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Russia just isn’t considering compromises: ISW evaluation
The Institute for the Examine of Warfare analyzed the course of occasions surrounding the peace negotiations in Istanbul. In keeping with analysts, Russia just isn’t considering good religion negotiations and compromises and seeks to proceed the conflict to attain its objective – the capitulation of Ukraine.
Russia's floor forces taking part in fight in opposition to Ukraine quantity to upwards of 640,000 troopers, Ukraine's Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi stated on Might 15.
"Moscow has turned its aggression in opposition to Ukraine right into a warfare of attrition and is utilizing a mixed power of as much as 640,000 troops," Syrskyi instructed members of the NATO-Ukraine Council. "Our troopers proceed to conduct an efficient protection operation, inflicting vital losses on the enemy."
The whole variety of Russian army personnel marks a rising development, as Russia continues to intensify operations in varied areas of the entrance line.
The Monetary Instances reported on Might 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officers, that Russia seems to be getting ready a major offensive regardless of anticipated ceasefire talks this week and calls by Kyiv and its companions for an unconditional 30-day truce.
In March, Vadym Skibitskyi, the deputy head of Ukraine's army intelligence company (HUR), reported that Russia had deployed greater than 620,000 troopers to combat in Ukraine. Whereas in November 2024, the whole amounted to virtually 580,000 troopers.
Russia has gained floor in jap Ukraine and Kursk Oblast in latest months however at the price of heavy casualties in addition to gear losses.
As of Might 15, Russia has misplaced a complete of 970,590 troops because the full-scale invasion started, Ukraine's Common Employees reported. The estimate, which is broadly in-line with estimates made by Western intelligence businesses, seemingly contains these killed, captured, wounded, and lacking.
On Feb. 24, unbiased Russian media shops Meduza and Mediazona estimated in a report that round 165,000 Russian troops have been killed because the launch of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, together with almost 100,000 in 2024.
President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Feb. 15 that Moscow had misplaced round 250,000 troopers, with 20,000 killed in battles for Russia's Kursk Oblast alone. Whereas Kyiv doesn’t usually disclose complete casualty nation, that quantity has seemingly considerably elevated in latest months.
In an interview with NBC printed on Feb. 16, Zelensky said over 46,000 Ukrainian troopers have been killed and 380,000 injured on the battlefield.
The Kyiv IndependentAlex Cadier
An air alert has been declared in Kyiv as a result of menace of assault drones
An air alert was declared in Kyiv on the night time of Could 16. The Air Drive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine warned of the specter of using strike drones, urging residents to go to shelters.
Editor's observe: This can be a creating story and is being up to date.
A Russian delegation will await its Ukrainian counterparts to start direct peace talks at 10 a.m. native time in Istanbul on Might 16, Vladimir Medinsky, Russia's delegation lead and advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin stated.
Medinsky claimed that they count on the Ukrainian delegation to reach for the morning assembly. Nonetheless, Ukraine's delegation has not but publicly signalled its intentions on the timing of the talks.
Russian state-media outlet TASS reported, citing a supply within the Turkish International Ministry, that members from a Turkish delegation can even take part in a trilateral assembly.
Medinsky added that Russia and Turkey held discussions earlier on Might 15 to debate the start of direct negotiations.
The Kyiv Impartial can’t confirm claims made by Russian officers or state-media shops.
After Moscow proposed to carry peace talks in Turkey this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky agreed and invited Putin for a face-to-face assembly. The Russian chief declined to attend and appointed his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to steer the talks.
The Ukrainian delegation that arrived in Turkey on Might 15 consisted of prime Ukrainian officers, together with President Zelensky, International Minister Andrii Sybiha, representatives of the Presidential Workplace, the army, and intelligence businesses.
Nonetheless, after a three-hour assembly with Turkish President Erdogan, Zelensky introduced {that a} smaller delegation led by Protection Minister Rustem Umerov would journey to Istanbul to debate a possible ceasefire.
Russian state information company TASS reported on Might 15 that negotiations would start at 10 a.m. on Thursday, a declare the Ukrainian delegation dismissed as "faux information."
Russian International Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova later within the day claimedthat talks can be held mid-day on Might 15, which the Turkish authorities additionally denied.
Talking to journalists upon his arrival at Ankara airport, Zelensky stated that the Ukrainian delegation is of the "highest stage."
The Russian delegation consists of Deputy International Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Navy Intelligence Director Igor Kostyukov, and Deputy Protection Minister Alexander Fomin.
The checklist is notably void of prime Russian politicians, together with Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov. Putin's overseas coverage aide, Yuri Ushakov, was additionally absent from the checklist.
Commenting on the doable begin of direct peace talks, U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio said on Might 15 peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey are unlikely to yield significant progress, calling the low-level Russian delegation "not indicative of 1 that’s going to result in a serious breakthrough."
Rubio stated that significant progress would doubtless solely come via a gathering between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The identical thought was echoed by Trump earlier within the day.
