Ukraine stated on Saturday it had surrounded a number of thousand Russian troops close to a significant metropolis in one of many 4 areas occupied by Moscow, which President Vladimir Putin had captured a day earlier, regardless of condemnation from Kyiv and the West.
Putin held a grand ceremony within the Kremlin on Friday to rejoice the annexation of 4 areas managed by his army.
US President Joe Biden condemned Friday’s ceremony in Moscow, calling it a “false routine” and vowed to proceed supporting Kyiv.
Ukraine’s army stated on Saturday it had “encircled” a Russian group close to the jap metropolis, which it estimated had about 5,000 troopers.
Donetsk’s Kremlin-backed chief stated on Friday that Russian troops and their allies have been holding Lyman with “their final energy”.
Collectively, the 5 areas account for about 20 p.c of Ukraine, the place the Kyiv area has returned in latest weeks.
Washington introduced “extreme” new sanctions in opposition to Russian officers and the protection trade, and stated G7 allies would “value” any nation that helps the merger.
He additionally vowed by no means to barter with Russia so long as Putin is in energy.
The US and Canada voiced assist for Ukraine’s membership, however shied away from guarantees to fast-track it.
Regardless of Putin’s warnings earlier than the occupation that he would possibly use nuclear weapons to defend the occupied territories, Ukraine’s Overseas Minister Dmitro Kuleba stated that Kyiv “will proceed to liberate our land and our individuals”.
– Nuclear plant proprietor in custody –
Sullivan additionally stated there’s a “threat” of Putin utilizing nuclear weapons, however there isn’t a indication that he’ll accomplish that anytime quickly.
Ihor Murashov was on his manner out of the plant on Friday when he was taken into custody and blindfolded “to an unknown route”, Energotom stated.
Russia on Friday vetoed a UN Safety Council decision condemning the annexation of territories, whereas China, India, Brazil and Gabon didn’t take part.
At a UNESCO assembly in Mexico Metropolis on Friday, representatives of dozens of nations descended on Russia’s flooring, symbolically condemning the invasion of Ukraine.
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initially revealed Russian troops ‘encircled’ close to Ukraine’s key metropolis in enclosed space