A Russian attack on the northeastern city of Kharkiv resulted in the deaths of six people, including a 14-year-old girl, and wounded 47 others. President Zelenskyy called on Western partners to allow the Ukrainian military to target Russian military aviation bases to prevent such attacks. As a response to a recent crash of an F-16 warplane during a Russian bombardment, Zelenskyy fired the commander of Ukraine’s air force. U.S. experts have joined the investigation into the crash. The Russian army is making slow progress in eastern Ukraine, while Ukrainian forces are holding ground in western Russia. Ukrainian officials welcomed the delivery of F-16 jets, which can help counter Russia’s air superiority. EU defence ministers agreed to boost the training program for Ukrainian troops, aiming to increase the number of trained soldiers to 75,000 by the end of the year. The EU will set up a coordination and liaison cell in Kyiv to enhance the training efforts. The Institute for the Study of War warned that any loss of F-16s and trained pilots would have a significant impact on Ukraine’s ability to operate these aircraft effectively. Military analysts believe the F-16s will not be a game-changer in the war due to Russia’s superior air force and air defense systems.
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Six people killed in Kharkiv apartment block by airstrike from Russian forces
