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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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Ukraine war: Twelve dead as Russian missiles hit cities

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Russia has carried out a series of airstrikes in several cities across Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people, including a child. One of the attacks targeted a block of flats in Uman, where ten people were killed, and another attack in Dnipro claimed the lives of a woman and her three-year-old daughter.

The cities of Kremenchuk and Poltava also reported explosions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the attacks damaged ten residential buildings in Uman, and called for further international action against Russia, including enhanced global sanctions.

The head of the Kyiv city military administration noted that it was the first missile attack on the capital in 51 days.

No civilian casualties have been reported in the capital city as a result of the missile strikes launched by Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, 21 out of 23 missiles and two attack drones were successfully shot down by the country’s air defense system.

However, a video shared by Ukraine’s State Border Service on Telegram showed an apartment building in Uman badly damaged by the attack. Witnesses described the chaos and destruction caused by the strikes, with one resident reporting blown-out windows and an ensuing explosion.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but Russia has previously targeted civilian infrastructure. The attacks come amid reports that Ukraine is preparing for a military offensive, with support from Western allies, and as Russia has struggled to gain control of Bakhmut in a long-running winter offensive.

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Ukraine’s Zelensky holds first war phone call with China’s Xi

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Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky announced that he had a significant and lengthy conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone, marking their first communication since the beginning of the Russian conflict. Zelensky expressed optimism that the call, coupled with the appointment of an ambassador to Beijing, will positively impact the relationship between the two nations.

China acknowledged the conversation and emphasized their commitment to peace, though they have previously maintained a neutral position regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Notably, President Xi visited Russia recently, indicating a close relationship between the two nations.

During a recent meeting, Ukrainian President Zelensky referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “dear friend” and presented a 12-point peace plan, but did not promise to supply Russia with weapons. Following the meeting, Zelensky invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Kyiv for further discussions, as they had not been in contact since the start of the war in February 2022. In a statement regarding their recent phone call, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to peace and stated that they would not take advantage of the crisis for profit or simply watch from afar.

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Ukraine war: Kyiv sets up positions across key Dnipro River – reports

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According to reports, Ukrainian troops have established positions on the east bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region, which is partially held by Russia. The crossing of the river could be significant in future offensives, and Russian military bloggers have confirmed the advance.

While Ukraine’s military has not yet confirmed the movement, BBC Ukraine’s military sources have reported a “certain movement across [the] Dnipro” near Kherson city. If the reports are true, it could help Ukraine in pushing back Russian troops and possibly cutting the land corridor to Crimea. However, military experts warn that the area’s difficult terrain could make any troop movements a tough task.

Ukraine’s advances could be hindered by Russia’s advantage in the air. Although the Ukrainian military has announced preparations for a counter-offensive, it has not specified where or when it will occur. The Kherson region on the east bank of the Dnipro has been under Russian control until now, with the river serving as a natural barrier.

The Institute for the Study of War has confirmed that Ukrainian forces are operating in areas northwest of Oleshky on the east bank of the Dnipro. However, the scale of the reported advance and the Ukrainian military’s intentions are unclear. Russia’s WarGonzo military blogger reported that Ukrainian troops were trying to gain a foothold on Bolshoi Potemkin island, located between the new and old channels of the Dnipro.

Ukrainian military spokesperson Nataliya Humenyuk did not confirm or deny the reports but stated that “difficult work is continuing” and that operational information is kept confidential until it is safe for the military.

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