Russia increases the size of its armed forces on the 183rd day of the Ukraine conflict and a Ukrainian minister says an IAEA team could travel to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the coming days.
The Russian offensive has largely bogged down as Ukrainian forces increasingly target key facilities far behind the front lines, including in Russia-occupied Crimea.
(AFP)
Thursday, August 25, 2022Zelenskyy: Discussed with Biden next steps in the conflict
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he had "a great conversation" with US President Joe Biden on Thursday and thanked him for his support in the conflict with Russia.
"We discussed Ukraine's further steps on our path to the victory over the aggressor and (the) importance of holding Russia accountable for war crimes," he tweeted in English.
Had a great conversation with @POTUS. Thanked for the unwavering U.S. support for Ukrainian people – security and financial. We discussed Ukraine’s further steps on our path to the victory over the aggressor and importance of holding Russia accountable for war crimes. pic.twitter.com/4edng8vkvn
US: Any Russian bid to divert Ukraine nuclear energy 'unacceptable'
The United States has condemned any Russian bid to divert energy from Ukraine where authorities said the giant Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was cut off from its national grid.
"The electricity that it produces rightly belongs to Ukraine and any attempt to disconnect the plant from the Ukrainian power grid and redirect to occupied areas is unacceptable," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters.
Separately, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Russia should agree to a demilitarised zone around the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Regular power line to Zaporizhzhia plant restored, Ukraine tells IAEA
The last regular power line supplying electricity to the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant (ZNPP) in Ukraine is working again after having been cut earlier on Thursday, the UN nuclear watchdog said, citing Ukraine.
"Ukraine told the IAEA that the ZNPP, Europe's largest nuclear power plant, at least twice lost connection to the power line during the day but that it was currently up again," the International Atomic Energy Agency said in a statement, adding that information on the direct cause of the outage was not immediately available.
The plant, Europe's largest, was seized by Russia in March and remains close to the frontline. It has come under repeated fire in recent weeks, raising fears of a nuclear disaster, with both Russia and Ukraine accusing each other of shelling it.
Nuclear watchdog could visit Russian-held plant in coming days: Ukraine
The International Atomic Energy Agency could travel to Ukraine's Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for a mission in southern Ukraine in the coming days, Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Thursday.
"A visit is planned. We are talking about the coming days — definitely no later than the beginning of September," Galushchenko told Reuters news agency in an interview in Kiev.
Galushchenko told Reuters it was vital the IAEA mission was able to see what was happening at the plant.
Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu claims slow pace of Moscow’s military action in Ukraine was to spare civilians. Journalist Dasha Chernyshova has more pic.twitter.com/YRnBSJD8Au
Putin signs decree to increase size of Russian armed forces
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the size of Russia's armed forces from 1.9 million to 2.04 million as its attack against Ukraine enters its seventh month.
The increase includes a 137,000 boost in the number of combat personnel to 1.15 million. It comes into effect on January 1, according to the decree published on the government's legislative portal.
While the decree does not outline the reasons for the increase, it comes as Moscow's troops are focused on capturing territories in eastern Ukraine. It also comes at a time of soaring tensions between Moscow and Western countries that have sanctioned Russia over its operation in Ukraine.
Ukraine nuclear plant disconnected from grid: Operator
Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant under occupation by Russian troops has been disconnected from the national power supply, the state energy operator has said.
"The actions of the invaders caused a complete disconnection of the (Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant) from the power grid — the first in the history of the plant," Energoatom said on Telegram.
Energoatom said fires broke out in the ash pits of a coal power station near the Zaporizhzhia reactor complex — Europe's largest nuclear facility — and interfered with power lines connecting the plant to the grid. "As a result, the station's two working power units were disconnected from the network," it said in a statement.
Death toll in train station attack in Ukraine rises to 25
The death toll from a Russian rocket attack on a train station and the surrounding area on Ukraine's Independence Day climbed to 25, including at least two children, Ukrainian authorities said.
