UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Air Force reported that 29 out of 30 Russian missiles launched overnight were shot down, with one person dead and two others injured. Blasts were heard in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, and Zhytomyr, all located in central-western Ukraine.
Russia has launched four large-scale rockets in May, compared to one each in April, March, and February. Ukraine has been shooting down more Russian missiles, with two launches between May 16 and May 18. The last time Russia launched an assault with this level of ferocity was in the days following New Year’s.
A goods train carrying grain derailed, halting rail travel between Simferopol and Sevastopol. Russia’s state media reported an explosion caused the derailment, and a probe is being conducted. In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula.
Russia used cruise missiles and reconnaissance drones in a nocturnal attack on Kyiv. Ukraine destroyed six Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, but no one was hurt. Vitali Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, said a fire had started in a garage, but no one was hurt.
Russian strategic bombers over the Caspian Sea launched a missile attack, likely using cruise missiles, according to the head of the civilian-military administration in Kyiv, Serhiy Popko. After launching airstrikes, Russia placed reconnaissance drones over Kyiv.
At least eight people, including a five-year-old kid, were killed and 17 injured in shelling on Wednesday in Kyiv’s eastern Desnyansky neighbourhood, as both sides exchanged claims of hitting civilian areas. No further information on injuries.
Ukraine is preparing to undertake a significant offensive against the Russian invasion forces, according to Western authorities. Kyiv’s military prowess, such as its ability to send out tanks, fighting vehicles, and engineers, as well as its ability to clear minefields, span rivers, and strike far-off targets, is “coming together” today, according to officials.
The authorities cautioned that Moscow’s defensive lines in Ukraine were “potentially formidable” and protected by minefields. They suggested that the effectiveness of any Ukrainian offensive should be judged by whether it succeeded in persuading Russian President Vladimir Putin to change his course of action.
Ukraine’s foreign minister rejected any peace plan that called for ceding land to Russia, while a deal allowing Ukraine to export millions of tonnes of grain via the Black Sea was extended for another two months.
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