Ukraine news – live: Putin likely to have lost third of his invasion force, says MoD

Vladimir Putin may have lost a third of his troops that have invaded Ukraine, according to British military intelligence.

In its latest assessment, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia’s campaign in separatist-controlled Donbas region of eastern Ukraine has “lost momentum” and was now “significantly behind schedule”.

It also said: “Russian forces are increasingly constrained by degraded enabling capabilities, continued low morale and reduced combat effectiveness.

“Many of these capabilities cannot be quickly replaced or reconstituted and are likely to continue to hinder Russian operations in Ukraine.”

At a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin, foreign secretary Liz Truss said it was essential for Western allies to maintain support for Volodymyr Zelensky’s government to help “push Russia out” of Ukraine.

Nato deputy secretary-general Mircea Geoana said the Ukrainians – with military and financial support from the West – were now in a position to defeat the Russians and win the war.

“The brutal invasion of Russia is losing momentum,” he told reporters.

Key Points

• Vladimir Putin likely to have lost third of his invasion force, says MoD

• ‘Best thing’ for Sweden’s security is to ‘join Nato’, says Swedish PM

• Nato’s Jens Stoltenberg says Russia’s Ukraine offensive not going to plan

• Missiles close to Ukrainian-Polish border ‘threat to EU and Nato’

Finland and Sweden’s decision to apply for Nato membership a ‘mistake’, claims Russia

08:28 , Rory Sullivan

The Russian deputy foreign minister has said Finland and Sweden’s decision to join Nato is a mistake.

Sergei Ryabkov added that Moscow would not put up with the move, which is claimed would have far-reaching global consequences, according to the Interfax news agency.

Belarusian forces stationed near Ukraine border, says MoD

08:16 , Rory Sullivan

In its latest update on Ukraine, the British ministry of defence (MoD) has said Belarusian troops are sanctioned near the border with Ukraine.

This move prevents Ukrainian forces from redeploying to the east to fight Russian soldiers in the east of the country, the MoD said.

“Belarusian President Lukashenko is likely balancing support for Russia’s invasion with a desire to avoid direct military participation with the risk of Western sanctions, Ukrainian retaliation and possible dissatisfaction in the Belarusian military,” it added.

One country holding EU ‘hostage’ by blocking Russian oil embargo, says Lithuania

07:59 , Rory Sullivan

The EU’s plan to introduce a Russian oil embargo is being stalled by one of the bloc’s members, Lithuania has said.

The bloc’s diplomats say Hungary, whose leader Viktor Orban is said to have a close relationship with Vladimir Putin, is holding out against the sanctions.

“The whole union is being held hostage by one member state ... we have to agree, we cannot be held hostage,” Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on Monday.

Ukrainian troops reach Russian border in Kharkiv region

07:47 , Rory Sullivan

Ukrainian troops defending Kharkiv have reached the country’s border with Russia, the regional governor have said.

Oleh Sinegubov’s claim on Telegram comes days after reports that Russian troops were giving up their positions around Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, which is located in the north-east of the country.

More than 200 children killed in war, says Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office

07:32 , Rory Sullivan

A total of 229 children have died in Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office.

As of 16 May, a further 421 children have been wounded.

The office added that 144 educational institutions had been fully destroyed since the Russian invasion.

Russian assets of Renault transferred to state

07:22 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian assets of French carmaker Renault Group have become state property, the industry and trade ministry said on Monday.

The Moscow plant of Renault will resume production of cars under the brand “Moskvitch”, which was a former Soviet automobile brand that ceased production in 2002, mayor Sergey Sobyanin said, according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.

Germany to stop Russian oil imports by end of year

06:52 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Germany is likely to stop importing oil from Russia by the end of the year, irrespective of the European Union’s possible failure to impose a bloc-wide ban.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz is determined to push ahead with its national plan as part of the country’s sanctions on Russia, government officials told Bloomberg.

The country is in the midst of finalising deals with alternative suppliers to meet the demand, while the government is confident of solving the remaining logistical problems within the next six to seven months, the report said.

Germany’s economy ministry has claimed that the country’s reliance on Russian oil has declined to 12 per cent from nearly 35 per cent before the war in Ukraine.

ICYMI | Putin ‘very ill with blood cancer’, Russian oligarch recorded saying

06:51 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Russian president Vladimir Putin is “very ill with blood cancer”, an oligarch with Kremlin access was reportedly recorded as saying.

