Brief facts:
- President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky thanks soldiers who reached state border with Russia in Kharkiv region.
- UN estimates that prolonged conflict would push 9 out of 10 Ukrainians into poverty.
- Territorial Defense forces reach border with Russia in Kharkiv region.
- Russians shell border settlements in Sumy and Chernihiv regions on Monday.
- The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has obtained documents proving that Russia’s 1st Tank Army has suffered massive losses in manpower and equipment during its operations in Ukraine.
- Russians fortifying positions in Kherson, Mykolaiv regions, starting no offensive operations.
- InformNapalm intelligence expects a provocation on May 16-17 in Mariupol.
- russian president putin against the extraction of soldiers from Azovstal – Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister.
Side note: news are marked in accordance with the Kyiv time zone: Eastern European Time (EET), GMT/UTC+2
Read more: All American M-777 Howitzers in Ukraine - U.S. Embassy Kyiv
Latest news
01:00 ccording to the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine post on Facebook, on May 17, the air defense units of the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed 1 Su-25 aircraft and one cruise missile. Beside this three russian Orlan-10 UAVs were shot down by the units of the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Also, on May 16, the Air Force's combat aircraft made more than 10 flights to hit ground targets. In particular, fire was inflicted on the command post of the enemy battalion-tactical group.
00:18 According to the information of Jack Detsch, Pentagon and national security correspondent at Foreign Policy magazine, the Pentagon reports that it has sent 10 planes with military aid to Ukraine in the last 24 hours.
They also handed over 3 Mi-17 helicopters, which were previously intended for sending to Afghanistan.
00:11 Reuters news agency said that a dozen buses carrying Ukrainian fighters who were holed up beneath the besieged Azovstal plant have been seen leaving the site. This has not been confirmed by Ukrainian authorities and it cannot be verify independently.
A senior commander of Ukrainian forces at the besieged plant said earlier in a post on social media that fighters there were carrying out a decision by the Ukrainian military high command to save the lives of service personnel, but he gave no details of what the decision was.
Earlier we reported that Russia's Ministry of Defence said it had reached an agreement with Ukraine for wounded soldiers to be evacuated from the besieged Azovstal steelworks.
23:34 The Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed 178 Russian troops and five tanks in eastern Ukraine over the past day.
The relevant statement was made by the East Operational Tactical Group on Facebook, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
“Ukrainian defenders continue to hold back the aggressor within the control area of the East Operational Tactical Group. On May 16, 2022, Russian fascist troops launched eight attacks,” the report states.
The Ukrainian artillery units inflicted fire damage to the enemy’s groups of personnel and military equipment units. In addition, an ammunition depot was destroyed.
According to the East Operational Tactical Group, the enemy’s losses included up to 178 troops, five tanks, seven infantry fighting vehicles, two armored personnel carriers, two armored fighting vehicles, three multiple launch rocket systems, one artillery system, two mortar systems, five heavy artillery tractors and one unmanned aerial vehicle.
22:59 According to the JFTF press service, along the entire line of defense, the enemy uses combat aircraft, MLRS, large-caliber artillery, tanks, mortars of various systems, and launches missile and bomb strikes on civilian infrastructure and peaceful residential areas.
The occupiers fired on 25 settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, destroyed and damaged 42 residential buildings, a school, one higher education institution, one hotel and 6 industrial enterprises and factories. As a result of these shelling, 20 civilians were killed (including one child).
Ukrainian military repulsed 11 enemy attacks in the area of responsibility
Ukrainian defenders destroyed the following enemy armored vehicles:
1 anti-aircraft missile system "Tor"
5 enemy tanks,
6 artillery systems (3 of them MLRS),
12 armored fighting vehicles,
1 car.
In addition, air defense units shot down one Su-25 aircraft and three Orlan-10 drones in the skies of the Ukrainian Donbas.
22:01 EU countries have decided to provide Ukraine with another € 500 million in military aid. This was announced by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Joseph Borrell. According to him, this money will go to "heavy weapons". However, the foreign ministers have not yet agreed on Russiaʼs oil embargo.
