Wagner boss threatens to pull out of Bakhmut, slams Russian military
In a sharp escalation of the rivalry between Russia’s disparate military forces fighting in Ukraine, the head of the Wagner mercenary group announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the still raging battle for Bakhmut because of insufficient ammunition.
Yevgeniy Prigozhin published a statement and video on his Telegram channel, demanding that the Ministry of Defense sign an order indicating when they would replace Wagner forces in Bakhmut. He said he would withdraw May 10, the day after Russia’s hallowed Victory Day celebrations.
“I am withdrawing the Wagner PMC units from Bakhmut, because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to senseless death,” Prigozhin said, wearing camouflage and a helmet, with an automatic weapon slung over his shoulder. He stood with a group of dozens masked Wagner fighters, some wearing full face skull masks.
Read the full story here.
In a sharp escalation of the rivalry between Russia’s disparate military forces fighting in Ukraine, the head of the Wagner mercenary group announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the still raging battle for Bakhmut because of insufficient ammunition.
Yevgeniy Prigozhin published a statement and video on his Telegram channel, demanding that the Ministry of Defense sign an order indicating when they would replace Wagner forces in Bakhmut. He said he would withdraw May 10, the day after Russia’s hallowed Victory Day celebrations.
“I am withdrawing the Wagner PMC units from Bakhmut, because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to senseless death,” Prigozhin said, wearing camouflage and a helmet, with an automatic weapon slung over his shoulder. He stood with a group of dozens masked Wagner fighters, some wearing full face skull masks.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which has been fighting for control of Bakhmut since last summer, announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the city on May 10 because of insufficient ammunition.
- Moscow has continued to vow retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack on the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence.
- Lavrov echoed statements by another Russian official alleging foreign involvement in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
- The European Council approved $1.1 billion to finance the provision of artillery rounds and possibly missiles to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes. Speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court, he said the Russian president “deserves to be sentenced for his criminal actions right here, in the capital of international law.”
More live updates here.
- The head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group, which has been fighting for control of Bakhmut since last summer, announced Friday that he would withdraw his forces from the city on May 10 because of insufficient ammunition.
- Moscow has continued to vow retaliation for what it alleges was a drone attack on the Kremlin this week targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s residence.
- Lavrov echoed statements by another Russian official alleging foreign involvement in the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin.
- The European Council approved $1.1 billion to finance the provision of artillery rounds and possibly missiles to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a special tribunal to prosecute Putin for war crimes. Speaking in The Hague, which houses the International Criminal Court, he said the Russian president “deserves to be sentenced for his criminal actions right here, in the capital of international law.”
More live updates here.
Pro-Kremlin writer wounded in car explosion in Russia
A car bomb injured the Russian nationalist writer Zakhar Prilepin and killed one person in a village east of Moscow on Saturday, Russian authorities said.
The 47-year-old Prilepin has been a fervent supporter of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Since 2014, he has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and has run a volunteer battalion.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said the blast occurred in a village in the western Nizhny Novgorod region, according to Russian news agency Tass. It reported that an explosive device was placed under the car and that Prilepin’s injuries required him to be hospitalized.
Read the full story here.
A car bomb injured the Russian nationalist writer Zakhar Prilepin and killed one person in a village east of Moscow on Saturday, Russian authorities said.
The 47-year-old Prilepin has been a fervent supporter of the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine. Since 2014, he has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and has run a volunteer battalion.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs said the blast occurred in a village in the western Nizhny Novgorod region, according to Russian news agency Tass. It reported that an explosive device was placed under the car and that Prilepin’s injuries required him to be hospitalized.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine says it shot down hypersonic Russian missile with Patriot system
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine on Saturday said it had used the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system to shoot down a Russian hypersonic missile in the skies over the Kyiv capital region — demonstrating that it now has the ability to thwart one of Moscow’s most-feared weapons.
Until now, the hypersonic missile, called Kinzhal, “Dagger” in Russian, had been unstoppable by Ukraine, and several had struck targets since the start of Russia’s war in February 2022. Traveling five times faster than the speed of sound, and at a lower elevation than traditional ballistic missiles, the Kinzhal was too fast for Ukraine’s air defenses to even react.
Reports had circulated in recent days that Ukraine had stopped a Kinzhal as part of a broader Russian air attack on Kyiv, which also included drones, in the early hours of Thursday. The drones also were stopped, officials said.
Read more here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine on Saturday said it had used the U.S.-made Patriot air defense system to shoot down a Russian hypersonic missile in the skies over the Kyiv capital region — demonstrating that it now has the ability to thwart one of Moscow’s most-feared weapons.
Until now, the hypersonic missile, called Kinzhal, “Dagger” in Russian, had been unstoppable by Ukraine, and several had struck targets since the start of Russia’s war in February 2022. Traveling five times faster than the speed of sound, and at a lower elevation than traditional ballistic missiles, the Kinzhal was too fast for Ukraine’s air defenses to even react.
Reports had circulated in recent days that Ukraine had stopped a Kinzhal as part of a broader Russian air attack on Kyiv, which also included drones, in the early hours of Thursday. The drones also were stopped, officials said.
Read more here.
Here's the latest from Ukraine:
- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous” due to increased military activity in the area, which is near the front lines.
- The U.S. Patriot weapons systems only arrived in Ukraine recently and are among the costliest additions to Ukraine’s arsenal to date, at roughly $1 billion per installation.
- A pro-Kremlin writer was wounded in car explosion in Russia. Zakhar Prilepin, 47, a fervent supporter of Putin’s war, has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and run a volunteer battalion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the return of 45 Azov Bridge fighters — hailed for their defense of the besieged city of Mariupol last year.
More live updates here
- The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said the situation around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous” due to increased military activity in the area, which is near the front lines.
- The U.S. Patriot weapons systems only arrived in Ukraine recently and are among the costliest additions to Ukraine’s arsenal to date, at roughly $1 billion per installation.
- A pro-Kremlin writer was wounded in car explosion in Russia. Zakhar Prilepin, 47, a fervent supporter of Putin’s war, has taken part in hostilities alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine since 2014 and run a volunteer battalion.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the return of 45 Azov Bridge fighters — hailed for their defense of the besieged city of Mariupol last year.
More live updates here
Leaked U.S. files show deep rift between Russian military and Wagner chief
Wagner boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s threat to pull his forces from Bakhmut, relayed in obscenity-ridden videos in which he blames Russian military chiefs for the deaths of tens of thousands of his soldiers in Ukraine, was only the latest salvo in a months-long feud between the mercenary group and Russia’s military leadership.
While Prigozhin has led Russia’s bloody campaign to capture the eastern Ukrainian city using soldiers of fortune and recently freed convicts, he’s also been locked in a public fight with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents allegedly leaked by National Guard airman Jack Teixeira on Discord indicate that the military leadership struggled to respond to Prigozhin, and the outspoken Wagner chief appealed personally to President Vladimir Putin to intervene.
Read the full story here.
Wagner boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin’s threat to pull his forces from Bakhmut, relayed in obscenity-ridden videos in which he blames Russian military chiefs for the deaths of tens of thousands of his soldiers in Ukraine, was only the latest salvo in a months-long feud between the mercenary group and Russia’s military leadership.
While Prigozhin has led Russia’s bloody campaign to capture the eastern Ukrainian city using soldiers of fortune and recently freed convicts, he’s also been locked in a public fight with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
Previously unreported U.S. intelligence documents allegedly leaked by National Guard airman Jack Teixeira on Discord indicate that the military leadership struggled to respond to Prigozhin, and the outspoken Wagner chief appealed personally to President Vladimir Putin to intervene.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine’s military is stronger than U.S. leaks indicated, Blinken says
Ukraine is better positioned to make headway in its expected counteroffensive against Russia than leaked U.S. intelligence documents indicated, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, voicing confidence Kyiv can reclaim occupied territory despite a host of military challenges.
Blinken declined to specifically address the trove of classified material that spilled into public view after it was posted on the Discord social media platform, but said intelligence material detailing the military challenges that Ukraine will face, including problems fielding and sustaining troops, “reflected a particular point in time and this is not static.”
Most of the leaked material dated from January, February and March. Officials have charged a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard with mishandling classified documents.
Read the full story here.
Ukraine is better positioned to make headway in its expected counteroffensive against Russia than leaked U.S. intelligence documents indicated, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday, voicing confidence Kyiv can reclaim occupied territory despite a host of military challenges.
