May 14, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

Our live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine has moved here.

French Prime minister Elisabeth Borne, left, welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky upon his arrival at Villacoublay Air Base, southwest of Paris, on May 14.

Upon his arrival in France Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted that he plans to discuss “important points of bilateral relations.”

Zelensky is expected to hold a?working dinner with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace on Sunday.

Ukrainian forces have been able to capture more than ten Russian positions near Bakhmut, Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said in a Telegram post on Sunday.??

“Today our units captured more than ten enemy positions in the north and south of Bakhmut’s outskirts and cleared a large area of forest near Ivanivske,” Maliar said.?

The minister also noted Ukraine “continues to move forward?in the suburbs?of Bakhmut.”?

Maliar called the situation in Bakhmut “very hot.”

Some background: Bakhmut is the site of a months-long assault by Russian forces, including Wagner mercenaries, that has driven thousands from their homes and left the area devastated. But despite the vast amounts of manpower Russia has poured into capturing the city, they have been unable to take total control, and this week suffered heavy losses in the area.

CNN had previously reported that Ukrainian forces have been able to push the Russians back 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) around the eastern city of Bakhmut over the past week, Maliar said Friday.

CNN’s Vasco Cotovio and Olga Voitovych contributed to this post.

In?a rare announcement of combat deaths of high-ranking?Russian?military officials,?the Russian?defense?ministry?said?in?its daily briefing Sunday that?two?of its?commanders?were?killed?on the battlefield?in?the Donetsk region?in?eastern?Ukraine.???

The?ministry?did not specify when they were?killed.???

“The commander of the 4th motorized rifle brigade, Colonel Vyacheslav Makarov, being at the forefront, personally led the battle,” the briefing read.

Another commander who died, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko, the deputy commander of the army corps for military-political work, directed the actions of the personnel, being?in?“another sector of repelling enemy attacks.”?

“During the battle to repel one of the attacks, Colonel Yevgeny Brovko heroically died after receiving multiple shrapnel wounds,” the?ministry?said.?

The announcement comes as the?ministry?on Sunday said?Ukraine?has made “massive attempts to break through the?defense?of our troops to the north and south of Artemovsk,” referring to Bakhmut by its?Russian?name.???

“All the attacks of the Armed Forces of?Ukraine?(AFU) have been repelled. There has been no breakthrough?in?the?defense?of?Russian?forces,” the statement read.???

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military reported?in?an update on Sunday that Bakhmut and Maryinka?in?eastern?Ukraine?remain the “epicenter of fighting.”???

French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, on May 11.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will visit Paris on Sunday for a working dinner with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, the palace said in a statement.?

“This exchange will allow them to continue and deepen their dialogue of trust after their meeting last February 8 in Paris and their regular telephone exchanges since then,” it added.?

During the meeting, Macron will “reaffirm the unfailing support of France and Europe to restore Ukraine’s legitimate rights and defend its fundamental interests,” according to the statement.??

Zelensky was in Germany on Sunday as his first visit to the country since Russia’s invasion began last year.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, center, holds the Charlemagne Prize on May 14, in Aachen, Germany.?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday collected the prestigious Charlemagne prize during a visit to Germany on behalf of the Ukrainian people for their contribution to the unification of Europe.

He collected the prize at a ceremony in the western German city of Aachen, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in attendance.?

Some background: The Charlemagne Prize is one of the most significant political awards in Germany and is awarded for work done in the service of European unification.

“The Ukrainian people, under the leadership of their President Volodymyr Zelensky, are not only defending the sovereignty of their country and the lives of their citizens, but also Europe and European values,” the prize body said in a statement.?

Russia’s air force may have just suffered one of its worst days since the Ukraine war began. Unconfirmed reports say that four of its aircraft were shot down within Russian territory, in what would mark a significant coup for Ukraine.

Here are more of the latest headlines today from the Russia-Ukraine war:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to travel to Paris on Sunday following his visit to Germany, according to French media.

Zelensky traveled to Rome on Saturday, where he met with his Italian counterpart, Italy’s prime minister and Pope Francis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine and its allies can make Russia’s defeat “irreversible” this year.?

“Now is the time for us to determine the end of this?war?this?year. This year we can make the aggressor’s defeat irreversible,” he said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.?

“The time for action is now. We all want this war to finally end, but to end in a just and fair peace. Ukraine and the whole of Europe must be free. Our territorial integrity and security, as well as the territorial integrity and security of all European nations, must be guaranteed,” Zelensky said.?