21:39 According to the Lockheed Martin company press service release, the U.S. Army recently awarded the Javelin Joint Venture two production contracts for Javelin missiles and associated equipment and services with total value of $309 million. These contracts include more than 1300 Javelin missiles funded from the recent Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act and orders for several international customers including Norway, Albania, Latvia and Thailand.
Find more details in a publication by Defense Express:
Ukrainian Marines Sent "Hello" to russian Tank from Drone, While Paratroopers Reminded Occupiers How Javelin Works (Video)
21:01 The Ukrainian military is preparing for the offensive. The Commander of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi, checked the readiness of the units for the offensive.
20:17 According to British intelligence, the main efforts of the occupiers focused on the Donetsk direction. There, on May 15, the Russian military opened fire on all available weapons.
In the Kharkiv direction, the enemy is trying to hold its position. In Siversky, the enemy tightened control over the Ukrainian-Russian border in the Bryansk and Kursk regions.
19:37 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 18.00 on May 16, 2022.
Key points:
- russian enemy's efforts are focused on the destruction of facilities in the Eastern Operational Zone and industrial facilities in the depths of Ukraine.
- In the Volyn, Polissya and Siversky directions, the situation has not changed significantly.
- In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy reinforces the grouping of troops with special forces and air defense units.
- In the Kharkiv direction, the main efforts of the enemy are focused on maintaining their positions and preventing the advance of our troops. The enemy tried to fight in the direction of the village of Ternov, but was unsuccessful.
- In the Slovyansk direction, russian enemy, with the help of units from the 20th Combined Arms Army, completes and replenishes losses, tries to resume the offensive.
- The defense forces fired on enemy depots stationed in the town of Izyum, destroying a significant stockpile of ammunition.
- In the Donetsk direction, russian enemy fired on our units with mortars, artillery, multiple rocket launchers and aircraft.
- In the Lyman direction, russian enemy conducted offensive operations in the area of the village of Shandrygolove.
- In the Avdiivka direction, enemy acted in the direction of the settlement of Sukha Balka. It fired on individual positions of the Defense Forces with cluster munitions.
- In the Bakhmut direction, russian enemy is fighting in the areas of Toshkivka and Pylypchatyne. In the area of Gorsky, the Russian occupiers suffered losses and withdrew.
- In the Kurakhiv direction, russian enemy attacked in the area of Maryinka and Novomykhailivka, but had no success.
- In Mariupol, russian enemy focused its efforts on blocking and defeating our units near the Azovstal plant.
- russian enemy did not conduct active hostilities in the Novopavlovsk and Zaporizhzhya areas.
- In the South Buh direction, russian enemy did not conduct active hostilities, shelling civilian infrastructure with artillery and mortars in the areas of the settlements of Oleksandrivka, Shevchenkove and Novovorontsovka.
- The Defense Forces of Ukraine fired at the enemy's ammunition field near the settlement of Davydiv Brid.
- The situation in the transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova remained without significant changes. Personnel of units of the operational group of russian troops continue to be on high alert. Provocations by the russian side in the region are not ruled out.
- Ships of the Black Sea Fleet of the russian Federation in the Black and Azov Seas continue to perform tasks to isolate the area of hostilities, reconnaissance and fire support in the coastal direction.
Find more details in a publication by Defense Express:
The Fighters of Special Operations Forces Blow Up a Strategic Bridge (Video)
19:05 Ukrainian artillerymen smash convoy of enemy vehicles.
Artillerymen of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade named after Yakiv Handziuk have destroyed a column of military vehicles of the Russian occupiers.
According to Ukrinform, the brigade's press service reported this on Facebook.
"Again, the ruscist equipment failed to reach its destination. Again, they polluted our fertile fields with their scrap metal. Well, they can't find their way home. Therefore, our [military] show them the only right direction – the direction of their warship," the statement said.
