Ukraine urges speedier weapons deliveries from West

Ukraine urged the West for a faster supply of weapons after a Russian missile strike in Dnipro killed at least 40 people in an apartment block. Meanwhile, Ukrainian troops are under increasing pressure to the east.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Army said on Tuesday (17 January) that Russia had launched more rocket attacks than usual in the past 24 hours.

According to the report, Russian forces attacked more than 15 settlements in the eastern Donetsk area, including Soledar, a salt-mining community where Russia and Ukraine waged trench warfare for several weeks.

The city of Bakhmut was completely destroyed by the relentless Russian bombardment. It also severely damaged Avdiivka, the centre of Donetsk.

Oleh Zhdanov, a Ukrainian military analyst, stated on YouTube that "very heavy fighting continues in the two key sections of... Bakhmut & Avdiivka.

"The enemy is constantly attacking and around the clock. We are working to protect our positions. Russian troops are active at night, so we need night vision equipment."

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, stated in Monday (16 January) night's video address that Russia's attempts at gaining the initiative in the conflict highlighted the need for the West to "speed up decision-making" when it comes to supplying weapons.

Since the invasion of Russian forces last February 24, 2014, the West has provided a steady supply to Ukraine with weapons. However Zelenskiy's government insists that they still need tanks.

Britain announced Monday that it would send 14 Challenger 2 tanks, other hardware and hundreds of additional armoured vehicles.

Germany is being pressured to send Leopard 2 tankers to Ukraine, but its government insists that those tanks should only be shipped if agreement is reached among Kyiv’s main allies, especially the United States.

Oleskiy Dalylov, Secretary to Ukraine's Security Council, mentioned Monday night that there was a need for an acceleration of weapons supplies, as Russia is expected to "try to make a so called final push."

Danylov said that the event could be held on the anniversary of the invasion or in March.

"We must be prepared for such events every single day. We are already preparing for such events. Danylov stated that the first and last questions are always about weapons and aid to defeat this aggressor who invaded our country.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was scheduled to meet with allies at an Air Base in Germany on Friday to discuss additional aid to Ukraine.

DISPLACED UKRAINIANS

Russia describes its actions as a "special military operations" to defend its security, since its neighbor became closer to the West. Russia and its allies accuse Ukraine of an unprovoked war against Russia to seize territory and erase independence from a former Soviet republic.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in the displacement of millions and the deaths of thousands of civilians. It has also left many Ukrainian towns, villages, and cities in ruin. Kyiv and its allies also accuse Russia of large-scale deportation.

Zelenskiy urged the Organization for Security and Cooperation to do more on Monday regarding Ukrainians that he claims were forcibly transferred to Russia.

The OSCE, which is made up of 57 countries and includes all European states as well as the United States, Russia, and any former Soviet Union states, is the largest international security organization.

"No international organization has yet been able to gain access at the detention centers of Russian prisoners." This needs to be rectified," Zelenskiy stated.

According to the U.S. State Department, between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian citizens, including 260,000 children, were deported last year into Russian territory.

Russia denies that deportations are being made and claims those who arrive in Russia are refugees from war. The Russian emergency ministry reported that 4.8 million Ukrainians had arrived in Russia, including 112,000 children, since February.

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