May 19, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Tara Subramaniam, Christian Edwards, Leinz Vales, Matt Meyer, Elise Hammond and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Updated 11:57 PM ET, Fri May 19, 2023
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9:21 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Biden will meet with Zelensky in Hiroshima, White House says

From CNN's Betsy Klein

National security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed the in-person attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, and indicated that President Joe Biden will meet with him.

“I think it’s a safe bet that President Biden will meet with him,” Sullivan told reporters in Hiroshima Saturday morning local time. 

He added that he did not have a formal announcement on a meeting to share at this time, but that Biden “looks forward to the opportunity to be able to sit down face-to-face” with Zelensky.

Sullivan did not provide details on Zelensky’s travel to Japan, but said the US was “not the party – the country – that flew him here.”

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also confirmed Zelensky's attendance.

Kishida said in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement that Japan's government has decided to hold a session on Ukraine with G7 leaders on Sunday, which is the last day of the summit.

"The decision was made to hold a session on Ukraine with the G7 leaders, with face-to-face participation by President Zelensky," the statement read. "President Zelensky will also participate as a guest in the session on peace and stability with the G7 Heads of State and Government and the leaders of the invited countries."

The statement confirmed that Kishida and Zelensky also plan to hold a bilateral meeting on Sunday. 

Kishida reiterated that "the situation in Ukraine" is one of the main agenda items of the G7 Hiroshima Summit and that it "is important to reflect the voice of Ukraine."

Some context: Zelensky’s in-person participation seemed more in flux Saturday morning in Japan, leaving open the possibility he could ultimately join only virtually. The sensitive nature of his security arrangements meant officials were wary of saying exactly how he would participate in the meeting.

CNN's Junko Ogura in Hiroshima, Japan, contributed reporting. 

8:18 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Biden to announce new security aid as Zelensky's in-person G7 participation is now unclear

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

President Joe Biden plans to announce a new military aid package worth hundreds of millions of dollars during this weekend’s G7 summit in Japan, officials familiar with the matter said.

Biden was expected to unveil the $375 million package after world leaders heard from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who officials had earlier said would travel to the summit in person.

Zelensky’s in-person participation seemed more in flux Saturday morning in Japan, leaving open the possibility he could ultimately join only virtually.

While a top Ukrainian official said Friday on national television that Zelensky’s in-person participation was “extremely important,” the sensitive nature of his security arrangements meant officials were wary of saying exactly how he would participate in the meeting.

Officials who earlier said Zelensky would join in-person declined to say Saturday whether those plans remained intact.

However he decides to address the leaders, Zelensky was likely to continue his appeals for more advanced weapons and tougher sanctions on Russia.

The new American aid package was likely to include new artillery, ammunition and rocket launchers, officials said.

8:10 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

In pictures: Ukraine's unsung heroes – the "Iron People"

From CNN's Kyle Almond and Jelle Krings

Dmitrii Prishedko and Victor Bondar operate an evacuation train heading from Pokrovsk, Ukraine, to Lviv, Ukraine.
Dmitrii Prishedko and Victor Bondar operate an evacuation train heading from Pokrovsk, Ukraine, to Lviv, Ukraine. Jelle Krings

The evacuation trains began in the morning, just hours after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Overnight, railway workers became rescue workers. Tens of thousands of refugees were pouring into train stations from Ukraine’s east.

Photojournalist Jelle Krings spent about a week at one station in Lviv, watching those first trains come in.

“That’s when it hit me how courageous these men and women were for going back into the war zone and sacrificing their safety and their opportunity to leave the country in order to help others,” he said.

Railway workers look to repair a stretch of tracks that was damaged by shelling the day before.
Railway workers look to repair a stretch of tracks that was damaged by shelling the day before. Jelle Krings

Since the Russian invasion began, Krings has been documenting these unsung heroes in a photo series he calls Iron People.

“It’s what railway workers have been generally referred to before the war, because it refers to their strength and iron will and, of course, the iron that you recognize on a railway track,” he said. “But it’s also a certain characteristic that people see in these railway workers. After the war, it has become a way to also refer to their courage and stepping up and keeping intact this incredibly important institution.”

