Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 615
The White House responds to House Republican plans for Israel and Ukraine funding; Vladimir Putin blames Ukraine for the Dagestan antisemitic riot
The White House said on Monday that offsets sought by House Republicans for Israel and Ukraine spending would be devastating" for US national security. Politicizing our national security interests is a nonstarter. Demanding offsets for meeting core national security needs of the United States - like supporting Israel and defending Ukraine from atrocities and Russian imperialism - would be a break with the normal, bipartisan process and could have devastating implications for our safety and alliances in the years ahead," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Monday he was confident the US House of Representatives would back a request for additional funds for Ukraine's military, adding he was aware of considerable political resistance" to the bill's provisions. US House speaker Mike Johnson said last week that funding to support Ukraine and Israel should be handled separately, suggesting he would not back President Joe Biden's $106bn aid package for both countries.
Russian president Vladimir Putin said without evidence that Ukrainian agents of western spy agencies were behind a rampage in the southern region of Dagestan that targeted a flight from Israel. Clashes with police left 20 people injured. Putin cast the violence as part of US efforts to weaken Russia. US national security council spokesperson John Kirby called Putin's allegation classic Russian rhetoric" saying the West had nothing to do with this".
Moldova has blocked access to the websites of major Russian news media, including the Interfax and TASS news agencies, accusing them of taking part in an information war against the country. A decree published online by Moldova's intelligence and security service listed 31 websites to be blocked immediately for online content used in the war of information against the Republic of Moldova".
The first US-made F-16 combat aircraft that the Netherlands is donating to Ukraine will arrive in Romania's training centre within two weeks, outgoing Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said on Monday.
Russian shelling hit the frontline region of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Monday, killing two civilians, local authorities said.
Russia has significantly bulked up its forces around the devastated Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, with its soldiers switching from a defensive posture to taking active actions", a Ukrainian military commander said.
In its latest intelligence update, the UK's Ministry of Defence said a Russian state-backed private military company was specifically attempting to recruit women into combat roles in Ukraine for the first time.
Russia's federal security service said it had detained a Russian man in Crimea on suspicion of treason, accusing him of passing military secrets to Ukraine, according to a state news agency.
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