Russia-Ukraine war: Russia tests hypersonic missile Zircon; "successfully hit target"

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked that he anticipates good news from partner countries about the shipment of weaponry to Ukraine next week.

In a video message, he said that every day, they strive to improve their defence and every day, they get closer to the point where their army outweighs the occupiers both technologically and militarily. He claimed that their partners have a significant role in this and that their willingness to equip Ukraine with everything it needs to safeguard freedom. He further said that he anticipates good news about this next week.

As concerns mount due to the rising food crisis amid the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that Russia is open to talking about options to allow Ukraine to resume grain supplies from seaports in a conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as the Kremlin suggest. Russia blocked Ukraine’s Black sea ports during the war, jeopardising the food supply for dependent countries. Nearly a third of the world's wheat is produced in Russia and Ukraine, which is also a big producer of fertilizer and a large exporter of corn and sunflower oil.

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There are no active actions in Belarus near the border in the region next to Kyiv, as Chairman of Kyiv OVA, Oleksiy Kuleba suggests. He stated that they went on a border patrol with Andriy Nebytov, the chief of the Kyiv region's National Police and that they want to reassure that there is no action on the Belarusian side of the border.

The US Senate is calling on the world to recognize the threat of global famine created by Russia as a war crime. Democratic Senator Robert Menendez stated that Russia has blocked the Ukrainian ports, making grain exports to other countries difficult.

Other Democrats and Republicans agreed on the importance of bringing those responsible for the creation of famine to justice, as well as on the President of the United States publicly suing Putin for using an artificially produced food crisis as a justification to wage war.

It was announced that Japan will contribute $1.7 million to help Ukraine transport humanitarian aid. According to Japan's national broadcaster NHK, the Japanese government cited increased need for humanitarian aid as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine which started on February 24.

On May 28, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a conversation with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on the latest developments in the Donbas region, as the conflict in Ukraine's eastern regions continues to escalate.

The UK government said, "The Prime Minister said that the UK will continue to support the heroic Ukrainian Armed Forces in their efforts to defend their homeland against this barbaric attack, including helping provide the equipment they need."

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Colonel-General Mikhail Mizintsev, head of the Russian Federation's National Defense Control Centre stated that Ukrainian forces are planning a provocation including the use of chemical weapons in Sumy in order to blame the Russian Armed Forces.

According to him, Ukrainian "neo-Nazis" aim to open fire in a residential neighbourhood in Sumy near the Russian border in order to elicit retaliation and then blow up canisters containing chemically harmful substances.

The mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boychenko has warned that outbreaks of infectious diseases are a possibility this summer in Mariupol. According to the mayor, Russian activities in Mariupol resulted in the deaths of 22,000 people, resulting in mass burials. Over 100,000 people are still held captive by the occupiers, and they are not being released.

Luhansk Regional Military Administration suggests that due to the war, more than 3,400 businesses in Luhansk Oblast have ceased operations. There are 479 manufacturing plants in total in the region. According to reports, regional businesses have lost over $100 million in total.

More than 20,000 migrants from Ukraine have entered the Russian Federation territory, per day, which includes 2,672 children, according to the latest report.

Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than 6.7 million Ukrainians have left the country, as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees suggests.

It should be mentioned that as of May 27, 6,737,208 people had departed Ukraine's land. Nearly 3.6 million individuals fled to Poland. Nearly 990,000 individuals went to Romania, over 970,000 to Russia, 671,000 to Hungary, over 477,000 to Moldova, nearly 455,000 to Slovakia and nearly 30,000 to Belarus.

For the next year, US President Joe Biden signed an executive order removing tariffs on steel from Ukraine.

The US President said in a statement that Russia's illegitimate, unprovoked, persistent and brutal war against Ukraine has seriously harmed Ukraine's steel industry and it is projected that severe disruptions in Ukrainian steel production will result in a drop in total steel production as well as imports from Ukraine into the United States.

Biden also said that the steel industry is "historically significant" to Ukraine and that the US is interested in retaining the industry to help the country rebuild.

According to the mayor of the Ukrainian city of Krivoy Rog, Alexander Vilkul, the Russian military launched a missile attack on the city on Saturday. However, he did not share the details of the attack.

In a Telegram message, he said, "Rocket strikes in the area of ​​one of the exits from the city." He encouraged civilians to stay in shelters and not record or share details of the shelling on social media.

At around 6 p.m. in the Sumy region, a Russian jet launched three unguided missiles at two border communities. A woman was hurt, and a church and a kindergarten were damaged as a result of the air strike, as Ukraine's State Border Guard Service suggests.

Stephen King, a well-known American author, has called on the international community to maintain economic pressure on Russia.

On Twitter, he wrote, "Keep the economic pressure on Russia. Slava Ukraini."

The Kremlin claimed on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin has informed French President, Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz about the present position with the now-frozen talks with Ukraine and that Moscow is eager to resume the talks.

In a statement, the Kremlin said that the situation with the negotiations, which have been stopped due to Kyiv's negligence, has received special attention and that Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian side is willing to resume talks.

To strengthen NATO's eastern flank, Spain proposes to send a battery of anti-air missile systems and roughly a hundred troops to Latvia. The Ministry of Defense intends to supply Norwegian SAMs NASAMS. Approximately one hundred troops will be added to the 500-strong Spanish contingent already on the ground.

Latvian Prime Minister Krishianis Karins stated earlier this month that the North Atlantic Alliance should continue to develop the Baltic states' defence capabilities in order to send a message to Russia and its president that they are serious about defending themselves.

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, who was supposed to attend a meeting with the NATO body in Lithuania, was stopped twice at Ukraine- Poland border. According to the statement released by his party’s parliamentary faction, "the former President was stopped twice at a border crossing with Poland while he was on his way to the meeting of NATO’s Parliamentary Assembly, a consultative interparliamentary organisation."

US President Joe Biden mistakenly claimed on Friday that nuclear-capable North Korea has "stood with the US" against Russia and America’s coordinated sanctions on Vladimir Putin’s regime. In his commencement address to graduates at the Naval Academy, Biden appeared to make a gaffe as he implied that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has sided with the US against Russia after it launched a brutal invasion of Ukraine. Biden’s remark confused his spectators.

The port of Mariupol resumed operations Saturday morning after Russian forces said they finished clearing mines from the waters off the city. A vessel bound for the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don entered Mariupol's seaport, on the Azov Sea, in the early hours of Saturday.

Son of British parliamentarian MP Helen Grant who served five years in Britain’s commando unit of the Royal Marine Corps was seen fighting against Russia’s military forces in Ukraine as he lead a team of British and US soldiers in a mission to destroy an armoured vehicle belonging to Moscow. 

A 30-year-old veteran of the Afghanistan war, Ben Grant, arrived in Ukraine in March and enrolled himself under ‘Foreign Legion,’ a foreign military unit of Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine. In the recent footage, Grant can be heard shouting “shoot it now” and “mind the back blast” as he launches an anti-tank missile on a Russian BTR in a woodland in the northeast and blows it up. 

Amid the ongoing devastating war in Eastern Europe, the Russian-occupied Kherson region has closed its borders to surrounding areas in Ukraine. Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russian-installed administration in Kherson, said that the region's border crossings with Ukraine's Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk cities have been completely closed. He further stated that travel from Kherson to Crimea or the Russian-occupied region of Zaporizhzhia is still possible, CNN reported citing Russian state media. 

Finnish Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, who held a meeting with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Friday, affirmed that Finland, Sweden and Turkey had good negotiations on NATO bids of Nordic countries.
While speaking at the meeting in Washington, Haavisto said he had visited Turkey twice to settle the dispute raised by Ankara regarding the NATO membership application submitted by Finland and Sweden. He went on to say that, understandably, different issues may be raised by different allies along the process, Finland has been in contact with Turkey to resolve all the issues. 

Russia asserted Saturday that its troops and separatist fighters had captured a key railway junction in eastern Ukraine, the second small city to fall to Moscow's forces this week as they fought to seize all of the country's contested Donbas region.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the city of Lyman had been “completely liberated” by a joint force of Russian soldiers and the Kremlin-backed separatists, who have waged war in the eastern region bordering Russia for eight years.
Lyman, which had a population of about 20,000 before Russia invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, serves as a regional railway hub. Ukraine's train system has ferried arms and evacuated citizens during the war, and it wasn't immediately clear how the development might affect either capability.

Leaders of the Orthodox churches of Ukraine have adopted measures declaring their full independence from the Russian administration, criticising the Moscow patriarch for his support of the invasion. Archbishop Kliment told the Associated Press the charter adopted on Friday implements rights to sovereign and independent management that was gained by the Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 1991 but were not realized. Orthodoxy, the largest religious denomination in Ukraine, is divided between churches that had been loyal to the Moscow Patriarchate and those under a separate ecclesiastical body. But Kliment said the actions of Russian Patriarch Kirill since the start of the war had been "inadequate to the reality" and part of the push for independence.

As Russia's offensive against Ukraine continues, Moscow has successfully tested the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile on Saturday. According to multiple media reports, Russia has fired the missile from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate stationed in the Barents Sea. As per the Russian Defence Ministry, the missile successfully hit a target stationed 1,000 km away in the White Sea.
 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, on Saturday, took to the microblogging site and slammed Russia for accusing sanctions of soaring inflation in the West and European countries. Kuleba said sanctions on Russia have no connection to the unfolding global food crisis. He said the main reason for the abrupt increase in food prices is shortages created by the Russian military. He appealed to the Russian President to unblock the Ukrainian ports that have been under seizure since the onset of the invasion.

Ukraine's military on Saturday said Russian forces had intensified their offensive in the eastern Donbas region as they try to take control of key settlements. Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Russia was seeking to "gain a foothold" in Lyman behind continued shelling and airstrikes. Russia-backed rebels claimed Friday to have taken over Lyman, but statements from Ukrainian officials have suggested the city, the Donetsk region's large railway hub, is still contested. Shputun said Ukrainian forces had also repelled a Russian assault on the town of Severodonetsk and forced them to retreat.

Fear of the Russian invasion separated them. Now some couples and families in Kharkiv are finally reuniting as people begin to return to Ukraine's second-largest city. At Kharkiv train station, husbands and fathers anxiously wait for the first sight of their loved ones as the train approaches. The first sight in weeks, for many a moment they've been dreaming of for three months.

As Russian forces tried to capture the northeastern city at the beginning of the invasion, Sasha and his wife endured the danger of shelling for almost a month. Then, his wife left for western Ukraine with one of her closest friends while Sasha stayed behind to keep his job at an internet company. Emotions run high as they finally reunite.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a law to extend the age limit for joining the Russian military. As per the new law, Russians under 50 are now eligible to sign their first contract for military service.  Earlier, Russian men up to 40 years of age and foreigners up to 30 could serve in the army.

