Ukraine said on Wednesday that its forces had counterattacked in Bachmout, forcing Russian troops to withdraw in some places. Bombings occurred in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions of Ukraine. Russia plans to evacuate more than 3,000 workers from the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.
Paris called on China to deploy on Wednesday “its relations with Russia” to lead her on the path of peace, for she finds herself “in a dead end”. For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance should do so “double effort”. In addition, a war crimes investigation was launched in France on Wednesday following the death of an AFP journalist in Ukraine.
Here’s what to remember from this Wednesday, May 10, 2023, a new day of war in Ukraine.
Two dead and four wounded by shelling
In Ukraine, one person was killed in the bombing of the city of Vovchansk, the governor of the Kharkiv region said on Telegram on Wednesday afternoon, reports Le Monde. “According to initial information, a woman could still be under the rubble. “All emergency services are on site,” explained Oleh Synehoubov. Three people were injured in the bombing of Kupyansk on Tuesday evening, the governor of Kharkiv said on Telegram on Wednesday morning. “Civil buildings and five private houses were damaged”.
A district of Kakhovka, a city in the Kherson region, was bombed around 5 p.m., Ukraine’s prosecutor’s office reported on Telegram, the daily said. “One resident was injured and one woman died as a result of the shelling. Residential and farm buildings were damaged”.
According to the Russian authorities, the air defense forces shot down a drone in the Kursk district on the border with Ukraine, the newspaper said. “Debris fell in the village of Tolmachevo. Nobody was injured, but a gas pipe and the facade of a house were damaged.” the governor of Russia’s Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoit, told Telegram on Wednesday morning.
![]({"srcset":"https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=320&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=2b51106c60c24d8a3a1a66d82b2ae6a8cd2fd5d7d5227d45257eb9546b424e3a 280w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=375&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=d8860a3c8d385f32a12e056a30ea21b6b7a53f83c83a2c633d3edecf5c225621 360w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=480&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=3e13a9002fa0af5637c1ce0109e6e02e74a79eb4dfc1c51d70ce935b4b127cb2 480w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=630&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=a03adf244f6c242aa20f7b9ad3efb3782b100745e494311f27b44ea1490d0647 630w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=940&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=1df3ffe4829899650acd01de0688eff6c86e66e9e9bcae80818f193dfb1b6401 940w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1OTA5YTg3YmQ5MGFkZWU0ZmU2NmNhOTVlODBkOGYzMDI?width=1260&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=1c8b2b4259cc10a130feb878356f0d46e1b4561fb9ba3c8fd12391fe88af41bf 1260w" } "La situation en Ukraine ce mercredi 10 mai 2023.")
The situation in Ukraine this Wednesday, May 10, 2023. | OUEST-FRANCE INFOGRAPHIC View full screen
The situation in Ukraine this Wednesday, May 10, 2023. | WESTERN FRANCE INFOGRAPHY
Also read: INTERVIEW. “Russian activities on the Finnish border have not increased”
Ukraine calls for counterattacks in Bachmout
A senior Ukrainian military official said Wednesday that Kiev forces counterattacked in Bakhmut, the epicenter of fighting in eastern Ukraine, forcing Russian troops to retreat in some places. The battle for Bakhmout, a devastated city now almost 95% controlled by Russian forces, is the longest and deadliest since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. The battle is fought by Russian troops led by fighters from the paramilitary group Wagner led , have gradually and slowly gained ground in Bachmout in recent months, Ukrainian resistance in the west of the city remains fierce.
“We are conducting effective counterattacks. “In some areas of the front, the enemy could not resist the attack of the Ukrainian defenders and retreated to a distance of up to two kilometers.” said on Telegram Oleksandre Syrsky, commander of the ground forces of the Ukrainian army. According to him, in some places Wagner’s fighters on the ground have been replaced by Russian regular army units that are less well prepared.
Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine Ganna Maliar assured on Telegram that the troops in Kiev had no troops “Not a single position lost in Bakhmout during the day” elapsed. These claims were immediately unverifiable by an independent source. “Our defense forces reliably hold the front and prevent the enemy from advancing. The fight for Bakhmout continues.” added Oleksandre Syrsky.
In an open conflict with the Russian General Staff, Wagner’s boss Evguéni Prigojine on Tuesday accused soldiers of the Russian regular army of having fled their positions in Bachmout. He had repeatedly complained about a shortage of ammunition for his men, accused the Russian military hierarchy of causing the shortage on purpose, and threatened to withdraw from Bachmout if the situation was not resolved.
On Wednesday, Yevgeny Prigoyine again claimed that his men did not receive enough ammunition for the Ukrainian army to do without “Destroy Wagner” in Bachmout. “There is a serious risk that Wagner will be encircled in Bakhmout due to the failure of the flanks,” held by regular troops of the Russian army, he assured, citing his press service on Telegram. “The flanks are already cracking and breaking,” He was alarmed and accused the Russian General Staff of misconduct “Artificially Decrease Combat Potential” by Wagner from “Fear of internal competition”.
![]({"srcset":"https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=320&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=d9e1e955fbec6f5b39ed5e6caad3a752d5990afa37bbdc6a562590ddc4fbe775 280w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=375&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=22d62857eb2c88a03001bf5a1e1751c63e1f896ada86c78ece3cc3e7ebf27cb9 360w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=480&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=90ca6ba7df4be638df61e3c2fe3df9c03b553e5d1c334f9871d5857922751cfb 480w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=630&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=0c139573ef470236dc9bde095568e324a9a4250dbd6a6bf2cb403ed4d6c82d04 630w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=940&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=86a26c63b3227ddde6a3bda76522dbaf00f2ddd0f9ce7de735ad7c09e45f853e 940w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1NmQ2ZWI3YWVmMWFjN2YxYjUyYWE4OWZhMjU0NGU1MDc?width=1260&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=b087c5781eabafa03fa61c23efb3e915dbd93e4faafdad45d1a65ef1ecf7e4f0 1260w" } "De la fumée après une explosion, à Bakhmout, dans la région de Donetsk, en Ukraine le 7 mai 2023.")
Smoke after an explosion in Bachmout, Donetsk region, Ukraine on May 7, 2023. | ADAM TACTIC GROUP / HANDOUT VIA Portal View full screen
Smoke after an explosion in Bachmout, Donetsk region, Ukraine on May 7, 2023. | ADAM TACTIC GROUP/HANDOUT VIA Portal
Ukraine, for its part, claims to be preparing a major counter-offensive, the first steps of which may already have begun.
Russia continues evacuation of Zaporizhia
Russian forces plan to evacuate more than 3,000 workers from the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which would result in a disaster “catastrophic shortage” employees, the Ukrainian state-owned company Energoatom announced on Wednesday. The company said it had received information about preparations to evacuate around 3,100 people living in Enerhodar, the southern city where the plant is located, including 2,700 workers who had signed contracts with the Russian authorities.
“The Russian occupiers are proving that they are unable to ensure the operation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, because there is now a catastrophic shortage of qualified personnel.” The company announced this in a statement published on Telegram messaging. Even Ukrainian workers who signed shameful contracts […] will soon be “evacuated”. This will only exacerbate the already extremely urgent problem of having enough personnel to ensure the safe operation of the nuclear power plant even in the current shutdown situation. »
However, according to Le Monde this morning, Ukraine’s general staff said Russia was preventing workers at the plant from leaving Enerhodar, despite the evacuation of their families. “In Enerhodar, the Russian occupiers organized a so-called “evacuation” for family members of employees of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant. However, the employees of the power plant are not allowed to leave the city. »
Last week, Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency, claimed that the situation around the nuclear power plant had come under Russian control “potentially dangerous” after the evacuation of residents of the surrounding areas by officials deployed by Moscow. The operation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant was suspended for this case “Provocation” of the Ukrainian army, the official Russian news agency TASS reported on Monday.
