How Ukrainian forces denied Russia victory in Bakhmut by Victory Day
In the dawn haze, under the cover of their own artillery, small groups of Ukrainian soldiers advanced toward a Russian position on the outskirts of the embattled city of Bakhmut.
Drone footage had identified an avenue of attack on Russian lines on the outskirts of the besieged city. Intelligence suggested the Russians were so focused on the intense street battles playing out inside they were not expecting an assault from this direction, according to two battalion commanders in Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade who helped plan and execute the operation and spoke by telephone.
For nine months, the bloody fight for this eastern city has dragged out inch by inch, with massive casualties on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the high-profile commander of the mercenary Wagner Group, promised to deliver the city by May 9, Russia’s hugely important Victory Day celebration.
Read the full story here.
In the dawn haze, under the cover of their own artillery, small groups of Ukrainian soldiers advanced toward a Russian position on the outskirts of the embattled city of Bakhmut.
Drone footage had identified an avenue of attack on Russian lines on the outskirts of the besieged city. Intelligence suggested the Russians were so focused on the intense street battles playing out inside they were not expecting an assault from this direction, according to two battalion commanders in Ukraine’s Third Assault Brigade who helped plan and execute the operation and spoke by telephone.
For nine months, the bloody fight for this eastern city has dragged out inch by inch, with massive casualties on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Yevgeniy Prigozhin, the high-profile commander of the mercenary Wagner Group, promised to deliver the city by May 9, Russia’s hugely important Victory Day celebration.
Read the full story here.
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Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian airstrikes rocked Kyiv early Tuesday, with several missiles fired in a short period of time, the city military administration said on Telegram.
- The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain, France, Germany and Italy as part of a whirlwind European tour and secured more military aid for Ukraine from European allies.
- Ukraine’s armed forces shot down 18 missiles across the country in the early hours, according to Ukraine’s top military commander.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is alive — and well enough to tour an air force installation, according to photos and videos published by his office Monday.
- The Ukrainian flag was raised at NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia on Tuesday, marking Kyiv’s official accession to the multinational group.
- Ukrainian officials claimed limited battlefield gains during recent counterattacks in and around Bakhmut.
More live updates here.
- Russian airstrikes rocked Kyiv early Tuesday, with several missiles fired in a short period of time, the city military administration said on Telegram.
- The strikes came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain, France, Germany and Italy as part of a whirlwind European tour and secured more military aid for Ukraine from European allies.
- Ukraine’s armed forces shot down 18 missiles across the country in the early hours, according to Ukraine’s top military commander.
- Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is alive — and well enough to tour an air force installation, according to photos and videos published by his office Monday.
- The Ukrainian flag was raised at NATO’s Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Estonia on Tuesday, marking Kyiv’s official accession to the multinational group.
- Ukrainian officials claimed limited battlefield gains during recent counterattacks in and around Bakhmut.
More live updates here.
NATO races to bridge divisions over Ukraine membership
NATO nations are locked in negotiations to determine next steps in Ukraine’s path toward joining the Western alliance, as member states scramble to bridge divisions over how quickly Kyiv should be brought under the transatlantic security shield at a time of acute hostility with Russia.
The discussions have intensified in the weeks before President Biden and other NATO leaders are due to gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to cement plans for strengthening defenses against Russia, which upended decades of relative stability in Europe with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Officials from NATO nations, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic discussions, said there is consensus among the alliance’s 31 members that, despite advocacy from Kyiv, NATO will not issue Ukraine a formal invitation to join at the July 11-12 meeting.
Read the full story here.
NATO nations are locked in negotiations to determine next steps in Ukraine’s path toward joining the Western alliance, as member states scramble to bridge divisions over how quickly Kyiv should be brought under the transatlantic security shield at a time of acute hostility with Russia.
The discussions have intensified in the weeks before President Biden and other NATO leaders are due to gather in Vilnius, Lithuania, to cement plans for strengthening defenses against Russia, which upended decades of relative stability in Europe with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Officials from NATO nations, many of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to detail sensitive diplomatic discussions, said there is consensus among the alliance’s 31 members that, despite advocacy from Kyiv, NATO will not issue Ukraine a formal invitation to join at the July 11-12 meeting.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky toured Europe seeking new weapons. Here’s what he came home with.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared himself “very pleased” as he capped off a whirlwind tour of western Europe, during which he secured new pledges of weapons, military aid, training and support ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
After meeting with leaders in Italy, Germany, France and Britain, Zelensky said he was returning home Monday with “more new and powerful weapons for the front line, more protection for our people” and “more political support.”
