Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Monday that the situation in the Donbass region is “difficult” and “painful”, with Russian forces using “all available resources”.
“The occupiers are using all the resources at their disposal – and they are considerable resources – to make some progress,” Zelensky explained in his regular nightly video message to the population.
Zelensky mentioned the work of various specific units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine “for their successes in destroying the enemy forces” and the work of workers of power companies in repairs, “including on Saturday and Sunday, Christmas Eve and Christmas” to “give people more energy.
The Ukrainian head of state said, however, that nine million people spent these days without electricity in various regions of the country.
“Gradually the number and duration of the cuts is being reduced. Thank you to everyone who made it possible,” she highlighted.
Volodymyr Zelensky also assured that Ukraine will “quickly implement everything agreed in Washington” during his recent surprise visit to the United States.
Ukraine has secured a new $1.8 billion US military aid package, which includes a battery of Patriot missiles.
In an interview with the Associated Press (AP) released Monday, Ukraine’s foreign minister explained that the US government has developed a program for Ukrainian troops to complete training faster than normal “without damaging the quality of use of the weapon”. [Patriot] On the battlefield”.
Although Kuleba did not mention a specific timeframe, the minister only said it would be “much less than six months”, adding that the training will take place outside of Ukraine.
The military offensive launched on February 24 by Russia in Ukraine has already caused the flight of more than 14 million people -6.5 million internally displaced persons and more than 7.8 million to European countries-, according to the most recent data from the UN, which catalogs this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since the Second World War (1939-1945).
Right now, 17.7 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and shelter.
The Russian invasion — justified by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security — was condemned by the broader international community, which has responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and imposing on Russia from political and economic sanctions.
Source: TSF
