US senator declares war turning point and demands urgent aid for Ukraine

Senator Mark Kelly’s visit to Ukraine and Moldova

According to ХВИЛЯ: In the summer of 2025, Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly traveled to Ukraine and Moldova, taking part in the Black Sea Security Forum in Odesa. During his trip, Kelly highlighted a shift in the war favoring Ukraine, pointing to heavy Russian losses-over 35,000 troops per month-and the near-total ineffectiveness of Russia’s Black Sea fleet, which is largely paralyzed by risk. He also stressed the critical need for immediate U.S. military assistance.

Kelly entered Ukraine by car from Moldova, arriving in Odesa, where he met with Moldovan President Maia Sandu. At the security forum, Ukrainian forces shot down five Shahed drones. Odesa holds strategic importance for Ukraine, handling 40 to 50 percent of the country’s economy through its port. The senator noted that Ukrainians aim to push Russian monthly losses to 50,000, a goal he considers achievable.

Security and military aid

Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Intelligence Committees, reported that after he left Odesa, Russian forces struck a maternity ward while a woman was giving birth. He also pointed out that strikes on oil and gas infrastructure are inflicting serious damage on Russia’s economy.

'Now they can hit targets even beyond Moscow, and that capability is growing.' – Mark Kelly

The senator further stated that Russia’s navy no longer operates on the Black Sea due to high risks. 'If you’re thrown into that fight, your chances of survival are slim because Ukrainians have learned to kill Russians really well,' he emphasized. Kelly expressed concern over the decline in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, noting that assistance dropped after January 20, 2025, and that in March of that year, the U.S. halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine for a week.

'When you cut off intelligence sharing like that, more Ukrainians die. Period. That’s a fact.' – Mark Kelly

In response to the situation, the senator proposed a bill to replace part of the F-16s with more advanced aircraft for transfer to Ukraine. Kelly stressed, 'We want Russia to lose. I want Russia to lose decisively. I want Ukraine to win.' The distance from Odesa to Crimea is less than 100 miles (about 160 km), underscoring the region’s strategic importance in the war.

Kelly’s visit underscores growing U.S. support for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict and the importance of international cooperation for regional security. Issues with military aid and intelligence sharing could affect the war’s trajectory, while Odesa’s strategic role remains critical to Ukraine’s economy and Black Sea security.

As the conflict evolves, the recent insights from Kellogg on Russia's significant troop losses further underscore the urgency of U.S. support for Ukraine. These developments highlight the critical nature of international assistance and the shifting dynamics on the battlefield, reinforcing the necessity for prompt and decisive action to aid Ukrainian forces in their struggle.