Ukraine war: EU sanctions against Wagner group ++ third of Ukraine mined

International

Almost 14 months after the start of the Russian attack on the Ukraine the fighting continues. The fighting is particularly fierce in the strategically important city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian defenders were allegedly surrounded there by Russian troops.

Meanwhile, Poland wants to deliver fighter jets from GDR old stock to Ukraine. The federal government approved a corresponding application for approval of the delivery on Thursday within a few hours.

In our news blog you can read all the important news about developments in the Ukraine war.

14. April

8.20 a.m .: A third of Ukraine may have been contaminated with explosive devices

The extent of mining in Ukraine is becoming increasingly clear. A spokesman for the State Emergency Service said a third of the country is “potentially contaminated with explosive devices”. This is according to a report by CNN. The greatest danger is therefore in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, Donetsk in the east and Cherson and Mykolaiv in the south.

According to spokesman Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, the emergency services have been fighting mines since the beginning of the war. The staff are responsible for defusing and removing the explosives left behind by the Russian attackers as they withdraw from conquered areas. Since the Russian invasion began, more than 316,000 war remnants have already been cleared, Khorunzhyi said. The emergency service pays particular attention to removing mines near the energy infrastructure.

2.02 a.m .: EU imposes sanctions on Wagner Group

Russia’s Wagner mercenary group is now also on the European Union’s sanctions list. The force, founded by oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been added for “active participation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” the European Council said.

The Wagner group leads the Russian attacks on the eastern Ukrainian cities of Bakhmut and Soledar. According to a Russian NGO and a Wagner deserter, they are also responsible for the alleged beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner of war. Wagner boss Prigoshin rejected the allegations about the case, and there is also a video that caused international horror.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s private army is known for its great brutality. Bild: AP / Uncredited

Anyone on the EU sanctions list will be subject, among other things, to a travel ban to Europe. In addition, the assets of those affected will be frozen in the EU and EU citizens and companies will be prohibited from providing them with funds.

You can find older news about the war in Ukraine here.

(With material from dpa and AFP)