Several countries begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 planes/ Fighting on Russia’s border intensifies. The Kremlin launches the anti-terrorist operation in Belgorod

UPDATE The Ukrainian Foreign Minister starts his second tour in Africa

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba began his second tour of Africa this week, starting in Morocco, in an attempt to challenge Russia’s influence on the continent.

Kuleba intends to support President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace formula and guarantee the flow of grain supplies to African countries, the foreign minister wrote on his Instagram, quoted by the Kyiv Independent.

This is the first visit to Morocco by a Ukrainian foreign minister since the beginning of bilateral relations and Kuleba’s second tour to Africa after the first in October 2022.

UPDATE French Foreign Ministry: France is ready to conclude agreements with Ukraine regarding its security guarantees

UPDATE Borrell: Several countries begin training Ukrainian pilots on F-16 aircraft

Several countries, including Poland, have already started training Ukrainian pilots to use US-built F-16 fighter jets, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Tuesday.

“It will take some time, but the sooner the better,” Borrell told reporters ahead of a meeting of EU defense ministers. He did not mention which other countries have started training.

A Polish government source confirmed the information about the F-16 training to the Ukrainian publication Ukrinform. An official announcement will be made soon, the source said.

UPDATE Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban, says that Ukraine cannot win the war against Russia – Bloomberg

UPDATE – The New York Times published a drone video of Bakhmut. The filming was allegedly done on May 19

The Russians claim victory in this battle. Ukrainians fighting nearby say the destruction of the city is not the end of the campaign to drive the Russians from the ruins, but just another stage in a catastrophic war.

However, the notion of a “winner” challenges what is so clearly lost – many lives and homes in a once peaceful city known for its salt mines and sparkling wine have been largely reduced to ashes. In a city full of death and destruction, signs of life are the exception,” the article dedicated to Bakhmut conveys.

UPDATE 12:25 Volodymyr Zelensky visited the naval infantry troops on the front line to mark the Day of Ukrainian Marines

“Ready for operations on land, sea and air, Ukrainian marines successfully perform complex tasks. They are motivated, strong and brave. The enemy feels the power of our warriors. Thank you for defending our homeland!”, says the president’s Telegram channel.

The Day of Ukrainian Marines has been commemorated in Ukraine as a holiday since 2014, with May 23 being set in 2018.

UPDATE 11:00 The General Staff reports that Russia has carried out up to 158 air and missile strikes in the last day

UPDATE 9:00 Institute for the Study of War (American think-tank): Russian information space, incoherent after reported fighting in the Belgorod region

The Russian information space went through “panic and incoherence” after fighting was reported in Russia’s Belgorod region, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest report.

Following Russia’s announcement of an “anti-terrorist operation” in the Belgorod region, military bloggers speculated about the purpose behind the raids, which were allegedly conducted by the Free Russia Legion and the Russian Volunteer Corps.

The lack of a unified reaction, according to the Washington-based think tank, “”indicates primarily that the attack caught Russian commentators by surprise.”

UPDATE 7:20 The Russians continue their attacks

UPDATE 04:00 Russia bombs five towns in the Sumi region

Russian troops targeted the towns of Bilopillia, Myropillia, Yunakivka, Novoslobidske and Velyka Pysarivka, the military administration of the Sumi region said. One person was injured as a result of the Russian attacks.

UPDATE 03:00 Russia is fighting an armed group in the border region

An armed group crossed from Ukraine into Russia’s Belgorod region, and clashes there injured several people, Russian authorities claim.

Ukraine denies responsibility and claims that Russian citizens from two paramilitary groups are behind the incursion.

UPDATE 02:00 Most of the residents flee from the localities of the Belgorod region

Vyacheslav Gladkov, the governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, told Russian state news agency RIA Novosti that “most” residents of villages near the border in Belgorod region, including the town of Grayvoron, had fled the Ukrainian attackers.

UPDATE 01:00 Borrell: “No one wants peace more than Ukraine”

The European Union’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said during a press conference that speeding up the delivery of arms to Ukraine was crucial to achieving victory, because only Russia wants the war to continue.

UPDATE 00:00 US State Department: Providing F-16s to Ukraine remains a “priority”

Training Ukrainian pilots to use F-16 jets and working with allies to provide Ukraine with advanced fighter jets remains a “priority” for the US in the coming months, a US State Department spokesman said. Matthew Miller during a press briefing.