The Ukrainian forces have been blocked in Severodonetsk , the scene of the battle in the east for days, and "those Ukrainian military units that are there have two options: follow the example of their colleagues and surrender, or die. They have no other option".

This was stated in a press meeting, as reported by Ria Novosti, the deputy head of the People's Militia Department of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic Eduard Basurin. The Russian forces would have destroyed a bridge connecting the city of Severodonetsk to the neighboring and twin city of Lysychansk, thus effectively preventing the possible evacuation of many civilians along that trajectory.

The Russians, says the Ukrainian staff, are concentrating their efforts "to conduct an offensive and surround our troops in the districts of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk and to block the logistical routes from Bakhmut".

About 500 civilians still remain inside the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk , according to local authorities cited by the Kiev Independent. The governor of the far eastern Ukrainian oblast of Lugansk, Serhiy Haidai, explains that among these people there are about 40 children .

Two days ago, Russian bombing of the factory caused the loss of tons of oil and the outbreak of a violent fire . Civilians subsequently began to leave the plant, where about 800 people including soldiers took refuge.

Meanwhile, as stated by the director of the First European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexey Paramonov, Russia welcomes the mediation efforts of the Holy See in the conflict in Ukraine . "The Vatican leadership has repeatedly declared its readiness to provide any possible assistance to achieve peace and end hostilities in Ukraine. These statements are confirmed in practice. We maintain an open and confidential dialogue on a number of issues, mainly related to the situation. aid in Ukraine, "Paramonov told Ria Novosti.

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The day by the hour:

Zelensky: "Terrifying human costs in Severodonetsk"

The "human cost" of the battle of Severodonetsk is "terrifying". This was stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"The battle for the Donbass will be remembered as one of the most violent in Europe", he added, "we are dealing with absolute evil, we have no choice but to go ahead and free our territory".

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Soon I meet Putin-Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko will meet soon. This was announced by the Russian ambassador to Belarus Boris Gryzlov.

"The president has only met five times since the beginning of the year" with Lukashenko. "Another meeting is planned soon. We very much appreciate the support our Belarusian friends are providing us today," Gryzlov added to the Belarusian daily Segodnya, writes Interfax.

"The Republic of Belarus is currently the closest ally of the Russian Federation", recalled Gryzlov, and relations between the two countries "are based on the principles of mutual respect and support".

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EU: "Estimated -50% harvest in Ukraine compared to last year"

Following the Russian invasion, the production of cereals and oilseeds could be less than 40-50% compared to last year and the Ukrainians are asking for financial aid. The European Commissioner for Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski, said this to the ministers meeting in the Agriculture Council.

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606 civilians killed in Kharkiv

"606 Ukrainian civilians were killed and 1,248 wounded in the eastern region of Kharkiv between February 24 and April 28, of which about 70% in the city and the rest in the surrounding area": the director of the medical department said. of the regional military administration of Kharkiv, as reported by Ukrinform.

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Kiev regains positions in Donetsk

The Ukrainian army has recaptured three villages in the Donetsk region by moving the front line by 15 kilometers, Ukrinform reports citing the Armed Forces of Kiev.

"In some areas of Donbass, the Ukrainian Armed Forces are not only defending themselves, they are also advancing gradually. Our soldiers liberated three villages in the Donetsk region and moved the front line by 15 kilometers," the General Staff said. .

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Finland: "Heavier and heavier weapons are used in Ukraine"

Finland's president Sauli Niinisto said both Ukraine and Russia are using heavier weapons, including in Russia's case thermobaric bombs. The Guardian reports it. "We support Ukraine with ever heavier weapons. And on the other hand, Russia has also begun to use very powerful weapons, thermobaric bombs which are in fact weapons of mass destruction", he specified. Kiev and NATO countries, including the UK, have accused Russia of using thermobaric weapons, which are more devastating than conventional explosives.

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Frontex, more than 5.5 million Ukrainians who have arrived in the EU since February

Over 5.5 million Ukrainians have left their country to seek refuge within the borders of the European Union since the beginning of the Russian invasion. This is the figure released today by Frontex, the agency for the control of the external borders of the Union, based on the data collected on the entries into the EU from Ukraine and Moldova starting from 24 February last.

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18,000 tons of corn already in Spain via Poland

A transport ship with a load of 18,000 tons of corn from Ukraine has just reached the port of La Coruña, in the north-west of Spain, reports the Efe news agency. The cargo, transported by the Alppila ship, arrived in Galicia after a journey by land from Ukraine to the Polish port of Świnoujście, then by sea with an intermediate stop in Brunsbüttel, in Germany: this is one of the alternative routes designed to avoid the Russian blockade in the Black Sea. The goods will be unloaded during the day today.

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Pro-Russian: "In Severodonetsk for the Ukrainians either surrender or death"

Ukrainian forces are blocked in Severodonetsk and "those Ukrainian military units that are there have two options: follow the example of their colleagues and surrender, or die. They have no other option". This was stated in a press meeting, as reported by Ria Novosti, the deputy head of the People's Militia Department of the self-styled Donetsk People's Republic Eduard Basurin.

***

Moscow: "Open and confidential dialogue with the Vatican"

Russia welcomes the Holy See's mediation efforts in the conflict in Ukraine. This was stated in an interview with Ria Novosti by the director of the First European Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexey Paramonov. "The Vatican leadership has repeatedly declared its readiness to provide any possible assistance to achieve peace and end hostilities in Ukraine. These statements are confirmed in practice. We maintain an open and confidential dialogue on a number of issues, mainly related to the situation. aid in Ukraine, "Paramonov said.

***

Kiev, Russian bombs on the bridge in Severodonetsk

Russian forces destroyed a bridge connecting the city of Severodonetsk to the neighboring twin city of Lysychansk, thus effectively preventing the possible evacuation of many civilians along that trajectory. This was reported by local officials quoted by the Guardian. In particular, the governor of the Lugansk region, Serhiy Gaidai, said that the Russian military destroyed a bridge connecting the two cities and that at the moment only one of three bridges connecting the two cities remains viable.

(Unioneonline)

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