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Series of explosions rocks airport in Russian-occupied territory

2023-05-20T03:40:04.330Z

Highlights: There were explosions in Mariupol. Volunteer fighters from Belarus are fighting for Ukraine and dying in Bakhmut. The news ticker on the Ukraine war. Some of the information comes from the warring parties in Russia or Ukraine. They often cannot be independently verified. The Ukraine war: Volodymyr Zelensky makes a surprise trip to Saudi Arabia for the Arab League summit. The Ukrainian military is being significantly weakened. This prevents Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's troops from launching offensive actions in other directions.



There were explosions in Mariupol. Volunteer fighters from Belarus are fighting for Ukraine and dying in Bakhmut. The news ticker on the Ukraine war.

  • Belarusians die in Bakhmut: Lukashenko's soldiers are fighting for Ukraine
  • Zelensky's surprise visit: Ukrainian president shows up in Saudi Arabia
  • Russian attacks on Ukraine: military administration reports several explosions
  • All the news from the Ukraine war in our news ticker. Some of the information comes from the warring parties in Russia or Ukraine. They often cannot be independently verified.

Update from May 19, 21:52 p.m.: The airport in the port city of Mariupol in southeastern Russia, which is occupied by Russian troops, was rocked by a series of explosions on Friday evening. This was reported by the Russian state agency Tass, citing local authorities. Video footage of explosions circulated on social networks, the cause and effects of which were not known for the time being. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian military commented on the incident.

Russian troops had captured the port city on the Sea of Azov last year after months of heavy fighting. Large parts of the city were destroyed.

Losses in Ukraine war: Belarusians die in Bakhmut

Update from May 19, 18:17 p.m.: In eastern Ukraine, according to the Belarusian opposition, five volunteer Belarusian fighters have been killed in battle against Russian troops. "It breaks my heart that five members of the Belarusian volunteer regiment Kastus Kalinovsky are dead after fighting near Bakhmut," Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya wrote on Twitter.

A commander was killed while trying to bring injured people to safety. According to Tsikhanouskaya, four bodies have not yet been recovered from the rubble of the building, which had been attacked by Russian artillery. "The fighting continues," she writes. The oppositionist paid tribute to the "real heroes" who sacrificed themselves for the freedom of Ukraine and the freedom of Belarus. President Alexander Lukashenko had repeatedly stressed that Belarus would not go to war in Ukraine – only under certain conditions would the soldiers fight on the Russian side.

Ukraine reports losses for Putin's troops in Bakhmut: "A whole battalion daily"

Update from May 18, 14:25 p.m.: Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov has commented on the heavy fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the city of Bakhmut, according to the Ukrainian news agency RBC. "The Russians, according to our estimates, are losing a whole battalion or something there every day," RBC quoted the minister as saying. In total, Russia has killed or wounded 70,000 soldiers since the beginning of the battles for Bakhmut.

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According to Reznikov, with the defense of Bakhmut, the Ukrainian military is fulfilling another critical task: the Russian army is being significantly weakened. This prevents Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's troops from launching offensive actions in other directions.

Ukraine war: Zelensky suddenly appears in Saudi Arabia

Update from May 18, 12:20 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made a surprise trip to Saudi Arabia for the Arab League summit. Zelensky landed in the coastal city of Jeddah on Friday, according to the Al-Arabiya news channel. Zelensky confirmed his arrival via Twitter. Zelensky is expected to travel to Japan for the G7 summit after this visit.

London gives assessment of attack on railway line

Update from May 19, 10:25 a.m.: According to British intelligence services, the alleged attack on an important railway line on the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea also has consequences for the Russian Black Sea Fleet. It is the only train connection to the port of Sevastopol, where the fleet is stationed, said the Ministry of Defense in London on Friday. "Russia will try to quickly repair the track, but the incident will disrupt the supply of supplies and, possibly, weapons, such as Kalibr cruise missiles, to the fleet."

Thursday's incident, in which a freight train derailed, will also increase Russian concerns about the protection of important infrastructure in Crimea. "The peninsula continues to play an important psychological and logistical role in enabling Russia's war in Ukraine," it said in London.

Pistorius speaks out in favour of further arms deliveries

Update from May 19, 9:20 a.m.: German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) has clearly rejected doubts about the continued arms deliveries to Ukraine. "Anyone who calls today to stop arms deliveries to Ukraine is abandoning Ukraine to its fate," he told the Augsburger Allgemeine and the Main-Post on Friday (19 May). "The end of arms deliveries today would be the end of Ukraine tomorrow."