The press service of the 59th Separate Motorized Infantry Brigade published a video showing how brigade's artillerymen were eliminating russia’a vehicles’ convoy.
Whatch the video and more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Ukrainian Artillerymen Eliminated russia’a Vehicles’ Convoy (Video)
18:35 Germany to deliver Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, bazookas to Ukraine.
Germany will hand over seven Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers to Ukraine, and the supply of anti-aircraft tanks and other military equipment is being planned.
German government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said this at a briefing on Monday, Ukrinform reports.
"Deliveries [of weapons and military equipment] continue. We're talking about Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, which Ukrainian soldiers are currently being trained to operate, the sending of Gepard tanks, and the supply of bazookas and other military equipment," he said, recalling that Germany has changed its policy of not supplying weapons to crisis regions.
German Ministry of Defense spokesperson David Helmbold, in turn, said that an international project on howitzer training is underway, it is designed for 40 days, but the deadline may be revised.
"It is currently impossible to say exactly how this is going to happen. A lot, of course, will depend on making sure that the training is conducted as carefully as possible and, on the other hand, that it is completed as soon as possible, because it is clear that the military is needed on the ground," the officer said.
The training of the Ukrainian military who currently stay in Germany is a joint project with the Netherlands.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
It Became Know How Many Howitzers Germany Will Sent to Ukraine
18:00 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Zelensky thanks soldiers who reached state border with Russia in Kharkiv region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has thanked the soldiers of the 227th Battalion of the 127th Brigade of the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces who reached the state border of Ukraine at a border section in the Kharkiv region.
He said this in a video posted to Instagram, Ukrinform reports.
"Guys, Kharkiv, 227th Battalion, 127th Brigade of the Territorial Defense of Ukraine. Thank you very much from all Ukrainians, from everyone, from myself, from my family! My gratitude is without borders! I wish you all good health, take care of yourself! Thank you, your parents - well done! And thank you very, very much to all soldiers like you! Everything will be Ukraine! Glory to Ukraine!" Zelensky said.
Earlier reports said that Ukrainian defenders are continuing a successful counter-offensive north of Kharkiv, recapturing several towns and villages toward the Russian border.
17:45 UN: Prolonged conflict would push 9 out of 10 Ukrainians into poverty.
Buildings, roads, bridges, hospitals, and schools with an estimated value of $100 billion have been destroyed, according to the Ukrainian government. The war has caused half of the country’s businesses to shut down completely, while the other half are struggling, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) said, The Kyiv Independent reports.
17:05 Russian troops attempt to cross the river Siverskyi Donets in northeastern Ukraine which ended up to be totally annihilated is considered to be one of the deadliest engagements of the war, with estimated over 400 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded and over 70 units of armored vehicles destroyed
On May 11, the Russian command reportedly sent about 550 troops of the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army to cross the river Siverskyi Donets at Bilohorivka, in the eastern Luhansk region, to try to encircle Ukrainian forces near Rubizhne.
As satellite images show, Ukrainian artillery destroyed several Russian pontoon bridges and left a concentration of Russian troops and equipment around the river.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
The Fighters of Special Operations Forces Blow Up a Strategic Bridge (Video)
16:40 Russians shell border settlements in Chernihiv region for second time on Monday.
Russian invaders fired on the border settlements of the Chernihiv region for the second time on Monday, May 16.
The Operational Command North said this on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
"At about 12:00, observers recorded one more shelling attack against the settlement of Mykolaivka from Russian territory. In total, about 30 explosions were recorded from 09:20 to 12:10," the statement said.
At about 12:20, seven explosions were recorded outside the settlement of Hremiach after Russian mortar shelling.
There are no losses among defenders of Ukraine.
16:05 Defeat near Bilohorivka: Enemy lost almost 1,000 soldiers and 100 vehicles
Russian invaders, trying to cross the Siverskyi Donets River in Bilohorivka, Luhansk region, lost almost 1,000 soldiers and about 100 military vehicles.
Serhii Haidai, head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration, said this in a video address published on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.
