U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the first trip to Kyiv by a senior American official since Congress passed a $61 billion military aid package. Blinken assured more support is on the way as Ukraine faces intensified attacks in the Kharkiv region.

Kyiv

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently held discussions with Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, marking the first senior American official's visit to Kyiv following the U.S. Congress's approval of a $61 billion military aid package for Ukraine. During this pivotal meeting, Blinken pledged continued support for Ukraine amidst intensifying conflicts in the Kharkiv region. The discussions underscored the critical nature of the aid at a time when Ukraine is facing heightened assaults.

The urgent need for assistance has been highlighted by recent events in northeastern Ukraine, where the military is engaged in a fierce defense against Russian incursions near the town of Bobchansk. Reports indicate that the locality and its surroundings are experiencing continuous attacks, necessitating evacuations of residents. Escalating tensions in the area have been aggravated by Russian airstrikes and artillery, putting civilians and military personnel at severe risk.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, the situation remains dire as it continues to endure heavy bombardment, affecting residential areas and causing significant distress among the population. The recent visit by Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Klimenko, to the site of a guided aerial bomb impact underscores the grave circumstances faced by the city's inhabitants. Despite these challenges, Ukraine's military intelligence officials maintain that efforts are underway to stabilize the situation in the northeast.

The U.S.'s financial support is seen as vital for bolstering Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s superior firepower, particularly in air defense, which was identified by Zelenskyy as a critical shortfall. Blinken’s assurance of further aid comes at a crucial time as Ukraine endeavors to counteract Russia's military advantages and safeguard its civilians and soldiers alike.

Blinken emphasized the importance of the ongoing support, noting that part of the aid has already been dispatched, with more expected to follow. This support is projected to significantly impact Ukraine's capacity to resist Russian aggression. The collective effort by the U.S. and its allies appears aimed at ensuring Ukraine's success on the battlefield, as it prepares for a prolonged engagement by drafting and training more troops and awaiting additional military hardware to counteract Russia's recent tactical gains.



U.S. promises Ukraine aid to make 'real difference' on the way

Desperate defence in north-eastern Ukraine. Ukraine's military says this newly released video shows border guards trying to fight off a Russian incursion near the town of Bobchansk on Friday, but the attacks have continued. This was Bobchansk on Tuesday. More of its residents told to get out while there's still time. The Russian advances into Ukrainian territory here, coming under the cover of airstrikes and artillery. Refuge for now is Ukraine's second biggest city, Kharkiv. But Kharkiv too has been under heavy aerial bombardment for months now. The residential building here has just been hit. Ukraine's Minister of Internal Affairs, Igor Klimenko, was there at the scene. In the last few hours there were several strikes on the city. Now we're in the centre of the city where a guided aerial bomb landed. Ukraine's military intelligence chief says the situation in the north-east is nearing stabilisation, but it hardly feels like it for elderly men and women forced to run for their lives. Adding urgency to the Ukrainian president's meeting with the US Secretary of State in Kyiv. The leaders came gratitude for the release after months of congressional gridlock of 61 billion dollars in US military aid. Crucial package for our forces, for our warriors, thank you so much for this package, thanks to Congress, thanks President Biden. But soon it was on to what was needed now on the battlefield to combat Russia's long range aerial power. It's air defence, the biggest deficit for us, the biggest problem and we need, really we need today two patrols for Kharkiv, for Kharkiv region because the people are under attack, civilians and warriors, everybody there under Russian missiles. On the front lines Ukrainian forces have been outnumbered, outgunned, running short of ammunition. Mr Blinken was in Kyiv to signal that more help was coming. Some of it's already arrived, more of it will be arriving and that's going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield and we're determined along with many other partners for Ukraine to make sure that you succeed on the battlefield. In the short term succeeding means simply stabilising, holding on while more troops are drafted and trained, more military hardware arrives, trying to halt Russia's new momentum. John Holman, Al Jazeera, Kharkiv.

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Ukraine Invasion