Ukraine and Russia: What you have to know proper now

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President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated Ukraine’s formal candidature to affix the European Union was a giant step in the direction of strengthening Europe at a time when Russia was testing its freedom and unity.

Friday marks 4 months since Russian President Vladimir Putin despatched forces throughout the border into Ukraine, sparking the most important battle in Europe since World Conflict Two.

FIGHTING

* Authorities within the city of Derhachi, to the northwest of Kharkiv, stated heavy Russian shelling had knocked out a lot of the electrical and pure gasoline provide.

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* Ukrainian troops might have to retreat from the japanese frontline metropolis of Lysychansk to keep away from encirclement, Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai stated on Thursday.

* Ukraine stated its troops had been nonetheless holding out in Sievieorodonetsk, throughout the river.

* In Ukraine’s south, three cruise missiles hit the port metropolis of Mykolaiv, whereas two extra had been shot down close to Odesa, the Ukrainian armed forces stated.

* Russia stated it had struck Ukrainian military gasoline tanks and navy tools close to Mykolaiv with high-precision weapons, Interfax reported.

* Reuters was unable to independently confirm the state of affairs on the bottom.

MILITARY AID

* Ukraine stated it had acquired U.S. provides of highly effective HIMARS long-range weapon methods.

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* The US will present a further $450 million in safety help to Ukraine, together with extra long-range rocket methods, U.S. officers stated on Thursday.

ECONOMY AND DIPLOMACY

* EU leaders formally accepted Ukraine as a candidate to affix the bloc on Thursday.

* The EU ought to cease including sanctions on Russia and as a substitute push for a ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations, a senior aide to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Thursday.

* Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated Britain was prepared to assist with demining off Ukraine’s coast and will supply insurance coverage for ships to ease grain exports.

* The G7 wealthy democracies will search to point out long-term assist for Ukraine at a summit beginning on Sunday.

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* Turkey stated it was investigating claims that Ukrainian grain was stolen by Russia and shipped to international locations together with Turkey, though no stolen shipments had been discovered up to now. Russia has beforehand denied theft allegations.

* Analyst APK-Inform stated Ukraine might harvest over 52 million tonnes of grain in 2022.

* A dozen EU international locations have now been affected by cuts to gasoline provide from Russia, the bloc’s local weather coverage chief stated amid a deepening vitality standoff with Moscow.

TRIALS

* Ukraine held on Thursday a preliminary listening to in its first trial of a Russian soldier charged with raping a Ukrainian lady throughout Russia’s invasion, the primary of what prosecutors say could possibly be dozens of such circumstances.

QUOTES

* “Ukraine’s future is within the EU,” Zelenskiy wrote on Twitter.

* “Ukraine will prevail. Europe will prevail. At present marks the start of an extended journey that we’ll stroll collectively,” EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell stated. (Compiled by Himani Sarkar)