Cover photo: Ukrainian soldiers fire cannons near Bakhmout, in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine, May 12, 2023. LIBKOS / AP
- Six children were injured in rocket fire in the Russian-held Ukrainian city of Luhansk, officials said on Friday. Russian media had reported earlier that day that two explosions had rocked the city. Kiev did not comment on a possible attack on Russian forces in Luhansk.
- Ukraine on Friday maintained gains near the devastated eastern town of Bachmout, epicenter of fighting with Russian forces. The head of Russia’s Wagner paramilitary group, Evgueni Prigoyine, confirmed the Ukrainian breakthrough at Bakhmout, where his men are on the front line, and accused the Russian regular army holding the flanks of “fleeing” their positions. This withdrawal enables a regrouping to “more advantageous defensive positions,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.
- Russians “have already lost this war in their minds,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday. in his daily video address. The Russians “are already internally prepared for defeat,” he added.
- News of the discovery of the remains of a “probably Russian” missile in the heart of Poland caused a political storm in Warsawthe opposition scolds and demands the resignation of the defense minister, who wants to turn his country into a European military power.
- The announcement by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa of an investigation into Washington’s allegations of a possible arms transfer from Pretoria to Russia sparked stunned and even derisive comments in the country on Friday. The concern points to the economic implications of the diplomatic row between the United States and South Africa, a key trading partner.
- China has announced that Chinese ambassador Li Hui, special envoy for Eurasian affairs, will discuss a “political solution to the Ukraine crisis” in Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany and Russia starting Monday. “It fully shows that China stands firmly on the side of peace,” said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for China’s foreign ministry.
- The delivery of Storm Shadow cruise missiles announced on Thursday was “an extremely hostile move by London.”which aims to further inundate Ukraine with weapons and seriously aggravate the situation,” said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
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