Moscow defence officials confirmed Saturday morning that Russian troops had captured the town of Lyman, a key railway hub in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region. Speaking at a press briefing, Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Lyman had been "completely liberated" by a joint force of Russian soldiers and Kremlin-backed separatists in Ukraine's east.
Lyman, a town with an original population of over 20,000, lies north of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, cities in the Donetsk region that remain under Ukrainian control.
 

As Russian forces blocked major seaports in Ukraine, the European Union is considering a naval mission to unblock the export of agriculture from the war-torn country, the Spanish newspaper, El Pais reported. As per the reports, the 27-nation bloc will discuss the growing risk of famine in countries dependent on Ukraine’s agricultural exports, blocked by Russia, during a summit on Monday.

Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has written a six-page statement, advising Ukrainians to not rely on the West, but to negotiate with Russia. While Zelenskyy's administration remains firm on its stance, Yanukovych hinted at accepting the Kremlin's demands so as to end the ongoing conflict that has now resulted in thousands of casualties. Notably, the ex-Ukrainian president also accused Kyiv's ally Poland of using the opportunity and attempting to annex the western part of the country. 

Amid the ongoing brutal war in Eastern Europe, Russia has claimed that it will establish a new university in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region. On Friday, the head of the regional government in the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine stated that a new university in Melitopol will be established, combining regional higher institutions. "An order was signed today (May 27) to create Melitopol state university. It will be a large university incorporating educational institutions from across Zaporizhzhia," Yevhen Balytskyi told Sputnik news agency. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin marked Border Guards Day on Saturday by congratulating Russian servicemen for their "courageous actions" in protecting Russian territory amid the special military operation in Ukraine. "The tasks you are facing are particularly important now, given the unprecedented political, economic and information pressure on our country and the build-up of NATO military capacity right at Russia's borders," Putin stressed. The Russian Border Guard Service, the Russian president added, has worked consistently to "identify militants of neo-Nazi groups" and "in organising the passage of refugees, helping women, children, the elderly, everyone who is looking for safety and protection on the territory of Russia." Russia marks Border Guards Day each year on May 28.

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The Ukrainian Joint Force, in its daily war update on Saturday, claimed Russian forces shelled at least 49 settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the last 24 hours. According to the military, the continuous shelling killed four people and injured at least five people. Also, it said the Russian forces destroyed and damaged about 100 civilian infrastructure, including 81 residential buildings.

As the Russian offensive against Ukraine continues even after three months, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's advisor and negotiator, Mykhailo Podolyak said Moscow cannot be trusted by any agreement and added it can only be stopped by force. "Is it possible to negotiate with a country that always lies cynically and propagandistically? Any agreement with Russia isn't worth a broken penny," he wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

As the Russian military offensive against Ukraine entered its 91st day on Saturday, May 28, Moscow has lost an estimated 30,000 troops and 1,300 war tanks ever since the onset of the invasion, according to the data shared by Ukrainian Army's General Staff on its social media account. According to the data, the total combat losses of the Russian invasion forces from February 24 to May 28 are as follows:

• Russia troops: 30,000
• Main battle tanks: 1,300
• Combat armoured vehicles: 3,258
• Artillery systems: 628
• MLR systems: 203
• Anti-aircraft warfare: 93
• Warplanes: 207
• Helicopters: 174

As the Russian offensive against Ukraine continues even after three months, the UK intelligence agency in its daily update said Putin's forces have likely captured most of the town of Lyman in the north of Donetsk. As per the intelligence reports, in the coming days, Russian units in the area are likely to prioritise forcing a crossing of the river. For now, Russia’s main effort likely remains 40 km to the east, around the Sieverodonetsk pocket, it noted.

As Ukraine continues to battle with Russian forces, the international rating agency, S&P downgraded its long-term and short-term foreign currency credit ratings from "B-/B" to "CCC+/C". According to the statement released by the agency on Saturday, it said the country's long-term and short-term national currency credit ratings are at "B-/B" with a negative outlook.

In its latest update, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed that Russia has lost nearly 30,000 soldiers, 3,258 Armored Personnel Vehicles (APV), 1,330 tanks, 628 artillery systems, and 203 Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS), and at least 93 anti-aircraft warfare. In addition, the invaders also lost as many as 2,226 vehicles and fuel tanks, 503 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), 207 aircraft, 174 helicopters, 116 cruise missiles, 48 special equipment and 13 boats, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry stated on Twitter. 

The Prosecutor General’s Office has claimed that the Russian offensive has killed as many as 242 children and injured nearly 440. "The figures are expected to be higher since they do not include child casualties in the areas where hostilities are ongoing and in the occupied areas, it claimed, Kyiv Independent reported. 

The total area of forest fires in Russia has increased by 30% to 60,000 hectares at the end of Friday, May 27. Earlier on May 15, the press service of the Federal Aviation Forest Protection Service reported at least 129 forest fires burnt an area of 19,657 hectares. Forests are burning in the Krasnoyarsk region, where 12,509 hectares are on fire. It said that vast areas of forests are burning in the Republic of Khakassia, Irkutsk, Tyumen, and the Republic of Tyva. 

Patron, a famous mine sniffing dog in Ukraine who has helped Ukrainian forces in finding explosives in the midst of Russian aggression, has won the Palm Dog Award at the Cannes International Film Festival. Patron has aided the Ukrainian military in the detection of over 200 explosives. Earlier, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Ukraine, he had praised Patron for his heroic job. The dog was also honoured by President Zelenskyy for its service.

Russian ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, accused the Biden administration-backed sanctions on Russia behind the soaring inflation. He refuted the US theory that cites Russia's invasion of Ukraine behind the increase in food and energy prices. In a statement released on Friday, the ambassador also criticised the US decision to increase import duty in order to penalise the Russian government. "Traders are facing blocked payments, denials of loans and insurance, problems with booking freight ships, purchase of farm equipment and even seeds. In addition, the US continues to increase import taxes on our fertilizers," he said. 

Russian Federation hopes that "common sense will prevail" and the USA will not send Kyiv long-range missiles, said the Russian ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov. Despite repeated calls from the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Biden administration has stopped short of sending heavy weapons to Kyiv. 

As Ukraine suffers losses in the eastern region, the Biden administration is preparing to send advanced long-range rocket systems to the war-ravaged country, Washington Post reported on Friday. As per the report, the US administration could announce the forthcoming assistance to Ukraine by the next week. The main highlight of the assistance will be the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), which is capable to fire a torrent of rockets. 

Russia must be defeated in Ukraine or the conflict will lead to a third world war, a Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviser claim. Speaking to Ukrainian TV, Mykhailo Podolyak warned that if Moscow does not lose then Russia's "revanchism and chauvinism will only swell". He said this will lead to a third world war, something he says Western countries are aware of and will lead them to supply more weapons.

Ukraine's president has said Russia has bypassed most international sanctions because of a lack of a united global position against its invasion of Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed that some of the countries that imposed sanctions against Russia were at the same time helping Moscow to bypass most of them. Earlier this week, he had slammed European Union for not "compromising with Russia" 

"That's why, unfortunately, we are not seeing that sanctions have been putting much pressure on Russia," Zelenskyy told Stanford University students in a video message.  He also urged the  world leaders to impose sanctions on Moscow saying it's the "right weapon against Russia". 

Ukrainian troops may have to retreat from their last pocket in Luhansk to avoid being taken prisoner, said Serhiy Gaidai, the region's governor. The official added that Russian troops have entered Severodonetsk, which is the largest Donbas city under Ukraine's control.

Some 90% of building in the town are destroyed, he said, while noting that: "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."

Russian local media claims that Ukraine planned to drop a nuclear bomb on Bryansk. The city is situated on River Desna, just 379 kilometres southwest of Moscow.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin assured Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer that an exchange of prisoners will take place between Moscow and Kyiv, as per a statement from the Austrian Chancellery. The statement comes following a 45-minute call between the two leaders. The Russian President also told Nehammer that the International Committee of the Red Cross will "have free access to prisoners of war," and asked for the same to be granted to Russian prisoners of war in Ukraine. 

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto expressed optimism that “sooner or later, Finland and Sweden will be members of NATO” and said discussions with the Turkish government would continue as Ankara threatens to block the two nations from joining the defensive alliance. In an interview with CNN on Friday, Haavisto said he expected that the topic of Finland’s NATO membership and overcoming Turkey’s current opposition would come up in his conversations with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in his meeting later in the day, adding he was “quite confident” that other NATO countries had spoken with Turkey as well.

"From our perspective, the time frame is essential, because we are, of course, looking forward to NATO Summit in Madrid,” which is at the end of June, “and we hope that during the NATO Summit, the new members would be welcomed, at least, and the NATO ‘Open Door Policy’ would be confirmed, but of course, this is up to each and every member state that they can also influence the process,” he said.

Ukrainian officials have denied claims the city in the embattled Luhansk region is surrounded by Russian forces, but acknowledged Russia holds one part of the city and further enemy gains were possible. About 90% of Severodonetsk's housing had been damaged amid a "fierce defense" of the city, a local military official said Friday.

Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has written a six-page statement accusing Poland of intending to annex Ukraine's western regions and advising Ukrainians not to rely on the West, but to negotiate with Russia.

Russia's war on Ukraine entered day 94 on Saturday. As Zelenskyy continues to call for a bolstered weapons supply, here are the latest pictures shared by Associated Press that show the scenarios from grief-torn Ukraine. 

“Ukraine is a country that has destroyed the myth about the extraordinary power of the Russian army -- an army that supposedly, in a few days, could conquer anyone it wants,” country's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Stanford University students by video. “Now Russia is trying to occupy the entire state but we feel strong enough to think about the future of Ukraine, which will be open to the world," he added. On Friday, the 44-year-old leader emphasised that his country will eventually win the war. 

In the Netherlands, an app that turns the phone into a pocket translator and let's communicate with Ukrainians in the Ukrainian language has been launched. The program is called pryvit, and it is available in three languages, Ukrainian, Dutch and English, according to a Ukrinform.

Russian officials are not planning on giving up the declaration of victory in Ukraine and are instead hoping to ramp up the military operations in order to obtain a win by autumn, stated a report by independent news outlet Meduza. The website, citing its own sources, stated on Friday that ‘despite the fact that the results of the Russian army are clearly not in line with Moscow’s original plans, the Kremlin is again discussing possible assault on Kyiv and even hoping for a full-scale victory in the war’.

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Turkey's objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO may be resolved quickly, according to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, possibly in time for a summit of alliance leaders at the end of next month.

Blinken said the US has no reason to assume Turkey's concerns can't be resolved during a news conference in Washington with visiting Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. His remarks come after Turkey's top ambassador stated that Finland and Sweden must take "concrete steps" before Ankara will accept their membership.

On Friday, the head of the regional government in the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine informed Sputnik that a new university in Melitopol will be established, combining area higher institutions. Yevhen Balytskyi said that Melitopol State University will be established by an order signed today and that it will be a huge university with educational institutions from all across Zaporizhzhia as part of it.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany has recommended deploying German armaments straight to the conflict in Ukraine. He said that this step is required to hasten Ukraine's Armed Forces' victory against the adversary.