"The disgraceful operation that they [the invaders] conducted in Bilohorivka will go down in the history of this war between Russia and Ukraine as their defeat in the Luhansk region. The Ukrainian Armed Forces defeated almost 100 units of equipment there. Two battalions were killed there, which is almost a thousand soldiers. Also, several pontoons were destroyed. All of their attempts to cross [the river] and create a bridgehead in Bilohorivka [failed], they were all defeated," Haidai said.
He added that, unfortunately, the enemy does not abandon such plans. The invaders plan to surround the regional center of Sievierodonetsk and continue to launch attacks in this direction.
"Thousands of Russian invaders are trying to advance to the city, but they fail to do so. In the villages on the outskirts of Sievierodonetsk, our defenders are repelling [enemy attacks], so the ruscists are even retreating. The fighting continues," Haidai said.
15:40 Ukrainian air defense forces destroy Russian cruise missile near Odesa.
An air defense unit of the Ukrainian Air Force has destroyed an X-type cruise missile fired by a Russian plane at the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa.
The command of the Ukrainian Air Force said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.
"At noon on May 16, warriors of the Air Command South detected and destroyed an X-type cruise missile fired by a fighter aircraft of the Russian occupiers at the city of Odesa," the statement said.
The command's press service said that "an enemy ship grouping of the Russian Federation in the north-western part of the Black Sea consists of two cruise missile warships and six large landing ships."
"At the same time, the enemy is continuing lifting and rescue operations at the site of the destruction of the Serna-class landing craft near Zmiinyi Island and is trying to equip positions and organize the supply of equipment to the island," the statement said.
Therefore, the threat of missile strikes and the probability of a landing operation remains relevant, the Air Command South said. It also urged residents of Odesa "not to neglect security measures, adhere to restrictions on visiting the mined coast and coastal waters."
15:15 The Defense Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has obtained documents proving that Russia’s 1st Tank Army has suffered massive losses in manpower and equipment during its operations in Ukraine.
That’s according to the information published on agency’s official page on Facebook.
The research and analysis of the papers allowed to establish a list of units involved in the invasion of Ukraine, military ranks and names of invaders who were either, went missing, were captured or sustained wounds and injuries, Ukrinform reports.
As of March 15, the total casualties of the 1st Tank Army amounted to 409. Ukrainian forces eliminated 61 and wounded 209 invaders.
"In the first two weeks of the war alone, 44 Russian tankmen went missing, 96 invaders from this army opted to save their lives and surrendered," the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine added.
Within the same period, Ukrainian defenders destroyed and seized 308 units of military equipment from the said army.
Find more details on the theme in a publication by Defense Express:
Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Confirms Huge Losses of Russia’s Elit 1st Tank Army in Ukraine
13:55 Russians fortifying positions in Kherson, Mykolaiv regions, starting no offensive operations.
In Kherson and Mykolayiv regions, the enemy ran no active offensive operations, continuing to fortify positions on the occupied frontiers.
That’s according to an updatedelivered by Operational Command South as of the morning of May 16, Ukrinform reports.
"In Kherson and Mykolayiv regions, the ruscists continue to fortify their positions on the occupied frontiers, conducting no active offensive operations," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, it is reported that Ukrainian missile and artillery units, with support of Ukraine’s Air Force, launched more than 100 strikes on enemy positions over the past day.
At least 75 Russian soldiers were eliminated, the report reads, adding that 20 units of enemy equipment were destroyed, including four towed and two self-propelled howitzers Msta-S, four mortar complexes, two armored vehicles, four trucks, as well as two repair shops and a UAV.
Also, according to South Command, two naval enemy anchor mines, which had been set ashore in a recent storm in Odesa region, were neutralized in a safe location by the Navy bomb squad.
According to the Command, the enemy naval group in the northwestern part of the Black Sea consists of two cruise missile carriers and six large landing ships.
It is noted that the enemy continues lifting and rescue operations at the site of the destruction of the Serna-class landing craft off the coast of Snake Island, and tries to arrange positions and organize equipment supply to the island.
