Russian-Ukrainian war live. Zelensky seems to confirm Bakhmut’s loss as he prepares to meet Biden in Japan Russia

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, did not confirm the capture of the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, surrounded by Russian troops.his spokesman said on Sunday, disputing earlier reports.

Sergey Nikiforov wrote on Facebook, assuming that Zelensky’s comments were misinterpreted.

The journalist’s question. the Russians said that they took Bakhmut. President’s answer. I think not.
In this way, the president denied the capture of Bakhmut.

Reuters reports that Vladimir Zelensky appeared to confirm the loss of the city of Bakhmut to Russia on Sunday, saying “I think not” when asked if it remained under Kiev’s control.

“I think not,” he said ahead of a meeting with Joe Biden at the G7 summit, according to Reuters. “Today it is only in our hearts.”

The claim of Wagner’s victory in the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut could not be verified by the US think tank. Institute for the Study of War.

In its follow-up update, it not only states that “ISW has not, as of this publication, seen any geographic footage supporting Prigogine’s claims,” ​​but continues to assess whether this is indeed tactically important anyway.

“The victory declared by Prigogine over the remaining territories in Bakhmut is purely symbolic, even if true. The last few urban districts in eastern Bakhmut, which Prigogine’s forces claimed the Wagner group had captured, were of no tactical or operational importance,” it said.

“Their capture does not give Russian forces operationally significant terrain to continue offensive operations or any particularly strong positions from which to defend against potential Ukrainian counterattacks.”

Welcome back to our live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine. I’m Christine Kearney and here are the latest developments.

Vladimir Zelensky is trying to get the support of the wider international community during a heated diplomatic round on the last day of the G7 summit in Hiroshima.

He is due to meet US President Joe Biden for a bilateral meeting on Sunday afternoon, amid speculation that Washington could announce a new weapons package for Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron said that the G7 summit in Japan is an opportunity to convince such large developing countries as India and Brazil regarding Ukraine. Macron said Zelensky’s surprise visit was a “game changer”. The Ukrainian president is due to speak at 19:15 (1015 GMT) on Sunday.

At the same time, Kiev denied the claim of the head of “Wagner” Yevgeny Prigozhin that the Russian mercenary group has full control over the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. No statement can be independently verified.

More on the G7 and other stories soon. In other news.

• Wagner’s conductor, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed Bakhmut’s victory in the video, in which he appeared in combat fatigues in front of a line of fighters, holding Russian flags and Wagner banners. “Today, at 12 o’clock, Bakhmut was completely taken,” said Prigozhin. He said that from May 25, his forces will leave Bakhmut for rest and training purposes.

• The Russian Ministry of Defense also announced that the capture of Bakhmut was “complete” and President Vladimir Putin congratulated the servicemen. He said that those who stood out will be rewarded, local Russian news agencies reported.

• Speaking ahead of the Russian ministry’s announcement, the Ukrainian military rejected Prigozhin’s claim and said its troops were continuing to fight in the devastated eastern city. “This is not true. Our units are fighting in Bakhmut,” military spokesman Serhii Cherevati told Reuters. In its daily update early Sunday, the military also said: “The fight for Bakhmut city is not stopping.”

• Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Maliar stated that the situation in Bakhmut is critical, as Ukrainian troops maintain defense in the southwestern part of the city. “Heavy battles in Bakhmut. The situation is critical,” he said on the Telegram messaging app. “As of now, our defenders are monitoring some industrial and infrastructure facilities in the area and in the private sector.”

• The G7 condemned Russia’s “brutal” war against its neighbor Ukraine in the “strongest possible way”, calling it a “serious violation of international law” in its final communiqué at this week’s summit in Japan. World leaders called for a “just and lasting peace” and reaffirmed their intention to provide military, financial and humanitarian support to Ukraine.

• President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that he invited India to join the peace resolution of Ukraine during the talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi within the framework of the summit. Zelensky said on Telegram that they also discussed Ukraine’s needs in demining and mobile hospitals in the first face-to-face meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Reuters reported.

• US President Joe Biden will announce a $375 million military aid package to Ukraine during his stay in Japan, an American official said. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Friday that the package would include artillery, ammunition and Himars missile launchers, Reuters reported.

• Western countries will be exposed to “enormous risks” if they supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets, Tass agency quotes Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko as saying on Saturday. Biden told G7 leaders that Washington supports joint coalition training programs for Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets, senior US officials said.

• Pope Francis has tasked a leading Italian cardinal with a mission he hopes can “de-escalate tensions” in the war in Ukraine and lead to a path to peace, the Vatican said Saturday. In a brief written statement, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that Francis had entrusted the mission to Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who is close to the pontiff. The Associated Press reports that Bruni said the timing and mechanics of the mission are “currently under review.”

• The International Criminal Court said on Saturday it was “harmless” after Russia placed prosecutor Karim Khan on a wanted list for issuing an arrest warrant for President Vladimir Putin. Khan, who is British, issued an arrest warrant for Putin in March on charges of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. Khan’s picture could be seen on the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs database on Friday.

• Andrzej Duda, an aide to the Polish president, said that the object that entered Polish airspace last year and was found in April was a Russian-made missile. The Associated Press reports that aide Pavel Schrott told radio station RMF FM on Friday that the rocket’s nose had been found and that it was “unique” because it was made of concrete. It was located by experts.