Also read: REPORTING. These volunteers from Maine-et-Loire distributed eight tons of material in Ukraine
China must press Russia to bring peace, says Paris
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna called on China to deploy on Wednesday “its relations with Russia” to guide him on the way to peace, he spoke in the presence of his German counterpart. “China must use its ties with Russia to make it clear to Russia that it is at an impasse and urge it to come to its senses.” For “a return to peace and not the continuation of war”, said the diplomatic chief shortly before a meeting in Paris with her Chinese counterpart Qin Gang.
Speaking during the report of the Council of Ministers, she recalled this “to China and Ukraine”the positions of France were “known”. “We talk about it openly, directly and with the openness that friendship allows.”.
The chief of Chinese diplomacy began his European visit on Monday at a time when his country wants to play a mediating role in the war in Ukraine. After Germany and France he has to go to Norway.
“We expect China to participate in defending the principles on which the international order is based.” Catherine Colonna said on Wednesday, referring to “state sovereignty”, “territorial integrity” at which the “Right to Self-Defense”contained in the Charter of the United Nations.
His German counterpart, Annalena Baerbock, criticized Beijing’s stance on the Ukraine conflict on Tuesday. “Neutrality means taking the side of the attacker,” she complained during a press conference with Qin Gang in Berlin. “China can play an important role if it wants to […] end the war She added.
On Wednesday, Annalena Baerbock was satisfied with the mention “A common European message” addressed to China, reminding that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, it had none “Not only rights, but also duties”.
![]({"srcset":"https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=320&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=11e60b99057a3a9a5b15ff338cfec6b256f20cf6990b050dbd39ef0222261842 280w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=375&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=f43168e0cb2269767ad6bfa51050d6364e9f4b965f13dc2f9ba374cd09c5e5d3 360w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=480&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=87b971f8f9353a3d9b5a063997e5c8336fcf169fc86e1e5114f009902d6049ac 480w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=630&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=30f54a178ed9469340bacd37e938a054f14351c06b1803ed12a6183e9a83a84c 630w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=940&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=0fff6c660d4fff36d31c55d4313c60f653984a752b7505a176ca138ba09cae54 940w, https://media.ouest-france.fr/v1/pictures/MjAyMzA1YjhjZGYxOGZkZDhkMTBhOTM5ZDg5NjgyMGQ1NTk5YjQ?width=1260&focuspoint=50%2C25&cropresize=1&client_id=bpeditorial&sign=e6b77f3d3fc762c3b6cbe5d68f10fdac12db6580eeaca47a23a1416f517e52dd 1260w" } "Des drones russes détruits et des membres des groupes mobiles de défense aérienne assistent à une cérémonie de remise de camions avec des mitrailleuses DShK données par un groupe de volontaires, près de la ville de Borispil, dans la région de Kiev, en Ukraine le 10 mai 2023.")
Destroyed Russian drones and members of mobile air defense groups take part in a handover ceremony of trucks with DShK machine guns donated by a group of volunteers near the city of Borispil in Kiev region of Ukraine, May 10, 2023. | GLEB GARANICH / Portal View full screen
Destroyed Russian drones and members of mobile air defense groups take part in a handover ceremony of trucks with DShK machine guns donated by a group of volunteers near the city of Borispil in Kiev region of Ukraine, May 10, 2023. | GLEB GARANICH / Portal
Kremlin ‘aches’ over death of AFP journalist…
The Kremlin called for clarification on Wednesday ” Circumstances “ on the death of Agence-France-Presse journalist Arman Soldin in an attack on Kievan Armed Forces positions in Ukraine on Tuesday, while expressing his opinion “Sadness”.
