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Added on the 30/06/2022 05:43:46 - Copyright : AFP EN
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, visits the eastern frontline city of Bakhmut, now the epicentre of fighting as Russia's invasion stretches into its tenth month. Zelensky meets military officials and hands out awards to Ukrainian servicemen, who have been holding back a fierce and months-long Russian military campaign against the city. The brutal trench warfare and artillery battles around Bakhmut -- once known for its vineyards and cavernous salt mines -- have flattened large parts of the city and its surroundings. IMAGES ++ 334W3D8 TEXT
"I can confirm that the United States provided Ukraine with long-range ATACMs at the President's direction," US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel tells reporters. Biden "quietly directed his national security team to send ATACMs to Ukraine for use inside Ukrainian sovereign territory in February. They started moving as part of the military aid package we announced on March 12th," Patel adds. SOUNDBITE
The rising waters of the Bei River have nearly engulfed lampposts in flood-hit Qingyuan city in southern China, with the government issuing highest its highest-level rainstorm warning for the affected area. Torrential rains have lashed Guangdong province in recent days, swelling rivers and causing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people. IMAGES
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has never asked for Western troops to fight Russia's invasion, the White House says after French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not rule out the idea. "President Zelensky isn't asking for that, he's just asking for the tools and capabilities. He's never asked for foreign troops to fight for his country," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby tells reporters. SOUNDBITE
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calls for Western countries to accelerate deliveries of promised air defence systems and fighter jets, on the eve of the second anniversary of Russia's invasion. Zelensky is speaking alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, as Western leaders descend on the country in a show of support for Kyiv as the war enters its third year. SOUNDBITE
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky sign a bilateral security agreement in Paris designed to guarantee long-term civilian and military support for Ukraine in the midst of its war with Russia. IMAGES