Rome is preparing to welcome the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who is visiting Italy for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion, under maximum security measures. The leader, who has been wearing a sweatshirt and camouflage for a year now, will see President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. And he will go to Pope Francis.
At Bakhmut Ukrainian forces advance. This is supported by several army commanders, who speak of the reconquest of about 2 kilometers of territory. But in addition to the declarations of Kiev there is more: Yevgeny Prigozhin, the number one of the Wagner group of Russian mercenaries who is leading the bloody battle for Bakhmut, denounces a “flight” of the Russians, denying the version of the retreat in more defensive positions advantageous supported by the Russian Defense Ministry. What is not clear is whether or not this advance on Bakhmut marks the beginning of the expected Kiev counter-offensive.
The words of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who in an interview with the BBC declared that time is still needed for the start of the counter-offensive, have been interpreted by many as a way to keep Vladimir Putin’s Russia on its toes. «The Russian occupiers are already internally ready for defeat. In their minds they have already lost this war. We have to put pressure on them every day so that their sense of defeat turns into their escape, their mistakes, their losses,” Zelensky said yesterday.
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Prigozhin, the millionaire owner of private military group Wagner, who is often critical of the Russian military, argued that Russian forces have lost ground around Bakhmut. And in a video he then mocked the version given by the Russian Defense Ministry, asking him to “stop lying immediately”.
Meanwhile, the announcement by Eurovision that it will not broadcast a message from Zelensky is causing discussion: the participation of the Ukrainian president would violate “the non-political nature of the event”, the organizers of the European Broadcasting Union said.
Russia-Ukrainian War: Friday 12 May
007G: Ukrainians gain at least 1km to Bakhmut
“Ukrainian forces have gained at least a kilometer of territory in Bakhmut as the Russians retreat.” This reflects the “lack of credible fighting units”. British intelligence stated this in its latest briefing, writes the Guardian. The area is tactically significant because it is a Russian bridgehead on the western side of the Donets-Donbass canal, which marks the front line, the British ministry said in its update, posted on Twitter.
Kiev, three wounded during Russian attacks on Mykolaiv
Attacks carried out by Russian forces injured three people in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv, the city’s mayor said. The strikes occurred in the early hours of Saturday, Oleksandr Sienkevych said on his Telegram channel. Sienkevych said Russian forces targeted a local factory, while also damaging nearby residential buildings, setting fires in three apartments and damaging an educational institution. Attacks were also reported in Lviv in western Ukraine, with the regional military administration saying kamikaze drones were involved. Sienkevych said rescuers were working on the scene in Mykolaiv. One of the injured was taken away by ambulance while two people received medical attention at the scene. There was also a drone attack on Kiev during the night. The drones were shot down and no casualties were reported.
Kiev: nearly 200,000 Russian military dead since the beginning of the conflict
According to Kiev, almost 200,000 Russian soldiers have died since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine in February last year. The latest update of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released on Facebook speaks of “about 198,260” Russian soldiers “eliminated” in the fighting since February 24, 2022, 590 of which in the last 24 hours. Kiev forces also confirm the destruction of 3,751 tanks and 3,095 artillery systems. Destroyed or shot down, according to the Ukrainian bulletin relaunched by Ukrinform, 2,665 drones and 970 cruise missiles.
New attack in the night in Kiev, all drones shot down
“Sixth air attack on the capital since the beginning of May”. The head of the military administration of the city of Kiev, Serhiy Popko, writes on Telegram, reporting an attack that took place last night against the capital. “This time, the enemy launched an attack using only unmanned aerial vehicles. During the last air raid, which lasted 2.5 hours in Kiev, Iranian Shahed ammunition was detected in the airspace in the direction of the capital. All the enemy drones that were moving towards Kiev were successfully destroyed” and “no damage or injuries were reported in the capital”, explained Popko.
Air warning in 12 regions, including in Kiev
Air raid warning in 12 regions of Ukraine, including the capital Kiev where the military administration has recommended civilians to remain in shelters. The Kiev Independent reports it.
G7: support for Ukraine and condemnation of the Russian war
“We reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine for as long as needed and unite our condemnation of Russia’s illegal, unjustifiable and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.” This is the first point of the final communiqué of the financial G7 which concluded in Nigata in Japan. We are firmly committed to continuing to address Ukraine’s urgent short-term financing, as well as supporting neighboring countries and other severely affected countries. The commitment to the reconstruction and repair of critical Ukrainian infrastructure was also highlighted.
Blinken hears Kuleba discuss counter-offensive preparations
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. The two – reads a note from Washington – “discussed the ongoing preparations for the counteroffensive” of Kiev, including “the way in which the contributions of international partners can support its success”. Blinken also noted that Ukraine’s sovereignty is “vital to peace and security in Europe” and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and President Joe Biden.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: “740 anti-aircraft sirens sounded in Kiev since the beginning of the war”
«740 air alerts have been triggered in Kiev since February 24, 2022»: thus begins a tweet published by the Ukrainian Defense Ministry account. “In total, the alarms lasted 851 hours and 38 minutes.”
Pro-Russians in Lugansk, “six children injured in Ukrainian attack on city”
Six children were injured in a rocket attack on Lugansk by the Ukrainian armed forces. This was stated by the pro-Russian head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk Republic, Leonid Pasechnik. Ria Novosti reports it. “As a result of the barbaric bombing of Lugansk by nationalists, six children were injured,” he wrote on his Telegram channel. Two teenagers are in hospital in conditions of “moderate gravity”, she explained.
Russian Duma deputy Vodolatsky injured in Lugansk
First Deputy Chairman of the Russian Duma’s Committee on Interethnic Affairs Viktor Vodolatsky was injured following a shelling of Lugansk in Donbass by the armed forces of Ukraine. This was reported by the Russian news agency ‘Tass’. “Following the missile attack on the city of Lugansk – always reports the Russian press agency which quotes the representative office of the Lugansk People’s Republic -, six children and State Duma deputy Viktor Vodolatsky were injured”. states the report.