Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally Dmitry Medvedev has said that the war with Ukraine can last for decades and long periods of fighting can continue interspersed by truces, reported Russia's RIA news agency on Thursday. 
 
The report stated that former president and deputy chairman of Putin's Security Council Medvedev had made the statement during his visit to Vietnam. 
 
Medvedev is known for making hardline comments. Last month, he described Ukrainian authorities as an infection. 
 
"This conflict will last a very long time, most likely decades. As long as there is such a power in place, there will be, say, three years of truce, two years of conflict, and everything will be repeated,” RIA cited Medvedev as saying. 
 
Medvedev reiterated the claim of Moscow that Ukraine is a Nazi state. In January, Medvedev stated that if Russia was defeated, it would lead to a nuclear war.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-general-says-ukraine-shouldnt-use-us-weaponry-inside-russia-596571">US general says Ukraine shouldn't use US weaponry inside Russia</a>

<h2>Ukraine claims shooting down 10 missiles, 20 drones</h2>

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials on Friday claimed that they shot down 10 missiles and 20 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks that took place on the capital Kyiv as well as the city of Dnipro and eastern regions. 
 
This month, the missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have been intensified by Russia, mainly attacking infrastructure facilities and logistics before an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. 
 
The Ukrainian air force stated that they shot down 10 missiles which were fired from the Caspian Sea, along with two reconnaissance drones and 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones. 
 
It stated that the Russians launched a total of 17 missiles and 31 drones during the attacks which began around 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Thursday and continued till 5&nbsp;am on Friday. 
 
Several missiles and drones hit targets in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, stated officials. 
 
"It was a very difficult night. It was loud — the enemy launched a massive attack on the region with missiles and drones," said Serhiy Lysak, the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, on the Telegram messaging app. "Dnipro has suffered,” he added.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia Ukraine War | US: No signs of Russia prepping to use nukes | World News | WION

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Lysak stated that various cars, houses and private companies, including a gas station and a transport company, had been damaged. 
 
Officials in Kyiv stated that the roof of a private house and a shopping mall and several cars had been damaged. The governor of the Kharkiv region also stated that several private houses and industrial facilities were damaged. 
 
Russia which started its full-scale invasion 15 months ago has launched hundreds of missile attacks since last October aiming to destroy critical power facilities and infrastructure.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally Dmitry Medvedev has said that the war with Ukraine can last for decades and long periods of fighting can continue interspersed by truces, reported Russia's RIA news agency on Thursday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's top ally Dmitry Medvedev has said that the war with Ukraine can last for decades and long periods of fighting can continue interspersed by truces, reported Russia's RIA news agency on Thursday. The report stated that former president and deputy chairman of Putin's Security Council Medvedev had made the statement during his visit to Vietnam. Medvedev is known for making hardline comments. Last month, he described Ukrainian authorities as an infection. "This conflict will last a very long time, most likely decades. As long as there is such a power in place, there will be, say, three years of truce, two years of conflict, and everything will be repeated,” RIA cited Medvedev as saying. Medvedev reiterated the claim of Moscow that Ukraine is a Nazi state. In January, Medvedev stated that if Russia was defeated, it would lead to a nuclear war. ALSO READ | US general says Ukraine shouldn't use US weaponry inside Russia Ukraine claims shooting down 10 missiles, 20 drones Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials on Friday claimed that they shot down 10 missiles and 20 drones launched by Russia in overnight attacks that took place on the capital Kyiv as well as the city of Dnipro and eastern regions. This month, the missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have been intensified by Russia, mainly attacking infrastructure facilities and logistics before an expected Ukrainian counteroffensive. The Ukrainian air force stated that they shot down 10 missiles which were fired from the Caspian Sea, along with two reconnaissance drones and 23 Iranian-made Shahed drones. It stated that the Russians launched a total of 17 missiles and 31 drones during the attacks which began around 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Thursday and continued till 5 am on Friday. Several missiles and drones hit targets in Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions, stated officials. "It was a very difficult night. It was loud — the enemy launched a massive attack on the region with missiles and drones," said Serhiy Lysak, the Dnipropetrovsk regional governor, on the Telegram messaging app. "Dnipro has suffered,” he added. WATCH | Russia Ukraine War | US: No signs of Russia prepping to use nukes | World News | WION Lysak stated that various cars, houses and private companies, including a gas station and a transport company, had been damaged. Officials in Kyiv stated that the roof of a private house and a shopping mall and several cars had been damaged. The governor of the Kharkiv region also stated that several private houses and industrial facilities were damaged. Russia which started its full-scale invasion 15 months ago has launched hundreds of missile attacks since last October aiming to destroy critical power facilities and infrastructure. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia-Ukraine war may continue for decades, says Putin ally Dmitry Medvedev

Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24).&nbsp;

The officials said Ukraine is also possibly behind a number of other killings and incursions on Russian territory. The report, however, cited intelligence officials as saying that they do not know which unit exactly was behind the drone attack.&nbsp;

It is also unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky knew about the attack beforehand.&nbsp; 
 
Though the failed drone attack did not cause any damage, but it eroded the impression of invincibility of Kremlin.

The report said that the US has based its estimation on intercepted conversations within both Ukraine and Russia. However, it&nbsp;said that it has low confidence in that estimate because it has yet to determine which precise unit was behind the strike.&nbsp; 
 
American intelligence agencies are not sure who exactly carried out the attack, but insinuate that it was part of a series of covert operations plotted and conducted by Ukraine’s security services.

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian PM: We stand together against the West's agenda&nbsp;

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<h2>Kremlin drone attack&nbsp;</h2>

On May 3, two drones attacked the Kremlin in Moscow, but they caused little damage before being destroyed by Russia.&nbsp;

Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, had posted a video of a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building and exploding with an intense burst of light just before it was about to hit.&nbsp;

Social media videos showed two objects flying in the same direction towards the dome, with the clock on the Kremlin’s Spassky Tower reading 2:27 and 2:43. The first appeared to be destroyed with only a cloud of smoke, but the second appeared to leave a blazing ruin on the dome.&nbsp; 
 
The attack made officials in the United States — Kyiv’s biggest military supplier — uncomfortable since the Government weighs the risk of Russia blaming U.S. and retaliating by expanding the war beyond Ukraine. 
 
Russia has consistently blamed Ukraine for the drone attack, and&nbsp;also accused the U.S. of playing a role, and alleged that it was an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin,&nbsp;but both Kyiv and Washington have&nbsp;vehemently denied their&nbsp;involvement.&nbsp;

Zelensky denied any Ukrainian involvement and said at a press conference in Helsinki, "We don't attack Putin, or Moscow, we fight on our territory."&nbsp;

After the attack, Russia reserved the right to retaliate, Putin's office said, and Russian hardliners demanded swift retribution against Zelensky himself.&nbsp;

The presidency said in a statement: "Two uncrewed aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action."&nbsp;

"We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned."&nbsp;

"The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit."&nbsp; 
 
US officials do not believe it was an attempt to assassinate Putin as he is not known to spending a lot of time at the Kremlin. 
 
The drones that targeted the Kremlin were small with a light payload and it is unclear whether they would have had sufficient range to be flown from Ukraine to Moscow. 
 
Besides, US officials have not ruled out the possibility of non-state Ukrainian or Russian actors inside Russia, including Russians sympathetic to Putin hoping to shore up support for him, carrying out the attack. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24).

Officials in the United States believe that Ukraine was likely behind the failed drone attack on the Kremlin earlier this month, The New York Times reported on Wednesday (May 24). The officials said Ukraine is also possibly behind a number of other killings and incursions on Russian territory. The report, however, cited intelligence officials as saying that they do not know which unit exactly was behind the drone attack. It is also unclear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky knew about the attack beforehand. Though the failed drone attack did not cause any damage, but it eroded the impression of invincibility of Kremlin. The report said that the US has based its estimation on intercepted conversations within both Ukraine and Russia. However, it said that it has low confidence in that estimate because it has yet to determine which precise unit was behind the strike. American intelligence agencies are not sure who exactly carried out the attack, but insinuate that it was part of a series of covert operations plotted and conducted by Ukraine’s security services. WATCH | Russian PM: We stand together against the West's agenda × Kremlin drone attack On May 3, two drones attacked the Kremlin in Moscow, but they caused little damage before being destroyed by Russia. Baza, a Telegram channel with links to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, had posted a video of a flying object approaching the dome of the Kremlin Senate building and exploding with an intense burst of light just before it was about to hit. Social media videos showed two objects flying in the same direction towards the dome, with the clock on the Kremlin’s Spassky Tower reading 2:27 and 2:43. The first appeared to be destroyed with only a cloud of smoke, but the second appeared to leave a blazing ruin on the dome. The attack made officials in the United States — Kyiv’s biggest military supplier — uncomfortable since the Government weighs the risk of Russia blaming U.S. and retaliating by expanding the war beyond Ukraine. Russia has consistently blamed Ukraine for the drone attack, and also accused the U.S. of playing a role, and alleged that it was an attempt to kill President Vladimir Putin, but both Kyiv and Washington have vehemently denied their involvement. Zelensky denied any Ukrainian involvement and said at a press conference in Helsinki, "We don't attack Putin, or Moscow, we fight on our territory." After the attack, Russia reserved the right to retaliate, Putin's office said, and Russian hardliners demanded swift retribution against Zelensky himself. The presidency said in a statement: "Two uncrewed aerial vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin. As a result of timely actions taken by the military and special services with the use of radar warfare systems, the devices were put out of action." "We regard these actions as a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the president's life, carried out on the eve of Victory Day, the May 9 Parade, at which the presence of foreign guests is also planned." "The Russian side reserves the right to take retaliatory measures where and when it sees fit." US officials do not believe it was an attempt to assassinate Putin as he is not known to spending a lot of time at the Kremlin. The drones that targeted the Kremlin were small with a light payload and it is unclear whether they would have had sufficient range to be flown from Ukraine to Moscow. Besides, US officials have not ruled out the possibility of non-state Ukrainian or Russian actors inside Russia, including Russians sympathetic to Putin hoping to shore up support for him, carrying out the attack. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US officials say inputs indicate Ukrainian role behind failed drone attack on Kremlin

Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin warned on Wednesday (May 24) that Russia could face a revolution similar to that of 1917 and lose the war in Ukraine unless the elite got serious about fighting the war.

Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin warned on Wednesday (May 24) that Russia could face a revolution similar to that of 1917 and lose the war in Ukraine unless the elite got serious about fighting the war. In an interview posted on his Telegram channel, Prigozhin said that his political outlook was dominated "by the love of the motherland" and serving Russian President Vladimir Putin, but cautioned that Moscow was in danger of turmoil, the news agency Reuters reported. "Now for political credo - I love my motherland, I serve Putin, Shoigu is useless and we will fight on. That's it," he said. Prigozhin added that there was a so-called optimistic view that the West would get tired of war and China would broker a peace deal, but he did not believe this. Instead, Ukraine was preparing a counteroffensive aimed at pushing Russian troops back to its borders before 2014, he said. If ordinary Russians continued getting their children back in zinc coffins while the children of the elite "shook their arses" in the sun, he said, Russia would face turmoil along the lines of the 1917 revolutions that ushered in a civil war. "This divide can end as in 1917 with a revolution," the Wagner chief said, adding "First the soldiers will stand up, and after that - their loved ones will rise up." 20,000 Wagner fighters killed in Bakhmut: Prigozhin Prigozhin also said that 20,000 fighters of the Wagner group were killed in the battle for Bakhmut in Ukraine. "During the operation, I recruited 50,000 prisoners, of whom about 20 per cent died. This is exactly the same number as those who came to us under contract, meaning not from prison. Another 20 per cent were wounded and their wounds stop them from performing combat activities for three months or more," he added. In Bakhmut, Prigozhin said, Ukraine suffered casualties of 50,000-70,000 wounded and 50,000 dead. He also cautioned that Ukrainian forces would try to encircle Bakhmut and attack Crimea. He further went on to criticise the Russian military leadership and Moscow's post-Soviet policy towards Ukraine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war: Wagner Group chief warns Russia could face another revolution unless...

Russia claimed on Tuesday (May 23) that it had scrambled a Su-27 fighter jet to "prevent violations of the state border" by two US Air Force strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea.&nbsp;

The Russian defence ministry said, "After removing the foreign military aircraft from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter went back to its air base."&nbsp;

The defence ministry claimed that the two aircraft were B-1 strategic bombers belonging to the US Air Force. According to the statement, the army prevented the violation of the border.&nbsp;

The ministry added, "The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace."&nbsp;

Similar incidents have happened in the past as well and in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, they become detrimental.&nbsp;

Just over a week ago, Russia said that two aircraft were intercepted attempting to "violate" its airspace. One of the aircraft was German and the other one was French.&nbsp;

Before that, in mid-April, Russia sent a fighter jet to escort a German naval aircraft over the Baltic Sea.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine War: Are intel agencies fighting a parallel battle?&nbsp;

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<h2>When a Russian jet hit a US drone</h2>

A major incident happen when an American drone crashed after colliding with a Russian jet over the Black Sea in March.&nbsp;

The US military said that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, and called it a "reckless" incident.&nbsp;

A video was released by the Pentagon, which showed the Russian military jet coming very close to a US military drone and dumping fuel near it. The US said that the Russian aircraft damaged the propeller during the intercept.&nbsp;

The Pentagon said that the de-classified video, which is about 40 seconds long, has been edited by the US military for length but shows events in sequential order.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Russia has denied the accusations levelled by the US that its jets acted recklessly. Moscow said that the drone crashed after making "sharp manoeuvres," having "provocatively" flown close to Russian air space near Crimea.&nbsp;

A ministry statement had said that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his US counterpart that the American drone flights near Crimea's coast "were provocative in nature" and could lead to "an escalation in the Black Sea zone."&nbsp;

After the incident, General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said: "There is a pattern of behaviour recently where there is a little bit more aggressive actions being conducted by the Russians."&nbsp; 
 
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Russia claimed on Tuesday (May 23) that it had scrambled a Su-27 fighter jet to "prevent violations of the state border" by two US Air Force strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea.

Russia claimed on Tuesday (May 23) that it had scrambled a Su-27 fighter jet to "prevent violations of the state border" by two US Air Force strategic bombers flying over the Baltic Sea. The Russian defence ministry said, "After removing the foreign military aircraft from the Russian state border, the Russian fighter went back to its air base." The defence ministry claimed that the two aircraft were B-1 strategic bombers belonging to the US Air Force. According to the statement, the army prevented the violation of the border. The ministry added, "The flight of the Russian fighter was carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace." Similar incidents have happened in the past as well and in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, they become detrimental. Just over a week ago, Russia said that two aircraft were intercepted attempting to "violate" its airspace. One of the aircraft was German and the other one was French. Before that, in mid-April, Russia sent a fighter jet to escort a German naval aircraft over the Baltic Sea. WATCH | Ukraine War: Are intel agencies fighting a parallel battle? × When a Russian jet hit a US drone A major incident happen when an American drone crashed after colliding with a Russian jet over the Black Sea in March. The US military said that a Russian Su-27 fighter jet downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, and called it a "reckless" incident. A video was released by the Pentagon, which showed the Russian military jet coming very close to a US military drone and dumping fuel near it. The US said that the Russian aircraft damaged the propeller during the intercept. The Pentagon said that the de-classified video, which is about 40 seconds long, has been edited by the US military for length but shows events in sequential order. Meanwhile, Russia has denied the accusations levelled by the US that its jets acted recklessly. Moscow said that the drone crashed after making "sharp manoeuvres," having "provocatively" flown close to Russian air space near Crimea. A ministry statement had said that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu told his US counterpart that the American drone flights near Crimea's coast "were provocative in nature" and could lead to "an escalation in the Black Sea zone." After the incident, General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said: "There is a pattern of behaviour recently where there is a little bit more aggressive actions being conducted by the Russians." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Russia scrambles Su-27 to intercept two US military jets over Baltic Sea to prevent airspace violation

Gazprom, the Russian energy behemoth, has experienced a significant decline in its net profit. On Tuesday, the company said that its profits have fallen by 41 per cent in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict. This is primarily due to a tax hike.&nbsp;The company's financial report for 2022 reveals a profit of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15 billion), a substantial decrease from the 2.1 trillion rubles recorded in the previous year.

As per a statement by the company, due to the drop in profit, the board has recommended the withholding of dividend payouts.

<h2>What is behind the profit drop?</h2>

The company in a statement carried by Russian news agencies, revealed that the increase in tax payments during the second half of the year had a direct impact on profit margins.&nbsp;

"Profit margins were impacted by an increase in tax payments in the second half of the year," it said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-100-us-and-eu-lawmakers-push-to-remove-sultan-al-jaber-as-cop28-head-595699">More than 100 US and EU lawmakers push to remove Sultan Al Jaber as COP28 head</a>

Gazprom's operations have been severely affected by Western sanctions, which have targeted the state-owned enterprise led by Alexei Miller, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin.&nbsp;

As a result, European imports of pipeline natural gas from Russia plunged by 55 per cent in 2022, according to the Gas Exporting Country Forum's report released this month.

<h2>How did Gazprom deal with the sanctions?</h2>

To counterbalance the limitations imposed by the European market, except for liquefied natural gas purchases, Gazprom as per the news agency AFP has strategically sought to pivot towards Asia. In this, China, in particular, has emerged as a crucial economic partner for Russia, especially since the West implemented unprecedented sanctions following Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine.

Gazprom announced in March that it had achieved a record in daily gas volumes supplied to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline. Furthermore, the total deliveries through the pipeline reached an all-time high of 15.5 billion cubic metres in the previous year.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-extends-wsj-journalist-evan-gershkovichs-detention-us-calls-for-immediate-release-595697">Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release</a>

However, redirecting gas exports to new markets necessitates the construction of expensive infrastructure, a process that takes considerable time. As per the report, Gazprom anticipates commencing the construction of the 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline in 2024. Gazprom which happens to own the largest gas reserves in the world, employs approximately half a million employees and thus remains a significant driving force behind Russia's economic growth.

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Gazprom, the Russian energy behemoth, has experienced a significant decline in its net profit. On Tuesday, the company said that its profits have fallen by 41 per cent in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict.

Gazprom, the Russian energy behemoth, has experienced a significant decline in its net profit. On Tuesday, the company said that its profits have fallen by 41 per cent in the aftermath of the Ukraine conflict. This is primarily due to a tax hike. The company's financial report for 2022 reveals a profit of 1.2 trillion rubles ($15 billion), a substantial decrease from the 2.1 trillion rubles recorded in the previous year. As per a statement by the company, due to the drop in profit, the board has recommended the withholding of dividend payouts. What is behind the profit drop? The company in a statement carried by Russian news agencies, revealed that the increase in tax payments during the second half of the year had a direct impact on profit margins. "Profit margins were impacted by an increase in tax payments in the second half of the year," it said. Also read | More than 100 US and EU lawmakers push to remove Sultan Al Jaber as COP28 head Gazprom's operations have been severely affected by Western sanctions, which have targeted the state-owned enterprise led by Alexei Miller, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin. As a result, European imports of pipeline natural gas from Russia plunged by 55 per cent in 2022, according to the Gas Exporting Country Forum's report released this month. How did Gazprom deal with the sanctions? To counterbalance the limitations imposed by the European market, except for liquefied natural gas purchases, Gazprom as per the news agency AFP has strategically sought to pivot towards Asia. In this, China, in particular, has emerged as a crucial economic partner for Russia, especially since the West implemented unprecedented sanctions following Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine. Gazprom announced in March that it had achieved a record in daily gas volumes supplied to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline. Furthermore, the total deliveries through the pipeline reached an all-time high of 15.5 billion cubic metres in the previous year. Also read | Russia extends WSJ journalist Evan Gershkovich’s detention, US calls for immediate release However, redirecting gas exports to new markets necessitates the construction of expensive infrastructure, a process that takes considerable time. As per the report, Gazprom anticipates commencing the construction of the 'Power of Siberia 2' pipeline in 2024. Gazprom which happens to own the largest gas reserves in the world, employs approximately half a million employees and thus remains a significant driving force behind Russia's economic growth. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine war affects Russian energy giant Gazprom's profits; net profit down by 41.4% in 2022

The United States claimed that it had no involvement in a recent incursion into Russia which Moscow claimed ended with armed insurgents' defeat, who had crossed the border from Ukraine.

On Monday, parts of Belgorod's border region were under attack which was a major cross-border raid&nbsp;since Ukraine was invaded by Russia last year.

Later, Russia released pictures of damaged or abandoned Western military vehicles, which included US-made Humvees.

However, the US claimed it did not "encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia".

The reports "circulating on social media and elsewhere" which claimed that the invaders had used US-supplied weapons were acknowledged by a state department spokesperson.&nbsp;

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Matthew Miller said, "I will say that we’re sceptical at this time of the veracity of these reports. As a more general principle, as we’ve said and I believe I said yesterday, we do not encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia, and we’ve made that clear. But as we’ve also said, it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/airforce-artillery-used-to-push-back-border-attackers-70-ukrainian-nationalists-russian-defence-ministry-595645">Air Force, artillery used to push back border attackers, 70 ‘Ukrainian nationalists’ killed, says Russia</a>

<h2>A counter-terrorism operation, claims Russia</h2>

The authorities evacuated villages in Belgorod, which were near the border after it came under shellfire. Russia said that 70 attackers had lost their lives and further insisted that they were Ukrainian.

However, Kyiv denied involvement and two Russian paramilitary groups, who oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed their involvement in the incursion.

However, Monday's raid was declared by Russia as a counter-terrorism operation as it gave special powers to authorities to clamp down on people's movements and communications.&nbsp;

The officials lifted the measures on Tuesday afternoon, and even then a paramilitary group claimed it still controlled a "small, but our own piece of the Motherland".&nbsp;

Belgorod's governor stated one civilian was killed in the violence, and several others suffered injuries.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine's Eastern outpost witnesses fresh assault by Russia

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<h2>Drone attack on Belgorod&nbsp;</h2>

Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Tuesday evening said that Belgorod faced a fresh attack from a drone which was used to drop an explosive device that damaged a car.

He added that the army shot down the flying vehicle and no new casualties were reported.&nbsp;

Speaking about the hostilities in Belgorod, Russia's defence ministry said a "unit of the Ukrainian nationalist formation" had invaded its territory to carry out attacks.&nbsp;

However, Ukrainian officials insisted that the attackers were Russians and belonged to groups known as the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC).

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The United States claimed that it had no involvement in a recent incursion into Russia which Moscow claimed ended with armed insurgents' defeat, who had crossed the border from Ukraine.

