Is Bakhmout now entirely in the hands of Russian forces? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied on Sunday May 21 the total capture of the devastated city in eastern Ukraine, claimed the day before by Wagner and the Russian authorities. The paramilitary group, then the Russian Ministry of Defense assured on Saturday that they had “totally liberated” Bakhmout, epicenter of the longest and deadliest battle since the start of the Russian invasion.
On Sunday, Volodymyr Zelensky said on the sidelines of the G7 summit that there were only “Nothing” in the city, and“today, Bakhmout is only in our hearts”. “Is Bakhmout still in the hands of Ukraine? The Russians say they have taken Bakhmout”, reporters asked him. The Head of State replied “I do not think so”without it being clear whether he answered the first or the second part of the question. The Ukrainian President then “denied the capture of Bakhmout”, according to details of his remarks provided by his spokesperson, Serguiï Nykyforov. Follow our live.
Moscow claims full capture of Bakhmout. Moscow claimed the total capture of Bakhmout on Saturday evening. “As a result of the offensive actions of the assault units of Wagner, with the support of the artillery and aviation of the ‘South’ unit, the liberation of the city of Artemovsk [le nom soviétique de Bakhmout] is total”said the Russian Ministry of Defense.
New American weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky met his American counterpart Joe Biden on Sunday in Hiroshima (Japan). Two days after an announcement paving the way for the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to kyiv, the President of the United States promised new American weapons and ammunition to Ukraine. These new shipments will include “ammunition, artillery, armored vehicles”said Joe Biden.
A diplomatic marathon for Zelensky. The Ukrainian head of state must plead on Sunday for new diplomatic and military support for Ukraine, with its G7 allies but also with other countries that have so far refused to condemn the Russian invasion, such as India and Brazil. Volodymyr Zelensky’s presence in Hiroshima is “very important”especially for “intensify” relations between Ukraine and the countries of the South, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday.