Russia criticizes the US for “fueling the fire” in Ukraine

According to the New York Times on May 31, Biden said that Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine would end with diplomacy, but that the US must provide significant weapons and ammunition to give Ukraine the highest leverage on the table. judge.

“That’s why I’ve decided that the United States will provide Ukraine with more advanced munitions and missile systems to help them more accurately strike key battlefield targets in Ukraine,” Biden said.

A senior Biden administration official said the weapons to be supplied would include the M142 High Mobility Missile System (HIMARS). The package also includes ammunition, counter-radar, several airborne surveillance radars, Javelin anti-tank missiles, as well as anti-tank weapons.

The US sent the M142 high mobility missile system (HIMARS) to Ukraine. Photo: DW

Earlier, Ukrainian officials had asked their allies for longer-range missile systems that could fire a salvo hundreds of kilometers, in the hope of turning the tide in the three-month war.

Reacting to the US move, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the supply of advanced US missile launchers to Ukraine increased the risk of “third countries” being dragged into the conflict.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned of the growing risk of direct confrontation with the United States, adding that America’s act of “adding fuel to the fire” did not help motivate the leadership. Ukraine resumes stalled peace talks.

According to the Interfax news agency, shortly after the US decision was announced, the Russian Defense Ministry said that Russia’s nuclear forces were exercising in the Ivanovo province, northeast of Moscow.

Regarding developments in Ukraine, after days of fierce fighting around Sievierodonetsk, Ukraine said about 70% of this city is under Russian control. Ukrainian military spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said Russia had entered the center of Sievierodonetsk and was trying to occupy important positions while the Ukrainian armed forces actively resisted.

Lugansk region governor Sergiy Gaiday said on Telegram: “If in the next two or three days Russia takes control of Severodonetsk, they will install artillery, mortars and more intense shelling on Lysychansk, a city controlled by Ukraine. “.

If Russia captures Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk on the west bank of the River Siverskyi Donets, Russia will control the entire Luhansk region, one of the two provinces in the Donbas.