Russian offensive near Ukraine’s second largest city – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

The United States is in the process of preparing an arms package worth 400 million dollars to Ukraine, an American official told Reuters.

The new package includes artillery, anti-tank weapons, armored vehicles and small arms, according to the source.

The weapons delivery also includes rockets for use in Norwegian-developed NASAMS air defense systems, writes NTB.

After Congress finally gave the green light to extensive support for Ukraine this year after a several-month break, the US is now making regular deliveries of weapons for use against the Russian invasion forces.

Russian surprise attack

The news of the weapons package from the United States comes on the same day that Russian ground forces have launched a surprise attack.

On Friday morning, the Russians moved closer to the town of Vovchansk, which is close to the border with Russia.

The AFP news agency reports on intense Russian shelling of the town, which before the war had 17,000 inhabitants, but where there are now only 3,000 left.

It was Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense that first reported a Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv region in the north-east of the country, writes Reuters.

– Around 5 o’clock the enemy made an attempt to break through our defense line under the cover of armored vehicles, the Ministry of Defense says.

– These attacks were repulsed for the time being, but the fighting continues with varying intensity.

New front in the war

The attack opens a new front in the war, writes Reuters.

Kyiv has sent several reinforcements to the area, the statement added.

Several media outlets describe the offensive as a surprise attack.

On Friday morning, the Ukrainian authorities initiated the evacuation of civilians in Vovchansk and nearby areas.

– Together with humanitarian organisations, we set up transport for those who do not have cars, says head of Vovchansk’s military administration, Tamaz Gamarashvili.

Zelenskyj: – Intense fighting

The president of Ukraine commented on the Russian attack on Friday afternoon.

– Russia has launched a series of attacks. Ukraine has responded with our forces, our brigades and with our artillery, says Zelenskyy.

– Right now there is intense fighting going on, says Ukraine’s president, writes AFP.

Lieutenant Colonel, historian and head teacher at the War College Palle Ydstebø thinks so will show over time if the main purpose is to tie up Ukrainian forces.

Germany asks donor countries to hurry

Several countries believe that it is urgent to provide arms assistance to Ukraine.

In direct response to the Russian attack on Friday, Germany is asking Western countries to deliver weapons quickly.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin describes the metropolis of Kharkiv in three words; surrounded – freed – attacked.

Kharkiv became famous when Ukrainian soldiers defeated Russian forces early in the war and liberated large areas there.

– Their bravery calls for our solidarity, writes the German Foreign Ministry on Friday.

“Together with our partners, we are at odds with Ukraine and we must support them in their defensive war,” says the message from the German Foreign Service.

Waiting for weapons

Lieutenant Colonel, historian and head teacher at the War College Palle Ydstebø thinks so will show over time if the main purpose is to tie up Ukrainian forces.

– How thinly stretched is the defense in Ukraine?

– It is so far thin. But perhaps mostly in firepower, i.e. artillery and to some extent air defense which they are waiting to receive from the West, and which is in the American aid package, says Ydstebø to NRK.

– It is enough in this interim period and before Ukraine receives this support that Russia sees the opportunity to achieve something before Ukrainian combat power reaches a level that can stabilize the front.

– Can Russia break through and gain a large area?

– It is hard to say. In relation to the type of forces that have been built up north of Kharkiv, the number is relatively large, but whether they have sufficient joint training and good enough material and are well enough coordinated for a major offensive remains to be seen.

Ydstebø believes the Russians must have fairly good combat power to manage to penetrate a good Ukrainian defence.

Greater fighting power

– How will Ukraine get away from being on the defensive?

– In the first instance, it is about getting the material that has been promised. And then Ukraine must to some extent replace those who have been at the front for almost two years, and build up fresh departments, train up the armies and build up a functioning command system.

Ydstebø believes that at the same time the West must increase war production so that Ukraine can reach a combat power that is greater than the Russian one.

– Whether it will happen this year is doubtful. They may be able to take the initiative, but I doubt we will see any major Ukrainian initiative until next year, at best, says the lieutenant colonel.

Missing soldiers – recruiting prisoners

Ukraine desperately needs more soldiers. Recently, the age for “forced mobilisation” was lowered from 27 to 25 years.

On a voluntary basis, men as young as 18 can enlist for war effort.

The surprise attack from Russia comes the same week that Ukrainian politicians passed a new law allowing prisoners to become soldiers.

On Wednesday, a majority of the politicians in parliament proposed that prisoners should be sent to the war on a voluntary basis. They can choose between a life behind the walls or in the trenches.

– Parliament has voted yes on voluntary mobilization for prisoners, says Olena Shuliak who is party leader of the ruling party in Ukraine.

– The draft new law gives a group of prisoners who have a desire to defend the country, the opportunity to do so.

The long-awaited F-16

At the same time that there are reports of a Russian military offensive near Kharkiv, the Ukrainian authorities are issuing an update that could have a positive effect for them.

The long-awaited F16 fighters will be delivered at the turn of June-July.

A senior military source told the Reuters news agency on Friday.

Norway is among the countries that will deliver F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.

Russia has always had a clear upper hand when it comes to control of airspace.