In a relentless display of military might, Russia continued its attacks on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. It targeted the southern city of Kherson with shelling, according to officials in Kyiv on Thursday.
The Kremlin views Bakhmut as a crucial location in its gradual progression through the eastern region of Ukraine over a year following its initial invasion of the neighbouring country.
According to a recent update on Telegram by Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar, heavy fighting has erupted across all areas of the eastern front. She stated that the pro-Kyiv forces successfully thwarted assaults in most regions.
According to the author, the Bakhmut sector is experiencing most of the enemy's offensive efforts. It has also been reported that Russian commanders have shifted troops from other regions to this area.
According to reports, the enemy has deployed their most skilled units in the area and is utilizing a substantial amount of artillery and aviation. According to sources, Bakhmut experiences a significant amount of hostile activity daily, with an estimated 40 to 50 storming operations and 500 shelling episodes carried out by the enemy.
According to recent reports, the leader of Russia's Wagner mercenary group has claimed that his troops have taken over 80% of Bakhmut. However, the Ukrainian military has disputed this assertion, stating that the figure is inflated.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other high-ranking officials are urging allies to provide additional weaponry to bolster their military capabilities. Hopefully, these weapons will enable Kyiv to launch a significant counter-offensive in the latter part of the year.
In a video address released late Thursday, Zelenskiy stated, "Our boys are being readied." The promised delivery of weapons from our partners is eagerly anticipated. The individual said that they are working diligently to bring victory closer.
According to official sources, the southern city of Kherson was hit by Russian shelling resulting in the loss of two lives.
As the conflict in Ukraine subsides, officials are turning their attention to the daunting task of reconstruction. Additionally, they face mounting pressure from international partners to demonstrate tangible progress in addressing corruption within the country.
During his visit to Washington, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal committed to providing a detailed account of every dollar of U.S. aid. He also emphasized the need to commence reconstruction work this year.
The individual expressed gratitude towards the United States for what they called "unprecedented support" that is continuous and unwavering.
During a joint appearance with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Shmyhal revealed that Kyiv had identified a crucial funding gap of $14 billion required for this year.
According to his statement, Ukraine has taken significant steps to ensure transparency and accountability in utilizing aid received. Additionally, the country has implemented many anti-corruption reforms in the past year, surpassing the number of reforms implemented in previous years.
Ukrainian authorities are advocating for NATO membership, a proposition that Moscow has unequivocally stated its opposition to.
During a Black Sea security conference, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov stated that there are no other options besides Ukraine's accession to NATO.
