Russians Execute Ukrainians Who Wanted To Surrender Near Donetsk - USA

 

The United States has credible evidence that Russia took the lives of soldiers who tried to surrender near Donetsk. This was stated by U.S. Ambassador for Special Personal Affairs in Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack at a UN meeting, reports The Hill.

“Now we have reliable information that a Russian military unit operating in the vicinity of Donetsk executed Ukrainians who tried to surrender. If this is true, then this is a violation of the basic principle of military law: the prohibition of shooting civilians and combatants who left the battle for surrender, injury or other forms of disability," Beth Van Schaack said.

The executions are part of a growing list of war crimes of which Russia has been accused, and others - of attacks on civilians, kidnapping children, torture and rape.

We will remind, earlier Biden called the actions of Russia in Ukraine genocide.

In addition, the U.S. believes that Ukraine can win the war against Russia with the right equipment and support.

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Putin Threatens "Lightning Fast" And "Unique" Blows To Everyone Who Intervenes In War In Ukraine

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced his readiness to respond to any outside interference in the situation in Ukraine, and also announced the presence of "tools" for this, which no one can boast of. This was reported by the Russian agency Interfax on Wednesday, April 27.

Putin again proclaimed the "correctness" of military actions against Ukraine, which, according to him, was ready to strike at Russia. The President of the Russian Federation threatened everyone who intends to intervene in the situation with "lightning fast" consequences. He said that the relevant decision has already been made in the Russian government, and all the tools have been prepared for this.

"If someone, I emphasize again, if someone intends to intervene in the events from the outside and create strategic threats for Russia unacceptable to us, they should know that our retaliatory and counter strikes will be lightning fast, swift. We have all the tools to do that. Those that no one can boast of now. And we will not brag. We will use them if necessary. And I want everyone to know about it," Putin said.

Once again, the President of the Russian Federation stressed that all the tasks of the "special operation" will be completed.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, on April 26, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres met with Putin in Moscow. The head of the Kremlin told the UN Secretary General his version of events in Ukraine.

On April 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he was "forced by the tragedy in the Donbas" to attack Ukraine.

At the same time, on April 21, Putin, during his conversation with Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, sat in an unnatural tense pose and clung to the table with both hands.

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Ukraine Understands Power Of Russian Troops In Transnistria, AFU Ready For Them And Not Afraid Of Them

 

Commenting on the situation in Transnistria, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are aware of the number of Russian troops there and are ready for a possible escalation and for any development of events.

President Zelenskyy said this at a joint briefing with the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi in Kyiv, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that units of the operational group of Russian troops in Transnistria were put on full combat readiness.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense states that Russia is preparing a missile attack on the territory of the unrecognized Transnistrian Moldavian Republic with civilian casualties.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has expressed concern over attempts to aggravate the security situation in Transnistria.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852832-ukraine-understands-power-of-russian-troops-in-transnistria-afu-ready-for-them-and-not-afraid-of?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Austria agreed to pay for Russian gas in rubles

 

Austria and the Austrian oil and gas company OMV have accepted the terms of payment for Russian gas in rubles.

This was stated by Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, BBC reports on Wednesday, April 27.

According to him, Russian President Vladimir Putin assured the security of supplies.

In addition, according to the publication, the possibility of paying for gas in rubles is being discussed in Germany - the German energy concern Uniper said they allow this option and are discussing it with the German authorities. The next payment from the company at the end of May.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, Gazprom completely suspended gas supplies to Bulgargaz (Bulgaria) and PGNiG (Poland) due to non-payment in rubles .

The EU called the stoppage of gas supplies by Russia an attempt at blackmail and are already preparing a response .

Europe paid Russia 37 billion euros for energy during the first 40 days of Russia's war in Ukraine.

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Gazprom Stops Supplying Gas To Poland And Bulgaria

 

Gazprom has completely suspended gas supplies to Bulgargaz (Bulgaria) and PGNiG (Poland) due to their refusal to pay for the gas in rubles. This was reported by the press service of the concern.

In this regard, Gazprom export notified both companies of the suspension of gas supplies, starting from April 27 and until payment is made in accordance with the procedure established by the decree of the President of the Russian Federation.

"Bulgaria and Poland are transit states. In case of unauthorized withdrawal of Russian gas from transit volumes to third countries, transit supplies will be reduced by this volume," Gazprom did not forget to warn.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, in January, Gazprom stopped gas supplies to Poland through Ukraine.

The German newspaper Bild in its publications began to censor the logo of the Gazprom company, which is a sponsor of the German football club Schalke 04 and replaces its emblem on the athletes' T-shirts. The logo is covered with the inscription "Freedom to Ukraine."