Blinken declined to specifically address the trove of classified material that spilled into public view after it was posted on the Discord social media platform, but said intelligence material detailing the military challenges that Ukraine will face, including problems fielding and sustaining troops, “reflected a particular point in time and this is not static.”
Most of the leaked material dated from January, February and March. Officials have charged a member of the Massachusetts Air National Guard with mishandling classified documents.
Read the full story here.
Here's the latest on Ukraine:
- Russian officials plan to send the Wagner mercenary group enough weapons and ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine’s Bakhmut, the group’s leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said Sunday. In an audio clip posted to Telegram, Prigozhin appeared to distance himself from previous threats he made to withdraw his forces from Bakhmut if Moscow was unwilling to provide greater support.
- Ukraine’s air force claimed to have successfully shot down one of Russia’s most sophisticated conventional weapons using a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile. The Kinzhal, or “dagger,” hypersonic missile travels at low altitudes many times the speed of sound — too quick for Ukraine’s traditional air defenses to even react.
- Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, confirmed a Romanian report that a Polish border guard aircraft was intercepted on Friday by a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter plane over the Black Sea.
More live updates here.
- Russian officials plan to send the Wagner mercenary group enough weapons and ammunition to continue fighting in Ukraine’s Bakhmut, the group’s leader Yevgeniy Prigozhin said Sunday. In an audio clip posted to Telegram, Prigozhin appeared to distance himself from previous threats he made to withdraw his forces from Bakhmut if Moscow was unwilling to provide greater support.
- Ukraine’s air force claimed to have successfully shot down one of Russia’s most sophisticated conventional weapons using a U.S.-made Patriot air defense missile. The Kinzhal, or “dagger,” hypersonic missile travels at low altitudes many times the speed of sound — too quick for Ukraine’s traditional air defenses to even react.
- Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, confirmed a Romanian report that a Polish border guard aircraft was intercepted on Friday by a Russian Sukhoi Su-35 fighter plane over the Black Sea.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Several people were injured in a spate of early-morning drone attacks Monday in Kyiv, according to officials, days after Ukraine’s air force cheered the apparently successful downing of a Russian hypersonic missile.
- Nearly 1,700 people have been evacuated from areas surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear plant, amid warnings from U.N. officials that the situation around the Zaporizhzhia plant is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous."
- Russia has apparently agreed to provide the weapons and ammunition needed for Wagner mercenaries to continue the bitter battle for Bakhmut, the head of the mercenary group said Sunday.
- Pro-Kremlin writer Zakhar Prilepin, who was wounded in a car explosion in Russia, is in stable condition after being taken out of an induced coma, state-run Tass reported.
- Russia’s economy is probably suffering from its worst shortage of labor in decades, the British Defense Ministry said Sunday.
More live updates here.
- Several people were injured in a spate of early-morning drone attacks Monday in Kyiv, according to officials, days after Ukraine’s air force cheered the apparently successful downing of a Russian hypersonic missile.
- Nearly 1,700 people have been evacuated from areas surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear plant, amid warnings from U.N. officials that the situation around the Zaporizhzhia plant is becoming “increasingly unpredictable and potentially dangerous."
- Russia has apparently agreed to provide the weapons and ammunition needed for Wagner mercenaries to continue the bitter battle for Bakhmut, the head of the mercenary group said Sunday.
- Pro-Kremlin writer Zakhar Prilepin, who was wounded in a car explosion in Russia, is in stable condition after being taken out of an induced coma, state-run Tass reported.
- Russia’s economy is probably suffering from its worst shortage of labor in decades, the British Defense Ministry said Sunday.
More live updates here.
Senior Ukrainian officials fear counterattack may not live up to hype
The Ukrainian military has spent nearly 15 months exceeding the world’s expectations. Now, senior leaders are trying to lower those hopes, fearing that the outcome of an imminent counteroffensive aimed at turning the tide of the war with Russia may not live up to the hype.
“The expectation from our counteroffensive campaign is overestimated in the world,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview this past week. “Most people are … waiting for something huge,” he added, which he fears may lead to “emotional disappointment.”
The planned counterattack — made possible by donated Western weapons and training — could mark the most consequential phase of the war, as Ukraine seeks to snatch back significant territory and prove it is worthy of continued support.
Read the full story here.
The Ukrainian military has spent nearly 15 months exceeding the world’s expectations. Now, senior leaders are trying to lower those hopes, fearing that the outcome of an imminent counteroffensive aimed at turning the tide of the war with Russia may not live up to the hype.
