Russian troops advance in Ukraine
Zelenskyy pleads for air defence assistance
KYIV • As Ukrainian officials plead for more Western arms and a U. S. aid package remains stalled in Congress, Russia is advancing on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine, seizing new territory and intensifying attacks to capture the town of Chasiv Yar and others in the Donetsk region. Away from the front line, Ukraine's dwindling air defence capabilities are showing vulnerabilities, as more Russian missiles and drones are able to hit critical infrastructure facilities. Outside Kyiv — considered Ukraine's best-protected city — the largest power plant serving the capital was destroyed Thursday, stoking concerns that Ukraine might be running out of surface-toair missiles. “We need air defence systems and other defence assistance, not just turning a blind eye and having lengthy discussions,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. For months, Ukrainian military personnel have described the battlefield situation as dire due to a shortage of weapons and soldiers amid a renewed Russian offensive. They have reported increased Russian bombardment using guided air bombs, dropped from their planes onto Ukrainian military positions. With resources running low, this assault in eastern Ukraine could threaten larger towns and cities — potentially advancing Russian President Vladimir Putin's goal of seizing the entire Donetsk region, which he has already declared, illegally, to be annexed by Russia. Chasiv Yar — west of the city of Bakhmut, which Russia's Wagner mercenaries captured and occupied nearly a year ago — is now the new focus of Moscow's forces, commanders fighting in the area said. “They systematically try to advance,” said a deputy battalion commander in the 24th Separate Assault Battalion, better known as Aidar.