May 20, 2023 Russia-Ukraine news

By Heather Chen, Andrew Raine, Adrienne Vogt, Matt Meyer and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Updated 1453 GMT (2253 HKT) May 21, 2023
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1:50 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Ukraine’s military says it's still fighting for Bakhmut

From CNN’s Yulia Kesaieva, Andrew Carey and Sugam Pokharel

Ukrainian troops are engaged in heavy fighting with Russian forces in and around the long-contested city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, Kyiv's military said in its daily update Saturday.  

“Heavy fighting for the city of Bakhmut continues. In addition, during the day, the enemy conducted unsuccessful offensive actions in the direction of Bila Hora,” it said, referring to a village to the southwest of Bakhmut. Ukrainian forces have succeeded in regaining small pockets of territory there in the last fortnight.

Competing claims: Earlier Saturday, the chief of the Russian private military group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed his forces have taken complete control of Bakhmut after months of brutal fighting.

CNN could not independently verify Prigozhin’s claim, and Ukrainian officials have disputed it, saying they are still holding territory on the western edge of the city.

6:13 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Analysis: If the battle for Bakhmut is over, the city didn't leave either side with much of strategic value

Analysis by CNN's Sam Kiley

Smoke rises from buildings in Bakhmut on April 26.
Smoke rises from buildings in Bakhmut on April 26. Libkos/AP

Senior Ukrainian officers have, for at least the last seven months, questioned the military imperative behind their orders to hold the eastern city of Bakhmut.

Russia's private military company, Wagner, now claims to completely control the city, though Ukraine has partially disputed the report, saying it clings to a portion of the city's western edge.

If the fight for Bakhmut is indeed drawing to a close, it brings an end to a brutal, grinding campaign that dragged on for months.

Every single senior Ukrainian officer I have spoken to since October last year said the city has no strategic value. Some questioned even the morality of continuing to defend it, in the face of intense Russian attacks.

Others recognized the symbolic importance of taking a stand — particularly as it became such a focus of media attention — and a test of political will in Kyiv, where President Volodymyr Zelensky committed his country to an indefinite defense of it.

Once famous for producing the best sparkling wine in Ukraine, Bakhmut is now notorious, and described by fighting men on both sides as the "meat grinder."

Ukrainian forces are now, from a military perspective, likely to be in a stronger position than they were before their withdrawal from the center of the town.

They control significant territory on Bakhmut's northern and southern flanks, and the high ground to the west. Meanwhile, everything in what remains of Bakhmut — and that’s almost nothing — is now a free-fire zone for Ukraine.

Russian attempts to invest it with troops will make Putin's soldiers easy targets for Ukrainian artillery and rocket attacks.

In short, Wagner's declared "victory" in the small Ukrainian city may be pyrrhic — won at too great a cost to be worthwhile.

2:00 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Wagner claims to have seized the city of Bakhmut. Here's what else you should know

From CNN staff

According to Wagner, the battle for the city of Bakhmut has come to an end, as the Russian private military group claims its forces have taken complete control of the long-contested city in eastern Ukraine.

CNN could not independently verify Wagner's claim, and a message from a Ukrainian defense official partially disputed it, saying Kyiv's troops still hold a small part of the city.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed his forces will hand control of Bakhmut to the Russian military on May 25.

The city can be viewed largely as a symbolic target for Moscow, though it also provides important road connections to other parts of the Donetsk region: eastward to the border with Luhansk, northwest to Sloviansk and southwest to Kostiantynivka.

Here's what else you should know in a day of major developments for the war in Ukraine:

G7 summit: G7 members are meeting in Hiroshima, Japan, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is a surprise attendee. The G7 comprises the world’s most advanced industrialized democracies: the US, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and Italy. Tokyo has also invited Australia, South Korea, India, Indonesia and Vietnam, all rising economic powerhouses and key Asian regional players.

At the summit, leaders decided on a plan to counter Moscow and agreed to "support Ukraine for as long as it takes in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression." The G7 also called on China to press Russia to "immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine," and stop its military aggression.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met with Zelensky at the summit, where he assured his country will do “everything we can” to find a resolution to the war in Ukraine. It was the first time the two met since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, which Modi has not outright denounced, despite sending humanitarian aid.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the decisions made at the G7 summit as cynical ploys to hold back Russia and China.

