9:59
The WHO counts 550 attacks on health centers in Ukraine
WHO Ukraine tweeted that it counted 550 attacks on health centers in Ukraine between February 24 and September 9, leaving “100 dead and 129 injured.” “Health should never be a goal,” writes the organization.
9:50
In Moscow ‘we’re starting to arrest people on the street’
After the announcement of a partial mobilization of the Russian population for the war in Ukraine, recruitment began, according to Daniel Kashnitsky, a Russian teacher-researcher who had fled to France since the war began.
“I’m in contact with my friends in Moscow, they say we’re starting to arrest people on the street,” he says, “we’re calling them under the flag, giving them forms to fill out,” so they can join army.
9:36
The son of the deserted Kremlin spokesman?
The team of Russian opponent Alexei Navalny has released a video in which they capture the son of Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Activists posing as police officers call Nikolay Peskov to come to the police station as part of the partial mobilization for the war in Ukraine. The son then makes it clear that his social status is unaffected by Vladimir Putin’s announcement.
“Of course I will not come to the police station. You should understand that I am Mr. Peskov, that it is not really for me … Anyway, I will solve this problem, I will solve it on another level,” explained he.
A statement that goes awry, as the Russian president’s announcements on Wednesday have sparked anger from some Russians who want to leave the country or who are expressing dissatisfaction.
9:11
EU considers new sanctions against Russia
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said on Wednesday evening that the 27 are considering new sanctions against Russia following the “escalation” announced by Moscow.
Josep Borrell made the statement after an informal extraordinary meeting of EU foreign ministers in New York, where they adopted a statement “strongly condemning Russia’s recent escalation”. “We will continue to increase our military aid and consider new restrictive measures” against Russia, he said.
9:01 a.m
With the Russians “only the artillery works”
“The Russians are retreating territorially, they no longer have air control, the only thing that still works well for them is the artillery,” explains Alain Bauer, specialist in security and defense issues, on BFMTV this Thursday.
“To destroy this artillery, you have to go deep into Russian territory” to destroy ammunition dumps or fuel dumps, he explains. Today “there is no bombardment on the other side of the border, there are only special forces, Ukrainian commandos who have gone out to blow up depots”.
8:54
Some weapons “do more damage than a tactical nuclear weapon,” says Alain Bauer
Alain Bauer, a specialist in security and defense issues, explains on BFMTV this Thursday morning that a tactical nuclear weapon does not mean total destruction. “We have conventional weapons that do more damage than a tactical nuclear weapon: fuel oil bombs, for example, the bombs used in Iraq and the first Gulf War. These are extremely destructive weapons,” he explains.
“The tactical nuclear weapon is concentrated, limited and reduced to a very small object,” explains Alain Bauer. “It is done to destroy a concentration of tanks, a production center where there would be many divisions or weapons” and if it is banned in the West, “it is always part of the Russian arsenal for the Russians”.
8:35
Interview with Emmanuel Macron follows on BFMTV
An interview with the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron on the war in Ukraine and the current international situation will be broadcast on BFMTV this Thursday morning.
8:32
215 prisoners were exchanged overnight
Ukraine announced overnight Wednesday-Thursday exchanges of 215 soldiers with Russia, including defense chiefs at Azovstal Steel Works in the city of Mariupol, a symbol of resistance to the Russian invasion. This is the biggest exchange of blows since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February, said the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration Andriï Yermak on television.
Russia has recovered 55 prisoners, including former MP Viktor Medvedchuk, a close friend of Vladimir Putin who is accused of treason in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his daily address.
8:30
Zelenskyy calls for “just punishment” against Russia
Speaking at the United Nations on Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for Russia to be “justly punished” and called for the establishment of a special tribunal. “A crime has been committed against Ukraine and we demand a just punishment” against Russia, President Zelenskyy said in a video message to the UN General Assembly.
This speech came after announcements earlier in the morning by Vladimir Putin threatening the West with an armed escalation and announcing the partial mobilization of at least 300,000 men.