Ukraine news – live: Russia has depleted its modernised equipment, military analyst says

Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov has said Russia’s aggressive push in Donbas and other parts of Ukraine could backfire as it has depleted its modernised equipment.

He said Russia was deploying 50-year-old T-62 tanks “which means that the second army of the world has run out of modernised equipment.”

The analyst’s comment comes as Russia is also reportedly mulling redeploying troops in Kyiv.

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UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) also said the Soviet-era T-62 tanks, which are up to 60-years-old, have been taken out of “deep storage” to be used in southern Ukraine, where Russian troops are seeking to occupy the seized territory.

The MoD said these tanks are “particularly vulnerable” to anti-tank weapons, adding that the move to use them points to “Russia’s shortage of modern, combat-ready equipment”.

Meanwhile, Ukraine said its forces may retreat from their last pockets in Luhansk city in the East to avoid being captured by advancing Russian forces.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it is vital that the West send more heavy weaponry to Ukraine as Russia is making “palpable progress” in the country’s East.

Key Points Russia considers new attack on Kyiv

Putin’s troops making ‘palpable progress’ in Donbas - Johnson

West should send Ukraine more heavy artillery, UK PM says

Use of US long-range rockets would cross red line, warns Russia

Russia forced to re-mobilise Soviet-era T-62 tanks due to losses

Tory MP’s son fighting in Ukraine helped fellow Briton blown up by mine 08:33 , Sam Rkaina 08:33 , Sam Rkaina A Tory MP’s son fighting in Ukraine has spoken of how he helped a fellow British volunteer fighter escape Russian fire after his leg was blown up by a mine. Ben Grant, 30, helped drag his comrade to safety as mortars and artillery were fired towards them in woodland north of Kharkiv earlier in May, with the rescue filmed on a helmet-mounted camera. The former Royal Marine, who is the son of Conservative MP Helen Grant, said he was “terrified” but focused on getting former Grenadier Guardsman Dean Arthur out of danger. He told The Daily Telegraph: “What was so scary was being so limited by trying to carry someone, when I can’t pull my weapon up, while there are attack helicopters overhead and tanks firing through the woods. “It was unreal - I’ve never experienced anything like that in my life”. He added: “Trying to do this [first aid] mid-firefight while there are Russians shooting over us and around us is just so difficult”. Mr Grant, an Afghanistan veteran who has been in Ukraine since March, told the newspaper that his foreign volunteer unit had been gearing up for an assault on a Russian-held target when they were spotted by drones and ambushed. Mr Arthur knelt on a landmine “which has blown half of his leg off”, Mr Grant said. In the dramatic footage, Mr Grant can be heard shouting to his comrades: “We’ve got to move now or we’re gonna die.” The team is seen carrying Mr Arthur through the undergrowth before lying him down to tend to his wound and tighten his tourniquet as bullets fly over their heads. Mr Arthur, 42, from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, said: “It was excruciating pain, with rounds incoming”. He added that he was “lucky” to have escaped alive. “This type of camaraderie is only forged in these situations. If the coin was flipped, it was one of those guys, I would have got them out.” Mr Arthur’s leg was saved by doctors, and he is in hospital in Kyiv where he said his injury is “healing great”. The Government has advised all Britons not to travel to Ukraine and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has warned British soldiers could be prosecuted for desertion if they head to Ukraine to fight against Russian forces. © Provided by The Independent Ben Grant (R) on the way to Ukraine (REUTERS)

Ukrainians flee ‘high-risk’ eastern Ukraine city amid air raid sirens, booming artillery 08:06 , Vishwam Sankaran 08:06 , Vishwam Sankaran Civilians are reportedly fleeing the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut amid air raid sirens and booming artillery as Russian forces advance. “Bakhmut is a high-risk area right now. We’re trying to get as many people out as we can in case the Ukrainians have to fall back,” Mark Poppert, an American volunteer working with British charity RefugEase, told Associated Press. “The Russians are right over there, and they’re closing in on this location,” he said. The evacuees are reportedly elderly, ill, or have mobility problems. Volunteers are carrying the elderly in their arms or bundled into soft stretchers, navigating narrow apartment building staircases to waiting minibuses for evacuation.

Governor of Ukraine's Luhansk region estimates 10,000 Russian troops present in region 06:55 , Vishwam Sankaran 06:55 , Vishwam Sankaran There are some 10,000 troops present in the Luhansk region, its governor has said, Reuters reported. Earlier Serhiy Gaidai said Ukrainian troops may have to retreat from their last pocket in the Luhansk region to avoid being captured. “We will have enough strength and resources to defend ourselves. However, it is possible that in order not to be surrounded we will have to retreat,” Mr Gaidai said on Telegram.

As Russian forces advance, Zelensky says 'Donbas will be Ukrainian again' 06:45 , Vishwam Sankaran 06:45 , Vishwam Sankaran In his video address on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia should not think it will be holding the eastern cities of Lyman or Sievierodonetsk, adding that they will return to Ukraine eventually. Serhiy Gaidai, governor of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, said Russian troops had entered Sievierodonetsk after trying to trap Ukrainian forces there for days. “We will have enough strength and resources to defend ourselves. However it is possible that in order not to be surrounded we will have to retreat,” he said on Telegram. ⚡️Zelensky: ‘Donbas will be Ukrainian.’ In a video address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia should not think that it will be holding the cities of Lyman or Sievierodonetsk as they will eventually return to Ukraine. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 28, 2022 Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was protecting its land “as much as our current defence resources allow.” “That’s why we have to increase our defense, increase our resistance, and Donbas will be Ukrainian again. We will rebuild every town, every community,” he added.

Ukraine accuses IAEA of falling for Russian propaganda 06:29 , Vishwam Sankaran 06:29 , Vishwam Sankaran Ukraine’s state nuclear inspectorate has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of falling for Russian propaganda. The inspectorate has demanded it back Ukraine’s efforts to expel Russian troops from the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which is the largest of its kind in Europe. It said IAEA director general Rafael Grossi had told the World Economic Forum at Davos this week that there were large stocks of plutonium and enriched uranium at the plant that could be used to make nuclear weapons. The acting head of the inspectorate, Oleg Korikov, said this was untrue. “It is very sad that the bold lies of Russian propaganda are broadcast at a high level by the IAEA’s top official,” Mr Korikov posted on the inspectorate’s Facebook page. He urged Mr Grossi to back Kyiv’s demands for the immediate withdrawal of Russian forces from the nuclear power plant.

Russia ‘has run out of modernised equipment,’ military analyst says 05:30 , Vishwam Sankaran 05:30 , Vishwam Sankaran Russia’s aggressive push in Donbas and other parts of Ukraine could backfire, says Ukrainian military analyst Oleh Zhdanov. He said Russia was deploying 50-year-old T-62 tanks “which means that the second army of the world has run out of modernised equipment.” The governor of the Eastern Ukrainian city Luhansk said while Ukrainian soldiers may have to retreat from the Sievierodonetsk region to avoid being surrounded, he predicted an ultimate Ukrainian victory. In his nightly video address on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnskyy also struck a defiant tone. “If the occupiers think that Lyman or Sievierodonetsk will be theirs, they are wrong. Donbas will be Ukrainian,” he said.