Ukraine’s railway system, with nearly 15,000 miles of tracks, is the 12th-largest in the world. It has become an essential lifeline during the war, helping millions of Ukrainians find safety.

“It’s hard, but you have to do your job to get all these people out,” said Viacheslav Anatoliiovych Chumak, a train driver who has been working for the railways since 1996. “It’s our duty.”
Inside an evacuation train, families travel in a carriage reserved for children with special needs. They were heading to Chop, a Ukrainian city near the Polish border.
Inside an evacuation train, families travel in a carriage reserved for children with special needs. They were heading to Chop, a Ukrainian city near the Polish border. Jelle Krings

Krings explained that there are two basic ways that the railways have been indispensable for Ukraine in this war.

The first is, of course, the evacuation effort. At least 10 million Ukrainians — almost a quarter of the population — have been forced to flee their homes, the head of the United Nations’ refugee agency said in March. Most of them have been internally displaced; others have found refuge in nearby countries such as Georgia, Poland and Romania.

But the railway system has also made a huge impact on the battlefield, and in different ways, Krings said. There’s the logistical value, transporting massive military equipment to help in the war effort. And then there’s a more subtle benefit.

“Ukraine’s a huge country, and (the railway) is being used for military personnel to be able to travel around and go back to their families between their trips to the front lines,” Krings said. “This has been a huge morale booster."

Ukrainian serviceman Dima and his newly wedded wife, Veronica, are married during Dima’s break from the front line.
Ukrainian serviceman Dima and his newly wedded wife, Veronica, are married during Dima’s break from the front line. Jelle Krings

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8:32 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Ukrainian tennis player refuses to shake Russian opponent’s hand after semifinal victory

From CNN’s Matt Foster

Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina celebrates after winning her semi final match against Russia's Veronika Kudermetova on Friday, May 19 in Rome.
Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina celebrates after winning her semi final match against Russia's Veronika Kudermetova on Friday, May 19 in Rome. Aleksandra Szmigiel/Reuters

Ukrainian tennis player Anhelina Kalinina refused to shake hands with her Russian opponent following her victory in the semifinals of the Rome Masters in Italy on Friday. 

“We didn't shake hands because the girl is from Russia basically. It's no secret why I didn't shake, because this country actually attack Ukraine," Kalinina told reporters after the match against Russian player Veronika Kudermetova.

“So yeah, this is sport, I understand, but it's also kind of political thing. So, yeah, it has nothing personal. But in general, yes, it's not acceptable," she said.

Kudermetova, when asked about her relationship with Kalinina and the influence of “political overtones," said, "Here we're athletes. We're here, and we love what we do here. Doesn't matter from which country you are. We're athletes and that's it. We are here to play tennis.”

Kalinina denied the idea that her opponent’s nationality influenced the topsy-turvy nature of the match, describing Kudermetova as “a top player, a very great player. It was about tennis.”

Kalinina, who came into the tournament ranked 47th in the world compared to Kudermetova at 12th, won in three sets. 

The 26-year-old Ukrainian said a bomb exploded near the tennis academy where her parents work in Kyiv. She also said her grandparents had moved away from Nova Kakhovka, her hometown, after an explosion near their house.

7:03 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

New sanctions, secret shipments and other headlines you should know

From CNN staff

Russia is banning "500 Americans" from entering the country.

The move is in response to the "regularly anti-Russian sanctions" imposed by the US administration, according to a statement from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The rambling, indiscriminate list of names includes former President Barack Obama, former US Ambassador John Huntsman, several US senators and the next expected chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Charles Q. Brown Jr. Also included is CNN anchor Erin Burnett.

Hours earlier, at the Group of Seven summit, the Biden administration unveiled new sanctions targeting Moscow for its war in Ukraine.

Here are other headlines to know:

Zelensky heads to Japan: President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel in person to Japan for the G7 summit, according to officials familiar with the planning, a stark display of confidence and Western solidarity as Ukraine’s wartime leader tries to keep crucial support from allied nations flowing. The surprise trip – which would be the Ukrainian president’s first to Asia since Moscow’s invasion of his country last February – comes as Kyiv is preparing a highly anticipated counteroffensive against Russia and building pressure on partner governments for more military aid amid intensifying aerial attacks.