The United States claimed that it had no involvement in a recent incursion into Russia which Moscow claimed ended with armed insurgents' defeat, who had crossed the border from Ukraine. On Monday, parts of Belgorod's border region were under attack which was a major cross-border raid since Ukraine was invaded by Russia last year. Later, Russia released pictures of damaged or abandoned Western military vehicles, which included US-made Humvees. However, the US claimed it did not "encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia". The reports "circulating on social media and elsewhere" which claimed that the invaders had used US-supplied weapons were acknowledged by a state department spokesperson. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Matthew Miller said, "I will say that we’re sceptical at this time of the veracity of these reports. As a more general principle, as we’ve said and I believe I said yesterday, we do not encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia, and we’ve made that clear. But as we’ve also said, it is up to Ukraine to decide how to conduct this war." ALSO READ | Air Force, artillery used to push back border attackers, 70 ‘Ukrainian nationalists’ killed, says Russia A counter-terrorism operation, claims Russia The authorities evacuated villages in Belgorod, which were near the border after it came under shellfire. Russia said that 70 attackers had lost their lives and further insisted that they were Ukrainian. However, Kyiv denied involvement and two Russian paramilitary groups, who oppose Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed their involvement in the incursion. However, Monday's raid was declared by Russia as a counter-terrorism operation as it gave special powers to authorities to clamp down on people's movements and communications. The officials lifted the measures on Tuesday afternoon, and even then a paramilitary group claimed it still controlled a "small, but our own piece of the Motherland". Belgorod's governor stated one civilian was killed in the violence, and several others suffered injuries. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine's Eastern outpost witnesses fresh assault by Russia Drone attack on Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Tuesday evening said that Belgorod faced a fresh attack from a drone which was used to drop an explosive device that damaged a car. He added that the army shot down the flying vehicle and no new casualties were reported. Speaking about the hostilities in Belgorod, Russia's defence ministry said a "unit of the Ukrainian nationalist formation" had invaded its territory to carry out attacks. However, Ukrainian officials insisted that the attackers were Russians and belonged to groups known as the Liberty of Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC). (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Belgorod incursion: US insists it did not encourage or enable strikes inside of Russia

Ukraine is investigating Belarus' suspected involvement in the forced transfer of minors from Russian-occupied territory, the prosecutor general's office said on Tuesday (May 23).

The declaration followed an allegation by the exiled Belarusian opposition saying that 2,150 Ukrainian children, including orphans aged six to 15, had been shipped to so-called recreation camps and sanatoriums in Belarus.

Based on the early assessment of the National Anti-Crisis Management, a group of political opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, the children were transferred to at least three locations in Belarus.

The office of Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin has opened criminal procedures into "the forced transportation/deportation of over 19,000 children" from the seized areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk, as per a Reuters report.&nbsp;

"The fact and circumstances of taking Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the so-called 'recreational camps' in Belarus are currently under investigation in the mentioned criminal proceedings," it said.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-intercepts-us-military-jets-over-baltic-sea-595713">Russia intercepts two US military jets over Baltic Sea</a>

<h2>What are the violations involved?</h2>

The International Criminal Court, the world's permanent war crimes tribunal, issued arrest warrants in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, on two charges of war crimes in connection with the relocation of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia.

In the words of Yulia Ioffe, an assistant professor at University College London and an expert in children's rights legislation, if the allegations are proven, Belarus would "highly likely" be violating the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

"The actions of Belarus may also amount to the crime against humanity of ‘deportation of forcible transfer of population’ under the Rome Statute of the ICC, provided there is sufficient evidence of forcible transfers being widespread or systematic," Ioffe said.

Belarus, in any case, cannot be deemed a neutral nation to which children might lawfully be evacuated because there is no proof that Ukraine has provided authorisation, she added.

As per&nbsp;the report, Ukrainian children were brought to the Belarusian Golden Sands Sanatorium in the Gomel area, as well as the Ostroshitsky Gorodok Sanatorium and Dubrava camp in the Minsk region.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Why does Ukraine wants F-16 jets?&nbsp;

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The transfers of minors to Belarus were illegal and violated the Geneva Conventions and the statute of the International Criminal Court, the report said.

Additionally,&nbsp;the first group of roughly 350 youngsters arrived from the seized Donetsk area on September 5 and 6, followed by the second and third groups in late September and mid-October. Additional transfers were performed in April and May of this year.

The children were transported&nbsp;by bus to Russia from Russian-held territories of Ukraine and then by train to Belarus, it said.

"Lukashenko personally ordered the transfers of orphans to Belarus and facilitated their arrival by financial and organisational support," it said, accusing him of war crimes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukraine is investigating Belarus' suspected involvement in the forced transfer of minors from Russian-occupied territory, the prosecutor general's office said on Tuesday (May 23).

Ukraine is investigating Belarus' suspected involvement in the forced transfer of minors from Russian-occupied territory, the prosecutor general's office said on Tuesday (May 23). The declaration followed an allegation by the exiled Belarusian opposition saying that 2,150 Ukrainian children, including orphans aged six to 15, had been shipped to so-called recreation camps and sanatoriums in Belarus. Based on the early assessment of the National Anti-Crisis Management, a group of political opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko's regime, the children were transferred to at least three locations in Belarus. The office of Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin has opened criminal procedures into "the forced transportation/deportation of over 19,000 children" from the seized areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Luhansk, as per a Reuters report. "The fact and circumstances of taking Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine to the so-called 'recreational camps' in Belarus are currently under investigation in the mentioned criminal proceedings," it said. ALSO READ | Russia intercepts two US military jets over Baltic Sea What are the violations involved? The International Criminal Court, the world's permanent war crimes tribunal, issued arrest warrants in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and his children's rights ombudsman, Maria Lvova-Belova, on two charges of war crimes in connection with the relocation of hundreds of Ukrainian children to Russia. In the words of Yulia Ioffe, an assistant professor at University College London and an expert in children's rights legislation, if the allegations are proven, Belarus would "highly likely" be violating the Convention on the Rights of the Child. "The actions of Belarus may also amount to the crime against humanity of ‘deportation of forcible transfer of population’ under the Rome Statute of the ICC, provided there is sufficient evidence of forcible transfers being widespread or systematic," Ioffe said. Belarus, in any case, cannot be deemed a neutral nation to which children might lawfully be evacuated because there is no proof that Ukraine has provided authorisation, she added. As per the report, Ukrainian children were brought to the Belarusian Golden Sands Sanatorium in the Gomel area, as well as the Ostroshitsky Gorodok Sanatorium and Dubrava camp in the Minsk region. ALSO WATCH | Russia-Ukraine war: Why does Ukraine wants F-16 jets? The transfers of minors to Belarus were illegal and violated the Geneva Conventions and the statute of the International Criminal Court, the report said. Additionally, the first group of roughly 350 youngsters arrived from the seized Donetsk area on September 5 and 6, followed by the second and third groups in late September and mid-October. Additional transfers were performed in April and May of this year. The children were transported by bus to Russia from Russian-held territories of Ukraine and then by train to Belarus, it said. "Lukashenko personally ordered the transfers of orphans to Belarus and facilitated their arrival by financial and organisational support," it said, accusing him of war crimes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ukraine probing reports of 2,150 children being shipped to Belarus, says prosecutor

At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Japan to drum up support for his cause at the G7 summit, Russia has warned the West that providing Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets would be a ‘colossal risk’.&nbsp;

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko was responding to questions about the implications of Ukraine receiving the advanced, multi-role fighter aircraft.&nbsp;

“We see that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario. It involves colossal risks for themselves," said&nbsp;Grushko.&nbsp;

“In any case, this will be taken into account in all our plans, and we have all the necessary means to achieve the goals we have set.”

<h2>Ukrainian prez pushes for fighter jets</h2>

Zelensky has been pushing the Western allies to supply the F-16 jets for months now. The Ukrainian leader&nbsp;discussed the proposition yet again with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 summit.&nbsp;

“Following their discussion at Chequers earlier this week, the prime minister reiterated that the UK would continue to provide Ukraine with the military assistance needed to win the war and secure a just peace. The prime minister updated President Zelensky on the very positive progress at the G7 so far, including new sanctions against Russia and the provision of fighter jets," read a statement released by 10, Downing Street.&nbsp;

Zelensky received the booster shot of confidence for his pursuit after US President Joe Biden on Friday said the White House would be willing to back a joint international effort to train&nbsp;Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 and other modern fighter jets.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-china-come-down-heavy-on-g7-after-grouping-targets-them-594616">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Russia, China come down heavy on G7 after grouping targets them</a>

<h2>Kyiv wants the F-16 desperately</h2>

Kyiv is in desperate need of more arms and advanced jets, especially after Moscow's Wagner private military unit&nbsp;claimed it had finally managed to take full control of the ruined&nbsp;eastern city of Bahamut after months of vicious fighting, though Kyiv has issued a denial.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraines-zelenskiy-at-centre-of-last-day-of-g7-summit-594607">WATCH |&nbsp;Ukraine's Zelenskiy at centre of last day of G7 summit</a>

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Colonel Yuri Ignat, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman asserted the significance of the F-16 saying ground troops will benefit from its use.&nbsp;

"We need F-16s to become an integral part of our air defence. These fighters can engage aerial targets from both high and low altitudes," said Ignat,&nbsp;adding that the jets can carry advanced weapons.

"By utilising F-16s, our ground troops will be able to swiftly liberate occupied Ukrainian territories by targeting enemy command posts, military groups and logistics supply chains."

(With inputs from agencies) 
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At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Japan to drum up support for his cause at the G7 summit, Russia has warned the West that providing Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets would be a ‘colossal risk’.

At a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Japan to drum up support for his cause at the G7 summit, Russia has warned the West that providing Kyiv with F-16 fighter jets would be a ‘colossal risk’. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko was responding to questions about the implications of Ukraine receiving the advanced, multi-role fighter aircraft. “We see that Western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario. It involves colossal risks for themselves," said Grushko. “In any case, this will be taken into account in all our plans, and we have all the necessary means to achieve the goals we have set.” Ukrainian prez pushes for fighter jets Zelensky has been pushing the Western allies to supply the F-16 jets for months now. The Ukrainian leader discussed the proposition yet again with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G7 summit. “Following their discussion at Chequers earlier this week, the prime minister reiterated that the UK would continue to provide Ukraine with the military assistance needed to win the war and secure a just peace. The prime minister updated President Zelensky on the very positive progress at the G7 so far, including new sanctions against Russia and the provision of fighter jets," read a statement released by 10, Downing Street. Zelensky received the booster shot of confidence for his pursuit after US President Joe Biden on Friday said the White House would be willing to back a joint international effort to train Ukrainian pilots to fly F-16 and other modern fighter jets. ALSO READ | Russia, China come down heavy on G7 after grouping targets them Kyiv wants the F-16 desperately Kyiv is in desperate need of more arms and advanced jets, especially after Moscow's Wagner private military unit claimed it had finally managed to take full control of the ruined eastern city of Bahamut after months of vicious fighting, though Kyiv has issued a denial. WATCH | Ukraine's Zelenskiy at centre of last day of G7 summit × Colonel Yuri Ignat, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman asserted the significance of the F-16 saying ground troops will benefit from its use. "We need F-16s to become an integral part of our air defence. These fighters can engage aerial targets from both high and low altitudes," said Ignat, adding that the jets can carry advanced weapons. "By utilising F-16s, our ground troops will be able to swiftly liberate occupied Ukrainian territories by targeting enemy command posts, military groups and logistics supply chains." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Russia says West's supply of F-16 jets to Ukraine would carry ‘colossal risks’

Bakhmut, which had come to represent the gruelling protracted war in Ukraine more than any other city, was reported to have been captured by Russia in various reports till Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesperson issues a denial and a clarification.

