LIVE – War in Ukraine: Russia accuses Kiev of French-guided bombs

Russia accuses the Kyiv regime of attacking the Russian region of Belgorod on the Ukrainian border with French Hammer guided missiles and US HARM anti-radar missiles. “An attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out terrorist attacks using French-made Hammer guided missiles and US-made HARM anti-radar missiles against targets on Russian territory has been thwarted,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a press release. Between 09:20 and 09:30 GMT this Saturday, “Russian anti-aircraft defense systems destroyed four guided missiles and two anti-radar missiles in the Belgorod region,” he said.

Russia says it captured a village this Saturday near Vovsansk in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, where the Russian military launched a new offensive last week. “Units of the Northern Group have liberated the village of Staritsa in the Kharkiv region and are advancing deep into the enemy’s defensive positions,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

According to Oleg Synegubov, governor of the Kharkiv region, Ukrainian armed forces repelled two Russian attempts to breach the defenses during the night. But the situation is “under control,” he notes, adding that “guards are carrying out raids and search operations in some areas.”

Moscow attacked several towns, including Vovchansk, five kilometers from the border. “In the area of ​​the city of Vovsansk, Ukrainian troops are strengthening their defenses,” says Oleg Sinekupov. The governor said that earlier in the day, Russian forces had captured Vovchansk and that all but 200 residents had fled because of the fighting.

The governor announced the evacuation of nearly 10,000 people in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine following a ground offensive by Russian forces. “In total, 9,907 people were evacuated,” Oleg Sinekopov announced more than a week after the Russian offensive began.

The Ukrainian president also lashed out at his allies for banning them from attacking Russian borders using Western weapons.

“They can attack us from their territory, which is the biggest advantage Russia has, and we cannot do anything to their (weapons) systems located on Russian territory with Western weapons. We have no right,” he condemned. .

The Ukrainian president wanted to see China and the South “engage” in a peace conference in Ukraine organized by Switzerland in mid-June.

Ukraine’s president noted that “global players” like China are “influencing Russia. And such countries are on our side, on the side of ending the war, I would say, and Russia will have to reckon with it.” .

Volodymyr Zelensky told AFP on Friday that he rejected the idea of ​​a “fight” for the timing of the Paris Olympics this summer, which French President Emmanuel Macron wanted.

“I said: Emmanuel, we don’t believe in it. Let’s imagine for a second a ceasefire. First, we don’t believe in Putin. Second, he said in his third, (.. .) Tell Emmanuel, Russia will not use this to bring in its troops, I said. “Rejected a fight that played into the hands of the enemy.

In his interview with AFP, Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged the personnel shortage. “A significant number of regiments are lying vacant,” he said.

In total, Ukraine has only a quarter of the air defense systems it needs and needs a total of 120 to 130 F16 fighter jets to end Russia’s dominance in the airspace, the head of state said.

In an exclusive interview with AFP, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he expects a wider Russian offensive to the north and east, aimed at capturing Kharkiv. “They have started their operation, which may have many waves, this is their first wave,” said Mr. Zelensky promised on Friday.

Yet despite Russian advances in the Kharkiv region in recent days, he assured his forces that the situation was better than when Kremlin troops were surprised to cross the border a week ago.

“We want the war to end with a peace for us, and the West wants the war to end as quickly as possible,” he said. Additionally, deploying new supplies of Western weapons could take months, during which there is a risk of Russian “advances” in some areas, Mr. Zelensky said. But, “(the fight in Ukraine) no one is going to give up. I am sure that no matter what difficulties are faced, no matter what progress is made, there will still be no global progress,” the head of state said.

Hello everyone on this live broadcast from Saturday, May 18, dedicated to the war in Ukraine.