Did you miss the latest events on the war in Ukraine? 20 minutes takes stock for you every evening at 7:30 p.m. Between the strong declarations, the advances on the front and the results of the battles, here are the main points of the day.
The fact of the day
The Russian army claimed Friday to have struck a “train with Western weapons and military equipment” in the town of Udachne, in the Donetsk region as well as military “troops and equipment” in Balaklia.
Russia is bombing the railway network to “paralyze” military supplies including Western aid, with Moscow preparing a new offensive, a senior Ukrainian security official said, after a series of strikes on Ukraine’s railways. Rail infrastructure is particularly vital in Ukraine, because since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, all air traffic there has been at a standstill.
“These are classic measures before an offensive,” said on condition of anonymity a highly placed source in the Ukrainian security system when questioned about these attacks. The goal “is to paralyze deliveries, the transport of military cargo,” she added.
Today’s statement
“ It would be more difficult for Russia to continue its assault on Ukraine without China’s support »
The remarks are signed Anthony Blinken. The US Secretary of State said on Friday that he had raised concerns with China over support for Russia, saying the invasion of Ukraine would be more “difficult” without support from Beijing. Already on Thursday, the head of NATO Jens Stoltenberg attacked China, accusing Beijing of “supporting Russia’s war economy” by sharing cutting-edge technologies that can be used to produce missiles, tanks and planes.
“China says it wants to maintain good relations with the West. At the same time, Beijing continues to fuel the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. They can’t have it both ways,” he said.
The number of the day
Two. This is the number of people killed Friday in Ukrainian bombings in territory occupied by Moscow and on Russian soil, the respective local authorities reported. Two other civilians were injured that same day, while homes were damaged in Novodrujesk, a small town under Russian control which borders Lyssychansk. In response to numerous deadly Russian strikes in Ukraine, kyiv’s forces have promised in recent months to bring the fighting onto Russian soil, particularly targeting the rear lines of Russian forces’ logistics.
The Kiev town hall, for its part, announced on Friday the emergency evacuation of two hospitals in the Ukrainian capital, including a pediatric establishment, for fear of Russian strikes on these establishments. Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, at least 1,682 attacks against health centers in Ukraine have been recorded in this country, according to figures from the World Health Organization published in early April. These strikes left at least 128 dead and 288 injured among medical staff and patients, according to the same source.
The trend
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg ruled on Friday that “unacceptable” cases of pro-Russian espionage and conspiracy revealed in Germany and the United Kingdom would not prevent the Alliance’s support for Ukraine. “They will not dissuade us from providing our support to Ukraine and we are closely coordinating our response to any hostile act against NATO allies,” he assured during a press conference with the chancellor. Olaf Scholz.
In the United Kingdom, a 20-year-old British man has been charged under the British national security law for allegedly organizing attacks on “businesses linked to Ukraine”, authorities said Friday, a case deemed “deeply worrying” by London. “Dylan Earl, 20, is suspected of having targeted companies linked to Ukraine in order to benefit the Russian state,” said Nick Price, head of the anti-terrorism division of the British prosecution. These facts include “planning an arson” against a “Ukraine-linked” company last month. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the summoning of the Russian ambassador to London.
In Germany, two men suspected of having wanted to commit acts of sabotage against aid to Ukraine for Russia’s benefit were arrested last week. The two men, who have Russian and German nationalities, were arrested in Bavaria, in the south-east of the country. They are accused of having carried out scouting for potential targets, including “installations of the American armed forces” stationed on German soil.