Bakhmut, which had come to represent the gruelling protracted war in Ukraine more than any other city, was reported to have been captured by Russia in various reports till Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky's spokesperson issues a denial and a clarification. On Saturday, (May 20th) Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed that his mercenary fighters along with Russian troops had completed the capture of Bakhmut. He said, "Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken." "We completely took the whole city, from house to house," added Prigozhin. The claim, however, was promptly rejected by Ukraine, whose military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi told Reuters news agency: "This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut." Here's all you need to know about Bakhmut's importance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war: The city has been relentlessly attacked by Russia for around eight months now, leaving it as a burnt-out ghost town. The Wagner group, a private militia owned by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman with ties to Russia's President Vladimir Putin, has been dispatching a barrage of soldiers and mercenaries from Moscow in an effort to attack Ukrainian strongholds, suffering significant losses in the process. Ukraine has also lost more than 1,100 soldiers fighting along the Bakhmut section of the front line, said Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. “In less than a week, starting from the 6th March, we managed to kill more than 1,100 enemy soldiers in the Bakhmut sector alone, Russia’s irreversible loss, right there, near Bakhmut,” Zelensky said in a video address to the nation. The city occasionally looked as though it were about to succumb as Russian forces inched closer. Yet, Ukrainian combatants have maintained their position on ground. Russia wants Bakhmut eagerly. But why? The city of Bakhmut is located in the eastern part of Donetsk, more than 400 miles southeast of Kyiv, and 10 miles from the Luhansk region's border. With a pre-war population of about 71,000, the industrial city was popular because of its salt and gypsum mines. The battle for Bakhmut can be seen as a targeted attack by Russia, owing to the recent logistical challenges observed by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Inadequate preparation, poor logistics, and unrealistic planning are some of the reasons for the failure of Russia's rapid invasion of Ukraine, according to the Swedish Defence University. With the capture of Bakhmut, Russia is in a way trying to cut down all supply routes headed towards Lysychansk, which is where it plans to place a block, said Padmashree Anandhan, research associate, National Institute for Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, who spoke to WION. “This would weaken Ukraine’s position on the ground,” she added. Bakhmut was “not a particularly symbolically or strategically important city” originally, said Karolina Hird, Russia analyst at ISW, who spoke to the Washington Post. “Bakhmut has become a tussle for pride,” said Anandhan. It can be seen as a political goal to tell Europe that Russia does have the ability to push back Ukraine. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu on Tuesday described Bakhmut as “an important defence node for Ukrainian forces” in the east. “Taking it under control will make it possible to conduct further offensives deep into the Ukrainian armed forces’ defences,” he said in a statement. For Ukrainians, Bakhmut is not just a supply route but an open point to any future fight in Donetsk, keeping in view the geographical location of the city. The defeat of Bakhmut might compel Ukraine to consider how long the conflict might last and how it can employ new weaponry to advance in Donetsk, said Anandhan. Additionally, Bakhmut is an industrial region, rich in mining reserves. Losing hold of the city can have economic ramifications for Ukraine. Hence, Ukraine might not really want to give up on Bakhmut that easily, added Anandhan. What does Ukraine look like on a map, one year into the war? Russian ground forces entered the country fast and took over a sizable portion of Ukraine within a few weeks. They had reached the outskirts of Kyiv and were in complete control of Sumy and the majority of the country's northeast, as per the ISW. Russian soldiers were engulfing the port city of Mariupol while shelling Kharkiv and seizing land as far as Kherson in the east and south. However, they encountered fierce Ukrainian resistance nearly everywhere and encountered significant logistical challenges due to an acute shortage of food, water, and ammunition, as reported by the BBC. ALSO WATCH | Gravitas Plus: Explained: The Battle for Bakhmut The NLAW anti-tank system, which was quickly deployed by Ukrainian forces and proved to be quite effective against the Russian assault, was one of the weapons delivered by the West. With the influx of more western ammunition, the situation changed for Ukraine. Russia had entirely withdrawn from the north after failing to capture Kyiv, reported the BBC. As Russia was forced to retreat from Kharkiv, Ukraine achieved its first significant victory and launched a counterattack near Kherson. Ukraine has the authority of Kherson and has mostly stopped the Russian push in the east for the time being after the invasion one year ago. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Data lab | In maps: Strategic significance of Bakhmut in Russia-Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary&nbsp;Sergii Nykyforov has clarified the&nbsp;recent statement made by the leader on the fall of Bakhmut.&nbsp;

“Reporter’s question: Russians said they have taken Bakhmut. President’s reply: I think no,”&nbsp;Sergii Nykyforov wrote on Facebook, as he claimed that the leader was responding to a different part of the reporter’s question.

In Ukrainian language, he added, "In this way, the president denied the capture of Bakhmut."

Zelensky earlier on&nbsp;Sunday appeared to have confirmed the news of the warring nation having lost the city of Bakhmut when he was asked if the region is still in Ukraine's hands since Russia claims it has taken it over. 
 
“I think no,” said Zelensky, while answering about the current status of Bakhmut&nbsp;as he sat&nbsp;alongside US President Joe Biden during a meeting which was being held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.&nbsp;

“You have to understand that there is nothing left in this place. They destroyed everything.. just ruins and a lot of dead Russians, but they came to us," he said,

Zelensky stated that&nbsp;Ukraine’s&nbsp;soldiers did "strong work" and "we appreciate their great job".

"For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts. There is nothing in this place. It is a tragedy,” he added.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-says-west-supplying-f-16-jets-to-ukraine-would-carry-colossal-risks-594646">Russia says West supplying F-16 jets to Ukraine would carry 'colossal risks'</a>

 
On Saturday, Russia had claimed that it&nbsp;has fully captured the war-torn eastern Ukrainian city. The fall of the city will mark the end of the bloodiest and longest battle in the already 15-month-old war. 
 
The Wagner Group of mercenaries led the assault on the largely levelled Ukrainian city. Earlier, Wagner Group's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the Ukrainians have been finally pushed out of the last built-up area inside the city. 
 
The Russian ministry issued a statement on Telegram almost eight hours after Prigozhin's claims. However, Kyiv denied the claim made by Prigozhin and stated that the fight for Bakhmut is still going on. 
 
Referring to the city through its Soviet-era name, the Russian ministry stated, “In the Artyomovsk tactical direction, the assault teams of the Wagner private military company with the support of artillery and aviation of the southern battlegroup have completed the liberation of the city of Artyomovsk.” 
 
The state news agencies of Russia had cited Kremlin’s press service as stating President Vladimir Putin “congratulates the Wagner assault detachments, as well as all servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces units, who provided them with the necessary support and flank protection, on the completion of the operation to liberate Artyomovsk.”

WATCH |&nbsp;Wagner Group: Russia did not supply with adequate ammunition | Russia-Ukraine War

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<h2>Biden unveils new&nbsp;arms, ammunition package for Kyiv</h2>

United States President Joe Biden on Sunday unveiled a new weapons package for Kyiv as he held talks with Zelensky in Hiroshima, which is likely to become part of a large-scale counteroffensive which will be soon launched to push Russians back from the occupied territories. 
 
Biden stated that the package would include "ammunition, artillery, armoured vehicles". The announcement comes days after the country permitted allies to transfer advanced F-16 jets to Ukraine.

“The United States continues to help Ukraine respond, recover and rebuild. We're also supporting peace,” Biden stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary Sergii Nykyforov has clarified the recent statement made by the leader on the fall of Bakhmut. “Reporter’s question: Russians said they have taken Bakhmut.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary Sergii Nykyforov has clarified the recent statement made by the leader on the fall of Bakhmut. “Reporter’s question: Russians said they have taken Bakhmut. President’s reply: I think no,” Sergii Nykyforov wrote on Facebook, as he claimed that the leader was responding to a different part of the reporter’s question. In Ukrainian language, he added, "In this way, the president denied the capture of Bakhmut." Zelensky earlier on Sunday appeared to have confirmed the news of the warring nation having lost the city of Bakhmut when he was asked if the region is still in Ukraine's hands since Russia claims it has taken it over. “I think no,” said Zelensky, while answering about the current status of Bakhmut as he sat alongside US President Joe Biden during a meeting which was being held on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan. “You have to understand that there is nothing left in this place. They destroyed everything.. just ruins and a lot of dead Russians, but they came to us," he said, Zelensky stated that Ukraine’s soldiers did "strong work" and "we appreciate their great job". "For today, Bakhmut is only in our hearts. There is nothing in this place. It is a tragedy,” he added. ALSO READ | Russia says West supplying F-16 jets to Ukraine would carry 'colossal risks' On Saturday, Russia had claimed that it has fully captured the war-torn eastern Ukrainian city. The fall of the city will mark the end of the bloodiest and longest battle in the already 15-month-old war. The Wagner Group of mercenaries led the assault on the largely levelled Ukrainian city. Earlier, Wagner Group's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin said that the Ukrainians have been finally pushed out of the last built-up area inside the city. The Russian ministry issued a statement on Telegram almost eight hours after Prigozhin's claims. However, Kyiv denied the claim made by Prigozhin and stated that the fight for Bakhmut is still going on. Referring to the city through its Soviet-era name, the Russian ministry stated, “In the Artyomovsk tactical direction, the assault teams of the Wagner private military company with the support of artillery and aviation of the southern battlegroup have completed the liberation of the city of Artyomovsk.” The state news agencies of Russia had cited Kremlin’s press service as stating President Vladimir Putin “congratulates the Wagner assault detachments, as well as all servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces units, who provided them with the necessary support and flank protection, on the completion of the operation to liberate Artyomovsk.” WATCH | Wagner Group: Russia did not supply with adequate ammunition | Russia-Ukraine War Biden unveils new arms, ammunition package for Kyiv United States President Joe Biden on Sunday unveiled a new weapons package for Kyiv as he held talks with Zelensky in Hiroshima, which is likely to become part of a large-scale counteroffensive which will be soon launched to push Russians back from the occupied territories. Biden stated that the package would include "ammunition, artillery, armoured vehicles". The announcement comes days after the country permitted allies to transfer advanced F-16 jets to Ukraine. “The United States continues to help Ukraine respond, recover and rebuild. We're also supporting peace,” Biden stated. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Zelensky’s spokesperson clarifies Ukrainian leader’s ‘no’, says he denied fall of Bakhmut

Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Russian fighters had completed the capture of Bakhmut, a claim which was promptly rejected by Kyiv.

Appearing in front of a line of fighters holding Russian flags and Wagner banners, Prigozhin made the claim in a video posted on Telegram.

"Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken," Prigozhin said. "We completely took the whole city, from house to house."

Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi told Reuters: "This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut."

Currently at the end of its 15th month, the battle for control over Bakhmut has been the longest and bloodiest battle of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/data-lab-in-maps-strategic-significance-of-bakhmut-in-russia-ukraine-war-571884">Here</a>, WION's Sneha Swaminathan explains Bakhmut's strategic significance in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine,&nbsp;in WION Datalabs.

The Wagner group's chief said that his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut from May 25 for recoupment and rest&nbsp;and hand over the control to regular Russian army.

