• Prigozhin, announced Wagner’s withdrawal from Bakhmut on May 10th. Kadyrov: “The Chechens are ready to replace it.”
• Evacuation from Moscow of parts of the Zaporizhia region. Kiev to the citizens of the region: “Stay home over the weekend.”
• The Ukrainians say they destroyed the Wagner ammunition depots in Bakhmut.
• Former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Mikhail Mizintsev joined Wagner as deputy commander.
06:41 am – Russia’s priority is no longer Bakhmut, but Kiev’s counterattack
The Russian Ministry of Defense changed its priority on the battlefield, shifting the operational focus from capturing Bakhmut to preparing to meet a Ukrainian counterattack. This is confirmed by the May 5 report of the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). According to analysts, this change put the “Wagner” mercenaries in a difficult situation, and the video clips with the threats of leader Prigozhin “show his despair and deep anger.” Wagner’s persistence in Bakhmut contrasts with the general slowdown in Russian offensive operations elsewhere in Ukraine, as the regular Russian army appears to be shifting its focus largely to preparing for a long overdue Ukrainian counterattack. At the moment, it is not known whether Prigozhin actually intended to withdraw from Bakhmut on May 10, or if he made this statement in a last-ditch attempt to gain the support of the Ministry of Defense.
04:25 a.m. – Guest of First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, met the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, and the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, last night at Buckingham Palace. The three women were among the guests at a reception given by King Charles II before the day’s coronation. “I had the honor to speak with the Princess of Wales and the First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, at the official reception for the coronation of His Majesty King Charles III,” Zelenska wrote on her Twitter account. Loyal ladies and great friends of Ukraine ».
– First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska with Kate Middleton and Jill Biden, wife of the President of the United States.
04:17 am – Over $397 million is the estimated cost of mine clearance in Ukraine
The resources required for demining the territory of Ukraine for 2023 amount to more than 397 million dollars. First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksandr Pavlyuk told Ukrinform. The estimated cost for the full range of humanitarian demining activities is $37 billion. The requirements for this year alone are more than $397 million, according to the World Bank. This cost is not final, Pavlyuk said, and the amount can decrease or increase significantly. Demining expenditures are the focus of next year’s budget study, starting with the budget needed to create and equip new units that will enhance the Ministry of Defense’s demining capabilities.
04:14 am – Russia uses phosphorus bombs and incendiary ordnance in Bakhmut
This evening, the Russian occupation forces used phosphorus bombs and incendiary ammunition in the town of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast region. This Ukrainian Pravda wrote showing a video and quotes from the press service of the Special Operations Forces (SSO) of Ukraine. «The enemy – says the SSO – used phosphorus and incendiary ammunition in Bakhmut, trying to wipe the city off the face of the earth. Nevertheless, SSO soldiers and other units of the Defense Forces of Ukraine continue to bravely defend the city. And under these conditions we continue to destroy the enemy. ” Mariupol Mayor Adviser Petro Andryuchenko posted the video and commented on social media: «Bakhmut. Phosphorus munitions. Miserable bastards. The same situation was in Mariupol. When they can’t do anything, phosphorus munitions are fired. “.
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