NATO has started coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine, most bought from the U.S. Sweden said Tuesday that it would work with neighbors Denmark and Norway to provide $500 million worth of air defenses, anti-tank weapons, ammunition and spare parts. It follows a Dutch announcement of air defense equipment and ammunition worth $578 million. NATO says the weapons "packages will be prepared rapidly and issued on a regular basis." The equipment is based on Ukraine's priority needs on the battlefield. Air defense systems are in greatest need. The United Nations has said Russia's relentless pounding of urban areas has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians.

Aviation experts say that Russian air defense fire was likely responsible for the Azerbaijani plane crash the day before that killed 38 people and left all 29 survivors injured. Azerbaijan is observing a nationwide day of mourning on Thursday for the victims of the crash. Azerbaijan Airlines' Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijan's capital of Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons yet unclear and crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan. Cellphone footage circulating online appeared to show the aircraft making a steep descent before smashing into the ground in a fireball.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is embracing the support of international allies even as he pushed for the help to arrive faster and restrictions to be lifted on the use of U.S. weapons to attack military targets inside Russia. On Thursday, he thanked allies in the military alliance who have provided substantial new aid and a path to joining NATO. But Zelenskyy added that if Ukraine wants to prevail, all limitations on weapons must be lifted. Earlier in a one-on-one meeting, President Joe Biden announced a new military aid package for Ukraine and pledged to Zelenskyy: "We will stay with you, period."