Even as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country to reassure it of Washington’s support, Ukraine was dealt new setbacks by the advancing Russian military in the northeast.
Russia’s new offensive gained momentum Wednesday around Ukraine’s second-largest city, the latest gutpunch for Kyiv as it struggles to contain this new front in the war following delays in crucial military aid from the United States.
Even as Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the country to reassure it of Washington’s support, Ukraine was dealt new setbacks by the advancing Russian military in the northeast.
Ukraine’s army said it had withdrawn some of its forces from more areas around the city of Kharkiv, while local officials said Russian troops had taken up positions inside the key frontline town of Vovchansk.
It’s part of a new, armored assault launched by Russia last week, which risks straining an already stretched Ukrainian army to breaking point.
Kyiv, which has been pleading for more help from the West, fears Moscow may also be massing troops for new border incursions elsewhere.
Last month, Congress approved $60 billion of military aid for Ukraine, but only after months of political wrangling and resistance by Republicans. That delay has offered the Kremlin a window for a summer offensive that was threatening to make crucial gains on the battlefield while its forces bombarded Kharkiv from the air.