War on the 89th Ukraine Day: Conflict escalates in the east

A Ukrainian cannon fires in the Donbass region on May 23 reuters

Sputnik news agency on May 23 reported that the Russian Air Force hit a total of 4 command centers, a communication center, 7 ammunition depots, an anti-aircraft missile system and 87 areas where Russia says units are located. and means military of Ukraine are stationed.

In addition, Russian artillery destroyed 73 command posts and more than 570 positions of Ukrainian troops, as well as 37 firing sites of artillery and mortar units.

The Russian Defense Ministry also said that its forces shot down three Su-25 attack aircraft, and used long-range missiles fired from the sea to destroy military aid shipments to eastern Ukraine that were gathered at the station. Malin train in Zhytomyr region.

The Kyiv government has yet to comment on the report. However, in its latest report, the Ukrainian military confirmed that Russia was “concentrating its efforts” on the operation in Severodonetsk, eastern Ukraine, and the nearby town of Toshkivka.

And the RIA news agency reported that the Russian side destroyed a unit of US M777 howitzers sent to Ukraine. In arms aid packages to Ukraine, the US has agreed to provide 90 M777 155 mm howitzers. The US and Ukraine sides have not commented on the new Russian statement.

see more: Russia announced that it destroyed the American grenades supplied to Ukraine

It is estimated that 50-100 people die every day

Meanwhile, the US Institute for the Study of War (ISW) on the morning of May 23 reported that Russian forces continued to attack on the ground around the city of Severodonetsk in Luhansk province but made no progress in the area on May 22.

Ukraine’s president said about 50-100 people are killed every day on the eastern front, which seems to refer to military casualties, according to the Ukrainian president. The Guardian. Currently, the heaviest fighting is centered around the two cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk in Luhansk Oblast. The Ukrainian side accuses Russia of using a strategy of destroying everything in Donbass and Mykolaiv with artillery and air strikes to control the eastern front.

In a related development, Denis Pushilin, leader of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic”, said that he was ready to open a trial for the surrender of Ukrainian soldiers at the Azovstal factory in Mariupol.

A court in Kyiv has sentenced Russian soldier Vadim Shishimarin to life in prison for killing civilians in Sumy during the early days of the military campaign.

Heavy weapons withdraw from Mariupol

Armed forces of the “Donetsk People’s Republic”, the separatists in eastern Ukraine, have withdrawn heavy weapons such as tanks from the city of Mariupol to be moved to other locations.

The battle for Mariupol began on February 25, and Russian forces recently claimed full control of the city after the last group of Ukrainian soldiers entrenched in the Azovstal steel mill surrendered. Currently, Russian soldiers are said to be still clearing mines at this factory site, according to Reuters.

US considers sending troops to Ukraine

US military and diplomatic officials are said to be considering sending military special forces to Kyiv to protect the embassy in Russia’s area of ​​sight, according to the newspaper. The Wall Street Journal May 22.

Depending on the situation, the US may also increase its military presence in Ukraine to monitor the distribution of weapons aided to Ukraine and perform training and advisory tasks for the Ukrainian military.

The presence of US troops in Ukraine would mark an escalation from the President’s initial commitment Joe Biden that they will not send troops.

In another move, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said 20 countries announced a new security aid package for Ukraine. Among them, Denmark will provide Harpoon missile systems to help Ukraine defend its coast, according to Reuters.

Ukraine’s president calls for Russian oil embargo

Speak online first World Economic Forum In Davos (Switzerland) on May 23, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on all sides to bring about maximum sanctions against Russia, including oil.

Ukraine’s presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak has denied reaching a ceasefire with Russia and the Kyiv government will not accept any agreement with Moscow regarding territorial concessions.

“The war will not stop (after any concessions),” Podolyak was quoted as saying by Reuters. The Ukrainian presidential adviser believes that backing down will only bring more negative consequences for Ukraine. According to him, the Russian army will return to attack more strongly after the temporary ceasefire.

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine’s presidential office, also affirmed that “the war must end with Ukraine restoring its territorial integrity”.

Russian diplomat at UN resigns

Sheet The Washington Post On May 23, it was reported that a Russian diplomat at the United Nations Office in Geneva (Switzerland) had resigned, after disagreeing with Russia’s military campaign in Ukraine.

In a letter to colleagues in Geneva and posted on his LinkedIn account, Counselor Boris Bondarev of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Office in Geneva said that he had quit his job since May 23.

He said that in his 20 years of diplomatic career, he has seen many changes in the policy Russia’s diplomacy, but never witnessed an incident like on February 24, when Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine.

According to Reuters, Russia’s permanent mission to the United Nations Office in Geneva has not commented on the news that Bondarev resigned.

See more: Rumor has it that a Russian diplomat at the UN has resigned