Skip next section What you need to knowWhat you need to knowUnited States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin moved to reassure his Ukrainian counterpart of continued support in the face of Russia’s war, in a telephone call to Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
The move comes amid efforts by President Joe Biden to secure $60 billion (€56.7 billion) in aid for Ukraine from the US Congress.
Meanwhile, North Korea on Saturday castigated the US for supplying Ukraine with long-range ballistic missiles known as ATACMS, saying any strike on Russia with the weapons will only hamper peace efforts.
On Tuesday, Ukraine said it used the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time, inflicting heavy damage on two airfields in Russian-occupied areas.
“The US finally delivered ATACMS ground-to-ground missile system to Ukraine despite the deep concern and strong opposition of the international community,” Sin Hong-Chol, North Korea’s ambassador to Russia, said in a statement carried by state media outlet KCNA.
Here’s a look at the latest on Russia’s war in Ukraine for Saturday, October 21:
Skip next section Germany pledges €200 million aid for Ukraine — reportOctober 21, 2023
Germany pledges €200 million aid for Ukraine — reportGermany will be providing another €200 ($212 million) to Ukraine to help support education, health care, drinking water and reconstruction, according to German news agency DPA.
The agency cited the government commissioner for reconstruction of Ukraine, Jochen Flasbarth, as having made the commitment during a visit to the country.
As of July 2023, Germany has sent support payments amounting to around €22 billion to Ukraine since the start of the war.
https://p.dw.com/p/4XqUXSkip next section Ukraine plants over half a million mines — reportOctober 21, 2023
Ukraine plants over half a million mines — reportUkraine’s military has deployed more than 500,000 mines along key routes of a possible Russian offensive, according to reports citing a senior commander.
The density of mines in these areas has been increased sixteenfold, the commander of forces in the north, Serhiy Nayev, told Ukraine’s news outlet Ukrinform.
Barriers had also been installed on roads and bridges, while measures were also being taken to improve the efficacy of Ukraine’s air defense system.
Russia has meanwhile continued to attack the front line city of Avdiivka, according to Ukrainian officials.
On Thursday, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it had destroyed Ukrainian military vehicles near the city.
Avdiivka lies just 15 kilometers (nine miles) north of Donetsk and has been a symbol of Ukrainian resistance since the first invasion in 2014.
https://p.dw.com/p/4XqN4Skip next section US Defense Secretary underlines support for Ukraine in callOctober 21, 2023
US Defense Secretary underlines support for Ukraine in callUS Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has again reiterated US support for Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
“Today, I spoke with my Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov to underscore the steadfast US support for Ukraine and its ability to defend itself from Russian aggression,” Austin said and added that “Ukraine’s success is vital to US and international security.”
Austin’s office also said that the Biden administration was committed to asking Congress “for the resources needed to ensure Ukraine can continue to defend its people.”
Biden has been trying to rally continued support for Ukraine’s war effort with US media reporting that the president is seeking approval of $60 billion (€56.7 billion) in aid for Ukraine.
https://p.dw.com/p/4XqOOSkip next section US, EU show unity on UkraineOctober 21, 2023
US, EU show unity on UkrainePresident Joe Biden and European Union leaders delivered a message of unity at Friday’s EU-US summit in Washington.
“We stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in the face of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression,” Biden said.
“We’re standing together now to support Israel in the wake of Hamas’s appalling terrorist attack,” he added.
Meanwhile, European Council chief Charles Michel said the EU and US were “forging a united front.”
And European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen added: “The events in the Middle East will not distract us from our rock-solid support to Ukraine.”
According to the EU-US statement, the leaders reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Ukraine, “including through diplomatic, financial and military support.”
https://p.dw.com/p/4Xq8mSkip next section Russia reportedly appoints new Aerospace Forces chiefOctober 21, 2023
Russia reportedly appoints new Aerospace Forces chiefRussia named a replacement for the former head of the country’s Aerospace Forces, who was ousted in the wake of this summer’s brief rebellion against the military establishment, state news agencies reported.
The TASS and RIA-Novosti agencies both cited a source as saying Colonel General Viktor Afzalov, who reportedly had been acting head of the Aerospace Forces since mid-August, was given the full post. He replaces General Sergey Surovikin.
There was no official confirmation of the report, but state agencies frequently represent official positions through reports citing anonymous officials in Russia’s defense and security establishment.
More cracks appear in Russia’s militaryTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Surovikin was believed to have had close ties with Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group, who mounted a rebellion in June seeking the dismissal of Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and military chief of staff Valery Gerasimov.
Surovikin had commanded Russia’s forces in Ukraine from October 2022 until January, when he was replaced in that role by Gerasimov.
https://p.dw.com/p/4Xq4HSkip next section North Korea slams US for supplying long-range missiles to UkraineOctober 21, 2023
North Korea slams US for supplying long-range missiles to UkraineNorth Korea on Saturday castigated the United States for supplying Ukraine with long-range ballistic missiles known as ATACMS, saying any strike on Russia with them will only hamper peace efforts.
On Tuesday, Ukraine said it used the US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) for the first time, inflicting heavy damage on two airfields in Russian-occupied areas.
“The US finally delivered ATACMS ground-to-ground missile system to Ukraine despite the deep concern and strong opposition of the international community,” Sin Hong-Chol, North Korea’s ambassador to Russia, said in a statement carried by state media KCNA.
“Any strike at the interior of Russia, a nuclear power, will not be of help to the early end of the Ukrainian situation or its peaceful settlement as the US advocates but will serve as a catalyst for putting the whole Europe into the crucible of endless war and prolonging the war,” the statement said.
US sends long-range ATACMS missiles to UkraineTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and Kyiv has repeatedly asked Washington for the missiles, while promising not to use them inside Russia.
The US said last week that North Korea had delivered more than 1,000 containers of military equipment and weapons to Russia. The White House released images that it said showed the containers were loaded onto a Russian-flagged ship before being moved via train to southwestern Russia.
Vladimir Putin toasts to ‘strengthening of cooperation’ with KoreaTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
North Korea and Russia have been growing closer in recent months. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visited Russia in September, with Kim throwing support behind the invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also visited North Korea, as the countries bolster security ties amid tensions with the West.
dh/wd (AP, AFP, dpa, Reuters)
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