Pistorius reiterated that it was a matter of "supporting Ukraine with everything we can, what we can do". In this context, he reiterated the German government's rejection of the delivery of fighter jets: "I have repeatedly said that we do not have any fighter jets that will help Ukraine immediately."

War in Ukraine: Zelenskyy travels to Japan for G7 summit

Update from May 19, 8:20 a.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to attend the G7 summit in Japan in person. Zelensky is expected at the meeting, which is scheduled to last until Sunday, according to informed sources in Hiroshima on Friday (19 May). Details of when exactly the Ukrainian head of state will travel to the summit of the group of major industrialized nations (G7) were not initially available.

The official G7 program has so far provided for Zelensky to speak to the summit participants via video link on Sunday. In Hiroshima, it was said that in view of the situation in Ukraine, last-minute changes with a view to the visit could not be ruled out.

Update from May 19, 6:10 a.m.: In Ukraine, the capital Kyiv and other cities once again became the target of Russian attacks on Friday night (19 May) in connection with the Ukraine war. "The tenth air strike in 19 days in May," the military administration of Kiev said on the Telegram messenger service. There were several waves of attacks with drones during the night. All airborne targets that flew in the direction of Kyiv were destroyed, it said.

According to military officials and media reports, there were also explosions in the cities of Lviv and Rivne in the west of the country, as well as in Kherson and Kryvyi Rih in the south.

Ukrainian military reports successes in Ukraine war: troops to advance near Bakhmut

Update from May 18, 20:10 p.m.: Breakthrough near Bakhmut? According to its own statement, the Ukrainian military is advancing further in the Ukraine war. "In some areas, our troops have advanced by up to a kilometer," Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar wrote on Telegram on Thursday evening. In order to consolidate its positions, the Russian military has now moved most of its reserves to Bakhmut.

Ukrainian soldiers load missiles into a Grad multiple rocket launcher system to fire at Russian positions on the front line near Bakhmut. © LIBKOS/dpa

The Russian counterattacks to recapture lost positions, especially in the south of Bakhmut, had been repulsed. "The defense of Bakhmut and its suburbs is fulfilling its military goals," Malyar commented on the situation in the Ukraine war, hinting at further operations by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. They have "gained a foothold for another counteroffensive," the report says.

Turning point in the Ukraine war: heavy artillery shelling kills two people in Russia

Update from May 18, 18:47 p.m.: In the Belgorod region of southwestern Russia, at least two people have been killed by Ukrainian artillery shelling, according to reports from the regional administration. Another person was seriously injured in the attack on the village of Nizhnee Berezovo, not far from the border with Ukraine, the Russian state agency Tass reported. The information on developments in the Ukraine war could not be independently verified. There have been several reports of Ukrainian attacks across the border in the region in recent months.

Grain agreement in Ukraine war continues to cause resentment – Russia calls for improvements

Update from May 18, 16:40 p.m.: One day after the renewed extension of the grain agreement with Ukraine by 60 days, Russia reports a need for improvement. Progress is needed in the next two months, says government spokesman Dmitry Peskov, referring to restrictions on Russian agricultural exports. "A certain part of the way has already been made," he explains, stressing that there are still questions to be answered. "We will try to solve this problem definitively within these 60 days."

Wagner boss under pressure in Ukraine war: Prigozhin's partners should end cooperation

Update from May 18, 13:25 p.m.: Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to come under pressure in Russia. The so-called siloviki, powerful representatives of the military and intelligence services in Russia, are putting pressure on Prigozhin's partner, according to a report by Sky News. They are apparently calling on the partners of the Wagner boss to end the cooperation.

The US think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) writes in a recent article that Prigozhin is losing contact with the chairman of the Russian State Duma, Vyacheslav Volodin, among others. In addition, the Wagner boss probably had a "dispute with the first deputy chief of staff of the Russian presidential administration, Sergei Kiriyenko," who had previously supported Prigozhin. According to ISW, the siloviki are trying to make it clear to Prigozhin that he "must give up his political ambitions in Russia," but so far without much success. The Wagner boss was not deterred and wanted to take on the "bureaucrats", it was said.

Ukraine war: Train derailed in Crimea - reports of explosion

Update from May 18, 10:50 a.m.: On the Russian-annexed Crimean peninsula, a freight train derailed on Thursday morning, according to the railway, "due to the interference of outsiders". "There are no casualties. There is no danger to the environment," the Crimean Railway's Telegram channel said. According to the Moscow governor on the peninsula, Sergei Aksyonov, several wagons loaded with grain overturned. The security services investigated.

