Closing summary
We’re pausing our live coverage new, here’s a round-up of the day’s main developments:
Western allies are taking too long to make key decisions on military support for Ukraine, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has told Reuters as Russia is expected to step up its offensive in the north-east.
Ukrainian air defences shot down 28 of the 29 drones launched during a Russian attack overnight, air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk wrote on Telegram.
Ukraine urgently needs to boost its air defences in the face of relentless Russian attacks, Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, warned as she arrived in Kyiv.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy is asking the west to become more involved in the war in Ukraine because of the extremely unfavourable situation of Ukrainian troops on the frontline, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has told journalists.
Ten Ukrainian soldiers have completed training for the F-16 aircraft maintenance in the Netherlands, according to the Dutch defence ministry.
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Ukrainian soldiers complete F-16 aircraft maintenance training in the Netherlands
Ten Ukrainian soldiers have completed training for the F-16 aircraft maintenance in the Netherlands, according to the Dutch defence ministry.
The Netherlands has agreed to make at least 24 F-16s available to Ukraine, as Kyiv seeks to bolster its air force in the face of relentless Russian attacks.
The soldiers practised servicing oxygen systems, helmets and onboard parachutes, the ministry said in a press release.
“The training also included the composition and inspection of the survival pack,” the defence ministry said.
“This allows the pilot to survive for several days after an emergency landing. It contains food and medicine, among other things.
“Their training prepares the trainees for all possible risks of an F-16 mission. This will ultimately also provide better protection for Ukrainian pilots.”
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a lightweight fighter aircraft that can travel twice the speed of sound.
Kyiv’s allies hope the modern aircraft can push Russian aircraft further from the frontlines, target radar transmitters more effectively and hunt down more cruise missiles.
During the war, Ukraine has operated a small air force based on Soviet standard aircraft, but it has been no match for its larger Russian equivalent.
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