Russian forces taking an “operational pause,” analysts say

Russia’s Defense Ministry on Thursday said its troops in Ukraine are taking time to rest and recuperate before launching a more intense assault. Analysts with the Institute for the Study of War said Russian forces did not make any territorial gains Wednesday for the first time in 133 days. Russia did not stop shelling the Donetsk province in the eastern Donbas region, however. President Vladimir Putin also said Thursday that Russia has barely started its action against Ukraine. 

How are other countries helping? In Lithuania, citizens crowdfunded armed drones to send to Ukraine. They raised 6 million euros ($6.1 million) to buy a TB2 drone from Turkish military manufacturer Baykar. The company said last week that it would donate the drone to Ukraine so the funds could be used for humanitarian efforts instead. Ukraine has bought multiple drones from Baykar over the past few years. The Lithuanian Defense Minister said that while one weapon won’t win the war, symbols of support are important.

Dig deeper: Read Sharon Dierberger’s report in WORLD Magazine on the toll of the war on Ukrainians inside and outside the nation.