Arab League meeting: Zelensky told Arab leaders Friday in Saudi Arabia that “here among you” are people who “turn a blind eye” to Ukraine’s suffering, urging them to “take an honest look.” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad attended the Arab League summit for the first time in a decade and was seen on camera in the conference room minutes ahead of Zelensky’s speech. Syria was only one of only two countries in the world (along with North Korea) to recognize Russia’s claimed annexations last year of four Ukrainian regions.

On the ground: There were at least two explosions Friday night in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol, according to social media video and the accounts of residents on community channels. An adviser to the mayor of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine claims the explosions took place at a base for Moscow's forces. CNN cannot independently verify the officials' claims, and the local Russian-installed administration has not yet commented on the explosions or what caused them

Meanwhile, the pace of Ukrainian counterattacks around Bakhmut slowed down Friday, but "very fierce fighting continues" in the eastern city, according to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar. Ukrainian forces have claimed advancements in several areas in recent days, despite coming under heavy fire from Russian troops. But Maliar acknowledged that Russian forces had made advances within the city limits.

US diplomatic appointment: US President Joe Biden formally nominated James O'Brien to serve as the top State Department official for European affairs — a key role for guiding Washington's response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

CNN's Kylie Atwood first reported that O'Brien was expected to be tapped for the role. He currently serves as the head of the sanctions coordination office at the State Department.

Secret shipments: The Russian mercenary organization Wagner Group has been working to obscure its efforts to acquire military equipment for use in Ukraine, including by trying to source the materials from Mali, where the group has a strong foothold, a US official told CNN. There are no signs yet that Wagner has successfully procured the equipment, but the group has continued working to procure mines, drones, radar and counter-battery systems from contacts in Mali for use in Ukraine, the official said.

US assistance for pilots: President Joe Biden on Friday told G7 leaders the United States will support an effort to train Ukrainian pilots on advanced aircraft, including F-16s, a senior administration official tells CNN. The joint training effort is not expected to happen in the US, the official said, and will likely happen entirely in Europe. But US personnel will participate in the training alongside allies and partners, the official said. It is expected to take several months to complete.

NATO developments: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told CNN he is still not prepared to support Sweden's NATO membership, repeating his claim that Stockholm has allowed terrorist organizations to harbor in the country. “As long as Sweden continues to allow the offshoots of terror groups in Turkey to roam free in Sweden, in the streets of Stockholm, we cannot look favorably on Sweden’s membership in NATO,” Erdogan said.

4:50 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Ukrainian officials claim explosions in Mariupol hit a Russian base

From CNN's Tim Lister and Yulia Kesaieva

An image taken from a video shared by the Mariupol City Council on Friday, May 19, shows what appears to be an explosion.
An image taken from a video shared by the Mariupol City Council on Friday, May 19, shows what appears to be an explosion. Mariupol City Council

An adviser to the mayor of Mariupol in southeastern Ukraine claims explosions heard in the Russian-occupied city Friday night took place at a base for Moscow's forces.

Petro Andriushchenko, who is not in Mariupol himself, said on Telegram it was a base that houses some 150 Russian troops and is used primarily for air defense support.

The Mariupol City Council, which is also currently based outside the occupied territory, echoed Andriushchenko's claim.

“Three powerful explosions were heard by Mariupol residents," the Ukrainian council said on Telegram. Preliminary reports indicate the blast hit a Russian base at the city's airport, the council continued, sharing a short video of smoke and fire rising in the distance.

“Judging by the video, if the information is confirmed, the enemy should have suffered significant losses,” the council said.

CNN cannot independently verify the officials' claims, and the local Russian-installed administration has not yet commented on the explosions or what caused them.

A local group identifying itself as “Mariupol Resistance” said the explosion rocked an area on the outskirts of the city. On its Telegram channel, it also showed what appeared to be video taken by residents of air defenses in action.

