Biden Says, U.S. will not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach Russia; Video shows Russian soldier giving middle finger to Ukrainian drone before being blown up; Fierce fighting as Russia moves on Luhansk holdout; Ex-ambassador to Russia slams Biden for not sending Ukraine missiles, LIVE UPDATES and MORE

Biden rejects Ukraine long-range rocket request as Russia advances:

The United States will not provide Ukraine with advanced missile systems that can hit targets inside Russia, President Biden revealed Monday – once again rejecting a request from the Kyiv government for vital military aid.

“We are not going to send to Ukraine rocket systems that can strike into Russia,” the president said after arriving back at the White House from Delaware.

Reports last week indicated the administration was preparing to send long-range systems to Ukraine as the eastern European nation continues to suffer from Russia’s brutal invasion that began on Feb. 24.

Top Ukrainian officials – including President Volodymyr Zelensky – have requested the US and its allies provide Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) as well as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

While other foreign leaders – such as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson – have spoken in support of providing the rocket systems, US officials have expressed concern about whether Russia would see the weapons delivery as an unacceptable provocation by the West. —>READ MORE HERE

Video shows Russian soldier giving middle finger to Ukrainian drone before being blown up:

Shocking, new footage shows a Russian soldier flipping off a Ukrainian drone before being blown up by enemy munitions.

In a 90-second clip posted Sunday, a drone zooms in on a group of Russian troops standing around a vehicle. About 17 seconds into the footage, one of the six Russian soldiers turns his head up to the sky, and directs a one-finger salute to the drone.

As the camera pans out, the drone releases a grenade onto the BTR-82A, a 8×8 wheeled armored personnel carrier, causing it to burst into flames.

It’s unclear when and where exactly the footage was taken, though the Ukraine Weapons Tracker Twitter account said it took place in eastern Ukraine, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday is “indescribably difficult” to protect.

The footage was shared a day after Russia reached a grim milestone of losing 30,000 soldiers in its war with Ukraine the country launched in late February. —>WATCH HERE

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