This article provides an update on the ongoing war, with a focus on recent developments as of May 27, 2023. The article covers various aspects of the conflict, including fighting, weapons, diplomacy, politics, and aid.
In terms of fighting, Ukraine reported shooting down 10 missiles and over 20 drones in an overnight attack on Kyiv, Dnipro, and eastern regions of the country. Russia’s Ministry of Defence said it carried out an overnight attack on Ukrainian ammunition depots. Five districts in Russia’s Belgorod region were hit by drones, artillery, and mortar fire over the previous 24 hours.
The article also highlights the devastating impact of the war on children in Ukraine. At least 483 children have been killed and nearly 1,000 wounded since Russia’s full-scale invasion last year. Nearly 1,500 Ukrainian children have been orphaned, and an estimated 1.5 million Ukrainian children are at risk of mental health issues.
In terms of weapons, the European Union condemned an agreement to allow the deployment of Russian nuclear warheads to Belarus. Germany’s military has ordered 18 new Leopard 2 tanks to replace vehicles that were sent to Ukraine earlier this year. The Netherlands is “seriously considering” sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
Diplomacy efforts continue, with Japan freezing the assets of 78 groups and 17 individuals and banning exports to 80 Russian entities. Russia indicated that it views Pope Francis’s Ukraine peace initiative positively. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin and reiterated his country’s willingness to talk to both sides in the conflict.
Former Russian President and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev warned that the West is underestimating the risk of nuclear war and said peace negotiations were “impossible” as long as Zelenskyy remained in power. Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has appealed against a Russian court decision to extend his pre-trial detention by three months.
Finally, the article notes that a deal allowing the safe wartime export of grain and fertilizer from Ukrainian Black Sea ports has not yet resumed full operations.