US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is on a surprise visit to Kyiv. But are you even surprised? Blinken has been taking multiple diplomatic foreign trips. But how are these trips helping anyone?

Gravitas | Ukraine war: Blinken in Kyiv to reassure Ukraine of US support

Russia's surprise ground offensive in the Kharkiv region has forced thousands to evacuate and pushed Kyiv to mobilise troop reinforcements. Ukrainian air defences are not able to keep up to Russian aerial attacks. Russian forces are also using advanced weaponry including supersonic missiles and a wide array of drones to overwhelm the Ukrainian defences. US secretary of state Antony Blinken assures Ukraine that US military aid was on its way, as Russia claimed a "deep" advance into Ukrainian defensive lines in a new offensive.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia firing harder-to-hit weapons

Fierce clashes continue in the Kharkiv region as both Russia and Ukraine engage in intense combat. An analysis of the fighting in recent weeks show that Ukrainian defences are increasingly unable to stop the Russian barrage of missiles. Ukraine has been desperate for more air defences from its Western allies, saying it is running out of critical supplies.

Russia-Ukraine war: Why Ukraine unable to intercept Russian missiles?

Thousands have been evacuated from the border areas near Ukraine's Kharkiv as Russia claims it has captured four more villages in the country's Northeast.

Russia-Ukraine war: Russian forces attack border of Ukraine's Northern Kharkiv region

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv on an unannounced visit. aBlinken met with Zelensky and reaffirmed U.S' support for Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

Blinken in Ukraine tells Zelensky that US military aid 'now on its way'

The Russia Ukraine war is now witnessing a fresh wave of escalation and in show of support with Ukraine the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday in an unannounced trip. Watch in for more details!

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in Kyiv in show of US solidarity

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Truce talks at 'almost a stalemate': Qatar | Indian UN officer killed in Gaza

Russia-Ukraine war: Antony Blinken visits Ukraine, reassures US support to Kyiv

Barely a week after taking oath for the 5th time, President Vladimir Putin replaced his defence minister Sergei Shoigu, the longest serving member of his Cabinet. 65-year-old Andrei Belousov, an economics expert who has never dealt with the military will be the new defence minister of Russia. The rare Kremlin shake-up took place as the Russian offensive in northeastern Ukraine has been making gains. In the latest, Russia pounded over 30 villages in Kharkiv , forcing 6,000 to evacuate. Why was Sergei Shoigu removed just as Russia was making steady gains? What'll be the Implications on the war-front? WION's Shivan Chanana discusses with Ben Aris, Founder and Editor-in-chief of bne IntelliNews and also former Moscow bureau chief for the Daily Telegraph.

Russia-Ukraine War: Russia pounds 30 towns in Ukraine amid massive cabinet shake-up

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday morning (May 14) made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to reassure the continuous support of the United States to Kyiv as well as the supply of weapons as Russia continues to attack the northeastern Kharkiv region.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday morning (May 14) made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to reassure the continuous support of the United States to Kyiv as well as the supply of weapons as Russia continues to attack the northeastern Kharkiv region. During his visit to Kyiv, Blinken said that the US military aid for Ukraine is "now on its way" and will "make a real difference". "In the near term, assistance is now on its way and that will make a real difference against the Russian aggression on the battlefield," said Blinken, while speaking to President Volodymyr Zelensky at the beginning their meeting. He is on his fourth visit to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Blinken took an overnight train from Poland and was supposed to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Blinken is visiting Ukraine weeks after a financial aid package worth $61 billion was approved by the US Congress for Ukraine after months of delay. The package unlocked much-needed arms for the stretched troops of the country. It is expected that the aid will be provided at an accelerated pace as Washington is trying to make up for the lost months, even though Congress is facing difficulty in reaching a complete agreement on assistance. Also Read: Russia intensifies ground assault in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, achieves ‘tactical success’ "First this trip is to send a strong signal of reassurance to the Ukrainians who are obviously in a very difficult moment both with grinding battle on the Eastern Front but also with the Russians now expanding some cross-border attacks into Kharkiv," said a senior US official, while speaking to the reporters aboard the train. US Secretary of State to monitor how aid will be "executed" Antony Blinken is expected to look into how US aid will "be executed in a fashion to help shore up their defences and enable them to increasingly take back the initiative on the battlefield." The senior US official had last visited in March when National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan reached Ukraine. Russia is "clearly throwing everything they have in the east and expanding the fighting to Kharkiv is representative of that strategy," said the official. "But we have a lot of confidence that the Ukrainians will increasingly be effective in pushing the Russians back as our assistance flows in both from the United States and other allies and partners," he added. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Russian forces attack border of Ukraine's Northern Kharkiv region Alongside holding discussions with Zelensky, Blinken is likely to meet his counterpart Dmytro Kuleba along with members of civil society and deliver a speech on the topic "Ukraine's strategic success". The secretary of state will also discuss a bilateral defence agreement which the United States hopes to close before the NATO summit in Washington in July. "The negotiations are in their final stages, we're very close," the US official said. (With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Blinken assures Zelensky military aid 'now on its way'

