This Saturday, March 25, 2023, the situation in Bakhmout in eastern Ukraine stabilized. Vladimir Putin has announced that he intends to use nuclear weapons “Tactics” on the territory of its ally Belarus. Here’s what to remember from the day.
Stable situation in Bakhmout
Ukrainian forces managed to counter a Russian offensive in and around the eastern town of Bakhmout, where the situation is stabilizing, Commander-in-Chief General Valery Zaluzhny said on Saturday.
For its part, the British Ministry of Defense assures that the month-long Russian attack on the city has come to a standstill mainly because of the high losses of Russian troops. The city is a prime target for Russia, which is attempting to completely take over Ukraine’s industrial Donbass region.
Bakhmout, which had a population of around 70,000 before Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022 but is now deserted by civilians, is the scene of the longest and bloodiest battle since the war broke out. Commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces Oleksandre Syrsky claimed on Telegram on Thursday that a counter-offensive against Russian forces could be launched “very soon”. “exhausted” near Bachmout.
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The situation in Ukraine on Saturday, March 25. | WESTERN FRANCE View full screen
The situation in Ukraine on Saturday, March 25. | WESTERN FRANCE
Wagner Group: More than 5,000 ex-prisoners pardoned
“Currently, more than 5,000 people have been pardoned after the end of their contract with the Wagner Group,” Yevgeny Prigoyine, founder of this paramilitary organization and ally of President Vladimir Putin, said in a message broadcast on Telegram on Saturday.
Yevgeny Prigojine recruited thousands of prisoners in Russia to expand Wagner’s ranks to support the Russian army in Ukraine, promising them freedom at the end of their contract.
Also read: war in Ukraine. “I don’t want to go back”: Wagner’s mercenaries tell
Depleted Uranium Shells: Threats
Valdimir Putin on Saturday threatened to use depleted uranium shells if Ukraine received them from Westerners.
It’s a formidable armor-piercing weapon, but controversial because of the toxic risks it poses to soldiers and the general public.
Russian “tactical” nuclear weapons in Belarus
The Russian President said on Saturday that Moscow will deploy nuclear weapons “Tactics” on the territory of its ally Belarus, a country at the gates of the European Union.
“There is nothing unusual here: the United States has been doing this for decades. They have long stationed their tactical nuclear weapons on their allies’ territory.” Vladimir Putin said during an interview broadcast on Russian television. “We have agreed to do the same”, he added, saying he had the Minsk Agreement.
“We have already helped our Belarusian colleagues and equipped their planes […] without violating our international nuclear non-proliferation commitments. Ten aircraft are ready to use this type of weapon.” continued Valdimir Putin. “From April 3rd we will start training the crews. And on July 1 we will complete the construction of a special storage facility for tactical nuclear weapons on the territory of Belarus. »
IAEA chief visits Zaporizhia power plant
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi will visit Ukraine’s Zaporizhia nuclear power plant next week to review the safety situation there.
In Kiev, the monks decided to stay
In the most important orthodox monastery in Ukraine, in Kiev, the monks judge “without legal basis” received an eviction notice from the Ukrainian government and intend to stay on the site ” as long as “ as possible.
Authorities have ordered the clergy to vacate their Lavra of Caves monastery, previously affiliated with the Russian Church and which played a key role in the history of Ukrainian and Russian Orthodoxy, by Wednesday.
Nevertheless, in May 2022 her church announced that she would sever relations with Russia because the Russian Patriarch Kirill had energetically supported the invasion of Ukraine. But the Kiev government believes that this church remains de facto dependent on Moscow.
“Our church was the first of all religious organizations in Ukraine to condemn Putin’s war against Ukraine. She blessed the Ukrainian army in defense of the motherland.” pleads Archbishop Kliment, a spokesman for that church.