What happened on the day of May 16. The main thing

An explosion and fire occurred at a gas station in Pyatigorsk. The Kremlin has announced the dates of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China. Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov visited the command post of the united group of forces Zapad. All the details and other news are in the Izvestia digest.

Explosion at a gas station in Pyatigorsk

An explosion followed by a fire occurred at a gas station in Pyatigorsk while unloading a gas carrier. According to the latest information, six people were injured, one of them is in serious condition. The fire area was 1 thousand square meters. m. A criminal case was opened. The fire was later extinguished. 60 people and 29 units of special equipment worked at the scene of the incident. Pyatigorsk Mayor Dmitry Voroshilov said that as a result of an explosion at a gas station in the city, windows in 17 apartments were blown out in a nearby apartment building.

The Kremlin has announced the date of Putin's visit to China

Putin will pay an official visit to China on May 19 and 20 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Kremlin said. During the talks, the leaders of the two countries will discuss topical issues of bilateral relations, ways to deepen comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation, as well as exchange views on key international and regional issues. The heads of state will also take part in the opening ceremony of the Years of Education of Russia and China, which will be held in 2026-2027.

The Russian Armed Forces liberated two settlements in the Kharkiv region

The Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian military personnel had liberated the settlements of Borovaya and Kutkovka in the Kharkiv region. According to the ministry, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) in this area amounted to over 170 soldiers. In addition, an armored combat vehicle, 23 vehicles and two field artillery guns were disabled. An electronic warfare station and a counter-battery warfare station were also destroyed during the clashes. In addition, the Russian Army attacked the energy, port, transport and airfield infrastructure of Ukraine.

Putin held talks with the President of the UAE

Putin spoke on the phone with President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The parties discussed the crisis over Iran, noting the importance of continuing the political and diplomatic process to work out a compromise. At the same time, the leaders expressed mutual satisfaction with the successful development of Russian-Emirati cooperation in trade, economic and political spheres.

Gerasimov visited the command post of the United group of forces Zapad

Gerasimov said that after the liberation of the Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), the 20th army of the Zapad group of forces was advancing on a broad front in the Kharkiv region. Now, as he added, the liberation of the settlements of Novy Mir, Druzhladovka and Cherneschina is underway. In addition, the operation continues in Krasny Liman, 85% of whose territories are already under the control of the Russian Armed Forces. In addition, there are street battles in Shiikovka.

Anti-government rally in the UK

In the UK, hundreds of thousands of nationalists opposed to the British government marched through central London to the government quarter near Downing Street. The participants of the rally under the slogan "Unite the Kingdom" began to gather near Russell Square in the center of the capital before noon, completely blocking the Kingsway main street. The march was organized by right-wing anti-Islamic activist Tommy Robinson.