Ukrainian officials have expressed their gratitude for a fresh batch of U.S. military aid, a lifeline that will bolster their armed forces in the ongoing conflict with Russia. This aid package comes at a critical time when Ukrainian troops have been facing acute shortages of shells and air defense systems. Delays in the aid’s provision, caused by political quarrels in Washington, have allowed Russian forces to make incremental gains in eastern Ukraine through sheer force of numbers and firepower, leading to a war of attrition.
The U.S. decision to provide aid was made amidst the Kremlin’s intensified bombardment of the Kharkiv region and Ukrainian long-range drone strikes on fuel and energy facilities within Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the U.S. Senate for approving the $61 billion aid package, emphasizing its importance for Ukraine’s long-range capabilities, artillery, and air defense in restoring peace.
Despite the aid’s timely arrival, it is not expected to have an immediate impact on the battlefield. Meanwhile, the conflict continues, with Russian missiles striking the northeastern city of Kharkiv and the southern city of Odesa. Ukrainian drones, in response, have targeted Russian infrastructure, setting ablaze energy facilities in western Russia. The defense ministry of Russia has claimed to have shot down multiple Ukrainian drones in overnight operations.
