Dead in Russian missile attacks on Kharkiv and Odessa

Chinese President Xi is expected in France. Ukraine and the USA are probably preparing a security agreement. More information in the news blog.

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Dead and injured after Russian air strikes

7:57 p.m.: At least two people have been killed in Russian missile attacks in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. At least 17 other people were injured, the region’s governor, Oleh Kiper, said on Telegram. Several residential buildings and civil infrastructure were damaged.

According to authorities, the eastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv, just over 30 kilometers from the Russian border, had previously been attacked with glide bombs. Two civilians were injured. A multi-story residential building was damaged.

Xi travels to France – Macron announces Ukraine talks

5:26 p.m.: Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to make a state visit to France on May 6th and 7th at the start of a trip to Europe. French President Emmanuel Macron wants to receive him at the Elysée Palace in Paris, but also wants to visit the Pyrenees with him, the Elysée said. The content is primarily about the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.

“We must continue to involve China, as it has the greatest opportunity to influence Russia on the international stage,” said French diplomatic circles. France is one of the few countries that has kept the channels of communication open to the world’s second-largest economic power, it continues. This is important given the tensions between China and the USA and Great Britain.

NATO chief promises more arms deliveries to Ukraine

2:25 p.m.: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced more arms deliveries to Ukraine. The members of the military alliance have not delivered what they had promised in recent months, says Stoltenberg during a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev. “But now I’m confident that that will change,” he adds, referring, among other things, to the recently passed billion-dollar aid package from the USA and support commitments from the British government.

He also expects further commitments. “This will make a difference – just as the lack of support made a difference,” said Stoltenberg, alluding to Ukraine’s setbacks on the battlefield. It is not too late for Ukraine to win.

Russia reports further terrain gains

1:57 p.m.: According to its own statements, Russia has taken over another town in eastern Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday that it had “liberated” the village of Semenivka, located near the Russian-controlled city of Avdiivka. It was only on Sunday that the ministry announced the “liberation” of the village of Novobachmutivka, around ten kilometers northwest of Avdiivka.

Britain estimates dead Russian military personnel at 450,000

11:21 a.m.: Britain estimates that around 450,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded in Ukraine. However, the number of employees of private Russian military companies killed is unclear, explained Leo Docherty, British Minister of State for the Armed Forces, according to the “UK Defense Journal”. Over 10,000 Russian armored vehicles are also said to have been destroyed.

Ukraine: Serious Russian attacks repelled in Donbass

9:32 a.m.: Ukraine says it has repelled serious attacks by Russia in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian army said “55 attacks were repelled” in several towns north and west of the village of Novobachmutivka. Further south, in the west of the city of Donetsk, Russian forces “with the support of the air force tried 15 times to break through the defenses of our troops,” according to Kiev.

According to Kiev, its soldiers were able to “continue to hold back the enemy” in several towns west of Donetsk, including in the city of Krasnogoriivka. The city is located around 20 kilometers from the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk and is considered a Ukrainian bulwark in the region. However, since the capture of the nearby towns of Marinka and Avdiivka by Russian soldiers, Krasnogorivka has become more vulnerable.