15,000 fighters of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fell into the cauldron near Severodonetsk and Lisichansk
1 Russia On 17th of May, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Andrey Rudenko, stated during the 2nd Central Asian Conference in the Valdai Discussion Club that the negotiations between the Russian and the Ukrainian delegations are not on-going. Ukraine left the negotiation process. He added that Ukraine didn’t respond to the draft treaty, proposed by Russia. Andrey Rudenko added that the decision of the foreign ministers of the EU states to allocate another €500 millions of euros to Ukraine from the European Peace Fund for the arms purchases is prolonging the conflict. Recently, Vladimir Putin stated in a telephone conversation with the President of Finland, Sauli Niinistö, that the negotiations between Moscow and Kiev have been suspended "because of the Ukrainian lack of an interest in the constructive dialogue" - end of quote. 2 Russia Russia left the Council of the Baltic Sea States - the Russian ministry of foreign affairs reported. The ministry added that it won’t affect the Russian presence in the region. The Russian diplomats underlined that the attempts to push Russia from the Baltic region are doomed to failure. Recently, Finland and Sweden have officially decided to join the NATO. Turkey opposed the inclusion of those countries into the NATO. Recep Erdogan explained that Stockholm and Helsinki still refuse to hand over to Ankara the people whom the Turkish authorities consider to be terrorists. 3 Ukraine The Russian Defense Ministry reported about how many Ukrainian servicemen, previously blocked at the ’Azovstal’ factory, have laid down their weapons and surrendered. Some of them are heavily wounded. Earlier, an agreement on the removal of the wounded Ukrainian servicemen was reached with the representatives of the Ukrainian forces. A ceasefire was announced. A humanitarian corridor was opened, through which the Ukrainian servicemen were taken to the town of Novoazovsk, in the DPR. So far 265 Ukrainian servicemen have laid down their arms and surrendered. 51 of them are badly wounded. All the Ukrainian servicemen in need of a medical help were sent to the Novoazovsk’s city hospital. 4 The DPR The city of Lisichansk is one of the largest cities in Donbass and the last stronghold of the Ukrainian forces in the LPR. There is a railroad junction across the Severodonetsk River. During the fierce fighting, the LPR forces took control of the village of Nizhnee, which opened a direct road to Lisichansk. The Ukrainian forces organized their firing positions within the local living buildings. They kept their ammo inside the local stores. Given the strategic importance of the settlement, they carefully prepared for the arrival of the defenders of Donbass. They built 3 rings of fortifications, and made firing positions on the dominating heights. The LPR forces admitted that the assault was risky. However, thanks to the correct tactics and coordinated actions, the LPR forces broke through the Ukrainian defenses. Meanwhile, the situation in the DPR remains tense. Dozens of shelling took place over the past day. The Ukrainian forces use mortars and MLRS ’’Grad’’ - they fired nearly 200 rockets. 5 locals were wounded. The cities and towns of Donetsk, Gorlovka, Yasinovataya, Yelenovka, and some others were under fire. The local houses and civilian infrastructure were damaged. 5 Finland The Finnish Parliament supported the proposal for the entry into the NATO. The meeting was broadcast on the website of the Parliament. 188 deputies voted ’’for’’, 8 voted ’’against’’ the application for a membership in the NATO. The White House spokeswoman, Karine Jean-Pierre, stated that on 18th of May, Joe Biden will discuss with the Swedish Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, and the Finnish President, Sauli Niiniste, the desire of their countries to join the NATO. Recently the deputy head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergei Ryabkov, stated that the entry of Sweden and Finland into the NATO will be a mistake with long-term consequences. 6 The LPR "More than 15,000 Ukrainian soldiers and mercenaries are trapped between the towns of Severodonetsk and Lisichansk, in the LPR" - Vitaly Kiselev, the Assistant Minister of the Interior Ministry of the LPR stated and specified that there are almost 20,000 of Ukrainian servicemen, as some Ukrainian sources recently reported. He added that on 16th of May he has showcased some banned ammo, found in the village of Rubezjnoe. The ammo is supposedly being used by the mercenaries. He underlined that the main mission of the Ukrainian forces between Lisichansk and Severodonetsk is the destruction of the local infrastructure. He added that, most likely, those troops were ordered to not retreat. Constantine Reztsov, specially for the ANNA NEWS.
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