Ukraine latest: Russia claims destruction of armoured vehicle plant near Kyiv, warns US of 'consequences' for helping Ukraine
Pro-Russian troops ride on armoured vehicles in the city of Mariupol.(Reuters: Chingis Kongdarov)
Explosions have sounded in Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, and the mayor of the Ukrainian capital said rescuers and medics were working at the site of a blast on the outskirts of the city.
"We're not ruling out further strikes on the capital," Mr Klitschko said.Following attacks in the capital, mayor Vitali Klitschko urged Ukrainians not to return to Kyiv just yet in televised remarks on Saturday, warning that strikes were likely continue.
"If you have the opportunity to stay a little bit longer in the cities where it's safer, do it."
Russian media quoted its defence ministry as saying Russia had destroyed production buildings of an armoured vehicle plant in Kyiv and a military repair facility in the southern city of Mykolaiv.
The strikes were carried out by high-precision, long-range weapons, it said. Ukrainian officials said at least two civilians were killed and 18 wounded in Russian attacks across the country.
A diplomatic note revealed by US media warned Western powers of "unpredictable consequences" if they supplied Ukraine with advanced weaponry.
Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said nine humanitarian corridors had been agreed for Saturday (local time) to evacuate civilians, including from the besieged city of Mariupol by private cars.
Russia has denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on February 24 and has said Ukrainian and Western allegations of war crimes are fabricated.
Explosions have sounded in Kyiv and the western city of Lviv, and the mayor of the Ukrainian capital said rescuers and medics were working at the site of a blast on the outskirts of the city.
"We're not ruling out further strikes on the capital," Mr Klitschko said.Following attacks in the capital, mayor Vitali Klitschko urged Ukrainians not to return to Kyiv just yet in televised remarks on Saturday, warning that strikes were likely continue.
"If you have the opportunity to stay a little bit longer in the cities where it's safer, do it."
Russian media quoted its defence ministry as saying Russia had destroyed production buildings of an armoured vehicle plant in Kyiv and a military repair facility in the southern city of Mykolaiv.
The strikes were carried out by high-precision, long-range weapons, it said. Ukrainian officials said at least two civilians were killed and 18 wounded in Russian attacks across the country.
A diplomatic note revealed by US media warned Western powers of "unpredictable consequences" if they supplied Ukraine with advanced weaponry.
Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said nine humanitarian corridors had been agreed for Saturday (local time) to evacuate civilians, including from the besieged city of Mariupol by private cars.
Russia has denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on February 24 and has said Ukrainian and Western allegations of war crimes are fabricated.
Russia warns US, NATO against provision of arms to Ukraine
Russia has formally complained to the United States over its military aid to Ukraine, warning of "unpredictable consequences" if shipments of advanced weaponry go forward, US media reported.
The US announces further military aid to Ukraine.
In a diplomatic note this week, Moscow warned the United States and NATO against sending the "most sensitive" weapons for Kyiv to use in the conflict with Russia, saying such shipments were "adding fuel" to the situation and could come with "unpredictable consequences", the Washington Post reported.
The warning came the same week that US President Joe Biden pledged a new $US800 million ($1 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, including helicopters, howitzers and armoured personnel carriers.
The US State Department declined to comment on reports of the formal note.
"We won't confirm any private diplomatic correspondence," a spokesperson said.
"What we can confirm is that, along with allies and partners, we are providing Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of security assistance, which our Ukrainian partners are using to extraordinary effect to defend their country against Russia's unprovoked aggression and horrific acts of violence."
Mr Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the new weapons aid package over the phone Wednesday, as Russia refocused its efforts eastward, the new frontline of the seven-week-old war.CNN also reported that one source familiar with the document said the complaint could mean Moscow is getting ready to adopt a more aggressive stance against the US and NATO as the invasion of Ukraine continues.
"As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself," Mr Biden said.
