May 16, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Rhea Mogul, Jessie Yeung, Amy Woodyatt, Matias Grez, Ed Upright and Maureen Chowdhury, CNN

Updated 12:01 a.m. ET, May 17, 2022
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10:48 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Ukrainian man says he was tortured by Russian soldiers, shot in the face and buried alive

From CNN's Saskya Vandoorne, Melissa Bell and Oleksandra Ochman

Mykola Kulichenko struggles to recount a tale he shouldn’t be alive to tell. But this Ukrainian man believes he was allowed to cheat death so he might speak for all those who cannot.

By the side of a remote road in the northern Chernihiv region of Ukraine, Mykola shows the unmarked grave in which he and his two brothers were buried three-and-a-half weeks after the war began, in land seized by Russian forces. All three had been shot; he was the only one to survive.

“It’s like being resurrected,” Mykola, 33, told CNN.

Read the full story:

9:34 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Ukraine war threatens lives of malnourished children around the world, UNICEF says

From CNN Health’s Carma Hassan

In this file photo from April 22, 2016, a worker transports boxes of therapeutic food to be distributed to the malnourished population inside the UNICEF warehouse in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In this file photo from April 22, 2016, a worker transports boxes of therapeutic food to be distributed to the malnourished population inside the UNICEF warehouse in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Tiksa Negeri/Reuters)

Up to 600,000 additional children worldwide could be left without access to life-saving treatment for severe acute malnutrition due to the rising costs of raw ingredients in part due to increasing fuel prices and the Ukraine war, the United Nations Children's Fund has warned.

In a news release Sunday, UNICEF said the price of ready-to-use therapeutic food is projected to rise up to 16% over the next six months due to the higher cost of raw ingredients. Other factors, including pandemic supply chain disruptions and drought, have added to the rising prices, according to the release.

The ready-to-use therapeutic food, known as RUTF, is an energy dense paste made of peanuts, sugar, oil and milk powder. Russia and Ukraine are key agricultural producers and exporters, but the war in Ukraine is blocking supply lines.

“Even before the war in Ukraine placed a strain on food security worldwide, conflict, climate shocks and COVID-19 were already wreaking havoc on families’ ability to feed their children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in the release.
“The world is rapidly becoming a virtual tinderbox of preventable child deaths and child suffering from wasting.”

UNICEF estimates at least 10 million children affected by severe wasting don't have access to RUTF.

9:47 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

It's 3 a.m. in Kyiv. Here's the latest on the war in Ukraine

A wounded service member of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol is transported on a stretcher out of a bus, which arrived under escort of the pro-Russian militart in Novoazovsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 16.
A wounded service member of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol is transported on a stretcher out of a bus, which arrived under escort of the pro-Russian militart in Novoazovsk, Ukraine, on Monday, May 16. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

It is early morning in Kyiv and a Ukrainian military base not far from the Poland border was targeted in a Russian missile attack.

If you're just reading in, here's what you need to know about the latest actions in the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian military base targeted: A Ukrainian military base about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Poland was targeted in a Russian missile attack early Tuesday morning, according to information from Maksym Kozytsky, the head of the Lviv regional military administration. Kozytsky gave no further details in a late-night Telegram post, saying only that further information would be released in the morning.  

Combat mission fulfilled: Ukrainian forces said they have fulfilled their "combat mission" in the besieged city of Mariupol, in a new statement. “The 'Mariupol' garrison has fulfilled its combat mission,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in the statement. “The Supreme Military Command ordered the commanders of the units stationed at Azovstal to save the lives of their personnel,” the statement read.

The latest on the Azovstal steel plant: More than 260 people have been rescued from the besieged Azovstal plant — including 53 seriously wounded, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said. She said that "53 seriously injured people were evacuated from Azovstal to a medical facility in Novoazovsk [in territory of the Donetsk People's Republic] for medical care." "Another 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor. An exchange procedure will be carried out to return them home."

Sweden and Finland announce efforts to join NATO: The Swedish government said on its website that it has decided to apply for NATO membership. Earlier Monday, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said Sweden should join NATO together with neighboring Finland to "ensure the safety of Swedish people." Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that he would not approve Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership if they sanction Turkey. And Russian President Vladimir Putin said Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO will not create a threat to Russia, but the "expansion of military infrastructure into this territory will certainly cause our response." US Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said on Monday that there’s “strong bipartisan support” in the US to help Finland become a member of NATO and that he thinks the US Congress will vote “as rapidly as possible” — likely before the chamber’s August recess — to support Finland’s application to join the alliance. 

