Latest news on Russia and the war in Ukraine

Britain is reportedly considering whether to designate the Wagner Group, the Russian mercenary group fighting in Ukraine (and other conflicts in Africa), as a “terrorist organisation”, and France has called on the European Union to recognize the group.

According to The Times, Britain will place the Wagner Group in this category. The move would impose sanctions on groups that have been fighting in Ukraine, particularly near the town of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region.

Citing a government source, the newspaper said the Home Office had opened the case for two months and a ban would be “imminent” within weeks.

On Tuesday, the French parliament called on the European Union to formally designate Wagner as a terrorist organization, meaning it could freeze assets belonging to the group and its members and bar EU citizens from dealing with it.

— Holly Elliott

Russia’s scaled-down Victory Day parade on Tuesday showed not only Russia’s insecurity about a possible attack on Ukraine (security concerns were the ostensible reason for scaling back the event on May 9), but also military desperation.

Analysts point to the fact that only one Stalin-era tank was on display at the annual Red Square parade, which is particularly striking.

“During the country’s traditional Victory Day celebrations on May 9, it’s hard to think of a more fitting symbol of Russia’s military destiny than seeing a lone Stalin-era tank march through Red Square,” UkraineAlert Magazine Peter Dickinson, editor at the Atlantic Council, commented on Tuesday.

“For the past two decades, Vladimir Putin has used Victory Day to showcase the resurgence of modern Russia as a military superpower, with each annual parade typically featuring dozens of the latest tanks. However, The only tank on display this year is a T-34 model dating back to World War II,” he said, noting that “the embarrassing absence of tanks from this year’s Victory Day parade has been widely interpreted as Russia’s catastrophe in Ukraine. further evidence of sexual loss.”

Analysts at the Institute for War Studies also noted on Tuesday that the Victory Day event displayed “no modern tanks that Russia desperately needs in Ukraine” and “suggested further degradation of the Russian military, despite the Kremlin’s attempts in previous weeks to reduce the size of the parade.” and outright cancellation of events to downplay Victory Day.”

Ukrainians themselves were quick to comment on the smaller Victory Day parade.

The official Twitter account of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense joked, “Modern Russian military equipment is easier to find at the Ukrainian military trophy exhibition than at the Moscow Victory Parade.”

— Holly Elliott

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked President Joe Biden for his latest security aid package worth $1.2 billion.

“There’s another good news from our partners. From what can be made public, the United States has a new defense approach,” Zelensky said on his official Telegram channel.

He added: “Defense from artillery, missiles, and terrorist drones, and everything else that strengthens our defenders. Thank you President Biden, a bipartisan Congress, and every American family for your continued support and American strength that keeps us strong.”

The new weapons package brings the total U.S. commitment to more than $36.9 billion since Russia began its unprovoked invasion last February.

—Amanda Macias

AFP videographer Arman Soldin dies in Ukraine, Agence France Presse says Twitter.

Soldin, AFP’s video coordinator for Ukraine, was killed when he was hit by a rocket near the outskirts of Bakhmut, the news agency reported.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the news that AFP video reporter Alman Soldin passed away today in eastern Ukraine,” Agence France-Presse tweeted. “All our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

— Amanda Macias and Ari Messinis for CNBC | AFP | Getty Images

The Ukrainian military said Russian troops had fired 20 missiles at the cities of Kramatorsk and Kostyanivka in the Donetsk region. More than half of the missiles used are air-launched cruise missiles.

The Ukrainian general also said in an evening update that intense fighting continued in the Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Marinka.

—Amanda Macias

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Schmehar has thanked Britain for training Ukrainian troops as Kiev continues to fight Moscow’s invasion.

“Over 50,000 people have been trained in the UK and together we will continue this mission and I am sure this will be our shared victory going forward,” Shmihal told Sky News.

“I am sure that the most important victory day for Ukraine will be the victory day of Russia’s horrific all-out aggression against Ukraine,” he added, referring to the May 9 celebrations.

—Amanda Macias

Russia has been celebrating Victory Day today, with military parades and events across the country, albeit on a smaller scale than usual.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a crowd in Moscow’s Red Square, claiming that a “real war” was being waged against Russia and that the country must fight for its future.

Russia invaded Ukraine unprovoked 15 months ago but has described its so-called “special military operation” as necessary, baselessly claiming it faces existential threats from Ukraine and the West.

Here are more: Russia’s Victory Day in pictures: Putin watches on at scaled-down military parade

Speaking at the annual Victory Day parade in Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, “A real war is being waged against our homeland.”

More than 10,000 people and 125 pieces of weapons and military equipment will take part in a parade on Red Square in the Russian capital on Tuesday. The event commemorates the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.

The Russian president delivered a 10-minute speech in which he said Russia wanted a peaceful future but that “Western elites” were “spreading hatred and Russophobia” and that Ukrainians had become “hostages of a state coup” and the West. ambition.

He said the West had forgotten the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, while Russia was now fighting for its own survival.

“Today civilization is again at a decisive turning point. A real war has been waged against our homeland. We have repelled international terrorism, we will protect the population of Donbass, we will ensure our security,” Putin said, Translated by Reuters based on comments.

Today’s event was attended by Putin and other heads of state from former Soviet states, as well as senior military personnel and veterans.

— Holly Elliott

Despite being one of the most important dates in the Russian calendar, Victory Day in Russia hasn’t been quite like this for several years.

The annual commemoration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany has been severely disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and now the ongoing war with Ukraine.

Russia’s growing domestic insecurity over the war — and increased attacks on its own territory — also marred commemorations this year, with at least six regions, including Crimea, and 21 cities canceling Their Victory Day parade, Britain’s Ministry of Defense noted on Friday.

Victory Day celebrations in Moscow are likely to be much smaller this year, and there will be no post-parade reception by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The UK noted that the reception was last held in 2019.

The traditional “March of the Immortal Regiment,” in which families display pictures of fallen World War II veterans, has also been cancelled. The UK pointed out that this follows the recent cancellation of the International Military Games hosted by Russia.

The ministry said the timing of recent alleged drone strikes on the Kremlin in the days before Victory Day showed that “Russia’s growing vulnerability to such attacks has almost certainly raised the Russian leadership’s awareness of the Victory Day events.” threat perception.”

“Protests and discontent over the war in Ukraine may have also influenced the Russian leadership’s calculations.”

The Kremlin said all possible security measures were in place ahead of this year’s Victory Day, and Putin will watch a military parade on Red Square along with leaders of other former Soviet republics that are now part of the Commonwealth of Independent States .

The heads of state will then present flowers and have an informal breakfast, Peskov said. The parade is scheduled to start at 10 am. Moscow time. Putin will speak at the event and is also expected to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

— Holly Elliott