According to Der Spiegel, Scholz stated that Germany was prepared to provide weaponry to Ukraine immediately to the front lines, despite other countries' customary approach. The German government's top official stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin bears sole responsibility for the "inhumane" war he has fought.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin informed him that Moscow is ready to fulfil its natural gas delivery to Austria and is also willing to consider a prisoner swap with Ukraine after his conversation with Putin on Friday. Nehammer described a 45-minute phone conversation between the two leaders, as an opportunity to confront Putin with the realities of the Ukrainian conflict and propose humanitarian options.

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Russia is on the verge of declaring a historic default, which may happen as soon as next month, according to the media reports. International investors suggest that Russia's position may be the first time in history that a country with an emerging market has been forced to default on bonds due to a technical incapacity to pay debts rather than a shortage of funds in the state treasury.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the situation in Donbas continues to be extremely challenging. He further said that the Russian army has deployed a large amount of weaponry and reserves in the area in order to declare victory by the 100th day of the war.

As the Russia-Ukraine war entered day 93, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Telegram that the Ministry of Justice has been appointed as the main body of executive power that will ensure the enactment of state policy in the recovery of state assets belonging to people who have been sanctioned. According to Shmyhal, Ukraine's Justice Ministry will take measures to find the assets of individuals that have been listed in the National Security and Defense Council.

"A decision was made to designate the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine as the main body of executive power that ensures the implementation of state policy in the field of recovery of state assets of persons subject to sanctions," Denys Shmyhal said in the statement on Telegram.

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Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said that the United States Department of Defense acknowledges the urgency of Ukraine's request for multiple rocket launchers, but the final decision is still pending. He emphasized that heavy battle is taking place in eastern Ukraine and that the Pentagon recognizes the importance of each hour in the struggle against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said that from the beginning, their purpose was to assist Ukrainians in their current struggle.

Jana Cernochova, the Czech Defense Minister refuted media allegations that NATO allies had formed an unofficial agreement not to supply Ukraine with certain types of heavy weapons. During a press conference in Prague, she stated that such a deal does not exist and that the Czech Republic would not support such a proposal if it were proposed.

Cernochova stated this after a meeting with Slovak Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad, who claimed that Slovakia was unaware of the arrangement that was published this week by the dpa news agency.

During a meeting with the Stanford University community, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the strengthening of government institutions will be rejected by Ukrainian society, but the government must establish a strict security system. The president emphasized that Ukraine is currently battling for the values of freedom and democracy.

US President Joe Biden on Friday said that Russia's Vladimir Putin is attempting to not only take over Ukraine, but also to wipe out the Ukrainian people's culture and identity.

Biden said that Russia is attacking schools, nurseries, hospitals and museums with no other purpose than to eliminate a culture, which is a direct attack on the fundamental tenets of rules-based international order during a commencement address to graduates of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto claimed that Turkey's objections to Finland and Sweden joining NATO can be resolved, and it is critical for Helsinki that this happens before the NATO summit in Madrid in June.

Haavisto said during a press conference that they believe that these issues that Turkey has raised can be resolved, and it's probably quite crucial that some outcomes can be made before the Madrid summit, which is a critical occasion for NATO and also for Finland and Sweden as applicant countries in late June.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend European Union's special meeting on Russia on May 30 and 31. According to the statement released by the European Council on Friday, it said that President of the European Council Charles Michel has invited Zelenskyy to deliver a keynote address on the situation in Ukraine. Michel said that Zelenskyy will join the event via video link at the beginning of the discussion.

"One of our most pressing concerns is assisting the Ukrainian state, along with our international partners, with its liquidity needs. We will also discuss how best to organise our support for Ukraine's reconstruction, as a major global effort will be required to rebuild the country," according to the statement.

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In one day, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed about 60 Russian invaders and an artillery system in the operational and tactical group, according to reports

OTU Vostok stated that Ukrainian defenders continue to impede the aggressor in the operational and tactical group. As a result, on May 27, the Armed Forces destroyed were up to 60 soldiers, one BMP, one BBM, and one artillery system.

Ukraine's First Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Yenin said that Ukraine's security and defence forces are bolstering the country's defence lines, and Ukrainian defenders are keeping a close eye on the frontiers.

In an interview, when asked about possible threats from Belarus, Yenin said Ukrainian law enforcement personnel had brought attention to Alexander Lukashenko's words a few days after his meeting with Russian President Putin concerning the installation of an operational command near the Ukrainian border.

American and Canadian experts have stated that Russia's activities in Ukraine provide enough evidence that the Russian government is instigating genocide and committing atrocities in order to exterminate the Ukrainian people, according to CNN.

The legal assessment accuses Russia of violating several articles of the UN Genocide Convention, which was signed by more than 30 distinguished jurists and genocide experts. It also warns of the grave threat of genocide in Ukraine, citing a long list of cases of mass killings of civilians, forced deportations and anti-Ukrainian rhetoric by high-ranking Russian officials to back up its claims.

Ilya Kostushevych, six years old who was rescued by volunteers from a blockaded Mariupol, heard an open letter from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to Ukrainian youngsters and chose to respond. To the poignant handwritten message, the child added a Ukrainian flag and a photo of his cat Frosia.

The boy wrote, "Dear Boris Johnson! I want the war to end sooner so that people don’t die anymore. I want to play football at home in Mariupol. I would like all the children of the world not to have a war. Greetings to all the children in Britain, thank you for helping us. We will win! I have a cat, Frosia. I am sending you the flag of Ukraine that I drew. I hug you tightly"

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby has claimed that military involvement to unblock Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea is not being considered by the US.

He emphasised that the world is concerned about the food catastrophe caused by Russia's Black Sea blockade of Ukrainian ports. Kirby further said that however, president Biden has indicated unequivocally that the US military would not engage in combat in Ukraine. This holds true for the skies over Ukraine and a possible naval battle with Russia.

Germany has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the G-7 summit in Germany next month as a special guest, and he has accepted, according to Germany's Ambassador to India, Walter J Lindner, who stated that said that Germany respects India's perspective on the Russia-Ukraine issue while speaking with journalists.

He said, "In the beginning, there were negotiations in the UN on the adoption of resolutions and there was an expectation that India would condemn the Russian invasion. But I think it has never damaged our relationship because we as Germans but also others in Europe have said, we respect Indian position."

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Slovakia has inked a contract with Norway for the supply of Norweigan natural gas, which would cover around 32% of the country's yearly consumption and help the country lessen its reliance on Russian gas.

Minister of Economy Richard Sulik stated that a deal for the supply of Norwegian gas until the end of next year, covering 32% of demand, as well as a contract for the delivery of LNG gas, was signed on May 26. According to the minister, the Slovak energy firm has gas transhipment facilities in Croatia, Belgium, Italy and England, allowing for the monthly pumping and supply of one or two LNG gas tankers to the pipelines.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Friday, took to the microblogging site and informed that he held a telephonic conversation with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi. During the conversation, both the leaders discussed lending further military support to the war-ravaged nation. "Raised the issue of fuel supply. Ways to prevent the food crisis were discussed. We have to unblock ports together," Zelenskyy said. 
 

Amid the relentless war, Ukraine’s Air Force shoot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet in Kherson Oblast on Friday. With the latest update, General Staff said the Ukrainian army destroyed a total of 206 Russian aircraft since the "special military operation" started in February this year.

The U.K.’s top diplomat says countries supporting Ukraine have to be “ready for the long haul” and there should be no talk of “appeasing” Russian President Vladimir Putin. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said after meeting her Czech counterpart in Prague Friday that “we need to make sure that Ukraine wins and that Russia withdraws and that we never see this type of Russian aggression again.” She said that “there should be no talk of cease-fires, or appeasing Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend  European Union's special meeting on Russia on May 30 and 30. According to the statement released by the European Council on Friday, it said President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has invited Zelenskyy to deliver a keynote address on the situation in Ukraine. Michel said Zelenskyy will join the event via video link at the beginning of this discussion. 

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry warned on Friday of existing threats of Russian missile strikes from Belarusian territory.
The spokesman for the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzyanyk, said that the short range ballistic missile system Iskander M had been moved to areas in Belarus bordering Ukraine. Motuzyanyk said that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, Russia was preparing up to 1,500 reservists who could be involved in fighting three weeks after completing training in the border regions. The spokesman also said that Ukrainian forces were countering Russia's attempts to push them out from north-western and south-eastern parts of Lyman.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has again accused Russia of hindering alternative routes used by the war-torn nation to export grain to the whole world. While speaking at the Indonesian think tank Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia, the President said he wants to avert the food crisis generated by the ongoing war but added that Russian forces are now attacking the alternative route taken by Ukrainian troops. He said Ukraine has been trying to export food grains to the world market by rail through European ports. "We want to prevent the food crisis from unfolding. We are working to shift our exports to new routes as much as possible during the war, and we will supply grain to the world market by rail through European ports," Ukrinform quoted Zelenskyy as saying during the virtual event.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, stated that the accession of new members to the European Union in the south and east of Europe would be the best guarantee of regional stability. According to European Pravda, he stated this during a joint press briefing with Northern Macedonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bujar Osmani. He further added that Northern Macedonia and Ukraine do not consider themselves "competitors" on the road to the EU, referring to the common EU argument that the bloc should first accept Western Balkan countries, which began this process earlier.

Russia-backed rebels in eastern Ukraine claim to have taken control of Lyman, a town in the Donetsk region. There has been no confirmation yet from Ukrainian officials. The military of the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic said on Telegram that rebel forces, supported by the Russian troops, as of Friday “have liberated and taken full control of 220 settlements, including Lyman.” Lyman, which had a pre-war population of over 20,000, is a large railway hub in the Donetsk region, north of Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, cities that remain under Ukrainian control.

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As Russia facing heavy losses on the battlefield, Moscow regional lawmakers are now demanding President Vladimir Putin withdraw Russian troops from Ukraine. According to a report by Kyiv Independent, four Communist members of the legislature of Primorye Krai in Russia’s East have called on Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Similar concerns were also raised by Leonid Vasyukevich, one of the members, during a meeting on Thursday. He admitted that Russian troops have been suffering heavy losses and failed to achieve military success.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on May 26 accused the EU nations of staying divided on approving the sixth round of sanctions against Russia despite “holding such power” to impose a total oil embargo. Ukraine’s leader expressed frustration with EU for holding back the sixth sanctions package, saying that the European struggled to reach a consensus on its latest sanctions, funding the brutal war in Ukraine. "How many more weeks will the European Union try to agree on a sixth package?" Zelenskyy asked during a late-night address.

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The Russian forces hit the barracks of the National Guard in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with an Iskander ballistic missile, resulting in the killing of 10 soldiers and 35 injured. According to the head of the Territorial Defense Force centre in Dnipro, Hennadiy Korban, the Russian forces fired at least three missiles at Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on Friday. Surprisingly, earlier the Defense Ministry had ordered that only 20 service people can be stationed in one place.

