Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he traveled Thursday to the northeastern city of Kharkiv to meet with military officials amid a Russian offensive in the region.
Zelenskyy said on Telegram that the situation in Kharkiv is extremely difficult, but generally under control.
Russia has claimed several villages in Kharkiv in recent days, and the Russian advances prompted Zelenskyy to cancel several planned foreign visits.
Ukraine’s military said Thursday that while the situation in Kharkiv remains complicated, Ukrainian forces had stabilized the situation and halted Russia’s advance in certain areas.
The developments follow a two-day visit to Ukraine by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during which Zelenskyy asked for air defense systems to help protect Kharkiv.
Blinken announced $2 billion in military aid for Ukraine as part of a $61 billion package that was approved last month.
Russia’s defense ministry said Thursday its air defenses destroyed five tactical missiles and multiple drones over Russia-occupied Crimea, as well as drones over the Belgorod, Bryansk, Kaluga and Tula regions.
Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
