Putin Intent on ‘Total Subjugation’ and Wiping Ukraine Off the Map, Says Biden; Russia ‘Lacks Troops or Ammo for Major Offensive’ – Day 868 Update
President Joe Biden opens the NATO summit in Washington, asserting that Vladimir Putin aims to completely subjugate Ukraine and erase it from existence. “Ukraine can and will stop Putin,” Biden declares, emphasizing NATO’s support for Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
Biden announces NATO’s provision of five new strategic air defense systems to Ukraine, following a deadly missile strike that hit a pediatric cancer hospital and other civilian targets yesterday. “Ukraine will receive hundreds of additional interceptors over the next year, helping protect cities and frontline troops,” Biden says.
This morning, the Ukrainian air force reports Russian attacks involving an Iskander-M ballistic missile, four KH-59/69 guided air missiles from Crimea, and 20 Shahed drones from Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian defense forces manage to shoot down 14 Shaheds across multiple regions, and several Russian missiles and drones are intercepted before reaching their targets.
In response to the escalating threats, the US, Germany, and Romania will send additional Patriot air defense systems, with contributions from the Netherlands and an Italian-French SAMP/T system. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in Washington for the summit, aims to bolster Ukraine’s air defenses and secure more F-16 fighter jets. NATO plans to establish a new military command in Germany to train and equip Ukrainian troops.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announces that NATO leaders will pledge increased production of arms across Europe and North America. An order for Stinger anti-aircraft missiles worth nearly $700 million has already been placed.
Zelenskiy expresses uncertainty about former US President Donald Trump’s potential actions if he wins the 2024 election, hoping the US will continue supporting Ukraine. Trump had “good meetings” with Zelenskiy during his presidency but before Russia’s 2022 invasion.
At a NATO briefing, it is reported that Russia lacks the munitions and troops for a major offensive in Ukraine, suffering high losses for minimal territorial gains. Undermanned and inexperienced units have been deployed to achieve unrealistic objectives.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveys his condolences to Putin over the death of children in the recent hospital strike in Kyiv, emphasizing the horror of innocent lives lost. The strike, likely caused by a Russian missile, prompts the UN nuclear watchdog to hold a special meeting on atomic safety concerns.
Rescue operations at the Okhmatdyt children’s hospital reveal at least 42 fatalities from Monday’s attacks. Zelenskiy reports numerous hospitalizations across Ukraine, marking the heaviest bombardment of Kyiv in months.
Russia chairs a UN Security Council meeting where it faces condemnation for the hospital strike. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield and other representatives criticize Russia’s actions, while Russia’s ambassador dismisses the criticisms as “verbal gymnastics.”
In retaliation, Ukrainian drones target a Russian oil refinery, military airfield, and electricity substation, hitting the Akhtubinsk airfield, an oil refinery in Volgograd, and a substation in Rostov. Meanwhile, Russia claims to have captured the village of Yasnobrodivka near Donetsk.