Medien berichteten unter Berufung auf Augenzeugen über eine Explosion, die dem Entgleisen vorangegangen sei. Der Vorfall ereignete sich wenige Kilometer südwestlich von Simferopol nahe der Ortschaft Tschistenke. Der Bahnverkehr auf der Strecke wurde stillgelegt. Ein geplanter Fernverkehrszug von der Hafenstadt Sewastopol nach St. Petersburg soll erst in Simferopol starten. Die Passagiere sollten mit Schienenersatzverkehr zur Inselhauptstadt gebracht werden. Die Krim gilt als wichtige Versorgungsroute für die russischen Besatzungstruppen in den südukrainischen Gebieten Cherson und Saporischschja. Der Nachschub mit Proviant, Waffen und Munition erfolgt meist per Eisenbahn. Anschläge auf die Bahn könnten daher vor allem der Vorbereitung der ukrainischen Gegenoffensive in eben jenen Regionen dienen.

Ukraine-Krieg: Russlands Raketenangriffe treffen Odessa

Update vom 18. Mai, 9.05 Uhr: Russland hat die Ukraine erneut mit Raketenangriffen ins Visier genommen. Dabei wurde in Odessa, einer Hafenstadt im Süden des Landes, eine Person getötet und zwei weitere verwundet. „Die meisten der Raketen des Feindes wurden von unseren Luftverteidigungskräften über dem Meer abgeschossen“, erklärte Sergei Bratschuk, Sprecher der lokalen Militäradministration, laut dem britischen Sender Sky News. „Leider wurde ein industrielles Objekt getroffen, eine Person wurde getötet, zwei wurden verwundet“, so der Sprecher.

Russische Angriffe auf die Ukraine: Militärverwaltung berichtet von mehreren Explosionen

Update vom 18. Mai, 6.40 Uhr: In der ukrainischen Hauptstadt Kiew und anderen Regionen des Landes hat es am Donnerstagmorgen nach Angaben der Militärverwaltung mehrere Explosionen gegeben. Die Bevölkerung wurde aufgerufen, in Schutzräumen zu bleiben. Herabfallende Trümmerteile gebe es im Kiewer Bezirk Darnyzkyj, Angaben über Opfer und Schäden würden überprüft, erklärte Serhij Popko, Chef der Zivil- und Militärverwaltung von Kiew, im Messengerdienst Telegram. Die Luftabwehr „funktioniert“, ergänzte er.

According to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, falling debris set fire to a company in the Darnytskyi district. An explosion was heard in the Desnjansky district. "The attack on the capital continues. Do not leave the shelters during the air raid alarm," he demanded on Telegram.

According to the army, there were also attacks with "cruise missiles" in the Vinnytsia region in the interior. Local media reported explosions in Khmelnytskyi, about a hundred kilometers to the west. According to the army, there was a nationwide air alert.

Ukraine war: Putin's parliament passes new laws

Update from May 17, 22:55 p.m.: The State Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, passed several laws on Wednesday reforming electoral law in the occupied territories of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson. This is reported by the Russian state news agency Tass.

Accordingly, in the future it will be possible to cast one's vote in elections or referendums at polling stations outside the four oblasts, i.e. at polling stations on Russian territory. In addition, if the Central Election Commission of Russia has the impression that holding an election or referendum on the territory of one of the four regions would pose a threat to the well-being of citizens, the vote may be postponed. In addition, citizens who violate martial law in the four oblasts can now be detained for 30 days.

Update from May 17, 21:42 p.m.: EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has proposed increasing the fund to finance Ukrainian military spending, the so-called European Peace Facility, by €3.5 billion, according to the Reuters news agency. So far, about 4.6 billion euros have flowed from the fund for military aid to Ukraine.

Is Putin tightening the noose? Belarus announces innovation at the borders

Update from May 17, 20:05 p.m.: Belarus, one of Russia's closest allies, has partially restored controls on its borders with the neighboring country. This was announced by Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik. The aim of the measure is to prevent third-country nationals from entering Belarus, Aleinik told journalists in Moscow.

Aleinik continued: "It's not really about control, it's more about monitoring the situation at the border." However, human rights activists believe that the border controls are aimed at Russian men who want to avoid conscription by the Russian army.

