Ukraine has been demanding long-range missiles from U.S. and European allies to defend itself against renewed Russian offensive in the Eastern Donbas region
The President of Russia – Vladimir Putin today, i.e., Sunday, June 5, 2022 warned that Russia would strike new targets if the United States (U.S.) supplied long-range missiles to Ukraine.
Ukraine has been demanding long-range missiles from U.S. and European allies to defend itself against renewed Russian offensive in the Eastern Donbas region. The U.S. has very recently announced to send U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to Ukraine. Until now, the U.S. had refused the request out of fear that weapons could be used against targets in Russia and that Russia might get angered with U.S. The U.S. said it has been assured by Ukraine that they would not use the systems to launch attacks inside Russia.
The latest package also includes air surveillance radars, additional Javelin anti-tank weapons, anti-armour weapons, artillery rounds, helicopters, tactical vehicles, and spare parts to help the Ukrainians continue maintenance of the equipment.
In an interview to Rossiya-1 TV channel, Putin said, “If they are supplied, we will draw appropriate conclusions from this and use our own weapons, of which we have enough, in order to strike at those facilities, we are not targeting yet.”
He also said that Russia is easily coping and is already destroying U.S. supplied weapons. He said Russia has destroyed both aircraft and missiles fielded by Ukraine.
He further said, “Our anti-aircraft systems are crunching them like nuts. Dozens have been destroyed.”
Besides, Russian missiles destroyed T-72 tanks and other armoured vehicles near Kyiv that had been supplied by Eastern European countries to Ukraine. The Russian Aerospace Forces used high-precision long-range air-launched missiles in the strikes, hitting buildings of a car repair enterprise.
This comes after multiple explosions rocked Kyiv today morning. The Ukraine confirmed that a military target was hit by a Russian missile in Kyiv today. Separately, a Russian missile was downed today by Ukraine’s air defence system above the Obukhiv area, South of Kyiv.
Ukraine has denounced French President Emmanuel Macron after he suggested it is imperative that Russia is not humiliated in its war to keep the door open for good diplomatic relations between the West and Moscow whenever the conflict ends. His stance has been criticised by some Eastern and Baltic partners in Europe, as they see it as undermining efforts to push Putin to the negotiating table
Taking it to twitter, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ukraine – Dmytro Kuleba tweeted,
Calls to avoid humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and every other country that would call for it. Because it is Russia that humiliates itself. We all better focus on how to put Russia in its place. This will bring peace and save lives.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) June 4, 2022
France has also supplied offensive weapons including Caesar howitzer cannon to Ukraine. It has also asked the weapons manufacturers to accelerate production.