Russia said it targeted a military train and claimed to have killed more than 200 Ukrainian reservists.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Jr9OfSP2Y[/embed]
Russian opposition politician placed under de-facto house arrest
A Russian court has placed opposition politician Yevgeny Roizman under conditions similar to house arrest as he awaits trial on charges of "discrediting" the Russian army.
One of the last opposition figures still in the country and not behind bars, the former mayor of the Urals city of Yekaterinburg was detained for his comments about Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine.
A court in Yekaterinburg on Thursday ruled to place Roizman under "restricted movement" -— conditions similar to house arrest — until September 29, the RIA Novosti news agency reported.
Roizman, 59, is allowed to leave his place of residence for only one minute a day, he can't attend public events, use the internet, or send and receive letters. He is only allowed to communicate with close family members, his lawyer and investigators.
Poland says grave with WWII soldiers is destroyed by Belarus
Poland's government alleged that authorities in neighbouring Belarus were leveling a memorial site containing the graves of Polish resistance fighters who died battling Soviet soldiers during World War II.
Lukasz Jasina, the spokesperson for Poland's Foreign Ministry, said on Twitter that a cemetery in Surkonty — a village where members of Poland's largest wartime resistance force, the Home Army, fought Soviet army troops on August 21, 1944 — was being “devastated by the services of the Minsk regime.”
Those who think that the human memory of heroes can be eradicated are very mistaken. The regime will pay for these acts of barbarism.Lukasz Jasina, the spokesperson for Poland's Foreign Ministry
Belarus to stage territorial defence drills on Saturday
Belarus will hold military drills for reserves and conscripts in the country's territorial defence units on Saturday, the defence ministry said in a statement.
The exercises will focus on strengthening protections around the capital Minsk, the defence ministry said.
Latvia removes controversial Soviet monument
Latvia dismantled a Soviet-era monument in its capital city Riga following Russia's attacks on Ukraine, despite protests from the Baltic state's ethnic Russian minority to keep it.
Demolition machinery was used to remove the 79-metre World War II memorial, which has become a rallying point for the Kremlin's supporters in Latvia.
Latvia, like fellow Baltic states Estonia and Lithuania, is a NATO and EU member that has shown strong support for Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.
Built in 1985, the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders had featured statues of soldiers and a woman surrounding a central obelisk.
(Reuters)
Russia claims killing Ukraine troops in rail strike
Russia's defence ministry has said that it killed over 200 Ukrainian troops in a railway station attack in central Ukraine that Kiev said left 25 people, including children, dead.
"As a result of a direct hit by an Iskander missile on a military train at the Chaplyne railway station in the Dnipropetrovsk region, more than 200 servicemen of the reserve of Ukraine's Armed Forces and 10 units of military equipment were destroyed," the ministry said in its daily briefing.
It added that the train was "en route to combat zones" in the eastern Donbass region that Moscow seeks to fully control.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ha-aQ5TznqU[/embed]
Russia's use of cluster bombs in Ukraine extensive: Monitor
Russia has widely used cluster bombs in Ukraine, causing hundreds of civilian casualties and damaging homes, schools and hospitals, the monitoring body Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) said in an annual report.
"Russia's extensive use of internationally-banned cluster munitions in Ukraine demonstrates a blatant disregard for human life, humanitarian principles and legal norms," said Mary Wareham of the Cluster Munition Monitor 2022.
Neither Russia nor Ukraine have joined the convention prohibiting the use, transfer, production and stockpiling of cluster bombs, which has 110 states parties and 13 other signatories.
Gas, coal prices double in six months
Natural gas and coal prices on global markets have reached record levels six months into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Natural gas prices in Europe increased by about 127.6 percent in the six months since the start of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The EU's sanctions, the reduction in fossil fuels imported from Russia and reduced gas flow to Europe ramped up prices.
