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Ukraine updates: 7 killed in Russian drone strike on Kharkiv
Published 35 minutes agoPublished 35 minutes agolast updated 1 minute agolast updated 1 minute ago
Dozens of people were evacuated when an Iranian-made drone sparked a massive fire in Ukraine’s second-largest city. Meanwhile, US lawmakers are still trying to pass a multibillion-dollar package for Kyiv. DW has more.
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Firefighters carry a body of a resident killed in a fire as a Russian drone hit his home in a residential neighbourhood, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Saturday, February 10, 2024
Russian drones targeted Kharkiv and the port city of Odesa overnightImage: Andrii Marienko/AP/picture alliance
Skip next section What you need to know
What you need to know
Three children were among seven people killed overnight into Saturday when Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv was struck by a Russian drone.
In an interview with a German newspaper, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg urged European countries to increase their production of weapons and ammunition to ward off Russia’s military threat.
The US Senate continues to push through a new $60 billion aid bill for Ukraine, despite fierce opposition by some Republican lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s new military chief — appointed this week — says he will prioritize the use of drones and electronic warfare to counter Russia’s invasion.
Here’s a look at the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine on Saturday, February 10.
Skip next section German army chief meets new Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv
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German army chief meets new Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv
The head of Germany’s army Carsten Breuer has traveled to Kyiv for talks with Ukraine’s newly appointed military chief.
In his first full day on the job on Friday, Olexander Syrskyi updated his German counterpart about the situation on the front and thanked Berlin for helping to boost Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion.
“The needs of the Ukrainian defense forces in weaponry, ammunition and air defense systems were discussed,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, following the talks.
Both sides focused on “fruitful cooperation, effective communication, and a real-time exchange of experience,” he added.
Syrskyi replaced Valery Zaluzhnyi on Thursday after weeks of rumors about the latter’s future almost two years into the conflict.
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Skip next section Kyiv’s new military chief seeks more drones, electronic warfare
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Kyiv’s new military chief seeks more drones, electronic warfare
The new chief of Ukraine’s armed forces Oleksandr Syrskyi has said one of his top priorities is to step up the use of drones and electronic warfare.
Syrskyi said this technology was key to Ukraine’s future success in liberating occupied territory from Russian forces.
“Only by changing and constantly improving the means and methods of warfare will we be able to successfully pursue this path,” he wrote on Telegram.
Syrskyi described the rapid and efficient supply of front-line troops as equally important, adding that, “the lives and health of the soldiers were and remain the most important value of the Ukrainian army.”
He said military leaders want troops to be rotated from the front more often, and be given more rest periods and training.
The replacement of exhausted troops and further mobilization has been the subject of heated debate in recent months.
Syrskyi replaced former military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi, who was fired on Thursday after nearly two years of conflict and following the failure of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
Zaluzhnyi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fell out after the armed forces commander warned of endless casualties and destruction without new technology.
Zaluzhnyi had also recently called for up to half a million draftees, which the president was against.
The former military chief has been awarded the honorary title of Hero of Ukraine.
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Skip next section NATO head urges Europe to increase arms production
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NATO head urges Europe to increase arms production
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg called on Europe to shift to “high tempo conflict production” of arms to step up support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion.
Ahead of a key meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels next Friday, Stoltenberg insisted that “we need to reconstitute and expand our industrial base faster, to increase deliveries to Ukraine and refill our own stocks.”
“This means shifting from slow peacetime to high-tempo conflict production,” he told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, adding that it would prevent “potentially decades of confrontation” with Moscow.
Stoltenberg said: “There is no imminent military threat against any ally,” but emphasized that “peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted.”
“As long as we invest in our security and we stay united, we will continue to deter any aggression.”
Ukraine has continued to press its allies for more shells, ammunition and other military aid as the conflict prepares to enter its third year later this month.
At a meeting at the White House Friday, US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged US lawmakers Friday to approve a long-delayed military aid package for Ukraine.
“The failure of the United States’ Congress in not supporting Ukraine is close to criminal neglect,” Biden said as he hosted Scholz.
The chancellor said: “Without the support of the United States, and the support of the European states, Ukraine will have not a chance to defend its own country.”
Scholz, Biden discuss Ukraine war aid deadlock in Washington
01:41
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Skip next section Ukraine aid bill inches forward in US Senate
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Ukraine aid bill inches forward in US Senate
The United States Senate is working through the weekend to try and pass the $95.3 billion (€88.4 billion) aid package for Ukraine, Israel and other allies, despite continued objections from some Republican lawmakers.
The package would commit an extra $60 billion for Kyiv’s fight against Russia, mostly to purchase US-made defense equipment, including munitions and air defense systems. It also includes $8 billion for the Ukrainian government.
Senators advanced to the next preliminary steps with a 64-19 vote late into the night Friday, with 14 Republicans joining Democrats to move it forward.
Next to financial aid, US military hardware vital for Kyiv
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The Senate could hold a final vote Sunday, ahead of a two-week recess, but the plan would still face a major challenge passing the upper House of Representatives.
In that chamber, the Republican majority is even more hostile to helping Ukraine, as the war prepares to enter its third year.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has indicated he could split the aid for the US allies into separate bills.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday evening again urged US lawmakers to approve the new bill.
“I am convinced that Congress will make the decision to support Ukraine with the necessary aid. This will strengthen our defense,” he said in Kyiv.
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Skip next section Russia’s overnight drone strike on Kharkiv kills 7, including 3 children
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Russia’s overnight drone strike on Kharkiv kills 7, including 3 children
Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv was hit by a Russian drone strike overnight, which killed at least seven people, the region’s governor said.
Governor Oleh Syniehubov said the Iranian-made Shahed drone hit civilian infrastructure and caused a massive fire that burned down 15 private houses, prompting the evacuation of dozens of residents.
Three children were among the dead.
The head of the local prosecutor’s office Oleksandr Filchakov said in a video posted on Telegram that three drones hit the petrol station in the city.
“There was a great deal of fuel and that’s why there are these dreadful consequences from the fire,” Filchakov said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said air defense systems destroyed 23 out of 31 Shahed drones launched by Russia overnight, which mostly struck the northeastern Kharkiv region and the southern province of Odesa.
Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper said four people were injured there by the overnight drone attacks, including in the port city of Odesa.
Romania, meanwhile, said Russia staged overnight drone attacks on Ukraine’s river ports of Ismail and Reni, near the Romanian border.
Air Force planes were deployed to monitor the situation and nearby residents were sent text alerts.
Life endures in Kharkiv despite constant Russian fire
04:10
mm/ab (AFP, Reuters, AP, dpa)
