By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Outgoing British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to Ukraine where he said Kyiv “can and will win this war”, a visit that coincides with the 31st Independence anniversary of Ukraine.
This comes exactly six months after Russia’s leader, Vladimir Putin launched his invasion.
Johnson also announced a new £54m package for Ukraine, including 2,000 state-of-the-art drones.
News of his visit followed the British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace’s comments that Russia finds itself in a “very fragile position”, with its forces in Ukraine’s Donbas region advancing by “metres per week, not miles”.
The British Minister added his belief that Ukraine could soon retake territory, citing the morale of Ukrainian soldiers, which he said was “leagues ahead” of their Russian peers.
As Ukraine celebrated Independence Day on Wednesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has been “reborn” through its fight for freedom.
“A new nation appeared in the world on 24 February at 4 in the morning. It was not born, but reborn. A nation that did not cry, scream or take fright. One that did not flee. Did not give up. And did not forget,” he said.
Russia has launched missiles at a train station in Ukraine‘s central Dnipropetrovsk region, Volodymyr Zelensky told a Ukraine-focused meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday.
“This is our life every day. This is how Russia got prepared for this UN session,” the Ukrainian leader said over video link. There were deaths and injuries in the missile strikes, Mr Zelensky said, warning that the death toll could rise.
Valentyn Reznichenko, Dnipropetrovsk governor, said Russia last night fired on three districts in the region: Dnipro, Nikopol and Kryvyi Rih. The number of dead and injured was yet to be ascertained, he said.