The price of coal hit its highest closing price since the conflict began at $398.45 on March 2. Supply concerns on global markets pushed coal prices higher after Russia, one of the world's largest coal-producing countries, began its offensive.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmw_Xk9rk8o[/embed]
Russian, French defence ministers discuss Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has discussed the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant with his French counterpart by telephone, the ministry said.
Zaporizhzhia, Europe's largest nuclear plant, was captured by Russian troops in March.
It remains close to the frontline, and has come under repeated fire in recent weeks, raising fears of a nuclear disaster. Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling the plant.
UN's Bachelet calls on Putin to halt armed attacks on Ukraine
UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt armed attacks on Ukraine and said the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant must be demilitarised.
"The international community must insist on documentation" to be able to one day prove war crimes, added Bachelet in a speech marking the end of her term as the United Nations' high commissioner for human rights.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdqaF4JnJsI[/embed]
Ukraine plans international court to put Putin on trial
Ukrainian officials are drawing up plans to make sure Russian President Vladimir Putin and his top military commanders will be tried for launching the military offensive.
The plan for a special international tribunal to investigate Russia's alleged "crime of aggression" is being spearheaded by Andrii Smirnov, deputy head of Ukraine's presidential administration.
The International Criminal Court, which has been trying the gravest crimes for the past 20 years, is already investigating war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in Ukraine. But it cannot look into accusations of aggression because neither Ukraine nor Russia has ratified the Rome Statute.
This court is "the only way to make sure that the criminals who started the Ukraine war are held accountable quickly," Smirnov told the AFP news agency. "The world has a short memory. That's why I would like this tribunal to start working next year."
For live updates from Wednesday (August 24), click here
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Kiev bans public gatherings amid fears of Russia intensifying bombings ahead of Ukraine’s Independence Day as war enters 180th day.
Putting Ukrainian soldiers on trial "will be the line beyond which no negotiations are possible" with Russia, says Ukraine's President Zelenskyy (file photo).
(Reuters)
Monday, August 22, 2022Russia's Ukraine soldiers trial to undermine talks – Zelenskyy
Russia might take the provocative step of putting Ukrainian soldiers on trial as Kiev marks 31 years of independence for the war-ravaged country on Wednesday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned.
"If this despicable court takes place, if our people are brought into these settings in violation of all agreements, all international rules, there will be abuse," Zelenskyy warned in an evening address.
Ukraine's Independence Day, August 24, will also mark six months since Russia attacked the former Soviet republic, in a devastating war that has cost thousands of lives.
"This will be the line beyond which no negotiations are possible."Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
For live updates from Sunday (August 21), click here
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
Ukraine says its forces beat back a Russian attack in southern Kherson region while fighting rages in the country's south and eastern regions on day 176 of the conflict.
The bulk of Russia's offensive is now focussed on southern and eastern Ukraine.
(Reuters)
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Lviv hosts Erdogan, Guterres, Zelenskyy in key summit
Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, UN chief Antonio Guterres and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are set to meet at a high-profile summit, with grain exports and concerns about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to top the agenda.
The trilateral meeting in western Ukraine's Lviv marks Erdogan's first in-person discussion with Zelenskyy since Russia launched its attack on February 24, although the Turkish leader has met Russian President Vladimir Putin twice in recent months.
The three leaders will hold a joint news conference after their meetings in Lviv, an important transit point for Ukrainian refugees heading to Europe.
For live updates from Wednesday (August 17), click here
Ukraine military reports attempts by Russia to advance on several towns in Donetsk as the conflict enters 173rd day.
A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 4, 2022.
(Reuters)
Monday, August 15, 2022
Zelenskyy defends fighting as all eyes are on Zaporizhzhia plant
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended fighting against Russian and Moscow-backed forces, including those positioned at Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhia.
As Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk, they said many of the attacks were repelled. The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces also reported Russian shelling of more than a dozen towns on the southern front – particularly in Kherson, mainly controlled by Russian forces.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had many times proposed different formats to the Russian leadership for peace talks, without progress.
“So we have to defend ourselves, we have to answer every form of terror, every instance of shelling — the fierce shelling which does not let up for a single day,” he said in video remarks.
For live updates from Sunday (August 14), click here
Ukraine military reports attempts by Russia to advance on several towns in Donetsk as the conflict enters 173rd day.
A view shows the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine August 4, 2022.
(Reuters)
Monday, August 15, 2022
Zelenskyy defends fighting as all eyes are on Zaporizhzhia plant
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended fighting against Russian and Moscow-backed forces, including those positioned at Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Zaporizhzhia.
As Ukrainian forces reported heavy Russian shelling and attempts to advance on several towns in the eastern region of Donetsk, they said many of the attacks were repelled. The General Staff of Ukraine’s armed forces also reported Russian shelling of more than a dozen towns on the southern front – particularly in Kherson, mainly controlled by Russian forces.
Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine had many times proposed different formats to the Russian leadership for peace talks, without progress.
“So we have to defend ourselves, we have to answer every form of terror, every instance of shelling — the fierce shelling which does not let up for a single day,” he said in video remarks.
For live updates from Sunday (August 14), click here
Russian forces begin assault on two key cities in eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine's military and local officials say, as fighting enters its 165th day.
Ukraine has charged 135 people in the alleged war crimes since Russia's February 24 assault on the country.
(Reuters)
Sunday, August 7, 2022
No talks if Russia stages 'pseudo-referendums' – Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that if Russia proceeded with referendums in occupied areas of his country on joining Russia there could be no talks with Ukraine or its international allies.
"If the occupiers proceed along the path of pseudo-referendums they will close for themselves any chance of talks with Ukraine and the free world, which the Russian side will clearly need at some point," Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address.
Russian and Ukrainian officials held several sessions of talks soon after Russian forces launched their attacks on Ukraine but no meetings have been held since late March, with each side blaming the other for the halt to contacts.
Ukraine probing thousands of suspected war crimes cases
Ukraine is investigating almost 26,000 suspected war crime cases committed since Russia's February 24 assault on the country and has charged 135 people, its chief war crimes prosecutor has said.
Of those charged, around 15 are in Ukrainian custody and the remaining 120 remain at large, Yuriy Bilousov, head of the war crimes department of the Prosecutor General's office, said in an interview in the capital Kiev.
Thirteen cases have been submitted to courts and seven verdicts have been issued, he said.
First ship since Russia's attack arrives in Ukraine — ministry
The first cargo vessel since the start of Russia's attack has arrived at the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Chornomorsk for the future transportation of grain to international markets, Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry has said.
Earlier on Sunday, four ships carrying Ukrainian foodstuffs sailed from Ukrainian Black Sea ports as part of a deal to unblock the country's sea exports.
"Bulk carrier FULMAR S has arrived at Chornomorsk port and is ready for loading," the ministry said on Facebook.
Ukraine: worker wounded in new Russian strike on Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant
Ukraine's state nuclear power company Energoatom has said that a worker was wounded when Russian forces again shelled the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe.
The site of the plant's dry storage facility, where 174 containers with spent nuclear fuel are stored in the open air, was hit by rocket attacks, Energoatom said on the Telegram messaging app.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) had raised grave concerns on Saturday about shelling the previous day at Zaporizhzhia, saying the action showed the risk of a nuclear disaster.
Russia-backed official in Ukraine's Kherson dies after attack
An official with the Russian occupying authorities in Ukraine's Kherson region has died after an assassination attempt, local Moscow-backed authorities say.
Vitaly Gura, the deputy chief of the Kakhovka district, "died of his injuries", local official Katerina Gubareva, said on Telegram.
Gura was attacked at home on Saturday morning and was gravely wounded by bullets, a source in the Russian-backed administration told TASS news agency.
