May 14, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday collected the prestigious Charlemagne prize during a visit to Germany on behalf of the Ukrainian people for their contribution to the unification of Europe.

He collected the prize at a ceremony in the western German city of Aachen, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen in attendance. 

Some background: The Charlemagne Prize is one of the most significant political awards in Germany and is awarded for work done in the service of European unification.

“The Ukrainian people, under the leadership of their President Volodymyr Zelensky, are not only defending the sovereignty of their country and the lives of their citizens, but also Europe and European values," the prize body said in a statement. 

Russia’s air force may have just suffered one of its worst days since the Ukraine war began. Unconfirmed reports say that four of its aircraft were shot down within Russian territory, in what would mark a significant coup for Ukraine.

Here are more of the latest headlines today from the Russia-Ukraine war:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to travel to Paris on Sunday following his visit to Germany, according to French media.

Zelensky traveled to Rome on Saturday, where he met with his Italian counterpart, Italy's prime minister and Pope Francis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Ukraine and its allies can make Russia’s defeat “irreversible” this year. 

“Now is the time for us to determine the end of this war this year. This year we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible,” he said at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. 

“The time for action is now. We all want this war to finally end, but to end in a just and fair peace. Ukraine and the whole of Europe must be free. Our territorial integrity and security, as well as the territorial integrity and security of all European nations, must be guaranteed,” Zelensky said. 

Zelensky said he will be talking to Scholz about his quest for fighter jets, while admitting that “it's not an easy question.” He said Ukraine is working to create a “fighter jet coalition” and is asking Germany to join. 

Some context: In March, Poland became the first NATO member to pledge MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. Slovakia completed the transfer of its 13 MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine in April.

The Ukrainian leader thanked Germany for providing Ukraine with defense and financial support. 

Russia’s air force may have just suffered one of its worst days since the Ukraine war began. Unconfirmed reports say that four of its aircraft were shot down within Russian territory, in what would mark a significant coup for Ukraine.

Here's what we know:

Some more context: Multiple crashes within Russian territory at the same time would be unprecedented. Some analysts believe Ukrainian air defenses may have been pushed forward as the Russian air force uses more “glide munitions” that can fire at targets from a distance.

The Ukrainian air force spokesperson, Yuriy Ihnat, said Sunday that a Russian “strike air group attacked Ukraine from the north, from Bryansk Oblast. They do this almost every day. They carry out strikes with guided bombs.”

Read more about this here.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday reacted to remarks by former US President Donald Trump that he would end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if re-elected as the president of the US. 

During Zelensky’s visit to Rome, he was asked by a reporter for his response to Trump’s remarks, to which he said: “(When Trump was the US President) there was no full-scale invasion, but there was a war. There was already a Russian aggression. Crimea was occupied, part of Donbas was occupied. I'm not sure if he was deeply involved into this matter, but, nevertheless, he did not solve this issue. I'm not sure it was a priority for him. I am not accusing him of anything. But we have the facts. And we have to look at them,” Zelensky said. 

Trump said at a CNN town hall on Wednesday that he would settle Russia’s war in Ukraine in one day. 

“I want everybody to stop dying. They’re dying. Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying,” he said.   

Trump, who would not say whether he wants Ukraine to successfully deter Russia when pressed, told the audience that he doesn’t “think in terms of winning and losing.” 

“I think in terms of getting it settled so we stop killing all these people,” the former president said. 

Zelensky also told reporters in Rome: “(Trump) was president; I was president. And two parts of Ukraine were occupied. No one resolved this issue. No one. The issue is not about Trump.” 

Scrambling out of a Soviet-era armored troop carrier, the first thing we look for is shelter from attack.

There are no artillery shells incoming right now, but the shredded trees around us are a silent warning this rare moment of calm on this frontline in Ukraine may not hold.

Honza, a combat medic, waves towards the withered woodland glen around us. “Vietnam” he says. It has got that war-worn feel, with shafts of sun slicing through the foliage.

He is taking us to see recent battlefield gains around Bakhmut, Ukraine’s biggest military gains since it forced Russian troops out of Kherson last November.

Summer is coming and everything around Ukraine’s front lines is changing. There is an energy and anticipation the war here is about to kick up a gear. The tracks we are walking on are drying out, the troop carrier that brought us in riding on rather than sinking into the hardening mud.

Ukraine’s Western allies say shaping operations – essentially, out maneuvering the enemy – for a coming counteroffensive are already underway.

Commanders won’t say if what we are about to see is part of that. Honza, however, is thrilled by their gains. “I love it, I love it” he says.

Read more here.

Sweden’s Loreen has become only the second person to win the Eurovision Song Contest twice after earning a historic triumph at an extravagant and crowd-pleasing show on Saturday night.

Ukraine's electronic duo Tvorchi finished a strong sixth place out of 26 with their performance of the song "Heart of Steel" in the contest's 67th edition.

This was despite Russia firing missiles at the Ukrainian contestants' home city of Ternopil as they took to the stage — which Ukraine's Ministry of Defense condemned.

Russia have been excluded from competing in the contest since 2022 due to its invasion of Ukraine.

The competition was held in Liverpool, UK, on behalf of Ukraine, the 2022 Eurovision winners.

In doing so, the northwestern English city made sure Ukraine was the main theme.

The yellow and blue colors of Ukraine featured heavily in the lighting and displays at the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena, where the competition final was held, filling the atmosphere.

"The slogan is 'United By Music' demonstrating the unique partnership between the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Host City Liverpool to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to audiences across the globe and the incredible power of music to bring communities together," the arena said on its website.

Read all about this year's Eurovision showdown here.

Speaking at a news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine is not interested in attacking Russian territory and is concentrating on the counteroffensive. 

The Ukrainian leader is on his first visit to Germany since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2021. His arrival on Sunday comes a day after Germany announced a $3 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

He headed to Germany from Rome, where he said on Saturday that “the first important steps" of a highly-anticipated military counteroffensive against Russian forces “would be taken soon.”