War against Ukraine: ++ USA: Russia plans annexations in eastern Ukraine ++

1:31 am

Naftogaz boss calls for “crushing sanctions” against Russia

The head of the state-owned Ukrainian energy company Naftogaz, Yuri Vitrenko, insists on stricter sanctions by the European Union (EU) and Germany against Russia. “When we talk about sanctions, we need devastating sanctions that are really suitable for weakening Putin’s position,” Vitrenko told the editorial network Germany. A complete embargo by Germany against Russian gas and oil and oil products is necessary. “Such a move should come as a shock to Russia.”

1:17 am

US Ambassador to the OSCE: Russia plans annexations in eastern Ukraine

According to US estimates, Russia plans to annex large parts of eastern Ukraine in May and recognize the southern Ukrainian city of Cherson as an independent republic. The course of action expected from the US came “straight from the Kremlin’s tactics manual,” said Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. But the US and its allies would not recognize such moves, he said.

The United States and others have information that Moscow is planning “sham referenda” in the so-called People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, with which the territories would be annexed to Russia. There are also indications that Russia will organize a vote on independence in Kherson. With such referendums, the Kremlin may be trying to give its actions a democratic touch, said Carpenter. However, such fake votes would not be considered legitimate.

1:17 am

“Doctors Without Borders”: Situation in Mariupol “total catastrophe”

According to the aid organization Doctors Without Borders, the humanitarian situation in the embattled Ukrainian port of Mariupol is disastrous. “From the information we have so far, it can be said with certainty: It is a total catastrophe,” said the emergency coordinator for Ukraine, Anja Wolz, to the newspapers of the Funke media group. According to their estimates, the true extent of human suffering in the besieged metropolis will only become fully apparent in the future. “I don’t think we have any idea what we’re going to see there. Butscha, Irpin and Hostomel are just the tip of the iceberg,” added Wolz. Hundreds of bodies were found in the cities of Bucha, Irpin, Borodyanka and Hostomel after Russian troops withdrew.