News from Kyiv
Two girls in vyshyvankas pose for a photo in Kyiv on May 16, 2024. Vyshyvanka Day celebrates Ukrainian folk traditions, particularly the creation and wearing of ethnic embroidered clothes known as vyshyvankas. (Yan Dobronosov/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
General Staff: Ukraine thwarts Russia's attempts to gain foothold in Vovchansk. "The enemy's plans to advance deeper into the city of Vovchansk and gain a foothold there were thwarted," Ukraine's General Staff said on May 16.
Minister: Russia captures, shoots civilians in northern Vovchansk. Russian forces are taking Ukrainian civilians captive and preventing their evacuation in the embattled northern part of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on May 16.
Zelensky: Ukraine can prevent occupation of Kharkiv with 2 Patriot systems. When asked if the U.S. is to blame for what is happening in Kharkiv Oblast, President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "It is the world's fault."
NATO top commander says Russia has insufficient numbers for breakthrough in Kharkiv Oblast. Echoing comments from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said earlier in the day that the situation in Kharkiv Oblast was "difficult" but "under control," General Christopher Cavoli expressed confidence that Ukraine would be able to withstand the assault.
Military: Ukraine has not lost ground near Robotyne in Zaporizhizhia Oblast. Ukrainian troops have not lost ground near the village of Robotyne in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Dmytro Lykhovii, General Staff's spokesperson told on the national television on May 16.
Source: Ukrainian drones attack Russian defense manufacturer's facilities in Tula. Drones operated by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) hit production facilities of the state-owned Russian weapons manufacturing company "Basalt" in the city of Tula overnight on May 16, a military intelligence source told the Kyiv Independent.
Partisans: Ammunition depot hit at Belbek airfield in occupied Crimea. The partisans claim that the damaged depot stored "most of the missiles" for Russian Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets as well as MiG-31 aircraft, a carrier of Kinzhal ballistic missiles that Russia uses to attack Ukraine.
Russian media: Novorossiysk port, oil depot hit in overnight attack. Drones and missiles struck an oil refinery and seaport in the Russian city of Novorossiysk in the early hours of May 17, causing explosions and power outages, the Russian Telegram news channel Astra reported.
WSJ: Russia tested space-based anti-satellite weapon with potential nuclear capabilities in 2022. The officials said that Russia had launched a satellite into space in February 2022 to test components for a potential anti-satellite weapon that would carry a nuclear device. However, the satellite that was launched doesn’t carry a nuclear weapon, the Wall Street Journal reported.
PM's advisor: Power cuts in Ukraine may last until August. Power supply restrictions in Ukraine may last until August, Yurii Boiko, an advisor to the prime minister, said at a press conference in Kyiv on May 16.
