U.S. Pledges Continued Support For Ukraine Amid Counteroffensive

The Whiite House on Monday reiterated its continued support for Ukraine as Kyiv takes back territory that had been seized by Russian invaders, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.

"We will continue to support Ukraine as they continue to defend their democracy against Russian aggression," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters as she condemned Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's critical infrastructure, which has left many in Kharkiv without power or water.

The move came as President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that his forces have recaptured 6,000 square kilometers of land in the east and south of the country since the beginning of the month.

“The advances of our forces continue," Zelenskiy said in his nightly video.

U.S.-supplied heavy weapons are said to be having a significant impact on the course of the war in Ukraine, badly damaging Russia's ability to resupply and weakening its morale.

The Pentagon, in its turn, said on Monday that the U.S. and other nations 'will continue' training Ukrainian troops on some of the more modern capabilities that have been delivered. This includes the maintenance, repair and sustainment of these capabilities. 

The U.S. has reported that Russian troops are heading back across the border in the northeast of Ukraine, following a counter-offensive.

"On the ground in the vicinity of Kharkiv, we assess that Russian forces have largely ceded their gains to the Ukrainians and have withdrawn to the north and east. Many of these forces have moved over the border into Russia," a senior defence official speaking on background told reporters.

U.S. officials assess the airspace over Ukraine remains contested, with the Russians conducting increased airstrikes over the weekend. Many of those strikes are aimed at civilian targets, "which have contributed to widespread blackouts," the official said.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.