Extract from ABC News
A Russian attack on a city in eastern Ukraine has killed at least 17 people as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv to offer support for its counteroffensive against Russian forces.
Key points:
- At least 32 people were injured a missile strike that killed 17 in Ukraine's east
- The attack hit a crowded market in the city of Kostiantynivka
- Visiting Kyiv, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced a new package of US assistance to Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack, which hit a market, shops and a pharmacy in the city of Kostiantynivka, close to the battlefield.
"This Russian evil must be defeated as soon as possible," Mr Zelenskyy said, describing it as a deliberate attack on a "peaceful city".
Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko said 17 people were killed, and another 32 were injured.
Ukraine's defence ministry said the market was hit by a ballistic missile.
Aides posted video footage showing an explosion after what sounded like a missile approaching, and people scurrying for cover or falling to the ground.
Kostiantynivka, which had a population of about 70,000 before Russia's invasion 18 months ago, is about 30 km from the devastated city of Bakhmut, where heavy fighting has been raging for months.
It is about 560 km from Kyiv, where Mr Blinken was meeting Mr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainian leaders on a visit intended to show support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Russia did not immediately comment on the attack, and has denied deliberately targeting civilians.
The Kremlin had earlier on Wednesday said of Mr Blinken's visit that Moscow believed Washington planned to continue funding Ukraine's military "to wage this war to the last Ukrainian".
Blinken announces new aid package for Ukraine
Mr Blinken, the first top US official to visit Kyiv since the counteroffensive began in early June, announced new aid for Ukraine worth more than $US1 billion ($1.57 billion).
The aid package included over $US665 million in new military and civilian security assistance and millions of dollars in support for Ukraine's air defences and other areas.
In comments as he began his meeting with Mr Zelenskyy, Mr Blinken said he was encouraged by the results of the counteroffensive so far.
He said he was looking forward to hearing the president's account of two days spent near front line positions this week.
"But certainly we see the important progress that's being made now in the counteroffensive and that's very, very encouraging," Mr Blinken said.
Mr Blinken had earlier met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba as his two-day visit got underway.
"We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive, but has what it needs for the long term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent," Mr Blinken said standing alongside Mr Kuleba.
A senior State Department official said Washington wanted to discuss how the counteroffensive was going and assess battlefield needs as well as any steps that might be required to shore up Ukraine's energy security before winter.
"I think what's most important is that we get a real assessment from the Ukrainians themselves," the official said.
"We want to see, hear how they intend to push forward in the coming weeks."
Asked about Mr Blinken's visit, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said US aid to Kyiv would not affect the course of what he called Russia's special military operation.
Romania says possible Russian drone debris fell on its territory
Parts of what could be a Russian drone fell on Romanian territory, Romania's Defence Minister Angel Tilvar said on Wednesday.
Romanian officials had earlier denied reports of drones falling on Romanian territory and said Russian attacks in neighbouring Ukraine did not cause a direct threat.
On Wednesday, Romanian President Klaus Iohannis said confirmation of the discovered parts belonging to a Russian drone would be a serious violation.
"I confirm that pieces which might be the elements of a drone were found," Mr Tilvar told Antenna 3 CNN broadcaster.
He said the area had not been evacuated because there was nothing to suggest that the parts posed a threat and said the pieces would be analysed to confirm their origin.
Kyiv had said on Monday that drones detonated in Romania during an overnight Russian air strike on a Ukrainian port across the Danube River, where attacks have increased since July,.
Mr Tilvar said the attacks were war crimes happening a "small distance" from Romania's border.
"If it is confirmed that the components belong to a Russian drone, such a situation would be inadmissible and a serious violation of Romania's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
"We are on alert and in constant contact with our NATO allies," he added.
Mr Tilvar reiterated there was no direct threat and it was possible the drone did not explode upon impact but rather it simply fell or pieces landed on Romanian territory.
"[That] does not make us happy … but I don't think that we can talk about an attack and, as I said before, I think we need to know how to distinguish between an act of aggression and an incident," he said.
A ministry spokesperson said search teams had been in the area for several days while the minister and other defence officials talked to residents.
NATO allies on Wednesday expressed "strong solidarity" with Romania after the report.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely, and we remain in close contact with our Ally Romania," NATO said in a statement.
Reuters
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