As the Russia-Ukraine war gets more intense, the US supplies Ukraine with new fighter jets as Russia targets Eastern cities. The United States has provided Ukraine with fighter jets and aircraft as part of moves to boost counterattacks against the Russian military.
Though the specific type and numbers of the aircraft donated to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s government were not mentioned.
“The Ukrainian forces right now have available to them more fixed-wing fighter aircraft than they did two weeks ago” the Pentagon noted.
Speaking with journalists, “the United States had helped with the transshipment of some additional spare parts that have helped with their aircraft needs, but we have not transported the whole aircraft” Pentagon spokesman, John Kirby mentioned.
READ ALSO:- Russian soldier apprehended for allegedly raping baby in Ukraine
Earlier on, the United States and allies had Tuesday agreed to impose more sanctions on Moscow, the country’s capital as Russia pushed ahead with its offensive target on eastern Ukraine.
A publication had quoted Russia’s defense ministry as saying that “high-precision air-based missiles” had hit 13 Ukrainian positions in parts of Donbas while other airstrikes “hit 60 military assets”, including in towns close to the eastern frontline.
Ukraine’s armed forces have also admitted that fighting had increased throughout the east after President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Russia had kicked off the widely anticipated offensive in Ukraine’s industrial heartland.
“The Russian occupiers intensified offensive operations along the entire line of contact,” the general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said in a report published early Tuesday.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov appeared to acknowledge the new offensive, stating that “another phase of this operation is beginning”, during an interview with media outlet India Today.
Following the new push, the United States and European Union agreed on the need to “increase Moscow’s international isolation”, during a virtual meeting between US President Joe Biden and European leaders.
“We will further tighten our sanctions against Russia and step up financial and security assistance for Ukraine,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen wrote on Twitter.
Separately, chief Ursula von der Leyen called the death of thousands of Ukrainian civilians “a war crime” for which Russian President Vladimir bears responsibility.
Ahead of Russia’s advance, Ukrainian authorities had urged people in Donbas to flee west to escape, even as officials called off evacuations for a third straight day from frontline cities due to ongoing fighting.