The Russian military said today it had hit a train in Ukraine’s Donetsk region carrying Western weapons delivered to Kiev, the announcement came after a series of strikes on railway facilities, AFP reported.
“A train carrying Western weapons and military equipment was hit near the town of Udachne,” the Russian Defense Ministry said, without giving further details.
Russia is bombing Ukraine’s rail network to “paralyze” military supplies, including Western aid, as Moscow prepares a new offensive, a senior Ukrainian security official told AFP today, following a series of strikes on Ukrainian railways.
The railway infrastructure is particularly important in Ukraine, both for passenger transport, trade and the military, as since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, all air traffic there has been suspended.
“These are classic pre-offensive measures,” said a senior Ukrainian security source interviewed by AFP about the attacks on condition of anonymity.
The goal “is to paralyze supplies, the transportation of military cargo,” she added.
Zelensky called for more air defense systems
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for more air defense systems to be sent to Ukraine to help defend against Russian strikes, adding that a pause in US funding had helped Moscow take the initiative, Reuters reported.
“This year, Russian fighter jets have already used more than 9,000 guided aerial bombs against Ukraine, and we need the ability to shoot down the warplanes so that they cannot approach our positions and borders,” Zelensky said at the start of a virtual meeting to arm the US-hosted Ukraine.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the meeting would focus on Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.
The meeting comes days after the US Congress approved a $61 billion aid package for Ukraine after a half-year delay, according to Reuters. President Joe Biden’s administration then rushed to announce that $1 billion worth of artillery, air defenses and other equipment would soon be sent to the front lines in Ukraine.
“While we were waiting for the decision on American support, the Russian army managed to take the initiative on the battlefield,” Zelensky said. “We can still not only stabilize the front, but also move closer to achieving our Ukrainian goals in the war.”
The US hopes the new arms shipments will help Ukraine rebuild its defense lines, re-equip its forces and recover from the pause in US aid, but does not expect Kiev to launch large-scale offensive operations against Russian forces in the near future, it said. Reuters.
The influx of weapons could improve Kiev’s chances of preventing a major Russian breakthrough in the east of the country, military analysts say.
However, it is still unclear how much pressure Kiev will be able to exert against Russia after months of saving artillery shells caused by depleting stocks, Reuters commented. Kiev also faces a shortage of manpower on the battlefield, as well as questions about the strength of its fortifications along the 1,000-kilometer front line.
Spain to supply Patriot interceptor missiles to Ukraine
Spain will deliver a small number of Patriot missile interceptors to Ukraine, the Spanish newspaper “Pais” reported today, Reuters reported. The agency adds that the publication defines this as a reaction to pressure exercises by the EU and NATO to increase military aid to Kiev.
In the context of increased Russian airstrikes against Ukraine, the governments of the EU countries were called upon to provide Kiev with air defense systems. This is especially true for countries such as Greece and Spain, which have such anti-aircraft missile systems in service in their armies, according to Reuters.
Pais cited unnamed government sources for its information that Spain would also not give Ukraine entire Patriot launchers, but could send interceptor missiles for the system.
“The decision for this tranche of a small number of missiles was made after the Ministry of Defense refused to transfer to Ukraine its system, which it deployed on the border between Turkey and Syria in 2013,” Pais writes.
“The batch will be quite limited, as Spain has about 50 interceptor missiles in stock, and they are very expensive,” adds the publication.
Reuters notes that Spain’s defense ministry did not comment on the newspaper’s report, but a Spanish diplomat told foreign journalists in Madrid yesterday that his country must show commitment to Ukraine.
“Pais” informs that Spain has three “Patriot” air defense systems (made in the USA), which it bought “old” from Germany in 2004 and 2014.
Greece will not supply Ukraine with air defense systems
Greece will not supply Ukraine with air defense systems, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Thursday to the Sky television channel, DPA reported.
“Greece will not send Ukraine either S-300 or Patriot”Mitsotakis said.
According to him, Athens has already provided various defense equipment to Kiev, but it cannot deliver weapons systems that are crucial for Greece itself.
Mitsotakis made the comment after recent media allegations that European leaders were pressuring Greece to supply air defense systems to Ukraine.
The Greek prime minister confirmed that inquiries had been made and indicated that Athens was ready to supply other materials it had in excess.
“If we can find such materials, we will act”he added.
Tags: Preparing offensive Moscow paralyze Ukrainian rail military supplies
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