Communist deputy in Russia’s Far East urges Putin to stop war 05:02 , Vishwam Sankaran 05:02 , Vishwam Sankaran In a rare show of opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a Communist Party legislative deputy in Russia’s Far East has urged President Vladimir Putin to withdraw his troops from the neighbouring country. “We demand the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. We demand an end to military action,” Leonid Vasyukevich, a legislative assembly member from the Primorye Krai region said at a meeting on Friday. “We understand that if our country doesn’t stop the military operation, we’ll have more orphans in our country,” Mr Vasyukevich said according to a video shared by Far East video news website Newsbox24.tv. Leonid Vasyukevich, one of the members, said at a meeting of the legislature that Russian troops are suffering heavy losses and failing to achieve a military success. The appeal was condemned by the Communist Party’s leadership in Primorye Krai. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 27, 2022 This is only the third instance of a local deputy publicly opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, The Moscow Times reported.

Ukraine says forces may retreat from Eastern region as Russia advances 04:42 , Vishwam Sankaran 04:42 , Vishwam Sankaran As Russian troops advance in the East in Luhansk city, Ukraine says its forces may retreat from their last pocket in the region to avoid being captured. Russian forces had gained ground over the last few days, capturing Ukraine’s Luhansk and Donetsk regions, reportedly bringing down nearly 90 per cent of the buildings in the region. Imagine living in a 53 day long air raid… this is how people in #Luhansk region live. — Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) May 27, 2022 “The Russians will not be able to capture Luhansk region in the coming days as analysts have predicted. We will have enough strength and resources to defend ourselves. However it is possible that in order not to be surrounded we will have to retreat,” Luhansk’s governor, Serhiy Gaidai said on Telegram.

Latest fighting in Ukraine - Recap Saturday 28 May 2022 00:49 , Holly Bancroft Saturday 28 May 2022 00:49 , Holly Bancroft - Ukrainian forces are engaged in a “fierce defence” of the eastern city of Sievierodonetsk, which is two-thirds surrounded by Russian forces and 90% destroyed by shelling, the Luhansk regional governor said. - Ukraine‘s forces may be forced to retreat from the final pocket of resistance in the region to avoid being captured, the governor said. - Russian shelling killed at least seven civilians and wounded 17 in the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, authorities said. - In the southern Kherson region north of Russian-held Crimea, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces were fortifying their positions and trapping civilians with constant shelling.

Turkey’s objections to Finland and Sweden joining Nato can be overcome, Blinken says Saturday 28 May 2022 00:00 , Holly Bancroft Saturday 28 May 2022 00:00 , Holly Bancroft US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Friday he’s confident Turkey’s objections to Finland and Sweden joining Nato can be overcome swiftly, possibly in time for a summit of alliance leaders at the end of next month. At a news conference in Washington with visiting Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, Mr Blinken said the US has no reason to believe Turkey’s concerns cannot be addressed. His comments came after Turkey’s top diplomat said Finland and Sweden would have to take “concrete steps” before Ankara could support their membership. “The United States fully supports Finland and Sweden joining the alliance and I continue to be confident that both will soon be NATO members,” Mr Blinken said. “We look forward to being able to call Finland and Sweden our allies.” Mr Haavisto said his country and Sweden had held “good negotiations” with the Turks over their concerns in recent days and said those discussions would continue with an eye toward resolving them before the NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June. “We agreed to continue to those talks,” Mr Haavisto said. “We think that these problems can be solved that Turkey has been raising. We hope that some results could be achieved before the Nato summit.” Report by the Associated Press

Russian oligarchs may be able to buy way out of sanctions Friday 27 May 2022 23:05 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 23:05 , Jane Dalton In case you missed it yesterday: Western allies are considering whether to allow Russian oligarchs to buy their way out of sanctions and using the money to rebuild Ukraine, according to government officials. © Provided by The Independent West mulls having Russian oligarchs buy way out of sanctions

Photos illustrate how Ukraine lives in fear Friday 27 May 2022 22:46 , Holly Bancroft Friday 27 May 2022 22:46 , Holly Bancroft Twenty-six photographs from Ukraine captured by AP photographers this week showed that more than three months into the conflict, especially in the war-torn east, residents live in a world where death comes from above. © Provided by The Independent AP PHOTOS: In Ukraine, living in fear of death from above

Putin is trying to ‘eliminate’ Ukrainian culture and identity, says Biden Friday 27 May 2022 22:20 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 22:20 , Jane Dalton Joe Biden has accused Russia’s Vladimir Putin of trying to eliminate Ukraine not only as an independent nation through invasion, but as a source of identity and culture for its people by attacking educational and cultural sites throughout the country. Andrew Feinberg reports: © Provided by The Independent Biden says Putin is trying to ‘eliminate’ Ukrainian culture and identity

Turkey’s sought-after drone wins wars but also risks starting them Friday 27 May 2022 21:55 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 21:55 , Jane Dalton Turkey has eclipsed China as the world’s largest exporter of armed drones – advanced weapons that have tilted the balance of power in several wars, including the continuing conflict in Ukraine. The Bayraktar TB2, made by Istanbul-based Baykar Aviation, has become so famous in Ukraine that it could very well have become the world’s first and only weapon of war with a catchy music video devoted to it. Borzou Daragahi in Istanbul reports: © Provided by The Independent Turkey’s sought-after combat drones win wars, but risk starting them

Opinion: The fate of civilisation depends on defeating Putin Friday 27 May 2022 21:20 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 21:20 , Jane Dalton Fighting pandemics and climate change, avoiding nuclear war and maintaining global institutions have had to take a back seat to the struggle between open society and closed society. Repressive regimes are now ascendant, and open societies are under siege. China and Russia represent the greatest threats to open societies, writes George Soros: © Provided by The Independent We must defeat Putin – the fate of civilisation depends on it | George Soros

Ukraine says nuclear body falling for Russian propaganda Friday 27 May 2022 20:29 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 20:29 , Jane Dalton Ukraine’s state nuclear inspectorate has accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of falling for Russian propaganda and demanded it back efforts by Kyiv to expel Moscow’s forces from a major power plant. Moscow’s forces have occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, the largest of its kind in Europe. Shortly before the invasion, Russian president Vladimir Putin said Ukraine was using Soviet knowhow to create its own nuclear weapons. Oleg Korikov, acting head of the inspectorate, said IAEA director general Rafael Grossi had this week told the World Economic Forum at Davos that there were large stocks of plutonium and enriched uranium at the plant that could be used to make nuclear weapons. But Mr Korikov said this was totally untrue. There are signs of increasing unhappiness by Ukrainian authorities about what they say is less than wholehearted support from the international community in the war.