Mariupol has become an important staging point for Russian forces in southern Ukraine, and Russian military convoys frequently pass through the area.

4:25 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Moscow bans "500 Americans" from entry into Russia, including late-night TV hosts and CNN journalists 

From CNN's Jonny Hallam

Russia is banning "500 Americans," including many prominent figures of US executive power, from entering the country "in a response to the regularly anti-Russian sanctions imposed by the Joe Biden administration," according to a statement from Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.

The list includes former President Barack Obama, former US Ambassador John Huntsman, several US senators and the next expected chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Charles Q. Brown Jr.

The rambling, indiscriminate list of names also includes late-night television hosts Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Seth Meyers. 

"The attached 'list-500' also includes those in government and law enforcement agencies who are directly involved in the persecution of dissidents in the wake of the so-called Storming the Capitol," the statement said.

Also included is CNN anchor Erin Burnett. It is an update of a previously published longer list of sanctioned individuals that includes CNN's chief international security correspondent Nick Paton Walsh and CNN contributors Bianna Golodryga and Timothy Naftali. While the list was labeled “500 Americans,” Paton Walsh is a British citizen.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs justified the publication of the list in a statement on its website, saying, "It is high time for Washington to learn that not a single hostile attack against Russia will go without a strong reaction."

Russia's MFA did not specify complaints against each individual or explain what the sanctions would mean beyond a ban from entering the county.

In addition, the MFA said it is continuing to deny a US embassy request for consular access to US journalist Evan Gershkovich "due to the failure to issue visas to Russian journalists from the Lavrov pool," referencing the visit to the United Nations last month by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Some background: The Biden administration on Friday unveiled new sanctions targeting Russia for its war in Ukraine.

The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on “22 individuals and 104 entities, with touchpoints in more than 20 countries or jurisdictions,” the agency said in a news release.

2:53 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Explosions reported in Russian-occupied Mariupol

From CNN's Tim Lister

There have been at least two explosions in the Russian-occupied city of Mariupol Friday evening, according to social media video and the accounts of residents on community channels.

Neither the Russian-appointed local administration nor the Ukrainian side have commented on the explosions, and it’s not at this stage clear what caused them.

Late February was the last time Mariupol was struck, after which, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian military in the south, said: “What is considered so remote that it is unreachable, is not always so. The direction of Mariupol is no longer completely unreachable for us.”

The city has become an important staging point for Russian forces in southern Ukraine, and Russian military convoys frequently pass through.

2:49 p.m. ET, May 19, 2023

Ukrainian units are still defending parts of Bakhmut as counterattacks continue, official says

From CNN's Tim Lister and Yulia Kesaiev

A Ukrainian armored infantry carrier travels along a road near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on Wednesday.
A Ukrainian armored infantry carrier travels along a road near Bakhmut, Ukraine, on Wednesday. Vincenzo Circosta/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The pace of Ukrainian counterattacks around Bakhmut has slowed down Friday, but "very fierce fighting continues" in the eastern city, according to Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar.

In an update, Maliar claimed the Russians had “increased the presence of troops in the Bakhmut sector by several thousand people and is trying to use its advantage in heavy artillery and the number of shells.” 

“Russian troops continue to attack at the cost of heavy losses, which disproportionately exceed our losses,” she said on Telegram. 

Maliar added that Ukraine's defense of Bakhmut was reducing Russia’s offensive potential and was gaining time for “other planned actions.”

She said Russians were reducing buildings in the city to ashes.

“They leave only the foundation, which is impossible to defend," Maliar said.

But Ukrainian troops were still holding an area near the city’s airplane monument and remained in the vicinity of the monument in the far-southwest corner of Bakhmut, she added.

The State Border Guard Service, which has units in the Bakhmut area, said enemy infantry was repelled and had taken casualties.

A commander in the Ukrainian military’s Third Assault Brigade, Andriy Biletsky, said over the past two days, two companies of the Russian 72nd Brigade had been defeated and retreated. On Thursday, the Brigade said it had gained an area two kilometers wide and 700 meters deep.

But Biletsky noted that “the offensive does not come at small price for us.”