The Russian army denied any “breakthrough” of its defenses by Ukrainian forces in a press release, worrying pro-Russian military bloggers and paramilitary group head Wagner.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured in an interview with the BBC (website in English) broadcast on Thursday May 11 that his army still needs time to prepare a major counter-offensive. To remedy the situation, the United Kingdom announced that it would be the first country to deliver long-range missiles. Here is the most important information about this new conflict day.
Ukraine needs time before counter-offensive, Volodymyr Zelenskyy admits
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy assured in an interview with the BBC (website in English) that his army still needs time to prepare a much-anticipated counter-offensive aimed at repelling Russian forces without “losing many people”. he explained.
This Ukrainian operation has been in preparation for months while the front lines have largely been frozen for the past year and most of the fighting for control of the devastated town of Bachmout is taking place to the east.
The Ukrainian army has trained new forces and amassed ammunition and equipment supplied by Western countries, which analysts say will be key to recapturing occupied territories from the Russians.
Britain delivers long-range missiles to Ukraine for the first time
Britain will be the first country to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine in response to Russia’s “continued aggression”, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has announced. These cruise missiles have a range of more than 250 kilometers, more than any other weapon Western countries have supplied to Kiev. These missiles can reach areas in eastern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.
“The donation of these weapon systems gives Ukraine the best chance to defend itself against ongoing Russian brutality,” added Ben Wallace. These missiles “will allow Ukraine to repel Russian forces stationed on Ukraine’s sovereign territory.”
Developed jointly by Britain and France, the Storm Shadow missile is launched from the air. It is called SCALP by the French army.
The Russian army denies a “breakthrough” of its defenses by Ukrainian forces
The Russian army denied any “breakthrough” of its defenses by Ukrainian forces in a press release, worrying pro-Russian military bloggers and paramilitary group head Wagner.
Several pro-Russian bloggers following the situation on the ground have been alarmed by the movements of Ukrainian troops and the abandonment of Russian positions by Russian soldiers, particularly near Bachmout, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine.
“The statements circulated by individual Telegram channels about alleged ‘defense breakthroughs’ in different parts of the line of contact do not correspond to reality,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
In his report last day, he assured that he had repelled some Ukrainian attacks and reconnaissance operations at the front, the number of which did not differ from the reports of the previous days and weeks.
The US accuses South Africa of supplying arms to Russia
The US ambassador in Pretoria has accused South Africa of providing military support to Russia despite its declared neutrality in the conflict with Ukraine, insulting the South African government, which has promised an investigation and regrets the publication of these statements.
Washington welcomed the announcement of this investigation. “That would be a welcome step,” Vedant Patel, deputy spokesman for the State Department, said soberly during a news conference.
According to Reuben Brigety, the US ambassador to South Africa, the United States is convinced that a Russian freighter, which was moored near Cape Town in early December, “was loaded with arms and ammunition” “before it returned to Russia “. “The arming of the Russians is extremely serious” and “fundamentally unacceptable,” he told a meeting with South African media.
Questioned in Parliament, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said questions about this ship, the Lady R, were “under consideration”, adding that “we will be able to talk about it in due course”.