13:25 Ukrainian border guards prevent Russian sabotage reconnaissance group from entering Ukraine.
A Russian sabotage reconnaissance group tried to cross the state border in Sumy region, Ukrainian border guards forced them to retreat back home, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported.
"This morning, from the side of Russian village Lokot, the enemy opened fire on the border area of Sumy region. The invaders fired from mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns. Under cover of fire, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group tried to enter the territory of our country. The border guards gave battle to the saboteurs and forced them to retreat beyond the state border line," the Ministry of Internal Affairs informed in the Telegram on Monday.
As head of Sumy military administration Dmytro Zhyvytsky said in a Telegram, the enemy opened fire on the border area of Shostka district at about seven in the morning.
12:49 All russian attempts to build up a pontoon crossing were given in vain becoming an iconic failure of the russian army to complete complex objectives due to incompetent leadership.
Read more in the article by Defense Express: Russia’s Pontoon Crossing Failure Is a Symbol of Military Command Disaster
11:53 Advisor to Mariupol Mayor Petro Andriushchenko: Enemy continues attempts to seize or block exits from Azovstal bunkers.
“Russians continue attempts to seize or block the exits from bunkers. Most ground operations are carried out by them within the plant’s area. There is no global advance and, thus, the density of shelling is increasing,” Andriushchenko wrote, Ukrinform reports.
11:38 The Operational Command "South": Russia launches missile strike on Odesa Oblast.
The missile was launched from a Russian military aircraft earlier on May 16, Odesa City Council reported citing the Operational Command "South". The attack hit an object of tourist infrastructure, destroying some buildings. Russian forces continue to strike at the bridge across the Dniester Estuary. The recent attack injured two adults and a child, Kyiv Independent reports.
11:24 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has published the new summary of total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 16.05.
According to the report, about 27700 agressor's troops eliminated, 792 air targets (excluding cruise missiles) of invaders were shot down, thousands of tanks, armored vehicles and tracks were destroyed by defenders of Ukraine.
Find more in the article by Defense Express: russian casualties in Ukraine
11:10 The Head ofLuhansk Regional Military Administration Serhii Haidai: Russian invaders suffer losses and retreat near Sievierodonetsk.
Russian troops are suffering losses and retreating near Sievierodonetsk but do not stop. The Ukrainian military blew up railway bridges between Rubizhne and Sievierodonetsk to hold the enemy back.
“Rashists are suffering losses and retreating near Sievierodonetsk but do not stop. In order to hold the occupiers back, Ukrainian defenders have blown up railway bridges between Rubizhne and the regional center,” Haidai wrote, Ukrinform reports.
10:50 The Head of Luhansk Regional Military Administration Serhii Haidai: Two civilians killed in Russia’s shelling of Sievierodonetsk.
“A man and a woman died at the scene. Russians shelled a house located in the city’s old districts at about 04:00 p.m. One more man was taken to hospital,” he states, Ukrinform reports.
10:00 British Defense Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine as of 16 May 2022.
09:00 The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine: Territorial Defense forces reach border with Russia in Kharkiv region.
"The 227th Battalion of the 127th Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine of Kharkiv city pushed back the Russians and reached a section of the state border," the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.
08:40 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 06.00 on May 16, 2022.
The enemy does not stop the offensive actions in the eastern operating area. The enemy focused on the Donetsk direction. In the Slobozhansk direction, it tries to restrain the onset of defence forces north of Kharkiv and prevent them from entering the state border of Ukraine.
Defence forces were hit by the enemy's positions in the area of Chornobayivka, and losses in live power and equipment. The number is specified.
Read more in the article: Ukraine’s General Staff Operational Report: the Enemy Tries to Prevent the Armed Forces of Ukraine From Entering the State Border of Ukraine
07:45 New York Times: Growing evidence of military disaster pierces pro-Russian bubble.
The losses of Russian troops on the Siversky Donets River in Luhansk region are one of the deadliest known engagements of the war.