The new aid packages include artillery, combat vehicles, missiles, drones and more — but, perhaps equally importantly, commitments for sustained aid over time, even as the conflict risks becoming a war of attrition.
Here is a guide to some of the latest pledges allies have made to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared himself “very pleased” as he capped off a whirlwind tour of western Europe, during which he secured new pledges of weapons, military aid, training and support ahead of a planned counteroffensive.
After meeting with leaders in Italy, Germany, France and Britain, Zelensky said he was returning home Monday with “more new and powerful weapons for the front line, more protection for our people” and “more political support.”
The new aid packages include artillery, combat vehicles, missiles, drones and more — but, perhaps equally importantly, commitments for sustained aid over time, even as the conflict risks becoming a war of attrition.
Here is a guide to some of the latest pledges allies have made to Ukraine.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on allies to provide more air defense assets following a barrage of Russian airstrikes on Kyiv.
- The Patriot’s radar was not damaged in Tuesday’s attack, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident.
- Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the Black Sea grain deal on Wednesday, a day ahead of its expiration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
- United Nations Secretary General António Guterres hailed the extension of the grain deal Wednesday as “good news for the world” during a “record-breaking cost-of-living crisis,” noting that 30,000 tons of wheat just left Ukraine for Sudan on a ship chartered by the World Food Program.
- China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on allies to provide more air defense assets following a barrage of Russian airstrikes on Kyiv.
- The Patriot’s radar was not damaged in Tuesday’s attack, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the incident.
- Russia agreed to a two-month extension of the Black Sea grain deal on Wednesday, a day ahead of its expiration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced.
- United Nations Secretary General António Guterres hailed the extension of the grain deal Wednesday as “good news for the world” during a “record-breaking cost-of-living crisis,” noting that 30,000 tons of wheat just left Ukraine for Sudan on a ship chartered by the World Food Program.
- China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, wrapped up a two-day visit to Ukraine on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, according to its mayor, as Russia continued its barrage of airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place but no casualties have been reported.
- Ukraine’s Western allies remain at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Britain is willing to help other countries send them and other military equipment, Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday, as part of a joint effort with the Netherlands.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. Hanna Maliar, the deputy defense minister, said Ukrainian troops had freed up about eight square miles of territory in the suburbs over the past few days, although fierce battles continue in the city.
- A 5-year-old boy was among those killed by Russian shelling in the Kherson region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, according to its mayor, as Russia continued its barrage of airstrikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place but no casualties have been reported.
- Ukraine’s Western allies remain at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine. Britain is willing to help other countries send them and other military equipment, Defense Minister Ben Wallace said Wednesday, as part of a joint effort with the Netherlands.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut. Hanna Maliar, the deputy defense minister, said Ukrainian troops had freed up about eight square miles of territory in the suburbs over the past few days, although fierce battles continue in the city.
- A 5-year-old boy was among those killed by Russian shelling in the Kherson region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address.
More live updates here.
Ukraine says Patriot air defense system not destroyed
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials on Wednesday rejected Russia’s claims that it had destroyed one of Kyiv’s treasured, Western-donated Patriot air defense systems while a U.S. official said that one of the systems was damaged but still operational.
“Everything is fine with the Patriot,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said in a text message on Wednesday, refusing to elaborate further. Moscow claimed that it had destroyed one of the billion-dollar Patriot systems with a hypersonic missile.
A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that a Patriot system had suffered an indirect hit by Russian fire in the vicinity of Kyiv early Tuesday morning, but that it was still operational.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian officials on Wednesday rejected Russia’s claims that it had destroyed one of Kyiv’s treasured, Western-donated Patriot air defense systems while a U.S. official said that one of the systems was damaged but still operational.
“Everything is fine with the Patriot,” Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said in a text message on Wednesday, refusing to elaborate further. Moscow claimed that it had destroyed one of the billion-dollar Patriot systems with a hypersonic missile.
A U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said that a Patriot system had suffered an indirect hit by Russian fire in the vicinity of Kyiv early Tuesday morning, but that it was still operational.
