The deepening labor shortage reflects growing strain on Russia's workforce as the Kremlin aggressively recruits men for its war against Ukraine.
News Feed
Monday, May 12
(Updated: )
"The clock is ticking — we still have twelve hours until the end of this day," German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius reportedly said.
According to the Verkhovna Rada's website, Ukraine completed the ratification of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement on May 12. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the deal.
(Updated: )
"I believe both leaders are going to be there," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
"I myself have heard relatives talking: our village is being attacked, let's roll the car out of the garage, maybe they will shell it — at least we will get money. The car is old, we can't sell it," Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
The new tranche brings total recent EU defense support for Ukraine to 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion), marking a significant expansion of European efforts to boost Kyiv's defense industry.
(Updated: )
"There is no point in prolonging the killings. And I will wait for Putin on Thursday in Turkey," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
(Updated: )
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
"We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire," a source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Kyiv Independent.
(Updated: )
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
The founder of Russia's Wagner Group said on Jan. 7 that he wanted his forces and the regular Russian army to capture Ukraine's eastern city of Bakhmut for its resources and "underground cities."
The Wagner Group is Russia's most high-profile mercenary group and was founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Russian oligarch, Putin confidant, and former convict. Along with the Russian military, the group has taken part in the fierce battle for the eastern Ukrainian city Bakhmut, around 215 kilometers southeast of Kharkiv.
Russia's five months-long effort to try and take Bakhmut has resulted in major casualties on both sides, but the city remains Ukraine's key fortress in the area.
Prigohzin's press service Telegram channel quoted him as saying he wanted to capture the city for its rich resources, especially its mines, and because of its network of underground cities that can house tanks and military equipment.
"The cherry on the cake is the system of Soledar and Bakhmut mines, which is actually a network of underground cities. It not only (has the ability to hold) a big group of people at a depth of 80-100 meters, but tanks and infantry fighting vehicles can also move about," he said.
Prigozhin cited other advantages of taking Bakhmut, saying it was a "serious logistics center."
Earlier on Jan. 6, Reuters reported that the United States believes that Prigozhin has invested his troops in the fight for Bakhmut because of an interest in the salt and gypsum from mines near the city.
On Jan. 7 Russian propagandists claimed that Wagner had taken control of Soledar, a settlement just outside of Bakhmut, but Ukrainian forces later reported that it still controlled the town despite Russian assaults in the area.
Soledar is the site of the Soledar Salt Mine. Its scale is vast and includes an underground concert hall.
As Battle of Bakhmut nears culmination, Ukraine’s artillery gasps for more ammo
Most Popular
After 3 years of full-scale war in Ukraine, Europe announces plan to ban all Russian gas imports
Journalist Roshchyna's body missing organs after Russian captivity, investigation says
Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says
Ukraine is sending the war back to Russia — just in time for Victory Day
'Justice inevitably comes' — Zelensky on deaths of high-ranking Russian officials
Editors' Picks
How medics of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade deal with horrors of drone warfare
As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home
'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive
