The Ukrainian military highlighted the achievements of the counteroffensive in Bakhmut, a fierce battle site in eastern Ukraine where the Russian military invasion continues. Against this backdrop, President Zelensky met with Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican and asked for support for the realization of peace.
Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Mallar emphasized the results of the counteroffensive by posting on social media on the 13th about the fierce battle zone of Bakhmud in the east, saying, "Our army is gradually advancing on two nearby fronts, we have defeated the enemy and taken a considerable number of prisoners."
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that Ukrainian fighter jets attacked Luhansk, which is de facto ruled by pro-Russian factions, in the central city of eastern Luhansk Province on the 2th.
It accused Britain of stepping up its military support to Ukraine, saying that "the cruise missile 'Storm Shadow' provided by the United Kingdom to Ukraine was used in the attack."
Furthermore, according to Kommersant, a leading Russian newspaper, four Russian fighter jets, fighter-bombers, and two helicopters crashed on the 12th in the Bryansk Oblast in western Russia, which borders Ukraine.
"Kommersant", citing several experts, reports that it was most likely shot down by the enemy.
Against this backdrop, President Zelensky met with Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church at the Vatican on May 13 for the first time since Russia's military invasion began, and asked for support for the realization of peace.
According to the Holy See, at the meeting, both sides shared the recognition that it is necessary to continue humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
In addition, the German Ministry of Defense announced on the 2th that it would provide new military assistance to Ukraine of 4.13 billion euros, equivalent to about 13 billion yen in Japan yen.
German media have reported that the assistance will include 27 tanks, as well as infantry fighting vehicles and air defense systems, doubling Germany's military assistance to Ukraine.