‘If US Congress Does Not Help, Ukraine Will Lose War’: Zelenskyy's Fresh Appeal Amid Mounting Death Toll

Russia-Ukraine War: In his fresh appeal to US Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that his country's survival would become increasingly challenging without external aid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday stressed that Kyiv's ability to withstand Russia's invasion hinges on the approval of military aid by the United States Congress. Zelenskyy pointed to the urgency of the situation during a video meeting of the Kyiv-organised fundraising platform United24, emphasising that without the necessary assistance, Ukraine faces a dire outcome in the ongoing conflict.

"If Congress does not help Ukraine, Ukraine will lose the war," Zelenskyy asserted, addressing the critical need for military support to counter Moscow's aggression, as quoted by news agency AFP. He underscored the significance of external aid, stating that without it, Ukraine's survival would become increasingly challenging.

The toll of Russia's invasion on Ukrainian civilians was once again stressed on Sunday, as reports emerged of deadly strikes in various regions. In the town of Gulyaipole, situated in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, three civilians lost their lives when their private house was hit by a Russian shell. Ivan Fedorov, the head of the region, confirmed the casualties, stating that "two men and a woman died under the rubble", as per AFP's report

Additionally, in the city of Kupiansk, located in the northeastern Kharkiv region, another civilian, identified as a woman, was killed in a residential building targeted by Russian attacks.

The situation continued to deteriorate as Russia launched fresh assaults in various areas of Ukraine. Authorities in Kharkiv reported additional attacks, resulting in injuries to five civilians, the report mentioned. This escalation follows a deadly attack in the city on the previous day.

Russian Claims It Destroyed 15 Ukrainian Drones

Amid the intensifying conflict, Russia claimed to have destroyed 15 Ukrainian drones over its border regions of Belgorod and Bryansk. The incident resulted in the death of a young woman in the village of Shagarovka, located approximately 35 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, according to AFP. Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov confirmed the incident, stating that the girl succumbed to her injuries at the scene.

The Russian army reported that it had targeted and destroyed a total of 12 Ukrainian drones in the Belgorod region and three in the Bryansk region, both of which have been frequent targets of Ukrainian military operations, the report stated.