Russian President Vladimir Putin has publicly approved the evacuation of civilians from parts of Russian-occupied Kherson in Southern Ukraine.

If the Russian Federation wanted negotiations it would not send hundreds of thousands of people to the “meat grinder”, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address. Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s formula for peace: “Respect for the UN charter, respect for our territorial integrity, respect for our people, and due responsibility for terror- punishment for all those who are responsible for the damage caused to us”.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited Ukraine on Friday for meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his senior officials, according to the White House. US support for Ukraine will remain "unwavering and unflinching", US national security advisor Jake Sullivan said.

The US announced on Friday an additional USD 400 million in military aid to Ukraine, which will include 1,100 Phoenix Ghost drones, Hawk air defenses, 90 refurbished T-72 B tanks, 40 armored Riverine Boats, etc.