Donetsk Oblast Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said that the Russian forces are constantly bombarding the city of Lyman. According to the government, Ukrainian troops have withdrawn to a new line of defence in the Lyman area. Besides, Putin's forces also shelling towards the town of Seredyna-Buda said Ukraine’s Operational Command North. 

As several European nations and the Western countries facing unprecedented inflation due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a photograph highlighting how Russian forces bombard Ukrainian fields.

Amid the row over Sweden and Finland joining the NATO military alliance, Turkey, which has been obstructing the membership bid of both nordic nations, has finally handed over a document outlining Ankara's concerns and expectations "regarding their support for terrorism." According to a report by the Turkish newspaper Sabah, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu confirmed about the document that Ankara has handed over to the representatives of Finland and Sweden during the tripartite meeting in Turkey's national capital. "We have provided the Swedish and Finnish delegations in the talks with a clear, concrete document outlining our concerns and expectations regarding their support for terrorism. If they wish to meet our expectations, we will work within the same mechanism," Cavusoglu said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he believes unprecedented Russophobia of the West will stay with the country for a long time. "In general, we can say with confidence that this situation will be with us for a long time, and we must be prepared for the fact that it has revealed the true attitude of the West to those beautiful slogans that were put forward 30 years ago after the end of the Cold War, about universal human values. We now see what the price of these phrases is," RIA Novosti quoted Lavrov as saying during a meeting on Thursday.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday he was forming a southern military command and sending battalion tactical groups to the area that borders Ukraine. Lukashenko did not give details, but battalion tactical groups typically consist of mechanized infantry including tanks. The president's office released footage of him discussing the move with military officials.
Belarusian territory has been used for rocket attacks on Ukraine, but its military has so far not taken part in the Russian ground operation. Ukrainian authorities have expressed concern and fear that Belarus may agree to wider participation in the war.

Ukraine’s foreign minister is pleading with Western nations to provide Kyiv with heavy weapons to enable it to push Russian forces back. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday night tweeted a video of himself answering questions submitted on Twitter and said: “We need heavy weapons. The only position where Russia is better than us it’s the amount of heavy weapons they have. Without artillery, without multiple launch rocket systems we won’t be able to push them back.”

Movies' streaming app Netflix on Friday announced a suspension of Russian user accounts without a VPN. The US-based company had already ended operations in Russia on March 7 in retaliation to Moscow's war in Ukraine. 

Amid the ravaging war in Eastern Europe, the Ukrainian Defence Ministry claimed that the Volyn and Polesia regions remain under threat by missile attacks from Belarus. In its latest operational update, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the threat of missile attacks from the territory of Belarus remains high as Minsk has been strengthening the security along the border region. Alexander Štupun, a spokesperson for Ukrainian Armed Forces, further stated that the invaders continue to take measures to expand their presence in the Bryansk and Kursk regions. He also claimed that Russia's airborne forces, divided into two battalion tactical groups, have been operating in these regions.

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry further claimed that the enemy's main focus in the Kharkiv region is to maintain the occupied positions and prevent Kyiv's forces from entering such areas.  Štupun claimed that Russian forces have continued their offensive in the Donetsk region by launching missile strikes. "Over the past 24 hours, twelve enemy attacks have been repelled. A tank, five artillery systems, five units of combat armored equipment and five vehicles have been also been destroyed. Air defence units also downed an enemy helicopter ka-52, winged missile and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV),"  Štupun claimed.

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As the Russia-Ukraine war has reached its 93rd day, the UK Defence Ministry issued the latest intelligence update on Friday, 27 May. The British Defence Ministry said that the Russian ground forces continue trying to encircle Severodonetsk and Lysychansk regions as well as have occupied several villages in north-west Popasna. It further said that Russia's Southern Grouping of Forces (SGF) likely continues to make efforts to occupy southern Ukrainian territory. 

"Russian ground forces continue their attempt to surround Severodonetsk and Lyschansk, recently capturing several villages north-west of Popasna," UK Defence Ministry said.

According to the intelligence update released by the UK Defence Ministry, Ukrainian troops retain control of multiple defended sectors and do not allow Russian forces to take control of the Donbass. The Defence Ministry said that Russian forces continue to pressurise the Severodonetsk region. It further added, "In recent days, Russia has likely moved 50-year-old T-62 tanks from deep storage into the SGF’s area of responsibility." The intelligence update said that Russia's inclusion of the 50-year-old T-62 tanks in the ongoing war with Ukraine indicates Moscow's shortage of modern and combat-ready equipment. It is to mention here that the war between Russia and Ukraine which started on February 24 continues for more than 90 days. Ukraine has claimed that 29,600 Russian troops have lost their lives since the war commenced on February 24. 

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Ukraine Armed Forces in its latest operational update stated that the defenders have killed as many as 29,750 Russian troops since the war began on February 24. The Ukrainian forces have also destroyed 3,246 armoured personnel vehicles and over 1,300 Russian tanks. 

The Russian embassy in the US on Thursday yet again accused Ukraine of running US-backed bio laboratories. A  Russian envoy stated that there is irrefutable evidence" of the same, as quoted by NEXTA. Further, they also urged Washington to return to dialogue on the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. 

Severdonetsk city head Oleksandr Struk on Thursday claimed that at least 60% of the housing stock in the city has been destroyed by Russian troops. He further claimed that over 1,500 were killed since the war broke out in Ukraine. 

Accusing the West of spreading false information, the Kremlin on Wednesday refuted claims of blocking grain exports from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. This comes after UK foreign secretary Liz Truss blamed Russia for "weaponising hunger." Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba at the World Economic Forum also informed that Ukraine has at least 20 million tonnes of grain stocked in silos awaiting export. 

As the Russian forces are concentrating their offensive on the east and south Ukrainian towns, the capital city of Kyiv is trying to rebound back to life amid the stark reminders of the grueling war. 

[A man on a bicycle takes pictures of damaged buildings ruined by attacks in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. Image: AP]

[Liudmyla Voronina opens a skylight window on the roof of her house roof as she stands inside her home that was damaged by attacks in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. IMAGE: AP]

Governor of the west Ukrainian town of Lviv, Maksym Kozytskyi, on Thursday took to Telegram and informed that about 71 people from conflict zones have been resettled in Lviv. The development came as Russia focused its assault on the east Ukraine- Donbass region. He added that although sirens blared across the city on May 6, there was no attack. 

US Army General Christopher Cavoli nominated to take over European Command told senators on Thursday that Sweden and Finland’s push to join NATO should not require adding more US ground forces into either country. As quoted by the Associated Press, Gen. Cavoli during his nomination hearing at the Senate Armed Services Committee said, "The centre of gravity of NATO forces has shifted eastward." He added, “Depending on the outcome of the conflict, we may have to continue that for some time.”

The UK ministry of defence (MoD) in its latest report on war said that the Russian troops recently captured several villages in the northwest of Popasna. Further, the invaders have also continued their attempt to surround Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. "

"Russia is pressuring the Severodonetsk pocket although Ukraine retains control of multiple defended sectors, denying Russia full control of the Donbas. Russia’s Southern Grouping of Forces (SGF) likely remains tasked with occupying southern Ukrainian territory. In recent days, Russia has likely moved 50-year-old T-62 tanks from deep storage into the SGF’s area of responsibility," the UK MoD briefing said. 

In response to Kyiv's request, the US is set to deliver advanced long-range rocket systems to Ukraine, CNN reported. The supply will be sent as a part of a large military & security package to Ukraine. This comes after last week Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba repeated urged the western nations to beef up weapons' supply to Ukraine in order to help deter Russian offensive. 

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in its latest update reported that Russia has been preparing for long-term control over southern Ukraine. Meanwhile, a strong Ukrainian counteroffensive in the Mykolaiv and Kherson region also thwarted Russia's attempted assault in the area. 

The United Nations Human Rights agency on Thursday in its report stated that at least 8,691 civilian casualties have been reported in Ukraine since Russia launched its war on February 24. As of May 25, as many as 3,998 people have been killed and at least 4,693 have been wounded with life-threatening injuries, the UN body said. Although, the agency believes that the onground reports are much higher. 

As many as 9 people, including a 5-month-old baby, were killed in Kharkiv amid "dense shelling", Head of regional military administration, Oleh Synyehubov. "The enemy shelled with MLRS SMERCH and URAGAN and with artillery, modification of which is being established now by our military experts. According to the available data. the shelling was conducted from the North of the oblast, where our troops are holding their positions and slowly pushing the enemy away to the borders. This was a solely residential area, so the aim of this shelling could only be terrorizing the local residents," he said, as quoted by CNN.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday yet again accused Russia of committing 'genocide' in Donbass. Speaking during his usual nightly address, Zelenskyy stated, "The current offensive of the occupiers in Donbas can make the region uninhabited. They want to burn Popasna, Bakhmut, Lyman, Lysychansk, and Severodonetsk to ashes. Like Volnovakha, like Mariupol."

Ukraine's Energy Ministry on Thursday, May 26, claimed that despite active hostilities on its land since the invasion, Ukraine has been, and continues to be a trustworthy partner to the European Union by delivering natural gas and oil transit services to Eastern and Central Europe. It further stated that Ukraine's path to energy independence entails prioritizing domestic demands at the expense of its own resources and one of the most important directions on this path is a speedy recovery and expansion of gas output. 

The Ministry went on to note that it is vital for them to meet the obligations in terms of gas transit to European countries which they do despite Russia's troops attacking the country. It further claimed that Ukraine meets its obligation of oil transit through the Druzhba pipeline for Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, as well as other EU countries.

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday restated his plea to secure multiple launch rocket systems as Russia pulled all stops to salvage a war gone awry. “We are fighting for Ukraine to be provided with all the weapons needed to change the nature of the fighting and start moving faster and more confidently toward the expulsion of the occupier.” Notably, he also lambasted European Union (EU) members for their resistance to imposing harsh sanctions, including the oil embargo on the Russian Federation. 

As the war intensified, embattled Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that the ‘orcs’ were wiping some eastern towns entirely and the region could end up “uninhabited.” He also listed the towns, naming Popasna, Bakhmut, Lyman, Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk as territories which could soon be turned into “Volnovakha and Mariupol.” Zelenksyy buttressed his stance highlighting Thursday’s attack in Kharkiv, where at least nine people, including a five-month-old, lost their lives to Rusian shelling. 

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Putin’s troops have concentrated their attacks around the cities of Izyum and Severodonetsk as it continues to spiral assaults on the Donbas region. In addendum, Russian troops have already claimed control over Rubizhne and Popasna as they encircle Severodonetsk. Meanwhile, Ukraine has also gained considerable success by pushing enemy troops out of the northern city of Kharkiv.

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On the 93rd day of the Russia-Ukraine war in Eastern Europe, the Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin claimed that the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine was a 'turning point' for Europe and the rest of the world, following which it is impossible to resume previous ties with Moscow. Marin’s remarks came during a joint press conference with her Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal in Kyiv on Thursday.  