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852850-gazprom-stops-supplying-gas-to-poland-and-bulgaria?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Russian Military Shelling Occupied Settlements In Kherson Region From Tanks Under Ukrainian Flags

 

The Russian military are shelling the occupied settlements in Kherson region from tanks under Ukrainian flags.

The Operational Command Pivden [South] announced this in a statement posted on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"Invader tanks with Ukrainian flags arrived on the outskirts of the village of Hrozove in Kherson region. This demonstration column moved in the direction of the village of Molodetske. In this way, the enemy is trying to imitate the presence of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the territories it occupied. And then, from the same tanks, it shells the occupied settlements, giving the local population a fake picture of an attack by the Ukrainian military on civilians in Kherson region," the statement says.

The statement emphasized that the Ukrainian military does not fire at civilian objects and the population, does not open fire on settlements where the invaders are hiding behind civilians.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have regained control over 8 settlements in Kherson region.

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Russia Launches Airstrikes On Ukraine Using Long-Range Aircraft - Ukrainian Armed Forces

 

Russia launches air strikes on Ukraine using long-range aircraft.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has announced this on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"In the Mariupol direction, the enemy continued to exercise fire influence and block our units in the Azovstal area of ​​the city of Mariupol. It delivers air strikes, including from long-range aircraft," the General Staff reports.

The enemy is trying to establish logistical support for the troops by rail.

In the Pivdennobuzke direction, the enemy continues to hold its positions, in some directions it is trying to improve the tactical situation, shelling the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and civilian infrastructure facilities of Ukrainian settlements.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have regained control over 8 settlements in Kherson region.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852227-russia-launches-airstrikes-on-ukraine-using-long-range-aircraft-ukrainian-armed-forces?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Ukrainian Armed Forces Return 8 Settlements In Kherson Region Under Control

 

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have regained control over 8 settlements in Kherson region.

The press service of the Pivden [South] Operational Command announced this on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"Our units have restored control over 8 settlements of Kherson region from the positions of observation posts," the statement says.

At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine did not specify which settlements were liberated from the invaders.

It is noted that in the Kysylivka area, the Ukrainian military hit an accumulation of enemy equipment and manpower, which was preparing for an attack on Posad-Pokrovske.

Having suffered significant losses, the enemy retreated towards Chornobaivka.

It is indicated that the total losses of the enemy on April 23 in southern Ukraine amounted to: 74 invaders and 13 pieces of equipment (2 tanks, 1 multiple launch rocket system, 6 units of armored and engineering equipment, 4 reconnaissance drones).

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, on April 22, the Armed Forces of Ukraine liquidated two Russian generals in Kherson region.

Evacuation From Mariupol Disrupted, Invaders Took Part Of Mariupol Residents To Occupied Territory

 

The Deputy Mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the evacuation from Mariupol organized by the Ukrainian authorities was disrupted, the invaders took some of the Mariupol residents to the temporarily occupied territory.

He announced this on his Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"The evacuation that was disrupted. At 11:00 a.m., at least 200 Mariupol residents gathered near the Port City shopping center, waiting for evacuation to Zaporizhzhia. Instead of the buses promised by the Russian side, Russian military drove up to the Mariupol residents and ordered them to disperse, because now there will be shelling. In fact, with the use of coercion in a rude form, people were dispersed. The buses were never brought for loading," Andriushchenko wrote.

According to the statement, at the same time, the invaders sent buses to a point near the Metro shopping center (located 200 meters from the agreed evacuation point) and began loading citizens.

After loading, it was announced to the Mariupol residents that the evacuation would only be to Dokuchaevsk - to the occupied territory.

According to Andriushchenko, people were not given the right to leave the bus.

"In response to the question why this was so, the answer was that "the nationalists fired at the evacuation point." That is, another lie," the deputy mayor wrote.

He stressed that once again the Russians disrupted the evacuation.

"Boldly, using the attempts of the Mariupol residents to return home and the honesty of the Ukrainian army on the ceasefire, to organize their own plans," he summed up.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, earlier Vice Prime Minister, Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Iryna Vereshchuk said that the invaders could organize their own corridor for the evacuation of Mariupol residents to Russia in parallel with Ukraine.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852108-evacuation-from-mariupol-disrupted-invaders-took-part-of-mariupol-residents-to-occupied-territory?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

5 People Became Victims Of Missile Attack On Odesa, Including Child. Another 18 People Injured

 

This afternoon, Russian troops launched a missile attack on Odesa. As a result of the shelling of the city, 5 people were killed, 18 more were injured.

