CNN has learned that Britain is giving Ukraine new long-range strike capability. Sources tell us that
the uk has delivered multiple storm shallow cruise missiles to Kyiv. It comes as Ukrainian forces
prepare for a long awaited counteroffensive in the south and east. Ukraine's president
has said that his country needs a bit more time before launching that counteroffensive though,
as it awaits the delivery of more military aid from the west. When it does happen, the head of
Ukraine's -- energy agency says Ukrainian forces will have to go around this a power plant to avoid
damaging the facility. CNN senior international correspondent, Sam kiley, had a chance to sit
down one-on-one with Ukraine's nuclear chief and he joins us now, live from Kyiv. Sam,
there have been numerous threats to the safety of this power stations for months now. Artillery,
drones, dikes power cuts, and now concerns about the drain of qualified personnel.
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personnel. >>
Yeah, it is a concern, although it's not one, funnily enough, that the Ukrainians are being
too exercised about. That is because even though they say they believe that -- which is the town
next to the nuclear power station is already being evacuated of Russian officials and that
there are plans to move Russians and other officials nuclear workers out of the plant,
there are still enough low Ukrainians there to run things. It's very telling, indeed,
when I spoke to him earlier on today, Bianca, about how he was describing plans even among the
Russian nuclear workers to get out of dodge before this offensive starts. This is what he said.
>> They're probably, right now trying to be prepared for quick
getting out. Also, -- more recently it's a drill. >> So, Bianco, we're seeing if
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>> So, Bianco, we're seeing if it was rather he saying that these evacuation drills even among
the Russian officials run in the nuclear power station, there were 1500 he says that he would
imagine them staying on and yet more in the town if they're not forced out of that town,
then we'll be able to step into the nuclear facility to carry on running. It he also said
that the Ukrainians's, very clear from the military perspective that there's no need no
intention to try to recapture the nuclear power station because in his view they could actually
cut down and separate the nuclear power station from Russian forces in the crimea and that's
Thank you very. Much >> Now Ukraine where Russian forces are facing setbacks in the
battle for bakhmut. The officials say they have conducted a successful counterattack in the city,
inflicting huge losses on Russian fighters. There's no course as the Wagner boss is getting
rages yet again about Russian leaders. He is demanding more ammunition and support. Sam kiley
joins me now from Kyiv. Sam, you and I have spoken at length about this. The battle for bakhmut has
been the longest and bloodiest in this war. Do we know how this was achieved and whether Ukraine can
replicated elsewhere? This one in bakhmut? >>
Well, it is an extraordinary turn of events. One area with just about two
kilometers was cleared. Both Ukrainians and pro-governors agree, I rushing
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pro-governors agree, I rushing it called the 72nd brigade was abandoning in the flank on to the
south of bakhmut. That is his allegation. Russian military -- has said that it was Wagner who left
the flank. They were not driven out, they simply concentrated their forces elsewhere. And there
was no Russian military they are to cover it. The Ukrainians exploited that by talking. Now
the Ukrainians have released images of heavy fighting there. And significant losses among
the Russians there. Climbing very high losses indeed among the Russians. I think it's wise
not to use the figures in a combat in terms of the numbers of enemies that they have killed.
What is interesting here is that Russian military bloggers on the scene of a well
plugged into the military structures, pointing to a complete lack of coordination between the
formal structures within the Russian armed forces and the Wagner group on the tip of the spear,
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group on the tip of the spear, effectively. The fight for bakhmut. If that is the,
case and that is a systemic failure, that means that the Russians are in pretty poor
order to face up to what is likely to be a much wider problem for them,
when the Ukrainians launched their must vaunted spring summer offensive. Which
are anticipated to be sometime this month, Isa. >> Just to clarify, Sam. Prigozhin, who leaves
the released evac near group, said a couple of days ago, I think, I've lost track of time,
that his troops would leave by may the 9th. We didn't get supplies and ammunition. Any
surprise to this? What are you hearing? >> He said that they would leave by may
the 9th. And then he said he was promised ammunition. Now he is saying that the
ammunition did not turn up. It is part of the ongoing soap opera, really, and which
he has been bitterly critical for many months now, indeed, of the formal structures of the
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formal structures of the Russian armed forces all the way through to the top. He is using
expletive laden attacks on general grab some of, the head of the armed forces of Russia.
Defense minister shoigu, all of these characters. They are happy to lampoon and lambast in his
postings. I think this really is part potentially of his efforts to position himself in the future.
Perhaps for some kind of political role. Very difficult to work out how he is doing this,
and why he is doing it. What it does do is show that there are frictions and frailties
within the Russian command structure, that Ukrainians are exploiting. And they're
certainly going to exploit further. >> Fractures we have seen for