Russian forces continue to advance in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region. Considering the difficult situation of his army, President Zelensky initially canceled all foreign trips. At the same time, he has increasingly appealed for military aid.

A suspected attack by the Russian military in the Kharkiv region has pushed back Ukrainian troops stationed there. Volodymyr Zelensky canceled all future planned foreign trips due to the advance of the Russian army.

“Volodymyr Zelensky has given instructions to postpone all international events involving him,” Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhiy Nykyforov said on Facebook. Specifically, it is about the trip to Spain. Spain’s royal family previously posted an online announcement of the planned meeting between Zelenskiy and King Philip VI on Friday. Eliminated in Madrid. Zelensky’s trip to Portugal has also been canceled for the time being. New dates for both trips should now be found.

The Ukrainian army must withdraw partially

Since last week, Russian troops have been increasingly advancing in the long-contested region of Kharkiv. According to its own reports, the Ukrainian army had to give up some positions. “As a result of the combat and offensive actions of the enemy, our units carried out maneuvers in some areas of the Lugansk and Vovsansk regions and moved to more favorable positions to save the lives of our soldiers and avoid losses,” the Ukrainian said. Public servants told Facebook.

Fierce fighting took place in the cities of Lugyans and Vovsansk. Both are about 30 kilometers apart and close to the Russian border. Ukrainian civil servants said the situation in the region was “difficult”. However, the military “will not allow the Russian aggressors to gain a foothold.”

The Russian Defense Ministry announced in the middle of the day that two more sites in Ukrainian territory may have been taken. In addition, a town in the Zaporizhia region was also captured by Russian troops. However, this information cannot be independently verified.

Reinforcement of troops at the front

Ukraine now wants to send reinforcements to the contested region. Zelensky’s spokesman Nikiforov made the announcement after the president discussed the situation in Kharkiv with Army chief Oleksandr Chirsky. “Additional forces are being deployed, reserves are available,” he said.

In a video message released that night, Zelensky himself promised to send additional troops to the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions. Despite the presence of Russian troops, “it is still too early to make decisions, but the situation is under control,” he said confidently.

Just on Tuesday, the public prosecutor’s office in Kharkiv announced several Russian airstrikes in Kharkiv. More than 20 people, including children, were reportedly injured.

Zelensky puts pressure on “patriotic” organizations

Zelenskyj again used Russia’s attack as an opportunity to press for increased military support for his country – including for US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who traveled to Kiev on his fourth trip since the start of the war.

Above all, Ukrainian air defense must be improved, Zelensky insisted, and was repeatedly asked to provide “patriotic” air defense systems. If two such systems had already been provided to the Kharkiv region, “it would have made a difference to the overall situation of the war,” Zelensky emphasized. Ukraine also received “Patriot” defense systems from Germany. In April, the central government announced plans to introduce a third system of this type.

US reiterates support for Ukraine

After meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Blinken announced more funding for Ukraine. The USA intends to invest two billion dollars in additional aid, which will primarily help strengthen Ukrainian industry. About $1.6 billion in aid to Ukraine was approved by the U.S. Congress in April after a long struggle for $60 billion. The rest comes from other sources.

Blinken also pledged to continue supporting Ukraine with military equipment. The US is focused on providing additional “Patriot” systems and other systems for Ukrainian air defense. The aid package for Ukraine passed by the US House of Representatives and the US Senate in April already includes additional large-scale arms supplies such as ammunition, armored vehicles and missiles. Some have already reached Ukraine, Blinken said, and others should follow.