<h2>Kiss Biden on top of his head: Wagner chief to Zelensky</h2>

Wagner chief's video announcing Russian capture of Bakhmut coincided with the meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden in Japan's Hiroshima on the sidelines of Group of Seven (G-7) summit.

Prigozhin taunted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;on his meeting with Biden.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-group-will-soon-cease-to-exist-founder-tells-war-blogger-587166">Wagner group will soon cease to exist: Founder tells war blogger</a>

Addressing Zelenskyy, Prigozhin said: "Today when you see Biden, kiss him on the top of his head, say hi to him from me."

Meanwhile, Prigozhin also repeated his grievances towards regular Russian army and defence ministry in Moscow. He said that his forces suffered far heavier losses because of the inadequate support and ammunition supplies from the army.

Because of Russian bureaucracy and the "whims" of Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, "five times more guys died than they should have", he said in Saturday's video.

<h2>Capture of Bakhmut Russia's key immediate war aim: British intelligence</h2>

British defence intelligence said on Saturday it was "highly likely" that Russia had deployed up to several battalions to reinforce the Bakhmut sector, following Ukrainian tactical gains on the flanks of the town. It said this represented a "notable commitment by the Russian command".

"Russia's leadership likely continue to see capturing Bakhmut as the key immediate war aim which would allow them to claim some degree of success in the conflict," it said on Twitter.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Wagner Chief Prigozhin offered to share positions of Russian troops: Report

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Prigozhin has himself acknowledged that Bakhmut, a city of 70,000 people before the war, had no strategic significance, but it took on huge symbolic importance for both sides because of the sheer intensity of the fighting and the scale of losses.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Russian fighters had completed the capture of Bakhmut, a claim which was promptly rejected by Kyiv. Appearing in front of a line of fighters holding Russian flags and Wagner banners, Prigozhin made the claim in a video posted on Telegram.

Russia's Wagner group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said that Russian fighters had completed the capture of Bakhmut, a claim which was promptly rejected by Kyiv. Appearing in front of a line of fighters holding Russian flags and Wagner banners, Prigozhin made the claim in a video posted on Telegram. "Today, at 12 noon, Bakhmut was completely taken," Prigozhin said. "We completely took the whole city, from house to house." Ukrainian military spokesperson Serhiy Cherevatyi told Reuters: "This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut." Currently at the end of its 15th month, the battle for control over Bakhmut has been the longest and bloodiest battle of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Here, WION's Sneha Swaminathan explains Bakhmut's strategic significance in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, in WION Datalabs. The Wagner group's chief said that his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut from May 25 for recoupment and rest and hand over the control to regular Russian army. Kiss Biden on top of his head: Wagner chief to Zelensky Wagner chief's video announcing Russian capture of Bakhmut coincided with the meeting of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden in Japan's Hiroshima on the sidelines of Group of Seven (G-7) summit. Prigozhin taunted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his meeting with Biden. ALSO READ | Wagner group will soon cease to exist: Founder tells war blogger Addressing Zelenskyy, Prigozhin said: "Today when you see Biden, kiss him on the top of his head, say hi to him from me." Meanwhile, Prigozhin also repeated his grievances towards regular Russian army and defence ministry in Moscow. He said that his forces suffered far heavier losses because of the inadequate support and ammunition supplies from the army. Because of Russian bureaucracy and the "whims" of Shoigu and Chief of Staff Valery Gerasimov, "five times more guys died than they should have", he said in Saturday's video. Capture of Bakhmut Russia's key immediate war aim: British intelligence British defence intelligence said on Saturday it was "highly likely" that Russia had deployed up to several battalions to reinforce the Bakhmut sector, following Ukrainian tactical gains on the flanks of the town. It said this represented a "notable commitment by the Russian command". "Russia's leadership likely continue to see capturing Bakhmut as the key immediate war aim which would allow them to claim some degree of success in the conflict," it said on Twitter. ALSO WATCH | Wagner Chief Prigozhin offered to share positions of Russian troops: Report × Prigozhin has himself acknowledged that Bakhmut, a city of 70,000 people before the war, had no strategic significance, but it took on huge symbolic importance for both sides because of the sheer intensity of the fighting and the scale of losses. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'Kiss Biden on top of his head', Wagner chief announces Russian capture of Bakhmut; Kyiv denies

The Group of Seven (G7) countries on Friday vowed to “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine”, as it announced a plethora of sanctions to punish Vladimir Putin for launching an invasion against Ukraine.

The announcement came during the historic meeting in Hiroshima city of Japan, where the leaders of G7 countries vowed to restrict Russia’s access to G7 economies. The decision was made ahead of Ukraine President&nbsp;Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the city.

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The Group of Seven (G7) consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, the European Union (EU) is a "non-enumerated member."
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During the talks, the bloc pledged “to stand together against Russia's illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine."

“We will broaden our actions to ensure that exports of all items critical to Russia’s aggression... are restricted across all our jurisdictions,” they said in a joint statement.

“We will starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine,” the bloc added.

The grouping said they would step up efforts to prevent circumvention of their existing sanctions regime, “including targeting entities transporting material to the front”.

<h2>G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023: UK imposes sanctions on Russian diamonds ahead of G7 Summit</h2>

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<h2>‘Russia's invasion illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked’</h2>

The G7 leaders termed Russia's invasion "illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked" and called on President Vladimir Putin to "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine".

"We condemn, in the strongest terms, Russia’s manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and the impact of Russia’s war on the rest of the world," they said while pledging more financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Kyiv "for as long as it takes."

"We express our full sympathy and condolences to the Ukrainian people for their loss and suffering.&nbsp;We salute the Ukrainian people for their brave resistance. Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not tire in our commitment to mitigate the impact of Russia’s illegal actions on the rest of the world."

<h2>Fresh sanctions by US, UK</h2>

According to local media reports, the US at the G7 summit announced new set of sanctions on Friday in a bid to tighten screws on Moscow.

"All G7 members are preparing to implement new sanctions and export controls," a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters in Hiroshima, according to AFP.

He, however, did not disclose what were the G7 members planning but said that taken together with a substantial US package, they will "make it” even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine".

The US measures will aim to "extensively restrict Russia's access to goods that matter for its battlefield capabilities", the official said.

Britain has banned Russian diamonds in a new wave of sanctions to pressure Russia that will also prohibit imports of Russian-origin copper, aluminium and nickel.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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The Group of Seven (G7) countries on Friday vowed to “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine”, as it announced a plethora of sanctions to punish Vladimir Putin for launching an invasion against Ukraine.

The Group of Seven (G7) countries on Friday vowed to “starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine”, as it announced a plethora of sanctions to punish Vladimir Putin for launching an invasion against Ukraine. The announcement came during the historic meeting in Hiroshima city of Japan, where the leaders of G7 countries vowed to restrict Russia’s access to G7 economies. The decision was made ahead of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the city. The Group of Seven (G7) consists of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Additionally, the European Union (EU) is a "non-enumerated member." During the talks, the bloc pledged “to stand together against Russia's illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine." “We will broaden our actions to ensure that exports of all items critical to Russia’s aggression... are restricted across all our jurisdictions,” they said in a joint statement. “We will starve Russia of G7 technology, industrial equipment and services that support its war machine,” the bloc added. The grouping said they would step up efforts to prevent circumvention of their existing sanctions regime, “including targeting entities transporting material to the front”. G7 Hiroshima Summit 2023: UK imposes sanctions on Russian diamonds ahead of G7 Summit ‘Russia's invasion illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked’ The G7 leaders termed Russia's invasion "illegal, unjustifiable, and unprovoked" and called on President Vladimir Putin to "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine". "We condemn, in the strongest terms, Russia’s manifest violation of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and the impact of Russia’s war on the rest of the world," they said while pledging more financial, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Kyiv "for as long as it takes." "We express our full sympathy and condolences to the Ukrainian people for their loss and suffering. We salute the Ukrainian people for their brave resistance. Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not tire in our commitment to mitigate the impact of Russia’s illegal actions on the rest of the world." Fresh sanctions by US, UK According to local media reports, the US at the G7 summit announced new set of sanctions on Friday in a bid to tighten screws on Moscow. "All G7 members are preparing to implement new sanctions and export controls," a US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters in Hiroshima, according to AFP. He, however, did not disclose what were the G7 members planning but said that taken together with a substantial US package, they will "make it” even harder for Russia to sustain its war machine". The US measures will aim to "extensively restrict Russia's access to goods that matter for its battlefield capabilities", the official said. Britain has banned Russian diamonds in a new wave of sanctions to pressure Russia that will also prohibit imports of Russian-origin copper, aluminium and nickel. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

G7 leaders vow new set of tech, services sanctions to ‘starve Russian war machine’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday (May 17), announced a two-month extension of the United Nations-backed deal allowing the war-torn to ship grains across the Black Sea to global markets. This comes as the last ship left a Ukrainian port under the deal which was due to expire on Thursday.&nbsp;

“With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends, the contribution of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to prolong the Black Sea grain deal for two more months,” said the Turkish president, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp; 
 
In a televised speech, Erdogan also thanked Russian and Ukrainian leaders as well as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their help.&nbsp;Russia agreed not to block ships from leaving two Ukrainian harbours, Erdogan said while expressing&nbsp;hope that the deal would be "beneficial for all the parties".

The decision also comes as officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN which make up a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) gathered in Istanbul, last week, to discuss the extension of the Black Sea pact. 
 
"These agreements matter for global food security -&nbsp;Ukrainian and Russian products feed the world," said&nbsp;Guterres as he welcomed&nbsp;the move, and stressed&nbsp;the need&nbsp;for a more comprehensive, longer-term agreement.

The JCC officials near Turkey typically inspect and authorise ships before it travels to a Ukrainian Black Sea port via a maritime humanitarian corridor to collect their cargo and return to Turkish waters for a final inspection, as per Reuters. However, no vessels had been authorised by the JCC since May 4.&nbsp; 
 
Ukraine is&nbsp;'grateful' to UN, Turkey 
 
After the extension was confirmed,&nbsp;Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov took to Twitter and thanked&nbsp;United Nations and Turkey for their efforts. "The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been unblocked, (and) continues to be valid" until July 18, said&nbsp; Kubrakov, adding that&nbsp;Kyiv was "grateful to our partners" for their efforts in "strengthening food security."

Russia's overall assessment remains unchanged

The extension of the deal was later confirmed by&nbsp;Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova who said that it would help&nbsp;countries in need, adding that Moscow's&nbsp;overall assessment of the situation regarding the deal had not changed. This comes as Russia had threatened to pull out of the deal unless&nbsp;a list of conditions were met. 
 
