US defence secretary makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

Lloyd Austin's first visit occurred in April 2022, just two months after Russia’s large-scale invasion began.

Another tough winter in the Ukraine-Russia conflict approaches (AP)

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has made an unannounced visit to Kyiv in a bid to keep money and weapons flowing to Ukraine even as US and international resources are stretched by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Mr Austin, who travelled to Kyiv by train from Poland, is scheduled to meet senior Ukrainian officials and publicly press Ukraine’s urgent military needs as it enters another tough winter of fighting.