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Latest Updates from the Ukraine War
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the bravery of his people on the 500th day of the war initiated by Russia, which conducted another deadly bombardment in the eastern region of the country on Saturday.
Zelensky visited Snakes Island, which had been seized by Moscow shortly after the invasion began on February 24, 2022, but was later abandoned.
Zelensky seeks support from Erdogan for NATO membership
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his early support for Ukraine's NATO membership, stating that the war-torn country deserves to join the alliance. This statement was made during a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is on a European tour to garner support for Ukraine's entry into NATO once the conflict with Russia concludes.
NATO leaders, meeting in Vilnius, Lithuania next week, are expected to reaffirm Ukraine's future membership in the alliance.
Zelensky's visit to Istanbul preceded the upcoming two-day NATO summit in Vilnius.
Discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were expected to focus on a grain deal that facilitated Ukraine's collaboration with the UN last year, enabling the shipment of millions of tons of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.
The United States agrees to send cluster bombs to Ukraine
The Pentagon confirmed on Friday that it would send cluster munitions to Ukraine as part of a military aid package worth €735 million. This move is aimed at assisting the Ukrainian military in dislodging and pushing back entrenched Russian forces. President Zelensky had previously expressed frustration over delayed weapons deliveries, which hindered Ukraine's counteroffensive and allowed Russia to consolidate occupied areas with landmines.
The decision to send these banned weapons to Kyiv is expected to provoke outrage from certain allies and humanitarian organizations that have long opposed the use of cluster bombs.
Proponents argue that Russia has already been employing cluster munitions in Ukraine, and US supplies would result in fewer unexploded rounds, thus reducing unintended civilian casualties.
UK government opposes the use of cluster bombs
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reiterated on Saturday that the UK is against the deployment of cluster munitions. He emphasized that the UK is a signatory to a convention that prohibits the production and use of cluster bombs, discourages their usage, and commits to their clearance after being deployed.
Sunak stated that the UK will continue to support Ukraine against the Russian invasion, highlighting the supply of various weapons, including heavy tanks and long-range missiles, to Kyiv.
Although the use of cluster bombs itself does not violate international law, employing them against civilians is considered a violation. Over 120 countries have joined a convention banning the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster munitions.
Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Rishi Sunak in London before heading to the NATO summit in Vilnius, where he will also meet King Charles III.
Ukrainian missiles target the Russian front
On Wednesday, Kyiv launched a series of missile strikes against Russia's entire front, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Geolocated footage and images confirmed coordinated missile attacks on Russian facilities across the war front. The ISW's analysis identified strikes on a Russian military facility in Makiivka and an administration building in the occupied territory of Volnovakha.
The Ukrainian forces' objective was to degrade Russian logistics and ground lines of communication throughout the theater, as stated by the ISW.
These developments occurred amidst claims by Ukraine's Security and Defense Council secretary of fruitful counteroffensive efforts in recent days.
As the intense battle near Bakhmut continues, Ukraine has escalated its efforts to regain control of the occupied territories in the east.
