May 13, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

Today’s live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine has ended. Read through the posts below to catch up.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Rome Saturday, where he met with his Italian counterpart, Italy’s prime minister and Pope Francis.

If you’re just now catching up, here’s what you should know:

Zelensky’s Italy visit: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Italian President Sergio Mattarella about “the war and the importance of Ukraine’s victory” on Saturday, according to Zelensky’s chief of staff. Then, Zelensky arrived at the Vatican to meet Pope Francis, where the two spoke about the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war, the Vatican said. During the meeting, the Pope assured “his constant prayer” for peace and stressed the need for “human gestures” toward victims of the war. And after what Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described as a “long and fruitful” meeting with Zelensky, she pledged unwavering support to Ukraine, saying Italy was ready to support its partnership with NATO.

When asked afterward by Italian media about the highly anticipated counteroffensive against Russian troops, Zelensky said:

“We believe in victory and believe that the first important steps will be taken soon.” 

Russian attacks. At least 21 people were injured and two others were hospitalized in the western Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine after Russian attacks early Saturday morning, according to the deputy head of the regional military administration. Ukraine’s Air Force said Saturday that 17 out of 21 Russian drones had been intercepted overnight by its air defense system. And in the eastern city of Kostiantynivka, two people were killed – including a 15-year-old girl – and 10 others were wounded as a result of Russian shelling, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram post.

Luhansk explosions. An explosion was heard Saturday morning in the suburbs of the eastern city of Luhansk, which is occupied by Russian forces and a significant hub for Moscow’s invasion, one day after the city was struck by two missiles. The explosion happened around 10 a.m. local time in the village of Yubileiny, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

Here’s the latest map of control:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the “first important steps” of a highly anticipated military counteroffensive against Russian forces “will be taken soon.”

“We are preparing very seriously, and there will definitely be very serious steps,” Zelensky said in a conversation with top editors of Italian media in Rome on Saturday. 

“I know that we are all motivated, and not only those who know this plan, but our people … I cannot tell you (when). But you will definitely see it, and Russia will definitely feel it,” he said. “… We believe in victory and believe that the first important steps will be taken soon.” 

Some more context: Ukrainian forces have begun “shaping” operations in advance of the expected counteroffensive, a senior US military official and senior Western official told CNN.

Shaping involves striking targets such as weapons depots, command centers and armor and artillery systems to prepare the battlefield for advancing forces. It’s a standard tactic made prior to major combined operations.

Zelensky said on Thursday that his country still needs “a bit more time” before it launches a counteroffensive, in order to allow some more of the promised Western military aid to arrive.

CNN’s Jim Sciutto and Vasco Cotovio contributed reporting to this post.

At least 21 people were injured and two others were hospitalized in the western Khmelnytskyi region of Ukraine after Russian attacks early Saturday morning, according to the deputy head of the regional military administration. 

“Today, the enemy once again attacked Khmelnytskyi with a strike drone, hitting one of the critical infrastructure facilities of the region, located outside the settlements,” Serhii Tiurin said on Telegram.
“As of now, we have 21 injured people. Two of them were hospitalized, the others received medical assistance and were transferred to outpatient treatment.”

Tiurin said there was some damage sustained in the attack.

“In particular, educational, medical and cultural institutions, administrative buildings, industrial facilities, high-rise and individual residential buildings were damaged,” he said.

Ukraine’s Air Force said Saturday that 17 out of 21 Russian drones had been intercepted overnight by its air defense system. 

Kostan Nechyporenko in Kyiv contributed reporting to this post.

Two people have been killed – including a 15-year-old girl – and 10 others wounded as a result of Russian shelling on the eastern city of Kostiantynivka on Saturday, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office said in a Telegram post.

“The occupation forces of the Russian Federation once again fired on Kostiantynivka,” it said.
“As a result of the occupiers’ attack on the settlement, two residents were killed, including a 15-year-old girl. Ten people also sustained injuries of varying severity, including two teenagers aged 15 and 16. They were taken to a hospital for qualified medical care,” according to the post.

Multi-story and private houses, a gas station, a pharmacy and shops were “damaged or destroyed,” the regional authorities added, noting that “pre-trial investigations are ongoing.”