Vladimir Putin made an unexpected move. Putin has replaced his defence minister. An economist replaces Putin's long-time ally. But what prompted Putin for this reshuffle?

Why did Russian President Putin remove his defence minister Sergei Shoigu?

Data shows that Ukraine's defence is crumbling. Russian attacks have become more lethal than ever. Ukraine is shooting down a far smaller proportion of Russian missile attacks than it was earlier in the war.

Gravitas: Ukraine's defence is crumbling, here's proof

Russian President Vladimir Putin replaced his defense minister Sergei Shoigu, nominating an economist to take his place in the most substantial shake-up to the military’s command structure since Moscow launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022. Watch in for more details!

Russia: Was arrest of Shoigu's Deputy for corruption the last straw?

At least seven people have been killed and 20 others have been injured after a Soviet-era missile launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russia hit a section of a Russian apartment block in the border region of Belgorod, reported news agencies Reuters and AFP citing local officials, on Sunday (May 12).&nbsp;

<h2>Deadly attack on Belgorod</h2>

In what is being called one of the deadliest attacks so far in the border region of Belgorod, Russian officials claimed Ukraine launched a massive missile attack with Soviet-era Tochka ballistic missiles and Adler and RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket systems.

WATCH |&nbsp;Fighting rages north east of Kharkiv

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A report by Russian news agency TASS citing emergency services said that at least 20 people have been injured. Earlier, the Russian health minister had said 17 were injured, reported AFP.&nbsp;

The Russian defence ministry said that the Ukrainian missile hit a “residential district” in Belgorod after it was intercepted by air defences. The attack, according to the ministry, took place at 08:40 GMT and involved at least 12 missiles.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have denied that they target civilians, but the United Nations agency OHCHR, earlier this year, reported a total of 30,457 civilian casualties since the beginning of the&nbsp;war.&nbsp;

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, as per Reuters, said that the strike was a targeted attack on civilians which showed the criminality of both Ukraine and its allies in Europe and the United States.&nbsp;

<h2>Russia claims to have captured four more villages</h2>

On Sunday, Russia claimed that it captured four more villages – Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove – in the Kharkiv region in Ukraine.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-4000-evacuated-in-kharkiv-after-russia-claimed-capture-of-regions-five-villages-720555">Ukraine war: Over 4,000 evacuated from Kharkiv after Russia claimed to capture five villages</a>

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov took to social media and said the entire&nbsp; northern border of the Ukrainian&nbsp;region is under Russian fire "almost around the clock".&nbsp;

This comes a day after the Russian defence ministry said that its troops “liberated” five villages – Borisivka, Ogirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna and Strilecha – in the Kharkiv region near the border with Russia “as a result of offensive actions”.

Moscow also claimed that the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region was also now under Russian control.

