Russia Now Confronts Enhanced Western Military Support For Ukraine
Russia's military says its missiles have struck a batch of Western weapons and ammunition provided to Ukraine. The United States and other countries are set to strengthen their support.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that cruise missiles hit a facility in Zaporizhzhia in southeastern Ukraine. It said the weapons and ammunition from the US and European countries were stored there.
In Transdniestria, a breakaway region in Moldova that hosts Russian forces, explosions reportedly damaged two radio towers on Tuesday.
The US-based Institute for the Study of War said on Tuesday that Russia and Russia proxies have staged false-flag attacks in Transdniestria.
The institute said Russian President Vladimir Putin might recognize the region and attempt to send additional forces there in response to a request for protection.
Prior to this, a senior Russian military officer said the military now aims to seize Ukraine's east and south, and gain new access to Transdniestria. The remarks prompted Moldova's government to raise alarms.
As countries around Ukraine voice concern about Russian threats, more than 30 countries, including the US and those in Europe, have so far provided military support worth 5 billion dollars to Ukraine, and plan to further enhance their support.
Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev, a close aide to President Putin, said on Tuesday that the US was using Ukraine to suppress Russia. He criticized the US and other countries for trying to weaken Russia by providing weapons to Ukraine.
More than two months into the fighting, it has become clear that Russia is now confronting Western countries that support Ukraine.