Thousands of Russian soldiers left Izium last weekend after seizing the city and using it as a logistics hub in the Kharkiv region. They left behind large quantities of ammunition and equipment. read more “Mass graves discovered in Izium after liberation from (Russians),” with the largest burial ground containing 440 unmarked graves, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said on Twitter. Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Serhiy Bolvinov, the chief police investigator for the Kharkiv region, told Sky News: “Some died because of artillery… some died because of airstrikes.” Reuters could not immediately verify the Ukrainian reports and there was no immediate comment from Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who visited Izium on Wednesday, compared the discovery to alleged war crimes by Russian forces against civilians in Bucha, on the outskirts of the capital Kiev, in the early stages of the war. “Russia is leaving behind death everywhere and must be held responsible,” Zelensky said in a video clip late Thursday. Russia has denied targeting civilians or committing war crimes.
BALLOON
After a week of rapid Ukrainian gains in the northeast, Ukrainian officials said Russian forces were strengthening defenses and that it would be difficult to maintain the pace of the advance. Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to publicly comment on the setback his forces suffered this month. Ukrainian officials say 9,000 square kilometers (3,400 square miles) have been retaken, territory about the size of the island of Cyprus. Reuters video from the eastern city of Kupiansk, a key supply hub recaptured by Ukrainian forces last week, showed several buildings damaged or burned. “No electricity, no communications… if there were communications we could at least talk to the family. I wish there hadn’t been all this bombing with everyone in their basements,” one man said. The speed of the advance has boosted Ukraine’s morale and given it some success to show its Western allies as it seeks more weapons to maintain its defenses. In Washington, US President Joe Biden announced a new $600 million arms package to help Ukraine, including high mobility artillery missile systems (HIMARS) and artillery. The United States has sent about $15.1 billion in security aid to Kyiv since Russia’s February 24 invasion. read more Russian forces shelled the city of Kharkiv and other cities in the region on Thursday, Ukrainian officials said. More than 90 rockets and artillery shells also targeted an area on the border with Russia, said Dmytro Zhivitsky, governor of the Sumy region. On the Russian side, Vyacheslav Gladkov, governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, said the Ukrainian military shelled the town of Valuyki near the border. “Air defenses have been put into action, but there is some destruction on the ground,” he told Telegram. This included an electricity substation being knocked out and private homes and vehicles being set on fire. Reuters was unable to verify reports on the battlefield.
CHINA’S CONCERNS ABOUT UKRAINE
Russia’s Putin said Thursday he understood Chinese leader Xi Jinping had concerns about the crisis in Ukraine, a surprise admission of friction with Beijing over the war. Since Russia invaded Ukraine, China has taken a cautious line, criticizing Western sanctions against Moscow but not stopping short of supporting or helping the military campaign. “We understand your questions and concern about this. During today’s meeting, of course we will explain our position,” Putin told Xi in Uzbekistan in their first meeting since the start of the war. read more Xi did not mention Ukraine in his public remarks, nor was it mentioned in a Chinese account of the meeting. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov later told reporters that the talks with China had been excellent. The last time Putin and Xi met, they signed a “borderless” friendship agreement between their countries. Three weeks later, Russia invaded Ukraine in what it called a “special military operation” to “disarm” its smaller neighbor. Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of an unprovoked war of aggression.
“ETHICALLY ACCEPTABLE”
Pope Francis said it is morally legitimate for nations to supply arms to Ukraine to help the country defend itself. read more “It’s a political decision that can be moral, morally acceptable, if it’s made under moral conditions,” Francis told reporters as he departed from a trip to Kazakhstan. Francis also urged the Kiev government to be open to potential dialogue, even though it may “stink” because it would be difficult for the Ukrainian side. Ukraine’s fastest advance since driving Russian forces away from the capital in March turned the tide in the six-month war Sign up now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.comSign up Report from Reuters offices. written by Grant McCool and Stephen Coates. Edited by Cynthia Osterman & Shri Navaratnam Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
