UKRAINE WRAP | Russian forces renew bid to advance south of Ukraine's Izium, Britain says

June 18 2022 - 17:00

Five Ukrainian civilians return in prisoner swap with Russia - directorate

Ukraine's defence intelligence directorate said on Saturday that five Ukrainian civilians had been returned in a five-for-five prisoner swap with Russia. It did not say whether the exchanged Russians were combatants.

The directorate said four of the five Ukrainian civilians had been taken prisoner during Russia's occupation of parts of Kyiv region, from where Russian forces withdrew at the end of March. It also said the dead body of a Ukrainian civilian was recovered in the exchange.

-Reuters

June 18 2022 - 14:00

Rockets hit district of Ukraine's Kryvyi Rih, local authorities say

Rockets hit a southern district of Ukraine's central city of Kryvyi Rih on Saturday leading to at least two casualties, local authorities said in posts on messaging app Telegram.

-Reuters

June 18 2022 - 11:00

Britain must keep up support for Kyiv amid 'Ukraine fatigue' - PM Boris Johnson

It is important Britain continues to show it is supporting Ukraine for the long haul, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Saturday, warning of a risk of "Ukraine fatigue" as the war drags on.

"The Russians are grinding forward inch by inch and it is vital for us to show what we know to be true which is that Ukraine can win and will win," Johnson told reporters on his arrival back in Britain from a visit to Kyiv.

Some members of his Conservative Party had criticised him for making the trip instead of attending a conference in northern England.

"When Ukraine fatigue is setting in, it is very important to show that we are with them for the long haul and we are giving them the strategic resilience that they need," Johnson said. 

-Reuters

June 18 2022 - 09:10

Russian forces renew bid to advance south of Ukraine's Izium, Britain says

Russia has probably renewed its efforts to advance south of Ukraine's eastern city of Izium in the last 48 hours, Britain's defence ministry said on Saturday.

Its goal is to penetrate deeper into the Donetsk region and envelope the pocket around the embattled city of Sievierodonetsk from the north, it said on Twitter.

If trapped Ukrainian civilians do not take up an offer of leaving via a corridor, Russia is likely to claim justification in making less of a distinction between them and any Ukrainian military targets in the area, the ministry added.

-Reuters