Putin ‘considers new assault on Kyiv' Friday 27 May 2022 18:54 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 18:54 , Jane Dalton The Kremlin is considering a fresh attack on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, according to an independent Russian news site. Meduza quoted sources as saying the Kremlin is discussing a possible assault on the city and even hopes for a full-scale victory by autumn. Moscow’s initial assault on the Ukrainian capital collapsed back in March, after which Russian troops withdrew. Sources close to the Kremlin tell Meduza that Russia’s top leadership is considering another assault on Kyiv and expecting to win a war of attrition against Kyiv and its Western allies. https://t.co/vAmn0xudE5 — Meduza in English (@meduza_en) May 27, 2022

Iran set to do deals with Russia Friday 27 May 2022 17:55 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 17:55 , Jane Dalton Tehran says it will talk to Moscow about supplying it with car parts and fuel turbines in exchange for raw metals as Russia struggles under stiff international sanctions, according to The New York Post. Both Russia and Iran have been hit with crippling international sanctions and have struggled to import vital materials needed to sustain their economies. But according to Iranian minister Reza Fatemi Amin, Tehran may do deals with Moscow for metals and mining industry materials, the paper reports.

Russia captures town of Lyman Friday 27 May 2022 17:35 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 17:35 , Jane Dalton Russian forces in eastern Ukraine captured the centre of the key railway hub town of Lyman and encircled most of Sievierodonetsk city, Ukrainian officials now say. Kyiv’s forces have fallen back in the face of Moscow’s biggest advance for weeks. Ukraine said its forces still held new defensive lines in the eastern Donbas region, despite apparent Russian advances on two major fronts there that showed how momentum has shifted in recent days. Moscow’s separatist proxies said they were in full control of Lyman, which Russia has attacked from the north.

Putin ‘ready to discuss prisoner swap' Friday 27 May 2022 16:45 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 16:45 , Jane Dalton Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer said Vladimir Putin has told him in a telephone call that Moscow would meet its natural gas delivery commitments and was ready to discuss a prisoner swap with Ukraine. Meanwhile, Germany’s development minister, Svenja Schulze, has travelled to Ukraine to pledge further civilian support and to discuss the country’s rebuilding. And Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with Italy’s Prime Minister unblocking wheat exports from Ukraine to tackle the food crisis that is threatening the world’s poorest countries, Mario Draghi’s office said. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports has prevented shipments of grain, of which both countries are major exporters. Moscow accuses Ukraine of mining the ports, and Ukraine has described the Russian position as “blackmail”. In a phone call, Mr Draghi assured the Italian government’s support for Ukraine along with the rest of the European Union countries.

Ukraine calls on Germany to halt or limit Russia gas imports Friday 27 May 2022 16:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 16:00 , Lamiat Sabin Ukraine‘s state gas company and gas infrastructure operator have issued a request to the German government to either halt or severely limit its gas supply from Russia via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline. © Provided by The Independent File photo of German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (AP) The request argues that the operation of the pipeline is allowed under German law on the basis that it contributes to the strengthening of the security of gas supplies to Europe – but that Russia had “violated these principles”. This is according to Serhiy Makogon, the head of Ukraine‘s gas system operator.

Ukraine fighting to keep control of town of Lyman Friday 27 May 2022 15:30 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 15:30 , Lamiat Sabin Ukrainian troops are fighting to keep control of the northwestern and southeastern parts of the town of Lyman, the country’s defence ministry said, as Russia’s offensive in east Ukraine gathers pace. Ukrainian troops were “counteracting attempts” by Russia to push its offensive towards the key Ukrainian town of Sloviansk, defence ministry spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk said at a briefing. Reuters

‘Majority of Severodonetsk surrounded by Russian forces’ Friday 27 May 2022 15:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 15:00 , Lamiat Sabin Ukrainian forces are reportedly engaged in a “fierce defence” of the eastern city of Severodonetsk, which is two-thirds surrounded by Russian forces. This is according to Serhiy Gaidai, the governor of the region of Luhansk – which is controlled by Moscow-backed separatists. © Provided by The Independent Shelling in the city of Severodonetsk, eastern Ukraine, on 21 May (AFP via Getty Images) He was citing Oleksandr Stryuk, the head of Severodonetsk’s administration, who had also said that “very strong” shelling had damaged 90 per cent of the housing in the city.

‘Legitimate’ for West to send weapons to Ukraine - Liz Truss Friday 27 May 2022 14:40 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 14:40 , Lamiat Sabin UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said it was legitimate for Western nations to send tanks and planes to Ukraine. She told a news conference: “We are very clear it is completely legitimate to be supporting Ukraine with tanks, with planes and we're very supportive of the work that the Czech Republic has done sending tanks to Ukraine.” © Provided by The Independent Foreign secretary Liz Truss (AP) It comes after Boris Johnson told Bloomberg that the West should send Ukraine more offensive weapons such as Multiple Launch Rocket Systems that can strike targets from much further away.

‘Shelling making evacuations in Kherson almost impossible’ Friday 27 May 2022 14:20 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 14:20 , Lamiat Sabin Russian forces have been shelling Ukrainian-controlled areas in the Kherson region – just north of Crimea – and making it difficult for evacuations to take place, according to a local official. The troops are reinforcing their defensive positions at the same time, the region’s Ukrainian governor Hennadiy Laguta said. © Provided by The Independent Kherson in southern Ukraine (Google) Mr Laguta told a media briefing that the humanitarian situation was critical and that people are finding it almost impossible to leave areas occupied by Vladimir Putin’s troops. He said the only exception was a 200-car convoy that left on Wednesday.

At least 4,000 Ukrainians killed in the war - UN’s rights office Friday 27 May 2022 14:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 14:00 , Lamiat Sabin More than 4,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine during the Russian invasion, according to the UN’s rights office (OHCHR). But, it said, the true death toll is likely to be much higher. In total, 4,031 people have been killed, including nearly 200 children, according to OHCHR, which has dozens of monitors in the country. Most were killed by explosive weapons with a wide impact such as shelling from heavy artillery or airstrikes. It did not attribute blame for the deaths. Russia has denied targeting civilians in the conflict.

EU could delay sanctions on pipeline deliveries of Russian oil Friday 27 May 2022 13:40 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 13:40 , Lamiat Sabin The European Union said it’s negotiating a deal that would impose sanctions on Russian oil shipments but delay sanctions on oil delivered by pipeline. The move is being considered to appease Hungary and a number of other landlocked EU member states. The countries’ resistance to oil sanctions has held up the implementation of the sixth package of sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. © Provided by The Independent EU member states’ ambassadors could reach an agreement by Sunday (Aaron Chown/PA) One official said: “The idea is to split the oil embargo into pipeline and seaborne deliveries. “Pipeline would get an exemption for some time to organise a replacement.” An agreement could be reached by EU member states’ ambassadors in Brussels on Sunday, in time for their leaders to agree at a May 30-31 summit, another official said.

