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Ukraine war: French journalist killed near Bakhmut

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A French journalist, 32-year-old Arman Soldin, was fatally struck by rocket fire while reporting in the war-torn region of eastern Ukraine. He was working for the AFP news agency and was killed near Chasiv Yar, just west of Bakhmut.

Soldin was part of a group of journalists accompanying Ukrainian soldiers when they came under attack at around 16:30 local time. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences and praised Soldin’s work on the front lines of the conflict. The chairman of AFP, Fabrice Fries, described the news agency as “devastated” by the journalist’s death, emphasizing the risks faced by journalists covering the Ukrainian conflict.

Soldin had been living in Ukraine since September, having joined the first AFP team to report from the country after Russia’s invasion in February of the previous year. Tributes were paid to Soldin in France’s National Assembly, and Ukraine’s defense ministry offered its condolences, acknowledging his dedication to uncovering the truth.

The Kremlin expressed sadness and called for an investigation into the circumstances of Soldin’s death. The White House also honored the journalist and acknowledged the sacrifices made by journalists exposing the realities of Russia’s invasion.

Soldin, who was born in Bosnia, is the 15th journalist to be killed while reporting on the Ukrainian war since February 2022, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Bakhmut has been a focal point of the conflict in eastern Ukraine for several months.

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Ukraine says it downed Russian cruise missiles aimed at Kyiv

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Ukrainian officials claim that their air defences successfully shot down 15 Russian cruise missiles that were launched overnight towards the capital, Kyiv. No casualties were reported. Senior Kyiv military official, Serhiy Popko, believes that the missiles were launched by four bombers from the Caspian sea region.

The missile attack occurred just hours before Russia’s Victory Day holiday, which commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany during World War II. Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has compared the Ukraine war to Adolf Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union.

Ukraine’s air force accused Russia of attempting to kill as many civilians as possible on Victory Day. The missile attack comes after Ukraine reported that Russia had launched its biggest drone attack of the war on Sunday night, killing one person and injuring five.

In Moscow, there is a sense of nervousness due to a series of recent explosions, drone attacks, and sabotage, including an alleged drone attack on the Kremlin, for which Moscow blamed Ukrainian drones, while Kyiv denied involvement.

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Zakhar Prilepin: Russian pro-war writer defiant after car bomb attack

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Zakhar Prilepin, a Russian writer known for his support of Russia’s campaign in Ukraine, survived a car bombing that killed his friend Alexander Shubin. The bomb was placed under the passenger seat, but Prilepin was driving the car at the time.

He sustained injuries to both his legs but survived the blast, which he said occurred just after he had dropped off his daughter. Investigators claim that a suspect, Alexander Permyakov, has admitted working for Ukraine.

Prilepin, a veteran of Moscow’s wars in Chechnya, has become a strident supporter of the Ukraine invasion and has admitted to fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. He has also called for the “return of Kyiv to Russia” and has advocated for the “purge of the cultural space” of those who oppose the conflict.

The Russian Investigative Committee (SK) claims that a suspect, Alexander Permyakov, has been caught in a neighbouring village and has admitted to carrying out an assignment for the Ukrainian secret services.

A Ukrainian-Crimean Tatar group called Atesh claimed responsibility for the attack on Prilepin, but the BBC has been unable to verify their claims. The attack is the latest in a series targeting high-profile supporters of Russia’s war in Ukraine, including blogger Vladlen Tatarsky, activist Darya Trepova, and Darya Dugina, the daughter of Alexander Dugin, a close ally of President Putin.

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Ukraine war: Russia accused of using phosphorus bombs in Bakhmut

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Ukraine has accused Russia of using phosphorus munitions to attack the city of Bakhmut. Drone footage released by Ukraine’s military shows the city ablaze as white phosphorus appears to rain down on it. The use of white phosphorus weapons is not banned but is considered a war crime when used in civilian areas.

Russia has been accused of using such weapons before. Moscow has been trying to capture Bakhmut for months, despite its questionable strategic value, and thousands of Russian troops are said to have died in the assault. White phosphorus causes severe injuries and burns at 800 degrees Celsius, making it difficult to remove and causing extreme burns on human flesh.

Though Russia is a signatory to a convention that bans the use of incendiary weapons in civilian areas, the chemical does not fall under the treaty as its primary purpose is to create a smokescreen to hide military operations.

The commander of the Wagner paramilitary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, said his forces would withdraw from Bakhmut on 10 May in a dispute over ammunition supplies. However, Ukrainian officials claim that Wagner is redeploying fighters towards Bakhmut to capture the city before Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on 9 May.

