- Ukraine’s “Notable Progress” in Offensive
- Russian Claims of Gains in Northeastern Ukraine
- Challenges and Request for NATO Support in Ukrainian Counteroffensive
According to the US government, Ukraine’s forces have made “notable progress” in their offensive against heavily fortified Russian positions in the south.
John Kirby, a spokesman for White House security, stated that these gains were made in the last 72 hours south of Zaporizhia.
Dmytro Kuleba, the foreign minister of Ukraine, told CNN that Kyiv’s forces are advancing, but that “it’s a tough fight.”
Russia asserts that it has captured strategic heights close to the Ukrainian city of Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine.
None of the claims have been verified independently.
Mr. Kirby stated that Kiev had admitted that the push in the south, which intended to sever the Russian land corridor to Crimea, was proceeding more slowly than anticipated.
He stated, “They have had some success against the second line of Russian defences.”
The Ukrainian military announced earlier in the week that it had occupied the village of Robotyne in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Russia has amassed forces in the north-east to recapture territory liberated by Ukraine east of Kharkiv.
It is believed that Russia has constructed an elaborate system of trenches and tunnels in the south, defended by minefields, artillery positions, and so-called “dragon’s teeth” anti-tank concrete barriers.
After acquiring more sophisticated armaments from its Western allies and preparing assault battalions, Kiev launched its counteroffensive.
However, progress has been sluggish, and Kyiv continues to urge NATO nations to deliver tanks, demining equipment, and warplanes, particularly F-16 fighter jets manufactured in the United States.
Mr. Kuleba expressed annoyance on Thursday at those who criticised the tempo of the Ukrainian counteroffensive.
At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Spain, he advised critics to “shut up, come to Ukraine, and try to liberate one square centimetre by themselves.”
In February of 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2014, Russian forces annexed the Crimean peninsula and a large portion of the Donbas region in Ukraine.
President Putin told students on the first day of school that Russia’s victory in World War II demonstrated their nation’s invincibility.
“I understood why we won the Great Patriotic War,” he said in a speech aimed at bolstering school-based patriotism. “It is impossible to vanquish such a nation with such a mentality. We were completely unbeatable. And now we are the same.”
The Russian incursion brought “important conversations” from the Kremlin into classrooms.
The Russian military announced on Friday that it had activated a new strategic nuclear missile system known as Sarmat.
Long-range missiles are equipped with multiple warheads. Their deployment has not been confirmed independently.
