Russia’s war on Ukraine latest: Kyiv offensive yet to start
May 11 (Reuters) – * President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive against invading Russian forces has not yet begun, although his generals have recorded some of their biggest battle victories in months.
Kyiv says it has been pushing back Russian forces near the eastern city of Bakhmut in recent days while a full-scale counteroffensive is being prepared.
“We still need some time,” said Zelenskiy.
CONFLICT
* Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said Thursday that the situation on the flanks near the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut was developing in line with the “worst of all expected scenarios”.
* A Ukrainian drone has attacked an oil storage facility in the Russian border region of Bryansk, the local governor said on Thursday. There were no casualties.
* Russia’s military operation against Ukraine is “very difficult” but certain goals have been achieved, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.
BLACK SEA GRAIN OFFER
* Officials from Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the United Nations on Thursday discussed UN proposals for an agreement that would allow safe Black Sea exports of Ukrainian grain. Moscow threatened to halt on May 18 over obstacles to its own grain and fertilizer exports.
WEAPONS
* South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said his government is examining news reports that South Africa has shipped arms to Russia.
* Britain has been supplying Ukraine with Storm Shadow long-range cruise missiles, a Western official said Thursday, which would allow its forces to hit Russian troops and logistics centers deep behind the front lines.
BUSINESS
* Ukraine raked in record proceeds from the sale of small state assets in the first quarter of this year, despite the Russian invasion, and intends to privatize thousands more as part of economic reform, the head of the State Property Fund said.
WITHIN RUSSIA
* Two Russian soldiers from Kamchatka in the Far East have each been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for refusing to fight in Ukraine, human rights group OVD-Info said.
DETAILED STORIES
* INSIGHT – How Russians get caught up in a far-right militia fighting in Ukraine.
* EXCLUSIVE – Turkey moves $600 million in Russian energy funding sources
*EXCLUSIVE – Oilfield company SLB pulls out as Russia sanctions tighten
* FOCUS – Why Eastern Europe’s grain producers are in for a perfect storm
* INSIGHT: Ukrainian farms are losing labor to the war, complicating a difficult harvest
* ANALYSIS – Russia’s mercenary boss is deepening the fog of the Ukraine war while shrugging off the blame
* COLUMN – Global munitions race could decide war in Ukraine
Compiled by Reuters editors; Edited by Angus MacSwan
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