LIVE UPDATES: US to Announce New Ukraine Military Aid Package This Friday

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has sanctioned 100 "international observers" for taking part in organizing referendums on the accession of the Lugansk and Donetsk people's republics (LPR and DPR) and Kherson and Zaporozhye regions to Russia, SBU spokesman Artem Dekhtiarenko said on Thursday.

"Since the beginning of the war, SBU has identified over 6,000 organizers... SBU has initiated the imposition of NSDC's [the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine] sanctions against 100 Russia-controlled 'international observers,'" Dekhtiarenko said in a video on SBU's Telegram.

He said that all the "exposed persons" contributed to the holding of referendums on the accession of the territories to Russia, adding that investigative activities to identify other persons involved in organizing referendums are underway.

He believes Moscow is using the proposed truce as a "respite" to continue fighting "with renewed vigor." Olexiy Danilov, the secretary of Ukraine's national security and defense council, rejected the offer earlier on Thursday.

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder on Thursday confirmed the Biden administration is expected to announce a new round of military aid for Ukraine on Friday, including Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles.

"I can confirm that another round of security assistance for Ukraine is anticipated tomorrow, and as the White House has indicated, that new assistance will include Bradley Fighting Vehicles," Ryder said during a press briefing.

Earlier on Thursday, US media reported the military aid package will be valued at nearly $3 billion.

The package is reportedly aimed at getting Ukraine as much equipment as possible before springtime, when fighting is expected to intensify. The Biden administration is expected to announce the package on Friday.

The Russian Defense Ministry has said that the Elenovka detention center was shelled by Ukrainian troops in late July 2022. The death toll from the shelling reached 53 and the number of wounded surpassed 130, according to the local authorities.

Dujarric said the main reason for disbanding the fact-finding mission is the security situation and the lack of "clear safety," Dujarric said.

The United Nations does not feel that it has received them, Duarric added.

On Wednesday, Macron promised Zelenskyy to supply Kiev with an unspecified number of AMX-10 RC armored combat vehicles. According to French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, the tanks will be delivered to Ukraine within several weeks or months.

The infantry transport vehicles are armed with a 25mm autocannon and anti-tank missiles. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said the West’s provision of arms for Ukraine undermines prospects for a future peace process.

All services are operating normally following the incident, the governor added.