Russian forces are tightening their grip on the Ukrainian industrial city of Severodonetsk on Thursday, approaching an important victory in their offensive in the eastern Donbass region.
But in a boost to Ukraine, which is locked in heavy fighting with the Russian army, the United States announced a $700 million arms package for Kiev that includes advanced missile systems with a range of up to 80 kilometers.
Russia accused the United States of pouring “oil on the fire”.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that supplying Kyiv with missile launchers risked drawing a “third country” into the conflict.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Ukraine had promised not to use the systems to strike targets inside Russia.
US President Joe Biden hopes that expanding the range of Ukrainian artillery will help push Russia to negotiate an end to the war, which reaches its 100th day on Friday.
After days of fierce fighting in Severodonetsk, much of which was destroyed by Russian bombing, Russian forces are now advancing through the city’s streets. Ukraine says regarding 70 percent of Severodonetsk is now under the control of Russian forces that have reached the city centre.
