Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told members of the 11th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany that the United States would begin training Ukrainian forces on Abrams battle tanks next month, in hopes that the first of what are expected to be 31 refurbished models can be on the battlefield by fall. In a news conference with Austin after the meeting, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark A. Milley cautioned that the Abrams were “no silver bullet,” but said the allies had already “met our initial goals” of providing armored vehicles and training for nine mechanized combat brigades that are now “prepared for combat operations” in Ukraine.
A Russian warplane accidentally fired on the Russian city of Belgorod, the country’s Defense Ministry said, describing it as “an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition.” The local governor said three people were injured as a result. Russia’s Defense Ministry said an investigation into the incident, which also damaged residential buildings, is underway.
Here’s the latest on the war and its ripple effects across the globe.
How Brad Paisley became the most outspoken country star to support Ukraine: When invited to join a Senate delegation visiting Ukraine last week, country music star Brad Paisley jumped at the opportunity, Emily Yahr reports. “I would have moved heaven and earth. I said, ‘Now that you invited me, you can’t stop me. I’m going.’ ”
Last year, Paisley wrote “Same Here” — a song that describes how everyone wants the same things out of life, including freedom — after seeing images of the war in Ukraine. After going back and forth with Ukrainian officials, Paisley persuaded Zelensky to appear in the song. In Ukraine, Paisley sang part of the ballad at a news conference.