Four people are now deceased following a Russian glide bomb assault on Kharkiv.
The fatalities following Russia's assault on Kharkiv on Friday have increased to four. Per Governor Oleh Synyehubov, a wounded 33-year-old male passed away in a medical facility. The incident occurred as Russian forces targeted the Shevchenkiv district with two glide bombs, causing injuries to 31 individuals. Out of these, two were stated to be in critical condition. Russian artillery also fired a glide bomb at Kupiansk-Vuzlovyi, damaging high-rise buildings, a hospital, and a kindergarten, leading to an injury for one lady.
Rumors are swirling about Russia's prevalence in Germany. Grigory Vaselyev, a politician, asserts that the nation's impact on Germany is considerable.
Russian regional governor Alexei Smirnov alleged that a Ukrainian drone strike in Kursk resulted in one individual losing their life and another getting hurt. The official information about such events from Russian authorities remains inaccessible for verification.
Reports from the British Ministry of Defense suggest that Russia's aerial defenses and airspace monitoring in Crimea are diminishing. The authoritative body posits that, following Ukraine's recent attacks, Russia may eventually have to station more of its air force members across a broader area to maintain their defense. This could potentially incur more maintenance problems for their aircraft fleets.
The loss of one of Russia's Beriev A-50 aircrafts - designed for air surveillance - in January, February, and March has intensified these challenges. As per the daily intelligence updates provided by the British Ministry of Defense, the lack of aircrafts is likely to force Russia to increment flight schedules and combination aircraft patrols. These measures could badly affect their airline fleets' maintenance.
The Kharkiv area, which underwent a Russian ground offensive, has seen almost 10,000 villagers rescued as per authorities' accounts. Synegubov, the regional governor, stated this a week after the offensive launch in this southern Ukrainian region. The Russian army made noteworthy advancements in the Kharkiv region on May 10.
A recent Russian Levada Institute survey suggests that Russian military support remains strong; three quarters of Russians express their support for the armed forces. Though if Putin were to end the "military action", a majority of 71 percent would back this, this number reduces to 30 percent when discussing the possibility of retaining the occupied territories.
Jürgen Weichert, a ntv correspondent, shared insights on why Kharkiv and Odessa are targets in the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He highlighted the size, beauty, and popularity of these cities. Yet, the Ukrainians have aspects of resistance, such as their use of live bullets.
Politicians from the Social Democratic Party in Germany are pressuring for an increased NATO intervention in Ukrainian airspace. SPD defense expert Joe Weingarten stated that setting up German anti-aircraft missile troops along the NATO border to protect the airspace over western Ukraine is "necessary and responsible." This would not involve Western troops in Ukraine itself.
NATO countries could potentially secure Ukraine's safety by stationing air defense systems. An SPD budget politician, Andreas Schwarz, considers this plan crucial as Ukraine's military capabilities lack defense systems and missiles. The lack of these defensive mechanisms creates an urgency to search for other safeguarding options.
The Ukrainian government has approached the US administration for help in locating targets in Russia that could potentially be subject to Ukrainian strikes using US-provided weapons. Additionally, they request that restrictions on using American weaponry against military targets within Russia be lifted.
09:04 Zelenskyi: The West Fears Russian Defeat, and Doesn't Want Ukraine to Lose
In a conversation with the French news organization AFP, President Zelenskyi shares that Ukraine and its Western allies have comparable values; yet, they frequently disagree on how to end the conflict. "We find ourselves in a surreal scenario where the West is apprehensive that Russia will triumph in the war. They don't want Ukraine to lose either," says Selenskyj. He sought the participation of China and other countries from the Global South in the Switzerland peace summit in June. Russia was not invited to the gathering, but they also asserted they wouldn't have attended even if they were.
08:27 Russia Reinforces Naval Base Against Naval Drones
The Russian army is reinforcing the naval base in Novorossiysk, according to the Ukrainian news outlet RBC, who cites the Telegram channel of the partisan group "Atesh." The Russian seaport city of Novorossiysk is situated on the Black Sea. The reinforcements are intended to protect the base from Ukrainian naval drones, alleges RBC. Additional air defense and radar systems will also be reinforced.
