Kyiv has accused Western leader of lacking political determination, asserting their inaction is enabling Russia to inflict terror and death upon Ukrainian civilians, while providing them an upper hand in the ongoing conflict. The Kharkiv region has been severely impacted with persistent rocket attacks and intense battle, causing the death of at least 11 individuals and injuring 36 more on a recent Sunday.
Amongst the deceased, there was reportedly a pregnant woman, as two missiles targeted a recreational area located on the fringes of the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, which is populated by approximately 1.3 million citizens. The second missile is said to have struck roughly 20 minutes after the initial launch, seemingly focusing on first responders, which included police and medical professionals amongst the wounded.
Another strike to the east of the area, around 140km away, resulted in the demise of five individuals in a double-village hit within the Kupiansk district of the Kharkiv region.
“Reports of Russian-instigated terrorism are emerging near enough every hour. The deployment of missiles, bombs, and artillery – this ability of Russia to instil terror within our cities and communities and the killing of ordinary civilians is what permits their continued hostility”, expressed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Zelenskiy believes that the world holds the power to ceasefire Russian terrorism, on condition that the problematic lack of political determination amongst leaders is addressed. With regards to the situation within the Kharkiv region, he anticipates that the introduction of two US-made Patriot air defence systems could prove to be a game changer. Zelenskiy adds that the availability of stronger air defence equipment in other cities, along with ample support for the frontline warriors will ensure the downfall of Russian terror.
Ukraine has been requesting additional air defence systems and weaponry for a considerable time, however, their pleas have only been partially fulfilled. Zelenskiy suggests that valuable assets that could be deployed for daily defence are lying unused within the storage of Western countries that are reluctant to relinquish them.
“We currently have approximately 25 percent of what’s required to defend Ukraine; I refer mainly to air defence”, he commented during an interview broadcasted on Saturday with AFP. He reiterated his conviction that the provision of Western aid for Kyiv is restrained due to leaders’ concerns regarding the potential for geopolitical disarray stemming from Russian loss.
Kyiv’s military anxiously anticipated additional support from the US Congress for a duration of roughly half a year, a move that was delayed as Russia advanced into the Donetsk area and readied an assault on the Kharkiv region, implemented on the 10th of May.
In the previous 10 days, approximately 10,000 inhabitants have been ushered away from the Kharkiv border regions as intense conflict ensued on Sunday, in proximity to Vovchansk town. Russia declared its troops were making progress, however official statements from Ukrainian military indicate that forces from Kyiv were not only holding off these advances but also reclaiming some territories.
Mr Zelenskiy stated that the major tactical edge for Russia resulted from a restriction enforced by numerous countries, the US included, on the Ukrainian military utilising western-provided artillery to launch attacks on Russian military locations.
Moreover, Ukraine is grappling with a limited number of military personnel and has recently instituted new legislation to broaden the conscription pool and offer certain criminals the opportunity to enter the army as a path to parole.