Ukraine’s new military chief pledges to escalate retaliation against Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is due to meet US counterpart Marco Rubio, but progress towards peace unlikely.Ukraine’s new military chief has announced plans to expand offensive operations against Russia, including missions behind enemy lines, after being appointed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.Mykhailo Drapatyi, named commander of Ukraine’s armed forces on Wednesday, said the military would “continue and intensify offensive operations in all domains” as Kyiv seeks to pressure Russian forces.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Steep rise in civilian casualties in Russia-Ukraine-war" class="entity-link entity-event" data-entity-id="1200" data-entity-type="event">Russia-Ukraine war, UN sayslist 2 of 3Ukraine hits more warehouses of top Russian online retailerlist 3 of 3Injuries reported after Russia’s top online retailer Wildberries hit againend of list“Difficult work lies ahead, so we will proceed without loud promises, with responsibility for our decisions and respect for the people who are holding the front line and helping Ukraine endure,” Drapatyi said in a post on Facebook.Drapatyi’s appointment comes as Ukraine gains some momentum on the front lines – it claims to have recaptured 700 square km (270 square miles) of ⁠its territory this year – and as both sides intensify air strikes against the other’s vital infrastructure.On Wednesday, Ukrainian strikes hit warehouses in southern Russia belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries for the second time this week, injuring ⁠several people, according to the company’s boss, Tatyana Kim.⁠Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones had ⁠hit what he described as logistics hubs involved in supplying the Russian military in the area, without naming the retailer.Zelenskyy also said Ukrainian attacks hit an ⁠oil depot, a ⁠tanker and four cargo ships from ⁠Russia’s “shadow fleet” ⁠in the Black Sea and the ‌Sea of Azov.Russia hits Ukrainian cargo ships, claims to capture territoryRussia’s Ministry of Defence claimed a series of attacks on Ukraine Wednesday, including on cargo ships and storage facilities.