"Our fundamental assessments of the Istanbul agreements concluded on July 22, 2022, have not changed, and the distortions in their implementation must be corrected as quickly as possible," said&nbsp;Zakharova&nbsp;in a video briefing to the press.&nbsp; 
 
Notably, the UN back in July had agreed to help Moscow with its own agricultural shipments for three years. “There are still a lot of open questions regarding our part of the deal. Now a decision will have to be taken,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, on Tuesday.&nbsp;

This comes as Moscow said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments. However, the United States has since rejected these complaints and said that Russia is “exporting grain and fertiliser at the same levels, if not higher, than before the full scale invasion.”&nbsp; 
 
Black Sea grain export deal

Among thousands of sanctions imposed by the West against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, exports of food and fertiliser have not reportedly been a part of any of such restrictions. According to the data from the UN, the DSM Capella, the last vessel now operating under the deal, had left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk carrying 30,000 tonnes of corn and was on its way to Turkey.&nbsp;

The UN-Turkey brokered deal allowing the safe passage of ships through the Black Sea began as an initial 120 days in July last year to help tackle a global food crisis which has been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the latter is one of the world’s leading grain exporters. In November, last year, the pact was extended after Moscow agreed to a 120-day extension and earlier this year agreed to a 60-day extension, which was to end on May 18.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday (May 17), announced a two-month extension of the United Nations-backed deal allowing the war-torn to ship grains across the Black Sea to global markets.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Wednesday (May 17), announced a two-month extension of the United Nations-backed deal allowing the war-torn to ship grains across the Black Sea to global markets. This comes as the last ship left a Ukrainian port under the deal which was due to expire on Thursday. “With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends, the contribution of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to prolong the Black Sea grain deal for two more months,” said the Turkish president, as quoted by news agency AFP. In a televised speech, Erdogan also thanked Russian and Ukrainian leaders as well as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for their help. Russia agreed not to block ships from leaving two Ukrainian harbours, Erdogan said while expressing hope that the deal would be "beneficial for all the parties". The decision also comes as officials from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN which make up a Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) gathered in Istanbul, last week, to discuss the extension of the Black Sea pact. "These agreements matter for global food security - Ukrainian and Russian products feed the world," said Guterres as he welcomed the move, and stressed the need for a more comprehensive, longer-term agreement. The JCC officials near Turkey typically inspect and authorise ships before it travels to a Ukrainian Black Sea port via a maritime humanitarian corridor to collect their cargo and return to Turkish waters for a final inspection, as per Reuters. However, no vessels had been authorised by the JCC since May 4. Ukraine is 'grateful' to UN, Turkey After the extension was confirmed, Ukraine's Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov took to Twitter and thanked United Nations and Turkey for their efforts. "The Black Sea Grain Initiative has been unblocked, (and) continues to be valid" until July 18, said Kubrakov, adding that Kyiv was "grateful to our partners" for their efforts in "strengthening food security." Russia's overall assessment remains unchanged The extension of the deal was later confirmed by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova who said that it would help countries in need, adding that Moscow's overall assessment of the situation regarding the deal had not changed. This comes as Russia had threatened to pull out of the deal unless a list of conditions were met. "Our fundamental assessments of the Istanbul agreements concluded on July 22, 2022, have not changed, and the distortions in their implementation must be corrected as quickly as possible," said Zakharova in a video briefing to the press. Notably, the UN back in July had agreed to help Moscow with its own agricultural shipments for three years. “There are still a lot of open questions regarding our part of the deal. Now a decision will have to be taken,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, on Tuesday. This comes as Moscow said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments. However, the United States has since rejected these complaints and said that Russia is “exporting grain and fertiliser at the same levels, if not higher, than before the full scale invasion.” Black Sea grain export deal Among thousands of sanctions imposed by the West against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, exports of food and fertiliser have not reportedly been a part of any of such restrictions. According to the data from the UN, the DSM Capella, the last vessel now operating under the deal, had left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk carrying 30,000 tonnes of corn and was on its way to Turkey. The UN-Turkey brokered deal allowing the safe passage of ships through the Black Sea began as an initial 120 days in July last year to help tackle a global food crisis which has been exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as the latter is one of the world’s leading grain exporters. In November, last year, the pact was extended after Moscow agreed to a 120-day extension and earlier this year agreed to a 60-day extension, which was to end on May 18. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine grain deal extended for two more months, Russia slams ‘distortions’ in implementation

The defence ministers of the UK and Germany said on Wednesday (May 17) that any decision to send fighter jets to Ukraine rests with the White House. This stand has been despite a jet "coalition" announced by Britain and the Netherlands this week.

"This is up to the White House to decide whether it wants to release that technology," British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said after talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin.

"It depends on the White House... to decide whether the F16 fighter planes can be delivered," said Pistorius.

On the first day of a Council of Europe summit in Iceland this week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte had agreed on the fighter jet club.

They said they would build an "international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat air capabilities, supporting with everything from training to procuring F16 jets".

<h2>UK does not have F16s</h2>

British Defence Minister Wallace pointed out that the UK did not have F16 jets and also underlined that there were no plans to send aircraft from its Typhoon fleet.

"But we can help the pipeline... we can enable other people who wish to," he said.

Pistorius said that Germany cannot "play an active role" in such an alliance "because we don't have the training capacity, the skills, or the aircraft".

Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor also said in Iceland that he did not see any direct 'requirements' for Germany over fighter jets.

<h2>Zelensky again presses for fighter jets</h2>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressing for fighter jets to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion and repeated the request on a recent tour of the European capitals.

Watch | Ukraine: Russian Kinzhal missiles cannot destroy patriot system&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

Zelensky said in London that he was "very positive" about creating a "jets coalition" in the war against Russia.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year. After initial territorial gains, Russian troops were forced to retreat from large swathes of Ukrainian land in the face of counterattack from Ukraine. Russia then opted to attack targets in Ukraine using missiles. The missile attacks have and continue to batter Ukraine. The energy grid of the country has been extensively damaged due to the missile attacks.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-eases-citizenship-process-for-foreigners-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine-593240">Putin eases citizenship process for foreigners fighting for Russia in Ukraine</a>

Along with efforts of its military, the Ukrainian pushback against the Russian war machine has largely been attributed to Western help. Western countries, the European Union and the UK have poured in huge humanitarian and military help. Millions and millions of dollars have been provided to Ukraine. The military help includes ammunitions, missile launchers, tanks, rocket systems and more.

Zelensky has been pushing for fighther jets for air superiority on the battlefield. But this is something Western countries have been dragging their foot about.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The defence ministers of the UK and Germany said on Wednesday (May 17) that any decision to send fighter jets to Ukraine rests with the White House. This stand has been despite a jet "coalition" announced by Britain and the Netherlands this week.

The defence ministers of the UK and Germany said on Wednesday (May 17) that any decision to send fighter jets to Ukraine rests with the White House. This stand has been despite a jet "coalition" announced by Britain and the Netherlands this week. "This is up to the White House to decide whether it wants to release that technology," British Defence Minister Ben Wallace said after talks with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Berlin. "It depends on the White House... to decide whether the F16 fighter planes can be delivered," said Pistorius. On the first day of a Council of Europe summit in Iceland this week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte had agreed on the fighter jet club. They said they would build an "international coalition to provide Ukraine with combat air capabilities, supporting with everything from training to procuring F16 jets". UK does not have F16s British Defence Minister Wallace pointed out that the UK did not have F16 jets and also underlined that there were no plans to send aircraft from its Typhoon fleet. "But we can help the pipeline... we can enable other people who wish to," he said. Pistorius said that Germany cannot "play an active role" in such an alliance "because we don't have the training capacity, the skills, or the aircraft". Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor also said in Iceland that he did not see any direct 'requirements' for Germany over fighter jets. Zelensky again presses for fighter jets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been pressing for fighter jets to help Ukraine repel Russia's invasion and repeated the request on a recent tour of the European capitals. Watch | Ukraine: Russian Kinzhal missiles cannot destroy patriot system × Zelensky said in London that he was "very positive" about creating a "jets coalition" in the war against Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 last year. After initial territorial gains, Russian troops were forced to retreat from large swathes of Ukrainian land in the face of counterattack from Ukraine. Russia then opted to attack targets in Ukraine using missiles. The missile attacks have and continue to batter Ukraine. The energy grid of the country has been extensively damaged due to the missile attacks. Also Read | Putin eases citizenship process for foreigners fighting for Russia in Ukraine Along with efforts of its military, the Ukrainian pushback against the Russian war machine has largely been attributed to Western help. Western countries, the European Union and the UK have poured in huge humanitarian and military help. Millions and millions of dollars have been provided to Ukraine. The military help includes ammunitions, missile launchers, tanks, rocket systems and more. Zelensky has been pushing for fighther jets for air superiority on the battlefield. But this is something Western countries have been dragging their foot about. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Delivering F16 fighter jets to Ukraine ‘up to the White House’: UK defence minister

Germany's defence ministry on Saturday announced that they are preparing the country's biggest yet military aid package for Ukraine, which is worth 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion) ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky's trip to Berlin.

"We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement.

"This is why Germany will supply all the help that it can, for as long as necessary," he added.

Welcoming the weapons package from Germany, which includes 30 additional Leopard-1 tanks, Marder armoured vehicles, air-defence systems and surveillance drones, Kyiv said that Moscow may now not see a victory in the war.

President Zelensky's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the new arms package of Germany indicates that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame."

Increasingly powerful weapons have been delivered by the Western allies to Ukraine though they have still not given advanced fighter jets which Zelensky has requested.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-delivers-long-range-storm-shadow-cruise-missiles-to-ukraine-591384">UK delivers long-range ‘Storm Shadow’ cruise missiles to Ukraine</a>

<h2>Kyiv says 'moving forward' along Bakhmut front line</h2>

Ukraine's senior military commander on Saturday said that Kyiv's forces are advancing along part of the Bakhmut front line against Russian forces.

"Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," said the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi on social media.

Kyiv on Friday stated it had re-captured swathes of the area near Bakhmut, although Moscow insisted that the attack was repelled along a broad stretch of the front line.

WATCH | Russia acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut, Wagner boss calls it a 'rout'

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<h2>Kyiv using UK missiles to hit 'civilian targets', alleges Moscow</h2>

Moscow on Saturday said that British long-range missiles are being used by Kyiv to hit civilian sites in the eastern city of Lugansk where six children have been injured.

On Friday evening, the defence ministry said that two civilian enterprises have been hit by Ukraine's armed forces, adding: "Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kyiv regime by Great Britain were used for the strike, despite London's declarations that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets.”

This week, the UK government announced that it would send Storm Shadow missiles, which made it the first nation to provide longer-range weapons to Kyiv, in what Russia said is "an extremely hostile step".

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(With inputs from agencies)

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Germany's defence ministry on Saturday announced that they are preparing the country's biggest yet military aid package for Ukraine, which is worth 2.7 billion euros ($2.

Germany's defence ministry on Saturday announced that they are preparing the country's biggest yet military aid package for Ukraine, which is worth 2.7 billion euros ($2.95 billion) ahead of President Volodymyr Zelensky's trip to Berlin. "We all hope for a rapid end to this terrible war by Russia against the Ukrainian people, but unfortunately this is not in sight," said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a statement. "This is why Germany will supply all the help that it can, for as long as necessary," he added. Welcoming the weapons package from Germany, which includes 30 additional Leopard-1 tanks, Marder armoured vehicles, air-defence systems and surveillance drones, Kyiv said that Moscow may now not see a victory in the war. President Zelensky's adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the new arms package of Germany indicates that Russia was "bound to lose and sit on the bench of historical shame." Increasingly powerful weapons have been delivered by the Western allies to Ukraine though they have still not given advanced fighter jets which Zelensky has requested. ALSO READ | UK delivers long-range ‘Storm Shadow’ cruise missiles to Ukraine Kyiv says 'moving forward' along Bakhmut front line Ukraine's senior military commander on Saturday said that Kyiv's forces are advancing along part of the Bakhmut front line against Russian forces. "Our soldiers are moving forward in some areas of the front, and the enemy is losing equipment and manpower," said the commander of the Ukrainian ground forces Oleksandr Syrskyi on social media. Kyiv on Friday stated it had re-captured swathes of the area near Bakhmut, although Moscow insisted that the attack was repelled along a broad stretch of the front line. WATCH | Russia acknowledges retreat north of Bakhmut, Wagner boss calls it a 'rout' Kyiv using UK missiles to hit 'civilian targets', alleges Moscow Moscow on Saturday said that British long-range missiles are being used by Kyiv to hit civilian sites in the eastern city of Lugansk where six children have been injured. On Friday evening, the defence ministry said that two civilian enterprises have been hit by Ukraine's armed forces, adding: "Storm Shadow air-to-air missiles supplied to the Kyiv regime by Great Britain were used for the strike, despite London's declarations that these weapons would not be used against civilian targets.” This week, the UK government announced that it would send Storm Shadow missiles, which made it the first nation to provide longer-range weapons to Kyiv, in what Russia said is "an extremely hostile step". (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Moscow bound to lose', says Kyiv after Germany announces biggest arms package

A 60-year-old Russian woman was given a two-year suspended sentence by a court on Thursday (May 11) for leaving a note at the grave of Russian President Vladimir Putin's parents saying that they had raised "a freak and a murderer", reported multiple news outlets.