Russia launched an armoured incursion early on Friday (May 10), an attack on a new front which may lead to a broader push into the Kharkiv region.&nbsp;

<h2>Is Russia accidentally bombing its own cities?</h2>

In an update on the ongoing war, on Saturday (May 11), the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted what it called Russia’s “continued inability to successfully employ their munitions on intended targets.”

It added, “Such errors have destructive and lethal consequences for the Russian population.” Between March and April, Russia accidentally dropped around 20 munitions in Belgorod alone.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-five-killed-in-ukrainian-strikes-on-border-regions-donetsk-russian-officials-720441">At least five killed in Ukrainian strikes on border regions, Donetsk: Russian officials</a>

According to the report, a Russian fighter jet accidentally dropped a FAB-500 bomb on the border city. At least five people were left injured and around 30 houses were damaged as a result.&nbsp;

“This is not an isolated incident. On February 18, a FAB-250 was reportedly released on Soloti in the Belgorod area which led to the evacuation of 150 residents,” said the MoD.&nbsp;

A similar incident took place in January after what the Russian defence ministry had described at the time as an “abnormal discharge of aircraft ammunition” over the village of Petropavlovka in the southern region of Voronezh. The incident left four people injured and damaged some nine houses.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

At least seven people have been killed and 20 others have been injured after a Soviet-era missile launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russia hit a section of a Russian apartment block in the border region of Belgorod, reported news agencies Reuters and AFP citing local officials, on Sunday (May 12).

At least seven people have been killed and 20 others have been injured after a Soviet-era missile launched by Ukraine and shot down by Russia hit a section of a Russian apartment block in the border region of Belgorod, reported news agencies Reuters and AFP citing local officials, on Sunday (May 12). Deadly attack on Belgorod In what is being called one of the deadliest attacks so far in the border region of Belgorod, Russian officials claimed Ukraine launched a massive missile attack with Soviet-era Tochka ballistic missiles and Adler and RM-70 Vampire multiple launch rocket systems. WATCH | Fighting rages north east of Kharkiv A report by Russian news agency TASS citing emergency services said that at least 20 people have been injured. Earlier, the Russian health minister had said 17 were injured, reported AFP. The Russian defence ministry said that the Ukrainian missile hit a “residential district” in Belgorod after it was intercepted by air defences. The attack, according to the ministry, took place at 08:40 GMT and involved at least 12 missiles. Both Moscow and Kyiv have denied that they target civilians, but the United Nations agency OHCHR, earlier this year, reported a total of 30,457 civilian casualties since the beginning of the war. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, as per Reuters, said that the strike was a targeted attack on civilians which showed the criminality of both Ukraine and its allies in Europe and the United States. Russia claims to have captured four more villages On Sunday, Russia claimed that it captured four more villages – Hatyshche, Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove – in the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. Also Read | Ukraine war: Over 4,000 evacuated from Kharkiv after Russia claimed to capture five villages Meanwhile, Kharkiv Governor Oleg Synegubov took to social media and said the entire northern border of the Ukrainian region is under Russian fire "almost around the clock". This comes a day after the Russian defence ministry said that its troops “liberated” five villages – Borisivka, Ogirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna and Strilecha – in the Kharkiv region near the border with Russia “as a result of offensive actions”. Moscow also claimed that the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region was also now under Russian control. Russia launched an armoured incursion early on Friday (May 10), an attack on a new front which may lead to a broader push into the Kharkiv region. Is Russia accidentally bombing its own cities? In an update on the ongoing war, on Saturday (May 11), the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) highlighted what it called Russia’s “continued inability to successfully employ their munitions on intended targets.” It added, “Such errors have destructive and lethal consequences for the Russian population.” Between March and April, Russia accidentally dropped around 20 munitions in Belgorod alone. Also Read | At least five killed in Ukrainian strikes on border regions, Donetsk: Russian officials According to the report, a Russian fighter jet accidentally dropped a FAB-500 bomb on the border city. At least five people were left injured and around 30 houses were damaged as a result. “This is not an isolated incident. On February 18, a FAB-250 was reportedly released on Soloti in the Belgorod area which led to the evacuation of 150 residents,” said the MoD. A similar incident took place in January after what the Russian defence ministry had described at the time as an “abnormal discharge of aircraft ammunition” over the village of Petropavlovka in the southern region of Voronezh. The incident left four people injured and damaged some nine houses. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