The fighting comes amid reports that Ukraine is preparing a large-scale counteroffensive in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is largely controlled by Russia. The Russian-installed governor of the region has ordered the evacuation of villages near the front line. Russia regards the area as its own territory after illegal annexation and self-styled referendums last year.

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Yevgeny Prigozhin: Wagner Group boss says he will pull troops out of Bakhmut

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Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Russian mercenary group Wagner, has threatened to withdraw his troops from the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut by Wednesday due to a lack of ammunition. He posted a video of himself walking among dead fighters’ bodies and directed his anger towards Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, accusing them of not providing enough supplies for his troops.

Prigozhin is known for his attention-seeking behavior and has previously made threats that he did not follow through on. He warned that if the ammunition shortages were not resolved, his mercenaries would be forced to retreat or stay and die.

The battle for Bakhmut between the Ukrainian military and Russian-backed forces, including the Wagner Group, has been ongoing for months with thousands of casualties. Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of Wagner, has complained about a lack of ammunition and threatened to withdraw his troops from the city by May 10.

Military analysts suggest that Russia’s defence ministry may be rationing ammunition ahead of an anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive. Prigozhin has also hired former army general Mikhail Mizintsev, who was dismissed as logistics chief, as a deputy commander for Wagner. Mizintsev has been dubbed the “butcher of Mariupol” for his role in last year’s bombardment of the Ukrainian city. Prigozhin claims he has helped Wagner supply ammunition and recruit convicted prisoners to its ranks.

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Ukraine war: Zelensky visits The Hague after new strikes in Ukraine

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There have been reports of explosions in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa, a day after Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a drone attack on the Kremlin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is currently in the Netherlands, where he is expected to address the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky denied his country’s involvement in the attack on Putin, stating that they are only fighting to defend their own territory. During his visit, Mr. Zelensky is scheduled to meet with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte to discuss his request for more military support from the Netherlands.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte had previously stated that supplying fighter jets to Ukraine was not out of the question but would be a significant step. Following Russia’s accusation of a drone attack by Ukraine on the Kremlin, Russia threatened to retaliate at their discretion. In response, Ukraine reported air raids in several cities, and Russia launched strikes on Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, causing 21 fatalities.

Some commentators have suggested that the alleged drone attack on the Kremlin was staged by Russia as it is unlikely for two drones to penetrate multiple layers of air defense and detonate over the heart of the Kremlin. They believe that Russia may have orchestrated the attack to mobilize societal support and prepare for wider conflict.

However, some experts dispute this theory, stating that Russia would not want to appear vulnerable by staging an attack on the Kremlin, which may lead to questions about the efficacy of their air defenses and Putin’s protection.

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Ukraine war: More than 20,000 Russian troops killed since December, US says

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According to newly declassified intelligence, the US estimates that over 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in fighting in Ukraine since December, with an additional 80,000 wounded. Half of the casualties are from the Wagner mercenary company, which has been attacking the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

The battle for Bakhmut has taken on significant symbolic importance for both sides, with Ukrainian officials stating that they are using it to wear down Russia’s reserves. Despite holding most of Bakhmut, Russia has been unable to seize any significant territory. The toll in Bakhmut accounts for losses since the start of December, according to the US figures.

According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Russia’s attempted offensive in Ukraine has failed, with extraordinary losses suffered by Russian soldiers. The US estimates that over 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the fighting, with an additional 80,000 wounded.

Kirby did not give estimates of Ukrainian casualties, as he considers Ukraine to be the victim in the conflict. Bakhmut, the city being fought over, has little strategic value, but has become a focal point for Russian commanders who have struggled to deliver any positive news to the Kremlin. The Wagner mercenary group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has taken centre stage in the Russian assault on Bakhmut.

However, Prigozhin has threatened to pull his troops out of Bakhmut if they are not provided with much-needed ammunition by the Russian defence ministry, warning that Wagner fighters could be redeployed to Mali. It should be noted that the figures given by the US cannot be independently verified, and Moscow has not commented on them.

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Ukraine war: Russia launches second pre-dawn missile attack in three days

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Early in the morning, Russia launched a series of missile attacks on Ukrainian cities for the second time in three days. One of the targets was Pavlohrad, a logistics center close to Dnipro, ahead of an anticipated counter-offensive by Ukraine. The attack caused a significant fire, destroyed many homes, and left 34 people injured. The air raid alert was sounded across Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv. According to the Ukrainian army, they were able to shoot down 15 of the 18 cruise missiles fired.

