Russia captures another locality in Kharkiv.

Russia Captures Another Village Near Kharkiv at 12:53

Based on the Russian Ministry of Defense's statement, Russia has "freed" a village named Staryzia in the Kharkiv district. The troops operating in the area are persistently moving forward, as per the ministry. The Russian invasion force had launched an assault in the region around a week ago, creating a third front in addition to the ones in the east and south.

United Nations sources indicate that Ukrainian soldiers are attempting to repel the Russians towards the village of Hlyboke in the Kharkiv region. Hlyboke is approximately 40 kilometers from Kharkiv and about 10 kilometers from the Russian border, RBC, a Ukrainian news agency, says. "Ukrainian troops are trying to push the enemy back towards the settlement of Hlyboke," the Ukrainian Army's General Staff disclosed in a communique.

Following the Russian bombardment of Kharkiv on Friday, the deceased count has reached four. A 33-year-old who had sustained injuries in the attack eventually perished in the hospital, Governor Oleh Synjehubov shared. He also mentioned that Russian forces assailed the Shevchenkiv region with two suicide bombs, leading to 31 casualties. Two of the injured's conditions were considered dangerous, Synjehubov stated. Additionally, the Russians fired a suicide bomb at the community of Kupianks'k-Vuzlovyi, resulting in damage to several multi-floor structures, a hospital, and a preschool. A woman's wound was reported.

In relation to Selensky's strategy of using weapons provided by the West, President of the German Council on Foreign Relations Thomas Jäger posits that Russia wields significant influence on Germany.

The governor of Kursk, Alexei Smirnov, asserts that one person was slain and another harmed by a Ukrainian drone strike in a border area of Kursk. Information emanating from Russian authorities regarding purported attacks and fatalities cannot be affirmed independently.

The British Ministry of Defense surmises that Russian air defenses in Crimea have been weakened by the recent Ukrainian attacks. The body foresees that Russia might be compelled to distribute their air forces over a broader expanse to maintain them, risking the loss of more planes.

British Ministry of Defense also announced that a Russian Beriev A-50 combat surveillance plane, employed for aerial surveillance, crashed in January, February, and March. Consequently, Russia "likely must enhance flight hours and air combat aircraft deployment rates to compensate for the vacuum in coverage, leading to heightened upkeep issues for their fleets".

Within a week of the initiation of the Russian ground offensive in the eastern Ukraine region of Kharkiv, officials claim that more than 9,900 people have been displaced from threatened villages. Kharkiv regional governor Oleh Synegubov divulged this information. Russian troops initiated a ground offensive in the Kharkiv region on May 10, and have since advanced approximately five to ten kilometers along the northeastern border.

According to a Russian Levada Institute survey, overwhelming Russian support for the military remains strong, with three-quarter of Russians expressing approval. While 71% of respondents favored ceasing the military operation, this proportion dwindles to 30% if the termination entails relinquishing "occupied lands".

As shelling has persisted in Kharkiv and Odessa throughout the Russian invasion of Ukraine, ntv correspondent Jürgen Weichert reflects on the potential reasons, including the size, aesthetic appeal, and notoriety of the cities. However, Ukrainian forces possess live ammunition.

The first SPD members of Parliament have been advocating for NATO to provide airspace protection to Ukraine from the land in NATO. SPD defense expert Joe Weingarten expressed, "In the current military situation, I deem it necessary and prudent to station German anti-aircraft missile troops on NATO territory at the border of Ukraine, for example with Patriot systems." Doing this would not necessitate Western troops to be stationed in Ukraine. Anti-aircraft defense systems on NATO territory close to the boundary could potentially impact a significant portion of Ukrainian airspace.

Andreas Schwarz, a SPD budget politician, characterizes air defense as "Ukraine's Achilles heel." The nation is said to be devoid of defense systems and missiles to safeguard its infrastructure and citizens. Alternative options must be explored. "This includes the consideration of seeking airspace security from NATO allies."