Head of the Office of the President Andrii Yermak announced this on his Telegram channel.

"Odesa. 5 killed and 18 injured Ukrainian citizens. These are only those who were found. And most likely there will be more..." Yermak wrote.

He added that among the killed is a three-month-old baby.

“The kid who was supposed to celebrate his first Easter with his parents,” Yermak said.

Recall that today, April 23, in the afternoon Odesa was attacked by several cruise missiles. As a result of the shelling, several infrastructure facilities were damaged, and local media reported that a residential building had been hit.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, on April 18, the Russian occupying troops launched a missile attack on Kramatorsk, Donetsk region. A rocket fired by the invaders hit a residential area of ​​the city.

On the same day, Russian troops fired five rockets at Lviv. The missiles hit the civilian infrastructure of the city.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852106-5-people-became-victims-of-missile-attack-on-odesa-including-child-another-18-people-injured?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Invaders Start Forced Mobilization Of Youth And Medical Workers In Occupied Territories

 

The Russian invaders began the forced mobilization of young people and medical workers in the occupied territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense announced this on Facebook, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"The invaders have begun forced mobilization, including medical workers, in the occupied territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions," the statement says.

According to the statement, the invaders are mobilizing Ukrainian medical workers who remain in the occupied territories.

In particular, in the town of Volchansk, Kharkiv region, in primary health care, junior medical personnel are forcibly sent to the front line to provide first aid to Russian wounded.

In case of refusal, medical workers are threatened with execution.

Mobilization activities have also been started in relation to young people in the occupied territories of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Kharkiv regions.

"In order to ensure mobilization activities, the possibility of leaving Kherson region to the territories controlled by Ukraine has been almost completely blocked. The possibility of leaving towards the Russian Federation has been significantly limited," the statement says.

In Zaporizhzhia region, Russian servicemen and employees of the Russian FSB are looking for people of military age.

It is reported that they should replenish the composition of the combat units of the Russian Federation in the most problematic areas.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, artists of the Donetsk Philharmonic were mobilized into the so-called army of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People's Republic" without training, who soon were killed in the battles near Mariupol, including a famous jazzman.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852099-invaders-start-forced-mobilization-of-youth-and-medical-workers-in-occupied-territories?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Law On Criminal Liability Up To 12 Years In Prison For Complicity With Aggressor State Comes Into Force

 

The law on the introduction of criminal liability up to 12 years in prison for complicity with the aggressor state, with the proposals of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has come into force.

The corresponding document No. 2198-IX, signed by the President, was published in the Holos Ukrainy, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

Article 111-2 (complicity with the aggressor state) of the Criminal Code states that intentional actions aimed at helping the aggressor state (assistance), its armed formations and/or the occupation administration of the aggressor state, committed by a citizen of Ukraine, a foreigner or a stateless person, for with the exception of citizens of the aggressor state, for the purpose of causing harm to Ukraine are punishable by imprisonment for a term of 10 to 12 years with deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for a term of 10 to 15 years and with or without confiscation of property.

These actions include:

- implementation or support of decisions and/or actions of the aggressor state, armed formations and/or occupation administration of the aggressor state;

- any cooperation, including the collection, preparation and/or transfer of material resources or other assets to representatives of the aggressor state, its armed formations and/or the occupying administration of the aggressor state;

Among the amendments, taking into account the amendments of the President, was the exclusion from the list of actions considered to be aimed at helping the aggressor country, the item "other voluntary interaction with representatives of the aggressor state, illegal authorities established in the temporarily occupied territory, including the occupation administration of the aggressor state" .

In his proposal, the President explained that this paragraph does not contain a clear definition of the content and nature of actions/inactions, meaning "other voluntary interaction", which can be qualified as aiding the aggressor state.

"The specified provisions of the law do not allow to determine with sufficient clarity what kind of actions are illegal, and this can lead to arbitrary interpretation and unequal application of the law in practice," the text of the President's proposals says.

Besides, in criminal proceedings for crimes under Article 111-2, a special pre-trial investigation may be carried out on the basis of a ruling by the investigating judge.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, on April 14, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law introducing criminal liability of up to 12 years in prison for complicity with the aggressor state with the proposals of the President.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852083-law-on-criminal-liability-up-to-12-years-in-prison-for-complicity-with-aggressor-state-comes-into?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Ukrainian Armed Forces Liberate 3 Settlements In Kharkiv Region As Result Of Counteroffensive

 

The Armed Forces of Ukraine carried out a successful counteroffensive in Kharkiv region, as a result of which 3 settlements were liberated.

