May 13, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

By Sophie Tanno and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Updated 2024 GMT (0424 HKT) May 14, 2023

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2:19 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

At least 21 people injured in Russian attacks on western Ukrainian region, according to local officials

From CNN's Mariya Knight

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.

1:59 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

2 killed and 10 wounded in Russian shelling of eastern city of Kostiantynivka, regional authorities say

From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva and Alex Hardie

Damage in Kostiantynivka following Russian shelling on May 13. Pavlo Kyrylenko/Telegram

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."

1:51 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Another explosion reported in Luhansk one day after missile strikes, Russian-backed officials say

From CNN's Kostan Nechyporenko

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.

3:49 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Zelensky thanks Pope Francis for his "personal attention" to war in Ukraine

From CNN's Yulia Kesaieva

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Pope Francis at The Vatican on May 13. Vatican News/AP

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.

1:17 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Pope Francis assures "his constant prayer" for peace during meeting with Zelensky, Vatican says

From CNN’s Delia Gallagher and Barbie Latza Nadeau in Rome

Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 13. Vatican Pool/Getty Images

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.

1:23 p.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Italian prime minister pledges continued support for Ukraine to join NATO following meeting with Zelensky

From CNN’s Barbie Latza Nadeau in Rome

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hold a joint press conference in Rome, on May 13. Alberto Pizzoli/AFP/Getty Images

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.

11:07 a.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Zelensky arrives at the Vatican to meet Pope Francis

From CNN’s Delia Gallagher in Rome

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."

9:18 a.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Zelensky discusses the “importance of Ukraine’s victory” with Italy's president during visit

From Kostan Nechyporenko in Kyiv and Alex Hardie in London

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Saturday, May 13. Italian Presidency/Quirinale/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

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.

9:18 a.m. ET, May 13, 2023

Zelensky arrives in Rome for meetings with Italian PM and Pope Francis

From CNN's Jake Kwonand Kostan Nechyporenko

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky greets Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome, on May 13. Alessandra Tarantino/AP

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.