The European Union has officially adopted its 18th package of sanctions against Russia in response to its ongoing war in Ukraine. According to diplomatic sources, the latest measures include a further reduction in the price cap on Russian oil exports, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow’s war economy.
A diplomat speaking after a meeting in Brussels confirmed the agreement, calling the new package “strong and effective.” The EU has maintained a steady pace of sanctions since the beginning of the conflict, now entering its fourth year.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated on social media platform X that, together with the United States, France will work to force a ceasefire.
Done ! This morning, we Europeans have adopted unprecedented sanctions against Russia and against the countries providing their support.
France has played a key role in this decision. Together with the United States, we will compel Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) July 18, 2025
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed that message in a post of her own, welcoming the agreement on the new sanctions package.
I welcome the agreement on our 18th sanctions package against Russia.
We are striking at the heart of Russia’s war machine.
Targeting its banking, energy and military-industrial sectors and including a new dynamic oil price cap.
The pressure is on.
It will stay on until…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 18, 2025
Drone Warfare Escalates Overnight
As diplomatic measures intensify, the battlefield shows no signs of de-escalation. Overnight, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported that its air defense systems intercepted and destroyed 73 Ukrainian drones. Three of the drones were reportedly en route to Moscow.
FILE PHOTO: A serviceman from the mobile air defence unit of the 115th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a ZPU-2 anti-aircraft machine gun towards a Russian drone during an overnight shift, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine July 17, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova/File Photo
Most of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were shot down over Russia’s southwestern regions. A particularly high concentration—31 drones—was intercepted over Bryansk, a region bordering Ukraine.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin stated that no casualties or damages had been reported from the attempted drone strikes. In a post on Telegram, he confirmed that emergency services were investigating areas where debris from the drones fell.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly called on Western allies to increase pressure on Russia and provide stronger support to bring about a ceasefire and restore peace.
A decision by the European Union that we all worked for together. We managed to strengthen the 18th package of sanctions against Russia for this war, and today the package has been approved. I thank everyone who contributed to this.
I would especially like to recognize European…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 18, 2025
Airports Temporarily Disrupted
The attempted drone attacks also led to temporary disruptions at several Moscow airports. Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsia, briefly suspended operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports. These suspensions were later lifted.
Operations at a third major airport, Vnukovo, were also halted shortly after midnight but resumed by morning.
There has been no official comment from Ukrainian authorities regarding these specific attacks. However, Kyiv has previously maintained that its strikes within Russian territory target critical infrastructure necessary for Moscow’s military operations.
Conflict Continues Into Fourth Year
With the war in Ukraine continuing into its fourth year, the intensity on both diplomatic and military fronts shows no sign of easing. While the EU intensifies its economic measures, both Russia and Ukraine remain locked in an ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks, many involving increasingly frequent drone warfare.
