Ahead of the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday to demonstrate his support. He assured President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Washington would assist Ukraine for as long as it takes.
Although there were no indications of Russian missiles or airstrikes during Biden’s visit to Kyiv, air raid sirens sounded throughout the Ukrainian capital.
Zelenskiy stated that Biden’s visit was “an enormously significant show of support for all Ukrainians” and that they had spoken about long-range weapons.
According to the White House, Biden would announce additional penalties against Russia as well as military help for Ukraine in the form of artillery shells, anti-armour systems, and air surveillance radars.
Biden Visits as Putin Gives Speech on Ukraine Invasion Anniversary
The timing of Biden’s visit coincided with President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled major speech, in which he was anticipated to outline Russia’s objectives for the second year of the invasion he began on February 24 of last year.
As Moscow sends thousands of conscripts and mercenaries into a winter offensive, the anniversary has gained more than just symbolic meaning. In the eyes of the West, it has become the impetus for the war’s deadliest phase.
With China Foreign Minister Wang Yi anticipated in the Russian capital for talks, Moscow received its own apparent diplomatic statement of solidarity. Although adopting a “no limits” friendship treaty with Russia weeks prior to the invasion, China has up to this point maintained its neutral stance on the crisis in public.
Washington has recently expressed fear that Beijing may start supplying Moscow with armaments. The United States is “in no position to make demands of China,” according to Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, and China’s “complete working partnership with Russia” is a matter for two independent governments.
Two eastern regions that makeup Ukraine’s Donbas mining and industrial sector are under complete Russian control. The mining city of Bakhmut has been the location of the majority of its most recent victories. It has conducted assaults at places ranging from Kreminna in the north down to Vuhledar in the south.
Kyiv Claims Inflicting Heavy Losses on Russian Forces in Eastern Ukraine
Kyiv, which will soon be receiving a substantial supply of Western weapons for a planned counteroffensive, has recently stuck primarily to defence on the battlefield and claims to be inflicting significant fatalities on the Russian forces advancing on it.
“The circumstance is quite difficult. Now the fight is on. We are destroying the invaders and causing Russia to suffer incredibly heavy losses “In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy added.
“We will be able to end this war with Ukraine’s victory sooner the more casualties Russia sustains there, in Donbas – in Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Marinka, and Kreminna.”
According to the Ministry of Defence of Great Britain, Russia was suffering heavy losses, including two elite brigades of thousands of marines who were likely made “combat ineffective” by heavy losses in failed attempts to storm the well-entrenched Ukrainian stronghold of Vuhledar.
It predicted Moscow will declare Bakhmut captured regardless of the reality on the ground, saying “The Russian forces are likely under increased political pressure as the anniversary of the invasion draws closer.” However, Tensions inside the Russian leadership are expected to rise if Russia’s spring push is unsuccessful,