War Update: May 17, 2024
As the war rages on its 813th day, here are the latest developments on Friday, May 17, 2024.
Fighting
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Kharkiv and stated that the situation in the northeast was “extremely difficult” but “under control” after halting a Russian advance, especially at Vovchansk.
- Accusations were made against Russia for taking civilians captive in Vovchansk to use as “human shields” near their command center.
- NATO General Christopher Cavoli expressed confidence in Ukrainian forces holding their lines in the Kharkiv region, denying Russia’s potential for a strategic breakthrough.
- Russia intensified assaults near Pokrovsk and Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region, with air raid alerts in Kharkiv due to drone and missile attacks.
- Tragically, a woman and her son were killed by a Ukrainian drone in Russia’s Belgorod region.
Politics and Diplomacy
- Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing discussing their relationship while Xi hoped for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
- Russia expelled the UK’s defense attache from Moscow, retaliating against similar actions taken by Britain.
- Sri Lanka announced a high-level delegation to investigate nationals reportedly fighting in Ukraine, warning against being duped by social media campaigns.
Weapons
- The US imposed sanctions on Russian individuals and companies for facilitating arms transfers to North Korea, used in Ukraine.
- North Korea denied selling weapons to Russia, despite evidence found by UN monitors in Ukraine.
- Denmark pledged a military aid package to Ukraine, focusing on air defense and artillery.