Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Ukrainian troops for advances claimed near the devastated city of Bakhmut. On the other hand, Russia says it repelled a large-scale attack. The contrasting claims come at a time as Pope Francis's peace envoy arrived in Kyiv for two days of talks. Remember, in May, Russia said it seized the now-destroyed eastern Ukrainian city, the scene of the longest and one of the bloodiest battles of the war. In the southern region of Zaporizhzhia, a Moscow-installed official said Ukrainian troops were on the offensive. Earlier, Russia said the enemy launched a large-scale offensive in five sectors of the front on Sunday, south of the Donetsk region. The Russian defence ministry stated it defeated new attempts to pierce Russian defences in southern Donetsk. Meanwhile, anti-Kremlin fighters, the Russian volunteer corps, claim to have taken control of a town southern Russia's Belgorod region.

Wagner group boss: Ukrainians have made gains near Bakhmut

The Russia-Ukraine war has escalated in recent weeks, with increased attacks on both sides of the border. Kyiv says it is preparing a long-expected counter-offensive. Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of blowing up a dam and causing widespread flooding in southern Ukraine. The south command of Ukraine's armed forces said Russian forces blew up the soviet-era Nova Kakhovka dam in the occupied Kherson region. Ukrainian authorities say 16,000 people are in flooding critical zone; and evacuations efforts are ongoing. Videos showed intense explosions around the dam and water surging through. The dam, 30 metres tall and 3.2 kilometres long, was built in 1956 on the Dnipro river. It holds water equal to that in the great salt lake in the US State of Utah, and supplies water to Crimea and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. Russian news agencies said the dam had been destroyed in shelling. The mayor of Russia-controlled Nova Kakh-Ovka city was quoted blaming an act of terrorism - Moscow's Shorthand for an attack by Ukraine.

Dam supplying water to Crimea blown up, Russia flags 'act of terrorism' | Details

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: In the hallowed halls of the house of representatives, a crucial battle has been won. A bill to suspend the massive 31.4 trillion dollars debt ceiling has passed the republican-controlled house of representatives. The deeply divided house voted 314 to 117 to clear the bill.

Russia destroys last Ukrainian warship | US House passes Debt ceiling bill

Russia unleashed waves of air strikes on Kyiv overnight in what officials said appeared to be the largest drone attack on the city since the start of the war, as the Ukrainian capital prepared to celebrate the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.

Russia's 17th assault on Kyiv this month | Russia-Ukraine War

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: The American economy is at a tipping point. US debt has now reached a level equal to the annual output of it's economy. The government has till June fifth- a week, to reach a bipartisan deal that will ensure the nation does not default on it's debt payment. While the deal remains to be inked, leaders from either side of the aisle have now reassured the American people that an agreement has been reached 'in principle'.

Russia launches 'largest drone attack' on Kyiv | US debt ceiling deal is done

Ukraine posted footage on Thursday appearing to show an unmanned drone boat attacking Russia’s “Ivan Khurs” reconnaissance ship in the Black Sea. Kyiv claims that Ukraine had launched an “unsuccessful” attack on the Ivan Khurs using three unmanned speedboats.

Russian warship 'Ivan Khurs' arrives in Sevastopol following naval drone attack

The famously fickle Paris crowd made themselves heard on the opening day of the French Open, booing when Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands after her first-round defeat by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up in Paris in 2021, was later dragged into a dogfight by Czech Jiri Vesely before he advanced in four sets and seeds Karen Khachanov and Hubert Hurkacz also battled their way into the second round.

Kostyuk had warned she would not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players due to Moscow's invasion of its neighbour Ukraine and she kept her word on a sun-kissed court Philippe Chatrier after losing 6-3 6-2 to world number two Sabalenka.

Sabalenka, who initially thought the boos were for her, theatrically bowed to supporters before thanking them for their backing and later said she understood Kostyuk's choice to skip the customary gesture.

She added that the Ukrainian did not deserve to leave the main showcourt in the manner she did but Kostyuk urged Sabalenka to take a stronger and more personal stand against the war.

"She (Sabalenka) never says that she personally doesn't support this war, and I feel like journalists should change the questions you ask these athletes because the war is already there," Kostyuk said. "It's been 15 months since the war has begun."

