Ukraine receives new weapons package from the US – the night update Toddler dies in boat accident near Lampedusa – eight missing

The US is providing Ukraine with additional military equipment to defend against the Russian invasion. The new package worth 100 million dollars (about 91.4 million euros) is military aid that has already been approved by the US Congress. The armament package includes Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, a Himars-type multiple rocket launcher and artillery ammunition.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Monday during his stay in Kiev: “In a conflict like this, there is no silver bullet.” It is important to field the right capabilities and integrate them sensibly into Ukraine’s defense efforts so that the greatest possible impact on the battlefield can be achieved.

He assured Ukraine of further support during his visit. He sees “cross-party support in both chambers of Congress” for this. Some members of Congress have legitimate questions that the administration will answer. “What happens in Ukraine is important not only for Ukraine, but for the whole world,” Austin emphasized. President Joe Biden’s administration must fight to secure new funds for Ukraine as continued aid is controversial in the U.S. Congress.

Zelensky emphasizes the value of artillery ammunition

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj had earlier announced the US arms package. “Above all, there will be more artillery shells, which are especially needed now,” Zelensky said in his daily video message on Monday.

During the productive talks with Austin, developments at the front and ways to strengthen Ukrainian defense were discussed, Zelensky said. He thanked the US for its “continued leadership role in aid”.

Ten years of Euromaidan: Moscow sees Ukraine and the West to blame

On the tenth anniversary of the pro-European protests on the Maidan in Kiev, the Russian Foreign Ministry blamed Ukraine and the West for the conflict with Moscow. In very derogatory terms, ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asked what the dream of Europe had brought to Ukraine. “Ukraine has turned from a prosperous, industrially developed, densely populated ex-Soviet republic into an impoverished, dying region,” she said.

As a result of events since November 2013, Ukraine has lost its state independence and is being nourished “by Western colonizers who determine domestic and foreign policies,” Zakharova claimed. The Russian Foreign Ministry published the statements on its website on Monday. Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has been waging war against Ukraine for almost 21 months in an attempt to bring the country back under Moscow’s control.

Tens of thousands of women serve in the Ukrainian army

More than 40,000 women served in the Ukrainian army during the Russian war of aggression. The Ministry of Defense in Kiev announced on Monday that this is just over five percent of the total strength of the armed forces. Currently, about 5,000 Ukrainians are deployed in the fighting. In total, more than 13,400 women have been involved in combat operations to date.

What will be important on Tuesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a video conference of the Bric states on the war in Gaza. During his appearance there, the Kremlin chief wants to present himself as a mediator at the international level, despite his own war of aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukraine is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the pro-European protests on the Maidan in Kiev. Guests from abroad are also expected to commemorate the momentous demonstrations. (sda/dpa)