Thousands of civilians were able to flee the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, where Russian forces promised a new truce on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after their invasion of the country, which has already killed hundreds deaths and millions of refugees.
DIRECT RTL INFO
5:42 a.m. – Thousands of civilians evacuated to Sumy, new truce this Wednesday
Thousands of civilians were able to flee the city of Sumy in northeastern Ukraine, where Russian forces promised a new truce on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after their invasion of the country, which has already killed hundreds deaths and millions of refugees. More than 5,000 people have been evacuated so far from the city of Sumy, located 350 km northeast of Kiev, said Wednesday the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, quoted by Ukrainian media. .
3:32 a.m. – The situation at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is “deteriorating”
The former Ukrainian nuclear power plant at Chernobyl has been increasingly cut off from the rest of the world since it was seized by Russian units, assures the International Atomic Energy Agency (AEIA).
The agency says that 210 technicians and local employees in charge of security have worked non-stop for two weeks, because there has been no change of teams since the Russian takeover. Employees receive water and food but their situation is deteriorating. In addition, the Viennese agency claims to no longer be in contact with its monitoring equipment, which ensures that all nuclear materials remain in place at Chernobyl.
3:23 a.m. – Washington fears that Moscow will seize “biological research” structures
The United States said on Tuesday it feared that Russian forces could “take control” of “biological research” structures in Ukraine and seize sensitive materials.
“Ukraine has a biological research facility, and we are actually now quite worried about the possibility of Russian forces trying to take control of it,” declared the number three of American diplomacy, Victoria Nuland, during a parliamentary hearing. “So we are working with the Ukrainians on ways to prevent these research materials from falling into the hands of Russian forces if they were to approach them,” she added.
1:49 a.m. – Russia warns of consequences of a global embargo
Moscow has denounced the decision of the United States to impose an embargo on imports of Russian oil on its soil, threatening that the step will have consequences on a global scale.
“US sanctions to put pressure on Russia have long exceeded all political and economic reasonableness,” reacted the Russian embassy in Washington. “As usual, the United States does not reflect on the fact that restrictions are always a double-edged sword.” “Discharge of our resources will cause significant fluctuations in global energy markets. This will negatively impact business and consumer interests, first and foremost in the United States itself”continues the press release from Russian diplomacy.
0:53 am – Poland’s offer to sell Mig-29 planes to the USA is not “viable”
The United States, while continuing its discussions with Poland, considers that Warsaw’s proposal to deliver its Mig-29 planes to the American army and then hand them over to Ukraine is not “viable”, declared the Pentagon spokesman on Tuesday. “We don’t think Poland’s proposal is viable,” said John Kirby in a statement, saying that such an organization to help Ukraine militarily in the face of the Russian invasion “raises important grounds for concern for the whole of NATO”.
11:27 p.m. – Washington believes that the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline is “dead”
The controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline between Russia and Germany, targeted by retaliatory measures taken by Berlin and Washington after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, is “dead” and cannot be “resurrected”, says a US official on Tuesday.
11:20 p.m. – Moscow suspends the sale of foreign currencies
The sale of foreign currencies will be suspended in Russia until September 9, the country’s Central Bank announced in a statement on Wednesday, hit by unprecedented Western sanctions due to Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
11:01 p.m. – The First Lady of Ukraine condemns a “massacre of civilians”
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska denounced Tuesday a “massacre of Ukrainian civilians” and in particular of children following the invasion of Russia, in an open letter to the international media.
“What happened just over a week ago was unthinkable. Our country was at peace, our towns and villages were full of life”writes in this fiery letter the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
10:02 p.m. – Beverage giant Coca-Cola announces suspension of operations in Russia
The soft drink giant Coca-Cola announced on Tuesday that it was suspending its operations in Russia, following in the footsteps of several large American groups which were accused of delaying cutting ties with Moscow.
“We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve”underlines in a press release the group which does not give details on its exact activities in Russia.
9:59 p.m. – The first Ukrainian civilians evacuated by humanitarian corridor have arrived “safely”
The first civilians evacuated via humanitarian corridors from the city of Sumy, 350 km northeast of Kiev, have arrived “safely” in the center of the country, the deputy head of the Ukrainian presidential administration announced on Tuesday. .
8:42 p.m. – Russia declares a new humanitarian truce on Wednesday morning