The Suddeutsche Zeitung has outlined these occurrences.

Ukraine Seeks U.S. Aid in Attacking Russian Territory

Ukraine has requested the U.S. government's assistance in identifying targets in Russia that it can later bomb using their weapons. Additionally, the country is pleading with the U.S. to lift restrictions on the use of American weapons, allowing them to target military objectives within Russia, according to Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal.

Zelenskyi: West Fears Russian Victory and Doesn't Want Ukraine to Lose

In an interview with the French news agency AFP, President Zelenskyi points out the difference in values between Ukraine and its Western allies, particularly when it comes to ending the conflict. "We find ourselves in a nonsensical situation where the West is afraid that Russia will win the war. And it doesn't want Ukraine to lose it," Zelenskyi stated. He also called for China and other countries from the Global South to participate in a peace summit in Switzerland in June. Russia was not invited to the meeting and had already declared it would not attend.

Russia Reinforces Naval Base Against Ukraine's Naval Drones

The Russian army is beefing up its naval base in Novorossiysk with reinforcements to protect it from Ukrainian aerial drones. Novorossiysk, located on the Black Sea, is strategically vital for Russia as it serves as a conduit for oil and other exports. The recent Ukrainian attack on Russia's fleet headquarters in Sevastopol, Crimea, prompted this buildup.

Ukraine Reports 491,080 Russian Soldiers Lost

The Ukrainian military continues to publish a daily tally of Russian soldiers killed or wounded. The report for Friday noted that 1,210 Russian servicemen were lost, raising the total to 491,080 soldiers. The Ukrainian army also claimed to have destroyed 43 armored combat vehicles, two aircraft, and a helicopter. The information remains unverified.

US Policies Undermine Ukraine's Defensive Capabilities

The Institute for the Study of War suggested that Western allies are limiting Ukraine's capabilities by forbidding it from using their weapons to attack military objectives within Russia. This buildup protects Russia's border from Ukrainian attacks while allowing the Russians to deploy troops and equip them with munitions. The institute describes this policy as potentially crippling Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian offensives in the northern Kharkiv oblast.

Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Drones

Ukrainian air defenses allegedly shot down all Iranian Shahed drones during the night, a total of 13. The information came from Ukrainian media, citing air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk. The drones were reportedly launched from the Russian ports of Primorsko-Akhtarsk in the Sea of Azov and from the Russian oblast of Kursk.

Explosion in Russian Border Region Due to an Accidental Detonation of Wartime Ammunition

A Russian military academy in St. Petersburg experienced an explosion triggered by a detonation of ammunition left over from the Second World War. Residents were urged to evacuate the area by Russian Governor Alexander Beglov, who declared the incident unrelated to terrorism.

Russian Military Intensifies Shelling of Ukrainian Positions in Krynky Area

The Russian army has heightened its shelling of Ukrainian positions in the Krynky area, where they've established a bridgehead by the Dnipro River in the Kherson region. Despite the ongoing attacks, the front line has remained unchanged, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

No Terrorism Involved in St. Petersburg Explosion - Russian Army

Upon evaluating the St. Petersburg incident in which explosions occurred at the Budyonny Military Academy late Friday (see entry 20:56), the Russian army concluded that the explosions were accidental, stemming from the detonation of remnant ammunition from the Second World War. The state news agency Interfax disclosed the preliminary findings. Governor of St. Petersburg, Alexander Beglov, echoed the sentiment, stating that the incident was not related to terrorism.

Russians Increase Firing in Krynky Bridgehead and Kharkiv Region

The Russian army has escalated its fire on Ukrainian positions in Krynky and Kharkiv, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War in its latest update. In Krynky, Ukraine has fortified a bridgehead on the southern bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, and despite Russian army's persistence, there have been no confirmed changes to the front line.

