– Russian soldier convicted –
A Ukrainian court convicts a 21-year-old Russian soldier of war crimes and sentences him to life in prison at the first trial held over Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
Vadim Shishimarin admitted to shooting dead 62-year-old civilian Oleksandr Shelipov in the early stages of Moscow’s invasion. His lawyer says he will appeal.
– Stop Russia trade: Zelensky –
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges the international community to halt all trade with Russia, shun its banks and IT sector, and impose an oil embargo.
In an address by video-link to political and business leaders attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, he tells delegates: “There should not be any trade with Russia.”
He also argues tens of thousands of lives could have been saved if Kyiv had received “100 percent” of its weapon requests.
– 20 countries promise more weapons: US –
Some 20 countries offered new security assistance packages for Ukraine in a meeting of allies on Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says.
He says they include “critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defence systems and tanks and other armoured vehicles”.
– Russia must ‘pay long-term price’ –
US President Joe Biden says Russia must “pay a long-term price” for its “barbarism in Ukraine”.
Polish President Andrzej Duda, on a visit to Kyiv on Sunday, also says there can be no “business as usual” with Russia after the massacre of civilians in places such as the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and the southeastern port of Mariupol.
– Eastern onslaught –
The Ukrainian defence ministry reports “active hostilities” as Russia advances towards the eastern city of Severodonetsk, and says there was also heavy fighting towards nearby Bakhmut.
“Popasna (near Severodonetsk), Bakhmut, Mariupol: Russia is simply destroying territory with artillery and aircraft, and then (Russian) troops enter,” spokesman Oleksandr Motuzyanyk tells reporters.
Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday says Russia is redeploying forces to the fight for the Lugansk and neighbouring Donetsk regions, which have become the focus of Moscow’s campaign.
– Mental health challenge –
Ukraine’s First Lady urges the World Health Organization to help tackle the country’s vast mental health crisis, warning the effects of the three-month-old war could last for decades.
“Following what Ukrainians have experienced during the occupation, at the front, in bomb shelters, under shelling… they need rehabilitation in the same way as those who are physically wounded,” Olena Zelenska tells the WHO’s annual assembly.
– 15,000 Russian troops lost: French military –
A French military source says Russia has lost around 15,000 troops since it invaded Ukraine on February 24, backing an estimation from the British defence ministry in mid-May that Russia had probably lost one third of the ground forces it had deployed in Ukraine.
On May 21, Ukraine claimed Russia had lost 28,850 troops.
– Starbucks leaves Russia –
Starbucks says it will cease operations in Russia, shuttering its 130 cafes in the country.
Last week, McDonald’s announced it was leaving Russia after more than 30 years.
– Seized region adopts ruble –
Authorities in the Moscow-controlled southern Ukrainian region of Kherson announce the introduction of the ruble as an official currency alongside the Ukrainian hryvnia.
The region’s capital Kherson was the first major city to fall to Russian forces.
