Ukraine Regains Control of Oil Platforms in Crimea

Ukraine's military has recaptured oil and gas platforms in the Black Sea from Russia, marking a crucial step towards regaining Crimea. The platforms had been used by Russia for military purposes since their capture in 2015. Ukraine has also made progress in reclaiming the city of Bakhmut and other towns in Donetsk province. Germany has pledged to continue providing military, economic, and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, while the US plans to loan F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine in the coming months. Russian President Putin dismissed the Western deliveries of F-16s as prolonging the conflict. Putin also claimed that Ukraine's counteroffensive had failed, but the US described the progress as "very encouraging." The Biden administration is considering supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles packed with cluster bombs.