“The expectation from our counteroffensive campaign is overestimated in the world,” Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an interview this past week. “Most people are … waiting for something huge,” he added, which he fears may lead to “emotional disappointment.”
The planned counterattack — made possible by donated Western weapons and training — could mark the most consequential phase of the war, as Ukraine seeks to snatch back significant territory and prove it is worthy of continued support.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia launched a swarm of more than 30 Iranian-made drones at the Ukrainian capital in an early-morning air attack Monday, according to Kyiv officials, injuring at least five people and damaging cars and buildings.
- Nearly 1,700 people — including 660 children — were evacuated from areas surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear plant, according to a Moscow-installed official.
- Zaporizhzhia evacuees have been temporarily relocated elsewhere in the area, the head of the Russian occupation administration in the southern Ukrainian region, Yevgeny Balitsky, wrote on Telegram late Sunday.
- The Kremlin called on Western leaders to condemn comments by Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, who appeared to condone attacking Russian targets beyond Ukraine’s borders with lethal force.
More live updates here.
- Russia launched a swarm of more than 30 Iranian-made drones at the Ukrainian capital in an early-morning air attack Monday, according to Kyiv officials, injuring at least five people and damaging cars and buildings.
- Nearly 1,700 people — including 660 children — were evacuated from areas surrounding Europe’s largest nuclear plant, according to a Moscow-installed official.
- Zaporizhzhia evacuees have been temporarily relocated elsewhere in the area, the head of the Russian occupation administration in the southern Ukrainian region, Yevgeny Balitsky, wrote on Telegram late Sunday.
- The Kremlin called on Western leaders to condemn comments by Ukraine’s military intelligence chief, who appeared to condone attacking Russian targets beyond Ukraine’s borders with lethal force.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Explosions rattled Kyiv at dawn as Russia made its fifth attack on the Ukrainian capital in nine days. The city’s military administration said 18 air targets were destroyed and that there were no reported casualties.
- Russia on Tuesday celebrates Victory Day. President Putin is expected to give a speech at the Victory Parade in Red Square. Elsewhere in the country, celebrations have been scaled back because of security concerns. At least 20 cities have canceled their Victory Day parades.
- Russia is preparing to evacuate more than 3,000 staff members from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- Britain appears poised to send Kyiv long-range missiles that could reach deeper into Russian-held territory, which the U.S. has avoided providing.
- Russian missile attacks in Odessa and Kherson hit warehouses storing humanitarian aid supplies, two aid organizations said.
More live updates here.
- Explosions rattled Kyiv at dawn as Russia made its fifth attack on the Ukrainian capital in nine days. The city’s military administration said 18 air targets were destroyed and that there were no reported casualties.
- Russia on Tuesday celebrates Victory Day. President Putin is expected to give a speech at the Victory Parade in Red Square. Elsewhere in the country, celebrations have been scaled back because of security concerns. At least 20 cities have canceled their Victory Day parades.
- Russia is preparing to evacuate more than 3,000 staff members from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- Britain appears poised to send Kyiv long-range missiles that could reach deeper into Russian-held territory, which the U.S. has avoided providing.
- Russian missile attacks in Odessa and Kherson hit warehouses storing humanitarian aid supplies, two aid organizations said.
More live updates here.
Putin says ‘real war’ being waged against Russia on lower-key Victory Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that a “real war” was being waged against Russia amid muted Victory Day celebrations on Tuesday, with many mass events canceled over security concerns after last week’s drone attack on the Kremlin and a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive.
“A real war has once again been waged against our homeland. Today, civilization is at a critical juncture,” Putin said at the ceremony marking the end of World War II. “We want to see a future of peace, freedom and stability,” added the leader who more than a year ago ordered what he calls “the special military operation” in Ukraine that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
In his speech, Putin quickly pivoted to blaming the war on the “Western elites.”
Read the full story here.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that a “real war” was being waged against Russia amid muted Victory Day celebrations on Tuesday, with many mass events canceled over security concerns after last week’s drone attack on the Kremlin and a looming Ukrainian counteroffensive.
