Day 428 since the beginning of the war: After Russian air raids, the number of dead in Ukraine is increasing. In Bachmut there is a fight for supply routes. All information in the blog.
The most important things at a glance
Rocket fire death toll rises
7:27 p.m.: After the first major Russian airstrikes in almost two months, the number of dead has continued to rise: according to Ukrainian information, at least 25 people died. In the evening, the sirens wailed again in the east and south of the country.
Zelenskyj: Hear respect from China
7:24 p.m.: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy once again spoke positively about a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The conversation was about the territorial integrity of Ukraine “including Crimea” and the United Nations Charter. “We have heard respect for all these principles,” said the 45-year-old at a press conference in Kiev on Friday. That is very important. There was no discussion with Beijing about mutual visits.
Zelenskyy also asked Xi to influence Moscow to bring about the return of Ukrainian prisoners of war and “abducted children”. According to him, it is about “almost 20,000 children”. “I’ll say it openly, only Ukraine is currently helping Ukraine with the return of our children,” complained the head of state. There are efforts on the part of the United Nations, but with weak results. That’s why he asked Xi for help with this as well.
Putin tightens penalties for treason and sabotage
6:44 p.m.: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has signed tightening laws on high treason, sabotage and terrorism. The penalty for high treason is increased to life imprisonment, according to the text of the law published on Friday.
Most recently, a Russian court sentenced Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Mursa to 25 years in prison for alleged high treason.
The Russian parliament, the State Duma, passed the corresponding laws ten days ago. In addition to the life sentence for high treason, the terms of imprisonment for other crimes have also been increased, in some cases significantly. For acts of sabotage, the maximum penalty is increased from 15 to 20 years. Numerous opponents of the war who had set fire to military district offices or damaged rails to prevent the transport of armaments were put on trial.
Russia and India want to deepen military partnership
5:09 p.m.: According to the government in New Delhi, at a meeting of the Russian and Indian defense ministers, both countries agreed to intensify their military cooperation. Details are not known after the conversation between Sergei Shoigu and Rajnath Singh. India is the world’s largest arms importer and gets almost half of its military supplies from Russia. However, the Ukraine war has led to delivery delays.
Dead after artillery shelling in Donetsk
4:15 p.m.: Several people were killed and injured by shelling in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine. According to preliminary information from local authorities on Friday, there have been 7 dead and 19 injured. Among other things, a shared taxi caught fire and burned out completely as a result of the Ukrainian rocket fire. Kiev regularly denies attacks on civilian objects. Information from the war zone cannot be independently verified.
Putin issues decree on citizenship – threat of expulsion
3:56 p.m.: Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree paving the way for people in the occupied territories to obtain Russian citizenship. However, people who do not initiate the procedure by July 1 of next year risk being classified as foreigners and deported. The four Ukrainian regions that are partially occupied by Russia and have unilaterally declared their territory are affected.
17 dead after home attack
3.45 p.m.: The number of dead after a Russian rocket attack on a residential building in Uman in central Ukraine has continued to rise. The authorities spoke of 17 deaths, previously the Interior Ministry in Kiev had given the number of 15 residents killed. Accordingly, more bodies had been pulled from the rubble of the partially destroyed house. There were 18 injured, 11 of whom were treated in hospital.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “terror against civilians”. He said two unidentified children were among the dead. “The fate of her parents is unclear,” he said. Rescuers searched the rubble for other possible victims.
