9:47
kyiv says rescue operation for Ukrainian military is ‘under way’ in Azovstal
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hannah Maliar said on Friday on BFMTV that a “rescue operation of (Ukrainian) soldiers is underway” in Azovstal.
“The first stage is over, it is about setting up a humanitarian corridor to evacuate the most heavily injured people”, she assured, specifying that “a dozen additional people have been evacuated “.
9:31
Russia says it uses a new laser weapon
A new weapon for Moscow? Yury Borrissov, Russian Deputy Prime Minister, told Russian television on Thursday that he was using a new laser weapon in the invasion of Ukraine.
These powerful lasers, of which we actually know very little, and which would only be used in the form of prototypes by the Russians, would target Ukrainian armed drones. Their firing range is estimated at 5km.
“These new generation weapons which exploit a wide electromagnetic band will eventually be able to replace conventional weapons”, assures the Deputy Prime Minister.
Voldymyr Zelensky reacted with irony to this announcement, comparing it to the “miracle weapons” deployed by Nazi Germany at the end of the Second World War, without success.
8:44
War crimes: Five Western countries support Ukraine’s legal action
Justice officials from five Western countries, forming the so-called “Five Eyes” alliance, announced Thursday that they support Ukraine’s legal action to try war crimes linked to the Russian invasion.
The Ministers of Justice or Attorneys General of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand said in a statement “support” the action of the Attorney General of Ukraine Iryna Venediktova aimed at holding accountable those responsible for “war crimes committed during the Russian invasion”.
“We support Ukraine’s quest for justice and through other international investigations, including the International Criminal Court” and other bodies, they said in their joint statement.
8:26
Azovstal “heroes” surrender according to Moscow, kyiv talks about “evacuation”
Russia announced on Thursday that nearly 800 Ukrainian soldiers entrenched in the bowels of the gigantic Azovstal steel complex had surrendered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 1,730 since Monday.
Moscow released images showing cohorts of men in combat gear emerging, some with crutches or bandages, after a long battle that had become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion in Mariupol, a martyred city in 90% destroyed in the south-east of the country and where at least 20,000 people died, according to kyiv.
These soldiers, including 80 wounded, “have become prisoners”, underlined the Russian Ministry of Defense, while kyiv refuses to comment.
7:15
Donbass turned into “hell” by Russian forces, says Volodymyr Zelensky
Russian forces are stepping up pressure in the Donbass, in eastern Ukraine, which they have turned into “hell”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday, who also considered that the massive aid announced by Washington in kyiv is an investment in Western security.
“Ukrainian armed forces continue to make progress in liberating the Kharkiv region. But the occupiers are trying to further increase the pressure in the Donbass. This is hell, and this is not an exaggeration,” he said. said the Ukrainian president.
7:11
US Congress releases $40 billion for Ukraine
The US Congress released Thursday a gigantic envelope of 40 billion dollars for Ukraine, at a time when the Pentagon warns of a long-term conflict.
Within this large aid package: 6 billion dollars to enable Ukraine to equip itself with armored vehicles and to strengthen its anti-aircraft defence. The colossal envelope of the Congress also provides nearly 9 billion dollars to ensure, among other things, “the continuity of Ukrainian democratic institutions”, as well as a large humanitarian component.
The American and Russian chiefs of staff, on the same day, spoke on the telephone, for the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
7:10
Welcome to this live
Hello and welcome to this live dedicated to the news of the war in Ukraine, which enters its 86th day this Friday.