“A real war has once again been waged against our homeland. Today, civilization is at a critical juncture,” Putin said at the ceremony marking the end of World War II. “We want to see a future of peace, freedom and stability,” added the leader who more than a year ago ordered what he calls “the special military operation” in Ukraine that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
In his speech, Putin quickly pivoted to blaming the war on the “Western elites.”
Read the full story here.
Russia preparing to evacuate nuclear plant, Ukrainian operator says
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian authorities controlling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine are preparing to evacuate around 3,100 staff from areas in and around the facility, the head of Ukraine’s nuclear operator said Monday.
The plant pullout is being planned as occupying Russian authorities evacuate civilians from communities around the facility, the largest of its kind in Europe, in advance of a potential Ukrainian offensive in the south, Energatom President Petro Kotin told The Washington Post.
The Russian-appointed governor of occupied Zaporizhzhia said Sunday that around 1,600 civilians had been moved out Enerhodar, home to the plant and many of its employees, and other communities. He cited “intensified shelling” by Ukrainian forces.
Read the full story here.
KYIV, Ukraine — Russian authorities controlling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in southern Ukraine are preparing to evacuate around 3,100 staff from areas in and around the facility, the head of Ukraine’s nuclear operator said Monday.
The plant pullout is being planned as occupying Russian authorities evacuate civilians from communities around the facility, the largest of its kind in Europe, in advance of a potential Ukrainian offensive in the south, Energatom President Petro Kotin told The Washington Post.
The Russian-appointed governor of occupied Zaporizhzhia said Sunday that around 1,600 civilians had been moved out Enerhodar, home to the plant and many of its employees, and other communities. He cited “intensified shelling” by Ukrainian forces.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russia celebrated Victory Day on Tuesday, a holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
- As Putin praised Russia’s military strength, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, issued a blistering statement denouncing Russia’s defense leaders for “treason” and “destruction.”
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv on Tuesday, to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in celebrating Europe Day on May 9, a holiday honoring “peace and unity” on the continent.
- Explosions rattled Kyiv at dawn Tuesday as Russia made its fifth attack on the Ukrainian capital in nine days.
More live updates here.
- Russia celebrated Victory Day on Tuesday, a holiday commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in the Allied defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II.
- As Putin praised Russia’s military strength, the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, issued a blistering statement denouncing Russia’s defense leaders for “treason” and “destruction.”
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is in Kyiv on Tuesday, to join Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in celebrating Europe Day on May 9, a holiday honoring “peace and unity” on the continent.
- Explosions rattled Kyiv at dawn Tuesday as Russia made its fifth attack on the Ukrainian capital in nine days.
More live updates here.
Macron praises courage of French journalist killed by rocket fire in Ukraine
French journalist Arman Soldin was killed by rocket fire near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, said Agence France-Presse, his employer.
He was at least the 17th journalist killed in Ukraine since the war began, according to a database from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Reporters Without Borders estimates more than 12,000 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been accredited to cover the war.
Soldin, 32, was a video coordinator with the French wire service, AFP said. He began covering the conflict at its start in February 2022 and had lived in Ukraine full time since September.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Soldin was “one of our compatriots.”
Read the full story here.
French journalist Arman Soldin was killed by rocket fire near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, said Agence France-Presse, his employer.
He was at least the 17th journalist killed in Ukraine since the war began, according to a database from the Committee to Protect Journalists. Reporters Without Borders estimates more than 12,000 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been accredited to cover the war.
Soldin, 32, was a video coordinator with the French wire service, AFP said. He began covering the conflict at its start in February 2022 and had lived in Ukraine full time since September.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Soldin was “one of our compatriots.”
Read the full story here.
U.S., U.K. vow to aid Ukraine regardless of counteroffensive outcome
Britain and the United States will continue supporting Ukraine regardless of whether its military can recover territory from Russia in a planned counteroffensive, two senior officials said on Tuesday.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in a joint news conference in Washington, said they were committed to ongoing aid for Ukraine despite mounting questions about what the spring operation can achieve in the face of intense Russian resistance.
“We need to continue to support them irrespective of whether this forthcoming offensive generates huge gains on the battlefield because until this conflict is resolved and resolved properly, it is not over,” Cleverly said.
Read the full story here.
Britain and the United States will continue supporting Ukraine regardless of whether its military can recover territory from Russia in a planned counteroffensive, two senior officials said on Tuesday.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in a joint news conference in Washington, said they were committed to ongoing aid for Ukraine despite mounting questions about what the spring operation can achieve in the face of intense Russian resistance.