The estimates based on publicly available evidence now suggesting that well over 400 Russian soldiers were killed or wounded, The New York Times reports.
On May 11, the Russian command reportedly sent about 550 troops of the 74th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 41st Combined Arms Army to cross the Donets River at Bilohorivka, in the eastern Luhansk region, in a bid to encircle Ukrainian forces near Rubizhne. Satellite images reveal that Ukrainian artillery destroyed several Russian pontoon bridges and laid waste to a tight concentration of Russian troops and equipment around the river,” the article says, Ukrinform reports.
07:10 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an operational update regarding the russian invasion as of 06.00 on May 16, 2022. Key points:
- In the Slobozhansk direction, the enemy tries to restrain the onset of defense forces north of Kharkiv and prevent them from entering the state border of Ukraine. russian invaders are preparing offensive actions by the units concentrated in the area of Izium.
- Air Force of Ukraine aviation in certain directions continued to cause fire strikes from the air on russian enemy, support the fighting of Ukrainian troops and patrol the airspace of Ukraine.
- russian invaders fired at artillery on civilian infrastructure in areas of settlements Dovhenke, Ruski Tyshki, Ternova and Petrivka. russian enemy conducted air intelligence with the help of UAV "Orlan-10".
- In the Avdiivka direction, after the loss caused by the Ukrainian Forces, russain occupiers went to previously occupied positions.
- In Mariupol, russian enemy continues massive artillery and aviation strikes. The main efforts of the occupiers focused on the blocking and damage of our units in the area of the Azovstal plant.
- Defense forces hit the enemy's positions in the area of Chernobayivka, and losses in live power and equipment. The number is specified.
05:25 It seems that russia has finally found courage to send these BMPT Terminator into the battle, as during the previous two months of the war, the russian army did not dare to do it. What kind of machine it is and why it’s another russia’s military flop, you will find below.
Read more in the article by Defense Express: Russians "Hurry" Check How Quickly Their BMPT Terminator AFVs Would Be "Utilized" (Video)
02:12 Ukrainian defenders of the east have repelled more than a hundred russian attacks over the last week
Joint Forces and the Eastern operational-tactical group operating in the Ukrainian Eastern Operational Zone published their regular reports on the situation in the area and russian combat losses.
The report from the Joint Task Force includes the statistics over the last week. The military unit has repelled 93 attacks from May 9–15. In total, the following enemy equipment was destroyed:
- one air defense complex;
- 58 tanks;
- 26 artillery systems (incl. one MLRS)
- 98 armored fighting vehicles;
- 33 special non-armored vevicles;
- one air defense system;
- four helicopters; and
- 27 UAVs.
More details:
Over Twenty Attacks Repelled in Donbas and the Weekly Summary from Eastern Ukraine
01:25 Russia might be preparing a special operation in Mariupol
International volunteer intelligence community InformNapalm released information from its "insider channels" about alleged plans of russia to launch an extensive operation in Mariupol on May 16-17 or later involving the russian army, as well as captured Ukrainian servicemen and civilians abducted by Russians.
Having received "number of worrying messages", analysts of InformNapalm suggest that the russian command could use the prisoners of war to create a picture for the Russian propaganda media confirming that the defenders of Azovstal have allegedly surrendered and then use some kind of a chemical weapon to stamp out the real defenders from their positions.
00:00 russian president against the extraction of soldiers from Azovstal
President putin does not consent to the extraction of wounded soldiers from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol despite multiple international organizations and third countries engaged by Ukraine. This was stated by Hanna Maliar, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, reported by Stratcom Centre. The official did not disclose the details since those are classified.
She also said the authorities stay in touch with the relatives of the Mariupol defenders:
"We were able to express it and tell the relatives frankly about that because they have the right to know. And most of the questions, I really hope, have been resolved… Actually, everything [possible] has already been done. Putin simply does not agree."
Read more: Day 81st of War Between Ukraine and Russian Federation (Live Updates)