Read the full story here.
Russian scientists, experts in hypersonic technology, arrested for treason
As wartime Russia experiences a surge in treason cases, the arrests for high treason of three Russian academics who work on hypersonic missile technology on the same faculty in Siberia have drawn a rare, public outcry from Russia’s scientific community.
In an open letter published on Monday, Russian scientists protested the academics’ arrest, claiming the incidents had spread fear and warning weapons research could “collapse” as a result.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the men were facing “very serious accusations” but declined to provide further details. Peskov confirmed he had seen the open letter and that Russian security services were continuing to work on the case.
Read the full story here.
As wartime Russia experiences a surge in treason cases, the arrests for high treason of three Russian academics who work on hypersonic missile technology on the same faculty in Siberia have drawn a rare, public outcry from Russia’s scientific community.
In an open letter published on Monday, Russian scientists protested the academics’ arrest, claiming the incidents had spread fear and warning weapons research could “collapse” as a result.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that the men were facing “very serious accusations” but declined to provide further details. Peskov confirmed he had seen the open letter and that Russian security services were continuing to work on the case.
Read the full story here.
Europe’s military industrial capabilities fall short of Ukraine’s needs
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a whirlwind tour of Western capitals this week, the billions of dollars in new military support was a sign that European governments were finally digging deep to provide sustained backing for a protracted war.
Zelensky had made clear ahead of his visits to Berlin, Paris and London that Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive could not begin until more weapons and ammunition had been secured.
But while British deliveries of long-range missiles known as Storm Shadows could significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities, much of the weaponry pledged by European leaders this week is unlikely to reach the battlefield until well after the start of the counteroffensive, military experts say, and Europe’s ability to sustain such support into the future remains unclear.
Read the full story here.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a whirlwind tour of Western capitals this week, the billions of dollars in new military support was a sign that European governments were finally digging deep to provide sustained backing for a protracted war.
Zelensky had made clear ahead of his visits to Berlin, Paris and London that Ukraine’s much anticipated counteroffensive could not begin until more weapons and ammunition had been secured.
But while British deliveries of long-range missiles known as Storm Shadows could significantly enhance Ukraine’s offensive capabilities, much of the weaponry pledged by European leaders this week is unlikely to reach the battlefield until well after the start of the counteroffensive, military experts say, and Europe’s ability to sustain such support into the future remains unclear.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, as Russia continued a wave of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place, and residents were urged to stay in shelters. Debris from missiles fell on the city, but no casualties were reported.
- Ukraine’s air force said it destroyed 29 of 30 missiles and four drones during the overnight strikes.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut.
- Russia has frozen the bank accounts of the Finnish diplomatic mission in Russia, according to Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s foreign minister.
- Russia on Thursday expressed objections to a move by the Czech Republic to begin collecting rent on land granted to Russia for diplomatic use under Soviet-era agreements.
- Ukraine’s Western allies are at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- Explosions rocked Kyiv early Thursday, as Russia continued a wave of strikes on the Ukrainian capital. An air raid alert remained in place, and residents were urged to stay in shelters. Debris from missiles fell on the city, but no casualties were reported.
- Ukraine’s air force said it destroyed 29 of 30 missiles and four drones during the overnight strikes.
- Ukraine claims to have taken back territory in the fiercely contested eastern city of Bakhmut.
- Russia has frozen the bank accounts of the Finnish diplomatic mission in Russia, according to Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s foreign minister.
- Russia on Thursday expressed objections to a move by the Czech Republic to begin collecting rent on land granted to Russia for diplomatic use under Soviet-era agreements.
- Ukraine’s Western allies are at odds over whether to send fighter jets to Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The Biden administration has informed European allies that Washington will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a person familiar with the decision told the Post. President Biden has said previously that he opposes the U.S. sending F-16s to Ukraine.
- President Biden is in Japan to attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. President Zelensky is set to attend the meeting in person.
- The U.S. will roll out a “substantial package” of sanctions that will make it “even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine,” a senior Biden administration official said. The package will also include upward of 300 new sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.
- Britain will ban all imports of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
- The Patriot air defense system that was damaged by a Russian strike in Ukraine has been repaired, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
More live updates here.
- The Biden administration has informed European allies that Washington will not block their export of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, a person familiar with the decision told the Post. President Biden has said previously that he opposes the U.S. sending F-16s to Ukraine.