According to a Ukrinform report, Maris further noted that the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has altered both the security situation and public perceptions of Russia. She stressed by saying, “Trust is lost for generations”.  

The onslaught on Ukraine, according to Marin, has 'encroached' the core ideals of constructing a European common home. Furthermore, the Finnish government's leader stated that after visiting Bucha and Irpin she currently understands what Russia is capable of in terms of hostile measures, as well as the crimes that imperialism implies. 

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday restated his plea to secure multiple launch rocket systems as Russia pulled all stops to salvage a war gone awry. “We are fighting for Ukraine to be provided with all the weapons needed to change the nature of the fighting and start moving faster and more confidently toward the expulsion of the occupier.” Notably, he also lambasted European Union (EU) members for their resistance to imposing harsh sanctions, including the oil embargo on the Russian Federation.

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Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) leader Denis Pushilin told Sputnik that they have proof that certain members of Ukraine's military forces have committed no less heinous crimes such as torture, rape and sadistic murders, among other things.

Ukraine's Energy Ministry on Thursday, May 26, claimed that despite active hostilities on its land since the invasion, Ukraine has been, and continues to be a trustworthy partner to the European Union by delivering natural gas and oil transit services to Eastern and Central Europe. It further stated that Ukraine's path to energy independence entails prioritizing domestic demands at the expense of its own resources and one of the most important directions on this path is a speedy recovery and expansion of gas output.

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During the battle in Ukraine, Russian forces have lost over a thousand tanks, over 350 artillery systems, roughly 30 bombers, and over 50 helicopters, according to a Pentagon official.

Despite these setbacks, the US believes that Russia "retains a significant portion of its capabilities." The US official said that the Russians have put a lot of money into this fight, both in terms of equipment and personnel and that losses have been suffered by both Ukrainians and Russians.

Pentagon said that despite having a massive numerical advantage, Russian troops have made only "little progress" in the conflict against Ukraine. It stated that Russia has deployed 110 active battalion tactical groups BTG in Ukraine but despite their numerical superiority, Russian forces have achieved limited progress, which has been somewhat offset by Ukraine's victories on other fronts, particularly in the Kharkiv region.

In the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko ordered the establishment of the Southern Army Operational Command on the Ukrainian border on Thursday. Lukashenko, in a video clip from a meeting at the Defense Ministry, stated that time has flown by and they have become acutely aware of the need to establish this Operational Command. He further noted that along with the Western and Northwestern Commands, this will be the Southern Branch.

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The latest report suggests that Ukraine is scheduled to get upgraded long-range rocket artillery systems as soon as next week from the US. The missile systems could be included in a new US military support package for Ukraine, according to a report released on Thursday evening. The package could be unveiled as early as next week.

The Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) have been requested by Ukraine, according to the report.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said he has not seen any glimmers of peace in Ukraine during discussions with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.

Draghi told a press conference after a phone conversation with Putin that he did not see any glimmers of peace. He said that his goal was to see if there was anything that could be done to unblock the grain that is currently being held in Ukraine, because the food crisis, which is approaching and already affecting some African countries, will have "colossal proportions and terrible humanitarian consequences."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that since Russia's full-scale war, which began on February 24 this year, more than 16,000 Ukrainian servicemen have received state awards.

In a video message, he said that as of present, there are more than 16,000 recipients who have received the state award. However, he claimed that their defenders' achievements and successes are clearly hundreds of times greater.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that the new sanctions against Russian by the EU are being postponed. He further said that the disastrous repercussions of Russia's war against Ukraine could have been prevented if international leaders had responded more aggressively and not flirted with Putin by making concessions to him. This is announced in the politician's evening address to the people.

Zelenskyy said that the members of the European Union have been debating whether to block Russia's banking system and impose the sixth round of sanctions, including an oil embargo, for far too long.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a conversation with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Route. Zelenskyy said that he informed Route of the challenging circumstances on the front lines and the necessity to boost support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. He also said that they discussed Ukraine's path to EU membership.

Serhiy Osachuk, the Governor of Chernivtsi Oblast stated that a fighter aircraft of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shot down an "enemy target" over the region on Thursday.

He said, "The aircraft-fighter air force zsu successfully worked the enemy target in the sky over the chernivtsi region. Thank you Ukrainian military pilots!"

On the 26th of May, Russian invaders fired on 50 settlements in the oblasts of Donetsk and Luhansk, killing nine civilians, as the Joint Forces Group's communications staff suggests.

It stated that in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the occupants fired on nearly 50 communities, destroying and damaging 60 civilian objects, including 55 dwellings, a school, a mining industry, a recreation centre's administrative building, and a fire station. It further said that 9 people were killed and 14 were injured as a result.

Ukraine parliament’s officials on May 26 introduced a Bill that would recognise Russia’s staunch ally Belarus as a "co-aggressor" and will foster sanctions against Minsk’s regime, as is the case with Moscow. After Ukraine accused Belarus of hosting Russian troops on its territory that launched attacks on Ukraine, it is set to approve a law to impose the economic and other restrictive measures against Russia’s neighbour. Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada is also developing a mechanism for seizure of assets and scrapping properties rights of Belarus, as it held the state equally accountable for ”actively supporting the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.”

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An assembly of the World Health Organization has voted to condemn Russia's activities in Ukraine, which it claims have resulted in a public health emergency. The resolution passed with 88 votes in favour, 12 votes against, and 53 abstentions, according to the meeting's president, Hiroki Nakatani, who received a standing ovation from the resolution's supporters. The World Health Organization's annual assemblies usually make decisions by consensus. The member states have yet to vote on a similar plan filed by Russia that mirrors the original proposal's text.

A senior US Defence Department official stated that the US is training roughly 20 Ukrainian soldiers abroad on how to utilize Harpoon missiles supplied by Denmark in reaction to Russia's special military operation.

During a press conference, the official stated that as the Danes will be sending Harpoon launchers and trucks, the US is also assisting in the training of Ukrainians for coastal defence missiles. He further said that it is taking place right now, outside of Ukraine and just under 20 Ukrainians are currently undergoing that training.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had a conversation with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock where he talked about the tense situation in the Donbas. He said that they also discussed the measures to counter the Russian attack. He told the German FM that they need more heavy weapons, particularly MLRS and also asked for additional sanctions against Russia, as well as Ukraine's EU candidate status.

French President Emmanuel Macron explored various routes for transferring the Ukrainian grains with Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey. Elysee Palace stated that the two leaders discussed the importance of allowing Ukrainian grains to be exported, as they are vital to the food security of many countries. They reviewed several options for shipping crops outside Ukraine, which they discovered in collaboration with the UN and promised to keep in touch in order to find a rapid solution.

Finland will assist in the restoration of Ukraine's infrastructure and cities, as well as support educational reform in the country.
According to the Government website, this was discussed during a meeting in Kyiv between Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

Shmyhal and Marin reached an agreement at the meeting to extend the project "Finnish support for the reform of the Ukrainian school" until 2023.

Human rights organizations in Chechnya have received complaints about Chechens being kidnapped and sent to the Ukraine conflict as "volunteers." According to Ukrinform, the abductees are being compelled to sign a contract or face being taken to "secret" prisons.

Amid the ongoing war and energy crisis, the Hungarian government, on Thursday, announced to provide fuel at reduced prices to cars with Hungarian registration plates. According to Hungarian public broadcaster- Hirado, the new orders will be applicable at all fuel centres in Hungary from Friday, May 27. As per the government, the decision was taken to protect the country's security and economy.

The head of the Russia-backed separatist region in eastern Ukraine says that there may be more Ukrainian fighters hiding at the sprawling Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, even after Moscow officially declared the operation of taking control over it successful and completed. Denis Pushilin of the Donetsk People’s Republic said of the Ukrainian fighters on Thursday: “They could be hiding....They could be lost somewhere, lagged behind” the ones who surrendered and were captured.

Moscow pressed the West on Thursday to lift sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, seeking to shift the blame for a growing food crisis worsened by Kyiv’s inability to ship millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products because of the conflict.

Britain immediately accused Moscow of “trying to hold the world to ransom” and insisted there would be no sanctions relief.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding the latter's opposition to Sweden and Finland's North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) application. President Macron urged President Erdogan to "respect Finland and Sweden's sovereign decision to join NATO." The French President further hoped for a "solution be quickly found to lift the Turkish veto."

As the Russian offensive continues in Poland's neighbouring country, the Polish Defence Minister said Warsaw is planning to add more advanced lethal weapons to its military. According to the social media post of Minister Mariusz Błaszczak, he has signed the Letter of Recommendation (LOR) inquiry regarding the acquisition of about 500 M142 HIMARS launchers. 

As the Russian offensive continues in Ukraine, the majority of Ukrainians now possess a negative attitude toward Moscow. According to a survey by the Kyiv International Sociology Insitute, 92% of Ukrainians have a negative attitude towards Russia. While only 2% have a positive attitude towards Russia. Earlier, before the war, 34% of Ukrainians had a positive attitude towards Russia.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Finnish Prime Minister Sana Marin for lending unconditional support to Ukraine. The head of state stressed the need to introduce the next, sixth package of sanctions against Russia by the EU as soon as possible. "These are very important direct signals of support, first of all for the Ukrainian people, our people, who see that they are not alone with the difficult challenges of today," he said.

Amid the relentless war in Ukraine, Finland Prime Minister Sanna Marin arrived in the war-torn country on Thursday and held an official meeting with the delegation. According to reports by multiple Ukrainian media, the 36-year-old PM met Zelenskyy in the presidential palace before heading to other places in the country. Meanwhile, while holding a high-level meeting, Zelenskyy stressed that Finland's military assistance is very valuable to deter the aggression of Russian forces. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, while addressing the first Eurasian Economic Forum virtually on Thursday, said the country was able to solve the major assignments in import substitution in key areas that ensure the sovereignty of the country, TASS News agency reported. However, he acknowledged all the goals were not accomplished and added "there is nothing to worry about".

Kremlin on Thursday said it believes Ukraine will accept its demands including, claims on occupied territories, The Kyiv Independent reported. Kremlin Press secretary Dmitry Peskov said the Russian-occupied territories were not territorial concessions, despite knowing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, had on several occasions, said he won’t give up any of his territories.

Amid the ongoing ravaging war in Eastern Europe, the German Chancellor claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will only consider negotiating peace talks in case his troops fail to break Ukraine's defences. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Olaf Scholz further claimed that Russia will not will the ongoing war, and any peace agreement should not be based on Russian President Putin's whims. "There will be no dictated peace. Ukraine will not accept this and neither will we," Scholz stated, as per The Independent. 

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The Kremlin says it expects Ukraine to recognize the existing situation and accept Moscow’s demands. When asked if Russia expects Ukraine to make territorial concessions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that “Moscow expects the acceptance of its demands and the understanding of the real situation that exists de-facto.”

