Timeline: day 95 of Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression
Today is May 29. russia's military attack on Ukraine has been going on for 95 days. We're reporting on the current news. The article will be updated.
What about today?
Key points
The situation in Donbas and Kharkiv region is complicated; by day 100 of the "special operation," the russian army is trying to achieve at least some result. The critical areas of combat at the front are Sievierodonetsk, Lysychansk, Bakhmut, Popasna, and other cities.
The American Institute for War Studies (ISW) has released another report, which states that the Ukrainian military has faced the most severe challenge since the siege of Azovstal in Mariupol. "When the Battle of Sievierodonetsk ends, regardless of which side holds the city, the russian offensive at the operational and strategic levels will likely have culminated, giving Ukraine the chance to restart its operational-level counteroffensives to push russian forces back. Seizing [Sievierodonetsk] will let Moscow declare that it has secured Luhansk Oblast fully but will give russia no other significant military or economic benefit. This is especially true because russian forces are destroying the city as they assault it and will control its rubble if they capture it," the report said.
"Putin is now hurling men and munitions at the last remaining major population center in that oblast, Sievierodonetsk as if taking it would win the war for the Kremlin. He is wrong," the ISW added.
Although slowly, Ukraine continues to receive ammunition and equipment from its allies. Orcs continue to burn their reserves of force and equipment, and there's no reason to expect replenishment in the coming months. Our defense is holding the fort.
The ruscists were pushed away from the "road of life" Lysychansk-Bakhmut in the Luhansk region, the governor Serhii Haidai reported in the morning.
On May 28, the Joint Forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas repulsed seven enemy attacks, and fighting is still ongoing at three locations. Air defense units shot down an Orlan-10 drone in the skies of the Ukrainian Donbas.
The East operational and tactical group reports the loss of ruscists:
- personnel – up to 33;
- tanks – 1;
- AT-T – 5.
"We work every day to strengthen our security. It is primarily a supply of weapons. Every day we are approaching the moment when our army will surpass the occupiers technologically and by force. Of course, a lot depends on the partners. From their readiness to provide Ukraine with everything necessary to protect freedom," President Zelensky said and added that he expected good news about this next week.
Ukraine's talks with russia
Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the Head of the President's Office, denied another allegation from moscow that Ukraine was allegedly abandoning peace talks and said that "negotiations are on the front lines." "We can negotiate, but only if russia renounces hypocrisy (say one thing – do another), leaves the south of the country, and withdraws its troops. Until then, negotiations are conducted by another 'delegation' on the frontline," Podoliak wrote on Twitter.
Who's coming to Ukraine?
On financial and information aid, weapons and politicians
German Ambassador to Ukraine, Anka Feldhusen, said in an interview with the national telethon that Germany was ready to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons. They can purchase Gepard tanks from the manufacturer, but it requires government permission to export. "So there were these misunderstandings at first, but I think we now have more coordination on the lists that show us what Ukraine needs," Feldhuzen said.
Helping refugees and internally displaced persons
Since May, payments to most internally displaced persons have been canceled. Minister of Social Policy, Maryna Lazebna, stated this on a telethon. Only those displaced who live in the war zone and cannot return home will receive benefits. Those IDPs whose homes have been damaged will also continue to receive aid. "From May, the state will pay payments to IDPs who live in the area of hostilities and cannot return home or those whose property has been damaged. Many people who have been in our safe areas for two months are returning home, returning to work, for which we thank them. So, payments to such people will stop from May," the minister reported.
News from partners
More than 150 cities in more than 20 countries have already broken off twin town relationships with more than 160 cities in russia. Dozens more are on the way to this, because the world understands that there can be neither friendly nor brotherly relations with russia. Decisions to terminate twin town agreements with russian cities have already been made by cities in countries such as Australia, Austria, Great Britain, Denmark, Greece, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, USA, Finland, Czech Republic, Sweden, Netherlands.
Four NATO warships from the United States, Germany, and France arrived in Finland. "We see these visits as an expression of solidarity, and interest in Finland has grown significantly in recent times," said Finnish Navy Commander Jussi Jämsen.
Life considering hostilities
"We are playing this final for all people in Ukraine." The Liverpool head coach expressed his support for Ukraine at a press conference before the Champions League final. Jürgen Klopp also supported the decision to take the final in russia: "The fact that the game will not take place in St. Petersburg is probably the right message that russia should receive: life goes on, even if you try to destroy it." According to the results of the game, Real became the champion.
Biden's pen put up for auction has found its Ukrainian hero. The winner of the charity auction organized by Prozorro.Sales and Ukroboronprom bought a lot for 600 thousand hryvnias to purchase pickups for the newly created 47th battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The man asked not to make an achievement of his deed: "We are just helping. Not for the sake of attention. Our Armed Forces need attention now."
Due to the war in Ukraine, the possible threat of cholera outbreaks is growing. To date, no suspicious cases have been reported. According to the chief sanitary officer Kuzin, at the moment drinking water is constantly being studied, samples are being taken from surface water bodies, recreation areas, and rivers. He also added that Ukraine had a cholera vaccine, which the ministry has additionally requested from the WHO. However, in the case of territories controlled by russian troops, the situation is more critical, "because there is no access to information, no consumables."
Kyiv and the region
Happy birthday, unbreakable Kyiv! You're 1540 years old. As it has stood, it will stand. Our Kyiv is in safe hands. Thank you to the Ukrainian army for protecting our peace, our country, and our capital! Happy Kyiv Day, Ukrainians!
Donetsk and Luhansk regions
russian troops continue to storm Sievierodonetsk. The fighting continues; the enemy is trying to gain a foothold in Lyman, to improve the situation in the Bakhmut direction, Ukraine's General Staff said.
Over the past day, russian troops fired on 46 settlements in Luhansk and Donetsk regions. At least four civilians were killed and nine wounded in enemy shelling. The enemy destroyed and damaged 89 civilian objects, including 85 residential buildings, a regional special boarding school, a cinema, a coke plant, and a motor depot. Rescuers evacuated about one and a half thousand people from the areas of hostilities.
In Donetsk, the Russians took Suspilne cameraman Vasyl Filimon, who had been defending Ukraine in the Ukrainian Armed Forces since the full-scale war, prisoner.
Sumy region
Today at about 07:35, the russian federation fired on the border zone in the Sumy region, the North operational command reports. Observers recorded about 20 explosions in the direction of Boiaro-Lezhachi. There are no casualties among personnel and equipment.
Kharkiv region
Kharkiv region was also shelled at night. The shelling was carried out from the Belgorod region.
As a result of the russian shelling on May 28, six residents of the Kharkiv region were injured; residents of Balaklia, Savyntsi, Zolochiv, and Korobochkyne, the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration reported.
Zaporizhzhia region
Residents of Melitopol are gathering for an anti-occupation rally today. These postcards appeared on the streets of the city the day before.
Kherson region
The flashpoints are the settlements of Velyka Oleksandrivka, Novovorontsovka, Kalynivka, Vysokopillia, and Chornobaivka communities. Here the fighting lasted almost all day; people again recorded a lot of military equipment and aircraft. Several civilians were injured, and another died.
Mykolaiv region
The occupying troops once again fired at Mykolaiv in the morning, striking residential quarters. One person died on the spot. At least six people are also reported injured.
