The Ongoing Conflict between Russia and Ukraine: Latest Updates on Day 456

"President Alexander Lukashenko while inspecting Belarusian forces during joint exercises with Russia in Borisov, Belarus, on September 20, 2017. (AP PHOTO)"

Introduction

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to unfold, with several new developments marking day 456 on Thursday, May 25, 2023. These include the Russian private military company, Wagner Group, led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, announcing the withdrawal of their forces from the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and their transfer to the Russian military. Additionally, President Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus stated that Russia had begun moving nuclear weapons into his country. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive summary of the events that took place on day 456 of the Russian attacks on Ukraine, highlighting significant incidents and their implications.

Kyiv Claims Destruction of Russian Drone Attack

Head of the Military Administration of the capital city, Kyiv, Serhiy Popko, announced on Thursday that Russian forces had carried out a drone attack in Kyiv on Wednesday night. However, he stated that Kyiv's air defense successfully destroyed all the drones during the three-hour air raid. This attack marked the 12th assault of its kind this month. Popko conveyed through a Telegram message that the enemy persistently employed a wave-based attack tactic with intervals between groups of attacking drones.

Six Drones Shot Down in Crimea

Sergei Aksyonov, the appointed Russian governor of Crimea, reported on Thursday that six drones were either shot down or blocked in various parts of the region on Wednesday night. In a Telegram post, he mentioned that no casualties or injuries were recorded in this incident.

Russia Captures Ukrainian Citizens Planning Attack on Nuclear Power Plant

Russia has apprehended two Ukrainian citizens suspected of planning to target a nuclear power plant in Russian territory. According to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), a sabotage group from Ukraine's foreign intelligence agency attempted to explode around 30 power lines at the Leningrad and Kalinin nuclear power plants in early May. Their goal was to disrupt the nuclear reactors and cause significant economic damage to Russia while tarnishing its reputation. The FSB revealed that the individuals had toppled transmission towers carrying high-voltage cables and planted mines on four towers supplying power to the Leningrad nuclear power plant.

Zelensky Accuses Russia of Terrorizing Ukraine with 36 Drones

President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of terrorizing Ukraine on Thursday when the Ukrainian military announced that it had shot down 36 Iranian-made Shahed drones deployed by Moscow's forces. Zelensky expressed gratitude to Ukraine's air defense forces for achieving a 100% success rate in intercepting the drones, none of which reached their intended targets.

South Korea Denies Sending Artillery Ammunition to Ukraine

South Korea dismissed reports from US media on Thursday suggesting that its artillery ammunition was en route to Ukraine. South Korea stated that its position against providing lethal aid to Kyiv remains unchanged. The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that hundreds of thousands of South Korean-made projectiles would be sent to Ukraine via the United States under a "secret arrangement" between Seoul and Washington. Despite repeated requests from the United States, European allies, and Ukraine itself for further assistance, South Korea has maintained its longstanding policy of not supplying weapons to active conflict zones. Jeon Ha-kyu, a spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Defense, stated that the government's position on aid to Ukraine remained unchanged and that there were inaccuracies in the WSJ report.

Wagner Group Withdraws Forces in Bakhmut

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, announced on Thursday that his forces had begun transferring their positions from the city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine to the Russian military.

Prigozhin stated that the decision to transfer control to the Russian military was made in order to consolidate efforts and ensure a unified command structure. The Wagner Group has been involved in various conflicts, including the Ukrainian conflict, where it has been accused of supporting pro-Russian separatists.

The withdrawal of Wagner Group forces from Bakhmut is seen as a significant development in the ongoing conflict. It raises questions about the Russian government's strategy and intentions in the region. While the move could be interpreted as a step towards de-escalation, it is important to note that the Russian military continues to maintain a presence in eastern Ukraine, and the situation remains highly volatile.

Belarus Claims Russian Nuclear Weapons Movement

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko made a startling claim on Thursday, stating that Russia had started moving nuclear weapons into Belarus. Lukashenko mentioned that he had received this information from his own sources and expressed concern over the potential consequences of such a move. However, he did not provide further details or evidence to support his claim.

The alleged movement of nuclear weapons into Belarus, if true, could have far-reaching implications for the region's security and stability. It is likely to raise tensions further and prompt international scrutiny and condemnation. However, it is important to verify the accuracy of these claims through independent sources.

Conclusion

Day 456 of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine witnessed several notable events. Kyiv claimed the successful destruction of a drone attack on the capital, while Crimea reported the downing of six drones in the region. Russia apprehended two Ukrainian citizens suspected of planning an attack on a nuclear power plant, further exacerbating the tensions between the two countries. President Zelensky accused Russia of deploying 36 drones to terrorize Ukraine, while South Korea denied reports of sending artillery ammunition to Ukraine. Additionally, the Russian private military company Wagner Group announced the withdrawal of its forces from Bakhmut, and Belarus claimed that Russia had begun moving nuclear weapons into its territory. These developments underscore the ongoing volatility and complexity of the conflict, highlighting the need for continued attention and efforts towards de-escalation and a peaceful resolution.