Victorious news of 541st day of war: US approves sending F-16s, Ukrainian army destroys Storm-Z unit near Bakhmut

The United States has approved the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has sent a letter to his counterparts stating that after the pilots have been trained, the US will be ready to approve the transfer of fighter jets to Ukraine. 

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirmed during a press conference that Denmark and the Netherlands had approved the transfer of F-16s to Kyiv.

"What we did this week is formalized through a letter from Secretary Blinken to his counterparts in Europe, that upon the completion of that training, the United States would be prepared in consultation with Congress to approve third party transfer of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine," Sullivan said.

Ukrainian Armed Forces virtually destroy Storm Z unit in Bakhmut sector

Rodion Kudryashov, deputy commander of the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, told Espreso TV channel that the occupying Russian forces are rotating personnel in the Bakhmut sector due to the heavy losses of the Storm Z unit

"Bakhmut direction. A lot of "elite" branches of the Russian troops are concentrated in the area of responsibility of the 3rd Detached Assault Brigade. In particular, regular Russian troops, the Akhmat unit and the Espanyol unit, which consists of Russian football fans and nationalists. These units replaced the previous ones, including the Storm Z units. The occupiers' Storm Z units have virtually ended in the Bakhmut area. They ended due to the good work of the Ukrainian forces," Kudryashov said.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces major added that the Russian forces are trying to conduct counterattacks, but their actions are ineffective.

UK Ministry of Defense signs three contracts to supply air defense systems to Ukraine

The UK Ministry of Defence has signed three contracts worth $115 million to supply Ukraine with air defense equipment.

The largest contract for 56 million pounds was signed by the British Ministry of Defense with the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg. It provides for the provision of anti-drone systems that Ukraine can use to detect, track, destroy and disrupt the operation of Russian UAVs.

Among other things, it is the CORTEX Typhon system, the delivery of which was announced by the Norwegian manufacturer earlier this week.

The other two deals also relate to air defense, but the British Ministry of Defense did not provide more specific details about them.

270 Vampire attack drones arrive at the frontline

The Army of Drones project is sending 270 Ukrainian Vampire attack drones to the frontline. 

This was reported by the Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov.

"These are Ukrainian-made drones. They are deadly and merciless. The "birds" will help the Ukrainian Defense Forces to destroy enemy positions," the statement said.

Equipped with thermal imagers, these drones possess the ability to operate effectively in darkness. This capability enables precise strikes on equipment depots, defensive structures, and personnel even during nighttime operations.

According to Fedorov, Ukrainians will soon see the explosive results of these "birds" in the reports of UAV strike companies.

Russian soldiers surrender more often

In recent weeks, Ukraine's exchange fund has increased by more than 200 captured Russians. One in five surrendered to Ukrainian defenders voluntarily. Andriy Yusov, a representative of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, told about this at a briefing at the Ukraine Media Centre.

"Over the past weeks, the number of prisoners of war in Ukraine has increased significantly," Yusov said. According to him, it will now be easier to return Ukrainian prisoners, as there are officers among the Russian POWs, not just privates.

"This means that it will be easier to return our people. Out of this number, every fifth surrendered voluntarily," the intelligence representative said, adding that from 3 to 5 Russian soldiers surrender every day with the help of the "I Want to Live" programme.