US declares support for Ukraine to stop Russia's advance in Kharkov

Immediately after the Russian Army's opening of a new front north of Kharkov, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby told reporters that Washington considered this a predictable effort by Moscow.

“We expected Russia to launch an attack on Kharkiv, which appears to have now begun,” said John Kirby.

The White House strategic communications coordinator noted that Washington is working closely with Kiev to help Ukraine take appropriate steps. According to Mr. J. Kirby, the flow of military aid from the US will help Ukraine stand firm against attacks from Russia.

The outbreak of fighting in Kharkov will force the AFU to stretch its forces while the front lines in other areas remain tense. Photo: Getty

Earlier, Russian military commanders and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky announced military operations in Kharkiv. According to the Ukrainian leader, Kiev had anticipated such a development and was ready for what could happen next. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry also said that it had mobilized reserve units to the Kharkiv region.

As Ukrainian war journalist Yury Butusov noted, on the first day of the offensive, the Russian Army took control of four settlements in the Kharkov region, including the villages of Strelechye, Krasnoye, Pylnaya and Borisovka, located a few kilometers from the border with Russia and about 40 kilometers from Kharkov.

Regarding the current military operations of the Russian Army, Mr. John Kirby also admitted that Russia has achieved success on the front.

“Russia is achieving tactical success in eastern Ukraine, particularly in Donbass ,” said John Kirby.

He noted that the delay in making a decision to help Kiev gave the Russian military an advantage. According to him, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) need time to restore the initiative on the battlefield.

Meanwhile, the commander of the attack UAV battalion of the 92nd Independent Assault Brigade of the AFU, Yury Fedorenko, warned that the next two months will be very difficult. The Ukrainian army has not yet found a way to stop the Russian advance and the fighting will continue to be heated on all fronts.

Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky was informed about the difficult situation of the troops on the front line by the Commander-in-Chief of the AFU, General Alexander Syrsky. The Ukrainian leader confirmed: “There are intense battles along the entire front line.” The new focus of the battlefield will be in Kharkov, Pokrovsky and other areas of the Donetsk region.

Regarding aid packages from allies, the US newspaper The Hill reported that the Ukrainian President was dissatisfied with the new $400 million aid package from the US. The reason is that AFU needs weapons and ammunition, not just an empty announcement of support.

The Biden administration announced a third additional aid package for Ukraine on May 10 worth $400 million, including anti-aircraft missiles, artillery shells and other weapons. However, the Ukrainian leader did not express much enthusiasm for the new aid.

Previously, the Pentagon calculated that the amount of US aid to Ukraine under President Joe Biden exceeded $51.3 billion.

After many delays, Ukraine may be provided with F-16 aircraft in June or July. Photo: AP

British news agency Reuters cited sources from the Ukrainian government as saying that the first batch of F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets will be delivered to AFU in June and July 2024.

It is not yet clear which countries will provide the aircraft. Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium have pledged to supply F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

In early May 2024, AFU Air Force spokesman Ilya Yevlash said that the first F-16s would be delivered to Ukraine after Easter (May 5). Ilya Yevlash said that as soon as the aircraft were on Ukrainian territory, the public would be informed about this event.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chien-su-nga-ukraine-hom-nay-ngay-1152024-my-tuyen-bo-ho-tro-ukraine-ngan-buoc-tien-cua-nga-tai-kharkov-319517.html