This audio is created with AI assistance
"It likely was something they had been planning for quite some time. Now that's not to say that the explosion on the Crimean bridge might have accelerated some of their planning," John Kirby, White House national security spokesman, told CNN.
Kirby said he's not sure if Putin definitely shifted his strategy to undermining civilian morale and inflicting damage on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, but this trend had already been in the works for some time.
Following Russia's widespread missile strikes that killed 19 people in the morning of Oct. 10, U.S. President Joe Biden promised to give Ukraine advanced air defense systems.
Three years of reporting, funded by our readers.
Millions read the Kyiv Independent, but only one in 10,000 readers makes a financial contribution. Thanks to our community we've been able to keep our reporting free and accessible to everyone. For our third birthday, we're looking for 1,000 new members to help fund our mission and to help us prepare for what 2025 might bring.
Three years. Millions of readers. All thanks to 12,000 supporters.
It’s thanks to readers like you that we can celebrate another birthday this November. We’re looking for another 1,000 members to help fund our mission, keep our journalism accessible for all, and prepare for whatever 2025 might bring. Consider gifting a membership today or help us spread the word.