Oleh Synehubov, Chairman of the Kharkiv Regional State Administration, announced this on his Telegram channel, Ukrainian News Agency reports.

"We have good news from the front line. Our Armed Forces carried out a successful counteroffensive, yesterday morning they launched offensive operations against the enemy. Fierce battles continued throughout the day. Our units drove Russian troops out of settlements: Bezruky, Slatyne, Prudianka of the Derhachi direction and entrenched themselves in positions!" he wrote.

The governor also said that the Russian invaders continue to shell the civilian infrastructure of Kharkiv and the region, they inflicted 56 strikes over the previous day.

As a result of these strikes, 2 people were killed and 19 were injured.

According to Synehubov, today the curfew time is changing - from 07:00 p.m. to 05:00 a.m.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President Oleksii Arestovych said that the Russian troops managed to advance slightly in the Zaporizhzhia and Izium directions over the past 24 hours.

https://ukranews.com/en/news/852065-ukrainian-armed-forces-liberate-3-settlements-in-kharkiv-region-as-result-of-counteroffensive?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Against the backdrop of the Russian invasion, Finland and Sweden announced their readiness to join NATO in the near future

 

Finland and Sweden are ready to join NATO after Russia unleashed a full-scale war with Ukraine.

It is reported by The Times with reference to officials.

It is reported that the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO was discussed during the negotiations between the foreign ministers of the alliance. Numerous meetings where this topic was raised were attended by representatives of NATO and both countries.

Finland and Sweden appear poised to join NATO as early as the summer, officials say.

The United States believes that the expansion of the alliance from 30 to 32 members is a direct consequence of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"How could this be anything other than a serious strategic mistake by Putin?" - quotes the publication of one of the high-ranking officials.

Finland's application is expected to be submitted in June, followed by Sweden.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, BBC journalists believe that  Western intelligence learned about Russia's final plans to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the summer of 2021.

The British Ministry of Defense has published a map compiled by British intelligence,  which shows up-to-date information on the course of hostilities in Ukraine.

https://ukranews.com/news/848406-na-fone-vtorzheniya-rossii-finlyandiya-i-shvetsiya-zavili-o-gotovnosti-vstupat-v-nato-v-blizhajshee

Another mass grave with dead Ukrainians found near Kiev - British intelligence

 

In the village of Buzovaya, located near Bucha, they found a mass grave with dozens of inhabitants tortured and killed by the invaders.

The Ministry of Defense of Britain announced this on Twitter.

The ministry said further evidence of alleged Russian war crimes continues to emerge.

In particular, British intelligence claims to have discovered a grave with dead Ukrainian civilians near the village of Buzova in the Kiev region.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, in the liberated Bucha, Kyiv region, the number of civilians killed by Russian invaders is growing daily. As of Wednesday, April 6,  320 bodies have been recovered . Law enforcement agencies have already begun exhuming 67 human bodies from a mass grave in Bucha, Kiev region. Most of the dead had gunshot and shrapnel wounds from explosions, some of them were left with only fragments.

The Russian military involved  in the atrocities in Bucha  (Kyiv region), their command will again be returned to Ukraine.

The Russian invaders in Bucha and Irpin raped children  and girls with particular cruelty.

https://ukranews.com/news/848328-pod-kievom-obnaruzhili-eshhe-odnu-bratskuyu-mogilu-s-pogibshimi-ukraintsami-britanskaya-razvedka?utm_source=gravitec&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=

Ukrainian air defense shot down three cruise missiles over Zaporozhye

 

In Zaporozhye on the evening of April 6 and this morning, air defense forces shot down three cruise missiles of the invaders. This was announced by the secretary of the Zaporozhye City Council Anatoly Kurtev on Facebook.

So, Kurtev said that the inhabitants of the city could hear explosions that came from the work of air defense on enemy missiles.

"Last night and this morning were restless. Sirens were heard often and for a long time. People heard explosions in different parts of the city. The fact is that the air defense of the Defense Forces of the Zaporozhye Territory did a good job that night. According to preliminary information, they destroyed three cruise missiles over the city," - said Kurtev.

According to him, no victims or injured as a result of the incident were recorded.

"We met this morning without casualties or damage," Kurtev specified.

In addition, over the past day, the ground defense forces of the Zaporozhye Territory destroyed 12 invaders, 1 tank, 4 armored combat vehicles, 1 multiple launch rocket system and 1 car.

As Ukrainian News Agency reported, in the Sumy region , the military shot down a rocket flying in the direction of Poltava .

In the meantime, Arestovich said that Russia was striking Ukraine with missiles transferred by Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandum.

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