Putin's Claim of Establishing a "Buffer Zone" in the Kharkiv Region

The Ukrainian front line has not been altered in the ongoing offensive towards the city of Kharkiv. However, the Russian army is seeking to create a "buffer zone" in the region as claimed by Putin. The Russian army does not appear to be targeting Kharkiv itself.

06:02 Lars Klingbeil, the German Social Democratic Party leader, maintains optimism over China's potential involvement in the Swiss Ukraine peace conference. He stated to the German Press Agency, "It's extremely crucial for this peace conference if China participates in it." India, Brazil, and South Africa are also considered key players in potential negotiations. "However, it wouldn't be a total failure if these countries don't make it to the table." Discussions should still occur to achieve peace, no matter the circumstances.

05:43 President Volodymyr Zelensky expresses dissatisfaction with the use of Western weapons limitations. Western weapons can't be deployed against Russian territory weapons, as Ukraine lacks the capacity to do so. The UK and the US have indicated a possible relaxation of these limits.

05:10 Ukrainian army commander Olexander Syrskyj reports tensions near Kharkiv. The Russian army has extended this new front close to Kharkiv approximately 70 kilometers wide, potentially requiring more Ukrainian troops. Despite the Russian onslaught with ground troops, airforce, missiles, artillery, and tanks, the Ukrainian defense has managed to remain steadfast. Ukrainian advantages in drones and precise artillery fire represent a significant advantage.

03:35 Zelensky refers to the Ukrainian offensive in the Kharkiv region as potentially representing "the first wave" of Russian attacks. "They've initiated their operation. It could consist of several waves. And this is their first wave," he told AFP.

02:17 Zelensky asserts that Ukraine desperately requires 130 F16 fighter jets to overcome Russian air dominance. Additionally, he emphasizes the impact of a dwindling army on troop morale. Over 120,000 able-bodied men have abandoned the country in response to the Russian invasion.

00:17 Following a wave of targeted power grid attacks, Zelensky appeals to the public to conserve electricity. "Now is the time for rational, careful electricity consumption." Regional authorities and energy providers should share the reasoning behind necessary power interruptions. The extent of the damage inflicted on the Ukrainian power grid by Russia is substantial, according to Zelensky. He plans to restructure the energy system to prevent future attacks.

23:59 Following enactment of the new Ukrainian mobilization law, foreign conscripts can now access consular services. This change requires proof of military registration, either physically or electronically. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kiev launched an app for online registration.

22:59 Russia freezes Unicredit bank accounts and assets in Russia. The St. Petersburg arbitration court granted RusChimAllianz, a Gazprom subsidiary operating an LNG terminal on the Baltic Sea, this request in retaliation for Western sanctions surrounding incomplete construction of the terminal, in which Unicredit served as a guarantor. RusChimAllianz seeks 444 million euros in damages.

21:55 A new law grants Ukrainian prisoners the ability to contribute to the army. These prisoners have been given the option to defer their sentences and serve in the military temporarily. Only certain convicts are eligible, excluding those convicted of serious crimes.

9:36pm Report: Ukraine's Starlink devices malfunctioned during initial Russian attack

A media outlet has disclosed that all satellites belonging to an Ukrainian military station in the region of Kharkiv encountered issues at the beginning of Russia's offensive. The incident was confirmed by members of the 125th Territorial Defence Brigade, according to Washington Post, which took place on the 10th of May. The attack coincided with the entry of Moscow's troops into the border area. Sources affirmed that the breakdown of the satellite communication system aided the rapid territorial advancement of the Russian forces. The Washington Post attributed the Starlink disruption to Russian electronic warfare systems. This was the first widespread malfunction of the satellite communication system in Ukraine since the Russian invasion last spring.

20:56 Explosion reported at St. Petersburg military academy

As per Russian media details, an explosion occurred at the Budyonny military academy in the metropolis of St. Petersburg. Several news outlets conveyed this information. According to the state news agency RIA, local authorities stated that a resident reported the blast at the academy. The Telegram channel Baza, associated with law enforcement agencies, mentioned that seven individuals sustained injuries.

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