Up to 1,500 people killed in Donbas war Friday 27 May 2022 13:03 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 13:03 , Jane Dalton As many as 1,500 people have been killed in fighting in the separatist-controlled province of Donbas during the war, officials say. Up to 13,000 people remain in the city of Sievierodonetsk - down from a pre-war population of about 100,000 - and 60 per cent of residential buildings have been destroyed, said Sievierodonetsk’s mayor. Kyiv has made an urgent plea for more weapons from western allies. David Harding reports: © Provided by The Independent Ukraine pleads for western help as Russian advance continues in Donbas

Occupied regions switch to Russian phone codes Friday 27 May 2022 12:50 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 12:50 , Jane Dalton Two southeastern Ukrainian regions seized by Russian troops have switched to Russian area codes, state-owned media says. Kremlin-controlled news agency Ria Novosti reported that occupied parts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia were changing codes, and a new mobile operator had begun working there.

Putin’s forces kill four people as they bombard stronghold cities Friday 27 May 2022 12:36 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 12:36 , Jane Dalton Russian forces have pounded the last Ukrainian strongholds in a separatist-controlled eastern province, including a city where authorities said 1,500 people have been killed and 60 per cent of residential buildings destroyed. Ukraine‘s foreign minister warned that without a new injection of foreign weapons, Ukrainian forces would not be able to stop Russia from seizing Sievierodonetsk and Lysychansk, which are crucial to Russia’s goal of capturing all of the Donbas region. The cities are the last areas under Ukrainian control in Luhansk, one of two provinces that make up the region. “The Russians are pounding residential neighborhoods relentlessly,” regional governor Serhiy Haidai wrote in a Telegram post. “The residents of Sievierodonetsk have forgotten when was the last time there was silence in the city for at least half an hour.” Russian shelling killed four people in the city over the past 24 hours, he said.

Use of US long-range rockets would cross red line, warns Russia Friday 27 May 2022 12:13 , Jane Dalton Friday 27 May 2022 12:13 , Jane Dalton If Ukraine uses long-range rocket systems sent by President Biden, it will amount to the US “crossing a red line”, Russian state television claims. It will be “an attempt to provoke a very harsh response from Russia”, the official channel announcer said. The US is set to agree to requests from Ukrainian officials to step up the weaponry it is offering the country’s armed forces: advanced, long-range rocket systems. Russian state TV has just told viewers that Ukraine using these long-range rocket systems will amount to the US "crossing a red line" (with subtitles) https://t.co/2j44NBEUqA pic.twitter.com/MA7tlHAODU — Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) May 27, 2022

Kremlin blames Ukraine for stalled peace talks Friday 27 May 2022 12:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 12:00 , Lamiat Sabin Russia said it blames Ukraine for the stalled peace talks between the two countries. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a call with reporters: “The Ukrainian leadership constantly makes contradictory statements. This does not allow us to fully understand what the Ukrainian side wants.” © Provided by The Independent File photo of Dmitry Peskov (via REUTERS) It comes as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine has to face the reality that it will likely be necessary to engage with Vladimir Putin to end the war. But Russia does not appear to be ready yet for serious peace talks, Mr Zelensky said.

Zelensky: Ukraine has to ‘face reality’ and talk to Putin Friday 27 May 2022 11:40 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 11:40 , Lamiat Sabin Ukraine has to face the reality that it will likely be necessary to engage with Vladimir Putin to end the war, Volodymyr Zelensky said. But Russia does not appear to be ready yet for serious peace talks, the Ukrainian president said. © Provided by The Independent Archive photo of Volodymyr Zelensky (EPA) Mr Zelensky said in an address to an Indonesian think tank: “There are things to discuss with the Russian leader. “I’m not telling you that to me our people are eager to talk to him, but we have to face the realities of what we are living through. “What do we want from this meeting... We want our lives back... We want to reclaim the life of a sovereign country within its own territory.”

West should send Ukraine more heavy artillery, UK PM says Friday 27 May 2022 11:20 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 11:20 , Lamiat Sabin Boris Johnson told Bloomberg that the West should send Ukraine more offensive weapons such as Multiple Launch Rocket Systems that can strike targets from much further away. The prime minister played down the prospect of meaningful peace talks with Vladimir Putin, saying: “How can you deal with a crocodile when it’s in the middle of eating your left leg? The guy’s completely not to be trusted.” © Provided by The Independent Johnson said Vladimir Putin (pictured) is ‘completely not to be trusted’ (AP)

Putin’s troops making ‘palpable progress’ in Donbas - Johnson Friday 27 May 2022 11:00 , Andrew Woodwock Friday 27 May 2022 11:00 , Andrew Woodwock Boris Johnson has struck a gloomy note on the war in Ukraine, warning that Russia’s president Vladimir Putin is making “palpable progress” in his bid to seize the eastern Donbas region. The prime minister said Western states should not be “lulled” by the early Ukrainian successes around capital Kyiv into thinking that the threat from Russia had been overcome. He said it was “absolutely vital” for countries like the UK to keep supporting president Volodymyr Zelensky’s regime with military supplies. © Provided by The Independent British prime minister Boris Johnson (PA Wire) Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Mr Johnson said: “I think it’s very, very important that we do not get lulled, because of the incredible heroism of the Ukrainians pushing the Russians back from the gates of Kyiv. “I’m afraid that Putin - at great cost to himself and to the Russian military - is continuing to chew through ground in Donbas. He’s continuing to make gradual, slow, but I’m afraid palpable progress. “Therefore, it is absolutely vital that we continue to support the Ukrainians militarily.”

Moscow expels Croatian embassy staff in retaliatory move Friday 27 May 2022 10:30 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 10:30 , Lamiat Sabin Five staff members of the Croatian embassy in Moscow are being expelled from the country. This was announced by Russia’s foreign ministry. The move is in response to Zagreb kicking out 24 Russian embassy staff from Croatia in April, over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Separatists say they took over Lyman town in eastern Ukraine Friday 27 May 2022 10:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 10:00 , Lamiat Sabin Pro-Russian separatists from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) said that they have established full control over the town of Lyman in eastern Ukraine. © Provided by The Independent Location of Lyman, in eastern Ukraine (Google) Ukrainian and Russian forces had been fighting for the Donbas region town for several days. Reuters news agency said it could not immediately confirm the information.

At least 5,000 POWs in Donetsk region - says separatist leader Friday 27 May 2022 09:45 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 09:45 , Lamiat Sabin More than 5,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war are being held in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), the province’s separatist leader said. The comment by Denis Pushilin was reported by Russian news agency TASS. Reuters news agency said it was not immediately able to verify the report. © Provided by The Independent Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed DPR (Tass) Yesterday, Luhansk official Rodion Miroshnik was quoted by TASS as saying that there are about 8,000 prisoners of war in both separatist-controlled regions of eastern Ukraine – in DPR and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR). Mr Miroshnik reportedly said: “There are a lot of prisoners. Of course, there are more of them on the territory of Donetsk People’s Republic, but we also have enough, and now the total number is somewhere in the region of 8,000. “That’s a lot, and literally hundreds are being added every day.”

