Despite weeks of fear that the Kremlin would double its assault on Ukraine on VE Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to step up his war efforts on the anniversary marking the Allied triumph over Nazi Germany during World War II, which he celebrated with a huge parade in Moscow. Across the Ukrainian border, major cities experienced one of the quietest days since the invasion.
Yet the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa was hit by a volley of Russian missiles on Monday night, including three hypersonic Kinzhal missiles, a regional Ukrainian military official said. Attacks earlier in the day forced European Council President Charles Michel to seek refuge during an official visit. But the Pentagon said Russian forces lacked the capability to launch a land or sea offensive against the Black Sea port. Russian advances in the Donbass region remain “gradual” and “anemic”, a senior US defense official told reporters on Monday, as they face fierce Ukrainian resistance near cities like Kharkiv.
To signal Washington’s determination to support kyiv, President Biden on Monday signed into law a bill that will expedite the process of sending military aid to Ukraine and urged Congress to approve a separate multi-tiered aid package. billion dollars for Ukraine.
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