An explosion was heard Saturday morning in the suburbs of the eastern city of Luhansk, which is occupied by Russian forces and is a significant hub for Moscow’s invasion, one day after the city was struck by two missiles. 

The explosion happened around 10 a.m. local time in the village of Yubileiny, Russian state news agency RIA Novosti reported.

“Services are already working on the site. The circumstances of the incident and information on the victims are being clarified,” said Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-backed acting head of the self-declared Luhansk People’s Republic.

Eyewitnesses said that windows were broken in houses and a tall plume of smoke was seen rising from the scene. 

Later on Saturday, a Russian-backed official in the region said two people were hospitalized.

“This morning missiles hit the village of Yuvileiny in the Artemivsky district of the city,” Darya Lantratova, an official for the Luhansk People’s Republic, said on Telegram.

Some context: On Friday, Luhansk was struck by two missiles, injuring six children, Russian-backed authorities said.

The city has rarely come under attack by Ukrainian forces since the Russian invasion.

Some Russian bloggers, without providing evidence, suggested Ukraine used cruise missiles recently provided by the UK. But Kyiv also has Ukrainian-made Grom missiles, which have the range to hit Luhansk.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked Pope Francis for giving “personal attention” to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, after meeting with the pontiff in Rome for the first time on Saturday.

“I emphasized there are tens of thousands of deported children, we must make every effort to bring them home,” Zelensky said in a statement posted across his social media pages.
“In addition, I asked him to condemn Russian crimes in Ukraine. There can be no equality between victim and aggressor,” he said.

Remember: The International Criminal Court in March issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia.

Zelensky also spoke to the Pope about his 10-point peace plan, saying it is “the only effective algorithm for achieving a just peace.”

After the meeting, Zelensky told top editors of the Italian media in Rome that the Vatican sent a signal of support for the plan.

“This is important, and we are also supported by the Italian government, and many different countries,” Zelensky said.

He added that Ukraine doesn’t need a mediator in any potential talks with Russia.

“With all due respect to his Holiness … the issue is that we don’t need a mediator between Ukraine and an aggressor-country that has occupied our territories,” he said. “We need to come up with an action plan to develop a fair peace in Ukraine and then we will invite the Vatican as one of the leaders to this format.”

CNN’s Mariya Knight contributed reporting.

The Saturday meeting between Pope Francis and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ended, according to a statement from the Vatican Press office.

During the 40-minute meeting, Zelensky and Pope Francis spoke about the humanitarian and political situation in Ukraine caused by the ongoing war, the Vatican said.

“The Pope has assured his constant prayer, witnessed by his many public appeals and continuous invocation to the Lord for peace, since February of last year,” the Vatican press office said.
“Both agreed on the need to continue humanitarian efforts to support the population,” it added.

Pope Francis also stressed the need for “human gestures” toward victims of the war, according to the statement.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and the Pope since Russia’s full-scale invasion began. The pontiff has been outspoken in his support for an end to the conflict.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni pledged unwavering support to Ukraine, saying Italy was ready to support its partnership with NATO, after what Meloni described as a “long and fruitful” meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at Rome’s Palazzo Chigi on Saturday. 

“We are ready to support a further intensification of Ukraine’s partnership with NATO, we will discuss it in Vilnius at the July summit; it will probably be the central theme,” Meloni said.
“For as long as needed, and beyond, our nation will continue to provide bilateral and multilateral assistance, and there will be our staunch adherence to sanctions enforcement arrangements and our support for peace, provided it is a just peace,” she added.

Meloni said she believes Ukraine will win the war and will be “reborn stronger” and “more prosperous than before.”

The prime minister went on to blame Russia in some of the strongest language her government has delivered on the conflict. She said peace will only come when “Russia ceases hostilities,” calling on Moscow to withdraw its troops.

“We are in favor of a diplomatic solution to the conflict,” Meloni said. “We support President Zelensky’s 10-point peace formula. And we recognize the legitimate European aspirations of Ukraine, an outpost of security for the entire European continent.”

She added that she was happy Zelensky visited Pope Francis, and concluded her speech by emphasizing Italy’s continued support to Ukraine.

