Ukrainian forces will have to leave key eastern city, Luhansk governor says; retired Russian major captured

A Russian pilot shot down and captured by Ukrainian forces confessed to being a retired major of his country’s air force, Britain’s Ministry of Defense wrote in its daily intelligence update. The pilot had joined Russia’s military contracting group Wagner and flown several missions in Ukraine, the update said, citing Ukrainian forces.

“The use of retired personnel, now working as Wagner contractors, to conduct close air support missions indicates that the Russian air force likely is struggling to support the invasion of Ukraine with sufficient aircrew,” said the intelligence update, published in a series of tweets.

“This is likely due to a combination of Russia’s insufficient numbers of suitably trained personnel and its combat losses.”

The Russian pilot “reportedly used commercial GPS devices rather than Russian military navigation equipment” while flying his missions, the Ministry of Defense added.

— Natasha Turak

Ukrainian troops fighting a brutal battle for the strategically crucial city of Severodonetsk in eastern Ukraine “will have to be withdrawn,” Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai said on Ukrainian TV.

“Remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense,” he said. Ukrainian forces have lost huge numbers of troops, as have Russian forces, in devastating fighting over a key territory that is one of two remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in Luhansk, which is part of the eastern Donbas region that Russia has called an “unconditional priority” in its military pursuit.

Haidai added that Ukrainian troops have, however, pushed back an offensive on the outskirts of Lysychansk, the other remaining Ukrainian-controlled city in Luhansk.

— Natasha Turak

The Biden administration announced a 13th security assistance package for Ukraine worth $450 million.

“This package contains weapons and equipment including new high mobility artillery rocket systems, tens of thousands of additional rounds of ammunition for the artillery systems that have already been provided, as well as patrol boats to help Ukraine defend its coast and its waterways,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby at a daily White House press briefing.

The assistance package includes the following, according to a Pentagon release:

• 4 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HMARS
• 36,000 rounds of 105 mm ammunition
• 18 tactical vehicles to tow 155 mm artillery
• 1,200 grenade launchers
• 2,000 machine guns
• 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats
• Spare parts and other equipment

The latest security package brings the U.S. commitment to $6.1 billion since Russia invaded Ukraine.

 — Amanda Macias

European Union leaders granted the countries of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia candidate status to join the bloc, a significant step on the long road to EU membership. The three countries applied for European Union membership in early March.

“Your countries are part of our European family. And today’s historic decision by leaders confirms that,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a tweet.

Ukrainian President Voldomyry Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter that he was grateful for the support from European Union leaders.

Meanwhile, Kosovo and North Macedonia, among others, await their membership applications to progress.

 — Amanda Macias