The Latest Breaking News from Russia

Russians celebrate reports that ‘fortress Bakhmut’ has fallen

Ukraine’s president is denying claims that the eastern city is under Russian control after months of heavy battle.

Al Jazeera · May 21, 2023

Russia's Prigozhin says Bakhmut territories captured as promised, will leave zone

The head of Russia's Wagner mercenary group said on Sunday that his forces had captured all the territory in the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut as promised and would leave the conflict zone later this week.

Reuters · May 21, 2023

Russia-Ukraine war: Zelenskiy says Bakhmut ‘is not occupied’; Russia accuses G7 of ‘undermining global stability’ — as it happened

Volodymyr Zelenskiy says during Japan visit that Ukrainian troops are still in eastern city at centre of bloody battle; Moscow calls summit a ‘politicised’ event

The Guardian - AU · May 21, 2023

How do we know what is true? Not easy!

To survive this crucial century, we need to solve the problem of truth. That may be our biggest single challenge

Salon · May 21, 2023

Why is Bakhmut important in the Russia-Ukraine war?

The symbolic importance of the small city in Ukraine’s east now far outweighs any strategic value for either side.

Al Jazeera · May 21, 2023

African leaders to broach thorny issue of paying Russia for fertilizers in Kyiv and Moscow talks

A delegation of six African leaders set to hold talks with Kyiv and Moscow aim to “initiate a peace process” but also broach the thorny issue of how a heavily-sanctioned Russia can be paid for the fertilizer exports Africa desperately needs, a key mediator in the talks said

The Independent UK · May 21, 2023

Joe Biden tells G7 Putin ‘will not break our resolve’ in supporting Ukraine

US president says Ukraine has given him ‘flat assurance’ F-16 jets would not go into Russian territory

Evening Standard · May 21, 2023

Zelenskyy calls on G7 to ensure Russia is ‘last aggressor’

Zelenskyy’s visit to Japan highlighted significant divisions preventing the formation of a united front against Russia.

Al Jazeera · May 21, 2023

Ukraine aims to encircle Bakhmut as Russia says it captures city

Ukraine said on Sunday that its forces were still advancing around the edges of Bakhmut, aiming to encircle the ruined eastern city after Moscow congratulated the Wagner private army and Russian troops for capturing it.

Reuters · May 21, 2023

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 452 of the invasion

Zelenskiy lays flowers at cenotaph in Hiroshima; conflicting claims over whether Russia has captured Bakhmut

The Guardian - UK · May 21, 2023