Russia has previously demanded that Ukraine recognize the Russian sovereignty over the Crimean Peninsula that Moscow annexed from Ukraine in 2014 and acknowledge the independence of Russia-backed separatist regions in eastern Ukraine.

Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, while speaking at the meeting of the Ministry of Defense on issues of ensuring military security, accused NATO, the US and Europe of invoking global confrontation with Russia. According to America's plan, Europe and NATO have entered into a global confrontation with Russia," Lukashenka's press service quoted Lukashenka as saying.

The Russian military says it has destroyed a large Ukrainian unit with equipment at a railway station in the east. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Thursday that the Russian warplanes hit the railway station in Pokrovsk when an assault brigade that arrived to reinforce the Ukrainian forces in the region was unloading there.
Konashenkov also said that the Russian military destroyed Ukraine's electronic intelligence centre in Dniprovske in the southern Mykolaiv region, killing 11 Ukrainian soldiers and 15 foreign experts. His claims couldn't be independently confirmed.

Russia's Emergency Ministry released a video on Thursday of workers and heavy machinery moving rubble and debris from a damaged building in Mariupol.
The ministry said, in recent days, workers had cleared an area of 55 thousand square metres and removed more than 60 thousand cubic metres of rubble and debris.
Russia now has full control of Mariupol, following a nearly three-month siege that ended with the surrender last week of the last Ukrainian fighters who were holed up in the port city's giant steel plant.

Amid the ongoing ravaging war in Eastern Europe, Estonian President Alar Karis stated that it is "naive" to consider Russia as part of Europe's security framework rather than a threat to the continent. He made this remark at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. "Russia, which has started a full-scale war to conquer Ukraine, does not want to take responsibility for peace and stability in Europe but aims to undermine said stability and security. Therefore, Russia is now a threat to European security architecture," he noted, ERR News reported. 

Amid the ongoing war, search engine, Google has terminated its contracts with Russian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that enable their customers to use Google Global Cache servers for faster loading of data, RBC reported on Thursday. According to the report, the measure taken by the search engine has started affecting the users who are using small operators for internet usage. However, some big giants like  Rostelecom, MTS and MegaFon are still using the Google cache service. Those companies which are barred from using google cache services are plunged into the anti-Russian sanctions list, resulting in the cancellation of their contracts, according to the report.
 

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Thursday said the war in Ukraine is a danger to everyone in Europe, labelling the conflict with Russia a "huge tragedy." He told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland that troops in the country were not just defending their families but were fighting to "defend all of you."

The General Staff of the Ukrainian military, on Thursday, said that the Russian forces have continued attempts to press their offensive in several sections of the frontline in the east and also launched missile and air strikes at infrastructure facilities across the country. Rodion Miroshnik, a representative of the separatist Luhansk region in Russia, said that about 8,000 Ukrainian soldiers are currently in captivity in the separatist Donetsk and Luhansk regions and their number is growing daily by “hundreds.”
His claims couldn’t be independently verified.

Russian shelling in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts left at least six people dead and another 12 injured on Wednesday. According to the Ukrainian military, the deadly attack destroyed and damaged 52 residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure, including a school.

President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, on Thursday, reached the Ministry of Defense for a meeting on military security. According to media reports, a military exercise just 60 kilometres from the Ukrainian border will begin today in Brest.
 

Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday held a telephonic conversation with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna where the latter assured of providing support to the war-ravaged country. According to a Twitter post of Kuleba, the duo also discussed imposing further pressure on Russia, including an oil embargo, and Ukraine’s EU candidate status.

Amid ruthless Russia's invasion of Ukraine, World Bank President David Malpass, on Wednesday, warned it could trigger a global recession. The president noted that Europe, China, and the US witnessed slower growth amid the ongoing war. He also stressed that the developing countries are witnessing a shortfall in fertilizer, food stocks, and energy supplies hit developing countries.

In another blow to the Putin administration, the United States has rejected the proposal of unblocking Ukrainian ports in exchange for lifting sanctions. While addressing a press conference, US Department of State spokesman Ned Price called the suggestion "worthless" in order to control inflation. He said the best way to keep the soaring prices under control is to end the brutal war.

The British Ministry of Defence, in its daily update on the Ukraine war, highlighted how the Russian airforce failed in securing the victory in several notable tactical regions of Ukraine. The UK defence military intelligence said that Russian Airborne Troops or the VDV have been widely involved in the ongoing war. However, it noted that the heavily loaded Russian airforce faced major defeats in ensuring tactical regions of the war-torn country. "This includes the attempted advance on Kyiv via Hostomel Airfield in March, the stalled progress on the Izium axis since April, and the recent failed and costly crossings of the Siverskyi Donets River," the MoD said on Thursday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday strongly rebuffed those in the West who have suggested Ukraine cede control of areas occupied by Russian forces for the sake of reaching a peace agreement. Those “great geopoliticians” who suggest this are disregarding the interests of ordinary Ukrainians – “the millions of those who actually live on the territory that they propose exchanging for an illusion of peace,” he said in his nightly video address to the nation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on Wednesday, signed a decree softening laws for granting Russian citizenship to residents of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia and Kherson Region. According to the new law, people from these two regions can apply for citizenship without fulfilling the basic criteria like-- an applicant should be living in Russia for at least five years, have a source of income and pass an exam in the Russian language. Notably, a similar decree was also signed earlier for the residents of Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics. 

In a major blow to Russian and Belarusian companies, Lithuania has frozen funds and shares of at least 13 companies related to sanctioned Russian businessmen. According to the Russian news agency, Interfax, the funds and shares of top companies including the Vydmantai wind park of Inter RAO Lietuva group, IDS Borjomi Europe, and BMZ-Baltija, the official representative of Belarusian Steel Works, have been seized on Wednesday. The media report said that the funds of the Vydmantai wind park controlled by Russian energy giant Inter RAO, have been frozen due to its connections with the Russian authorities.

As Russian invasion of Ukraine has entered its fourth month, UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is scheduled to travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday to address the Armed Forces of the country on the Balkan Peninsula. Her visit aims to request the UK's Western allies to make sure that Russian President Vladimir Putin loses in Ukraine, according to a statement released by the Foreign Office late Wednesday. Truss will also warn against appeasing Russian President Putin. 

According to the Foreign Office, the British Foreign Secretary would stress that "Russia’s aggression cannot be appeased. It must be met with strength. We must be relentless in ensuring Ukraine prevails through military aid and sanctions. We cannot take our foot off the accelerator now." 

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As the invading Russian forces destroyed the majority of their neighbour Ukraine's assets during the course of the ongoing war, civilians of the war-ravaged former Soviet state have been suffering from a lack of resources. Now, Ukraine's richest man Rinat Akhmetov is looking to sue Kremlin over the destruction of his assets. In an interview with NV, a local news platform, Ukraine's richest man stated that he is planning to file a lawsuit against Russia for destroying his assets, demanding "appropriate reimbursement for all costs and lost revenue."

The pre-war valuation of the industrial assets possessed by Rinat Akhmetov, which were damaged by Russia during its invasion, surpasses $20 billion. Akhmetov said that assets such as the Azovstal steel plant, the Illich Steel and Iron Works, the Avdiivka Coke Plant, the Luhansk Thermal Power Plant and dozens of other industrial infrastructure and green energy facilities were partially or completely demolished since the onset of the invasion. He further added that the pre-war market capitalisation of two Mariupol enterprises - Azovstal, and the Illich Steel and Iron Works was around $10 billion. Akhmetov also noted that there was $1 billion worth of raw materials that has been destroyed by Russia. It is pertinent to mention here that the Azovstal steel pant in Mariupol has been a key target of the Russian military operation.

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In the midst of the Russian onslaught in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian soldiers who were injured in the "military operation" in Ukraine and called them "heroes." This is Putin's first such visit since he sent Russian troops to Ukraine on February 24. Putin spoke to soldiers at Moscow's Mandryka military hospital while dressed in a white medical coat. Following his meeting with the injured soldiers, Putin told government officials that these are individuals who are putting their health and lives on the line for the benefit of the Donbas' people and children, as well as Russia. He further said that every single one of them is a hero.

When Putin arrived, wounded servicemen dressed in Russian army pyjamas stood stiffly by their cots, answering queries about their families. Putin shook hands with the men while accompanied by Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Russian President also asked doctors if the injured Russian troops had everything they required, to which the doctors replied that they did. Shoigu said on Tuesday that Moscow is prepared for a protracted struggle in Ukraine to fulfil the Kremlin's objectives in the pro-Western country. On March 25, Russia announced that 1,351 soldiers were killed and 3,825 were injured in Ukraine. Since then, no report of Russian casualties has come from the Russian side.

Putin also pledged expanded social welfare programs. He further said that pensions for nonworking seniors would be increased by 10% in June, along with the minimum wage. However, analysts suggest that the measures will not prevent a significant loss in real income, according to Daily Mail. He did not mention the rising inflation due to Russia's war in Ukraine, which has pushed up energy and food prices around the world. 

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Ukraine Armed Forces in its latest operational briefing on the ongoing war updated that Russian forces have continued rampant shelling in Sumy and Chernihiv Oblasts. "The enemy is also trying to improve the tactical situation in the Izyum area and resume the offensive on the city of Slovyansk," the report highlighted.

According to a report by the Institute for Study of War (ISW), Russian occupiers in Kherson are trying to force locals into joining the Russian army. 

Speaker of the State Council of Russia-occupied Crimea, Vladimir Konstantinov, on Wednesday said that the region will drop the English language from the educational curriculum. During his announcement, the state councillor questioned the need of learning English "if one will never go to London". 

US-based Sempra Energy in its press release on Wednesday said that Germany has inked a deal to purchase 2.25 million tons of gas per year as Berlin moves ahead to wean off Russian gas imports. 

According to a Moscow Times report, the Kremlin has increased its spending on propaganda at least three times compared to last year. 

German Press Agency on Wednesday reported that the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) have agreed not to supply tanks and aircraft to Ukraine. Citing NATO sources, the report claimed that the decision came as the alliance members "feared" Russia could see the delivery of Western combat weapons "entering the war."

The Institute for the Study of War said the intensity of Russian attacks and the amassing of troops suggests Russia may start its offensive on Sievierodonetsk prior to cutting off Ukrainian ground lines of communication. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday ordered to annul visa-free travel for Russian citizens. The move was described as mandatory by Zelenskyy given the burgeoning Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Russians are allowed to visit Ukraine without a visa, however, the Ukraine presidential website on Wednesday said that Zelenskyy had supported the petition to end the practice. 

Command of Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that in one day, the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed five Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles, two cruise missiles, and ten light armoured vehicles.

It stated, "On May 25, the occupiers continued to fire cruise missiles at Ukraine. At about 8 pm, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers were fired from Russian territory at groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk. The occupiers also fired missiles at Ukraine "Two cruise missiles were intercepted and destroyed by fighters of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In the midst of the Russian onslaught in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Russian soldiers who were injured in the "military operation" in Ukraine and called them "heroes." This is Putin's first such visit since he sent Russian troops to Ukraine on February 24. Putin spoke to soldiers at Moscow's Mandryka military hospital while dressed in a white medical coat. Following his meeting with the injured soldiers, Putin told government officials that these are individuals who are putting their health and lives on the line for the benefit of the Donbas' people and children, as well as Russia. He further said that every single one of them is a hero.

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Ukrainian fighters shot down two Russian cruise missiles, according to the press service of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces. According to the statement, at about 20:00, Tu-22M3 long-range bombers fired missile strikes from the territory of Russia against groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Donetsk and Lugansk directions. Ukrainian air force fighters intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles.

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss stated that Russian aggression cannot be pacified and that it must be met by force. She further said that they must not allow a protracted and brutal conflict in Ukraine to grow.

Transparency International France has filed a lawsuit alleging that the assets of Russian oligarchs and high-ranking officials close to Putin have been concealed.

According to the press release, the non-governmental organization Transparency International France has filed a complaint against entity X for money laundering, concealment and complicity in order to expose the system of seizure of Russian state and national wealth by businessmen and high-ranking officials close to Vladimir Putin.

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Stevo Pendarovsky, President of Northern Macedonia, agreed that the two countries are partners in the European integration process rather than competitors.

Kuleba announced that he met with Steve Pendarovski, President of the Republic of Northern Macedonia. He said that in these tough times, Skopje's support for Ukraine is unwavering and that Ukraine will never forget this. He further claimed that they also agree that on the road to EU membership, Ukraine and Northern Macedonia are allies, not adversaries.

As per the reports, there are "informal" agreements among NATO members not to provide Ukraine with certain weapons systems in the midst of Russian aggression. These are tanks and fighter jets from the West.

Members of the Alliance believe that if there is an open confrontation with Moscow over such supplies, the group will refuse to fully back its partners, according to dpa sources.

Israel has turned down a request from the US to equip Ukraine with anti-tank missiles manufactured in Germany using Israeli technology and a license.

According to the report, US Deputy Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl met with Israeli Defense Secretary General Amir Eshel and asked about the Biden administration's efforts to compel countries throughout the world to supply Ukraine with weapons. Kahl asked Eschel if Israel would allow Germany to pass over Spike anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, but he was told no and that Israel would only provide Ukraine with non-lethal military weapons.

Adviser to the UN Embassy Serhiy Dvornyk said during an open Security Council debate that Russia kidnaps Ukrainian children and takes them to its territory to destroy Ukraine as a country.

Dvornyk said that the kidnapping of at least 230,000 Ukrainian children among the 1.4 million Ukrainians forcibly deported to Russia is a crime aimed at destroying the Ukrainian nation by robbing its future generations.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom have formed an advisory panel to look into Russia's atrocities in Ukraine. Blinken said that this cooperative endeavour will help the work of the Prosecutor General's Office Investigation Units to document, preserve and evaluate evidence of war crimes and other atrocities committed in Ukraine for criminal prosecution.

Even if Moscow unblocks Ukraine's seaports to allow grain exports during the special military operation, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday that the US will retain its sanctions against Russia.

Price said that they will certainly not relax their sanctions in reaction to empty promises and that they have previously heard empty promises from the Russian Federation. When asked about Russia's reported willingness to unlock Ukraine's seaports in exchange for sanctions relief, Price responded that they all have a good right to be cautious when they hear various pledges and offers from Russia.

In the case of another Russian attack from the north, Ministry of Internal Affairs units are ready to repel and that they are bolstering border defences.

An official stated that they are bolstering the border defences in collaboration with the Armed Forces. The official said that in the border zones, they have beefed up the service regime by displaying more uniforms and that any Russian attempts will be met with a strong response.

Prince Charles paid a visit to a Romanian refugee centre for Ukrainians. Almost a million Ukrainian refugees have arrived in Romania thus far.

The Prince of Wales visited Bucharest's Romexpo Donation Centre for Ukrainian Refugees, where he saw some of the almost 1 million Ukrainians who have arrived in Romania since the conflict began on February 24 and observed the government's and volunteers' humanitarian efforts.

The head of the Russian National Defense Control Centre, Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev stated that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has ceased sending necessary medicines to the Donbas republics under the pretext of the region's chaotic circumstances.

Governor of the Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov said that the Ukrainian military shelled the town of Zhuravlevka in Russia's border province of Belgorod on Wednesday, injuring one person.

In a Telegram message, Gladkov said that their village, Zhuravlevka has been shelled by the Ukrainian side and that five households were destroyed. He further stated that one person has been injured.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba stated that in contrast to the European Union, NATO has done "almost nothing" to assist Ukraine in its time of need.

Kuleba claimed that he has been chastised for claiming that NATO has done nothing since the start of the war, despite the fact that the experts, NATO specialists, have said otherwise. He further stated that at the start of the war, the people of Ukraine believed that NATO was a powerful force, whereas the EU could only express varying degrees of concern.

Andriy Deshchytsia, a Ukrainian diplomat believes that a Russian attack on Poland is a distinct possibility. He stated that Russia might consider whether or not to invade Poland, and that it is a distinct possibility. Russia is attacking Lviv and Yavoriv, both of which are a few tens of kilometres from Poland, with missiles capable of flying 20 kilometres west.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has demanded that Russian President Vladimir Putin withdraw his soldiers from Ukraine immediately and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and put an end to the fighting.

Steinmeier further stated that Putin should stop the devastation in Ukraine and that his forces must be withdrawn. He further asked Putin to communicate to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly and seriously. He also claimed that Putin's war of aggression has ramifications beyond Ukraine's borders.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the Chechen leader, asked for an apology from Poland over the incident involving the Russian envoy, stating that "they won't just leave it like that."On May 9, Russian Ambassador to Poland Sergei Andreev was splashed with red paint while attempting to lay a tribute at the Warsaw grave of Soviet soldiers.

Estonian President Alar Karis at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday said that Ukraine must become an EU candidate.

He further said that they provided their assistance to Ukraine alongside the allies from Lithuania, Latvia and Poland and that Ukraine must apply to join the EU as a candidate. However, Karis also emphasized that his country backs the EU's enlargement strategy. He mentioned that Estonia took 9 years to join the EU.

The Netherlands' largest journalists' organization has filed a lawsuit alleging that the European Union's ban on the Kremlin's media is a violation of European citizens' right to knowledge. On March 2, the EU imposed sanctions on Russia Today and Sputnik in Europe, as part of a broader set of sanctions against Moscow for spreading misinformation to justify and support the invasion of Ukraine.

The complaint filed before the European Court of Justice by the Netherlands does not deny or recommend that European broadcasters transmit content created by Russian media. The lawsuit claims that the restriction was overbroad and that permitting legislators to immediately adopt a censoring strategy is unconstitutional.

Russian forces in the Donbas are attempting, but failing to develop offensive operations in the Lyman direction, as the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces suggests.

The General Staff stated that the enemy's principal focus is on defeating the Joint Forces and establishing full authority over the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and that the adversary is attempting to break through the resistance of Joint Forces units in order to establish favourable conditions for an offensive.

The Ukrainian military intelligence has claimed that Russian occupiers have already used more than 60% of the high-precision weapons stockpile. Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Head of the Main Intelligence Directorate said as per the Kyiv Independent, "According to our data if we talk about high-precision weapons, about 60% of the stockpile has already been used. We see changes, and we understand that the resource of high-precision weapons, high-precision ammunition in Russia is at the border level". 

Read full story here. 

According to the Kyiv Independent, the UK has rejected Russia's demands of lifting sanctions in return for allowing humanitarian food corridors in Ukraine. "Russia now blackmails the world by demanding to lift sanctions in exchange for them unblocking Ukraine’s food exports. Any foreign politician or official who may think of accepting this game should first visit the graves of killed Ukrainian children and talk to their parents", Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba had said earlier today. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, on May 25, signed a decree streamlining the process of obtaining Russian citizenship and passports for residents of Ukraine's Russian-occupied Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, the Kyiv Independent reported. Putin's decision expands a plan offered to inhabitants of Russian-backed separatist-controlled areas in Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk provinces, where Moscow has granted over 800,000 passports since 2019.

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The Belarusian Prime Minister has confirmed that his country is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation. Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko also claimed that both countries have set up joint programmes to work amid Western sanctions that have made sales of weapons more difficult, the Kyiv Independent reported. 

According to reports, Belarus has been conducting military drills along its border with Ukraine since the beginning of May. Notably, Belarus has been Russia's closest ally since the latter launched a full-fledged war on Ukraine on February 24. Tap here to read more.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on May 25, said that Russia must pull back to pre-war positions to ensure peace talks between the two nations. Expressing his willingness for negotiations, Zelenskyy said, "They should demonstrate at least something like steps withdrawing their troops and equipment to the position before the 24th of February. That would be a correct step, first step in negotiations", he said as per AP.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict continues to damage the global economies and has triggered a global food crisis. Tap here to read all about it.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's office has said that 238 children have been killed since the Russian military offensive started in Ukraine. The Prosecutor General's Office in the statement said that more than 433 children have been injured in Ukraine since the Russian aggression commenced on February 24.

Read the full story here.

Lithuania's Defense Ministry announced on May 25 that it will transfer 20 M113 armoured personnel carriers to Ukraine in order to fight against Russian aggression. Along with 20 armored personnel carriers, Lithuania has also decided to provide military trucks and de-mining vehicles to Ukraine. Read the full story here. 

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry on May 5 shared footage of Russian cruise missiles striking Zaporizhzhia. According to the ministry, four missiles were launched at 7:43 am (IST) today. 

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said on May 25 that Russia is willing to provide humanitarian food corridors for ships carrying food to leave Ukraine in exchange for the lifting of some sanctions. The Minister also said that Moscow will explore the prospect of a prisoner exchange with Ukraine once the prisoners who surrendered have been convicted. Tap here to read the full story.  

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, on May 25, thanked Costa Rica for condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. He revealed that in his meeting with the country's Foreign and Trade Minister, he discussed "ways to intensify political dialogue and deepen bilateral trade". 

The UK government on Wednesday gave a nod to the sale of Chelsea Football club at a whopping $5 billion. The proceeds from the sale will be used for humanitarian supplies to Ukraine, a British government spokesperson said, adding that the sale deal will in no way benefit the original owner Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. "Given the sanctions, we placed on those linked to Putin and the bloody invasion of Ukraine, the long-term future of the club can only be secured under a new owner," British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sports, Nadine Dorries said in a tweet. 

The mayor of the eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk  Oleksandr Honcharenko, on Wednesday, requested the residents of the city to stay away after Russia intensified airstrikes. "An anxious night in Kromatorsk," he wrote on Facebook, adding that the invaders launched attacks on the private as well as the public sector.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday stated that the Western nations lack unity over the war in Ukraine. During his second address at the World Economic Forum (WEF), the embattled President questioned: "We are on the European continent and we need the support of a united Europe. Is there this unity regarding the accession of Finland and Sweden to Nato? No, no. So, is there a strong joint West? No." The Guardian quoted. 

