Ukrainian and Western officials praise the US assistance package, while the Kremlin cautions against 'additional devastation'.

1. Ukrainian and Western officials expressed gratitude for the crucial aid package approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Kremlin cautioned that the bill's passage could exacerbate Ukraine's situation and lead to additional casualties.

Ukrainian military leaders and experts have stated that the eagerly anticipated $61 billion military assistance package, which includes $13.8 billion allocated for Ukraine to procure weapons, will assist in impeding Russia's gradual progress in the third year of the conflict. However, they believe that additional support will probably be necessary for Kyiv to retake the initiative.

The House expeditiously endorsed a total of $95 billion in foreign assistance for Ukraine, Israel, and other esteemed allies of the United States during an uncommon Saturday session. This remarkable display of unity between Democrats and Republicans comes after enduring months of staunch opposition from the far-right regarding the reinstatement of American aid to counter Russia's extensive invasion.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, had previously cautioned that his nation would face defeat in the war if it did not receive financial support from the United States. He expressed his gratitude for the decision made by U.S. lawmakers.

During his appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Zelenskyy emphasized that the assistance package would effectively convey a strong message to the Kremlin, assuring them that Ukraine will not become another Afghanistan.

Ukraine's focus will be on enhancing long-range weapons and air defense systems to disrupt Russia's intentions of launching a large-scale offensive, as Ukrainian troops make necessary preparations.

The aid package is set to be delivered to the U.S. Senate, with the potential for it to be approved as early as Tuesday. President Joe Biden has made a commitment to promptly sign it into effect.

It may still require several weeks to reach the frontline, where its urgent requirement persists.

1. Infantry soldier Oleksandr stated that by utilizing this method, they can halt the advancement of Russian troops and minimize the casualties suffered by their forces. He has been engaged in combat operations near Avdiivka, a city located in the Donetsk region which fell under Russian control in February following prolonged and fierce battles.

The Ukrainian military commanders have been forced to ration shells due to ammunition shortages, which have been linked to the aid holdup in the past six months. Exploiting this disadvantage, Russia has successfully captured the city of Avdiivka and is currently making slow progress towards the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk.

1. Oleksandr informed The Associated Press that the Russians attack in waves, causing exhaustion and forcing them to abandon their positions. This cycle is repeated numerous times. He chose not to disclose his full name due to security concerns. The lack of sufficient ammunition hinders their ability to defend the area they are tasked with holding during enemy assaults.

In Kyiv, the U.S. vote was received with great enthusiasm as a positive development following a challenging period marked by Russia's continuous advancement along the front line and intensified assaults on Ukraine's energy system and other critical infrastructure.

Kateryna Ruda, 43, expressed her gratitude and shared that she had heard our president explicitly state that the war could be lost without this assistance. She also mentioned that yesterday's event was truly remarkable.

Tatyana Ryavchenuk, the spouse of a Ukrainian serviceman, emphasized the urgency of acquiring additional weaponry, expressing her concern over the lack of protection for the soldiers.

The 26-year-old emphasized the necessity for weapons and gear, stating that it is crucial. Assistance is always required as without it, our adversary could make further progress and potentially infiltrate the heart of our city.

Other leaders from Western countries, who have been working hard to find solutions to compensate for the absence of military assistance from the United States, also praised the decision made by Congress.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg shared on X that Ukraine is utilizing the weaponry supplied by NATO Allies to neutralize Russian military capabilities, thereby enhancing the safety of both Europe and North America.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her belief that Ukraine should receive every possible assistance in countering Russia, while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz regarded the vote as a powerful message during these challenging times.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed his gratitude to House Speaker Mike Johnson, acknowledging the delay in Congress. On X, he penned, "It is preferable to be late than excessively delayed. I remain hopeful that it is not too late for Ukraine."

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov deemed the approval of aid to Ukraine as anticipated and foreseeable, as he commented on the matter in Russia on Saturday.

According to Russian news agency Ria Novosti, Peskov stated that the decision would lead to increased wealth for the United States, worsen the situation in Ukraine, and cause more Ukrainian casualties, all due to the actions of the Kyiv regime.

Leonid Slutsky, the head of the Russian State Duma Committee on International Affairs, expressed his concern that the new aid package will have a detrimental impact. Instead of saving lives, it may unfortunately result in the loss of thousands more lives, further prolong the conflict, and bring about additional sorrow and devastation. This viewpoint was shared by Slutsky on Telegram.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, stated that the logistical challenges of delivering U.S. aid to the front lines could result in "Ukrainian forces experiencing further setbacks" as they await its arrival.

In its most recent evaluation of the conflict, it stated that provided the U.S. aid is promptly delivered, they should be able to effectively weaken the ongoing Russian offensive.

Olexiy Haran, a professor specializing in comparative politics at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, expressed gratitude towards the assistance provided by the United States and other Western nations. However, he candidly pointed out that the aid arrived belatedly and fell short of meeting Ukraine's needs.

1. He mentioned that it is the third year of the conflict, yet they are still lacking modern aircraft. In addition, there is a shortage of missiles preventing them from controlling the skies. Furthermore, they have recently faced a scarcity of artillery shells.

The situation was exceedingly challenging, which the Russians exploited to initiate their offensive. Hence, its significance to us cannot be overstated. Undoubtedly, had we received it six months earlier, numerous Ukrainian lives, including civilians, would have been spared.

Matthew Savill, the director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, mentioned that the assistance, although appreciated, is likely to solely contribute to the stabilization of the Ukrainian position in the current year and the initiation of preparations for operations in 2025.

He stated that the assurance of consistent funding until 2024 and even into 2025 would assist the Ukrainians in strategizing their defense for this year. This is particularly crucial if the European ammunition supplies are also delivered as anticipated. However, additional planning and financial resources will be necessary for the year 2025. It should be noted that there is a U.S. election scheduled before that time.

In his response to an inquiry on NBC regarding the duration of Ukraine's requirement for aid packages, Zelenskyy expressed that the timeframe is contingent upon the actual delivery of weapons to the region.

The decision to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets was made a year ago, but the jets have not yet been delivered to Ukraine.

In further updates:

- The Defense Ministry of Russia announced on Sunday that their troops had gained control of the village of Bohdanivka in the Donetsk region. Ukrainian authorities have not yet issued a statement.

- A person lost their life and four others sustained injuries due to Russian shelling in Ukrainsk on Sunday, as reported by the prosecutor’s office in the partially occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine. Additionally, in the Odesa region, four individuals were wounded in a missile strike, according to Governor Oleh Kiper.

- Following the tragic incident where two Ukrainian soldiers fatally shot a police officer at a checkpoint in the Vinnytsia region, two suspects were apprehended on Sunday. The soldiers, who opened fire on Maksym Zaretskyi, 20, during a routine inspection of their vehicle, also injured Zaretskyi’s partner, who fortunately survived. The suspects, a father and son aged 52 and 26, were taken into custody in Ukraine’s Odesa region, as confirmed by Ivan Vyhovsky, the head of Ukraine’s National Police.