Ukraine war enters second winter as U.S. gives $100-M aid

Russian forces damaged a hospital, a building at a mine and other civilian infrastructure in Moscow's latest overnight barrage of attack drones and missiles, as the second winter of the war started with the first snow of the year falling last week.

The military said Russian forces had fired four guided missiles, one cruise missile and 11 attack drones.

"The central city hospital in the town of Selydove in the Donetsk region, the building of the Kotlyarevska mine and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged," it said in a statement.

It did not specify whether the hospital was in use or whether there had been any casualties.

At least four people were killed in the town last week after Russian forces shelled a residential building there.

The military also said it had shot down 10 drones and the cruise missile.

Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure last winter left thousands in the cold and dark for long periods, and Kyiv has since received more air defence systems from its allies.

Meanwhile, the United States on Monday approved another $100 million in military aid to Ukraine as US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited, despite an impasse in Congress in approving wider funding.

"I announced today another $100 million drawdown using presidential drawdown authority to provide additional artillery munitions, additional interceptors for air defense and a number of anti-tank weapons as well," Austin told reporters in Kyiv.

"So you know, our support continues," said Austin, who promised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of US support for the "long haul."

In Washington, the State Department said the assistance includes three million rounds of small-arms ammunition and equipment for HIMARS precision rocket launchers.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the military support "will help meet Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs as it fights to retake its sovereign territory."

"But it is critical for Congress to take action to support Ukraine by passing the president's supplemental funding request," Blinken said in a statement.

"Helping Ukraine defend itself and secure its future as a sovereign, democratic, independent and prosperous nation advances our national security interests," he said.

The US has provided $40 billion in security aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.