© bulent kilic
TOPSHOT – Internally displaced people arrive at a centre for the displaced persons in Zaporizhzhia, some 200 kilometres (124 miles) northwest of Mariupol on April 6, 2022. – NATO chief said that, after withdrawing most of its troops from northern Ukraine, Russia aims to capture the “entire” Donbas region in the east, with the aim of creating a land corridor from Russia to annexed Crimea. (Photo by BULENT KILIC / AFP)
In summary:
– In Mariupol, a strategic port on the Sea of Azov besieged for more than 40 days, Russian forces are tightening their grip on Ukrainian soldiers and the authorities fear more than 20,000 victims.
– Joe Biden accuses his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’sgenocide»In Ukraine.
– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces “from hundreds of rape cases» observed in areas previously occupied by the Russian army, “including underage girls and very small children”.
Russia denounces “misinformation” from the United States on the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. The Russian Embassy in the United States reacted on Wednesday to statements by the head of American diplomacy, Antony Blinken, claiming to have “credible information” on the possibility of Russia using chemical agents in its offensive to take Mariupol. “We call on Washington to stop spreading misinformation,” she said in a statement. In line with Anthony Blinken, US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters yesterday that Russia is not seeking to use chemical weapons. The Russian Embassy also accused the United States of spreading false information and denounced a “gossip not supported by a single piece of evidence”.
No humanitarian corridors this Wednesday because “too dangerous”. Ukraine will not open any humanitarian corridors on Wednesday, a government official said, accusing the Russians of “violate the norms of international law” which makes the situation “dangerous”. “Unfortunately, we will not be opening humanitarian corridors today. In the region of Zaporizhiathe occupants blocked the buses and in the Lugansk region they violate the ceasefire», Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk explained on Telegram. Kyiv routinely accuses the Russians of breaking the ceasefire on humanitarian corridors, but authorities rarely give up on humanitarian corridors altogether. The last suspension of any evacuation dates back to March 28.
300,000 square kilometers of mines in Ukraine. At the beginning of the year, the areas polluted by the mines extended over approximately 7,000 square kilometers in the Donbass. This figure exploded in the space of a few weeks, and throughout the country according to the head of the demining services of the National Emergency Service, Oleg Bondar. Most are concentrated in the east of the country where Russian troops have been concentrating since being ordered in late March to focus their efforts there. And in particular in the separatist region of Donbass where a decisive battle is preparing. Vladimir Putin’s army could see its progress disrupted by these major obstacles constituted by the anti-personnel mines scattered throughout the territory. Read our full article on the subject.
Polish, Estonian, Lithuanian and Latvian presidents visit Kyiv. Polish President Andrzej Duda and his Lithuanian counterpart, Gitanas Nausėda, Estonian, Alar Karis and Latvian Egils Levits, are going to the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday to support Volodymyr Zelensky in his country. “Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine in its struggle for its sovereignty and freedom”, the Lithuanian president tweeted upon arriving in Kyiv. The four presidents met together yesterday in Rzeszow in Poland to discuss additional support for the country invaded by Vladimir Putin and his army on February 24th.
Heading to Kyiv with a strong message of political support and military assistance.
Lithuania ???????? will continue backing Ukraine’s ???????? fight for its sovereignty and freedom.
Together to victory! pic.twitter.com/WLb5yR5W69
– Gitanas Nausėda (@GitanasNauseda) April 13, 2022
From our correspondent in Ukraine.
#Boutcha provisional grave of Vassily D. Buried at the foot of his kitchen window, his body has just been transferred to the morgue. He was killed with rifle butts by Russian soldiers, his face was a shapeless mush [Reportage] #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/SVyOg9sbxi
— Stephane Siohan (@stefsiohan) April 12, 2022
Macron refuses to speak of “genocide” in Ukraine. Joe Biden’s words will not be those of Emmanuel Macron. Asked Wednesday morning on France 2, the head of state explained that he preferred to talk about “war crimes” perpetrated by Russia in Ukraine. “I will say that Russia started a brutal war. It is now established that there are war crimes in Russia and you have to be very careful with the terms today (…) I am not sure that the escalation of words makes things easier”he argued.
Biden and the “genocide” in Ukraine. Joe Biden confirmed on Tuesday accusing his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin of “genocide” in Ukraine, a few hours after using this word for the first time to describe the situation in the country invaded by Moscow. Until then, the American administration had not pronounced this word, used by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “It is increasingly clear that Putin is simply trying to erase the very idea of being a Ukrainian,” argued Mr. Biden to reporters during a trip to Iowa.
Oligarch against Ukrainian prisoners? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered Tuesday night in Moscow to “exchange” Ukrainian MP and businessman Viktor Medvedchuk, close to Russian President Vladimir Putin and recently arrested, for Ukrainians in captivity in Russia. Ukrainian authorities had earlier in the day announced the arrest of this 67-year-old Ukrainian who had been on the run since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Viktor Medvedchuk, 12th fortune in Ukraine in 2021 with 620 million dollars according to Forbes magazine, is known for his links with Russian President Vladimir Putin who is, according to the person concerned, the godfather of one of his daughters.
Chemical weapons prepared for Mariupol. The United States reported on Tuesday, through the voice of the head of diplomacy Antony Blinken, of“credible information” on the possibility of Russia using chemical agents in its offensive to take Mariupol. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Tuesday it was concerned about allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Mariupol.