- President Biden is in Japan to attend the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima. President Zelensky is set to attend the meeting in person.
- The U.S. will roll out a “substantial package” of sanctions that will make it “even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine,” a senior Biden administration official said. The package will also include upward of 300 new sanctions against individuals, entities, vessels and aircraft.
- Britain will ban all imports of Russian diamonds, copper, aluminum and nickel, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
- The Patriot air defense system that was damaged by a Russian strike in Ukraine has been repaired, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
More live updates here.
Ukraine’s Zelensky expected to attend G-7 summit in Japan in person
HIROSHIMA, Japan — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to attend the Group of Seven nations summit in person this weekend, significantly amplifying his warnings about Russia’s potential to escalate the war in Ukraine by visiting Hiroshima, a site of nuclear destruction in World War II.
Zelensky, who has displayed a knack for understanding symbolism and capturing the world’s attention, has been pressing for more Western support for planes and military equipment, and he earned new commitments for billions of dollars in additional military support during his recent trips to Germany, France, Italy and the Britain — all G-7 members.
In the lead-up to his arrival, the G-7 leaders released a lengthy statement supporting Ukraine and reiterating efforts to bolster the country in its fight against Russia.
Read the full story here.
HIROSHIMA, Japan — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning to attend the Group of Seven nations summit in person this weekend, significantly amplifying his warnings about Russia’s potential to escalate the war in Ukraine by visiting Hiroshima, a site of nuclear destruction in World War II.
Zelensky, who has displayed a knack for understanding symbolism and capturing the world’s attention, has been pressing for more Western support for planes and military equipment, and he earned new commitments for billions of dollars in additional military support during his recent trips to Germany, France, Italy and the Britain — all G-7 members.
In the lead-up to his arrival, the G-7 leaders released a lengthy statement supporting Ukraine and reiterating efforts to bolster the country in its fight against Russia.
Read the full story here.
Zelensky, on surprise Saudi visit, seeks Arab League support in war
In an Arab League meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday delivered an emotional appeal for support from leaders who have voiced only muted criticism of Russia’s invasion and from some, like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have maintained strong ties to Moscow.
Zelensky, who has built global support for Ukraine’s defense and obtained billions of dollars in weapons from the West, sought to make common cause with countries that have experienced years of violent strife as he pleaded for condemnation of Russian aggression.
“Look at how much suffering the long-term wars have brought to Libya, Syria, Yemen; how many lives have been wasted by years of fighting in Sudan and Somalia, in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “Everyone who adds to suffering by his new aggressions, everyone who sows enmity, everyone who wants to bring back the old days of invading … every aggressor … will be cursed by the people.”
Read more here.
In an Arab League meeting, President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday delivered an emotional appeal for support from leaders who have voiced only muted criticism of Russia’s invasion and from some, like Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have maintained strong ties to Moscow.
Zelensky, who has built global support for Ukraine’s defense and obtained billions of dollars in weapons from the West, sought to make common cause with countries that have experienced years of violent strife as he pleaded for condemnation of Russian aggression.
“Look at how much suffering the long-term wars have brought to Libya, Syria, Yemen; how many lives have been wasted by years of fighting in Sudan and Somalia, in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said. “Everyone who adds to suffering by his new aggressions, everyone who sows enmity, everyone who wants to bring back the old days of invading … every aggressor … will be cursed by the people.”
Read more here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken was a major force within the administration in pushing to allow U.S. allies to make the transfers and had also worked extensively with countries within NATO to move the policy forward, said U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Arab nations to work with Kyiv to secure the release of Ukrainians in Russian detention, in an address at the Arab League summit in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. He criticized unnamed countries in the Arab League and the world for “turn[ing] a blind eye to those cages and illegal annexations."
- In Japan, President Biden and other leaders of the Group of Seven nations gathered for a three-day summit, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine among the top agenda items.
- Air-raid alerts were heard in different parts of Ukraine early Friday. Kyiv municipal authorities warned residents to take cover.
More live updates here.
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken was a major force within the administration in pushing to allow U.S. allies to make the transfers and had also worked extensively with countries within NATO to move the policy forward, said U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Arab nations to work with Kyiv to secure the release of Ukrainians in Russian detention, in an address at the Arab League summit in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday. He criticized unnamed countries in the Arab League and the world for “turn[ing] a blind eye to those cages and illegal annexations."
