Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on August 14 that he had visited soldiers on the front line in Donetsk province, where the army is trying to regain territory around the city of Bakhmut, according to Reuters.
President Zelensky poses with female soldiers at the front line in Donetsk in this photo released on August 14.
"Today we worked in the Donetsk region. We discussed with the brigade commander the problems that the militants face and proposals for solutions," President Zelensky said.
The unit he visited was the 22nd Separate Mechanized Brigade, which is fighting on the front line opposite the Russian-controlled town of Soledar north of Bakhmut. Images from the president’s website showed Mr Zelensky and his aides speaking to soldiers in a room with several blurred screens.
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The visit comes after President Zelensky vowed a "completely proportionate response" to Russian shelling in the southern Kherson province on August 13, which Kyiv said killed at least seven people.
Russia has not commented on the allegations but has consistently denied attacks on civilians. The Russian Defense Ministry and regional officials meanwhile said Ukraine had fired artillery and launched multiple drone attacks on Russian territory.
The scene on August 14 after an attack in Odessa province
Reuters news agency on August 14 quoted Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar as saying that fighting was fierce on all fronts and Kyiv had achieved "some success" in pushing back Russian forces in a southeastern part. She said Ukraine had regained another 3 square kilometers in the Bakhmut area over the past week, bringing the total area of territory regained on the eastern flank of the city to 40 square kilometers.
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Meanwhile, Sputnik reported on August 14 that Russian armed forces carried out a missile attack on Ukrainian drone production facilities and storage areas last night.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the targets were hit by long-range missiles fired from warships, adding that unmanned boats - built to carry explosives - were used by Ukraine to carry out "terrorist attacks". The Russian Defense Ministry said the missile strikes were successful and all targets were destroyed. Ukraine has not commented on the information.
Russian warship fires long-range missile during operation in Ukraine
US aid to Ukraine, German minister visits Kyiv
The US State Department announced on August 14 that it would send a new round of security aid worth $200 million to Ukraine, according to Reuters. The aid includes anti-aircraft weapons, artillery shells, armor-piercing weapons, and mine-clearing equipment. The Biden administration has sent $43 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the conflict broke out in February 2022.
On the same day, German Finance Minister Christian Lindner made a surprise visit to Kyiv for the first time since the conflict broke out. Mr. Lindner said he would cooperate with his counterpart Serhii Marchenko to strengthen the Ukrainian economy, while Western allies supported the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
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Mr Lindner said Germany had provided 1.5 billion euros in aid to Ukraine since the war began. In July 2022, Germany and other creditors announced they would suspend debt payments.
NATO - Russian aircraft intercept each other
The Royal Netherlands Air Force announced on August 14 that the Danish Air Force had intercepted two Russian bombers during the day. The planes were flying over Denmark and heading towards the area monitored by the Netherlands as part of a NATO mission.
Dutch F-16 fighter jets were also deployed, but the Russian aircraft were intercepted before entering NATO airspace administered by the Netherlands.
On the same day, the British Ministry of Defense said that its Typhoon fighter jets were deployed to intercept two Russian Tu-142 long-range bombers flying north of the Shetland Islands in Scotland. The British aircraft then returned to their base in northeastern Scotland, according to AFP.
Russia, West increase troops to border amid rising tensions
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry said on August 14 that it had dispatched a MiG-29 fighter jet to intercept a Norwegian P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft over the Barents Sea. The Norwegian aircraft turned around and left Russian airspace. At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry also announced that a number of Russian strategic bombers had conducted scheduled flights over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea and northern seas.
Chinese Defense Minister Visits Russia, Belarus
Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu will visit Russia and Belarus this week, AFP reported, citing an announcement from the Chinese Defense Ministry on August 14.
The visit will take place from August 14 to 19 at the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin. Mr. Li will attend the 11th Moscow International Security Conference and travel to Belarus. In addition, the Chinese Minister will deliver a speech at the forum and meet with leaders of the Russian Defense Ministry and other countries.
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Mr. Li met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in April, pledging to strengthen military cooperation. In July, he met with Russian Navy chief Nikolai Yevmenov in Beijing.
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