US President Joe Biden has promised more advanced missile systems and ammunition to Ukraine that “will allow them to hit key battlefield targets more accurately,” Biden wrote in a New York Times article.
Here are the latest developments in the Russian war in Ukraine:
New US missile systems: Following Biden’s report, senior US administration officials confirmed that the United States will send US-made high-mobility artillery missile systems, known as HIMARS, as part of the country’s 11th security package. Officials said HIMARS would be equipped with ammunition that would allow Ukraine to launch missiles about 80 kilometers (49 miles) away. This is much less than the maximum range of systems, but much greater than anything Ukraine has sent so far.
Russians control “most of Severodonetsk”: Sergei Haidai, head of the Luhansk regional military administration, said Russian troops now control most of Severodonetsk, but he dismissed speculation that Ukrainian troops in the area would be surrounded. . If Russian forces gain control of Severodonetsk, the neighboring city of Lisichansk will be the only urban area of any size in Luhansk that will remain under Ukrainian control. Earlier, Heidei said a Russian air strike in Severodonetsk had hit a nitric acid tank at a chemical plant and warned people in the city to stay in shelters.
Ukraine’s progress: Ukrainian forces have made progress in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions and are holding Russian forces in Zaporozhye, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said on Tuesday. “Our defenders are showing great courage, despite the fact that Russia has a significant advantage in strength and weapons,” Zelensky said.
NATO’s top visit: Jens Stoltenberg travels to Washington, DC, on Tuesday for a working visit, the alliance said in a statement. Stoltenberg will be in the US capital until Friday and is expected to meet with senior US officials, including Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
The United States welcomes Ukrainian refugees: More than 23,000 Ukrainians have been allowed to come to the United States as part of the Biden administration’s streamlined process for Ukrainian refugees seeking entry, according to the Interior Ministry. The Biden administration is committed to accepting up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.
A “world hunger game”: Ukraine is working on a “UN-led naval operation” with partner countries’ navies to secure a safe trade route for the export of its agricultural products, said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. Earlier, Zelensky said that 22 million tons of grain, which accounts for almost half of Ukraine’s grain exports, are being held back by Russia’s blockade of major export routes.
Moscow cuts more gas supplies: Danish energy company Ørsted has confirmed that Russian state energy giant Gazprom will cut off gas supplies starting on June 1st after Ørsted refused to pay for gas in rubles. Finland, Poland and Bulgaria have already cut off Russian gas supplies for the same reasons.
Add Comment