On the ground: Russia launched another “massive drone attack” at Kyiv during the early morning hours Saturday, marking their 11th airstrike this month, the city's military administration said.

Meanwhile, Russian troops in occupied Mariupol, a city in Ukraine's southeast, are receiving backup after explosions rocked a Russian base there Friday, a local Ukrainian official said.

Military aid: Zelensky thanked the United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for the leadership he says the UK has shown building an international coalition to help Ukraine procure F-16 fighter jets. Russia's deputy foreign minister denounced the coalition, warning Western countries of “enormous risks for themselves" if Ukraine is provided with F-16 fighter jets, Russian state media TASS reported Saturday.

12:49 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Zelensky says Ukraine is coordinating on weapons, air defense and fighter jets with allies after G7 talks

From CNN’s Sugam Pokharel in London and Yulia Kesaieva in Kyiv

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the G7 summit in Hiroshima on Saturday, May 20.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the G7 summit in Hiroshima on Saturday, May 20. Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that his government is preparing “new joint steps” with its allies in response to Russia’s war. 

“We are coordinating our positions with our partners and preparing new joint steps. Defense: weapons, air defense, fighter jets. We engage as many countries and leaders as possible for the sake of Ukraine. The peace formula. Long-term programs to support Ukraine. Finance and economy,” he said in his daily video speech after holding meetings with several leaders on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan.  

Zelensky said he held separate meetings with leaders of the United Kingdom, Italy, France, India, Germany and the European Commission. 

The Ukrainian president also said he submitted Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula to the participants of the Arab League Summit on Friday. 

"And we will do everything to ensure that the world's involvement in our peace initiative is as high as possible," he added. 

Zelensky mentioned India in particular, saying that he believes the country "will take part in the restoration of the international order based on the rules that are obviously needed by all free nations." 

Zelensky met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, the first in-person meeting between the two since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. Modi – who has so far refused to condemn the invasion – said India would do "everything we can" to help end the war.

CNN's Simone McCarthy contributed reporting to this post.

12:47 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

France’s Macron meets with Zelensky at G7 summit  

From CNN’s Xiaofei Xu in Paris 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meets with French President Emmanuel Macron in Hiroshima, Japan, on May 20. Ludovic Marin/AFP/Getty Images

French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan, Saturday. 

The French president tweeted a video showing him holding a meeting with Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials. 

Macron can be heard in the video saying it was “a very good idea” that Zelensky went to Saudi Arabia to attend the Arab League summit before coming to the G7 summit.

Zelensky arrived at the Hiroshima G7 summit on Saturday aboard a French government plane.  

12:11 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

CNN's Erin Burnett reacts to being banned from Russia, along with hundreds of other Americans

Prominent American figures — including US dignitaries, entertainment icons and CNN journalists — will no longer be allowed to enter Russia, according to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The list contains hundreds of names, ranging from former US President Barack Obama to late night television hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel and Seth Meyers, as well as former US Ambassador Jon Huntsman, several US senators and the next expected chairman of the joint chiefs, Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.

CNN's Erin Burnett was among those included in the growing list of US journalists sanctioned by Moscow. She said Friday that the move by Russia is "why covering this war every night matters, and we will continue to do it."

"Something supremely important to all of us is happening in Ukraine and also inside Russia, where tonight Putin's allies are turning on their own and telling those who are critical of Putin's war to be quiet," Burnett said.

See her reaction here:

12:53 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Russian foreign minister: G7 decisions are intended to "deter" Russia and China

From CNN’s Sugam Pokharel and Darya Tarasova

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a press conference in Moscow on May 18.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a press conference in Moscow on May 18. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP/Getty Images

The decisions made at the Group of Seven summit in Hiroshima were aimed to hold back Russia and China, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Saturday.

"Look at the decisions that are being discussed and adopted today in Hiroshima at the G7 summit and which are aim to deter Russia and the People's Republic of China," he said, speaking at the Russian Council on Foreign and Defense Policy. 
"It is not hidden that the existence of Russia as an independent center is incompatible with achieving the goal of the global dominance of the West," the Russian foreign minister added.

In a Saturday joint statement, the G7 leaders in Japan said they agree to "support Ukraine for as long as it takes in the face of Russia’s illegal war of aggression" and to "coordinate our approach to economic resilience and economic security."