Russia forced to re-mobilise Soviet-era T-62 tanks due to losses Friday 27 May 2022 09:40 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 09:40 , Lamiat Sabin Russia has deployed its Soviet-era T-62 tanks after losing more than 1,300 armoured vehicles during its invasion of Ukraine. The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that the tanks – that are up to 60-years-old – have been taken out of “deep storage” to be used in southern Ukraine, where Vladimir Putin’s troops are seeking to occupy seized territory. The tanks are said by the MoD to be “particularly vulnerable” to anti-tank weapons. The British government department said that the move to use them highlights “Russia’s shortage of modern, combat-ready equipment”. © Provided by The Independent Cars pass by destroyed Russian tanks in the village of Dmytrivka, close to Kyiv (AP) In its latest intelligence update, the MoD said: “Russian ground forces continue their attempt to surround Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, recently capturing several villages north-west of Popasna. “Russia is pressuring the Severodonetsk pocket although Ukraine retains control of multiple defended sectors, denying Russia full control of the Donbas.” Ukraine’s armed forces said the tanks are being used around Zaporizhzhia. Russia has lost 1,322 tanks and 29,750 troops, it also said.

Ukraine says it’s boosting protection at its Belarus border Friday 27 May 2022 09:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 09:00 , Lamiat Sabin Ukraine is taking measures to strengthen its defence on its border with Belarus, as it said the threat of missile and air strikes from its neighbour remains. © Provided by The Independent The Chornobyl zone near the Ukraine-Belarus border crossing (Getty Images) In the Ukrainian ministry of defence’s daily operational update, it said today: “There are no significant changes in the activity of units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus in the Volyn and Polissya areas. “Measures to strengthen the protection of the Belarusian-Ukrainian border are underway. The threat of missile and air strikes from the territory of the Republic of Belarus remains.”

Russian troops break into hotel in Severodonetsk Friday 27 May 2022 08:30 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 08:30 , Lamiat Sabin A sabotage and reconnaissance group of the Russian military broke into a hotel after Ukrainian forces tried to drive the troops out of Severodonetsk, according to a local official. The cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk, in eastern Ukraine, are being bombarded by Russian forces. Oleksandr Striuk, the head of the City Civil-Military Administration of Severodonetsk, reportedly told a news programme: “We have a hot spot – this is the Myr Hotel that was entered by a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group, which during the day we tried to get out of there. “The situation there was quite fierce, but we persevered. “They tried to enter from the other side... At the same time, the artillery shelling of the city is relentless.” Mr Striuk said that 12 people had been evacuated from the city over the past 24 hours.

Ukraine says fast-tracking of Russian citizenship is ‘violation’ Friday 27 May 2022 08:00 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 08:00 , Lamiat Sabin Kyiv has responded to the publication of a Russian presidential decree simplifying the procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship in the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of southern Ukraine. The Ministry of Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine said that the push for Russian citizenship and passports is a “gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the Ukrainian state. © Provided by The Independent Ukrainians are being pushed to become Russian citizens (AFP via Getty Images) “This decree will not have any legal consequences. Because the international community and international law will give due consideration to bold actions, the scale of which has not been repeated since the Second World War,” the statement said. The ministry said the forced passportization of Ukrainians should be an indisputable reason for the European Union and other countries to impose new packages of sanctions against Russia from the European Union and other countries.

Fiji court dismisses appeal over Russian-owned superyacht Friday 27 May 2022 07:35 , Lamiat Sabin Friday 27 May 2022 07:35 , Lamiat Sabin The US won the latest round of a legal battle today to seize a $325-million Russian-owned superyacht in Fiji. Fiji’s Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Feizal Haniff, who represents the company that legally owns the superyacht Amadea. © Provided by The Independent The superyacht Amadea (AP) Mr Haniff had argued the US had no jurisdiction under Fiji’s mutual assistance laws to seize the vessel, at least until a court ascertained who was the true owner of the superyacht. He said he now plans to take the case to Fiji’s Supreme Court. The US argues that its investigation has found that the Cayman Islands-flagged yacht is owned by the sanctioned Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician.

End military action in Black Sea for grain export, says economic adviser Friday 27 May 2022 07:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 07:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ukraine has grain reserves to meet domestic and global demand until the end of 2022 provided all military actions in the Black Sea are called off, Oleh Ustenko, president Volodymyr Zelensky’s economic adviser, said. “Russia wanted to use food as a weapon, among other things,” he said. “They are playing different cards at the same time - energy, food, plus they are conducting their ‘military operation’ on our land and destroying infrastructure, as well as destroying all our food supplies,” he explained. Mr Ustenko added: “I believe that the only way to bring grain to world markets is to stop the war or at least stop all military action in the Black Sea.”

Infant and eight others killed in Kharkiv airstrike Friday 27 May 2022 06:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 06:23 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Nine people, including a five-month-old child, were killed by a Russian airstrike in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv on Thursday. “So far, 19 people have been injured, including a nine-year-old child. And unfortunately, nine were killed, including a 5-month-old infant,” governor Oleg Sinegubov said. The family was walking outside when the Russian forces struck the city, killing the infant and the father, the governor added. The mother is in the hospital in critical condition. Kharkiv mayor Igor Terekhov urged people to find shelter following the airstrikes. “Enemy troops are shelling our city again. I urge you to stay in safe places, basements, shelters and at subway stations,” he said in a video on Telegram.

Russian TV claims UK on brink of cannibalism Friday 27 May 2022 05:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 05:42 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar A Russian news outlet has claimed the rising cost of living in the UK may soon force people to resort to cannibalism. Citing an article by Jeremy Clarkson in which the ex-Top Gear presenter joked about Britons eating their neighbours, TsargradTV said “journalists begin to say terrible things aloud, reminding them of the risk of cannibalism”. The television channel quoted Clarkson’s Sunday Times column at length, in which the broadcaster wrote: “Politicians say they are ‘monitoring the situation’, which means they aren’t doing anything at all, but one day they will have to because while people can live without heat or clothing or even sex, they cannot live without food. Hunger makes people eat their neighbours.” Tom Batchelor has more. © Provided by The Independent Russian TV channel claims UK on brink of cannibalism

Russia carrying out ‘genocide’ in Donbas, says Zelensky Friday 27 May 2022 05:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 05:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday accused Russia of carrying out “an obvious policy of genocide” in the Donbas region. “All this, including the deportation of our people and the mass killings of civilians, is an obvious policy of genocide pursued by Russia,” he was quoted by AFP as saying. The war-time president added that Moscow’s offensive in Donbas could end up leaving the region “uninhabited”.

