Russian troops withdrew from Kharkiv, bombarded many other areas

AP quoting Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov as saying Ukraine is “entering a new, long phase of the war”. Ukraine’s military said Russia continued to attack with mortars, artillery and air strikes in eastern Donetsk province to “deplete Ukrainian forces and destroy fortifications”.

Kharkiv, a pre-war city of nearly 1.4 million people, close to the Russian border and just 80 kilometers southwest of the Russian city of Belgorod, has experienced weeks of intense shelling. This was an important military goal earlier in the war, when Moscow hoped to capture major cities.

News agency TASS Russia also confirmed that its military is intensifying its attack on Ukraine with missile and artillery forces.

TASS Citing Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov, on May 14, Russia shot down six Ukrainian drones, including one over Snake Island, and intercepted a Tochka tactical missile. -U, three Smerch missiles.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov – Photo: TASS

“During the day, Russian rocket and artillery forces hit 6 checkpoints, 178 people and combat vehicle concentration area, 3 reinforced bunkers, 28 artillery units at the firing position, including a Smerch multiple launch rocket system near the settlement of Beryozovka” – said Mr. Konashenkov, adding 28 “strongholds of companies of the Armed Forces of Ukraine”; Two ammunition depots near the settlements Petrovskoye and Zhovtnevoye were also hit by anti-aircraft missiles.

Russia captured a number of villages and towns in the Donbass including Rubizhne, which had a population of about 55,000 before the war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukrainian forces had also made progress in the east, retaking six towns and villages in the past day, but acknowledged the situation in Donbass was still difficult.

Also on May 14, the US Senate delegation led by Senator Mitch McConnell met with President Zelensky in Kiev to express support for the country. McConnell said the US “stands behind Ukraine and will maintain its support until Ukraine wins”.

Russia denies Ukraine’s claim about logistics ship Vsevolod Bobrov

According to the news agency Reuterson May 14, Russia denied Ukraine’s claim that it damaged the modern logistics ship Vsevolod Bobrov of the Russian Navy, which is operating in the Black Sea.

Russian logistics ship Vsevolod Bobrov – Photo: REUTERS

The statement accompanies photos of the Vsevolod Bobrov, which they say shows no signs of damage. The Russian Defense Ministry said the photos were taken of Vsevolod Bobrov on May 14 at the port of Sevastopol in Crimea, in the Black Sea.