Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had shot down an entire group of Russian drones. (file)
Kyiv:
Ukraine said Tuesday it shot down an entire group of Russian drones and missiles, including six advanced Kinzhal missiles, overnight, hours before a special envoy sent by China visited.
The wave of attacks came just a week after Kiev announced it shot down a Kinzhal missile for the first time using Patriot systems supplied by the US.
Ukraine’s growing success in taking out dozens of Russian drones and missiles reflects its strong air defenses after a winter of systemic attacks on key infrastructure.
“Another incredible success for the Ukrainian Air Force!” Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in a Twitter post.
The Defense Ministry said Ukrainian air defense systems had shot down a total of 18 missiles, including the Kremlin’s “ideal” type, as well as nine drones.
Beijing’s special envoy, high-ranking diplomat Li Hui, is expected to arrive in Kiev on a two-day visit as part of a European tour to promote Beijing-led peace talks on the war in Ukraine.
“He is expected to meet with the finance minister (foreign minister) and other high-ranking officials,” a Ukrainian government source told AFP without giving details.
Li Hui will become the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to visit the war-torn country since Moscow’s invasion last year, and his visit comes three weeks after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by telephone with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
Beijing has said the purpose of the visit is to hold “dialogues with all parties on a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis”.
Xi Jinping, who has aimed to present China as neutral and a mediator, visited Moscow in March and was criticized for refusing to condemn the Kremlin’s war on its neighbor.
Li Hui’s visit also follows a whirlwind tour of major European capitals by Volodymyr Zelensky to urge Ukraine’s allies to step up military support.
‘Like rats in a mousetrap’
His tour began in Italy to shore up military aid to help prepare his troops for more combat, followed by a stop in Britain, with weekend visits to France and Germany.
But President Zelensky has yet to succeed in his coveted goal of getting Western fighters to command the skies, although UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to open a flight school to train Ukrainian pilots on Monday. announced.
France has also offered to train Ukrainian fighter pilots, although President Emmanuel Macron denied sending warplanes to Kiev.
Nevertheless, President Zelensky said late Monday that he was “returning home with new defense packages”.
On the front line, fighting has intensified in the eastern Donetsk region, particularly for the war-torn town of Bakhmut.
Ukraine is posting its first gains around the city in recent days and the head of Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group has criticized Moscow’s performance around the key city.
Ukraine’s army commander Alexander Syrsky said Tuesday that he had gone to Bakhmut to present awards to soldiers fighting in the longest battle of the invasion.
“Wagner’s men went to Bakhmut like rats,” he said.
“Using the doctrine of active defense, we are retaliating in some areas near Bakhmut,” he said.
The chief of Donetsk region, where Bakhmut is located, announced on Tuesday that five civilians had been killed and four others wounded in fighting over the past 24 hours.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)