The claims come amid mounting health concerns about the Russian leader who has appeared frail at public events including the Victory Day celebrations last week where he appeared to be limping.

Publicly the Kremlin has stated that Mr Putin is fit and well but his strict precautions during the pandemic and use of a long table to meet other political leaders have strengthened rumours.

Thomas Kingsley has more.

Putin ‘very ill with blood cancer’, Russian oligarch recorded saying

Only 10% of Luhansk is controlled by Ukraine, says governor

06:18 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Serhiy Haidai, the governor of Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine, said on Sunday that only 10 per cent of the region is controlled by Ukraine.

“The outskirts of Rubizhne, Lysychansk and Sievierodonetsk are under our control along with villages and towns belonging to those communities (sic),” he said on Sunday.

“Fighting continues in the villages near Severodonetsk. Our defence is strong, we will survive, Severodonetsk is reliably protected, that even that large concentration of racists and equipment will not be able to conquer it,” he added.

Russia launched cyber attack on Lviv, claims deputy mayor

06:08 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Deputy mayor of Lviv city Andriy Moskalenko alleged that Russia in a cyber attack stole data from the city website and published it on Moscow-linked Telegram channels.

“Besides missiles, Russia is also using the IT front. Besides the city management system, the aggressors wanted to receive our data,” Mr Moskalenko wrote on Facebook, according to Ukrayinska Pravda.

He added: “Despite all protection systems, part of the working files was stolen and published on the Russians’ Telegram channels.”

Locals fear returning to Kharkiv despite Russian retreat

05:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Denis Kozmenko decided to flee his home with his young family after he saw a young mother, who had taken shelter in a school during airstrikes, being dragged off to be raped by a Russian soldier.

He was among the many Ukrainian men who decided to move their wives and daughters out of the village of Mala Rohan, which was under Russian occupation, after the horrific sexual assault on the 27-year-old woman.

“I saw what happened that night. This poor woman was taken away in front of her family, dozens of people, by this soldier. I realised then that there was no safety, no safety at all,” says Mr Kozmenko, who has returned to the village after it was recaptured by Ukrainian forces.

“We have a 14-year-old daughter, and of course I was worried. We left our homes the next day, and my family has not come [back] since. I am not going to bring them back for the time being. Things are still not safe here, for all kinds of reasons.”

Kim Sengupta reports from Kharkiv.

In Kharkiv: Locals fear returning to scarred villages despite Russian retreat

Russian troops opened fire at 23 residential settlements, Ukraine claims

05:20 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

President Vladimir Putin’s troops have destroyed and damaged 32 residential buildings after opening fire at 23 settlements in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, the Ukrainian military said on Sunday.

Ukrainian soldiers have throttled 17 Russian attacks in the past 24 hours, it said.

The army claimed that in one day it had destroyed three tanks, one artillery system, six units of combat armoured equipment and one vehicle.

Will Ukraine host 2023 Eurovision after winning?

05:06 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Ukraine and its entry Kalush Orchestra were crowned as the winners of Eurovision 2022, after receiving overwhelming support in the public vote.

“Thank you for supporting Ukraine. This victory is for every Ukrainian. Slava Ukraini [Glory to Ukraine],” the band said after receiving the trophy.

Meanwhile, Russia’s war in Ukraine has raised questions if Kyiv will be able to host the competition next year, despite it being custom for the winning country to host the contest the following year.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, however, is confident about hosting the contest next year.“Our courage impresses the world, our music conquers Europe! Next year Ukraine will host Eurovision! For the third time in its history. And I believe – not for the last time,” the president wrote in a Facebook post.

Jacob Stolworthy reports.

Will Eurovision winners Ukraine host song contest in 2023?

Blinken conveys ‘unwavering’ support to Ukraine

04:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

US secretary of state Antony Blinken on Sunday said he conveyed “unwavering commitment” to Kyiv during a meeting with Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“Nato’s unified response, which we affirmed once more today, will continue,” Mr Blinken said in a statement.

He also announced that preparations were underway to reopen the US embassy in Kyiv. “We’re reopening our Embassy in Kyiv – we’re taking all necessary precautions, but that work is underway – and we will resume operations very soon,” he said.

Nobel laureate author says Russia threat to ‘free world’

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Polish Nobel Prize-winning author Olga Tokarczuk on Sunday called Russia a threat to the “free world”, equating Moscow’s war on Ukraine to the Second World War.

“The Poles share the Ukrainian feeling of danger that Russia presents to the free world,” Ms Tokarczuk said, adding that the Polish government had warned about the risk presented by Russian aggression for years.