At least seven killed after Ukrainian missile hits residential building in Belgorod: Russian officials

If West wants to fight for Ukraine on the battlefield, Russia is fully prepared for it, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday (May 13).

"It's their right - if they want it to be on the battlefield, it will be on the battlefield," state-run news agency RIA cited Lavrov as saying.

Significantly, Russia has intensified its warnings regarding the risks associated with a direct confrontation with NATO, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron declined to dismiss the possibility of deploying Western troops to the region at some stage.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-ponders-mandatory-military-service-for-18-year-olds-amid-looming-russia-nuclear-threat-720790">Germany ponders mandatory military service for 18-year-olds amid looming Russia nuclear threat</a>

The Kremlin last week said that sending NATO troops into Ukraine would potentially be extremely dangerous. President Vladimir Putin has said it could lead to World War Three.

Lavrov, who has served two decades as foreign minister, was speaking at a parliamentary hearing on his renomination to the post in a new government being formed after Putin started a fresh six-year term this month.

According to the news agency RIA, Lavrov remarked that the upcoming peace talks on Ukraine scheduled to occur in Switzerland next month, excluding Russia, were akin to issuing an ultimatum to Moscow.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-4000-evacuated-in-kharkiv-after-russia-claimed-capture-of-regions-five-villages-720555" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-4000-evacuated-in-kharkiv-after-russia-claimed-capture-of-regions-five-villages-720555&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwinqbzCr4qGAxVZd2wGHU8MAMYQFnoECAgQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw23J0K4YzG0enpU4dXAx7m8&amp;arm=e" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-4000-evacuated-in-kharkiv-after-russia-claimed-capture-of-regions-five-villages-720555" target="_blank">Ukraine war: Over 4000 evacuated from Kharkiv</a>

He likened the scenario to that of a student receiving a reprimand from teachers, where decisions about their fate are made while they are absent from the discussion.&nbsp;

"You can't talk to anyone like that, especially to us," Lavrov said. "The conference... boils down to restating an ultimatum to Russia." 
&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

If West wants to fight for Ukraine on the battlefield, Russia is fully prepared for it, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday (May 13). "It's their right - if they want it to be on the battlefield, it will be on the battlefield," state-run news agency RIA cited Lavrov as saying.

If West wants to fight for Ukraine on the battlefield, Russia is fully prepared for it, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday (May 13). "It's their right - if they want it to be on the battlefield, it will be on the battlefield," state-run news agency RIA cited Lavrov as saying. Significantly, Russia has intensified its warnings regarding the risks associated with a direct confrontation with NATO, especially after French President Emmanuel Macron declined to dismiss the possibility of deploying Western troops to the region at some stage. Also read: Germany ponders mandatory military service for 18-year-olds amid looming Russia nuclear threat The Kremlin last week said that sending NATO troops into Ukraine would potentially be extremely dangerous. President Vladimir Putin has said it could lead to World War Three. Lavrov, who has served two decades as foreign minister, was speaking at a parliamentary hearing on his renomination to the post in a new government being formed after Putin started a fresh six-year term this month. According to the news agency RIA, Lavrov remarked that the upcoming peace talks on Ukraine scheduled to occur in Switzerland next month, excluding Russia, were akin to issuing an ultimatum to Moscow. Also read: Ukraine war: Over 4000 evacuated from Kharkiv He likened the scenario to that of a student receiving a reprimand from teachers, where decisions about their fate are made while they are absent from the discussion. "You can't talk to anyone like that, especially to us," Lavrov said. "The conference... boils down to restating an ultimatum to Russia." (With inputs from agencies)

Russia is ready if West wants to fight for Ukraine, says Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

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Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Shoigu will now head Russia's powerful security council, an autonomous element of the wider Russian presidential administration that acts as the the central body for managing the formulation and execution of security-related policies. While the rejig places Shoigu in a position formally considered higher ranking than his role in the defence ministry, shifting Shoigu to National Security Council chairman could be viewed as a demotion.