The prosecutors had sought three-year suspended sentence for Irina Tsybaneva.

She was charged with desecrating the grave in St Petersburg. The note referred Putin's mother and father as "the parents of a maniac".&nbsp;

"Death to Putin, you raised a freak and a murderer," the note said, urging the deceased parents to "take him with you".

According to SOTA news website, Tsybaneva will not appeal the verdict. Tsybaneva said that she wrote the note after she watched news about the war in Ukraine and "understood that everything is very scary, everything is very sad, and there are many dead", according to another news outlet, Mediazona.

Watch | China to send special Envoy to Ukraine, Russia; to intensify Ukraine 'peace effort'

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Russia had invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian government has been hawkish about any opinion in the country against the war. The crackdown on dissent has been unseen since the Soviet era.

In a different case, a Russian government agency added Artur Smolyaninov to a list of "extremists and terrorists". A former consultant who advised the Ukrainian president's office was added to this list again.

In another case, a Russian military court sentenced a history teacher&nbsp;Nikita Tushkanov&nbsp;from Komi to five and a half&nbsp;years in prison. The sentence was handed for comments he made about explosion of the Kerch bridge which took place last year. Kerch bridge links Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula to mainland Russia.

Alexei Navalny, one of the most prominent critics of Vladimir Putin, is already in jail. He recently reported on Twitter that he had again been kept in solitary confinement punishment cell. He was released from one just days ago.

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A 60-year-old Russian woman was given a two-year suspended sentence by a court on Thursday (May 11) for leaving a note at the grave of Russian President Vladimir Putin's parents saying that they had raised "a freak and a murderer", reported multiple news outlets.

A 60-year-old Russian woman was given a two-year suspended sentence by a court on Thursday (May 11) for leaving a note at the grave of Russian President Vladimir Putin's parents saying that they had raised "a freak and a murderer", reported multiple news outlets. The prosecutors had sought three-year suspended sentence for Irina Tsybaneva. She was charged with desecrating the grave in St Petersburg. The note referred Putin's mother and father as "the parents of a maniac". "Death to Putin, you raised a freak and a murderer," the note said, urging the deceased parents to "take him with you". According to SOTA news website, Tsybaneva will not appeal the verdict. Tsybaneva said that she wrote the note after she watched news about the war in Ukraine and "understood that everything is very scary, everything is very sad, and there are many dead", according to another news outlet, Mediazona. Watch | China to send special Envoy to Ukraine, Russia; to intensify Ukraine 'peace effort' × Russia had invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian government has been hawkish about any opinion in the country against the war. The crackdown on dissent has been unseen since the Soviet era. In a different case, a Russian government agency added Artur Smolyaninov to a list of "extremists and terrorists". A former consultant who advised the Ukrainian president's office was added to this list again. In another case, a Russian military court sentenced a history teacher Nikita Tushkanov from Komi to five and a half years in prison. The sentence was handed for comments he made about explosion of the Kerch bridge which took place last year. Kerch bridge links Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimean peninsula to mainland Russia. Alexei Navalny, one of the most prominent critics of Vladimir Putin, is already in jail. He recently reported on Twitter that he had again been kept in solitary confinement punishment cell. He was released from one just days ago. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

You raised a freak and murderer: Russian woman sentenced for note left at grave of Putin's parents

Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday asked Moscow to let him hand over the Bakhmut positions to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov.&nbsp;

"I ask you to issue a combat order before 00:00 on May 10 concerning the transfer of the positions of the Wagner paramilitary units in Bakhmut and its periphery, to the units of the Akhmat battalion," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a letter to Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The Akhmat battalion refers to the Chechen combat units under the command of Kadyrov, who has ruled Russia's Muslim-majority republic Chechnya for the last decade and a half.

Prigozhin said that his fighters would be compelled to withdraw because of a long "ammunition famine".

He condemned the Russian defence ministry for delivering only 32 per cent of the required ammunition since October 2022.&nbsp;

<h2>Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to send forces replacing Wagner in Bakhmut</h2>

Chechen leader and a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, said his forces are ready to replace Wagner Group mercenaries in Bakhmut.&nbsp;

This comes after Wagner Group announced the withdrawal of forces from the Bakhmut region with its leader Prigozhin citing lack of ammunition as the reason.&nbsp;

Kadyrov, reacting to Wagner's comments on leaving Bakhmut and giving the command to Russian Defence Ministry’s forces, said, "If the elder brother Prigozhin and Wagner fighters leave, the General Staff will lose an experienced combat unit, but the younger brother Kadyrov and the Akhmat unit will replace them in Artyomovsk."

"If such a scenario is implemented, our fighters are ready to advance and take the city. However, we would like the last remaining two kilometres to be taken not at the expense of the lives of our warriors but as a result of mutual understanding, support and the determination of commanders and soldiers," Kadyrov noted.

"The interests of the state and the country’s security should come first. Once the special military operation is over, I would like all of us to emerge victorious and all the soldiers, commanders and Russian patriots to stand together," Kadyrov added.

<h2>Russia's Wagner threatens to leave Bakhmut</h2>

Wagner Group chief on Friday announced that on May 10 it will pull out from the Bakhmut region where the battle to overrun Ukrainian resistance is continuing with sharp intensity for nearly two months.&nbsp;

Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his men were facing a lack of ammunition and that he would expect the army to take their place in Bakhmut next Wednesday.

"My lads will not suffer useless and unjustified losses in Bakhmut without ammunition," Prigozhin said in a video accompanying a written withdrawal announcement addressed to military leaders including President Vladimir Putin.

In the announcement, he condemned 'bureaucrats' for holding back the ammunition supplies despite knowing that Wagner's target date to capture the city was May 9, which is also the day of the World War II commemoration.

"If, because of your petty jealousy, you do not want to give the Russian people the victory of taking Bakhmut, that's your problem," Prigozhin added in the video.

As per RIA news agency reports, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had instructed one of his deputy ministers to ensure troops had all the weapons they needed.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

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Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday asked Moscow to let him hand over the Bakhmut positions to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. "I ask you to issue a combat order before 00:00 on May 10 concerning the transfer of the positions of the Wagner paramilitary units in Bakhmut and its periphery, to the units of the Akhmat battalion," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a letter to Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Russian mercenary group Wagner's chief Yevgeny Prigozhin on Saturday asked Moscow to let him hand over the Bakhmut positions to Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov. "I ask you to issue a combat order before 00:00 on May 10 concerning the transfer of the positions of the Wagner paramilitary units in Bakhmut and its periphery, to the units of the Akhmat battalion," Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a letter to Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. The Akhmat battalion refers to the Chechen combat units under the command of Kadyrov, who has ruled Russia's Muslim-majority republic Chechnya for the last decade and a half. Prigozhin said that his fighters would be compelled to withdraw because of a long "ammunition famine". He condemned the Russian defence ministry for delivering only 32 per cent of the required ammunition since October 2022. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov to send forces replacing Wagner in Bakhmut Chechen leader and a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, said his forces are ready to replace Wagner Group mercenaries in Bakhmut. This comes after Wagner Group announced the withdrawal of forces from the Bakhmut region with its leader Prigozhin citing lack of ammunition as the reason. Kadyrov, reacting to Wagner's comments on leaving Bakhmut and giving the command to Russian Defence Ministry’s forces, said, "If the elder brother Prigozhin and Wagner fighters leave, the General Staff will lose an experienced combat unit, but the younger brother Kadyrov and the Akhmat unit will replace them in Artyomovsk." "If such a scenario is implemented, our fighters are ready to advance and take the city. However, we would like the last remaining two kilometres to be taken not at the expense of the lives of our warriors but as a result of mutual understanding, support and the determination of commanders and soldiers," Kadyrov noted. "The interests of the state and the country’s security should come first. Once the special military operation is over, I would like all of us to emerge victorious and all the soldiers, commanders and Russian patriots to stand together," Kadyrov added. Russia's Wagner threatens to leave Bakhmut Wagner Group chief on Friday announced that on May 10 it will pull out from the Bakhmut region where the battle to overrun Ukrainian resistance is continuing with sharp intensity for nearly two months. Wagner Group boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said that his men were facing a lack of ammunition and that he would expect the army to take their place in Bakhmut next Wednesday. "My lads will not suffer useless and unjustified losses in Bakhmut without ammunition," Prigozhin said in a video accompanying a written withdrawal announcement addressed to military leaders including President Vladimir Putin. In the announcement, he condemned 'bureaucrats' for holding back the ammunition supplies despite knowing that Wagner's target date to capture the city was May 9, which is also the day of the World War II commemoration. "If, because of your petty jealousy, you do not want to give the Russian people the victory of taking Bakhmut, that's your problem," Prigozhin added in the video. As per RIA news agency reports, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had instructed one of his deputy ministers to ensure troops had all the weapons they needed. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Wagner chief asks Moscow to let him hand over Bakhmut positions to Chechen leader

The situation in the Russia-Ukraine war continues to remain tense as a Russian-installed official said early on Sunday that Ukraine struck the Crimean Peninsula overnight with over 10 drones, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

As per reports, three of these drones hit the port of Sevastopol. The official added that Sevastopol's air defence systems were able to successfully thwart all of the strikes.

"No objects (in Sevastopol) were damaged," the Moscow-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japans-kishida-heads-to-seoul-for-landmark-summit-with-yoon-589868">Japan's Kishida heads to Seoul for landmark summit with Yoon</a>

No damages from the attacks were reported from elsewhere on the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea was seized by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. Russian forces launched a major military offensive into Ukraine, which included significant advances into Ukrainian territory. The offensive was characterized by intense fighting, and many civilians were displaced from their homes.

The war in Eastern Europe is entering a significant phase with Ukraine's spring offensive. With this, there are significant stakes for war.

According to preliminary information, there were no injuries reported following Ukraine's drone strikes on Crimea. Telegram channel Baza, which has connections to Russian law enforcement, claimed the incident to be a series of strikes on Crimea earlier on Sunday.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-at-least-nine-shot-at-mall-in-texas-shooter-killed-by-police-589857">At least nine people killed in shooting at Texas mall; gunman killed by police</a>

Explosions took place in Sevastopol and Saki, where Russia has an air base. A few other places also came under attack, as per Ukrainian Telegram channels.&nbsp;

Watch | World at War: How is Russia's Wagner Group sending weapons into Sudan?

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The last two weeks have seen an increase in attacks against Russian-controlled locations, particularly in Crimea. Without denying any involvement in the strikes, Ukraine claims that destroying infrastructure is a prelude to its upcoming ground offensive.

For months, the war's most severe combat has been taking place in the battle for Bakhmut. Russia views this as a crucial battlefield to advance to other cities in eastern Ukraine's Donbas area.

Thousands of lives have reportedly been lost on both sides during this battle. Despite being driven back in recent weeks, Ukrainian forces were still able to maintain some degree of control over the region while dealing as much damage as they could to both regular Russian soldiers and soldiers from the Wagner mercenary group.

The Wagner group, which has led the charge in the conflict to seize Bakhmut, has declared it will leave the area on 10th May. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner Group, stated in a statement on Friday that the retreat was because of a shortage of ammunition supply.

Chechen leader and a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, said his forces are ready to replace Wagner Group mercenaries in Bakhmut.&nbsp;

Kadyrov is a former militia leader who fought against Russian forces during the First Chechen War in the 1990s. However, he later switched sides and became a loyal supporter of the Russian government when he abandoned Chechnya's separatist movement.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.)

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The situation in the Russia-Ukraine war continues to remain tense as a Russian-installed official said early on Sunday that Ukraine struck the Crimean Peninsula overnight with over 10 drones, reported Reuters.

The situation in the Russia-Ukraine war continues to remain tense as a Russian-installed official said early on Sunday that Ukraine struck the Crimean Peninsula overnight with over 10 drones, reported Reuters. As per reports, three of these drones hit the port of Sevastopol. The official added that Sevastopol's air defence systems were able to successfully thwart all of the strikes. "No objects (in Sevastopol) were damaged," the Moscow-installed Sevastopol governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said on Telegram. Also Read | Japan's Kishida heads to Seoul for landmark summit with Yoon No damages from the attacks were reported from elsewhere on the Crimean Peninsula. Crimea was seized by Russia from Ukraine in 2014. Russian forces launched a major military offensive into Ukraine, which included significant advances into Ukrainian territory. The offensive was characterized by intense fighting, and many civilians were displaced from their homes. The war in Eastern Europe is entering a significant phase with Ukraine's spring offensive. With this, there are significant stakes for war. According to preliminary information, there were no injuries reported following Ukraine's drone strikes on Crimea. Telegram channel Baza, which has connections to Russian law enforcement, claimed the incident to be a series of strikes on Crimea earlier on Sunday. Also Read | At least nine people killed in shooting at Texas mall; gunman killed by police Explosions took place in Sevastopol and Saki, where Russia has an air base. A few other places also came under attack, as per Ukrainian Telegram channels. Watch | World at War: How is Russia's Wagner Group sending weapons into Sudan? × The last two weeks have seen an increase in attacks against Russian-controlled locations, particularly in Crimea. Without denying any involvement in the strikes, Ukraine claims that destroying infrastructure is a prelude to its upcoming ground offensive. For months, the war's most severe combat has been taking place in the battle for Bakhmut. Russia views this as a crucial battlefield to advance to other cities in eastern Ukraine's Donbas area. Thousands of lives have reportedly been lost on both sides during this battle. Despite being driven back in recent weeks, Ukrainian forces were still able to maintain some degree of control over the region while dealing as much damage as they could to both regular Russian soldiers and soldiers from the Wagner mercenary group. The Wagner group, which has led the charge in the conflict to seize Bakhmut, has declared it will leave the area on 10th May. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of Wagner Group, stated in a statement on Friday that the retreat was because of a shortage of ammunition supply. Chechen leader and a staunch ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ramzan Kadyrov, said his forces are ready to replace Wagner Group mercenaries in Bakhmut. Kadyrov is a former militia leader who fought against Russian forces during the First Chechen War in the 1990s. However, he later switched sides and became a loyal supporter of the Russian government when he abandoned Chechnya's separatist movement. (Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine strikes Crimean peninsula with over 10 drones in overnight attack

Russia's Wagner Group, in a major shift of tactical goalpost during ongoing Russia-Ukraine war,&nbsp;announced that it will withdraw from the Bakhmut region where the battle to overrun Ukrainian resistance is continuing with sharp intensity for nearly two months.&nbsp;

Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a statement on Friday that the lack of ammunition was the reason for the withdrawal.

"I am pulling Wagner units out of Bakhmut because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to perish senselessly," Prigozhin said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-group-will-soon-cease-to-exist-founder-tells-war-blogger-587166">Wagner group will soon cease to exist: Founder tells war blogger</a>

Wagner's positions in Bakhmut will be transferred to Russia's regular forces, Prigozhin said.&nbsp;

Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin published a video of himself standing among, what were referred to as, bloodied 'Wagner lads'. He blamed Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu for the loss of lives Wagner Group faced in Bakhmut over past many weeks of fighting with the Ukrainian forces.&nbsp;

"These are Wagner lads who died today. The blood is still fresh," Prigozhin said. "They came here as volunteers and they are dying so you can get fat in your offices."

The battle for strategically important Bakhmut has become a tactical flashpoint between Russia and Ukraine. The battle for Bakhmut is among the longest and bloodiest of the war, with severe losses on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides.

Wagner in the recent past called upon Moscow to boost ammunition supply-lines towards it.

<h2>Kremlin's reaction on Wagner's Bakhmut withdrawal</h2>

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin has seen Yevgeny Prigozhin's statement that announced group's removal from Bakhmut region.

Peskov said he had seen reports in the media, but "cannot comment on this, because it concerns the special military operation".&nbsp;

Speaking of contacts between Russia and United States after purported drone attacks on the Kremlin, Peskov said "any contacts are possible" for reaching Russia's own goals, for providing Russia's interests.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Russia still fighting for control in Bakhmut

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"Of course, contacts will continue, if necessary," Peskov added.

Russia claimed it foiled an attack by Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin early Wednesday, calling it an unsuccessful assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin and promising retaliation for what it termed a “terrorist” act.

The Kremlin alleges that the United States&nbsp;was behind the purported drone attacks.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied that Ukraine was behind the purported attacks, saying: “We don't attack Putin or Moscow.”

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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Russia's Wagner Group, in a major shift of tactical goalpost during ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, announced that it will withdraw from the Bakhmut region where the battle to overrun Ukrainian resistance is continuing with sharp intensity for nearly two months.

Russia's Wagner Group, in a major shift of tactical goalpost during ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, announced that it will withdraw from the Bakhmut region where the battle to overrun Ukrainian resistance is continuing with sharp intensity for nearly two months. Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a statement on Friday that the lack of ammunition was the reason for the withdrawal. "I am pulling Wagner units out of Bakhmut because in the absence of ammunition they are doomed to perish senselessly," Prigozhin said. ALSO READ | Wagner group will soon cease to exist: Founder tells war blogger Wagner's positions in Bakhmut will be transferred to Russia's regular forces, Prigozhin said. Earlier on Friday, Prigozhin published a video of himself standing among, what were referred to as, bloodied 'Wagner lads'. He blamed Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu for the loss of lives Wagner Group faced in Bakhmut over past many weeks of fighting with the Ukrainian forces. "These are Wagner lads who died today. The blood is still fresh," Prigozhin said. "They came here as volunteers and they are dying so you can get fat in your offices." The battle for strategically important Bakhmut has become a tactical flashpoint between Russia and Ukraine. The battle for Bakhmut is among the longest and bloodiest of the war, with severe losses on both the Russian and Ukrainian sides. Wagner in the recent past called upon Moscow to boost ammunition supply-lines towards it. Kremlin's reaction on Wagner's Bakhmut withdrawal Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Kremlin has seen Yevgeny Prigozhin's statement that announced group's removal from Bakhmut region. Peskov said he had seen reports in the media, but "cannot comment on this, because it concerns the special military operation". Speaking of contacts between Russia and United States after purported drone attacks on the Kremlin, Peskov said "any contacts are possible" for reaching Russia's own goals, for providing Russia's interests. ALSO WATCH | Russia-Ukraine war: Russia still fighting for control in Bakhmut × "Of course, contacts will continue, if necessary," Peskov added. Russia claimed it foiled an attack by Ukrainian drones on the Kremlin early Wednesday, calling it an unsuccessful assassination attempt against President Vladimir Putin and promising retaliation for what it termed a “terrorist” act. The Kremlin alleges that the United States was behind the purported drone attacks. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky denied that Ukraine was behind the purported attacks, saying: “We don't attack Putin or Moscow.” Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

‘Doomed to perish’: Russia’s Wagner announces withdrawal from Bakhmut, cites lack of ammo

Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported.

Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city.

“Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, appearing in combat uniform in a video posted on Telegram.

“Only one route [out] is left,” he said. “The pincers are closing.”

A top Ukrainian presidential adviser told CNN on Tuesday that Kyiv was considering leaving the eastern city, which has been blasted to ruins by Russian artillery.

“So far they’ve held the city, but if need be, they will strategically pull back because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people just for nothing,” Alexander Rodnyansky was quoted as saying.

<h2>Gravitas: Russia looks at its first major victory</h2>

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Bakhmut is located in Donetsk province—one of four provinces illegally annexed by Russia last fall. Kremlin controls half of the Donetsk province.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-will-support-kyiv-as-long-as-it-takes-joe-biden-and-olaf-scholz-vow-to-fight-russia-568356">'Will support Kyiv as long as it takes': US President Joe Biden &amp; German Chancellor Scholz vow Ukraine support</a>

In order to seize control of the remaining half of that province, Russian forces must pass through Bakhmut, which will then pave the way for bigger Ukrainian cities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-likely-to-run-out-of-money-next-year-claims-oligarch-oleg-deripaska-567969">&nbsp;Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska</a>

This is the second Ukrainian city that has fallen to its foe Russia. In January, Moscow was able to take control of the salt mining town of Soledar through sheer force.

(With inputs from agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.&nbsp;

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Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported. Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city.

Ukraine has started withdrawing its troops from the embattled Bakhmut, as Russia inches closed to one of its major victories this year, Sky News reported. Russia's Wagner private army chief Yevgeny Prigozhin in a video posted on social media said that only one road out of Bakhmut remains under Ukrainian control and called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to abandon the city. “Units of the private military company Wagner have practically surrounded Bakhmut,” Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin said, appearing in combat uniform in a video posted on Telegram. “Only one route [out] is left,” he said. “The pincers are closing.” A top Ukrainian presidential adviser told CNN on Tuesday that Kyiv was considering leaving the eastern city, which has been blasted to ruins by Russian artillery. “So far they’ve held the city, but if need be, they will strategically pull back because we’re not going to sacrifice all of our people just for nothing,” Alexander Rodnyansky was quoted as saying. Gravitas: Russia looks at its first major victory Bakhmut is located in Donetsk province—one of four provinces illegally annexed by Russia last fall. Kremlin controls half of the Donetsk province. Also read | 'Will support Kyiv as long as it takes': US President Joe Biden & German Chancellor Scholz vow Ukraine support In order to seize control of the remaining half of that province, Russian forces must pass through Bakhmut, which will then pave the way for bigger Ukrainian cities. Also read | Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska This is the second Ukrainian city that has fallen to its foe Russia. In January, Moscow was able to take control of the salt mining town of Soledar through sheer force. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine begins withdrawal from Bakhmut as Russia gains upper hand: Report