What does Zelensky want? UK's Storm Shadow or some other western weapons

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called upon his Western allies for more help amid expanding territorial gains by Kyiv in Russia's Kursk region.

"Our guys are doing great on all fronts. However, there is a need for faster delivery of supplies from our partners," Zelensky said in an evening address on Sunday (Aug 18).

"Decisions are needed, as are timely logistics for the announced aid packages. I especially address this to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France," he added.

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While Ukraine has made territorial gains in the Kursk region in recent days, it is still struggling to fend off Russia's assault in the east.

Russia is rapidly advancing near Pokrovsk, Toretsk and Chasiv Yar in the Donetsk region. Russian forces almost seized Krasnohorivka and have taken over Niu-Yorktown in the Donetsk region.

"The enemy is spreading across the region. The rate of advancement is very high. And, unfortunately, now his offensive potential here is limited not by the strength of our resistance, but rather by his reserves," a Ukrainian army brigade said.

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Local Ukrainian authorities also announced involuntary evacuations in the area.

"More than 53,000 people, including almost 4,000 children, still live here, but lately, the front has come too close to Pokrovsk so we have to react accordingly," Vadym Filashkin, Donetsk governor, said in a statement Monday (Aug 19).

UK responds to Zelensky

In response to Zelensky's request for more weapons, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told Politico that the UK would support Ukraine for as long as the conflict lasted. They said there was "no change" about the ban against using British Storm Shadow missiles in Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)