In the last few hours we have to report a heavy one Russian offensive in which Lugansk. According to reports from military sources in Kyiv, the Kremlin troops allegedly attack at the same time nine directions. “The fierce battle for Lugansk continues and the Russian invaders are trying to attack simultaneously from nine different directions,” Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny wrote in a post on Facebook. “The enemy has concentrated its main offensive resources in the north of the region and is launching nine different attacks at once,” reads the message, which again emphasizes the centrality of Severodonetsk“Key city in the defense system of the entire Lugansk region”.
According to reports from the think tank Institute for the Study of War, the Russian army has launched ground attacks on Severodonetsk and the surrounding settlements, but has not yet managed to take full possession of the city. Moscow has also launched offensive operations around the T1302 Bakhmut-Lysychansk highway in an attempt to cut Ukraine’s ground communications lines Lysychanskand attempted to drive along the E40 highway Sloviansk and southeast of Izyum. There are fights too Kharkiv and, from east to south, also a Zaporizhia and Kherson.
Meanwhile, the western bloc has announced more military aid for Ukraine. The President of the United States Joe Bidenpromised Kyiv worth additional military assistance 1 billion dollars. The list should include coastal defense weapons, advanced missile systems, artillery and ammunition in support of Ukrainian operations. NATO members also announced that they will continue to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons and long-range systems, they plan to agree on a new aid package after consultations with Ukraine’s defense ministry. We remind that this military aid is essential for Ukrainians to withstand the Russian shock wave in Donbass.
The direct
10:44 am | Dragons to Irpin: “You have the world on your side”
You have the world on your side: This is how Prime Minister Mario Draghi addressed the local authorities in Irpin, the town in the Bucha district northwest of Kyiv that was badly hit by the attacks by Russian forces. Draghi visits the bombings together with French President Macron and Chancellor Scholz.
10:34 am | Donetsk leader: it is necessary to “liberate” all Russian cities, including Odessa
During the Russian military operation in Ukraine, all Russian cities, including Odessa, must be “liberated”. This was stated by the leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin in an interview with the news agency “Ria Novosti”. “We must liberate all Russian cities,” Pushilin replied when asked whether Odessa should be taken or not. As Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated, the goals of Moscow’s intervention in Ukraine are to “demilitarize and denazify” the country.
10:21 a.m. | Stoltenberg: “We will provide unprecedented assistance to Kyiv”
“Allies stand ready to continue providing extensive and unprecedented assistance to Ukraine.” This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
10:18 am | In Kyiv, the anti-aircraft alarm stopped after 30 minutes
During the visit of the three EU leaders Emmanuel Macron, Mario Draghi and Olaf Scholz, the anti-aircraft alarm triggered in Kyiv this morning stopped after about 30 minutes.
9:55 a.m. | The anti-aircraft siren sounds in Kyiv
Anti-aircraft warning sirens sounded in Kyiv, while in the Ukrainian capital Mario Draghi, Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz gathered to show solidarity and support against the Russian invasion.
9:50 a.m. | Governor Lugansk: “House Fighting in Severodonetsk”
In Severodonetsk there is a tough fight, house to house. This was announced by Lugansk Governor Sergei Gaidai, emphasizing that “Ukrainian forces need long-range artillery to push the Russians back to a safe distance.” “For almost four months, the Russians have not won any significant victories, so they have put all their reservations in the capture of Severodonetsk,” he added, recalling that “every day dozens of occupiers die in street fighting in Severodonetsk.”
9:24 am | Moscow to the US: “We will not be vassals to anyone”
“The only way to normalize relations between Russia and the United States may be if Washington rejects hegemonism and understands that we will not be anyone’s vassals,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in an interview with Ria Novosti. “The only way is to abandon the politics of hegemonism in world politics and to understand that in no way do we want, can and will be vassals of anyone. If there is mutual benefit and mutual respect, then it’s time to plan the next contacts,” Peskov added.
9:11 a.m. | Macron in Kyiv: We bring a “message of European unity”
We bring “a message of European unity” to Ukraine. As the newspaper “Le Parisien” reports, said French President Emmanuel Macron, who had just got off at the Kiev train station together with Prime Minister Mario Draghi and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. “With my counterparts, we will meet with President Zelenskyy and then go to a theater of war where massacres have been committed and have the planned talks,” Macron said.
8:21 am | Secret service Gb: “All bridges around Severdonetsk destroyed”
All major bridges over the Siverskyy Donets River connecting Severdonetsk with the area controlled by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were most likely destroyed. This was announced by the British secret service in its latest bulletin. The situation remains extremely difficult for Ukrainian forces and civilians who remain east of the river.
8:05 am | Russian missile killed 4 civilians in Sumy overnight
A Russian missile struck a suburb of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy overnight, killing four and wounding six, said regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, quoted by the Guardian. Another rocket hit the Dobropillia district near the Russian border at 5am today, followed by 26 mortar shells fired from across the border. Presidential adviser Anton Herashenko confirmed the news on Telegram: “Last night the invaders fired on Glukhov in the Sumy region from helicopters. Unfortunately, according to preliminary information, there are casualties among the local population.”
7:30 a.m. | Kremlin: “Negotiations with US nuclear contract extension”
Russia and the United States must negotiate an extension of the “Start” treaty, which aims to limit or reduce arsenals of weapons of mass destruction such as nuclear weapons. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with the Ria Novosti news agency on Thursday. It is an important issue for global security, he added, stressing that the Russian military operation in Ukraine is not a good reason not to talk about it. Responding to a briefing on a possible nuclear war, Peskov said he believed “that the media today should be professional enough not to ask such questions, and respondents should be smart enough not to answer such questions.”
6:30 a.m. | Along the Draghi-Macron-Scholz summit on the train to Kyiv
The meeting between Prime Minister Mario Draghi, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on board the Ukrainian train taking them to Kyiv lasted about a couple of hours. ANSA found this on site. The three leaders met in a carriage shortly after the convoy left last night, ahead of today’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The purpose of the visit is to deliver “a message of unity and full cohesion among EU countries” by condemning Russia and helping Ukraine.
6:00 a.m. | Biden: “US delivers 1.2 billion in aid security to Kyiv”
“This morning I spoke to President Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing brutal war with Russia,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement on Twitter. “I reiterated our commitment to assisting Ukraine and announced that the United States is providing over $1.2 billion in humanitarian and security-related assistance.”
This morning I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss Russia’s brutal and ongoing war against Ukraine. I reiterated our commitment to stand by Ukraine and shared that the United States is providing over $1.2 billion in additional security and humanitarian assistance.
– President Biden (@POTUS) June 16, 2022
5:30 p.m. | In Lugansk, the Russians are attacking from 9 directions
“The fierce battle for Lugansk continues and the Russian invaders are trying to attack simultaneously from 9 different directions.” This was reported in a Facebook post by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny. “The enemy has concentrated its main offensive resources in the north of the region and is launching nine different attacks at once,” the message reads, recalling once again the central position of Severodonetsk, “a key city in the defense system of the entire Luhansk region “.