Russian official re-elected head of chess body FIDE
A Russian former deputy premier has been re-elected as head of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), seeing off a Ukrainian challenger who said his position was untenable because of Moscow's "military operation" in Ukraine.
A total of 157 out of 179 national chess associations voted in India to re-elect Arkady Dvorkovich as FIDE president, said Roberto Rivello, the chair of the body's electoral commission.
Russian attacks on the Zaporizia nuclear plant increase risk of a leakage leading to a nuclear disaster. TRT World’s Melinda Nucifora has more from Ukraine’s Odessa pic.twitter.com/DJkcxeAI3d
Russia's Gazprom will ship 41.3 mcm of gas to Europe
Russia's Gazprom has said it was shipping 41.3 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas to Europe via Ukraine on Sunday, versus 41.6 mcm on Saturday.
Zelenskyy denounces Russia's 'terror' after damage to nuclear plant
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant "for terror" after the operator of the facility reported major damage at the site.
Energoatom, operator of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of the country, said that parts of the facility had been "seriously damaged" by military strikes and one of its reactors was forced to shut down.
Kiev and Moscow have blamed each other for the attacks on the plant, Europe's largest atomic power complex.
Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, once again accused Moscow of terrorism, saying, "Russian terrorists became the first in the world to use the power plant... for terror."
For live updates from Saturday (August 6), click here
Russian forces begin assault on two key cities in eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine's military and local officials say, as fighting enters its 165th day.
Kiev and Moscow have blamed each other for the attacks on the plant, Europe's largest atomic power complex.
(Reuters Archive)
Sunday, August 7, 2022
Zelenskyy denounces Russia's 'terror' after damage to nuclear plant
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant "for terror" after the operator of the facility reported major damage at the site.
Energoatom, operator of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in the south of the country, said that parts of the facility had been "seriously damaged" by military strikes and one of its reactors was forced to shut down.
Kiev and Moscow have blamed each other for the attacks on the plant, Europe's largest atomic power complex.
Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, once again accused Moscow of terrorism, saying, "Russian terrorists became the first in the world to use the power plant... for terror."
For live updates from Saturday (August 6), click here
Ukraine cedes some territory in the east in the face of an enormous Russian offensive – now in its 163rd day – and NATO says Moscow must not be allowed to win.
Amnesty International accuses Ukraine of endangering civilians by basing troops in residential areas, angering Kiev.
(AFP)
Friday, August 5, 2022
Zelenskyy accuses Amnesty of excusing Russian 'terrorist state'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned Amnesty International for excusing Russian acts of "terror" after the rights group said Kiev's forces were endangering civilians by establishing bases in residential areas.
Amnesty had tried to "amnesty the terrorist state and shift the responsibility from the aggressor to the victim", Zelensky said in his daily address.
"There is no condition, even hypothetically, under which any Russian strike on Ukraine becomes justified. Aggression against our state is unprovoked, invasive and terrorist," he added.
For live updates from Thursday (August 4), click here
Moscow and Kiev accuse each other of bombing a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners in Russian-held territory amid fierce fighting on day 157 of the military conflict.
Russian army trucks drive across a wheat field in the course of Ukraine-Russia conflict near the settlement of Olenivka in the Donetsk region.
(Reuters)
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Zelenskyy calls for evacuation of Ukraine's frontline Donetsk
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for the evacuation of the eastern Donetsk region which has seen fierce clashes between his country's forces and the Russian military.
"There's already a governmental decision about obligatory evacuation from Donetsk region," he said in his daily address.
"Please, follow evacuation. At this phase of the war, terror is a main weapon of Russia."
Russia suspends gas supplies
Russian energy giant Gazprom suspended gas supplies to Latvia, a day after a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners of war was bombed leaving scores dead.
"Today, Gazprom suspended its gas supplies to Latvia... due to violations of the conditions" of purchase, the company said on Telegram.
