Ukraine announced that all 13 of the explosive drones launched by Russia in its most recent strike against its neighbour’s infrastructure were successfully intercepted. This comes as aspirations grow in Kyiv for the reinstatement of U.S. military support. Moscow, on the other hand, insisted that any such aid would not affect the conflict on the ground.
Foreign ministers of the G7 nations alongside Kyiv praised the upcoming U.S. House of Representative’s vote to allocate $60 billion (€56 billion) in fresh aid for Ukraine. The beleaguered country, meanwhile, continued to stress its urgent need for more air defence capabilities.
Ukrainian authorities revealed that the primary target of Russia’s drone onslaught during the early hours of Thursday was the “critical infrastructure” in the western Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Every one of the 13 Iranian-produced Shahed drones utilized by Russia was shot down. This follows a day after three ballistic missiles struck the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv. As of Thursday, the fatality count from that incursion increased to 18, with a confirmed injury tally of 78.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal conveyed cautious optimism regarding the potential for the Republican-dominated House of Representatives to finally lift its prolonged embargo on a White House proposal for fresh military aid to Kyiv.
The prime minister cautioned, during his Washington interview with the BBC, that should Ukraine lose its conflict with Russia, “the worldwide security regime would collapse”. He implied this could incite various clashes and possibly trigger the commencement of a third world conflict.
The Ukrainian foreign affairs minister, Dmytro Kuleba, during a G7 meeting in Italy, held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Their topics of discussion included attempts to secure more Patriot air defence equipment and missiles for Ukraine. They also strongly highlighted the necessity for the U.S. Congress passing an additional aid package for Ukraine.
EU Foreign Policy Chief, Josep Borrell, arriving for the G7 conference, highlighted recent harmful Russian missile and drone assaults on Ukraine’s power infrastructure. He appealed to western nations and global allies to step up their efforts in supporting Ukraine’s defences.
In the ensuing days, decisive action needs to be undertaken to bolster Ukraine’s air defence. Without this, the nation’s power systems could be devastated. Without power, no nation can effectively wage war – in residential areas, industrial zones, or at the battlefront – it’s essential for all aspects, stated Borrell.
From the occupied towns of Bakhmut and Avdiivka in eastern Donetsk, Russia’s attack forces are methodically advancing westward. These areas were seized in May last year and February this year respectively.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the battlefield conditions as “anything but advantageous for Ukraine”, asserting that aid from the US military “won’t alter the situation”.
The GUR, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency, reported a missile assault on the Dzhankoi airbase in Crimea, which Russia currently occupies. This attack severely damaged or demolished four Russian S-400 missile launchers, a control station, three radars, and equipment for airspace monitoring. Moscow, meanwhile, has yet to offer any comment on the powerful explosions at the base, which were detected early Wednesday.