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Ukraine morning briefing: Five developments as Nato chief says Kyiv 'can win this war'

TOPSHOT - Ukrainian soldiers ride on a light armored multi-purpose towing vehicle near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on May 15, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) - Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - Ukrainian soldiers ride on a light armored multi-purpose towing vehicle near Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, on May 15, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Yasuyoshi CHIBA / AFP) (Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images) - Photo by YASUYOSHI CHIBA/AFP via Getty Images

Nato's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia’s offensive in Donbas had stalled and Ukraine could win the war, an outcome few military analysts predicted at the outset of the conflict.

“Russia’s war in Ukraine is not going as Moscow had planned,” Mr Stoltenberg told reporters on Sunday.

"They failed to take Kyiv. They are pulling back from around Kharkiv. Their major offensive in Donbas has stalled.

"Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives.

"Ukraine can win this war."

In a strategic blow for Russia, which has long opposed Nato expansion, Finland on Sunday confirmed it would apply to join the Atlantic military alliance.

Here's what happened overnight – and you can follow the latest updates in our live blog.

1. Flood saves Ukrainian village from Russian occupation

The intentional flooding of a small village north of Kyiv that created a quagmire and submerged cellars and fields, but prevented a Russian attack on the capital, was worth all the sacrifice, residents said.

Ukrainian forces opened a dam early in the war in Demydiv, causing the Irpin River to flood the village and thousands of acres around. The move has since been credited with stopping Russian soldiers and tanks from breaking through Ukraine's lines.

Houses are seen at a flooded area after Ukrainian military forces opened a dam to flood an residencial area in order to stop advance of Russian forces - CARLOS BARRIA
Houses are seen at a flooded area after Ukrainian military forces opened a dam to flood an residencial area in order to stop advance of Russian forces - CARLOS BARRIA

"Of course, it was good," said Volodymyr Artemchuk, a 60-year-old resident of Demydiv.

"What would have happened if they (Russian forces) .... were able to cross the little river and then went onto Kyiv?"

More than a third of some fields have been flooded, said Oleksandr Rybalko, 39.

Some two months later, people in the village were still dealing with the aftermath of the flooding, using inflatable boats to move around and planting whatever dry swaths of lands were left with flowers and vegetables.

2. Gas flowing back to homes after being cut off

Ukraine's gas transit system operator said over the weekend that it had resumed operations at two distribution stations in the Kharkiv region and restarted gas supply to more than 3,000 consumers.

Ukraine has scored a series of successes since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, forcing Moscow's commanders to abandon an advance on the capital Kyiv before making rapid gains to drive them from Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-biggest city.

"Both stations were shut down due to damage to the main gas pipeline in the Kharkiv region as a result of hostilities," the operator said in a statement, adding that the damages have now been repaired.

Some 54 gas distribution stations in seven regions of Ukraine remain shut down, the operator added.

3. Western sanctions block up to $18bn worth of Belarusian exports

Sanctions that have been imposed on Belarus have blocked $16-$18 billion worth of its annual exports to the West, the Belta news agency cited Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko as saying late on Sunday.

"Because of the sanctions, almost all of Belarus's exports to the countries of the European Union and North America have been blocked," Mr Golovchenko said.

"This ... comes to about $16 billion to $18 billion a year," he added.

President Alexander Lukashenko has insisted that Belarus must be involved in negotiations to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, saying also that Belarus had been unfairly labelled "an accomplice of the aggressor".

4. Kalush residents overjoyed at band's Eurovision win

Residents of Kalush said on Sunday they were in "seventh heaven," jumping and rejoicing after a band from the western Ukrainian city won the Eurovision Song Contest over the weekend.

The Kalush Orchestra won Eurovision with their entry "Stefania", surfing a wave of public support to claim an emotional victory that was welcomed by the country's president.

"With all my soul, all my love, I love my Kalush. My wife and I have been watching until 1 a.m. And we were happy to win. I was jumping. I was in seventh heaven," said Petro Yugan, a 74-year-old resident of Kalush.

"But I also want us to end the war as fast as possible, and it would be an even bigger victory."

Kalush Orchestra after winning the final of the Eurovision song contest - AP Photo/Luca Bruno
Kalush Orchestra after winning the final of the Eurovision song contest - AP Photo/Luca Bruno

Read: Eurovision winner Oleh Psiuk heads home to serve Ukraine

5. US Senate to vote on Wednesday on $40bn aid package

US Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he expected the Senate to vote on Wednesday to approve about $40 billion in proposed aid to help Ukraine resist Russia's invasion after holding a related procedural vote on Monday.

"We expect to invoke cloture - hopefully by a significant margin - on the motion to proceed on Monday, which would set us up to approve the supplemental on Wednesday," McConnell told reporters after visiting the Ukrainian capital on Saturday.

He was referring to a procedural "cloture" vote that caps further debate on a matter at 30 hours.

President Joe Biden requested $33 billion in aid for Ukraine on April 28, including over $20 billion in military assistance. The US House of Representatives boosted the sum to roughly $40 billion, adding more military and humanitarian aid.

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