Russia says Ukraine has begun its counteroffensive, US publicizes extra navy assist for Kyiv | Top factors

By India Today World Desk: Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned on Friday (native time) that Ukraine had begun its long-awaited counteroffensive in several components of the nation in a bid to reclaim the realm occupied by Russian forces. But he claimed that Kyiv’s “every attempted advance” had failed and led to heavy casualties.

Both Moscow and Kyiv reported heavy preventing and casualties in Ukraine even because the United States introduced a further $2.1 billion in safety help for Kyiv, together with air defence and ammunition capabilities.

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Let us now look into the most recent developments which have unfolded to this point within the Russia-Ukraine warfare, which broke out in February final 12 months:

Three Russian cities near the border with neighbouring Ukraine got here below assault by drones. A state of emergency was declared within the southern Russian metropolis of Voronezh after a drone hit an condominium constructing, officers mentioned.

Drones additionally fell on an workplace constructing in Belgorod and close to an oil depot in Kursk. No severe injury was reported in these cities.

The drone assault in Voronezh was declared a “terrorist act” with Russia’s state Investigative Committee initiating a prison case in opposition to “persons acting in the interests of the military-political leadership of Ukraine”.

Russia, final month, mentioned it had shot down or diverted eight Ukrainian drones in an assault on a number of districts of Moscow. According to a Ukrainian presidential aide, Kyiv denied their involvement within the Moscow drone assaults however acknowledged it was “pleased to watch events” and warned of extra strikes, Reuters reported.

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Putin spoke in regards to the Ukraine counteroffensive and mentioned though it had “certainly” begun, it was not in a position to make any advances as Moscow responded to each assault by Kyiv.

“All counteroffensive attempts made so far have failed. But the offensive potential of the troops of the Kyiv regime is still preserved,” he mentioned.

Ukrainian troops mentioned they made advances in Bakhmut, which was captured by Russian forces in May after almost a 12 months of fight preventing on the bottom, the deadliest in Europe since World War II. As the preventing raged, some German and US tanks and armoured autos have been sighted for the primary time.

According to the Russian defence ministry, assaults in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk areas have been repelled, resulting in over 1,000 Ukrainian casualties and the destruction of armoured autos and tanks. However, the ministry didn’t give any proof for its assertions.

The ministry mentioned Ukrainian troops attacked Russian traces 4 instances with two battalions supported by tanks simply south of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk, however have been pushed again, Reuters reported.

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The US Department of Defence on Friday introduced a further $2.1 billion in safety help for Ukraine, together with crucial air defence and ammunition capabilities.

The bundle consists of extra munitions for Patriot air defence programs, HAWK air defence programs and missiles, 105mm and 203mm artillery rounds, Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems, Laser-guided rocket system munitions, and assist for coaching, upkeep, and sustainment actions.

“This Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) package illustrates the continued commitment to both Ukraine’s critical near-term capabilities as well as the enduring capacity of Ukraine’s Armed Forces to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression over the long term,” the Defence Department mentioned in a press release.

(With inputs from Agencies)