Zelensky said he will be talking to Scholz about his?quest for?fighter jets, while admitting that “it’s not an easy question.” He said Ukraine is working to create a “fighter jet coalition” and is asking Germany to join.?

Some context: In March, Poland became the first NATO member to pledge MiG-29 fighter jets?to Ukraine. Slovakia completed the transfer of its 13 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in April.

The Ukrainian leader thanked Germany for providing Ukraine with defense and financial support.?

Smoke rises after a SU-34 warplane crashed in Bryansk, Russia, on May 13.

Russia’s air force may have just suffered one of its worst days since the Ukraine war began. Unconfirmed reports say that four of its aircraft were shot down within Russian territory, in what would mark a significant coup for Ukraine.

Here’s what we know:

Some more context: Multiple crashes within Russian territory at the same time would be unprecedented. Some analysts believe Ukrainian air defenses may have been pushed forward as the Russian air force uses more “glide munitions” that can fire at targets from a distance.

The Ukrainian air force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, said Sunday that a Russian “strike air group attacked Ukraine from the north, from Bryansk Oblast. They do this almost every day. They carry out strikes with guided bombs.”

Read more about this here.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a press conference in Berlin, Germany, on May 14.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reacted to remarks by former US President Donald Trump that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if re-elected as the president of the US.?

During Zelensky’s visit to Rome, he was asked by a reporter for his response to Trump’s remarks, to which he said: “(When Trump was the US President) there was no full-scale invasion, but there was a war. There was already a Russian aggression. Crimea was occupied, part of Donbas was occupied. I’m not sure if he was deeply involved into this matter, but, nevertheless, he did not solve this issue. I’m not sure it was a priority for him. I am not accusing him of anything. But we have the facts. And we have to look at them,” Zelensky said.?

Trump said at a CNN town hall on Wednesday that he would settle Russia’s war in Ukraine in one day.?

“I want everybody to stop dying. They’re dying. Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying,” he said.???

Trump, who would not say whether he wants Ukraine to successfully deter Russia when pressed, told the audience that he doesn’t “think in terms of winning and losing.”?

“I think in terms of getting it settled so we stop killing all these people,” the former president said.?

Zelensky also told reporters in Rome: “(Trump) was president; I was president. And two parts of Ukraine were occupied. No one resolved this issue. No one. The issue is not about Trump.”?

A machine gunner with Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade keeps watch on the frontlines outside of Bahkmut.

Scrambling out of a Soviet-era armored troop carrier, the first thing we look for is shelter from attack.

There are no artillery shells incoming right now, but the shredded trees around us are a silent warning this rare moment of calm on this frontline in Ukraine may not hold.

Honza, a combat medic, waves towards the withered woodland glen around us. “Vietnam” he says. It has got that war-worn feel, with shafts of sun slicing through the foliage.

He is taking us to see recent battlefield gains around?Bakhmut, Ukraine’s biggest military gains since it forced Russian troops out of Kherson last November.

Summer is coming and everything around Ukraine’s front lines is changing. There is an energy and anticipation the war here is about to kick up a gear. The tracks we are walking on are drying out, the troop carrier that brought us in riding on rather than sinking into the hardening mud.

Ukraine’s Western allies?say shaping operations – essentially, out maneuvering the enemy – for a coming counteroffensive are already underway.

Commanders won’t say if what we are about to see is part of that. Honza, however, is thrilled by their gains. “I love it, I love it” he says.

Read more here.

Loreen from Sweden celebrates after winning the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Sweden’s Loreen has become only the second person to win the?Eurovision Song Contest twice?after earning a historic triumph at an extravagant and crowd-pleasing show on Saturday night.

Ukraine’s electronic duo Tvorchi finished a strong sixth place out of 26 with their performance of the song “Heart of Steel” in the contest’s 67th edition.

This was despite Russia firing missiles at the Ukrainian contestants’ home city of Ternopil as they took to the stage — which Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense condemned.

Russia have been excluded from competing in the contest since 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine.

The competition was held in Liverpool, UK, on behalf of Ukraine, the 2022 Eurovision winners.

In doing so, the northwestern English city made sure Ukraine was the main theme.

The yellow and blue colors of Ukraine featured heavily in the lighting and displays at the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, where the competition final was held, filling the atmosphere.

“The slogan is ‘United By Music’ demonstrating the unique partnership between the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Host City Liverpool to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to audiences across the globe and the incredible power of music to bring communities together,” the arena said on its website.

Read all about this year’s Eurovision showdown here.

Speaking at a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is not interested in attacking Russian territory and is concentrating on the counteroffensive.?

