Main Ukrainian stronghold captured; Railway hit; Europe wants to Istanbul

Russian soldiers of the 137th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of Force Group Center captured the settlement of Lisovka in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Ministry of Defense of Russia announced.

The Russian army captured the main stronghold of the Ukrainian army in Donetsk

Members of the Russian army captured the main stronghold of the Ukrainian armed forces in Donetsk, during which at least ten Ukrainian soldiers were captured, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced today.

The press release states that the members of the Russian army captured the stronghold of the Ukrainian army in the area of ​​one of the settlements on the Alexandro - Kalinovsko direction, as well as that during the fighting, an American-made M113 armored personnel carrier and a tank were destroyed, and that the crew of the tank and at least ten soldiers of the Ukrainian armed forces were captured, RIA Novosti reported.

According to the latest data from the Russian Ministry of Defense, in one day, in the area of ​​responsibility of the Southern Group, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost more than 110 soldiers, four armored combat vehicles, nine cars, three pieces of field artillery weapons and a warehouse of ammunition.

France: Europe should join the peace talks in Istanbul

Europe should be a participant in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, which could be held on May 15 in Istanbul, French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot said last night.

Tanjug/Vyacheslav Prokofyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Barrot reminded France Inter radio about the statement of Russian President Vladimir Putin about his readiness for direct negotiations, which, he said, raises hope for an end to the conflict that has been going on for three years.

"Yesterday in Kyiv, we witnessed a historic moment when a decisive step was taken towards peace in Ukraine. The unanimous call of Europeans and Ukrainians, with the support of the Americans, for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting Monday, encouraged Vladimir Putin to move in the right direction. This is good and we are ready to start talks from next Thursday that will lead to long-term peace in Ukraine," said Barrot.

According to him, if a ceasefire is not reached, then Europe and the United States will increase pressure on the Russian leader.

"We have the opportunity to introduce massive sanctions that will have a devastating impact on the Russian economy. The sanctions that the Europeans have imposed on the Russian economy in the past three years have already cost Vladimir Putin 400 billion euros, i.e. the three-year military budget," he explained.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has agreed to hold talks in Turkey on Thursday, May 15, but only in person with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.

He announced this on Telegram after US leader Donald Trump called on Ukraine to immediately accept Putin's proposal for negotiations with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed yesterday morning to resume direct negotiations with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, without preconditions.

Ukrainian Railways: A Russian drone hit a civilian freight train

In the Donetsk region, a Russian drone targeted a civilian freight train, and the driver was injured in the attack, Ukrainian Railway announced today.

"Proposals for a cease-fire are being ignored, enemy attacks on railway infrastructure and rolling stock continue: today another enemy drone attacked a civilian freight train in the Donetsk region," Ukrzheleznica announced in a post on Telegram, Ukrinform reported.

In the attack, the driver's leg was injured by shrapnel.

He is hospitalized, and his life is out of danger, the press release points out. Ukrželeznica also stated that, despite the danger of working in areas close to the front line, train drivers continue to work in bulletproof vests and helmets, with medical kits to provide assistance.

Ukrainian Railways emphasized that the Russian attack did not stop rail traffic.

European colleagues at Lammy's

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will host European colleagues today to discuss support for Ukraine and greater regional defense cooperation ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer's meeting with European Union leaders next week, the British Foreign Office announced.

Lammy is scheduled to hold talks with representatives of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU, and is expected to announce further sanctions against those who support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

"We are facing a unique moment for the collective security of our continent. The challenge we face today is not only related to the future of Ukraine - it is existential for Europe as a whole," Lammy said in a written statement.

The ministry announced that at the meeting, Lammy will insist on Great Britain's calls to strengthen European security, as well as that he plans to announce further sanctions aimed at actors who support the Russian invasion of Ukraine.