The night of the war at a glance
Russians advance to chemical plant Azot – Zelenskyj: EU decision makes Russia nervous
06/21/2022, 06:17 am
The prospect of joining the EU gives Ukraine hope, while Russia, on the other hand, is making the decision nervous, emphasizes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In the industrial zone in Sieverodonetsk, the chemical plant becomes the last bastion. Meanwhile, people in occupied regions are advised to flee – if necessary to enemy-held territory. The night of the war at a glance.
Zelenskyj: EU decision makes Russia nervous
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated that, in his opinion, Ukraine belongs to Europe and deserves the status of an EU candidate country. The country attacked by Russia proves every day that it is already part of a unified European space of values, Zelenskyy said in his video speech. Ukraine’s aspirations to join the EU made Russia very nervous, he said. The European Commission recommended on Friday that Ukraine and Moldova should be nominated as candidates for accession to the European Union.
The heads of state and government of the 27 EU countries must now make the decision at their summit on Thursday. According to Zelensky, defending against the Russian invaders is also about drawing attention to the suffering of the Ukrainians and thus mobilizing international aid. But the longer the war lasts, the more difficult it becomes “to compete for the attention of hundreds of millions of people in different countries.” Nevertheless, he will “do everything so that the attention for Ukraine does not diminish”.
Sjewerodonetsk: Russian troops in the industrial area
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops in the heavily contested city of Sievjerodonetsk have penetrated the industrial area, where their own military only controls the Azot chemical plant. Surrounding towns are also under constant fire, said Governor Serhij Hajdaj. For some time, Russian troops have been concentrating on capturing the administrative center of Sievarodonetsk in Luhansk. There were also air alerts in other areas in the east and central regions of the country during the night.
Hundreds of civilians at the Azot chemical plant
According to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Wereshchuk, around 300 civilians were still staying at the Azot chemical plant. However, the situation is constantly changing, she said, according to the Ukrainian agency Ukrinform. Should the civilians seeking protection there want to be evacuated, an attempt will be made to set up an escape corridor. On Saturday, Governor Hajdaj said the civilians did not want to be evacuated but were in constant contact. According to the Russian agency Interfax, about 20 Ukrainian civilians were able to leave the chemical plant. They used a passage not controlled by Ukrainian troops and are now “safe,” said separatist representative Rodion Miroshnik. He accused Ukraine of using “constant shelling” to obstruct the evacuation of civilians from the region.
Ukraine mourns deaths and injuries in the east
In the east of the country, according to Ukrainian authorities, three civilians were killed and two others injured by Russian shelling in the Donetsk region and in Kharkiv. One civilian was reportedly killed and another injured in the Sumy region. The information was not independently verified. According to a count by the United Nations, at least 4,569 civilians have been killed and 5,691 others injured since the beginning of the war, although the actual number is likely to be significantly higher, even according to UN estimates.
Ukrainian deputy prime minister advises escape from Kherson
Deputy Prime Minister Vereshchuk called on residents of the Kherson region occupied by Russian troops to leave the region before the Ukrainian army launched a larger-scale counter-offensive. Families with children in particular should leave the country. “Please go, because our army will definitely evacuate this country,” Vereshchuk appealed. She expects heavy fighting there and then it will be difficult to set up escape corridors. Vereshchuk even recommended that people – if necessary – flee to the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which was annexed by Russia and borders on Kherson. Normally, a permit from the Ukrainian authorities is required for travel there – but for fleeing people a temporary stay in Crimea is not punishable, Wereshchuk emphasized.
Ukraine ratifies the Istanbul Convention
The Ukrainian parliament ratified the so-called Istanbul Convention – a convention of the Council of Europe to combat violence against women. “I am grateful to all people’s deputies who supported our European integration,” said Zelenskyy. Russia and Ukraine were both originally members of the Council of Europe. On February 25, Russia’s membership was initially suspended in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine. After the Kremlin declared the withdrawal of the Russian Federation on March 15, the country was finally excluded from the Council of Europe.
That brings the day
The consequences of the Ukraine war for the energy supply in Germany are likely to be the biggest topic at Industry Day in Berlin today. Alongside Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Finance Minister Christian Lindner and Economics Minister Robert Habeck are expected to attend the congress of the Federation of German Industries.
You can read all further developments in our live ticker on the Ukraine war.