“Nobody could imagine that this war would be so cruel, so anachronistic, and this war brings to mind the horrible images of World War Two,” she said.

Read more here.

Polish Nobel author says Russia threat to 'free world'

Nato says Moscow is losing momentum

04:35 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nearly three months after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the war is “not going as Moscow had planned”, Nato said after its meeting in Berlin on Sunday.

“Ukraine can win this war,” Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said, adding that the alliance must continue to offer military support to Kyiv.

While Moscow lost ground on the diplomatic front, Vladimir Putin’s forces also failed to make territorial gains in eastern Ukraine.

Mr Stoltenberg’s statement comes after two Nordic nations - Sweden and Finland announced their intention to join the military alliance despite Russia’s objections.

In case you missed it: Sweden to apply to join Nato

03:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Sweden is set to follow Finland in applying to join Nato after the country’s ruling Social Democrats party announced on Sunday it was dropping its opposition to membership of the bloc.

Swedish prime minister Magdalena Andersson said a formal application to join the military alliance could be made within days, in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

At a news conference, she said Sweden would be in a “very vulnerable” position if it did not join, adding: “We believe Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in Nato.”

Read the full story here:

Sweden to follow Finland in joining Nato amid Russian Ukraine invasion

Rape by Russian soldiers is ‘widespread’ in Ukraine, MP says

02:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik said that the “crime of rape is indeed widespread” in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

She told Sky News there are reports of Russian soldiers sexually violating women in “almost every liberated city" in Ukraine.

Ms Rudik said: “The stories are really really really disturbing.”

One report stated that a woman had been raped in front of her nine-year-old son, she said.

Monday’s papers: Ukraine on the UK’s front pages

01:00 , Lamiat Sabin

The Independent: ‘End row on protocol by using flexibility shown to Ukraine, Britain tells EU’

Metro: ‘Kyiv will host Eurovision... and one day it will be in Mariupol’

The Mirror: Eurovision star - ‘Now I fight for Ukraine’

The Express: ‘Russia loses third of troops’

The Times: ‘Third of Russian invaders destroyed’

The Scotman: Zelensky - ‘Mariupol will hold Eurovision’

The Sun: ‘Herovision’

Russia has ‘lost about 27,400 troops’ during invasion, Ukraine says

Monday 16 May 2022 00:01 , Lamiat Sabin

Ukraine's ministry of defense has estimated that Russia has lost about 27,400 troops, 200 planes, 1,220 tanks and 164 helicopters to date.

The number applies since the start of the Russian invasion on 24 February, the Ukrainian ministry of defence said.

Zelensky says he will help ‘maintain the world’s attention to Ukraine’

Sunday 15 May 2022 23:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Volodymyr Zelensky said his plan to keep the Ukraine war in the headlines and advance the country’s bid for European Union membership includes giving speeches to universities and parliaments around the world.

The Ukrainian president, in his nightly address to Ukrainians, said: “[A] task, which becomes even more important the longer the war lasts, is to do everything to maintain the world’s maximum attention to us, to Ukraine.

“Information about our needs should be in the news of all countries that are important to us constantly and every day.

“In particular, for this purpose – for greater information and political support of Ukraine – on Monday I will communicate with students of leading American universities.

“These are 63 US universities and two Canadian universities, which unite hundreds of thousands of students and are a large expert and research community. Their voice will definitely strengthen our capabilities.

“A separate address to Stanford University students is also planned for the end of May.”

Mr Zelensky continued: “I am also preparing to communicate with Ukrainian students from the leading universities of our country ... I will definitely continue to address the parliaments of Ukraine's European partner states.

“Our task is the status of a candidate for EU membership for Ukraine, and later – accession to the European Union under the fast-track procedure. Every state matters. Every vote counts ... That is why I will be addressing the Luxembourg Parliament in the near future.

“By the way, we are also working to expand the geography of such special speeches in the parliaments of Africa and Asia.

“An address to the participants of the Davos Forum is scheduled for May 23. This year the conference will be especially important for our country. Post-war reconstruction will be discussed.”

Russia ‘hacked into IT system of Lviv city and published files’

Sunday 15 May 2022 22:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Russia has hacked into the IT system of the western Ukrainian city of Lviv before publishing the files online, a local official said.

Andriy Moskalenko, the first deputy of the head of Lviv, said the hackers accessed the city council’s management system on Friday (13 May) and published “part of the working files” on the “Russians’ Telegram channels”.

