Natalia Zinets

KYIV, Reuters – Ukrainian officials claim that two Russian missiles hit Kyiv as part of a United Nations visit. But the West says the fate of the war could be decided by fighting for Mariupol’s port and other parts of the east or south.

Russia pulled out its forces outside Kyiv last week after it failed to capture the capital. It also launched a major attack against Ukraine’s eastern Donbas.

The blasts that occurred in Kyiv on Thursday, just after U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres concluded negotiations with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zilenskiy highlighted the fact that Kyiv remains at risk.

Zelenskiy stated that the explosions proved “that we should not lose our vigilance.” It is not acceptable to think the war has ended.

According to Ukrainian officials, the rockets shaken the district of central Shevchenko. A second one hit the 25th floor of a residence building.

Reuters witnesses reported hearing two explosions. However, the cause of these blasts could not independently be verified. The blasts were not reported by Russia.

Russian forces now have a stronghold in the eastern region, where Moscow’s-backed separatists are in control of territory. They are also holding on to a portion of the southern part they captured in March.

The general staff of Ukraine stated that Russia had intensified its military campaign in Donbas.

“The enemy is intensifying the pace of this offensive operation. It stated that the Russian occupiers were putting intense fire in all directions.

Moscow’s offensive in the east attracted new U.S. promises of military and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine on Thursday.

In response to repeated Ukrainian requests for heavy weapons, U.S. president Joe Biden requested that Congress approve $33Billion for Kyiv. That is an enormous increase in funding, which includes more than $20 billion for ammunition, weapons, and military aid.

Biden stated that the bill was necessary to help Ukraine fight for its freedom. It’s expensive to fight this war, but it will cost more to give in to aggression.

Putin refers to Moscow’s actions in a special military operation to disarm Ukraine, protect Russian-speaking people against persecution, and stop the United States using this country as an opportunity to strike at Russia.

Ukraine rejects Putin’s persecution claims and states it is fighting an empire-style land grab. This has flattened Ukrainian towns, made more than 5million refugees abroad, killed thousands of people and forced them to leave the country since February 24, when the invasion began.

Washington and its allies have imposed severe sanctions on Moscow. They hope that Ukrainian forces can repel Russia’s invasion in the East, as well as weaken Russia’s military to ensure it doesn’t threaten its neighbors.

Russia considers NATO’s actions to be equivalent to engaging in a proxy war against it. This week, Russia has threatened unspecified retaliation.

After they refused to pay in rubles, Moscow cut off gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria Wednesday. This was Moscow’s most severe response to Western economic sanctions.

Russia claims that there were a string of Ukrainian strikes against Russian areas bordering Ukraine. The Russian government has also warned about the possibility for escalation.

According to two witnesses, there were two explosions that occurred in Belgorod on Thursday near the border of Ukraine and Russia. The cause of the explosions and any damage or injuries sustained were unclear.

Although Ukraine does not claim responsibility for the Russian strikes, it claims that these incidents were payback. Russia is furious at claims by NATO member Britain that Ukraine has the right to strike Russian logistic support.

Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry said that the West is calling openly on Kyiv “to attack Russia” and used weapons from NATO countries to do so. Maria Zakharova was speaking in Moscow.

“I do not advise you to further test your patience.”

Ukrainian officials confirmed that Kryvyi Rikh was involved.

The U.S. mission to the OSCE security body said the Kremlin might attempt “sham referenda” in southern and eastern areas it had captured since the Feb. 24 invasion, using “a well-worn playbook that steals from history’s darkest chapters”.

The U.S. mission stated that “these falsified and illegitimate referenda” would undoubtedly be accompanied with a wave against anyone who seeks to undermine or oppose Moscow’s plans. Russian officials did not comment immediately.