As the brutal war between Russia and Ukraine enters its 91st day with Russian forces continuously attacking Ukrainian cities and the ex-soviet war-hit country showing tough resilience against the Russian attackers, Ukraine's defence department has claimed that they have killed one of the high-ranking Russian officials. Major General Kanamat Botashev was killed after Ukrainian forces shot down the plane he was piloting.

According to BBC Russia, the information about the death of the 63-year-old Russian major general was confirmed by three former subordinates of Botashev, who were in touch with him until the plane crashed. On Sunday, the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced that a Russian Su-25 attack aircraft was shot down in the sky over the Luhansk region. Notably, Botashev was one of the highest-ranking Russians who had been killed by Ukrainian forces. And with this development, Russia has so far lost as many as 31 military pilots, and at least nine retired Russian soldiers have been killed in Ukraine.

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In a bid to assist Ukraine in fighting the Russian invasion, Canadian National Defence Minister, Anita Anand announced that the country will provide more than 20,000 artillery rounds of 155 mm NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) standard ammunition along with fuses and charge bags. According to a press release from the Government of Canada, the ammunition will be launched from weapons, including 'M777 howitzers' that Canada and its allies delivered to Ukrainian military forces and for which, members of the Canadian Armed Forces provided training to their Ukrainian counterparts. 

Amidst the raging war in Eastern Europe, embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a video address on Tuesday, asserted that the Russian army were targeting Ukrainian cities of strategic significance with an aim to "destroy everything." He stated that the situation in Donbass remains "extremely difficult" and Russian forces were utilising all their strength to attack. Zelenskyy, in his address, yet again reiterated his call on the international community to provide heavy weapons like MLRS, tanks, anti-ship and other military equipment to mitigate severe crises and ensure stability in the world. 

"The situation in Donbass is extremely difficult. In fact, all the strength the Russian army still has was thrown there to attack. Lyman, Popasna, Severodonetsk, Slovyansk - the occupiers want to destroy everything there," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his video address. 

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Nike has decided not to resume its franchise with Inventive Retail Group in Russia, Vedomosti reported. The retailer runs 27 NIKE-brand outlets in Russia. Notably, Nike had suspended all operations in Russia in early March. On the other hand, clothing brand Mark&Spencers has also announced its decision to leave the Russian market. 

French government officials reported that Ukraine forces are using long-range Ceasar cannons delivered by France. This came hours before Ukraine infrastructure minister Volodymyr Omelyan on Wednesday shared images of defenders training with the long-range weapons.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told that he is only willing to engage in peace talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and not other intermediates. Meanwhile, Russia has maintained that any peace deal with Kyiv will include recognition of the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk region. A close ally of Putin, Dmitry Medvedev (former Russian President) also suggested that demands to pull out Russian troops from Crimea will be "treated as a threat."

In addition to existing sanctions, the European Union (EU) on Wednesday seized assets worth €10 billion belonging to Russian oligarchs. 

At least 80 schools in the occupied region of Donetsk have been shifted to the Russian curriculum and Russian language instructions, Tass News Agency reported. 

Ukraine Armed Forces informed that Russian troops renewed shelling in Zaporizhzhia on Tuesday. At least 1 person was killed and several injured after Russia launched 4 missile attacks, eyewitnesses told Kyiv Independent. 

General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine in its latest briefing has issued a warning against forge phone calls. "Relatives of Ukraine Armed Forces are receiving suspicious phone calls and messages," the update said. The Ukraine defence Ministry claimed that such phone calls are being made to Ukrainian servicemen who have been "captured or reported missing."

UK MoD on Wednesday stated that the continued blockade of Black Sea ports by Russia has led to a considerable surge in the price of staple food grains. “There has been no significant shipping activity in or out of Odesa since the start of the war,” the ministry said in its latest intelligence report. 

Russia would continue to threaten the peace in Europe even after a ceasefire agreement is reached over the conflict in Ukraine, said Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau on Tuesday. During a press conference alongside his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock, Rau said that it would be “daydreaming” to think that Russia would change immediately after the ceasefire is pledged in the Moscow-Kyiv war. The Polish Foreign Minister even expressed fears of his country facing a Russian invasion. 

Rau said, “That Russia changes immediately after a ceasefire has been agreed is daydreaming. It would remain a danger for peace in Europe”. Not only did he fear the Russian invasion into Poland, but also “the danger of an armed invasion of the countries in the NATO eastern flank.”

According to Rau, both Poland and Germany must strive for Russia “to suffer a strategic defeat and its occupation forces to leave Ukraine within the borders recognized by international law”.

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On the 91st day of the ravaging war in Eastern Europe, embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserted that Kyiv is ready for a prisoner exchange with Russia "even tomorrow," and urged his allies to keep mounting pressure on Kremlin. Through a video conference, Zelensky said to a Davos audience on May 23, Monday, “They must (referring to his allies) keep the political pressure on any way they can, through powerful business connections, through the closure of businesses, oil embargo, and through threats, real threats of sanctions, thwarting business, we can actively intensify the exchange of our people for Russian servicemen," CNN reported.  

The Ukrainian leader further claimed that presently, the exchange of prisoners is a humanitarian issue and a very political choice that relies on the support of many governments. He also underscored the fact that it is very essential that the entire world 'does not beg' or 'make concessions' to Russia, regardless of the circumstances.  

Zelenskyy, in his address, further added, “We do not need the Russian servicemen, we only need ours. We are ready for an exchange even tomorrow". He went on to say that Ukrainians had filled "tens of thousands" of black body bags with Russian servicemen remains who were left behind.

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Ukraine Armed Forces on Wednesday published a video claiming it to be a successful attack on Russian infantry. 

The Institute for Study of War (ISW) in its latest report said that Russian forces are making greater advances in the past week than throughout the rest of May - but these advances remain slow, confined to smaller objectives than the Kremlin intended, and face continued Ukrainian defenses; they do not constitute a major breakthrough.

In a show of strong bipartisan support for Finland and Sweden's NATO application, top senate leaders on Tuesday signed a "symbolic" resolution. The decree urges US President Joe Biden to expedite the process, NBC reported. The four-page resolution underscored the "dramatic' shift in the security situation in Europe and the necessity of expanding NATO alliances. 

As the Russian war entered its fourth month, invading troops escalated strikes on civilian infrastructure, leading to large-scale damage to life and property. Owing to the arbitrary shelling in nearly all parts of Ukraine, the exodus emerging from the embattled country has touched over 6 million, as per UN data. 

A man walks on the debris of a burning house, destroyed after a Russian attack in Kharkiv. Image: AP

Damage is seen inside a Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yasnogorodk, a rural town where the Ukrainian army stopped the advance of the Russian army, the outskirts of Kyiv. Image; AP

The Ukrainian military said that at least 14 people have been killed in "mass attacks" by Russian troops in Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as Donbass. Another 15 people have been injured in the said strikes. The industrial cities have remained the center of the Russian invasion since Moscow launched the "second phase of its special military operation." The invading forces have already captures as many as three towns in Donetsk Oblast. 

J.K Rowling's fantasy fiction series Harry Potter has been translated into Ukrainian by the Pottermore Publishing website and offered free for those affected by the Russian war in Ukraine. The website said that the publishers wish to "bring some small measure of light" to people affected by the conflict. 

NGO CrimeaSOS chief Denis Savchenko on Tuesday told Kyiv Independent that at least 90% of the pharmacies in Russia-occupied parts of  Kherson have shut down. The unprecedented closure has led to a rise in drug prices. The costs have gone up by 3-4 times, he added. Some pharmacies have also planned to cease operations in the region forever, he informed. 

Russian Major General Kanamat Botashev is suspected to have been killed by Ukrainian paratroopers, the Ukraine military said in a statement. He was reportedly piloting the plane that was shot down by Ukrainian defenders. 

The Russian Parliament on Tuesday passed legislation that empowers prosecutors to shut down an "unfriendly" foreign media operational in Moscow. "In accordance with the bill, a journalist and a foreign correspondent may lose their accreditation if the fact of unfriendly action is established through the imposition of restrictions on the distribution of Russian mass media operating in a foreign country," the bill said, as quoted by The Guardian. The bill has been signed to become a law by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

 An adviser to Mariupol’s mayor Vadym Boychenko, Petro Andryushchenko, on Tuesday informed that Ukrainian rescue workers have discovered over 200 bodies in the rubble of a high-rise apartment in Mariupol. "During the dismantling of the blockages of a high-rise building near the suburban gas station about 200 bodies were found dead in the basement under the blockages with a high degree of decomposition. Due to the refusal of locals to collect and pack the bodies of the dead, the Russian Ministry of Emergency left the worksite," Andryushchenko wrote on Telegram. 

Ukraine Armed Forces in its war briefing on Tuesday claimed to have killed at least 180 Russian troops in Ukraine. In addition, the tactical defenders also destroyed two tanks, five armoured personnel carriers, and three mortars among many more. 

Ukraine's first lady Elena Zelenska on Tuesday addressed the World Economic Forum (WEF) bringing to notice the dire humanitarian in Ukraine amid the burgeoning Russian war. "We have more than 200 destroyed hospitals - we began to rescue the most vulnerable," Zelenska said. She showed the participants photos of Ukrainian cities before and after the Russian attack, as well as photos of Ukrainians wounded in the Russian shelling.

At least eight more Russian troops, including mercenaries from the Wagner group, have been accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine. According to NEXTA, criminal cases have been initiated against the eight invaders, who have alleged tortured and killed civilians in Russia-occupied Kyiv. 

Lithuanian Defence Ministry on Tuesday informed that it will accept injured Ukrainian soldiers for "treatment and rehabilitation in the coming weeks." 

The United States Treasury Department on Wednesday refused to extend its waiver that allows Russia to make payments on its sovereign debt to US bondholders.

The EU Council authorized the fourth tranche of aid to Ukraine, aimed at bolstering the Ukrainian army's capabilities and stability in the face of Russian aggression. As a result, the overall amount of funding will be 2 billion euros.

Hungary's Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán has declared a state of emergency in his country since midnight on May 25 in response to the conflict in Ukraine and the possible economic crisis.

The Prime Minister stated that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict "poses a persistent threat to Hungary," as well as the country's energy and financial stability. He further said that the EU's hostility and sanctions against Russia had resulted in a massive economic shock and a dramatic increase in prices. He also said the world is on the verge of a financial collapse.

The head of the Donetsk regional military administration, Pavlo Kyrylenko, on Tuesday informed that Russian troops have seized the contested town of Svitlodarsk in the eastern Donbass region. "About 10,000 civilians remain in occupied Svitlodarsk," Kyrylenko said. "No more than 30% of the population left the city. Today, May 24, the Russian army entered Svitlodarsk in the Donetsk region. Russian flags have already been hoisted there," Kyrylenko said.