Russia-Ukraine War Live Updates: Zelenskyy Warns Moscow Wants To ‘Invade Other Countries’ As Another Apparent Mass Grave Is Found


Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia’s invasion of his homeland was “only the beginning” and that the Kremlin wanted to “invade other countries,” in a video address Friday night.

Calling on other countries to “fight alongside” Ukraine, Zelenskyy, in the message posted on his Telegram channel, said nations that wanted to remain neutral were making “the riskiest bet, because they will lose everything.”

His comments came before what appeared to be another mass grave was discovered in the town of Vynohradne, near Mariupol, according to Petro Andriushchenko, an adviser to the mayor of the besieged southern city.

Satellite images from US defense contractor Maxar appeared to show what the company described in a statement as several long, parallel trenches that “are/are likely to become” new graves. Each trench is about 131 feet long, the company said, adding that they started showing up in late March. Russian officials did not immediately comment on the allegations.

Moscow’s attempts to capture Mariupol entirely have been held back by Ukrainian resistance, according to a UK Defense Ministry intelligence report early Saturday. He said Ukrainian counterattacks had prevented his forces from making any major gains in the last 24 hours.

Ukrainian counterattacks hamper Russian progress, UK says

Russia has made no major progress in the past 24 hours due to Ukrainian counter-attacks, according to the UK Ministry of Defence.

Ukraine’s air and sea defense has reduced Russia’s ability to gain control of either domain, the ministry said in a Saturday morning update.

Their resistance has also slowed Russian attempts to fully capture the battered port city of Mariupol, the ministry said.

“Despite their declared conquest of Mariupol, heavy fighting continues to thwart Russian attempts to capture the city, further slowing their desired progress into the Donbas,” the ministry stated.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed “success” in Mariupol, but Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has insisted Russia does not control the city.

Defense officials, military leaders from over 20 countries to meet for Ukraine defense talks

The Pentagon says US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will convene a meeting next week in Germany of defense officials and military leaders from more than 20 countries to discuss Ukraine’s immediate and long-term defense needs.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Friday that some 40 nations, including NATO members, have been invited and responses are still coming in for Tuesday’s session at Ramstein air base. He did not identify the nations that have agreed to attend, but said more details will be provided in the coming days.

The meeting comes as Russia prepares for what is expected to be a major offensive in eastern Ukraine.

The agenda will include an updated assessment of Ukraine’s battlefield, as well as a discussion of efforts to continue a steady flow of weapons and other military aid, Kirby said. It will include consultations on Ukraine’s postwar defense needs, but is not expected to consider changes to the US military posture in Europe, she said.

Russia says 1 dead, 27 missing, nearly 400 rescued after ship sinks

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that one serviceman was killed, 27 more were missing and 396 were rescued after a fire broke out on the flagship Moskva missile cruiser last week.

The statement comes a week after the ship sank.

Shortly after the incident, the ministry said the entire ship’s crew, reported by the media to be around 500 people, had been rescued. The ministry did not offer an explanation for the conflicting reports.

Ukraine said it hit the cruise ship with a missile.



Reference-www.nbcnews.com

Leave a Comment