"The subsequent factor that has to occur for there to be a breakthrough goes to contain President Trump's direct involvement," Rubio stated. "And I imagine the president shares my evaluation."
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk
Poland will buy 10,000 Warmate drones which have confirmed efficient in Ukraine
Poland has signed a framework settlement for the availability of 10,000 Warmate UAVs by 2035. The choice was made considering the expertise of utilizing drones in Ukraine.
Key developments on Could 15:
President Volodymyr Zelensky introduced throughout a press convention on Could 15 that he won’t personally take part within the upcoming negotiations with Russia in Istanbul, as an alternative sending a Ukrainian delegation led by Protection Minister Rustem Umerov.
Talking in Ankara, Zelensky clarified that Ukraine's delegation wouldn’t embrace the pinnacle of the Normal Workers, and the pinnacle of the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU), because it was beforehand recommended.
Amongst different members of Ukraine's delegation are First Deputy International Minister Serhiy Kyslytsya, Deputy SBU Chief Oleksandr Poklad, Army Intelligence Deputy Head Vadym Skibitskyi, in addition to different nationwide safety and intelligence officers. The delegation will have interaction with representatives from Turkey, america, and Russia.
Agreeing on a ceasefire, in accordance with Zelensky, stays a key precedence.
"Out of respect for President Trump, the excessive stage of the Turkish delegation, and President Erdogan, and since we need to attempt to obtain at the very least the primary steps towards de-escalation, an finish to the conflict – particularly a ceasefire – I’ve determined to ship our delegation to Istanbul," Zelensky mentioned.
After Moscow proposed to carry peace talks in Turkey this week, Zelensky agreed and invited Russian President Vladimir Putin for a face-to-face assembly. The Russian chief declined to attend and appointed his aide, Vladimir Medinsky, to guide the talks.
"We see that they, sadly, are very unserious about actual negotiations. To this point, we don’t see any actual decision-makers amongst these current," Zelensky mentioned on the press convention.
Zelensky mentioned that, underneath the present circumstances, he sees no motive for his or sure different prime officers’ presence in Istanbul, provided that Putin declined to attend.
The Kyiv IndependentAlex CadierTrump expects no progress in Russia-Ukraine peace talks till he meets PutinU.S. President Donald Trump mentioned on Could 15 that peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine won’t transfer ahead till he meets Russian President Vladimir Putin, Reuters reported.
"Nothing's going to occur till Putin and I get collectively," the U.S. president advised journalists aboard Air Power One earlier than touchdown in Dubai as a part of his Center Jap tour.
Trump has beforehand recommended he would possibly join the talks on Could 16 if progress is made, however downplayed Putin's absence on the primary day of the negotiations, saying, "Why would he go if I'm not going?"
Afterward Could 15, U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio mentioned peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey are unlikely to yield significant progress, calling the low-level Russian delegation "not indicative of 1 that’s going to result in a serious breakthrough."
"I hope I'm incorrect. I hope I'm 100% incorrect. I hope tomorrow the information says they've agreed to a ceasefire, they've agreed to enter critical negotiations," Rubio advised reporters throughout a briefing in Ankara. "However I'm simply providing you with my evaluation."
Rubio mentioned that significant progress would seemingly solely come via a gathering between Trump and Putin.
"The following factor that has to occur for there to be a breakthrough goes to contain President Trump's direct involvement," Rubio mentioned. "And I consider the president shares my evaluation."
Rubio additionally mentioned he would meet with Ukraine’s senior delegation and Turkish International Minister Hakan Fidan, whereas different lower-level members of the U.S. workforce will attend the talks involving Russian representatives.
He added that Trump is "impatient to finish this conflict," saying, “Our purpose right here is to attain peace — whether or not that begins with a 30-day ceasefire, a one-day ceasefire, or a ultimate deal that's all negotiated in a single day. To us, the method is much less necessary than the result.”
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Professional-Ukraine partisans sabotage railway monitor close to Russia's SmolenskMembers of Ukraine's Atesh partisan group have set hearth to a relay cupboard at a Russian railway monitor utilized by the Russian navy, the group mentioned on Could 15.
The operation was allegedly carried out in Russia's Smolensk Oblast, a western area bordering Belarus, to disrupt arms and tools shipments to Russian forces stationed at Ukraine's northeastern border.
The Ukrainian management has warned that Moscow is amassing forces close to Ukraine's Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts within the northeast for a possible new offensive.
"Thanks for the brave steps by our partisans, Russia confronted critical disruption in well timed deliveries of front-line provides," Atesh mentioned on Telegram.
A video shared by the partisans exhibits an unknown particular person behind the digital camera setting hearth to the relay cupboard at night time. In accordance with the partisans, the focused tools was positioned near the town of Smolensk, some 270 kilometers (170 miles) north of the Russia-Ukraine border.
The Kyiv Unbiased couldn’t confirm the claims.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
Ukraine exhibits its newest 'ship-killer' Magura drone collection to the general public for the primary timeUkraine's navy intelligence (HUR) on Could 14 for the primary time introduced its newest versatile Magura naval drones to the general public.
