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Russia’s next offensive in Ukraine is underway. The defenders don’t allow themselves to be surprised and hold on, but they urgently need quick help. The news at a glance.
Kiev – According to the General Staff, the Ukrainian army continues to defend itself against a Russian offensive in the border area near the city of Kharkiv. The military reported nine battles on this section of the front this morning. It was generally stated that the Russian advances had been repelled. This information cannot be independently verified.
“The enemy is using ground troops and technology,” said a statement from the General Staff on Friday evening. The Ukrainian military has been reporting Russian advances on two broad sectors of the front since Friday. The offensive was expected because the Russian army has massed tens of thousands of soldiers near the border. President Vladimir Putin had also threatened an offensive in March.
Experts: The advance is not yet aimed at Kharkiv
However, Ukrainian and Russian military observers as well as foreign experts assumed that the attack was not yet aimed at the city of Kharkiv. The Institute for War Studies ISW in the USA spoke of “limited operational objectives”. The attacks were intended to push Ukrainian forces away from the border; The advance was intended to bring Kharkiv back into range of Russian artillery.
The strategic goal is to force the Ukrainians to withdraw soldiers and material from other beleaguered sections of the front in the east. The limited deployment does not suggest “that Russian forces are conducting a large-scale offensive operation to encircle, encircle or capture Kharkiv,” the ISW wrote. Right at the beginning of the war of aggression in spring 2022, Russian troops entered Kharkiv but were repelled.
Zelensky thanks Biden for aid package
The Ukrainian head of state thanked US President Joe Biden for the US government’s latest aid package. The State Department in Washington announced that the package was worth around 400 million US dollars (around 371 million euros). It includes, among other things, ammunition for the Patriot air defense system, other multiple rocket launchers of the Himars type with ammunition as well as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and artillery ammunition with calibers of 155 and 105 millimeters. “This is what we need,” Zelensky said. Logistics now have to be worked on in order to get all weapons to the front as quickly as possible.
After months of domestic political impasse, the US Congress approved billions in aid for Ukraine at the end of April – thereby clearing the way for new arms deliveries. The law provides aid worth around $61 billion (€57 billion) for Kiev.
The US government had long and vehemently demanded that Parliament release the money. Previous US funding for Ukraine aid expired at the end of last year. New support from Washington was largely absent for months, and the Ukrainian troops had to withdraw from some sections of the front due, among other things, to a lack of ammunition.
After releasing new funds about two and a half weeks ago, the US government has already launched several billion-dollar packages of new military equipment for Ukraine. According to the Pentagon, the United States has provided military aid worth around $50.6 billion (around €47 billion) to Kiev since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against the country.
US government watches Russian attack with concern
The US government is watching the new major Russian attack near Kharkiv with concern. “We expected Russia to launch an offensive against Kharkiv, and it now appears to have begun,” said National Security Council communications director John Kirby. In the months after the start of the war of aggression against Ukraine over two years ago, Russia’s military tried desperately to take the city, but was unsuccessful.
“In fact, it was primarily the failure to take Kharkiv that led Mr. Putin to withdraw his troops across the border,” said Kirby, referring to the Russian president. The current actions of the Russian military there are therefore “very interesting and certainly worrying”.
Medvedev threatens London and Paris with counterattacks
Former Russian President and current Vice Chairman of the National Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, threatened Great Britain and France with drastic counterattacks in the event of Ukrainian attacks with British or French cruise missiles. Such attacks on Russian territory would not be “led by idiots in embroidered robes, but by the British and French,” Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
With the “embroidered robes” he alluded to the traditional costume of the Ukrainians. The response to such attacks “maybe” will not be directed against Kiev, he threatened. “And not just with conventional explosives, but also with special ammunition.” This should also be understood by His Royal Highness’s “not fully trained idiots,” said the politician, known for his polemical statements, addressed to Great Britain.
Cameron: “Ukraine has this right”
British Foreign Secretary David Cameron once again assured Ukraine of support during his visit to Kiev a few days ago. According to the British news agency PA, he emphasized during his trip that it was up to Kiev to decide how the Ukrainians would use weapons supplied. Russia attacked Ukraine and Ukraine has the right to strike back. When asked whether this included targets in Russia, he said: “This is a decision for Ukraine and Ukraine has this right.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry had already protested against Cameron’s statements and threatened counterattacks. Both France and Great Britain support Ukraine by supplying cruise missiles. During his term as Russian President (2008 to 2012), Medvedev was considered a moderate and liberal politician. He has represented extreme positions since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine began more than two years ago. dpa
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