The Ukrainian leader is on his first visit to Germany since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2021. His arrival on Sunday comes a day after Germany announced a $3 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

He headed to Germany from Rome, where he said on Saturday that “the?first important steps” of a highly-anticipated military counteroffensive against Russian forces “would be taken soon.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a press conference on Sunday, May 14.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday reaffirmed Berlin’s support for Ukraine “for as long as it is necessary” in its fight against Russia’s invasion and stressed that those responsible for the war “must be held accountable.”

“Our support is not only humanitarian but also political, financial and of course also with weapons. I have often said this, and I will repeat it here: We will support you for as long as it is necessary,” he added.

Scholz also said he was looking forward to traveling with the Ukrainian leader to the German city of Aachen later on Sunday, where Zelensky will collect the International Charlemagne Prize, awarded for work done in service of European unification.

“Who, if not the Ukrainians, deserve the prize this year?” Scholz said.?

“This terrible war has had horrific geopolitical consequences. Our solidarity is strong. The years-long relationship between our two countries has only grown stronger in the face of this conflict,” he said.?

paking in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his country’s support in the fight against Russia, saying that Kyiv would always be grateful.

It is the Ukrainian leader’s first visit to Germany since the war began.

“I want to emphasize that Ukraine needs help [in] its defense, defense of life, protection of lives of our people in cities and villages everywhere, which helps to protect lives, in particular your defense system,” Zelensky told reporters.?

Zelensky added that “Germany leadership can make the world safer, the more cooperation will have among us for the peace, the more Germany will become a leader in protection of the peace, the more stability we will have in international relations.”

?Zelensky said that “Germany [is] on the second spot after the US supporting Ukraine,” and in his meeting they discussed?“the ability of our troops to return freedom to our people.”

The Ukrainain president said that they discussed being part of “European and Euro-Atlantic structures. We agreed on that. We agreed on our program of developing cooperation and relations.”?

Some context: On Saturday, Germany announced a $3 billion military aid package for Ukraine in its largest show of support for the country since the war began. This followed the US’ announcement of a $1.2 billion aid package on Tuesday.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Ukraine's President Volodymyr?Zelensky?at the Chancellery in Berlin on Sunday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr?Zelensky?has arrived?in?Berlin, Germany, for his first visit to the country since Russia’s February 2021?invasion,?meeting German President Frank-Walter?Steinmeier?on Sunday. He is also due to meet German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Zelensky tweeted just past midnight local time, “Already in Berlin. Weapons. Powerful package. Air defense. Reconstruction. EU. NATO. Security.”

His visit comes a day after Germany made its largest pledge in military aid to Ukraine since the war began, announcing on Saturday a package worth $3 billion to strengthen the country’s defense.

“First visit to Germany since the beginning of Russian full-scale aggression,” Zelensky said on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

“Thank you Germany for big military, economic and financial support in the face of Russia’s war of aggression,” he added.

Firefighters work at a site of warehouse damaged by a Russian missile strike in Ternopil, Ukraine, in this handout picture released May 14.

Russian missiles targeted the Ukrainian city of Ternopil, home to Ukraine’s Eurovision Song Contest representatives, as the competition was underway on Saturday evening.

Two civilians were hospitalized for burns and shrapnel.

Ukraine won Eurovision last year and it is customary for the winning country to host the next event, but due to the war, the singing contest was held in the UK.

Tvorchi performs in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 28.

The Ukrainian entrant, electronic duo Tvorchi, finished sixth.

Kyiv residents also received warnings of air strikes on Saturday, with citizens urged to stay in shelters.

Pope?Francis?shakes hands with Zelensky at the Vatican on Saturday.

Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met on Saturday, where they discussed the war in Ukraine, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis also stressed the need for “human gestures” toward victims of the war, according to the statement.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and the Pope since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. The pontiff has been?outspoken in his support?for an end to the conflict.

Two people have been killed – including a 15-year-old girl – and 10 others wounded as a result of Russian shelling on the eastern city of?Kostiantynivka?on Saturday,?the?Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram post.

Multi-story and private houses, a gas station, a pharmacy and shops were “damaged or destroyed,” the regional authorities added, noting that “pre-trial investigations are ongoing.”

At least 21 people were injured and two others were hospitalized in the western Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine after Russian attacks early Saturday morning,?according to the deputy head of the regional military administration.?

Tiurin?said there was some damage sustained in the attack.

“In particular, educational, medical and cultural institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise and individual residential buildings were damaged,”?he said.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Saturday that 17 out of 21 Russian drones had been intercepted overnight by its air defense system.?

Kostan?Nechyporenko in Kyiv contributed reporting to this post.