Greek fifth seed Tsitsipas was made to work hard by Vesely, who is on the comeback trail following a lengthy injury absence, before winning 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6(7). "I said to myself there's no chance this is going to a fifth set," said Tsitsipas. "Jiri was a difficult obstacle. He gave me a hard time and I'm happy I overcame it in such a fashion."

Russian Khachanov defeated local favourite Constant Lestienne 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-3 and the 11th seed was joined in the second round by Polish 13th seed Hurkacz who battled past David Goffin 6-3 5-7 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis pulled off an upset by downing British 20th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-4 6-4. Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed, overcame a mid-match wobble to beat Laslo Djere 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-emiliano-grillo-wins-pga-tours-charles-schwab-challenge-for-first-title-in-eight-years-597644">Golf: Emiliano Grillo wins PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge for first title in eight years</a>

SAKKARI CRASHES

Eighth seed Maria Sakkari became an early casualty on Court Suzanne Lenglen as she fell 7-6(5) 7-5 to Karolina Muchova, who also beat the Greek player in straight sets at last year's tournament. Third seed Jessica Pegula was in no mood for any adventures and cruised into the next round with a 6-4 6-2 win over fellow American Danielle Collins.

Canadian Leylah Fernandez downed 21st seed Magda Linette 6-3 1-6 6-3 while Poland's Magdalena Frech sent 29th seed Zhang Shuai packing after a 6-1 6-1 victory. Earlier, spectators lined up in huge numbers under panama hats and umbrellas as the year's second Grand Slam tournament began in bright sunshine.

After a record 50,000 people - compared to 29,000 last year - attended the qualifying event, fashionably late fans queued to get their seats despite temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, with water vending stands busy all day.

There will be an unfamiliar feel to this year's tournament, with holder and 14-times winner Rafa Nadal out injured. "Of course, it's a big miss. My son wanted to see Nadal but now we will be supporting (Carlos) Alcaraz," said Gerald Furst, who runs a&nbsp;tennis&nbsp;club in the south of France. "I like (Novak) Djokovic as well, he's an amazing player. I believe it'll be a semi-final between Alcaraz and Djokovic. We want to see this match."

Serbian Djokovic, who is bidding for his third French Open title and a men's record 23rd major crown, takes on Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday. Spanish top seed Alcaraz will also be in action against Flavio Cobolli.

The famously fickle Paris crowd made themselves heard on the opening day of the French Open, booing when Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands after her first-round defeat by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday.

The famously fickle Paris crowd made themselves heard on the opening day of the French Open, booing when Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk refused to shake hands after her first-round defeat by Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus on Sunday. Stefanos Tsitsipas, the runner-up in Paris in 2021, was later dragged into a dogfight by Czech Jiri Vesely before he advanced in four sets and seeds Karen Khachanov and Hubert Hurkacz also battled their way into the second round. Kostyuk had warned she would not shake hands with Russian and Belarusian players due to Moscow's invasion of its neighbour Ukraine and she kept her word on a sun-kissed court Philippe Chatrier after losing 6-3 6-2 to world number two Sabalenka. Sabalenka, who initially thought the boos were for her, theatrically bowed to supporters before thanking them for their backing and later said she understood Kostyuk's choice to skip the customary gesture. She added that the Ukrainian did not deserve to leave the main showcourt in the manner she did but Kostyuk urged Sabalenka to take a stronger and more personal stand against the war. "She (Sabalenka) never says that she personally doesn't support this war, and I feel like journalists should change the questions you ask these athletes because the war is already there," Kostyuk said. "It's been 15 months since the war has begun." Greek fifth seed Tsitsipas was made to work hard by Vesely, who is on the comeback trail following a lengthy injury absence, before winning 7-5 6-3 4-6 7-6(7). "I said to myself there's no chance this is going to a fifth set," said Tsitsipas. "Jiri was a difficult obstacle. He gave me a hard time and I'm happy I overcame it in such a fashion." Russian Khachanov defeated local favourite Constant Lestienne 3-6 1-6 6-2 6-1 6-3 and the 11th seed was joined in the second round by Polish 13th seed Hurkacz who battled past David Goffin 6-3 5-7 6-4 2-6 6-4. Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis pulled off an upset by downing British 20th seed Dan Evans 6-4 6-4 6-4. Monte Carlo champion Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed, overcame a mid-match wobble to beat Laslo Djere 6-1 3-6 6-3 6-4. Also Read: Golf: Emiliano Grillo wins PGA Tour's Charles Schwab Challenge for first title in eight years SAKKARI CRASHES Eighth seed Maria Sakkari became an early casualty on Court Suzanne Lenglen as she fell 7-6(5) 7-5 to Karolina Muchova, who also beat the Greek player in straight sets at last year's tournament. Third seed Jessica Pegula was in no mood for any adventures and cruised into the next round with a 6-4 6-2 win over fellow American Danielle Collins. Canadian Leylah Fernandez downed 21st seed Magda Linette 6-3 1-6 6-3 while Poland's Magdalena Frech sent 29th seed Zhang Shuai packing after a 6-1 6-1 victory. Earlier, spectators lined up in huge numbers under panama hats and umbrellas as the year's second Grand Slam tournament began in bright sunshine. After a record 50,000 people - compared to 29,000 last year - attended the qualifying event, fashionably late fans queued to get their seats despite temperatures reaching 27 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, with water vending stands busy all day. There will be an unfamiliar feel to this year's tournament, with holder and 14-times winner Rafa Nadal out injured. "Of course, it's a big miss. My son wanted to see Nadal but now we will be supporting (Carlos) Alcaraz," said Gerald Furst, who runs a tennis club in the south of France. "I like (Novak) Djokovic as well, he's an amazing player. I believe it'll be a semi-final between Alcaraz and Djokovic. We want to see this match." Serbian Djokovic, who is bidding for his third French Open title and a men's record 23rd major crown, takes on Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday. Spanish top seed Alcaraz will also be in action against Flavio Cobolli.

Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka prevails, Marta Kostyuk urges stronger anti-war stance after French Open boos

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv releases video claiming attacks on Russian ship

After more than a year of fierce fighting between Ukraine and Russia - the eastern city of Bakhmut is in ruins. Thousands have been killed on both sides and the dispute about who controls the city continues. Bakhmut has become the focal point of the ongoing conflict. How did a nondescript city the world had never heard of, become the place where both sides decided to fight on till the very end? We ask why Bakhmut matters for both Russia and Ukraine.

Why Russia and Ukraine fought so hard for Bakhmut?

Russia moved ahead on Thursday with a plan to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus, whose leader said the warheads were already on the move, in the Kremlin's first deployment of such bombs outside Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union.

Russia-Ukraine war: Why is Russia sending nuclear arms to Belarus?

Denmark as a founding member of NATO is a Leading Light of the US led military Alliance that is backing Ukraine in the war against Russia and as a NATO member contributing to Ukraine's war efforts. Denmark has put forth a proposal to host peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. How can Denmark reconcile its two contradictory positions of boosting Ukraine's war efforts and also offering a place for peace talks orange Denmark fronting for the United States and its Military Allies in the war.

Russia-Ukraine war: Denmark offers to host peace summit in July, Scholz to speak with Putin

Russia's Wagner mercenary group has started withdrawing its forces from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut and transferring its positions there to regular Russian troops, its founder Yevgeny Prigozhin said in a video published on Thursday.

Russia-Ukraine war: Wagner Chief wants elite to participate in war

Russia-Ukraine War | Kyiv accused of another sabotage attempt

After the United States gave a green signal to its allies on the supply of F-16 Fighter jets to Ukraine, Russia's ambassadors to United States Anatoly Antonov has said that this transfer would raise questions of NATO involvement Ukraine-Russia conflict

Russia-Ukraine war: Why does Ukraine wants F-16 jets?  |

After 15 months of the ongoing war in Ukraine, Bakhmut the embattled Eastern Ukrainian city has fallen. The claim was made by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is the head of Russia's private militia the wagner group. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also confirmed to this news on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.

Russia Ukraine war: Kyiv denies accusations of cross-border raids

Russia-Ukraine War | Russia claims it has taken control over Bakhmut

Russia claims to have destroyed the billion-dollar Patriot missile system in Kyiv. Patriot is considered as America's most advanced air defence system. Has Ukraine war proved America's expensive weapons are not invincible? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Ukraine proves America's billion-dollar weapons are not invincible

Ukraine's military says that the troops have now advanced in places by more than a kilometer, its forces had been on the defensive for well over half a year weathering a huge offensive by Moscow that saw only slogans. Ukraine's gains being accompanied by a deepening public split within Russia's forces between the vangnam which has led the Bakhmut campaign and also the regular Russian military the Wagner boss has said that his forces inside bakward itself are still advancing and they're on the cusp of pushing the Ukrainian troops out completely from the last foothold in the city's Western outskirts.

