Ukraine war: Zelenskyy hails US aid, Abramovich wealth 'reorganisation', Orthodox Christmas
Ukraine's president praised the US on Friday for promising to supply it with tank-killing armoured vehicles, as part of a new multibillion-dollar package of military aid.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said they are “exactly what is needed” for Ukrainian troops as they battle Russia's invading force.
On Friday, the White House announced its latest raft of military assistance for Kyiv, the biggest to date.
The 2.85 billion dollar package included Bradley armoured vehicles -- known as tank-killers since they can fire anti-tank missiles -- for the first time.
In his nightly televised address on Friday, Zelenskyy called it “a very powerful package.”
“For the first time, we will get Bradley armoured vehicles — this is exactly what is needed. New guns and rounds, including high-precision ones, new rockets, new drones. It is timely and strong,” he said.
He thanked his US counterpart Joe Biden, the country's lawmakers and “all the Americans who appreciate freedom, and who know that freedom is worth protecting.”
In 2022, the US sent nearly 50 billion dollars in assistance to Ukraine, including humanitarian, financial and military support, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute.
Orthodox Christians in Russia and Ukraine filled churches on Friday evening for Christmas Eve celebrations, with the conflict raging between the Orthodox neighbours.
Patriarch Kirill, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, the world's largest Orthodox denomination, led elaborate services at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, together with dozens of preists swinging smoking incense and chanting.
A day earlier, Kirill called for a 36-hour ceasefire in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed, but Ukrainian officials
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