Russia’s President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Friday enabling the state to suspend the directors and shareholders of any companies that fail to meet state defence contracts under conditions of martial law, Reuters reports. The decree would allow the industry ministry to name a new external administrator to take over the running of such companies. A year into the war with Ukraine, he has not extended martial law across Russia but has effectively placed the economy on a war footing, with defence factories working around the clock in three shifts to meet the needs of the army, Reuters writes further.

The United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth USD 400 million primarily comprised of ammunition, but for the first time will include tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles, Reuters reports. “This military assistance package includes more ammunition for U.S.-provided HIMARS and howitzers, which Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself, as well as ammunition for Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridges, demolitions munitions and equipment, and other maintenance, training, and support,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in announcing the aid, Reuters writes further. “Russia alone could end its war today. Until Russia does so, for as long as it takes, we will stand united with Ukraine and strengthen its military on the battlefield so that Ukraine will be in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table,” Blinken wrote in a statement.

The fierce fighting between the Russian army and the Ukrainian defenders continues, especially around Bakhmut. Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Russian private mercenary army Wagner stated that the town was, in practice, surrounded with only one road remaining under Ukrainian control. Ukraine, on its part, says Bakhmut will continue to defend itself.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who hosted a conference “United for Justice” in Lviv stated that his country was gathering as much as possible support for the Tribunal over Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland, who paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine, reaffirmed the US' “determination to hold Russia accountable for crimes committed in its unjust and unprovoked invasion against its sovereign neighbor”.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola also paid a visit to Ukraine, her second since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.