Facts

• On Sunday, the head of Russia's lower house of parliament Vyacheslav Volodin warned the US, as well as NATO countries, that Moscow would retaliate with "more powerful weapons" if the West continues to arm Kyiv. Volodin warned western leaders that, taking into consideration what he considered to be the technological superiority of Russian weapons, "this could end up being a global tragedy that would destroy their countries."^[1]
• The comments come as Germany continues to face growing pressure to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine or approve their transfer to Ukraine by other nations. James Cleverly, Britain's Foreign Minister, has weighed in on the issue, saying he wants Germany to send the vehicles. Lativa, Estonia and Lithuania's foreign ministers have jointly urged Berlin to provide the tanks to, "restore peace in Europe quickly."^[2]
• In reference to the controversy, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has blamed the West's indecision for the "deaths of Ukrainians." Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly believes that roughly 300 of the 2K Leopards currently in warehouses across Europe could help Kyiv achieve victory over Moscow.^[3]
• On Sunday, which marked the occasion of Unity Day — a date celebrating the unification of Ukraine in 1919 — Zelenskyy suggested that the nation should keep fighting to restore an independent state. In his video address, the President warned: "If true unity is not attained, independence will be lost."^[4]
• Elsewhere, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have reportedly killed 600 Russian soldiers and destroyed two multiple-launch rocket systems, five tanks, nine artillery systems, and 12 armored combat vehicles in the last 24 hours.^[5]
• According to the Russian army, Moscow's troops are pushing towards two towns – Orikhiv and Hulyaipole – in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region and have "taken more advantageous lines and positions."^[6]