“We’re betting on Ukraine’s victory,” she said.

Zelensky thanked the Ukrainian population that had gathered in the streets waving Ukraine’s flag and invited Italian political leaders and representatives to visit his country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at the Vatican on Saturday to meet Pope Francis.

It is the first face-to-face meeting between Zelensky and the Pope since the war began last year.

Pope Francis has been outspoken in his support for an end to the war in Ukraine.

Last year, the pontiff reportedly said during a conversation with directors of religious publications that he is not “in favor” of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but “simply against reducing complexity to the distinction between good and bad, without thinking about roots and interests, which are very complex.”

“While we see the ferocity, the cruelty of the Russian troops, we must not forget the problems to try to solve them,” he said at the time.

The Pope has also warned the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, not to become “Putin’s altar boy.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to Italian President Sergio Mattarella about “the war and the importance of Ukraine’s victory” on Saturday, according to Zelensky’s chief of staff.

“In Rome, despite the rain, there are a lot of people on the streets, and we feel a lot of support for Ukraine,” Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram. 
“Much attention was also paid to the issue of abductions of Ukrainian children by Russia. This must be stopped, the children must be returned home, and the Russians must be punished,” he added.

Zelensky arrived in Italy on Saturday to meet Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. 

The Ukrainian president is also set to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Some background: In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin and a senior official, Maria Lvova-Belova, were charged with war crimes by the International Criminal Court on allegations of widespread forced deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.

Ukraine recently estimated the total number of children forcibly removed from their homes is at least 20,000. Kyiv has said thousands of cases are already under investigation.

Russia has denied it is doing anything illegal, claiming it is bringing Ukrainian children to safety.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Rome on Saturday, where he is expected to meet with his Italian counterpart, Italy’s prime minister and Pope Francis, his Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram. 

“Together with President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team, we are now in Rome,” Yermak said.

Zelensky also posted on Telegram on Saturday, “Rome. Meetings with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Pope Francis. An important visit for Ukraine’s victory.”

Zelensky is expected to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella, as well as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis on Saturday. 

Explosions in the Russian-occupied eastern city of Luhansk were conducted by Storm Shadow cruise missiles, a retired Russian lieutenant colonel said on Saturday, according to preliminary reports and reported by Russian state news agency TASS. 

“The JCCC [the LPR representatives to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination of Issues Related to War Crimes of Ukraine] officially filed information that the May 12 strikes on Luhansk were carried out by Storm Shadow missiles. Today was most likely the second test launch on the city with this particular type of ammunition,” retired Lt. Col. Andrei Marochko of the Luhansk People’s Republic Militia said, as reported by TASS.

Marochko added that there were “no causalities or victims” among civilians, but there was partial damage to residential buildings, and information is still being verified.  

Ukraine has not made any official comment on the use of Storm Shadow missiles since Britain announced it had supplied Ukraine with the weapons earlier this week. The long-range cruise missile, which is jointly developed by the UK and France, has stealth capabilities and is typically launched from the air. 

According to TASS, a Luhansk eyewitness named Anna said the explosion happened at about 9.30 a.m. Moscow time, and “the lights went out at home” immediately afterward. 

“Windows flew out in the neighboring houses. … After the explosion, a siren went off, and ambulances and the Ministry of Emergency Situations crews arrived,” Anna said, as reported by TASS.

Artem Lysohor, the Ukrainian head of Luhansk region military administration, claimed the effectiveness of Russia’s Iranian-made Shahed drones is “catastrophically declining every week.”

“The situation on the ground is also in disarray, where the Russians are still saved by ‘import substitutes’ of T-54 and T-62 tanks at the front,” Lysohor said in a Telegram post.

An explosion was heard Saturday morning in the suburbs of Luhansk, which has rarely come under attack by Ukrainian forces since the Russian invasion. On Friday, the city was struck by two missiles, injuring six children, the head of the self-declared Luhansk People’s Republic said.

Germany announced on Saturday that it would supply Ukraine with an aid package worth nearly $3 billion (2.7 million euros) to strengthen the country’s defense. 

It marks the largest German military aid package to Ukraine since the start of the war.