Shoigu's future remained the subject of intense speculation in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power since Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his dismissal when launching the dramatic but short-lived mutiny. Prigozhin, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, had accused Shoigu of incompetence and having no regard for the lives of Wagner troops.

<h2>Shoigu's claim to fame</h2>

Shoigu's popularity grew in Russia after Moscow's forces annexed Crimea in 2014. At the helm of Russia's defences then, he was credited to have orchestrated the successful annexation of the region Russia claims as its own.

Also watch |&nbsp;Russia: Vladimir Putin appoints Sergei Shoigu as security council secretary

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Shoigu was also believed to have direct access to Vladimir Putin. He was often seen on regular hunting and fishing trips with Putin in Siberia.&nbsp;

<h2>The Ukraine setback and Wagner debacle</h2>

Russia’s minister of defence since 2012, Shoigu is blamed by many critics inside the Russian military for failing to prepare the Russian Armed Forces for the war in Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/loud-and-posh-wagner-chief-prigozhin-gets-quiet-and-sombre-funeral-630339">Loud and posh Wagner chief Prigozhin gets quiet and sombre funeral</a>

Shoigu was tasked with modernising Russia's military and rooting out widespread corruption that plagued&nbsp;the military. But he came under intense criticism for Moscow's inability to overwhelm Ukrainian defences in the immediate weeks after Russia launched war on Ukraine. He was also blamed for failing to stop an armed uprising in June 2023 by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had called for his arrest after accusing him of discriminating between regular Russian armed forces and Wagner mercenaries.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's fifth presidential term began with the removal of his longtime ally Sergei Shoigu as defence minister in the most significant rejig in the country's military command since the beginning of war in Ukraine in February 2022. Shoigu will now head Russia's powerful security council, an autonomous element of the wider Russian presidential administration that acts as the the central body for managing the formulation and execution of security-related policies. While the rejig places Shoigu in a position formally considered higher ranking than his role in the defence ministry, shifting Shoigu to National Security Council chairman could be viewed as a demotion. Shoigu's future remained the subject of intense speculation in and beyond Moscow's corridors of power since Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin demanded his dismissal when launching the dramatic but short-lived mutiny. Prigozhin, who was killed in a mysterious plane crash in August 2023, had accused Shoigu of incompetence and having no regard for the lives of Wagner troops. Shoigu's claim to fame Shoigu's popularity grew in Russia after Moscow's forces annexed Crimea in 2014. At the helm of Russia's defences then, he was credited to have orchestrated the successful annexation of the region Russia claims as its own. Also watch | Russia: Vladimir Putin appoints Sergei Shoigu as security council secretary × Shoigu was also believed to have direct access to Vladimir Putin. He was often seen on regular hunting and fishing trips with Putin in Siberia. The Ukraine setback and Wagner debacle Russia’s minister of defence since 2012, Shoigu is blamed by many critics inside the Russian military for failing to prepare the Russian Armed Forces for the war in Ukraine. Also read | Loud and posh Wagner chief Prigozhin gets quiet and sombre funeral Shoigu was tasked with modernising Russia's military and rooting out widespread corruption that plagued the military. But he came under intense criticism for Moscow's inability to overwhelm Ukrainian defences in the immediate weeks after Russia launched war on Ukraine. He was also blamed for failing to stop an armed uprising in June 2023 by Wagner mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, who had called for his arrest after accusing him of discriminating between regular Russian armed forces and Wagner mercenaries.

