Day 324 of the Invasion of Ukraine: VSU Advances in Luhansk, Russians want to Surround Bakhmut

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Zelensky expects more weapons from the allies, heavy fighting for Soledar

Ukraine says its troops are holding their ground in the eastern town of Soledar, where heavy fighting is taking place. President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need for more weapons from the allies.

Ukrainian troops are inflicting significant losses on Russian forces in Soledar, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in another video address.

Russian sources in the Donetsk region say there are still "hotbeds of resistance" in Soledar, and there have been reports the town has already been taken.

Zelensky added that he met with senior military commanders and discussed what reinforcements are needed in the battle for Soledar and nearby towns, as well as actions in the coming days to supply weapons and ammunition and cooperation with partners in this regard.

He hoped that the support offered to Ukraine by Poland and Lithuania could mean that other countries would follow suit.

Polish President Andrzej Duda announced that Warsaw would supply Kyiv with Leopard tanks, and his colleague Gitanas Nauseda - that Lithuania would supply it with anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition.

Finland expressed a cautious desire to deliver Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, DPA notes.

Croatia and Estonia have supported Ukraine politically and sent substantial military aid after Russian aggression and will continue to do so, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and his Estonian counterpart Kaja Kallas said at a joint press conference in Tallinn.

"The support offered to Ukraine by Poland and Lithuania could mean that other...