After retreating around 20km in the north of the Kherson region in early October, Russian forces will likely try to consolidate a new front line west from the village of Mylove, according to the British Ministry of Defence.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has asked allies for further support, as heavy fighting continues along a new front line. On the western end, Ukrainian advances have exposed Russia’s flank on the Inhulets River.
"In recent days, the Russian occupation authorities have likely ordered preparation for the evacuation of some civilians from Kherson. It is likely that they anticipate combat extending to the city of Kherson itself," a new British intelligence report stated.
Ukraine allies promise more military aid
Ukraine's President Volodomyr Zelenskyy has called for more support from Western allies on Wednesday.
"We can see that Russian terroristic attacks can be intensified. So we need to intensify our collaboration for assistance in a symmetric way to rebuild what was destroyed and to guarantee the financial stability of our state," he told a meeting of top officials in Washington, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the IMG and the world bank.
His calls seem to have been heard, as several of Kyiv's allies pledged to send military support to Ukraine after more than 50 Western countries met in Brussels on Wednesday, reported the Guardian.
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The UK confirmed it will send new air defence weaponry to shoot down cruise missiles.
France has promised to supply radar and air defence systems in the next few weeks, and Canada said it will equip the Ukraine with artillery rounds and winter clothing.
Dutch Defence Minister, Kajsa Ollengren, wrote that the Dutch government would donate €15 million worth of air defence to Ukraine.
Ukraine's Defence Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov, welcomed the arrival of the first of four Iris-T defence systems from Germany as well as the hastened delivery of national advanced surface-to-air missile systems (Nasams) from the US.
"A new era of air defence has begun in Ukraine," Reznikov tweeted. "Iris-Ts from Germany are already here. Nasams are coming. This is only the beginning. And we need more."
Russian threatens world war
According to the deputy secretary of the Russian security council, Alexander Venediktov, Ukraine's recent application to join NATO could result in a third world war if admitted, he told Russian state news agency Tass on Thursday.
"Kyiv is well aware that such a step would mean a guaranteed escalation to a World War Three," Venediktov said."Apparently, that’s what they are counting on - to create informational noise and draw attention to themselves once again."
Venediktov repeated the Russian position that by helping Ukraine, the West has demonstrated that "they are a direct party to the conflict."
Russia's UN isolation
Despite continuous Russian threats, the country is very much isolated on the world stage.
The United National General Assembly voted in a huge majority to condemn Russia's "attempted illegal annexation" of four Ukrainian territories, demanding a Kremlin retreat from Ukraine.
As many as 143 out of the 193-members of the General Assembly on Wednesday voted for a resolution that defined Russia's actions in Ukraine as illegal, reconfirming Russia's international isolation.
Just four countries voted against the resolution, including Syria, Nicaragua, North Korea and Belarus. However, 35 countries abstained from the vote, including China, India, South Africa and Pakistan.