“We need to continue to support them irrespective of whether this forthcoming offensive generates huge gains on the battlefield because until this conflict is resolved and resolved properly, it is not over,” Cleverly said.
Read the full story here.
Britain prepares to send long-range missiles to Ukraine
Britain, which has prided itself on being ahead of its Western allies in introducing new weapons systems to Ukraine, now appears poised to send Kyiv the long-range missiles the Biden administration has long denied it.
In a procurement notice posted May 2 by the British-led International Fund for Ukraine, a group of northern European countries that has set up a mechanism to send weapons to the battlefield, the United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry asked for “expressions of interest” in providing strike capabilities with a range of up to 300 kilometers, or nearly 200 miles. The notice asked for responses within three days.
No final decision has been made, according to a British official who declined to confirm the type, timing or quantity of weaponry under consideration.
Read the full story here.
Britain, which has prided itself on being ahead of its Western allies in introducing new weapons systems to Ukraine, now appears poised to send Kyiv the long-range missiles the Biden administration has long denied it.
In a procurement notice posted May 2 by the British-led International Fund for Ukraine, a group of northern European countries that has set up a mechanism to send weapons to the battlefield, the United Kingdom’s Defense Ministry asked for “expressions of interest” in providing strike capabilities with a range of up to 300 kilometers, or nearly 200 miles. The notice asked for responses within three days.
No final decision has been made, according to a British official who declined to confirm the type, timing or quantity of weaponry under consideration.
Read the full story here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Russian authorities controlling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine are preparing to evacuate more than 3,000 staff and families from the facility and surrounding areas, Ukraine’s energy provider, Energoatom, said Wednesday.
- In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly promised continued support for Ukraine regardless of the outcome of Kyiv’s anticipated counteroffensive.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree calling up citizens in the reserve for military training, according to a document published on the government’s official legal information portal.
- Japan is in talks to open a NATO liaison office, the first in Asia, its foreign minister said.
- France is calling on the European Union to label Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group a “terrorist organization.”
- The United States announced a fresh $1.2 billion military assistance package for Ukraine.
More live updates here.
- Russian authorities controlling the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine are preparing to evacuate more than 3,000 staff and families from the facility and surrounding areas, Ukraine’s energy provider, Energoatom, said Wednesday.
- In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly promised continued support for Ukraine regardless of the outcome of Kyiv’s anticipated counteroffensive.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree calling up citizens in the reserve for military training, according to a document published on the government’s official legal information portal.
- Japan is in talks to open a NATO liaison office, the first in Asia, its foreign minister said.
- France is calling on the European Union to label Russia’s mercenary Wagner Group a “terrorist organization.”
- The United States announced a fresh $1.2 billion military assistance package for Ukraine.
More live updates here.
Here is the latest from Ukraine:
- Ukraine reclaimed more than a mile of territory near Bakhmut, military officials said Wednesday, marking a crucial breakthrough after months of pitched battles for control of the besieged city in the country’s east. The Ukrainian advance pushed back Russian armed forces, as well as mercenaries from the private militia Wagner Group, officials said.
- Ukrainian troops carried out “successful” and “limited” counterattacks west and southwest of Bakhmut, probably making marginal advances, the Institute for the Study of War said.
- The “enemy was still unable to capture” Bakhmut, Ukraine’s ground forces commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, said in a statement on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian assault brigade claimed on Telegram that Russia’s 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade had fled the city.
- Heavy fighting is ongoing in Bakhmut, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview on Wednesday.
More live updates here.
- Ukraine reclaimed more than a mile of territory near Bakhmut, military officials said Wednesday, marking a crucial breakthrough after months of pitched battles for control of the besieged city in the country’s east. The Ukrainian advance pushed back Russian armed forces, as well as mercenaries from the private militia Wagner Group, officials said.
- Ukrainian troops carried out “successful” and “limited” counterattacks west and southwest of Bakhmut, probably making marginal advances, the Institute for the Study of War said.
- The “enemy was still unable to capture” Bakhmut, Ukraine’s ground forces commander, Oleksandr Syrsky, said in a statement on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian assault brigade claimed on Telegram that Russia’s 72nd Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade had fled the city.
- Heavy fighting is ongoing in Bakhmut, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview on Wednesday.
More live updates here.