Russia destroys railway stations used to deliver arms to Ukraine
The Russian armed forces strike a pivotal target for the Ukrainian armed forces that would somewhat paralyze arms shipments to the country as Moscow's forces advance further.
The Russian Armed forces have destroyed 6 traction substations near railway stations used for the delivery of foreign weapons and military equipment to the Ukrainian Army using high-precision long-range weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
The Ukrainian army has long been relying on Western arms shipments to fight against Russia's forces despite Moscow's warnings against such shipments. Kiev requested arms from the West and reiterated its request several times, calling for Brussels and Washington to give it more arms with increased sophistication.
Moscow's forces also used high-precision missiles to destroy four Ukrainian army command posts, an ammunition depot near Slavyansk, and the headquarters of the Right Sector in Novogrodovka, Moscow's ministry added.
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said on Tuesday that US allies have aided Ukraine in bolstering its fleet of fighter aircraft. Although Washington has not provided Kiev with some of the Soviet-type weaponry it requested, countries with compatible gear in their arsenal have sent them.
The aid currently being sent to Ukraine, such as artillery pieces, radar systems and coastal defense systems, are tailored to the battles expected in Donbass, according to Kirby, who also added that Ukraine has received more tanks.
The Russian ministry also revealed that Moscow's missile forces struck a Ukrainian Tocka-U complex and an artillery battery, in addition to 10 areas of concentrated manpower and equipment.
To mark another advance for the Russian forces, the Russian air defense systems, according to the MoD, downed four Ukrainian UAVs near Izyum, Donetsk, and Kharkov.
'Liberation of Mariupol'
This comes after the Russian armed forces cleared Mariupol of Ukrainian soldiers and foreign mercenaries, and the announcement came just a few days ago.
President Vladimir Putin celebrated Russia's "liberation of Mariupol" on Thursday after Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu informed him that Moscow controls the Ukrainian port city.
In a televised meeting, Putin said, "Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape," adding that it would be "impractical" to storm the area where over 2,000 Ukrainian servicemen are located.
The Russian president added that the "liberation of Mariupol" was a "success" for Russian forces but ordered Shoigu to call off the planned storming of the Azovstal industrial area, dismissing it as "impractical".
"There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities. Block off this industrial area so that not even a fly can escape," Putin said.