Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov discussed with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin the situation at the front and the urgent needs of Ukrainian soldiers on the battlefield.

"Today I had a productive call with my U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin. We discussed the recent developments on the frontline and urgent battlefield needs. I once again highlighted the importance and urgency of lifting the bans on long-range fires," Umerov wrote on the social network X on Tuesday.

He stressed that Ukraine must have the right to destroy enemy airfields from which warplanes bomb Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.