Who is Sergei Shoigu? Putin's hunting partner just shown exit door from Russian defence ministry

Thousands have been evacuated from the border areas near Ukraine's Kharkiv as Russia claims it has captured four more villages in the country's Northeast. This is in addition to the five villages Russia claimed to have captured on Saturday.

Russia-Ukraine war: Nine villages captured in Kharkiv over two days, says Russia

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia claims it has taken four more villages

Fierce fighting continue for a second day in northeastern Ukraine, where the Russian Defense Ministry claims its troops have conquered five villages, which Kyiv disputes.

Ukraine: Battles rage in North East of Kharkiv, Russian forces claim they've captured 5 villages

Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine's deadly attack on Belgorod in Russia

Russia-Ukraine war: Over 4000 evacuated from Ukraine's Kharkiv

Russia-Ukraine war: Evacuations continue in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Moscow steps up strikes

Fierce fighting raged on the second day in Ukraine's North-eastern region of Kharkiv as Russia intensified its offensive in the region. The intense battle continues in seven border villages.

Russia-Ukraine war: Fighting rages north east of Kharkiv

Russia discovered enormous oil and gas deposits in the Antarctic, much of it in regions claimed by the United Kingdom. MPs have cautioned that the studies are a prelude to bringing in drilling rigs to extract fossil fuels from the pristine region. Watch to know more.

Russia finds vast oil and gas reserves in Antarctica

Ukraine claims to have arrested local agents who were hired by Russian spies to assassinate Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukraine's security agency claims Russians had offered $50,000 to the agents. Gravitas brings you the details.

Gravitas | Did Russia try to assassinate Ukraine's Zelensky?

Kyiv expects to get its first F-16 fighter jets from Western allies in June or July, according to a high-ranking Ukrainian military source on Friday. Ukraine has been seeking US-made F-16 fighter fighters to offset Russia's air superiority for more than two years.

Ukraine to Get Its First F-16 Jets in June-July

At least five people have been killed and nine others injured after three separate Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes on the Russian border provinces of Belgorod and Kursk, the city of Donetsk, which Moscow claims to have annexed, reported Reuters, on Saturday (May 11) citing local officials. This comes as Russia said it had captured six villages in Ukraine’s east after a surprise ground offensive.&nbsp;

<h2>Five killed in Ukrainian strikes&nbsp;</h2>

A missile strike on a restaurant in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, killed three people and wounded eight, said Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the region.&nbsp;

“As a result of a direct strike on the Paradise restaurant in Donetsk’s Kirov district, three civilians were killed: a woman who worked at the restaurant and two diners,” said Pushilin, adding that “сurrently we know of eight injured”.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia mounts assault on Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv

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A girl, three women and four men sustained injuries which were described by the Russian-installed official as minor to moderately severe.&nbsp;

Pushilin said that there were two strikes conducted using the United States-developed HIMARS precision rocket launchers, which hit the restaurant and damaged the roof of a partially constructed building nearby.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov took to Telegram and said one man had been killed and another had been injured after a Ukrainian drone hit a parked truck in the border village of Novostroyevka-Pervaya.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-war-over-1700-evacuated-from-areas-near-russian-border-in-kharkiv-720350">Ukraine war: Over 1,700 evacuated from areas near Russian border in Kharkiv</a>

In the neighbouring region of Kursk, the regional governor Roman Starovoit said one civilian had died in hospital after being wounded in a drone strike in the town of Sudzha, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

<h2>Russia claims to have captured six villages in Ukraine’s east</h2>

The Russian defence ministry, on Saturday, said that its troops “liberated” five villages – Borisivka, Ogirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna and Strilecha – in the Kharkiv region near the border with Russia “as a result of offensive actions”.&nbsp;

Moscow also claimed that the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region was also now under Russian control.&nbsp;

<h2>Nearly 1,800 Ukrainians evacuated</h2>

Earlier on Saturday, Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov took to social media and said nearly 1,800 people had been evacuated from the eastern Ukrainian region.&nbsp;

“A total of 1,775 people have been evacuated,” Synegubov wrote on social media. He also reported Russian artillery and mortar attacks on 30 settlements over the past 24 hours.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-advances-in-ukraines-kharkiv-region-to-create-buffer-zone-720105">New front opens in Russia-Ukraine war as Moscow launches surprise offensive</a>

A report by news agency AFP said groups of evacuees could be seen in vans and cars with several bags at an evacuation arrival point outside the city of Kharkiv.