The most severe damage was in Pavlohrad, which is in Ukrainian-controlled territory, approximately 70 miles from the frontline. Social media posts showed a massive blaze. A resident, Olha Lytvynenko, reported that both doors of her home were smashed open by the explosion wave while she was getting dressed to leave.

She ran outside to find her garage destroyed, everything on fire, and glass shards everywhere. She added that if they had been outside, they would have died.

The Dnipropetrovsk military administration in Ukraine referred to the missile attack as a “tragic night and morning,” stating that an industrial site was among the targets. Nineteen high-rise apartment blocks, 25 private houses, six schools and kindergartens, and five shops were also damaged. According to Vladimir Rogov, a Russian-installed official, the strike targeted railway infrastructure and fuel depots. Later, the air raid alert went off in Kyiv at around 04:00 local time, and it lasted for three hours.

However, the military administration confirmed that all missiles and drones aimed at the capital were neutralized. Meanwhile, in the Kherson region, which is partially controlled by Russia, Ukrainian regional authorities disclosed that Russia had conducted 39 shelling, including ground-based weapons, drones, and planes, killing one person.

Recent days have witnessed an increase in attacks in Ukraine, with even areas far from the front lines being targeted. On Friday, 23 individuals lost their lives in Uman, a central city. Ukraine has claimed that it is finalizing plans for a long-awaited offensive against Russian forces, with the support of weapons and military equipment supplied by the West.

Russia, in the meantime, is also preparing for a possible Ukrainian push and has fortified its positions in the occupied territory. Cl Gen Mikhail Mizintsev, who oversaw armed forces logistics as the Russian deputy defense minister, was sacked in the latest change at the country’s military leadership. There have been long-standing complaints that troops on the front line are not receiving enough military equipment and suffer from food and uniform shortages.

On Monday, a Ukrainian official announced that the army had removed Russian forces from some positions in Bakhmut, an eastern city that had been under siege for several months. According to General Oleksandr Syrskyi, the ground forces commander, the situation remained “quite difficult,” but “the enemy is unable to take control of the city.”

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Pope Francis urges Hungarians to ‘open doors’ to migrants

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Pope Francis has called on Hungary and its leaders to open their doors to migrants during his visit to the country. Speaking at an open-air mass in Budapest, he expressed his disappointment that doors were being closed to those who were different.

Despite Hungary’s anti-immigration stance, up to 100,000 people, including Prime Minister Viktor Orban, attended the mass. Pope Francis urged everyone, especially those with political and social responsibilities, to be more open towards migrants and the poor. During the mass, he also prayed for peace between Ukraine and Russia, who are currently at war.

On his flight back home, Pope Francis disclosed that the Vatican was involved in a peace mission to put an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, though he did not reveal the details of the mission yet. He also expressed his willingness to assist in the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia since the invasion.

During his three-day visit to Hungary, Pope Francis discussed the conflict in Ukraine with Prime Minister Viktor Orban and a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church. The Pope’s visit to Hungary was his first since he became Pope 10 years ago, and it was driven by his support for Catholics and concern over the war in Ukraine.

Hungary shares a border with Ukraine, and Prime Minister Orban has maintained relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, refusing to support military aid for Ukraine unlike other leaders of the European Union. During his visit, the Pope met with people from all walks of life, including youths, the poor, politicians, and academics.

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Ukraine war: Crimea oil tank set ablaze by reported drone

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A drone strike caused a large fire at an oil depot in Sevastopol, the main city in Crimea, which is controlled by Russia. Social media footage showed flames from the site early on Saturday, but the fire was later extinguished and no injuries were reported. The governor of the region, who was appointed by Moscow, said the preliminary information suggested a drone strike caused the fire.

This incident occurred five days after Russia claimed to have repelled a drone attack by the Ukrainian military in the same area. Crimea has experienced frequent attacks since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine. On Friday, Russia launched airstrikes in several cities in Ukraine, killing at least 25 people, marking the first such attack in months.

In a recent Russian airstrike, a block of flats in the central Ukrainian city of Uman was hit, killing 23 people, including four children, and a woman and her three-year-old daughter died in Dnipro. Kyiv was also targeted for the first time in 51 days, but no casualties were reported. Ukraine’s air defence system intercepted 21 of the 23 missiles and two drones. The Russian defence ministry claimed that Ukrainian army reserve units were targeted and denied deliberately targeting civilians.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for increased global sanctions against Russia and stated that the attacks indicated the need for further international action. Ukraine’s forces claim they are prepared to launch a military offensive, and Western allies have provided them with new equipment. Russia has struggled to make progress in a winter offensive, including a 10-month battle for control of the strategically significant city of Bakhmut.

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