Russia-Ukraine war | Wagner Chief: Forces inside Bakhmut are still advancing

Talks took place between Ukrainian Foreign Minister and a Chinese envoy on Wednesday and this is the first time a senior envoy from China visited Kyiv since Russia began its invasion 15 months ago. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that Kyiv will not accept any proposals that involved Ukraine losing territory.

China's special envoy in Ukraine to lead peace talks

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy had agreed to meet a group of African leaders to discuss a potential peace plan for the conflict.

Can Africa end the Russia-Ukraine war?

The US has announced a $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine intended to “bolster its air defenses” and “sustain its artillery ammunition needs,” with Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces looming.

US, UK to support Ukraine until successful conclusion of war

Russia marked its 78th victory day with drones strikes on Ukraine. Reports are calling the biggest drone attack on Ukraine. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Russia marks Victory Day with drone strikes on Ukraine

With Russia launching mass strikes across Ukraine targeting key Ukrainian infrsatructre there is also an imminent threat of a possible nuclear accident at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

Russia-Ukraine war: How Russia's glid bomb is changing course of the war

War at Ukraine | Russia intensifies attack on Ukrainian cities

Russian drones and missiles began raining down on Ukraine a day after Kremlin claimed that Kyiv tried to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin by sending rogue drones. NATO fears that Moscow may have also mined underwater pipelines. Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Moscow's revenge for Ukraine's rogue killer drone

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has come out and criticised the U.S. over its last month's intelligence leak. He says the White House did not inform Ukraine beforehand. What is happening between the two allies? Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Is all not well between U.S. & Ukraine?

Russia says Ukraine sent two drones to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin. An unverified video shows a drone being shot down over the Kremlin. Putin's spokesperson says the President was not in Kremlin at the time of the incident. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Russia says Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin

Ukrainian secret service agents tried to assassinate Vladimir Putin with a kamikaze drone carrying explosives, Kremlin has claimed. Putin, however, has survived the alleged attempt. Now, Russia's Medvedev calls for Zelensky's elimination.

Russia: US masterminded Kremlin drone attack

Russia opens probe into Kremlin attack after Zelensky denies Ukraine attacked Putin

Ukraine President Zelensky has denied that his country carried out alleged 'Drone attack' which Russia says was an attempt to kill Russian President Putin.

Russia alleges US planned Kremlin attack, Ukraine carries it

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Wagner group boss: Ukrainians have made gains near Bakhmut

Dam supplying water to Crimea blown up, Russia flags 'act of terrorism' | Details

Russia destroys last Ukrainian warship | US House passes Debt ceiling bill

Russia's 17th assault on Kyiv this month | Russia-Ukraine War

Russia launches 'largest drone attack' on Kyiv | US debt ceiling deal is done

Russian warship 'Ivan Khurs' arrives in Sevastopol following naval drone attack

Tennis: Aryna Sabalenka prevails, Marta Kostyuk urges stronger anti-war stance after French Open boos

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv releases video claiming attacks on Russian ship

Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv releases video claiming attacks on Russian ship

Why Russia and Ukraine fought so hard for Bakhmut?

Russia-Ukraine war: Why is Russia sending nuclear arms to Belarus?

Russia-Ukraine war: Denmark offers to host peace summit in July, Scholz to speak with Putin

Russia-Ukraine war: Wagner Chief wants elite to participate in war

Russia-Ukraine War | Kyiv accused of another sabotage attempt

Russia-Ukraine war: Why does Ukraine wants F-16 jets? |

Russia Ukraine war: Kyiv denies accusations of cross-border raids

Russia-Ukraine War | Russia claims it has taken control over Bakhmut

Gravitas: Ukraine proves America's billion-dollar weapons are not invincible

Russia-Ukraine war | Wagner Chief: Forces inside Bakhmut are still advancing

China's special envoy in Ukraine to lead peace talks

Can Africa end the Russia-Ukraine war?

US, UK to support Ukraine until successful conclusion of war

Gravitas: Russia marks Victory Day with drone strikes on Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war: How Russia's glid bomb is changing course of the war

War at Ukraine | Russia intensifies attack on Ukrainian cities

Gravitas: Moscow's revenge for Ukraine's rogue killer drone