The main aim of the attack was to disable the city management system, he said.

Mr Moscalenko said: “Thanks to the coordinated work of all services, the attack on May 13 did not affect the basic aspects of city management. Part of the services was temporarily limited.

“In two nights and two days we managed to restore some of the services. The rest will be restored in stages.”

Ukraine ‘repels 17 attacks and downs two helicopters in Donbas’

Sunday 15 May 2022 22:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Ukrainian troops repelled 17 Russian attacks and destroyed 18 units of military equipment – including two helicopters – in the separatist-controlled Donbas region today, Ukraine said.

The destroyed Russian military equipment also includes three tanks, one artillery system, six combat armoured vehicles, and one car – according to the Joint Forces Operation.

Finnish president’s talk with Putin on Nato was ‘calm and cool’

Sunday 15 May 2022 21:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Finnish president Sauli Niinisto said his latest talk with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about Finland’s intention to apply for Nato membership was calm and did not involve any threats.

“He confirmed that he thinks it’s a mistake. We are not threatening you. Altogether, the discussion was very, could I say, calm and cool,” Mr Niinisto said in an interview with CNN’s “State of the Union.”

US Senate expected to approve $40bn aid for Ukraine

Sunday 15 May 2022 21:00 , Lamiat Sabin

The US Senate is expected to approve on Wednesday about $40 billion in proposed aid to help Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said.

He told reporters on a conference call from Stockholm, after visiting Kyiv on Saturday: “We expect to invoke cloture – hopefully by a significant margin – on the motion to proceed, on Monday, which would set us up to approve the supplemental on Wednesday.”

Mr McConnell was referring to a procedural “cloture” vote that caps further debate on a topic at 30 hours.

It comes after US president Joe Biden – on 28 April – requested $33 billion in aid for Ukraine, including over $20 billion in military assistance.

The US House of Representatives boosted the sum to roughly $40 billion, adding more military and humanitarian aid.

Eurovision winners to celebrate ‘after the war’ in Ukraine

Sunday 15 May 2022 20:34 , Lamiat Sabin

The lead singer of Ukraine‘s Kalush Orchestra has said the folk-rap group will celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest win “after the war”.

The act had been the frontrunner of the competition since the invasion, which prompted organisers to ban Russia from competing.

Following their win in Turin, Italy, following a powerful performance of the song Stefania, Kalush Orchestra said the victory was “for every Ukrainian”.

During a press conference, frontman Oleg Psyuk said: “We haven’t really celebrated yet.

“We will probably have a big celebration after the war because victory is great, winning Eurovision is fantastic but there is just so much stuff going on.

“People are getting killed in the war or they fight in the war or lose their jobs in Ukraine, it is not really the best backdrop for celebrations.”

Addressing the social media post from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky who said next year Ukraine will host Eurovision, Psyuk added: “If the president said it’s going to happen, then it’s going to happen.

“We will host Eurovision in a newly rebuilt and happy Ukraine. He congratulated us and he is happy we won.”

Reporting by PA

Russia preparing to deploy up to 2,500 reservists, says Ukraine

Sunday 15 May 2022 19:35 , Lamiat Sabin

Russia plans to send up to 2,500 reservists to Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian armed forces.

The reservists are currently undergoing training in the Voronezh, Belgorod and Rostov regions of Russia, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

“The command of the armed forces of the Russian Federation is trying to recruit personnel and to use reservists to compensate for the losses of its troops,” the Ukrainian military said.

It comes as Western allies of Ukraine said that Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going to plan, with the UK Ministry of Defence estimating that Vladimir Putin may have lost a third of his troops since launching the invasion on 24 February.

Russian troops ‘fire at evacuation car with four children inside’

Sunday 15 May 2022 19:00 , Lamiat Sabin

A car came under fire from Russian troops in the Luhansk region while 10 people managed to be evacuated from the city Severodonetsk, a local official has said.

Serhiy Haidai, head of the Luhansk region’s state administration, wrote on Telegram under a photo of the evacuees that included children: “Ten people were evacuated, including four children and two people with limited mobility.

“In Severodonetsk, the Russians are intimidating the population and destroying homes. More people want to leave.

“Patrol police officers were able to get 10 people away, [but] a car came under fire. Luckily, we got through without any casualties.”

Vladimir Putin likely to have lost third of his invasion force, says MoD

Sunday 15 May 2022 18:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Vladimir Putin may have lost a third of his troops that have invaded Ukraine, according to British military intelligence.