Evacuees – many of them elderly – registered and received food and medical assistance in makeshift tents, as per the news agency.&nbsp;

Russia launched an armoured incursion early on Friday, an attack on a new front which may lead to a broader push into the Kharkiv region.&nbsp;

This comes as Ukrainian forces find themselves outgunned and outmanned, while Russian forces have slowly advanced mainly in the Donetsk region to the south.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

At least five people have been killed and nine others injured after three separate Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes on the Russian border provinces of Belgorod and Kursk, the city of Donetsk, which Moscow claims to have annexed, reported Reuters, on Saturday (May 11) citing local officials.

At least five people have been killed and nine others injured after three separate Ukrainian drone and artillery strikes on the Russian border provinces of Belgorod and Kursk, the city of Donetsk, which Moscow claims to have annexed, reported Reuters, on Saturday (May 11) citing local officials. This comes as Russia said it had captured six villages in Ukraine’s east after a surprise ground offensive. Five killed in Ukrainian strikes A missile strike on a restaurant in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, killed three people and wounded eight, said Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the region. “As a result of a direct strike on the Paradise restaurant in Donetsk’s Kirov district, three civilians were killed: a woman who worked at the restaurant and two diners,” said Pushilin, adding that “сurrently we know of eight injured”. WATCH | Russia mounts assault on Ukraine's second largest city Kharkiv A girl, three women and four men sustained injuries which were described by the Russian-installed official as minor to moderately severe. Pushilin said that there were two strikes conducted using the United States-developed HIMARS precision rocket launchers, which hit the restaurant and damaged the roof of a partially constructed building nearby. Meanwhile, Belgorod regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov took to Telegram and said one man had been killed and another had been injured after a Ukrainian drone hit a parked truck in the border village of Novostroyevka-Pervaya. Also Read | Ukraine war: Over 1,700 evacuated from areas near Russian border in Kharkiv In the neighbouring region of Kursk, the regional governor Roman Starovoit said one civilian had died in hospital after being wounded in a drone strike in the town of Sudzha, reported Reuters. Russia claims to have captured six villages in Ukraine’s east The Russian defence ministry, on Saturday, said that its troops “liberated” five villages – Borisivka, Ogirtseve, Pletenivka, Pylna and Strilecha – in the Kharkiv region near the border with Russia “as a result of offensive actions”. Moscow also claimed that the village of Keramik in the Donetsk region was also now under Russian control. Nearly 1,800 Ukrainians evacuated Earlier on Saturday, Kharkiv governor Oleg Synegubov took to social media and said nearly 1,800 people had been evacuated from the eastern Ukrainian region. “A total of 1,775 people have been evacuated,” Synegubov wrote on social media. He also reported Russian artillery and mortar attacks on 30 settlements over the past 24 hours. Also Read | New front opens in Russia-Ukraine war as Moscow launches surprise offensive A report by news agency AFP said groups of evacuees could be seen in vans and cars with several bags at an evacuation arrival point outside the city of Kharkiv. Evacuees – many of them elderly – registered and received food and medical assistance in makeshift tents, as per the news agency. Russia launched an armoured incursion early on Friday, an attack on a new front which may lead to a broader push into the Kharkiv region. This comes as Ukrainian forces find themselves outgunned and outmanned, while Russian forces have slowly advanced mainly in the Donetsk region to the south. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

At least five killed in Ukrainian strikes on border regions, Donetsk: Russian officials

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