Russian oil ban and sanctions: European Union leaders were unsuccessful in reaching unanimity on banning Russian oil during a meeting of the bloc’s foreign ministers, Josep Borrell, high representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, said Monday. Borrell said “unhappily” it was not possible to reach an agreement on a sixth sanctions package against Russia, telling reporters that “we are with the same difficulties about unanimity on the oil ban.” The EU has proposed banning all oil imports from Russia by the end of this year and removing the country's biggest bank, Sberbank, from the SWIFT international payments network.

EU cuts growth forecasts and raises inflation outlook as impact of Ukraine war continues: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will cause European growth to slow and inflation to rise at a faster than expected rate, according to the latest EU Commission economic forecasts. It says that the war has caused commodity prices to rise, disrupted supply chains and increased uncertainty. The EU predicts that eurozone GDP will increase by 2.7% this year and 2.3% in 2023. That compares to previous forecasts of 4% and 2.8%. The EU Commission also says inflation in the eurozone is projected to increase to 6.1% in 2022. It is then predicting the rate to drop off sharply to 2.7% in 2023. In its winter forecasts, the EU was forecasting inflation of 3.5% in 2022 and 1.7% in 2023.

7:54 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Russian missiles target military base in Western Ukraine, official says

From CNN's Andrew Carey, Tim Lister, Roman Tymotsko, Taras Zadorozhnyy and Sofiya Harbuziuk in Lviv

A Ukrainian military base about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Poland was targeted in a Russian missile attack early Tuesday morning, according to information from Maksym Kozytsky, the head of the Lviv regional military administration.

Kozytsky gave no further details in a late-night Telegram post, saying only that further information would be released in the morning.  

A series of explosions were heard in central Lviv around 12:45 a.m. local time (5:45 p.m. ET), shortly after air raid sirens had sounded in the city. A member of CNN’s team in the city saw air defenses lighting up to the northwest — in the direction of the Yavoriv military facility about forty kilometers away.

In his first Telegram statement shortly after the all-clear sounded at 1:15 a.m. local time (6:15 p.m. ET), Kozytsky said only that air defense systems had responded to the attack. Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, in a post on his Facebook page, said he could not confirm any information about possible missile strikes in Lviv itself. 

Yavoriv has been targeted at least three times since the start of the war. In the first attack on March 13, more than 30 people were killed. 

Sites in Lviv have also been hit in Russian missiles strikes, including an aircraft parts plant, a fuel depot and several electrical substations.

7:45 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Ukrainian forces say they have fulfilled their "combat mission" in besieged Mariupol

Buses carrying service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, which arrived under escort of the pro-Russian military in Novoazovsk, Ukraine on Monday, May 16
Buses carrying service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, which arrived under escort of the pro-Russian military in Novoazovsk, Ukraine on Monday, May 16 (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

Ukrainian forces said they have ended their "combat mission" in the besieged city of Mariupol, in a new statement.

“The 'Mariupol' garrison has fulfilled its combat mission,” the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in the statement.

“The Supreme Military Command ordered the commanders of the units stationed at Azovstal to save the lives of their personnel,” the statement read.

“The defenders of Mariupol are heroes of our time. They will forever be marked down in history. This includes the special 'Azov' unit, the 12th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, the 36th Separate Brigade of Marines, border guards, police, volunteers, the Territorial Defense of Mariupol,” the statement read.

A wounded service member of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol is transported on a stretcher out of a bus, in Novoazovsk, on  May 16.
A wounded service member of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol is transported on a stretcher out of a bus, in Novoazovsk, on May 16. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

“By concentrating the main forces of the enemy around Mariupol, we had the opportunity to prepare and create defensive lines, where our troops stand ready today to repel the aggressor. It provided us critical time to form reserves, regroup forces, and receive assistance from partners,” the statement continued.

“The most important common task of all Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol. We will fight for you on all fronts as faithfully as you defend the state! #stoprussia,” the statement concluded.

In an earlier video, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar made it clear that some defenders remain at the Azovstal steel plant.

 

A convoy of pro-Russian troops, which had escorted the buses with evacuated Ukranian service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill, drives away in Mariupol, Ukraine on May 16.
A convoy of pro-Russian troops, which had escorted the buses with evacuated Ukranian service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill, drives away in Mariupol, Ukraine on May 16. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

7:54 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Explosions heard in Lviv 

From Andrew Carey, Tim Lister, Roman Tymotsko, Taras Zadorozhnyy and Sofiya Harbuziuk in Lviv 

A series of explosions were heard in central Lviv around 12:45 a.m. local time (5:45 p.m. ET) Tuesday shortly after air raid sirens had sounded in the city. 

One member of CNN’s team in Lviv heard an explosion to the north of the city center.  

Another member of the CNN team saw air defenses lighting up to the northwest of the city; an eyewitness living in the same direction, about 30 kilometers away (18 miles) from the city, told CNN explosions could be heard there. 

