The French President declared on Monday, June 12, 2023 that France would increase its arms sales to Ukraine to ensure the success of the counter-offensive that was being prepared “with caution”while Kiev announced that it had taken over several villages from Russia in the south-east of the country.
At a press conference at the Elysee Palace as part of a Weimar Triangle meeting with German and Polish leaders, Emmanuel Macron stressed that Paris was doing everything in its power to help President Zelenskyy.
“Yes, the Ukrainian counter-offensive started a few days ago. It was created with care and method […] This offensive should extend over several weeks, several months.”said the tenant of the Élysée.
France has increased its supply of ammunition and arms to Ukraine and will continue to do so in the coming days and weeks, added Emmanuel Macron, who recently said he had discussed the counter-offensive with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy emphasizes “difficult” offensive
The long-awaited offensive of the Ukrainian army is imminent ” difficult ” But “Progress”President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday after his government assured earlier in the day that it had taken over at least seven villages from Russian forces.
“The battles are difficult, but we are making progress and that is very important”he said in his daily address. “The opponent’s losses are exactly at the level we need”.
“The weather is not favorable – the rain makes our task difficult – but the strength of our soldiers brings good results”he added, welcoming the return of the Ukrainian flag “Newly Liberated Territories”.
Earlier, the Ukrainian government claimed to have taken seven villages in the south and east of the country since this weekend.
“ Seven villages were liberated”Deputy Defense Minister Ganna Malyar told Telegram, referring in particular to several captured settlements in the Zaporizhia region.
Ganna Malyar said that the villages of Lobkovo, Levadne and Novodarivka near Zaporizhia and the village of Storozheve in the south of the Donetsk region were taken over.
“The area of territory returned to our control is 90 square kilometers”assured Ms. Malyar.
On Monday afternoon, the Ukrainian army also claimed to have made progress in the Bachmout region.
Russian casualties
The Ukrainian army has published its regular bulletin on Kremlin troop casualties. According to Kiev, 216,180 Russian soldiers have lost their lives in the fighting since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
In addition, 7,636 armored vehicles are said to have been destroyed (including 24 in the last week), as well as 6,471 tanks and supply vehicles, 3,931 assault tanks, 3,746 artillery pieces and 3,307 drones.
The regular release of these numbers is part of the information warfare Ukraine is waging to undermine the morale of the Russian army and weaken public opinion.
The ruble at its lowest level
The ruble fell to its lowest level in 13 months against the dollar on Monday, June 12, 2023, reflecting a deterioration in the country’s trade balance due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia.
The Russian currency fell to 83.8411 rubles per dollar. As of 20:15 GMT, it was trading at 83.7766 rubles per greenback, down 1.24%.
The Central Bank of Russia (BCR) announced on Friday that the balance of current transactions with foreign countries, which includes total trade with foreign countries, recorded a surplus of $22.8 billion in the period from January to May, down a decline by $1.5 billion is 81% over one year.
The US is helping Ukraine again
The Biden administration last Friday announced an additional $2.1 billion security aid package for Ukraine. This includes the United States providing Kiev with more air defense systems and ammunition to counter Russian missile attacks.
The set includes HAWK anti-aircraft systems and missiles, as well as additional ammunition for the valuable Patriot anti-missile systems.
Ukraine will also receive Puma surveillance and reconnaissance drones, as well as increased artillery fire and additional training and maintenance support.
The latest round of aid is being provided under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which means the United States will order weapons and equipment from defense industry or allied partners.
The United States has provided more than $39.7 billion in security assistance to Kiev since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, including the most recent $2.1 billion package.
African Mediation
Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso said Monday that Africa could not “stay calm” In view of the conflict in Ukraine, a few days before the mediation of several heads of state of the continent in Kiev and Moscow.
“In the face of such a tragedy, Africa cannot remain silent or indifferent”said the head of state during a press conference on the sidelines of a state visit in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
Mr Sassou Nguesso is part of a mission of several African presidents who will travel to Kyiv and Moscow on Friday and Saturday, where they will meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then Vladimir Putin.
The delegation consists of Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Macky Sall (Senegal), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), Hakainde Hichilema (Zambia), Abdel Fattah al-Sissi (Egypt) and Azali Assoumani (Comoros and current President of the African Union). Union).
you will wear a message of peace, or at least appeasement” For “To make the belligerents understand the suffering this war is inflicting on the vulnerable peoples of the world, and especially the peoples of Africa.”said the Congolese President on Monday.
Fragile power plan
According to them, American economic observers have commented extensively on the plan in the columns of the Bloomberg media “Risk” To avert an energy crisis, the company relies on the Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske gas storage facility in Ukraine.