US will not deploy military to assist in Ukraine grain export, says Pentagon Friday 27 May 2022 04:53 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 04:53 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Russia has resorted to weaponising food but the United States has no plans to employ military assistance to move grains outside of Ukraine, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said on Thursday. “Now they’re using economic tools as weapons, they’re weaponising food. They’re weaponising economic assistance. I guess we shouldn’t be surprised by that, since they’ve weaponised everything else, including lies and information, but they’re weaponising it,” Mr Kirby said. When asked if the US military will be pressed into action to aid exports, he added: “There are no plans to use the United States military or military resources or assets to assist in the – in the movement of grain outside of Ukraine.”

Russia blames west for food crisis Friday 27 May 2022 04:36 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Friday 27 May 2022 04:36 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Russia on Thursday accused the west for the growing food crisis that has been worsened by Kyiv’s inability to ship millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products while under attack. Russian president Vladimir Putin told Italian prime minister Mario Draghi that Moscow “is ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and fertiliser on the condition that politically motivated restrictions imposed by the West are lifted”. The UK shot back at Russia by accusing it of “trying to hold the world to ransom,” insisting there would be no sanctions relief.

Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’ Friday 27 May 2022 03:00 , Joe Middleton Friday 27 May 2022 03:00 , Joe Middleton Albania has offered Nato the use of a Soviet naval base “in these dangerous times,” country has announced. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Pashaliman naval base, 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of the capital Tirana, could have “added value” to the alliance and they had prepared a project on its renovation. “In these dangerous times I believe the general may consider having a Nato’s naval base in Albania,” Rama said in a speech Wednesday. Albania, which became a Nato member in 2009, has joined the United States and the European Union in denouncing Russia’s war in Ukraine. © Provided by The Independent Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’

‘This is a critical time’: Ukrainian soldiers pay a heavy price as they fight Russian barrage in the Donbas Friday 27 May 2022 02:00 , Joe Middleton Friday 27 May 2022 02:00 , Joe Middleton Kim Sengupta speaks to some of those injured on the front line, who make clear that more weaponry from the west will help them counter Russia’s firepower. © Provided by The Independent ‘This is a critical time’: Ukrainian forces face Russian barrage in the Donbas

Truss accuses Putin of ‘weaponising hunger’ with Ukrainian grain blockade Friday 27 May 2022 01:00 , Joe Middleton

Zelensky complains about EU divisions on further Russia sanctions Thursday 26 May 2022 23:46 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 23:46 , Joe Middleton Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday complained about divisions inside the EU over more sanctions against Russia and asked why some nations were being allowed to block the plan. The EU is discussing a sixth round of punitive measures, including an embargo on Russian oil imports. Such a move requires unanimity but Hungary opposes the idea for now on the grounds its economy would suffer too much. “How many more weeks will the European Union try to agree on a sixth package?” Zelensky said in a late night address, noting that Russia was receiving a billion euros a day from the 27-nation bloc for energy supplies. “Of course I am grateful to those friends who are advocating new sanctions. But where do the people blocking this sixth package get their power from? Why are they allowed to hold such power?” he asked. Berlin hopes talks on the new round of sanctions will be completed soon but it will not be a topic at a leaders’ summit next week, a German official said on Wednesday. Zelensky’s comments mark the second day in a row that he has sharpened his criticism of the world’s approach to the war. “Pressure on Russia is literally a matter of saving lives. And every day of procrastination, weakness, various disputes or proposals to ‘pacify’ the aggressor at the expense of the victim merely means more Ukrainians being killed,” he said. On Wednesday he savaged suggestions that Kyiv make concessions to bring peace, saying the idea smacked of attempts to appease Nazi Germany in 1938.

Putin and Draghi hold talks on easing international food crisis Thursday 26 May 2022 22:26 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 22:26 , Joe Middleton Vladimir Putin and Italy’s prime minister Mario Draghi on Thursday discussed ways to help ease the international food crisis, with the Kremlin saying this could be done only if the West lifts sanctions. “Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Russian Federation is ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and fertilizers, provided that politically motivated restrictions from the West are lifted,” Moscow said in a statement. Ukraine has described the Russian position as “blackmail”, and British foreign secretary Liz Truss said on Thursday that Putin was “trying to hold the world to ransom” by weaponising the food crisis created by his war on Ukraine. The White House said there were no talks being held about relaxing sanctions on Russia in order to secure grain exports. In a news conference held on Thursday evening, Draghi said he took the initiative of calling the Russian leader. “I felt it was my duty to take (this initiative) because of the gravity of the humanitarian crisis that may affect the world’s poorest,” he told reporters. Draghi said the Russian president told him the food crisis was the fault of sanctions. “I am interested in a more defined, smaller issue, which is to try to see if we can unblock these huge quantities of grain in Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea,” Draghi said. He added he will hold a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on this issue. Russia’s blockade of Ukrainian ports has prevented shipments of grain, of which both countries are major exporters. Russia accuses Ukraine of mining the ports. The conflict is fuelling a global food crisis by sending prices for grains, cooking oils, fuel and fertilizer soaring.

Ukraine shares video meme of ‘suicide’ drone attacking Russian tank set to Star Wars theme Thursday 26 May 2022 21:45 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 21:45 , Joe Middleton Ukrainian armed forces have shared a video of a so-called “kamikaze” or suicide drone neutralising a Russian tank, catching the soldiers drinking alcohol on it off guard. “A modern kamikaze drone, equipped with a powerful explosive, flew straight into the tank, causing irreparable damage to the enemy,” Ukrainian Special Operations Forces said in the Facebook post, sharing the video. “According to our soldiers, the Russian occupiers were quietly drinking alcohol at one of the positions, sitting on the armor of their tank. However, the usual Russian occupation was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected attack from the air,” it added. It was the first time Ukrainian officials have released video of the US-supplied Switchblade drones in action. © Provided by The Independent Ukraine shares meme of ‘suicide’ drone attacking Russian tank

It’s time to be realistic about the war in Ukraine Thursday 26 May 2022 21:15 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 21:15 , Joe Middleton Any resolution will proceed from facts on the ground as they are, not as we would wish they were, writes Mary Dejevsky. © Provided by The Independent It’s time to be realistic about the war in Ukraine | Mary Dejevksy

Putin ‘holding the world to ransom’ over food, says Liz Truss Thursday 26 May 2022 20:44 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 20:44 , Joe Middleton Vladimir Putin is holding “the world to ransom” over food, Britain’s foreign minister Liz Truss has claimed. Speaking on a trip to Bosnia, she also accused the Russian leader of “weaponising hunger” across the world. David Harding reports. © Provided by The Independent Putin ‘holding the world to ransom’ over food, says Liz Truss

‘This is a critical time’: Ukrainian soldiers pay a heavy price as they fight Russian barrage in the Donbas Thursday 26 May 2022 20:17 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 20:17 , Joe Middleton Kim Sengupta speaks to some of those injured on the front line, who make clear that more weaponry from the west will help them counter Russia’s firepower. © Provided by The Independent ‘This is a critical time’: Ukrainian forces face Russian barrage in the Donbas

