NU.nl regularly gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. With this time: Russia is again claiming territorial gains in eastern Ukraine and, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, is engaged in a “major act of revenge”. The US, meanwhile, does not yet want to deliver fighter jets.
Leader Denis Pushilin of Donetsk province, which was illegally annexed by Russia, said Russian troops were making territorial gains in Vuhledar, among other places. That is a now destroyed mining town in the east, where Ukrainian forces have entrenched themselves.
Ukraine confirmed the Russian attacks, but claims to have repelled them at Vuhledar and Blahodatne – near Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces lost ground in Bakhmut, Avdiivka and other parts of eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine also said Russia carried out several airstrikes and at least three rocket attacks on Monday. Among others, the northeastern city of Kharkiv was targeted.
The Russian military offensives, according to Zelensky, are revenge for the successful Ukrainian counter-attacks in recent months.
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US will not give Ukraine F-16 fighter jets
The United States will not supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets. US President Joe Biden confirmed this when asked during a meeting with journalists. Earlier, the Americans decided to send heavy tanks to Ukraine.
Kyiv has been asking for such aircraft to counter Russian air raids for some time. France did not rule out the delivery of fighter jets on Monday. Poland would also be willing to send F-16s.
The Netherlands does not consider sending fighter planes taboo, said Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who received French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday. Rutte did emphasize that sending fighter jets would be a big step. According to the prime minister, Ukraine has not yet requested the Netherlands to supply F-16s.
Russian company offers bounty for destroying Western tanks
The Russian energy company Fores is offering a cash prize for destroying or capturing Western tanks. The first Russian soldier to succeed will receive 5 million rubles (more than 66,000 euros), the company promises. For all subsequent attacks, the bonus is 500,000 rubles (more than 6,600 euros).
The company also says it will offer a bounty of 15 million rubles (nearly $200,000) for the destruction of Western warplanes, should they ever be delivered to Ukraine.
The United States, Germany and other European countries are sending dozens of advanced main battle tanks to Ukraine in the coming months. It could be weeks or even months before the tanks will appear on the front line.
2:06Poland doubles defense budget
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announced that his country will invest 4 percent of its national income in defense this year. That amounts to about 25 billion euros, double compared to last year.
According to Morawiecki, Poland has no choice but to arm itself faster, because of the Russian threat and Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Poland is also going to increase its armed forces. The army currently numbers 164,000 men and women. That will go to 250,000 in the near future.
Danish Prime Minister in Ukraine
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is the next Western leader to visit Ukraine. Together with President Zelensky, she visited Mykolaiv. The southern port city has been shelled by the Russians for months.
Frederiksen and Zelensky also visited a hospital to talk to wounded soldiers.