The all-clear sounded at 1:15 a.m. local time (6:15 p.m. ET). 

In a short statement on his Telegram channel, Maksym Kozytsky, head of the Lviv regional military administration, said air defense systems had responded to the attack but gave no information about any sites hit. 

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi, in a post on his Facebook page, said he could not confirm any information about possible missile strikes in the city. He paid tribute to military personnel operating air defense systems and said further details of the attack would be released in the morning. 

Lviv and the surrounding area has been hit at least seven times since the start of the war. 

In the first such attack on March 13, a large military base at Yavoriv, northwest of Lviv, about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the border with Poland, was hit, killing more than 30. 

An aircraft parts plant, a fuel depot and several electrical substations are among other targets hit by Russian missiles in Lviv in recent weeks. 

6:18 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

More than 260 people have left Azovstal steel plant, Ukrainian defense official says

From CNN's Tim Lister and Victoria Butenko

Buses carrying service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill drive away under escort of the pro-Russian military in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in Mariupol, Ukraine, Monday, May 16.
Buses carrying service members of Ukrainian forces from the besieged Azovstal steel mill drive away under escort of the pro-Russian military in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict in Mariupol, Ukraine, Monday, May 16.

More than 260 people have been rescued from the besieged Azovstal plant — including 53 seriously wounded, Ukraine's Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said.

In a video statement issued late Monday, Malyar said that together, the Ministry of Defense, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and the Border Guard Service launched an operation to rescue defenders of Mariupol blocked on the territory of the Azovstal plant.

She said that "53 seriously injured people were evacuated from Azovstal to a medical facility in Novoazovsk [in territory of the Donetsk People's Republic] for medical care."

"Another 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor. An exchange procedure will be carried out to return them home."

Olenivka is a town near Donetsk on the front lines of the current fighting, but in Russian-occupied territory. 

Malyar made it clear that some defenders remain at Azovstal.

"As for the defenders who still remain on the territory of Azovstal, rescue efforts are being carried out by the joint efforts of the above-mentioned agencies," she said.

She added, "Thanks to the defenders of Mariupol, we have gained critical time to form reserves, regroup forces and receive assistance from partners. The defenders of Mariupol fulfilled all the tasks set by the command in full."

"Unfortunately, we do not have the opportunity to unblock Azovstal by military means. The most important common task of all Ukraine and the whole world is to save the lives of the defenders of Mariupol," Malyar said.

A short time after Malyar's statement was released, President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the situation at Azovstal, and also implied that some Ukrainians remained inside the plant. 

"Thanks to the actions of the Ukrainian military — the Armed Forces of Ukraine, intelligence, the negotiating team, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, we hope that we will be able to save the lives of our guys."

"Among them are the seriously injured. They are being treated. I want to emphasize that Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive. This is our principle."

"The work continues to bring the boys home, and this work needs delicacy. And time."

3:53 p.m. ET, May 16, 2022

Russia says evacuation of badly wounded Ukrainian forces from Mariupol's Azovstal plant has begun

From CNN's Tim Lister and Olga Voitovych

The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on May 15.
The Azovstal Iron and Steel Works in the southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on May 15. (Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)

The Russian Defense Ministry says the evacuation of wounded Ukrainian forces from the Azovstal steel works in Mariupol has begun.

Russian network RT has shown video of about 10 to 12 buses leaving the plant. The buses appear to be a mixture of hospital and ordinary transport — some are marked with a red cross.

Media outlets in the self-declared Donetsk People's Republic showed at least one wounded fighter on a stretcher arriving at a hospital in the region late Monday. The fighter did not speak and there was no way to confirm his identity.

"On May 16th, as a result of negotiations with representatives of Ukrainian servicemen blocked on the territory of the Azovstal Metallurgical Plant in Mariupol, an agreement was reached on the removal of the wounded," the ministry said, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.

"Currently, a ceasefire regime has been established in the area of ​​the enterprise and a humanitarian corridor has been opened, through which wounded Ukrainian servicemen are being delivered to a medical facility in Novoazovsk, Donetsk People's Republic, to provide them with all the necessary assistance," the statement continues.

Novoazovsk is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Mariupol.

In a brief statement late Monday, the Azov regiment — one of the Ukrainian army’s units in Mariupol — announced that: "In order to save lives, the entire Mariupol garrison is implementing the approved decision of the Supreme Military Command and hopes for the support of the Ukrainian people."

"The defenders of Mariupol fulfilled the order, despite all the difficulties, and distracted the overwhelming forces of the enemy for 82 days," it continued.

It did not provide any further details.

CNN's Taras Zadorozhnyy contributed reporting to this post