It’s time to be realistic about the war in Ukraine Thursday 26 May 2022 20:46 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 20:46 , Joe Middleton Any resolution will proceed from facts on the ground as they are, not as we would wish they were, writes Mary Dejevsky. © Provided by The Independent It’s time to be realistic about the war in Ukraine | Mary Dejevksy

We need more heavy weapons, says Ukraine’s foreign minister Thursday 26 May 2022 19:42 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 19:42 , Joe Middleton The military situation in eastern Ukraine is even worse than people say it is and the country needs heavy weapons now to effectively fight Russia, foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Thursday. Mr Kuleba, taking part in a live question and answer session with Twitter users, also said peace talks with Russia were not really taking place. Spoke with my German counterpart @ABaerbock and briefed her on the difficult situation in the Donbas. We need more heavy weapons delivered as soon as possible, especially MLRS, to repel Russian attacks. Also discussed further sanctions on Russia and Ukraine’s EU candidate status. — Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) May 26, 2022

Truss accuses Putin of ‘weaponising hunger’ with Ukrainian grain blockade Thursday 26 May 2022 19:25 , Joe Middleton

Italy attempts to unblock free grain exports in Black Sea ports Thursday 26 May 2022 18:45 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 18:45 , Joe Middleton Italy aims to free grain exports blocked in Black Sea ports, prime minister Mario Draghi told reporters on Thursday following a phone call he held with Russian president Vladimir Putin. “The first initiative one could begin to explore is to see whether a cooperation between Russia and Ukraine to unblock Black Sea ports could be built,” Draghi said. Draghi said he would soon talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on this issue.

Seven more civilians die in conflict hotspot amid Putin’s push to seize Donbas Thursday 26 May 2022 18:19 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 18:19 , Joe Middleton At least seven more civilians were reported to have been killed during Russia’s continued push to seize the Donbas region in eastern Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s forces have been trying to take full control of Donbas after having failed to seize Kyiv, or Ukraine’s second-biggest city Kharkiv, during the war which has lasted for three months. The Donbas region is comprised of two separatist Moscow-backed provinces – Luhansk and Donetsk. More than 40 towns in both provinces have been shelled, according to the Ukrainian armed forces. Lamiat Sabin reports. © Provided by The Independent Seven more civilians die amid Putin’s push to seize Donbas in eastern Ukraine

Russian shelling kills at least seven and wounds 17 in Kharkiv, say local authorities Thursday 26 May 2022 17:43 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 17:43 , Joe Middleton Russian shelling killed at least seven civilians and wounded 17 in the city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine on Thursday, local authorities said. Kharkiv, Ukraine‘s second biggest city, had been relatively quiet since Ukrainian forces regained territory around it and pushed back Russian troops this month, enabling the authorities to reopen the city metro network. But Russia appears to have halted its retreat and a Reuters correspondent in Kharkiv said repeated explosions could be heard on Thursday as Russian forces dug in and maintained control of positions in villages north of the city. “It’s too early to relax,” Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synehubov said, reporting heavy fighting to the north and northeast of the city. “The enemy is again insidiously hitting the civilian population, terrorising them.”

ICYMI: Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’ Thursday 26 May 2022 17:20 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 17:20 , Joe Middleton Albania has offered Nato the use of a Soviet naval base “in these dangerous times,” country has announced. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Pashaliman naval base, 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of the capital Tirana, could have “added value” to the alliance and they had prepared a project on its renovation. “In these dangerous times I believe the general may consider having a Nato’s naval base in Albania,” Rama said in a speech Wednesday. Albania, which became a Nato member in 2009, has joined the United States and the European Union in denouncing Russia’s war in Ukraine. Llazar Semini reports © Provided by The Independent Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’

WHO votes to adopt Wester-led resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine Thursday 26 May 2022 16:56 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 16:56 , Joe Middleton A World Health Organization (WHO) assembly on Thursday voted to adopt a Western-led resolution condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine which it says led to a health emergency. The resolution was approved by 88 votes in favour and 12 against, with 53 abstentions, the meeting’s president Hiroki Nakatani said prompting a standing ovation by the resolution’s backers. Typically, the WHO annual assemblies make decisions by consensus. A parallel proposal brought to the annual assembly by Russia and Syria was rejected with 66 against and 15 in favour with 70 abstentions.

Putin ‘glad’ foreign companies have left Russia Thursday 26 May 2022 16:36 , Joe Middleton Thursday 26 May 2022 16:36 , Joe Middleton President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he was glad some foreign companies had left Russia because home-grown businesses could take their place. Since the war, a host of major foreign investors - ranging from BP to McDonald’s Corp - have exited just as the Russian economy faces its worst contraction since the years following the turmoil of the Soviet collapse. “Sometimes when you look at those who leave - thank God, perhaps? We will occupy their niches: our business, our production it has already grown, and it will safely sit on the ground prepared by our partners,” Putin said. Speaking by video link to leaders of ex-Soviet states, Putin quipped that luxuries such as the Mercedes favoured by bandits in the chaos of post-Soviet Russia would still be available, though he admitted they might be a little more expensive. “It will be a little more expensive for them but these are people who already drove Mercedes 600s and they will still do so. I can assure you they will bring them in from wherever, from whichever country.” Putin said Russia still needed access to the advanced technologies of developed economies. “We are not going to cut ourselves off from this - they want to squeeze us out a bit, but in the modern world this is simply unrealistic, impossible.” He did not elaborate on how Russia would find ways to maintain access to western components and software.

Zelensky thanks Finnish PM for support as she visits Ukraine Thursday 26 May 2022 16:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 16:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Finland for its support during the war against Russia on Thursday as Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin visited Kyiv. Marin, whose country is a member of the European Union, is the latest European leader to visit Kyiv in a show of solidarity since the Russian invasion on Feb. 24. “For us, Finland’s military assistance is very valuable,” Zelensky, wrote on Facebook after talks with Marin. “Weapons, sanctions policy and the unity of our partners in the issue of Ukraine‘s accession to the EU - this is what can provide strength in the defence of our land. Other European leaders to visit Kyiv since the war began include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola. Marin also went to the towns of Irpin and Bucha where Ukraine suspects Russian troops carried out atrocities. Russia has dismissed the allegations as a “monstrous forgery” aimed at denigrating the Russian army. Zelensky’s office said Marin had praised Ukrainians for the “heroic spirit” they had shown during the war.

