Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maljar also said on Monday night that Russia is pursuing a “tactic of attrition and utter destruction” against Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut. The Ukrainians would have to defend themselves against a numerically superior enemy.
“Towards Bakhmut, the situation is getting more and more complicated,” Zelenskyj said in his evening video address. He linked this to a request for more arms deliveries, including for better air defense, including fighter jets.
Ukraine has been resisting the Russian invasion for more than a year. Tuesday is the 370th day of the war. The attacked country was promised financial aid during a visit to Kiev by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. Even when Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) visits Washington at the end of this week, according to the White House, attention will mainly be focused on the war in Ukraine.
Desperate situation in Bachmut
“The enemy is constantly destroying everything that can serve to defend, fortify and defend our positions,” Zelenskyy said of the fighting in Bakhmut. He called the Ukrainian soldiers who have been defending the city of Donbass for six months “real heroes”.
The Ukrainian army defends Bakhmut in a war of attrition to tie down and inflict casualties on as many Russian troops as possible. However, the Russians are not only attacking from the east. They also made their way north and south of the city, leaving only one clear way for the Ukrainians to retreat. In addition to regular soldiers, Russia mainly uses the Wagner mercenary group in Bakhmut and aims to exhaust the Ukrainians. “The enemy army is increasing the intensity of its offensive activities,” Deputy Minister Maljar wrote on Telegram. Despite heavy losses, the enemies are in the majority. The information could not be independently verified.
General Staff confirms intensified Russian attacks
The Ukrainian General Staff confirmed the intensified Russian attacks on the frontline cities in Donbass. In addition to Bakhmut, the General Staff’s situation report on Monday night also mentioned attacks on Kupyansk, Liman, Avdiivka and Wuhledar in the east of the country. The attacks at Avdiivka, which is close to Donetsk, and at Wuhledar were repelled. The Russian Ministry of Defense had previously reported an increase in the offensive in the Donetsk area with artillery and airstrikes.
Yellen takes $10 billion with him
US Treasury Secretary Yellen met Zelenskyy during her unannounced visit to Kiev and assured him of continued US support. She announced that she would release an initial tranche of $1.2 billion (more than €1.1 billion) in economic aid. The US wants to help Ukraine with a total of $ 10 billion this year. In 2022, Washington gave $13 billion. Military support is not included in the figures.
Selenskyj thanked for US support since the beginning of the Russian offensive war. Foreign aid covers more than half of Ukraine’s state budget this year. The US also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s pledge of $400 million in aid during a visit by its foreign minister to Kiev.
Chancellor Scholz for trip to the US
The White House says the war in Ukraine will be a central topic Friday at the upcoming meeting between Chancellor Scholz and US President Joe Biden in Washington. “I think I can tell you in good faith that the war in Ukraine will undoubtedly be a major topic of conversation,” National Security Council communications director John Kirby said. Germany has been heavily involved and has expanded its support in a meaningful way, as the recent deployment for Leopard 2 tanks has shown.
However, there have recently been conflicting statements from the White House and the Chancellery about how the commitment to supply main battle tanks to Ukraine came about. A spokesman for the federal government denied that Scholz had made the supply of German Leopard tanks contingent on the supply of Abrams tanks by the United States. Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan said so.
That brings the day
In Helsinki, the Finnish parliament will start the final debate on Tuesday about the EU country’s accession to NATO. The vote is likely to take place on Wednesday. Impressed by the Russian attack, decades-neutral neighbors Finland and Sweden decided to join the defense alliance. The decisive factor for this is the approval of all NATO member states – only Turkey and Hungary have not yet approved the applications of both countries.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russia, will visit Beijing on Wednesday. China also supports Moscow in the war against Ukraine, but has recently presented some kind of peace plan. This was welcomed by Russia but met with skepticism by Ukraine and its Western allies. (SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
