Ukraine Army Makes Notable Progress in Southern Front of War

The US government has acknowledged "notable progress" by Ukrainian forces in their push against heavily fortified Russian positions in the south, although Ukraine's Foreign Minister described it as a tough fight. Russia claims to have taken strategic heights near Kupiansk in northeastern Ukraine, but none of the claims have been independently verified. The push in the south, aimed at splitting the Russian land corridor to Crimea, is progressing slower than expected. Ukraine continues to request military support from NATO countries, including tanks, de-mining equipment, and warplanes. Russian President Putin, meanwhile, declared Russia invincible in a lecture to school pupils, and Russia's military announced the deployment of a new strategic nuclear missile system.