6:37 p.m
Biden to Ukraine and Europe: “You can count on us”
There is no way we can stop helping Ukraine against Russia’s brutality. I want to tell Kiev and our European allies that you can count on us.” Joe Biden said this while commenting on the law that prevented the shutdown, but which provided for a cut in aid to Kiev. “We will not abandon Ukraine,” assured the US President
2:14 p.m
Drone hits Russian factory in Smolensk
This morning, a drone hit an aircraft factory in Russia’s Smolensk region, part of the state-owned company Tactical Missiles. This was reported by the independent Belarusian news site Nexta. The Russian Defense Ministry previously said air defense systems shot down three unmanned Ukrainian drones, but gave no indication whether the drones hit the facility or caused damage.
12:56 p.m
Kiev: “Moscow has concentrated 10,000 soldiers in Bakhmut”
Russia has concentrated more than 10,000 active military personnel in Bakhmut, including tank regiments, motorized and airborne troops. This was told by the head of the press service of the Eastern Group of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Ilya Yevlash, to United News, Ukrinform reported. “As for Bakhmut, the enemy has concentrated significant forces there, more than 10,000 people. And now there is heavy fighting,” Yavlesh reported, saying there was no evidence that the enemy wanted to leave the city.