- In Japan, President Biden and other leaders of the Group of Seven nations gathered for a three-day summit, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine among the top agenda items.
- Air-raid alerts were heard in different parts of Ukraine early Friday. Kyiv municipal authorities warned residents to take cover.
More live updates here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
—President Biden is likely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when both leaders are in Japan for the Group of Seven summit this weekend, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
— Zelensky will arrive boosted by Washington’s decision not to block allied nations from sending Kyiv the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets it has long requested. The United States will also support the joint effort to provide training to Ukrainian pilots, Sullivan said.
— A Russian airstrike on Kyiv early Saturday damaged residential areas, Ukrainian officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Russia has launched almost a dozen air attacks on the Ukrainian capital so far this month as it seeks to exhaust Ukraine’s air defenses, the officials said on Telegram.
Read more updates.
—President Biden is likely to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky when both leaders are in Japan for the Group of Seven summit this weekend, according to White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
— Zelensky will arrive boosted by Washington’s decision not to block allied nations from sending Kyiv the U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets it has long requested. The United States will also support the joint effort to provide training to Ukrainian pilots, Sullivan said.
— A Russian airstrike on Kyiv early Saturday damaged residential areas, Ukrainian officials said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Russia has launched almost a dozen air attacks on the Ukrainian capital so far this month as it seeks to exhaust Ukraine’s air defenses, the officials said on Telegram.
Read more updates.
Bowing to pressure, Biden relents on F-16s to Ukraine
After months of U.S. insistence that Ukraine did not need F-16s to fight its war with Russia, Washington finally relented to pressure, agreeing not to stop allied nations from sending Kyiv the advanced Western fighter jets it has long desired.
Ukraine now hopes to have U.S.-made F-16s flying as early as this fall, following U.S. agreement to allow third countries to transfer the aircraft, according to an adviser to Kyiv’s Ministry of Defense.
“If we all pull our weight … and decisions are made quickly,” Yuri Sak said Friday, “I would estimate that end of September, early October, we could see the first F-16s flying in the Ukrainian airspace.”
Read the full story here.
After months of U.S. insistence that Ukraine did not need F-16s to fight its war with Russia, Washington finally relented to pressure, agreeing not to stop allied nations from sending Kyiv the advanced Western fighter jets it has long desired.
Ukraine now hopes to have U.S.-made F-16s flying as early as this fall, following U.S. agreement to allow third countries to transfer the aircraft, according to an adviser to Kyiv’s Ministry of Defense.
“If we all pull our weight … and decisions are made quickly,” Yuri Sak said Friday, “I would estimate that end of September, early October, we could see the first F-16s flying in the Ukrainian airspace.”
Read the full story here.
These are the Western air defense systems protecting Ukraine
Air defense systems have proved essential to Ukraine as Russia bombards critical infrastructure and civilian targets.
This week, the newly arrived U.S.-made Patriot air defense system shot down missiles aimed at Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, including advanced missiles that have previously eluded outmatched air defense equipment.
The Patriot is just one of several systems that Western allies have sent to Ukraine. The systems form a grab bag of different capabilities and technologies that are vital in defending the skies from missiles, fighter jets and Iranian-made drones that have terrorized the capital.
But according to leaked U.S. intelligence documents, the supply of air defense systems and their munitions pose a significant and growing problem, as Ukraine uses up their limited stocks to keep up with constant bombardments.
Here is a rundown of the Western-provided systems Ukraine now has, and what they can do.
Air defense systems have proved essential to Ukraine as Russia bombards critical infrastructure and civilian targets.
This week, the newly arrived U.S.-made Patriot air defense system shot down missiles aimed at Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said, including advanced missiles that have previously eluded outmatched air defense equipment.
The Patriot is just one of several systems that Western allies have sent to Ukraine. The systems form a grab bag of different capabilities and technologies that are vital in defending the skies from missiles, fighter jets and Iranian-made drones that have terrorized the capital.
But according to leaked U.S. intelligence documents, the supply of air defense systems and their munitions pose a significant and growing problem, as Ukraine uses up their limited stocks to keep up with constant bombardments.
Here is a rundown of the Western-provided systems Ukraine now has, and what they can do.