts On Trump To Use Sanctions Powers

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