The President of the United States, Joe Biden has plelgded to provide advanced air defense systems to Ukraine after Russian missiles rained down on the capital Kyiv and other cities over the weekend, the White House has confirmed in a statement.
Biden had a conversation with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy where he ‘pledged to continue providing Ukraine with the support needed to defend itself, including advanced air defense systems,’ the statement said.
Africa Today News, New York gathered that Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened more ‘severe’ attacks against Ukraine after the biggest wave of strikes in months killed at least 11 in retaliation for an explosion that damaged a key bridge linking Russia to the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula.
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After speaking with Biden, Zelensky tweeted that “air defense is currently the number 1 priority in our defense cooperation.”
Kyiv said Russian forces had fired more than 80 missiles on cities across the country and that Russia had also used Iranian drones launched from neighbouring Belarus.
Biden ‘conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured in these senseless attacks,’ the White House said.
“He also underscored his ongoing engagement with allies and partners to continue imposing costs on Russia (and) holding Russia accountable for its war crimes and atrocities.’
Meanwhile, Putin has lambasted Ukraine accusing it of being behind the Kerch bridge explosion, which he described an ‘act of terrorism’ that destroyed part of the crucial link between Russia and the annexed territory of Crimea, as calls grow for reprisals.
Africa Daily News, New York reports that the bridge, which holds key strategic and symbolic value to Russia, was partly damaged on Saturday by what Moscow has said was a truck bomb. Road and rail traffic on the 19km (12-mile) bridge was temporarily halted, hindering a vital supply route for Russia’s armed forces battling a renewed Ukrainian counteroffensive.