ROME – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Rome on Saturday, where he will hold meetings with the President and Prime Minister of Italy. He is also scheduled to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican. It will be the first time he has met the pope since the Russian invasion, though Francis’ influence in the eventual conflict may be limited.
Ukrainian authorities issued flight alerts across the country early Saturday, reporting multiple injuries. Nikopol, Khmelnytskyi and Mykolaiv were hit by Russian attacks, they said. Air sirens also sounded in the capital Kiev and port city Odessa. Meanwhile, pro-Russian officials in the Kremlin-backed and occupied breakaway Ukrainian region of Luhansk blamed the bombs on Ukrainian forces.
Here’s the latest news on war and its ripple effects around the world.
How Ukrainian Forces Denied Russia’s Victory at Pakmut by Victory Day: Intelligence said the Russians were focused on intense street fighting in Bagmut, not anticipating an attack on the outskirts of the city where they were hit, report Siobhan O’Grady, Kamila Harabchuk and Kostiandin Gutov. The initial fighting lasted 12 hours; But by sundown, Wagner’s group’s troops broke and fled, leaving five dead, according to Ukrainian military officials.
Two days later, after the newly captured position withstood a Russian artillery counterattack, the Ukrainians again advanced using tanks and American-made armored personnel carriers.
Jeong reported from Seoul, Bisset from London and Parker from Washington. Loveday Morris in Berlin contributed to this report.
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