In its latest assessment, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Russia’s campaign in separatist-controlled Donbas region of eastern Ukraine has “lost momentum” and was now “significantly behind schedule”.

It also said: “Russian forces are increasingly constrained by degraded enabling capabilities, continued low morale and reduced combat effectiveness.

“Many of these capabilities cannot be quickly replaced or reconstituted and are likely to continue to hinder Russian operations in Ukraine.”

At a meeting of Nato foreign ministers in Berlin, foreign secretary Liz Truss said it was essential for Western allies to maintain support for Volodymyr Zelensky’s government to help “push Russia out” of Ukraine.

Nato deputy secretary-general Mircea Geoana said the Ukrainians – with military and financial support from the West – were now in a position to defeat the Russians and win the war.

“The brutal invasion of Russia is losing momentum,” he told reporters.

Missiles close to Ukrainian-Polish border ‘threat to EU and Nato’

Sunday 15 May 2022 18:00 , Lamiat Sabin

Russian missile strikes in Ukraine are a threat to Poland as they landed only 15km from the Polish border, according to a Ukrainian official.

Andriy Sadovyi – mayor of Lviv in western Ukraine – wrote on Facebook that the missiles landed today in the Yavoriv district of the city.

He said that the strikes were also a threat to the EU and Nato – as Poland is a member of both alliances.

“This time the target was 15 kilometers from the border with Poland, the EU and Nato,” he wrote.

Earlier today, Russia was reported to have launched at least six missiles at the Lviv region from submarines in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian air defense shot down two missiles, while another four completely destroyed a military facility in the Yavoriv district of Lviv.

There were no casualties as a result of the incident, Ukraine has said.

‘Best thing’ for Sweden’s security is to ‘join Nato’ – Swedish PM

Sunday 15 May 2022 17:30 , Lamiat Sabin

Sweden’s prime minister said that “the best thing for the security” of the country is for it to join Nato.

Magdalena Andersson spoke at a news conference today, in which she said that Sweden would be in a “very vulnerable” position if it does not join the military alliance.

She added: “We believe Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in Nato.”

Her party – the Social Democrats – had opposed joining US-led Nato. But, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both Sweden and Finland have been considering joining the alliance.

“At its meeting today, the Social Democrats’ party board has decided that the party will work for Sweden to apply for membership in Nato,” the party said in a statement.

The plan to join the alliance will be discussed in Sweden’s parliament tomorrow, after which Ms Andersson’s Cabinet will make an announcement.

Earlier, Finland announced that it would apply to join Nato.

Why do Finland and Sweden want to join Nato?

Sunday 15 May 2022 17:00 , Thomas Kingsley

Finland announced on Sunday that it will apply to become a Nato member.

Despite the warnings, Nato is confident security concerns can be tackled in the interim while the UK on Wednesday signed a security pact with Finland and Sweden agreeing to provide military protection to the nations if they are attacked.

Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats are expected to decide on Sunday whether to overturn decades of opposition to Nato membership, a move that would almost certainly lead to Stockholm also asking to join the 30-nation alliance. However, Moscow has warned it could deploy nuclear weapons and hypersonic missiles in the European exclave of Kaliningrad if the two countries pursue their applications.

But with Russia’s explicit threats to Finland and Sweden and its proximity to Moscow, why would the two Nordic nations want to join Nato.

Germany’s Baerbock says Finland, Sweden already at heart Nato members

Sunday 15 May 2022 16:40 , Thomas Kingsley

Germany's foreign minister said on Sunday that Finland and Sweden were already in essence members of Nato, but that they were just missing the official membership card.

"Sweden and Finland are not just our partners, not just our friends, they have long been our European family members. Therefore, you have our full support in all decisions you are now making with view to your own security," Annalena Baerbock told reporters at the end of a Nato foreign ministers meeting.

Russia’s behaviour impinges Nato treaty - German foreign minister

Sunday 15 May 2022 16:20 , Thomas Kingsley

Russia’s behaviour amounts to the unilateral repudiation of a 1997 cooperation agreement with Nato, Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said.

"The Russian government has made it clear that the Nato-Russia Founding Act is no longer worth anything to it.

“So we now have to acknowledge that this basic act was also unilaterally terminated by Russia, not by NATO."

The agreement was put in place to build trust and limit both sides' presence in eastern Europe.

Nato suspended practical cooperation with Russia in 2014 after it annexed Crimea.