US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday announced $717 million in new economic and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine, including $325 million in energy support to help repair and restore power generation facilities hit by Russian strikes.
The package includes $290 million in humanitarian help and $102 million for demining work. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments in the war in Ukraine. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments in the war in Ukraine.
What we know
- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his British counterpart David Lammy made a rare joint trip to Ukraine on Wednesday to discuss further easing rules on firing Western weapons into Russia, whose alleged acquisition of Iranian missiles has raised new fears.
- Russia and Iran on Wednesday dismissed reports that Tehran had shipped missiles to Russia. The Kremlin also threatened to roll out “an appropriate response” if Washington allowed Kyiv to use US long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russian territory.
- A freight train has derailed in a Russian region bordering Ukraine following “the intervention of non-authorised people”, the rail operator said on Wednesday.
- The Ukrainian air force said it shot down 20 out of 25 Russia-launched drones overnight. Russian forces also used nine missiles in the attack, the air force added in a statement via the Telegram messaging app.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga urged Kyiv’s allies on its western borders Wednesday to shoot down Russian drones and missiles flying over its western regions.
“There have already been numerous instances of Russian aircraft violating the airspace of neighbouring countries and NATO countries,” said Sybiga. Allies should “explore the possibility of shooting down missiles over the territory of Ukraine”. (France24)