The German Ministry of Defence said in a statement that the package may include a variety of military hardware, such as 20 Marder armoured personnel carriers, 30 Leopard tanks, 4 IRIS-T-SLM firing units, over 200 reconnaissance drones and ammunition. 

“With this valuable contribution of urgently needed military material, we are once again showing that Germany is serious about its support,” Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius was quoted saying in the statement.
“We all wish for a speedy end to this terrible war waged by Russia against the Ukrainian people, which is contrary to international law. Unfortunately, this is not yet in sight. Germany will therefore provide all the help it can - as long as it takes,” Pistorius added.

Ukraine President’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, confirmed Germany’s support on Saturday via his Telegram account while thanking them for their aid.

“We thank our allies. Working more,” Yermak said.

Germany’s announcement comes after the US on Tuesday announced a $1.2 billion aid package to Ukraine intended to “bolster its air defenses” and “sustain its artillery ammunition needs,” with Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces looming.

Some context: Germany’s military support for Ukraine has evolved over time. The country initially resisted calls to provide weaponry to Kyiv, agreeing only to provide humanitarian help and medical equipment. That approach was in line with Germany’s decades-long policy of not supplying lethal weapons to crisis zone.

In a major policy U-turn earlier this year, Berlin announced it would provide Kyiv with Leopard 2 battle tanks. Then in April, Berlin also committed to sending Gepard anti-aircraft systems.

There has been an uptick in fighting along the border between the Kharkiv and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, according to Russian and Ukrainian officials.

The Ukrainian General Staff said Russian artillery and mortar fire hit settlements in the Kupyansk sector, which is in Kharkiv.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said that in the same area, ground forces supported by airpower hit two Ukrainian units. The ministry said artillery fire had prevented a rotation of Ukrainian troops in the same area.

An unofficial Russian social media account also said Ukrainian attacks had increased along the front east of Kupyansk, but had made no progress.

In the south, Ukraine reported artillery and other attacks by Russian forces in the Zaporizhzhia region, where Russian forces are defending gains made in the first few days of the invasion.

Yurii Malashko, the head of Zaporizhzhia’s military administration, said there was heavy shelling of villages along the entire front line, including Stepnohirsk, Mala Tokmachka and Huliaipole.

Malachko, speaking on Ukraine television, also claimed that under the guise of evacuating civilians, Russian soldiers were fleeing from the town of Enerhodar, adjacent to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Some civilians who had been evacuated from Russian-controlled areas near the frontlines in Zaporizhzhia had returned home “because they were left to fend for themselves in Berdiansk [further south] and people are afraid that their homes will be looted,” he said. 

Russia tried to destroy a US-made Patriot air defense system in Ukraine last week with a hypersonic missile, two US officials tell CNN.

The attack failed, and the Ukrainian military instead intercepted the missile using the Patriot system, the officials said, marking their first known successful use of the advanced air defense system only weeks after it arrived in country. 

The Ukrainian air defenders fired multiple missiles from the Patriot at different angles to intercept the Russian missile, demonstrating they have quickly become adept at using the powerful system, one official said.  

US officials believe the Russians picked up on signals that are emitted from the Patriot, allowing them to target the system using the hypersonic missile, known as the Kinzhal or Killjoy.  

About the Patriot missile system: The Patriot missile system has a powerful radar to detect incoming targets at long-range, making it a potent air defense platform capable of intercepting ballistic missiles and more. But the radar emission necessary to spot threats at a distance also makes it possible for the enemy to detect the Patriot battery and figure out its location.

There are ways to camouflage those signals to some extent, officials said, but the Russian military was evidently able to figure out the rough location of the Patriot stationed outside of Kyiv. The interception took place on the night of May 4, Mykola Oleshchuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, said last weekend. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has previously said that the Patriots would “definitely” be a legitimate target for Russian forces. 

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder confirmed earlier this week that the Ukrainians had used the Patriot system to intercept the Kinzhal, which can reach hypersonic speeds. 

Ukraine has received at least two Patriot systems, one from the United States and one from Germany, to enhance its air defenses, which have previously been unable to intercept more modern Russian missiles such as the Kinzhal.