Preparation of major US aid package, increased offensives in Donbas: last night's highlights
The United States is preparing one of the largest military aid packages for Ukraine, and the occupiers are stepping up their offensive attempts in Donbas. Here is what you may have missed from the previous night.
Preparation of large-scale US package
The United States may announce one of the largest military aid packages to Ukraine in the coming days. Its cost is likely to reach $2.5 billion. However, it is unlikely to include tanks.
For the first time, the package will include Stryker armored fighting vehicles, as well as more Bradley fighting vehicles. The list may also include mine and ambush protection vehicles, known as MRAPs, and GLSDB bombs, which can be fired from MLRS-M270 and HIMARS systems.
Increased offensives in Donbas
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Donbas remains the epicenter of the most fierce and principled battles. According to him, the number of shelling and attempts at offensive actions by the occupiers is gradually increasing.
Zelenskyy promises to name reasons for Brovary crash
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he would release information about the causes of the incident in Brovary, where a helicopter carrying the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs crashed on the morning of January 18.
"As soon as clear facts are established about what exactly led to the crash, we will provide this information," the president said.
US inclined to provide Ukraine with weapons to strike Crimea
The administration of US President Joe Biden is inclined to provide Kyiv with weapons to target Russian targets in the annexed Crimea, which Russia uses as a base for strikes against Ukraine.
The softening of the US position came after the Biden administration concluded that "if the Ukrainian army can show Russia that its control over Crimea could be threatened, it will strengthen Kyiv's position in any future negotiations."
Other news:
- Popular Ukrainian bank monobank is launching a mobile bank in Poland called stereo by mono. It is designed for both Ukrainian refugees in Poland and Poles.
- In the first 15 days of the new year, Ukraine shipped 2.3 million tons of agricultural products. Most of it was corn.
- Over the past day, Russian occupation forces shelled two communities in Sumy Oblast. Almost 20 mines were fired.
- A resident of Kherson Oblast, who is a retired employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, was charged with collaboration. He faces up to 15 years in prison.