In a diplomatic note this week, Moscow warned the United States and NATO against sending the "most sensitive" weapons for Kyiv to use in the conflict with Russia, saying such shipments were "adding fuel" to the situation and could come with "unpredictable consequences", the Washington Post reported.
The warning came the same week that US President Joe Biden pledged a new $US800 million ($1 billion) military aid package for Ukraine, including helicopters, howitzers and armoured personnel carriers.
The US State Department declined to comment on reports of the formal note.
"We won't confirm any private diplomatic correspondence," a spokesperson said.
"What we can confirm is that, along with allies and partners, we are providing Ukraine with billions of dollars worth of security assistance, which our Ukrainian partners are using to extraordinary effect to defend their country against Russia's unprovoked aggression and horrific acts of violence."
Mr Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy of the new weapons aid package over the phone Wednesday, as Russia refocused its efforts eastward, the new frontline of the seven-week-old war.CNN also reported that one source familiar with the document said the complaint could mean Moscow is getting ready to adopt a more aggressive stance against the US and NATO as the invasion of Ukraine continues.
"As Russia prepares to intensify its attack in the Donbas region, the United States will continue to provide Ukraine with the capabilities to defend itself," Mr Biden said.
A missile lies in a residential area near Chernihiv, Ukraine.(AP: Evgeniy Maloletka/File)
"This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine."
Mr Zelenskyy tweeted that he and Mr Biden had discussed the "additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid".
The new assistance included some of the heavier equipment that Washington had previously refused to provide to Kyiv for fear of escalating the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
"This new package of assistance will contain many of the highly effective weapons systems we have already provided and new capabilities tailored to the wider assault we expect Russia to launch in eastern Ukraine."
Mr Zelenskyy tweeted that he and Mr Biden had discussed the "additional package of defensive and possible macro-financial aid".
The new assistance included some of the heavier equipment that Washington had previously refused to provide to Kyiv for fear of escalating the conflict with nuclear-armed Russia.
It is said that Russia has a large modern military.
ReplyDeleteThe reality for Russia is, the part of the Russian military which is modern is not large, and the part of the Russian military which is large is not modern.
The latest news that the Yankees , and other NATO countries will be supplying "Heavy Metal" to Ukraine is Bad News for Russia, hence Russia's attempt to stop it.
Heavy howitzers, anti-artillery Radar and Computers ( this is advanced stuff), armoured troop carriers.
The only problem is Timid / Sleepy Biden left it very late, refusing earlier Ukrainian requests. These Heavy units are difficult to send by air.
It has NOTHING to do with the modern technologies of the weaponry used.
ReplyDeleteConventional mass destructive weapons r equally workable in a conventional warfare, which the Ukraine crisis has exhibited up to this days.
Yet Russia has not conducted a CONVENTIONAL scorched earth military bombing operations deployed by the Yank in Yugoslavia, Syria, Iraq, Korea & Vietnam!
What takes?
"The reality for Russia is, the part of the Russian military which is modern is not large, and the part of the Russian military which is large is not modern"
Wakakakakaka…
What a fart!
It has zilch connotation with the modernity of the Russian weaponries.
The level of Russia advanced weaponry might not be matching that of US/China. But it's definitely more than enough to flatten Ukraine!
Mfer, what u have ignored IS the Russian compassion for their Slavic brotherhood in Ukraine!
The special operation is with the nationalist Ukrainians who have been deeply nazified.
Not with the ordinary Ukraine civilians! Misguided & armed Ukraine civilians would be the unfortunate collateral damages.
Thus high precision advanced hypersonic Kinzhal missiles were used sparingly in targeting known Ukrainian military depots/outposts to minimize civilian casualties.
With the 'promised' supply of the "Heavy Metal" to Ukraine, the Slavic kindred felt by the Russian would be running thin.
& that's the warning of that diplomatic note revealed by US media about Western powers of "unpredictable consequences" if they supplied Ukraine with advanced weaponry!
& believe it. The Russian bear WOULD follow through to its words!