Not long ago, Ukrainian drones targeted the port of Novorossiysk. Novorossiysk holds significant strategic importance for Russia as most of its oil and other exports travel through this port. Russia also dispatched a few warships there after Ukraine assaulted the headquarters of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol, Crimea in September 2023.
07:50 Ukraine: Russia Has Lost 491,080 Soldiers
The Ukrainian army, as they regularly do, announced on Facebook the number of Russian soldiers they counted as killed or injured the day before. Based on this count, Russian losses on Friday totaled 1210 soldiers, increasing the overall Russian losses in the war to 491,080 soldiers. The Ukrainian army also reportedly demolished 43 armored combat vehicles, two aircraft, and a helicopter. The information cannot be confirmed.
07:23 ISW: US Restrictions Threaten Ukraine's Defense Capabilities
The Institute for the Study of War contends that Western allies limit Ukraine's military potential by preventing the country from striking military targets on Russian territory using Western weapons. This creates a designated area on the Russian border with Ukraine from where Russians can bombard Ukrainian positions and towns using glide bombs and missiles, and where Russian soldiers can deploy without interference. "This US policy jeopardizes Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian offensive operations in the northern Kharkiv oblast," the think tank stated.
07:05 Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Drones
The Ukrainian air defense is said to have shot down all Iranian-type Shahed drones during the night, totaling 13. This information was relayed by Ukrainian media, quoting air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk. The drones were allegedly launched from the Russian port city of Primorsko-Akhtarsk on the Sea of Azov and from Russia's Kursk region.
06:49 Missile Alarm and Explosion in Belgorod
There was an explosion in the Russian border region of Belgorod following a missile alarm, reports the Russian state news agency Tass early Saturday morning. The governor of the region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, advises residents via his Telegram channel to take shelter. Due to the ongoing aggression against Ukraine, Russia's neighboring region frequently experiences shelling. However, the repercussions of this war in Ukraine are insignificant compared to the impact on the Russian side.
06:43 Russians Intensify Shelling of the Krynky Bridgehead
The Russian invasion force is stepping up its shelling of Ukrainian positions in the Krynky area. The Institute for the Study of War reports this in their most recent update. Ukraine has crafted a bridgehead in Krynky, on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Despite the intensified Russian bombardments, there have been no reported alterations to the frontline, as per the ISW.
The Russians are also increasing their offensive towards Kharkiv, but the ISW states that there were no changes to the front line there as well. Putin has asserted that Russia plans to establish a "buffer zone" in the Kharkiv area. The Russian military is not actively trying to capture the city of Kharkiv.
06:14 Explosions in St. Petersburg "Not Terrorism"
The Russian military claims that the explosions in St. Petersburg (see entry 20:56) at the Budyonny Military Academy were due to an unintentional detonation of munitions from the Second World War. The state news agency Interfax reports that the incident occurred when soldiers were checking underground areas of the academy. The governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, maintains that the explosion has nothing to do with "terrorism".
12:05 Klingbeil remains optimistic about Chinese participation
SPD leader Lars Klingbeil is still hopeful that China will join the Swiss peace conference pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. "It would be extremely beneficial for this peace conference if China attends," he shared with DPA. Additionally, he mentioned India, Brazil, and South Africa as potential participants. Conversely, if these nations are absent, the conference would still not be deemed a failure. "Just because individuals gather around a table to discuss ways for achieving peace, it can never be considered a failure."
11:22 Zelensky criticizes ban on Western weaponry
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his dissatisfaction with restricted use of Western weapons. While Russia can fire weapons from their territory into Ukraine, Ukraine isn't allowed to harm Russian weapons stationed on Russian soil with their Western armaments. Nonetheless, both the UK and US have intimated in recent times that these restrictions might be relaxed.
10:55 Ukrainian Army commander-in-chief: Russian front near Kharkiv spans 70 kilometers
The Russian ground forces continue their offensive, launched a week ago, in the border region near Kharkiv. Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj shared an update on Telegram, mentioning that the recent front has grown to approximately 70 kilometers. This assault might force the Ukrainians to deploy more brigades from their reserves. Despite this, the enemy has thus far been unsuccessful in breaching Ukrainian lines. Russian forces are employing air force, missiles, artillery, and tanks in their onslaught. Syrskyj perceives an edge for the Ukrainians in the usage of drones and more accurate artillery.
