Over the last week, a secret delivery of American weapons and a cross-river raid have injected much-needed energy into Ukraine’s largely stalled counteroffensive.
In the east, Ukrainians claim to have inflicted massive losses on Russian forces trying to encircle an embattled city.
Meanwhile in the capital Kyiv, Ukrainian parliamentarians are looking to expunge Russian influence from the church.
Here is what you need to know.
Surprise arrival of US Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS)
A secret US delivery of long-range ATACMS missiles pounded airfields in occupied Berdiansk on the coast of the Azov Sea and in Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, destroying Russian helicopters and a munitions depot.
A video released by the Commander of the Ukrainian Army, General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, showed powerful artillery fire and thanked the Ukrainian soldiers "for their work" and their friends "for their help".
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At a time when U.S. investment in Ukraine continues to be difficult, the arrival of ATACMS is a good move on the battlefield and in society.
Ukraine has been requesting missiles for months. It's unclear when the devices will be delivered or when delivery will be confirmed.
An early version of the
Army Tactical Missile System was tested Dec. 14, 2021, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
John Hamilton/U.S. Army
The missiles, which have a range of 100 kilometers, could disrupt Russian space and many experts say Moscow would be forced to deploy its air assets further afield, further weakening its ability to manage them.
To Ukrainians, the move was seen as a strong message of support from the United States. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later tweeted during a phone call with U.S. President Joe Biden: "The people of Ukraine are very encouraged by the deployment of anti-tank missile systems and our troops are ready to fight in a war Use them."
Eastern War
Russian troops launched several attacks against Ukrainian troops stationed in the area.
More Russian personnel and tanks were destroyed in one day on Thursday than on any day since the war began, according to the Ukrainian military. CNN has not been able to independently verify Ukraine's claims of Russian aggression, but footage shared by unofficial Ukrainian military accounts shows fierce fighting and the destruction of weapons. Zelensky called the Russian deaths in Avdiivka "horrible."
Experts say Russia aims to encircle the city and seize high ground near the industrial zone so that Russia can take fire control of Ukraine's food supply routes.
Thick smoke rises over the historic city of Avdievka on October 18, 2023, during the Russian-Ukraine war.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Avdiivka is a notorious Russian rebel who has been on the frontline of the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014.
More than 1,600 civilians remain in the embattled city, according to local officials.
Cross-river operation in Kherson
Official details of Ukraine’s latest cross-river operation are scant. B
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