The Magura drones, in addition to the Sea Child drones of the Safety Service of Ukraine (SBU), have been pivotal in turning the tide of the conflict within the Black Sea, destroying or damaging a number of Russian ships and different property.
HUR's Group 13 has deployed Magura drones to efficiently hit 17 naval and aerial Russian targets. Fifteen of them, together with two Mi-8 helicopters, two Su-30 fighter jets, and theSergey Kotov, Ivanovets, and Ceasar Kunikov warships of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, have been destroyed, the agency mentioned.
A number of variants of the Magura drones exist, together with the "ship-killer" V5, the V7 able to carrying machine weapons or anti-air missiles, and the multi-platform V6P.
As of 2024, Ukraine was reportedly in a position to destroy or disable one-third of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in a drone and missile marketing campaign, regardless of Moscow's vital benefit in sheer naval energy.
Black Sea hostilities have since then quieted down as Russia moved most of its naval property from occupied Crimea additional east and Ukraine managed to renew its maritime delivery.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir
US proposes reviving NATO-Russia Council, Bloomberg storiesThe US is proposing to revive the NATO-Russia Council as a part of a broader American plan to finish the conflict in Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on Could 15, citing unnamed sources.
In April, Axios reported that U.S. President Donald Trump's peace plan additionally included Washington's de jure recognition of Russia's management over occupied Crimea, together with de facto recognition of its occupation of different Ukrainian territories, providing sanctions reduction, and freezing the conflict alongside present entrance strains.
The proposal to revive the NATO-Russia Council, a discussion board for navy and political dialogue frozen since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is a brand new half added to the American proposal, in accordance with Bloomberg.
The NATO-Russia Council (NRC) was created in 2002 to advertise cooperation and dialogue between NATO and Russia. Initially designed as a discussion board the place NATO members and Russia might work as equal companions on shared safety points, the NRC has not convened since January 2022.
Whereas formal cooperation was suspended after Russia’s 2014 unlawful annexation of Crimea, the council remained a key channel for communication, totally on Ukraine, till ties have been successfully severed following the 2022 invasion.
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Trump stated he’ll probably return to Washington on Friday, Could 16
The US President stated he’ll probably return to Washington on Could 16 after a tour of the Persian Gulf nations. He had beforehand hinted at doable negotiations on Ukraine in Istanbul.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed Normal Oleg Saliukov, the commander of the Russian Floor Forces, as deputy secretary of the Safety Council, Russian state-controlled media reported on Could 15.
It stays unclear who will exchange Saliukov as commander of the Floor Forces.
The appointment comes amid media studies claiming that Russia is making ready a serious offensive in Ukraine regardless of the continued peace efforts led by the USA.
Saliukov, who turns 70 on Could 21, had led Russia’s Floor Forces and the Moscow Garrison since 2014, in keeping with Radio Liberty.
Identified for overseeing annual Victory Day parades on Crimson Sq. from 2014 by 2025, he’s at present beneath Western sanctions for his function in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
His retirement from lively navy service had been anticipated this month beneath Russian legislation, which mandates retirement at age 70 except a particular exemption is granted.
Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s former protection minister, has headed the Safety Council since Could 2024 and now has a number of deputies, together with Saliukov.
The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek
Moscow has turned the aggression in opposition to Ukraine right into a conflict of attrition – Syrsky
Russia has turned the aggression right into a conflict of attrition, throwing as much as 640,000 troops at Ukraine. Syrsky careworn the necessity for army tools and the implementation of tasks with NATO.
Norway will full its deliberate deliveries of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine by the top of 2025, Protection Minister Tore O. Sandvik advised NRK in an interview revealed on Might 15.
Norway confirmed in July 2024 that it could donate a number of of the U.S.-made plane as a part of Western efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defenses.
Some jets have already been transferred, Sandvik mentioned, however declined to specify the precise quantity delivered to this point, citing operational safety issues and ongoing consultations with Ukrainian officers.
"The donation of Norwegian F-16s is continuing in response to plan," Sandvik mentioned.
Final 12 months, Norway additionally boosted its assist to the Ukrainian Air Pressure with an extra 1.3 billion kroner (round $120 million), geared toward enhancing Ukraine’s means to defend in opposition to Russian missile and drone assaults.
"With this contribution, Norway helps to strengthen Ukraine's air protection, in cooperation with different members of the Air Pressure Coalition," Sandvik mentioned.
Norway is a part of the worldwide F-16 coalition, alongside 10 different nations, that has been coaching Ukrainian pilots and coordinating the supply of Western fighter jets to Ukraine.
In April, Norway and the U.Okay. additionally agreed to offer a 450 million pound ($585 million) navy assist package deal to Ukraine, which included funding for the restore and upkeep of beforehand provided automobiles and gear, and financing for radar methods, anti-tank mines, and lots of of hundreds of drones.
The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk