Now that the war has entered its 457th day, let’s take a look at the major developments.
Here is the current status as of Friday 26 May 2023:
Finding
- Wagner’s forces have begun to withdraw from the eastern Ukraine city of Bakhmut, handing over the position to Russian forces, said Mercenary Corps head Evgeny Prigozhin.
- Prigozin said he would return the bodies of the Americans who died in the fighting in Bakhmut and the bodies of the Turks who were found dead in the bombed-out building.
- Ukrainian presidential aide Mikhail Podlyak told Reuters that Ukraine had nothing to do with the “strange and senseless” drone attack on the Kremlin, following two U.S. media reports saying otherwise. disregarded the survey results.
- Ukraine’s chief of staff Volodymyr Zelensky said Kiev had secured the release of 106 prisoners of war in exchange for Russia. Soldiers, including eight officers, were captured during the battle at Bahmut.
diplomacy
weapon
- The U.S. Defense Secretary said European allies are developing a coordinated program to train Ukrainian pilots in F-16 fighter jets.
- The Finnish government has announced that it will send additional military equipment to Ukraine, including anti-aircraft weapons and ammunition, at a total cost of €109 million ($120 million).
- Sweden may allow Ukrainian pilots to test Gripen fighter jets, the defense minister told broadcaster TV4.
- President Zelensky urged the Iranian people to reconsider supplying Russia with lethal drones to prevent Russia from slipping into the “dark side of history”. Iranian-made Shahed 136 drones supplied to Moscow have played a major role in attacks on Russian cities and infrastructure, but President Zelensky says Kiev’s air defenses are now adept at shooting down drones. said.
