'Working powerfully!' Zelensky hails weapons from the West as Russia set for more losses
VOLODYMYR ZELENSKY has hailed weapons provided to Ukraine by allies in the West and suggested Russian troops could face even greater losses.
Ukraine: 'Russia is losing too' says President Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, 44, delivered a late-night address in which he revealed Western weaponry had started to cause Russian troops serious problems in the ex-Soviet state. The UK is estimated to have provided Ukraine with up to £2.3billion of military support.
In a clip with the Clash's hit single 'I Fought The Law', Kyiv thanked Boris Johnson and his defence Secretary Ben Wallace for providing Ukrainian troops with the N-Law anti-tank missile.
Mr Wallace also confirmed the donation of M270 multiple-launch rocket systems with M31A1 precision munitions to Ukraine on June 6.
Britain has also sent short-range Brimstone 1 missiles, Mastiff armoured patrol vehicles, Malloy T150 heavy-lift drones, Starstreak missiles and the Stormer HVM air defence system.
Speaking last night, Mr Zelensky said: "Finally it is felt that the Western artillery - the weapons we received from our partners - started working very powerfully.
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"Its accuracy is exactly as needed.
"Our defenders inflict very noticeable strikes on depots and other spots that are important for the logistics of the occupiers.
"And this significantly reduces the offensive potential of the Russian army.
"The losses of the occupiers will only increase every week, as will the difficulty of supplying them."
READ MORE: Ukraine to use deadly HIMARS to wipe out Russians
Friends will be friends
— Defence of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 22, 2022
When you're in need of love they give you care and attention
Friends will be friends
When you're through with life and all hope is lost
Hold out your hand 'cause friends will be friends
Right till the end.
Thank you, UK!@BWallaceMP @BorisJohnson pic.twitter.com/p9gAnLIs9X
Ahead of Mr Zelensky's late-night address, Russia was said to have "consolidated" control in Lysychansk and the Luhansk Oblast.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) also revealed Ukrainian resistance remained "determined".
The MoD said: "Russia likely continues to consolidate its control over Lysychansk and Luhansk Oblast.
"To the north, it has committed most of the remaining available units from the Eastern and Western Groups of Forces to the Izium axis.
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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 6 July 2022
— Ministry of Defence ������������ (@DefenceHQ) July 6, 2022
Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/T09p9Rgd73
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"Over the last week, Russian forces have likely advanced up to another 5km down the E40 main road from Izium, in the face of extremely determined Ukrainian resistance.
"Russian forces from the Eastern and Western Groups of Forces are likely now around 16km north from the town of Sloviansk."
They added: "With the town also under threat from the Central and Southern Groups of Forces, there is a realistic possibility that the battle for Sloviansk will be the next key contest in the struggle for the Donbas."