Day 464 since the beginning of the war: The capital Kiev has again been attacked from the air. Vladimir Putin was invited to a summit meeting. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Booby traps for Wagner fighters? Prigozhin attacks Ministry
9:17 p.m.: According to Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry have planted explosive devices intended to hit his fighters. His men have discovered a dozen locations behind the front lines where officials have hidden various explosive devices – including hundreds of anti-tank mines, he writes on Telegram. When asked, the officials referred to orders from their superiors.
Given the location of the explosive devices, it could be assumed that they were intended for his Wagner mercenaries. “We assume that was an attempt at public punishment.” There was no comment from the Ministry of Defense. Prigozhin has repeatedly clashed with the regular military.
Interview: “Putin wants to ruin the West”
Wagner boss: 99 percent of troops withdrawn from Bachmut
8:31 p.m.: The Russian private army Wagner has almost completed its announced withdrawal from the captured eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, according to its chief Yevgeny Prigozhin. Prigozhin announced on Friday evening that 99 percent of the units had left the city. “All positions have been handed over to the (Russian) Ministry of Defense in the appropriate order.” Everything has been clarified, said Prigozhin, who had announced the withdrawal for early June.
According to earlier information, only two Wagner men are to remain to support the regular Russian army in its control of the city in the Donetsk region. Prigozhin said there were no more “provocations” by the Ukrainian armed forces.
The day before, the Wagner boss had declared that his troops would be withdrawn from the battle line, but would remain stationed in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. It was initially not possible to independently check how far the change of position had actually progressed.
Another attack on Russian Belgorod: fire in industrial plant
9:18 p.m.: According to the authorities, the Russian region of Belgorod, which borders Ukraine, has again become the scene of an attack. Two people were injured and an industrial facility caught fire after shelling erupted around the border town of Shebekino, the Belgorod regional government said. The area has come under repeated fire from the Ukrainian side of the border in recent weeks.
China: “Should stop sending weapons into the battlefield”
3:25 p.m.: China is calling for an end to arms deliveries to the combat zone in Ukraine. After returning from his talks to resolve the conflict, Chinese special envoy Li Hui said in Beijing on Friday that he felt neither Russia nor Ukraine had slammed the door on negotiations. “We should stop sending weapons into the battlefield, otherwise we will only increase the risk of tensions escalating,” he was quoted as saying by Chinese state television. There must be a ceasefire and peace negotiations.
However, Li Hui still did not condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine. The special envoy warned of the war’s impact on nuclear safety, food security and humanitarian issues. Li Hui had been visiting Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, France and EU officials in Brussels since mid-May to talk about the conflict. While his diplomatic mission is said to have little chance of success, his talks also served to deflect criticism of China’s support for Russia.
Since the invasion more than a year ago, China has been giving Russian President Vladimir Putin political backing and has portrayed the USA and NATO as primarily responsible for the conflict “Pour oil on the fire”.