Ukraine-News: Orban blocks EU military aid to Ukraine

Update from May 17, 18:05 p.m.: Hungary is blocking further EU military aid to Ukraine amounting to 500 million euros. The government will not agree to the new tranche until Ukraine takes Hungary's largest bank OTP from a blacklist of companies operating in Russia, Viktor Orbán's Foreign Minister Peter Szijarto said. Meanwhile, the ammunition deliveries to Kyiv promised by the EU are also not progressing.

The 500 million euros are to flow from the so-called European Peace Facility (EPF). From the pot, EU countries can be reimbursed for the costs of weapons and ammunition that they pass on to Ukraine. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, EU countries have provided €5.6 billion through the fund.

Hungary has the closest ties to Russia among the EU states and is the only country to have extended its gas contracts with Moscow. Previously, Budapest had justified its opposition to the new military aid by saying that it would also have to benefit other crisis regions and not just Ukraine.

Ukraine-News: Russian region targeted by Kyiv's armed forces

Update from May 17, 17:15 p.m.: Ukrainian troops have apparently advanced about 500 meters in the embattled city of Bakhmut. This is reported by the portal Ukrainska Pravda, citing the Ukrainian news agency Interfax Ukraine. Serhii Cherevatyi, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, said, according to the portal: The Russian military recognizes "that we are gradually taking the initiative."

Update from May 17, 16:25 p.m.: Drones, explosions, crashes: Russia's Bryansk region has repeatedly been the target of suspected drone attacks and sabotage. Here is located right on the border with Ukraine defense industry. And not only that.

Update from May 17, 16:10 p.m.: Russia and Ukraine have agreed to extend the grain deal. It is valid for another two months, said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara. Erdogan is currently facing a run-off election in Turkey.

Ukraine war: Debate over F-16 for Ukraine continues

Update from May 17, 15:45 p.m.: Germany and Great Britain see the decision on the supply of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine with the United States. "It's up to the White House to decide whether to release this technology," British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said during a visit to Berlin. Britain "does not have an F-16." Therefore, the role of his country can be "limited" and relate to training, coordination and logistics.

Germany cannot play "an active role" in a fighter jet alliance, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said at a joint press conference with Wallace. This is because "neither the training capacities (...) nor the planes". He also said: "In the end, as far as I know, it depends on the White House anyway." This would have to decide whether F-16 fighter jets would be delivered to Ukraine.

In any case, German Tornadoes or Eurofighters are not suitable for use in Ukraine, Pistorius affirmed. Germany has other core competencies in supporting Ukraine: "We are the experts on tanks and air defense," the minister said. "In these areas, we are leading the way in supporting Ukraine. And it will stay that way."

Ukraine war: Putin's army does not want to give up Bakhmut

First reported on 17 May: Bakhmut – Russia is apparently losing ground in the battle for Bakhmut – but apparently does not want to give up the city, which has been besieged for months, and is moving even more of its troops there. This is the assessment of the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in a recent analysis. The Russian military leadership has decided to withdraw soldiers from other areas of Ukraine and station them in Bakhmut instead, they say.

Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, announced on Tuesday (16 May) that the Russian army had increased its forces in the Bakhmut region, according to the ISW report. These are intended to stabilize the situation there for Russia, Pushilin said.

In addition, a well-known Russian military blogger wrote on his Telegram channel that Russia had moved four battalions to the flanks of the city. However, according to him, a large-scale attack on the Ukrainian defenders is not planned: "Their task is to survive and prevent further breakthroughs," the blogger writes.

Ukraine war: Putin apparently deploys more air forces near Bakhmut

In line with this, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on Telegram on Monday (15 May) that Putin's army had deployed additional air forces near Bakhmut. These were presumably withdrawn from other sectors of the front in the Ukraine war.

So far, there have been no statements from the Russian Defense Ministry about a new, tactical offensive in Bakhmut. Instead, it said on Tuesday (16 May) that the embattled city would focus on repelling Ukrainian counterattacks. Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Malyar said that the Ukrainian army had liberated 20 square kilometers in recent days.

Ukraine-News: Kiev is apparently pursuing a strategy of "active defense" near Bakhmut

The commander of Ukraine's Eastern Group of Forces, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, said that the strategy of "active defense" continued to be pursued in order to launch counterattacks in unspecified areas near Bakhmut. According to the ISW, however, the Russian army has made little progress in Bakhmut in recent days.

On Tuesday (16 May) there were reports that Bakhmut was now becoming a death zone for Russian soldiers: the Russians were sitting there in a "mousetrap", Colonel-General Syrskyj had declared. Earlier, units of the Ukrainian army northwest and southwest of Bakhmut pushed back the Russian troops, sometimes by several kilometers. (smu)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2023-05-20

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