Former Russian general says 'denazification' mission could take up to 10 years Thursday 26 May 2022 16:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 16:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Colonel General and ex-commander of the Airborne Forces Vladimir Shamanov in an interview with journalist Oksana Kravtsova on YouTube that Russia’s ‘special military operation’ could take between five to 10 years. He said in the interview: “Those who expected that we [in Ukraine] would be met with flowers, this is one of the main mistakes that we felt very keenly in the first five days [of the special operation]. Today we have already overcome this component, but there is still a lot to be done,”

Black Sea ports still the best way to get Ukraine's grain moving fast Thursday 26 May 2022 15:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Ukraine is desperately trying to export its vast stores of grain by road, river and rail to help avert a global food crisis but has no chance of hitting its targets unless Russia‘s blockade of its Black Sea ports is lifted, a government official has said. Before Russia sent troops into Ukraine, the country had the capacity to export up to 6 million tonnes of wheat, barley and maize a month but exports collapsed to just 300,000 tonnes in March and 1.1 million in April. While the government wants to lift that to 2 million, it is hitting logistical bottlenecks ranging from a lack of train wagons, fuel and trucks to freight wagons using a wider rail gauge than its neighbours, obstacles that could take years and billions of dollars to overcome. At the moment, Ukraine has at least 20 million tonnes of surplus grain in silos and the APK-Inform agricultural consultancy estimates another 40 million could be available for export once the next harvest comes in this summer. “There is hunger in Africa and in other countries. We have seen the dynamics of a population missing that food from year to year,” said Roman Rusakov, a senior official at Ukraine‘s Agriculture Ministry. “I just cannot imagine what might happen without Ukraine shipping next season’s exportable surplus.” “Ports are necessary. But having said that we certainly will improve our railway logistics. Meantime, (river) ports will be in place to do a good job. But will it be enough to reach the target of like 6, 7 million a month? No way.” he told Reuters. “The first task is to reach 2 million.”

McDonald’s Russia restaurants to reopen under new brand from June 12 Thursday 26 May 2022 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain McDonald’s Russia said on Thursday it plans to reopen restaurants to the public from June 12 under a new brand that will be introduced separately, after the burger chain said it was selling to a local licensee. The fast-food company is selling its restaurants in Russia, exiting in opposition to Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and ending more than three decades of the “Golden Arches” in the country.

16 helicopters provided Mariupol defenders with arms, supplies, additional soldiers Thursday 26 May 2022 15:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:35 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain According to Ukraine’s latest intelligence update, 16 helicopters provided Mariupol defenders with arms, supplies, additional soldiers. Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said that there have been 7 missions during which Mi-8 helicopters provided Azovstal defenders with arms, ammunition, medicine & food. ⚡️Defense Intelligence: 16 helicopters provided Mariupol defenders with arms, supplies, additional soldiers. Intelligence Chief Kyrylo Budanov said that there have been 7 missions during which Mi-8 helicopters provided Azovstal defenders with arms, ammunition, medicine & food. — The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 26, 2022

Russia seeking to encircle Ukrainian forces Thursday 26 May 2022 15:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:23 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Reuters journalists operating in Russian-held territory further south saw proof of Moscow’s advance in the town of Svitlodarsk, where Ukrainian forces withdrew earlier this week. The town is now under firm control of pro-Russian fighters, who have occupied the local government building and hung a red flag bearing the Soviet hammer and sickle at the door. Drone footage filmed by Reuters of the nearby abandoned battlefield showed scores of craters pockmarking a green field surrounded by wrecked buildings. Pro-Russian fighters were milling about in trenches. Russia‘s recent gains in the Donbas follow the surrender of Ukraine‘s garrison in Mariupol last week, and suggest a shift in momentum on the battlefield after weeks in which Ukrainian forces had advanced near Kharkiv in the northeast. “Recent Russian gains offer a sobering check on expectations for the near term,” tweeted defence analyst Michael Kofman, director of Russian studies at the U.S.-based CNA think-tank. Russian troops have broken through Ukrainian lines at Popasna, south of Sievierodonetsk, and are threatening to encircle Ukrainian forces, he wrote. “The extent to which this breakthrough at Popasna threatens Ukraine‘s overall position depends on whether or not Russian forces gain momentum.” Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Vadym Denisenko told a briefing 25 Russian battalions were attempting to surround the Ukrainian forces.

Four killed in Kharviv shelling Thursday 26 May 2022 15:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:10 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A regional governor in eastern Ukraine says shelling of the city of Kharkiv killed at least four civilians. Kharkiv Gov. Oleg Synyehubov said that another seven residents of Ukraine‘s second-largest city were wounded in Thursday’s shelling. He urged people to stay in shelters, warning that the barrage might continue.

Putin says West will fail in isolating Russia Thursday 26 May 2022 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Russian President Vladimir Putin says the West will fail in its attempts to isolate Russia and face growing economic problems. Speaking today via video link to members of the Eurasian Economic Forum, Putin said Russia wasn’t going to shut itself off from international cooperation. The forum includes several ex-Soviet nations.Putin said that trying to isolate Russia is “impossible, utterly unrealistic in the modern world” and “those who try to do it primarily hurt themselves.” The Russian leader cited growing economic challenges in the West, including “inflation unseen in 40 years, growing unemployment, rupture of supply chains and the worsening of global crises in such sensitive spheres as food.” “This is not a joke,” he said. “This is a serious thing that will have an impact on the entire system of economic and political relations.” He lambasted the West for seizing Russian reserves, saying that “the theft of others’ assets never brought any good.”

Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’ Thursday 26 May 2022 14:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 14:49 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Albania has offered Nato the use of a Soviet naval base “in these dangerous times,” country has announced. Prime Minister Edi Rama said the Pashaliman naval base, 180 kilometres (110 miles) south of the capital Tirana, could have “added value” to the alliance and they had prepared a project on its renovation. “In these dangerous times I believe the general may consider having a Nato’s naval base in Albania,” Rama said in a speech Wednesday. My colleague Llazar Semini reports: © Provided by The Independent Albania offers Soviet-built naval base to Nato ‘in these dangerous times’

Russian weapon movement sparks fears of new strike west of Kyiv Thursday 26 May 2022 14:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 14:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain A senior Ukrainian military official conceded at a briefing on Thursday that Russia had the upper hand in fighting in Ukraine‘s eastern Luhansk region at present. “Russia has the advantage, but we are doing everything we can,” General Oleksiy Gromov said. Gromov also said Ukraine had observed Russia moving Iskander missile systems to Belarus’ western Brest region, which Gromov said raised the possibility of new missile strikes on west Ukraine.

International Committee of Red Cross says only 300 families in Russia and Ukraine have answers about loved ones Thursday 26 May 2022 14:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain Thursday 26 May 2022 14:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain The International Committee of the Red Cross said Wednesday that it has been able to give answers to 300 families in Russia and Ukraine about the fate of their loved ones. ICRC Director-General Robert Mardini told reporters that the organisation’s work trying to clarify the fate of missing persons “is very much on track.” He did not disclose the fate of the 300 Russians and Ukrainians, saying only that their families had provided “very concrete questions about their loved ones.” Mardini said some progress has also been made on the right of the ICRC to visit prisoners of war, which is part of the Geneva conventions. “There is agreement on both sides” on this right, “which is good news,” Mardini said, but the major obstacle in the ICRC carrying out visits is the war itself and the logistical constraints. Mardini said the ICRC registered all the Ukrainian fighters that held out until last week at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol before they were taken to Russian-controlled territory. Russia said there were 2,439 Ukrainian fighters. “Registering prisoners of war or detainees amounts to nothing short of a life insurance,” Mardini said.