The leaders also mentioned a series of positions related to China, including the need to counter "economic coercion" and protect advanced technologies that could threaten national security, while also stressing that cooperation with Beijing was necessary.

CNN's Sandi Sidhu and Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.

12:58 p.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Analysis: What Bakhmut means to Russia and Ukraine

From CNN's Rob Picheta and Thom Poole

A Ukrainian tank travels near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on May 12.
A Ukrainian tank travels near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on May 12. Libkos/AP

The Wagner Group's claim to have captured Bakhmut represents the rarest of things – a tangible battlefield gain for Russia after months of stasis and setbacks.

The city provides important road connections to other parts of the Donetsk region: eastward to the border with Luhansk, northwest to Sloviansk and southwest to Kostiantynivka.

But any celebrations are likely to be tempered by the manpower and resources Russia poured into capturing Bakhmut, and Ukraine's reports of continued fighting in areas immediately surrounding the city.

Taking a small city whose population has largely fled is also a long way from Russia’s original goals of capturing Kyiv and toppling the Ukrainian government.

Kyiv, too, is likely to face questions over its approach in Bakhmut. A Ukrainian defense official claimed Saturday that its forces are still clinging to a portion of the city, though she admitted the situation is "critical."

Just this week, Ukraine's military had claimed fresh advances in the area, suggesting continuing efforts in the city.

Speaking to CNN in March, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed reports of divisions among his commanders about the merits of fighting on in Bakhmut.

One of his advisers said Ukraine’s forces aimed at buying time to replenish their forces and inflicting losses on Russia.

In the interview, Zelensky warned that Russian troops would have an “open road” to capture key cities if Ukraine gave up Bakhmut, defending his decision to keep fighters there. 

Now, with a Ukrainian counteroffensive due, the question remains: Which side comes out stronger if the battle for Bakhmut has truly come to an end?

11:55 a.m. ET, May 20, 2023

Wagner chief claims complete capture of Bakhmut, but Ukraine says it still controls part of the city

From CNN’s Darya Tarasova, Yulia Kesaieva, Andrew Carey and Sugam Pokharel 

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner private military group, holds a Russian flag in this image from a video released on May 20.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner private military group, holds a Russian flag in this image from a video released on May 20. Prigozhin's Press Service/Reuters

The chief of the Wagner private military group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, claimed Saturday that his forces have taken complete control of the long-contested city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. 

“The operation to capture Bakhmut lasted 224 days,” he said in a video posted to Telegram, seeking to claim a final victory for the city.

CNN could not independently verify Prigozhin’s claim, and a message from a Ukrainian defense official partially disputed it. 

Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar, in a Telegram post less than an hour after the Russian mercenary’s claim was published, admitted the situation in Bakhmut was “critical” but said Ukrainian troops were still “holding the defense in the 'Airplane' district of the city,” which is on Bakhmut’s westernmost edge. 

“As of now, our defenders control certain industrial and infrastructure facilities in the area and the private sector,” she said.  

While Russian forces have continued their slow street-by-street advance in the city itself for many months, Ukrainian forces have recently managed to re-capture small pockets of outlying territory to the northwest and southwest of the city. 

Prigozhin claimed his forces will hand the control of Bakhmut to the Russian military on May 25.

Background on Bakhmut: The eastern city has been the focal point of a grinding battle between Ukrainian and Russia fighters.

Stark satellite photos show how much it has changed over the past year, with the city in ruins in many areas.

The city sits toward the northeast of the Donetsk region, about 13 miles from Luhansk region, and has been a target for Russian forces for months. Since last summer, the city has been a stone’s throw from the front lines, so its capture would represent a long sought-after success for Moscow’s forces – and bring some limited strategic value.

The city has important road connections to other parts of the Donetsk region: eastward to the border with Luhansk, northwest to Sloviansk and southwest to Kostiantynivka.

More from Prigozhin: In the video, the Wagner leader thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for giving his fighters the "honor to defend our Motherland," but he also called out "the Russian bureaucracy" — as he has publicly and forcefully done in the past few months — particularly Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and chief of the Russian General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov.

They "turned the war into their own entertainment," he claimed. "... Because of their whims, five times more guys died."