- Zelensky warns that Putin intends to draft 300,000 new troops to join the war from next month in a bid to seize territory.
- Zelensky said that the Russian leader would start the drive after elections in September, as Moscow pursues its main goal of capturing the rest of Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
- Andy Burnham is in Ukraine’s capital today on his first overseas trip as UK prime minister, marking 35 years of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union, and he will announce an agreement for Ukraine to start producing its own models of the British Storm Shadow cruise missile.
- The prime minister will also chair his first meeting of the “coalition of the willing,” the partnership of more than 35 nations backing Ukraine, and will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, almost a month on from their first meeting in Portsmouth.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is in Ukraine to deliver blueprints for Storm Shadow missiles and chair a meeting of the coalition of the willing, comprising over 35 nations supporting Ukraine. This visit coincides with Ukraine's 35th independence anniversary from the Soviet Union.3456
During his visit, Burnham emphasized that British support for Ukraine will remain unwavering, stating, "I want the Ukrainian people to hear directly from me that British support will not waiver, as long as it takes." He is set to announce an agreement for Ukraine to produce its own models of the British Storm Shadow cruise missile, which can strike targets up to 150 miles (241 km) into Russia.
In a concerning development, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Putin plans to draft 300,000 new troops starting next month, aiming to capture more territory in eastern Ukraine, particularly the Donetsk region. Zelensky indicated that this military escalation would follow the elections in September, as Russia intensifies its efforts in the ongoing conflict.12
The former head of MI6, Richard Moore, praised Ukraine's military strategy, stating they are doing an "extraordinary job of hitting Russia in the deep" and noted that the Russian economy struggles to cope with Ukraine's deep strikes. However, he cautioned that Ukraine is running low on Patriot interceptor missiles needed to defend against Russian attacks.
“The missile blueprints enable Ukraine to hit targets 150 miles into Russia, a significant step in sharing weapons technology. Meanwhile, former MI6 chief Richard Moore says Ukraine is doing an "extraordinary job" striking deep, but warns Kyiv is running short on Patriot interceptors.”
BBC
