Zelensky Urges US to Pass Lindsey Graham Sanctions Bill After Russia Strikes Sumy Apartment Block, Killing 2

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope that the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s “sanction bill from hell” would eventually become law, following Russia’s strike on a residential building in Sumy. The strike killed at least two people and injured 7 others, according to Zelensky’s statement on Friday, Sept. 18.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. Russian forces reportedly used a guided aerial bomb (KAB) to hit the building between the third and fourth floors, triggering fires and a large search-and-rescue operation. Four people, including a child, have already been rescued from under the rubble. Additional strikes hit a polyclinic in Pavlohrad and logistics facilities in the Kyiv region around the same time. “Right now, America has a chance to send the aggressor the right signal,” Zelensky said, urging the US to put more pressure on Russia. Sanctions bill near Trump’s desk, sources say Earlier on Friday, RBC-Ukraine reported that US President Donald Trump is expected to sign the new sanctions package around 4:30 p.m. Washington’s local time (Kyiv’s 11:30 p.m.). The bill, renamed S.5025 - Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026, would give Trump more leverage to pressure Moscow into ending the war against Ukraine by allowing him to impose tariffs of up to 100$ on countries buying Russian oil, gas, uranium and other commodities. The revised version marks a drop from the 500% proposed tariff on goods imports from countries purchasing Russian energy envisioned in Graham’s original bill S.1241. Other Topics of Interest Russia’s Shadow Fleet Shipments from Baltic Ports Rise 10.1%, KSE Institute Says Russia’s seaborne oil exports fell 10.7% m-o-m in July 2026, while shadow fleet shipments from Baltic Sea ports rose 10.1%, KSE Institute’s August tracker shows. The bill passed by 262 votes to 159 and will soon head to Trump’s desk. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 97% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.