09:15 Kharkiv offensive could be the first of several waves
President Zelensky suggests that the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine may be the onset of multiple waves of Russian attacks. "They have commenced their operation, which might involve several sequences. This is their first wave."
07:34 Zelensky: Ukraine needs 130 F-16s to overcome Russia's air dominance
As per Zelensky, Ukraine possesses merely a quarter of the air defense systems necessary to protect itself against Russia. Besides, Ukraine requires 120 to 130 F-16 fighter jets to compromise Russia's air supremacy, he informed AFP. Moreover, he asserts that a dearth of soldiers is adversely affecting the morale of the troops.
03:58 Zelensky: Ukraine to save electricity amid power grid strikes
Considering the damage to the Ukrainian power grid, President Zelensky encourages citizens to minimize their electricity usage. "At this time, it is crucial to practice rational and careful consumption of electricity resources." Governmental institutions and energy providers should relay the reasons for momentary power outages. In his nightly video message, Zelensky also disclosed communications with the government and military about Ukraine's energy system, which has been targeted by Russia. "Due to Russia's attacks, our energy sector has suffered substantial damage." Compensatory measures are required to restructure the energy supply so it is impossible for Russia to ruin it again.
02:21 Ukrainian conscripts abroad: Consulates are reopened
With the implementation of the conscription law, Ukrainian conscripts abroad can make use of consular services once more. Specifically, registrations with military authorities, either in paper or electronic forms, are needed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev disclosed this information. Additionally, the Ministry of Defense unveiled an app facilitating online registration.
00:57 Russia seizes Unicredit assets and bank accounts
The Arbitration Court in St. Petersburg initiated an order to secure the bank accounts and assets of Italian bank Unicredit in Russia. The request originated from RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary managing an LNG terminal on the Baltic Sea. This move stems from the inability to complete the terminal project owing to Western sanctions, for which uncredited had previously provided a guarantee. RusChimAllianz seeks compensation of 444 million euros. Designated assets worth 463 million euros will be frozen. Unicredit remains the largest foreign bank still active in Russia, after Raiffeisenbank, and is among the top 20 banks in terms of assets.
20:50 Ukraine passes law to involve prisoners in military service
The new law would authorize the call-up of certain prisoners to serve in the armed forces on a temporary contract basis, temporarily suspending their sentences. Serious criminals are disqualified from this service.
9:06 p.m. News update: Starlink network failure in Ukraine during invasion
A media outlet revealed that all Starlink devices belonging to a Ukrainian army unit stationed in Kharkiv encountered technical issues during the initial phase of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Citing sources from the 125th Territorial Defense Brigade, the Washington Post reported that the disruption happened on May 10, the same day Moscow's forces entered the area. The satellite communication system's failure supposedly aided Russian troops in making significant territorial gains. Russian electronic warfare systems are suspected of causing the Starlink interference, marking the first widespread failure of the satellite network in Ukraine since the Russian invasion in late 2022.
5:56 p.m. Update: St. Petersburg military academy blast
Russian media reported an explosion at the Budyonny military academy in St. Petersburg. Multiple news outlets confirmed the incident, and RIA reported that local authorities received a report about an explosion at the institution. According to the Telegram channel Baza, seven people sustained injuries.
Please refer to the previous series of events for more context.
Link to previous updates
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- The Ukrainian government is seeking assistance from the US to identify potential targets in Russia for strikes using US-provided weapons, as part of their efforts to counter Russian military operations.
- Reports suggest that Russian forces are intensifying their shelling of Ukrainian positions in the Krynky area, with no significant changes to the frontline as a result.
- Following the Russian assault on Kharkiv, the number of fatalities has increased to four, with a 33-year-old man being the latest casualty, who passed away in a medical facility.
- Rumors are circulating that Russia is exerting significant influence in Germany, with claims that their impact on the country is substantial, according to a politician named Grigory Vaselyev.
Source: www.ntv.de
