Ukraine launched its daring incursion into Kursk in August, partly in the hopes Russia would divert troops there from Donetsk in eastern Ukraine where a push by the Russian army is threatening to overrun a belt of key defensive strongholds.

Ukrainians argue that being empowered to use the weaponry against Russian territory would reduce the threat from Russia by forcing it to pull key forces deeper inside its country.

Women are joining the ranks of Ukrainian mobile air-defense units to shoot down drones as more men are drawn to the battles on the eastern front line

Russian shelling in the city of Chasiv Yar killed 5 people, while 2 others were killed killed by Russian shelling in the Kharkiv region, officials said.

The Biden administration says its careful deliberations over how and when to help Ukraine are necessary to avoid provoking retaliation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.