Gazprom drastically cut gas deliveries to Europe via the Nord Stream pipeline on Wednesday to about 20 percent of its capacity. It had reduced gas flows to Europe twice in June.
Red Cross requests access to Ukraine prison after POWS die
Russia launched nighttime attacks on several Ukrainian cities, Ukrainian officials said as they and Moscow blamed each other for the deaths of dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war in a pro-Russian separatist-controlled area of the country's east.
The International Red Cross asked to visit the prison to make sure the wounded had proper treatment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross have a duty to react.
“It was a deliberate Russian war crime, a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war,” Zelenskyy said in a video address.
Ukraine condemns Russian call to 'hang' Azov fighters
Ukrainian officials denounced a call by Russia's embassy in Britain for fighters from the Azov regiment to face a "humiliating" execution.
The Russian tweet came as Moscow and Kiev traded blame over a strike on a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian-controlled territory that killed around 50 people, reportedly including members of the Azov regiment.
"Azov militants deserve execution, but death not by firing squad but by hanging, because they're not real soldiers. They deserve a humiliating death," Moscow's diplomatic mission wrote in an overnight Tweet.
Latvia says Russian energy giant Gazprom's decision to halt gas exports would have little impact on its supplies pic.twitter.com/JIltzyHdze
US envoy: Russia intends to dissolve Ukraine from world map
The US ambassador to the United Nations has said there should no longer be any doubt that Russia intends to dismantle Ukraine “and dissolve it from the world map entirely”.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the UN Security Council that the United States is seeing growing signs that Russia is laying the groundwork to attempt to annex all of the eastern Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk and the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.
She said Russia's plans could include installing “illegitimate proxy officials in Russian-held areas, with the goal of holding sham referenda or decree to join Russia”.
UK: Russia to hold referendums in newly occupied areas of south Ukraine
Russian-installed authorities in newly occupied territories in southern Ukraine are under pressure and possibly preparing to hold referendums on joining Russia later this year, Britain military has said.
"Local authorities are likely coercing the population into disclosing personal details in order to compose voting registers," the Ministry of Defence said in an intelligence update on Twitter. Russia classifies these occupied areas as being under interim "civil-military administration".
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky told the Security Council on Friday that “The de-Nazification and demilitarisation of Ukraine will be carried out in full.”
Russia running out of steam in Ukraine, UK spy chief says
Russia is "running out of steam" in its assault on Ukraine, the chief of Britain's MI6 foreign intelligence agency, Richard Moore, has said in a brief comment on social media.
Moore made the remark "Running out of steam..." above an earlier post on Twitter by Britain's defence ministry, which described the Russian government as "growing desperate" and as having lost thousands of soldiers in its offensive in Ukraine.
Ukrainian military says around 100 Russian forces have been killed while trying to recapture the city of Kherson. TRT World's Aksel Zaimovic has the latest from capital Kiev pic.twitter.com/fqfYUjX5vz
Russian gas producer Gazprom says it has stopped supplying neighbouring Latvia with gas, accusing it of violating conditions for gas withdrawal.
Russia has already cut off gas supplies to Poland, Bulgaria, Finland, Netherlands and Denmark, which refused to pay for gas in line with an order by President Vladimir Putin requiring rouble accounts to be set up in a Russian bank as part of new settlement scheme. Russia has also halted gas sales to Shell Energy Europe in Germany.
In a statement on Saturday, Gazprom did not specify which gas withdrawal conditions Latvia had allegedly violated.
Ukraine calls for Russia to be recognised as 'state sponsor of terrorism'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the deaths of dozens of prisoners in a Russian-held jail showed there should be clear legal recognition that Russia was a "state sponsor of terrorism."
"Today, I received information about the attack by the occupiers on Olenivka (the prison's location), in the Donetsk region. It is a deliberate Russian war crime, a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. More than 50 dead," he said in his daily address.
