US Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed during his visit to Ukraine that an extra $2 billion in military assistance will be provided to the country. This announcement comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, with Russia advancing further into Ukrainian territory and asserting control over three additional settlements. Blinken made this declaration during a press conference held in Kyiv with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, emphasizing that the aid is intended to bolster Ukraine's industrial capabilities.
He made an announcement stating that a bilateral security agreement between the United States and Ukraine was nearing completion, with the possibility of being signed in the coming weeks. He emphasized that the United States was expediting the delivery of ammunition, armored vehicles, missiles, and air defenses to Ukraine to ensure their prompt arrival at the front line.
His comments were made at a time when Ukrainian forces are facing significant challenges along the extensive front line, as they struggle to repel a renewed offensive by Russian forces. On Wednesday, Russia's Ministry of Defense declared that they had gained control over the settlements of Hlyboke and Lukyantsi in the northeastern Kharkiv region, as well as Robotyne in the southern Zaporizhzhia region. These incremental territorial gains have raised concerns in Kyiv.
Ukraine confirmed that it had withdrawn some troops from the Kharkiv region, where Russian forces launched a surprise offensive earlier this month, inflicting heavy damage on border settlements.
"In certain areas of Lukyantsi and Vovchansk, our units were forced to maneuver and relocate to more advantageous positions due to enemy fire and assault actions, to safeguard the lives of our soldiers," stated a military spokesperson on state television.
Ukrainian authorities reported that over 30,000 Russian troops have been stationed in the northeastern area. Approximately 8,000 individuals, predominantly women, elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children, have been evacuated by emergency services. In a separate incident, two casualties were reported in Dnipro due to a Russian airstrike, as confirmed by the regional governor.
Blinken stated in a speech at the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute that Putin is escalating another attack on Ukraine in Kharkiv and the eastern regions, deploying Russian troops, Iranian drones, North Korean artillery, and a variety of military equipment provided by China.
"We stand with you today and will continue to support Ukraine until its security, sovereignty, and right to determine its own future are secured," he affirmed.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's press secretary has declared that all future foreign visits have been postponed due to the escalating attacks from Russia. Additionally, the president had previously canceled a planned trip to Spain and Portugal.
During a news briefing in Moscow, Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, commented on Blinken's visit to Kyiv, suggesting that it indicated Washington's mounting concern regarding the situation on the front lines.
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Zakharova stated, "The Biden administration's growing alarm is evident, as the front-line situation and the military setbacks of the Ukrainian armed forces continue to cause increasing concern."
She stated that Zelenskyy's corrupt government will inevitably crumble, regardless of the amount of weaponry they possess. The Russian Defence Ministry announced on Wednesday that they successfully neutralized 17 drones in various border regions, along with 10 ATACMS missiles in the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Additionally, Ukrainian drone strikes resulted in the closure of two airports in Tatarstan, a region located 1,000km (620 miles) within Russian territory.
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