Russia-Ukraine war: Pentagon chief says Ukrainian counteroffensive is successful

United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praised the successful efforts by the Ukrainian forces in their counter-offensive as the war moves into its seventh month. Austin also announced the latest package of aid to Ukraine.

Speaking at the meeting of allies in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at Ramstein Base in Germany Thursday, Austin praised the efforts of Ukrainian forces as they continue their counter-offensive that they first launched two weeks prior.

Austin said that using the weapons provided by the West, Ukraine was able to continue resisting Russia’s attacks and that the war has reached another key moment.

“Now we’re seeing the demonstrable success of our common efforts on the battlefield,” said Austin.

The Pentagon chief added that the group of allies must “position itself to sustain Ukraine’s brave defenders for the long haul” as he announced that the US is providing an additional $675 million in military aid. The latest package includes 105mm howitzers, precision-guided GMLRS rockets, as well as additional artillery ammunition.

Austin said that this would mark the 20th “drawdown of equipment” from the US stockpile under the Biden administration for Ukraine since August. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Thursday new aid worth $2 billion for Ukraine and other European countries that are threatened by Russia aside from the $675 million that Austin announced.

The meeting in Germany follows reported successes by Ukrainian forces in their counter-attack to recapture the seized southern and eastern territories of Kherson and Kharkiv, with the surprise offensive in Kharkiv having started this week.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said Wednesday that there are credible allegations of Russian forces sending Ukrainian children to Russia for adoption as part of a larger effort to forcibly relocate and deport Ukrainians in seized areas.

UN human rights commission assistant secretary-general Ilze Brands Kehris told the UN Security Council that Russian forces are also carrying out “filtration” operations where Ukrainians in seized areas are subject to systematic security checks that involve a number of human rights violations.

The filtration operations are believed to involve torture and forced removal and transfer to Russian penal colonies and other detention facilities.