$250 million for Ukraine

The Biden administration on Tuesday announced a $250 million military aid package for Ukraine that includes equipment to clear Russian minefields that have stalled Ukraine’s counteroffensive.

The shipment also includes additional ammunition for air defense to counter Russian drones and missiles. Additionally, the Pentagon will send artillery shells and three million rounds of small-arms ammunition.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Biden administration has provided more than $43 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Ukrainian troops, using western armored vehicles, trucks and artillery, have made limited gains in taking back Ukrainian territory from Russia.

Hi, I'm Nicole with the latest on the Russia-Ukraine crisis, including an update on the recent strikes between Kyiv and Moscow. But first, a few highlights about the Russia-Ukraine conflict:

• Global food security remains a constant priority, Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy said, as Ukraine works to get its grain to countries desperately in need.
• Charismatic, decorated Ukrainian fighter pilot Andriy "Juice" Pilshchykov was one of three pilots killed in the midair collision of two L-39 military jets in northwest Ukraine on Friday, authorities said. The pilot was a driving force behind Ukraine's effort to obtain F-16 fighter jets.
• A preliminary U.S. intelligence assessment found last week's plane crash that killed Wagner Group mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin was caused by an intentional explosion, according to U.S. and Western officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Kremlin has rejected suggestions of involvement in the crash, and the investigation into the cause is continuing.

Ukrainian drones strike Russia while attack in Kyiv kills 2

Russian officials and news reports say Ukraine sent waves of drones deep into western Russia in nighttime attacks that struck military assets. 

The barrage early Wednesday appeared to be the biggest Ukrainian drone attack on Russian soil since the war in Ukraine began 18 months ago, although no injuries were reported

The drones hit an airport near Russia’s border with Estonia and Latvia, causing a huge blaze and damaging four Il-76 military transport planes, which can carry heavy machinery and troops, the Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.

Russia, meanwhile, also used drones as well as missiles in its biggest bombardment of Kyiv in months, Ukrainian authorities said.

Two security guards, ages 26 and 36, were killed and another person was injured by falling debris, said Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv's military administration. It was unclear how many were fired, but Popko called it the biggest attack on the capital since spring.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

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