"I am appealing especially to the United States of America. A decision is needed and it is needed now."
For live updates from Friday (July 29), click here
Moscow and Kiev accuse each other of bombing a jail holding Ukrainian prisoners in Russian-held territory, with Ukrainian President Zelensky calling attack "a war crime" as fighting enters its 157th day.
Russia alleges strikes were carried out by Ukraine with US-supplied long-range missiles, but Kiev blames Moscow for blasting the prison.
(Reuters)
Friday, July 29, 2022
Ukraine calls for Russia to be recognised as 'state sponsor of terrorism'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the deaths of dozens of prisoners in a Russian-held jail showed there should be clear legal recognition that Russia was a "state sponsor of terrorism."
"Today, I received information about the attack by the occupiers on Olenivka (the prison's location), in the Donetsk region. It is a deliberate Russian war crime, a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. More than 50 dead," he said in his daily address.
"I am appealing especially to the United States of America. A decision is needed and it is needed now."
For live updates from Friday (July 29), click here
Russia continues to target Ukraine’s southern Black Sea regions of Odessa and Mykolaiv with air strikes, hitting private buildings and port infrastructure with missiles, says Kiev as the conflict continues on 154th day.
A 3D printed natural gas pipeline is placed in front of displayed Gazprom logo and Russian flag in this illustration taken February 8, 2022.
(Reuters)
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Russia cuts gas supplies to make winter harsh for Europe — Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia was deliberately cutting supplies of natural gas to impose “price terror” against Europe, and he called for more sanctions on Moscow.
“Using Gazprom, Moscow is doing all it can to make this coming winter as harsh as possible for the European countries. Terror must be answered — impose sanctions,” he said in a video address.
For live updates from Tuesday (July 26), click here
US State Department has called on Ukraine's leadership to appoint a transparent successor to the sacked prosecutor as the country was criticised for managing corruption.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stands at the podium during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 3, 2022.
(AP)
The United States has urged Ukraine to pick a credible top prosecutor to replace one sacked by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling for action on corruption even as Kiev battles Russia.
"We join the people of Ukraine in emphasizing the importance of transparently appointing a highly qualified and truly independent successor as prosecutor general," State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Tuesday.
"The independence and impartiality of the prosecutor general is vital to ensuring the integrity of accountability efforts in Ukraine," he said.
Price said that the fight against corruption, long a major concern in Ukraine, was critical as the country seeks membership in the European Union.
"Corruption must be combated even as Ukraine defends itself against Russia's war of aggression. Russia's war against Ukraine poses an external threat. Corruption poses an internal threat," he said.
Zelensky announced earlier this month that he was firing prosecutor general Iryna Venediktova as well as security chief Ivan Bakanov.
Zelensky cited the need to act against suspected treason by officials supporting Russia.
The president had been critical of the two senior figures' performance even before Russia's incursion on February 24.
The United States, which has poured billions of dollars into Ukraine to help it repel Russia, has a memorable history of addressing corruption in Ukraine.
President Joe Biden, while serving as vice president, demanded on a trip to Kiev that Ukraine fire an earlier prosecutor general seen as ineffective in fighting corruption, warning that the United States would otherwise withhold $1 billion in loan guarantees.
The episode became the source of allegations by former president Donald Trump, who was impeached for withholding security aid to Ukraine unless Zelenskyy agreed to dig up dirt on Biden.
Ukraine restarts grain exports from its Black Sea ports under a deal brokered by Türkiye and UN aimed at easing global food shortages, but warns deliveries would suffer if Russia continues strikes, as fighting enters its 152nd day.
As the conflict enters its sixth month, there is no sign of a let-up in the fighting.
(AP)
Monday, July 25, 2022
Zelenskyy says Ukrainians won't be 'cowed'
After five months of Russian attacks,
Ukraine will continue to do all it can to inflict as much damage
on its enemy as possible, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.
