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Dutch defense minister visits Kharkiv, reiterates support for Ukraine

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Dutch defense minister visits Kharkiv, reiterates support for Ukraine
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans in Kharkiv, 6 October 2024. Photo: Brekelmans via X

Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Oct. 6, and visited Kharkiv.

On his social media, Breckelmans highlighted the city's proximity to the Russian border and posted photos to show the devastation caused by Russia’s attacks.

“I have seen the consequences of devastating Russian shelling. Destroyed apartments. Power outages. How children study in bunkers,” he wrote on X.

Breckelmans stressed that Ukraine can only protect itself by keeping Russia at a greater distance.

His visit to Kharkiv follows an earlier trip to Odesa after his appointment as defense minister.

The Netherlands has already supplied Ukraine with a radar system for the Patriot air defense system, and plans to send three launchers soon.

Kyiv has been calling on its partners to provide additional air defense assets as Russia intensifies its strikes against cities and energy infrastructure.

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Sonya Bandouil

North American news editor

Sonya Bandouil is a North American news editor for The Kyiv Independent. She previously worked in the fields of cybersecurity and translating, and she also edited for various journals in NYC. Sonya has a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from New York University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Houston, in Texas.

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