“We need to understand the circumstances of this journalist’s death,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov and called not to do this “take at face value” Ukrainians claim the Russians were the perpetrators of the deadly attack. “We can only be sad about the issue” about the death of the AFP video coordinator in Ukraine.
Arman Soldin, a Sarajevo-born French journalist and AFP’s video coordinator in Ukraine, was killed by a volley of Grad rockets on Tuesday at the age of 32. He was part of a team of five reporters who followed Ukrainian soldiers on the most active front of the war, around Hassiv Iar, a Ukrainian town near Bakhmout that is under daily attack by Russian forces. The salvo of Grad missiles that hit it was launched around 4:30 p.m. (1:30 GMT). He was hit while lying on the ground trying to protect himself. The rest of the team escaped unharmed.
…in France investigations into a war crime have been initiated
An investigation into a war crime was launched in France on Wednesday after the journalist’s death, the national anti-terrorist prosecutor said. This investigation, entrusted to the gendarmes of the Central Unit for Combating Crimes Against Humanity and Hate Crimes (OCLCH), aims to clarify the circumstances surrounding his death. According to a source familiar with the matter, OCLCH has been preparing a team for the past few hours to go to the scene of the tragedy.
Also read: Journalist killed in Ukraine: In Rennes we remember Arman, ‘gifted’ and ‘smiling’
The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) is responsible for crimes against humanity and war crimes. Since the end of February 2022, the Pnat has launched at least seven investigations into possible war crimes, most notably against French people in February and March last year. Among them was a cameraman from Fox News and a journalist from BFMTV. In this regard, from September 12 to 16, the prosecutor traveled to the Kyiv region, accompanied by a team from the Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office, OCLCH and the Criminal Research Institute of the National Gendarmerie.
Also read: Journalist killed in Ukraine: From Rennes to the White House, there are many honors for Arman Soldin
According to a count by the specialized NGOs RSF (Reporters Without Borders) and CPJ (Committee), Arman Soldin is at least the 11th reporter, fixer or driver of journalists killed in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022 to protect journalists).
NATO must ‘double its efforts’
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Admiral Rob Bauer spoke in Brussels on Wednesday during the opening address of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Military Committee.
According to Le Monde, Admiral Rob Bauer explained that “Russia is in the fifteenth month of what they believe to be a three-day war. Goliath falters. And that’s because David, backed by fifty nations around the world, has shown immense resilience and brilliant tactics.”.
For his part, the Secretary General of NATO stated that the Alliance should do so “double effort” to ensure the security of the billions of inhabitants of the countries of the alliance. “High-intensity warfare is back in Europe, warned Jens Stoltenberg. Global competition is intensifying, authoritarian regimes are challenging our values, interests and security, and other threats are on the rise too: from terrorism to cyber attacks; From nuclear proliferation to climate change, and NATO is up to the challenge. »
7.4 billion Swiss francs from the Russian central bank are held in Switzerland
Around 7.4 billion Swiss francs (around 7.6 billion euros) in assets and reserves of the Russian central bank are tied up in Switzerland after the invasion of Moscow in Ukraine, the Swiss Ministry of Economic Affairs announced on Wednesday. Transactions related to the management of the reserves and assets of the Central Bank of Russia have been banned since March 25, 2022. “The assets of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation are therefore fixed assets”, states the ministry (SECO).
Discussions are ongoing within the European Union to potentially use the assets of the issuing institution of the Russian Federation for investment purposes and to use the proceeds for the reconstruction of Ukraine. “Switzerland is following the file closely”, emphasizes the ministry. These central bank funds are not taken into account when calculating the CHF 7.5 billion in assets and securities frozen in Switzerland “owned or controlled by any sanctioned person, company or entity” says the ministry.
Traditionally neutral Switzerland, four days after Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, decided to join the European Union in sanctions against Moscow, requiring banks to provide information about targeted customers or companies. This also applies to the obligation to report to the Central Bank of Russia.