Ukraine war briefing: Russian attacks force closure of Ukraine’s largest steelmaker
Closure another blow to Ukraine’s steel sector, as Zelenskyy warns Moscow is expanding its targets to include ‘daily life’. What we know on day 1,676
TL;DR
- ArcelorMittal, the world's second-largest steelmaker, has closed Ukraine's largest steel plant in Kryvyi Rih due to repeated Russian airstrikes causing damage and fatalities.
- The closure deals another blow to Ukraine's steel sector, which previously accounted for 15% of the country's exports.
- President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is expanding its attacks to include infrastructure vital for daily life, such as datacenters and warehouses.
- Ukraine is seeking an additional $27 billion for defense spending this year and wants to expedite an EU loan to order drones.
- President Putin asserted that Russia is not preparing for any conflict with Europe, despite warnings from some European NATO members.
- Senior European officials are downplaying fears that election outcomes might undermine support for Ukraine.
- A bipartisan group of 14 US senators urged Trump to rescind an invitation to President Putin for the G20 summit in Florida.