Ukraine advances in Bakhmut | GMA
the war in Ukraine. President Zelensky, meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican Saturday. For the latest on that meeting and the fighting overnight, let's go to ABC's Marcus Moore, who joins us live from Kyiv, Ukraine this morning. Good morning, Marcus. Hey, Janaye, good morning. President Zelensky was in Italy yesterday, and he very quickly traveled to Germany, where today he said that the upcoming counteroffensive is meant to liberate areas occupied by Russia and not to attack Russian territory as fighting has intensified in parts of the region. Overnight, air raid sirens across Ukraine amid reports of a Russian strike in the western city of Ternopil.
Firefighters rushing to this industrial building engulfed in flames. The attack leaving much of it destroyed. The strike in the hometown of Ukraine's Eurovision entry, Tvorche, Russia attacking the city as the Song Contest was underway in England. It comes as Ukrainian troops push toward Bakhmut, taking back more territory from Russia in what could be the start of the long anticipated Spring Counter Offensive, just as countries pledge billions more in military aid. This drone video capturing a Ukrainian tank and troops as they attack a Russian position. Russian troops seen here running into the forest, a Ukrainian armored vehicle in pursuit, opening fire into the woods where the Russians had just fled. Survivors captured, and a convoy of Russian armored vehicles coming under attack, explosions destroying the vehicles.
In western Ukraine, massive explosions seen in this video circulating online, reportedly at least 11 injured in a Russian drone attack on critical infrastructure. And overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Berlin, meeting with German leaders discussing future military aid. Just before his arrival, the German government having already announced a $3 billion aid package. It comes amid a U.S. official confirming a U.S.
-made Patriot Air Defense Battery shot down one of Russia's most advanced hypersonic missiles more than a week ago. The official saying the Patriot missile system itself was the target of the high-tech Russian missile. And back very quickly to President Zelensky's meeting with Pope Francis, the two met for about 40 minutes in Rome yesterday. They discussed a number of topics, including returning Ukrainian children who have been deported to Russian territory, as well as a potential peace plan. But from everything we have seen in the weeks and months past, it would seem that peace is a long way off. GEO. Indeed.
All right, Marcus, thank you for your reporting.
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