"Even the occupiers admit we will win," he said as he hailed
the upcoming day of Ukrainian statehood, July 28, a new annual
holiday that Zelenskyy announced in August last year. "We hear
it in their conversations all the time. In what they are telling
their relatives when they call them."
Like every day in the last months, Zelenskyy said that
Ukraine was not letting up. "We do everything to inflict the
highest possible damage on the enemy and to gather for Ukraine
as much support as possible."
He said Ukraine had an important week ahead, with the
holiday approaching in the midst of what he called a "cruel
war." "But we will celebrate against all odds. Because Ukrainians
won't be cowed."
For live updates from Sunday (July 24), click here
Criticism has been mounting against Russia since missiles hit infrastructure of Ukraine’s port city Odessa, a main Black Sea gate, after recent Türkiye-led grain deal raised hope for relaxing global food shortage as fighting continues on 151st day.
Russia-backed forces took control of Ukraine's Kherson from the beginning of the conflict.
(AFP)
Ukrainian forces are gradually moving into the eastern Kherson region, which was taken over by Russia at the start of the conflict, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address.
"The occupiers have been trying to establish a foothold there ... but how did it help them? The Ukrainian armed forces are moving into the region step by step," he said.
“Today's Russian missile attack on our port in Odessa. A cynical one. It also turned out to be a blow to Russia's own political positions. If anyone in the world could have said before that some kind of dialogue with Russia, some kind of agreements, would be necessary - look at what is happening. Today Russian ''Kalibrs'' have destroyed the very possibility of such statements.''
Odessa attack casts doubt of Russia's commitments — US
The United States condemned a Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa, saying it "casts serious doubt" on Moscow's commitment to a deal with Ukraine to unblock grain exports.
"This attack casts serious doubt on the credibility of Russia's commitment to yesterday's deal and undermines the work of the UN, Türkiye, and Ukraine to get critical food to world markets," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
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The Istanbul grain deal, brokered by Türkiye, is a chance to prevent a global food catastrophe that could cause chaos in many countries, Ukraine's President Zelenskyy said.
An employee operates a combine as he harvests wheat in a field, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine July 19, 2022.
(Reuters)
Ukraine has around $10 billion worth of
grain available for sale in the wake of a deal signed with
Russia to unblock supplies and will also have a chance to sell
the current harvest, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
"Approximately 20 million tons of last year's grain harvest will be exported. There will also be a chance to sell this year's harvest ... at the moment we have about $10 billion worth of grains available," said Zelensky.
Türkiye, UN, Russia and Ukraine signed a landmark deal on Friday in Istanbul to
reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, raising
hopes that an international food crisis aggravated by the
Russian incursion can be eased.
"This is another demonstration that Ukraine can withstand the war," he said in a late Friday address.
"In this context, I am especially grateful to the UN Secretary General and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for their efforts," Zelenskyy added.
The Istanbul deal, brokered by Türkiye, is a
chance to prevent a global food catastrophe that could cause
chaos in many countries, Zelenskyy said.
"There may be some provocations on the part of Russia,
attempts to discredit Ukrainian and international efforts," said
Zelenskyy.
The Türkiye-backed deal within the UN framework aims to alleviate global supply chain disruptions through a joint command and control centre in Istanbul, inspections at a Turkish port and the provision of a safe passage for Ukrainian ships.
Ankara and the UN have been working on a plan that would enable Ukraine to export millions of grain stockpiles that have been stuck in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports due to the conflict — a move that could ease a global food crisis that has sent wheat and other grain prices soaring.
Last week, the sides met in Istanbul, reaching a tentative agreement on the plan. The plan foresees joint controls of ships as they leave and arrive at Black Sea ports and a mechanism to ensure the safety of the transfer routes, Turkish officials said.
A coordination centre for the shipping of exports would be established in Istanbul and would include UN, Turkish, Russian and Ukrainian officials.
