Ukraine war in the live ticker: +++ 06:43 ISW: Russia’s troop transfer enables Ukraine to counter-offensive in the Donbass +++

Ukraine war in the live ticker
+++ 06:43 ISW: Russia’s troop deployment enables Ukraine to counter-offensive in the Donbass +++

The “Institute for the Study of War” assumes that Russia’s troop movements from the Donbass to the Zaporizhia and Cherson regions could slow down the offensive in the Sloviansk region. Experts assume that the situation is similar to what it was before, when Russia concentrated its troops in eastern Ukraine and “neglected” the said regions. Now, due to the lack of troops in the Donbass, not only could attacks there in the direction of the city of Sloviansk fail to materialise, but according to the institute’s assessment, there would also be the possibility of a counter-offensive for the Ukrainian troops.

+++ 06:22 Russia uses the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant according to Blinken as a “nuclear shield” +++
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accuses Russia of using the occupied Zaporizhia nuclear power plant as a nuclear shield. He explains that Russian troops have set up positions in the immediate vicinity of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe and will open fire on Ukrainian troops from there. “Of course the Ukrainians can’t shoot back to avoid a terrible accident at the nuclear power plant.”

+++ 06:04 Ukraine reports shelling of an evacuation bus – three dead +++
Ukraine’s Operations Command South reports that a bus that was supposed to rescue people from the Kherson region was fired upon. Three of the seven occupants of the vehicle are said to have died in the attack, which was allegedly carried out by Russian troops. The four survivors were taken to a hospital in Kryvyi Rih. The information cannot be independently verified.

+++ 05:40 USA announce further military aid for Ukraine +++
US releases another $550 million worth of military aid to Ukraine. Among other things, more ammunition for rocket launchers of the HIMARS type and for other weapons is to be delivered. From the Ukrainian point of view, the HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, which can fire at targets up to 80 kilometers away, are crucial in the fight against Russia.

+++ 04:35 Kyiv demands no-fly zone over Ukrainian nuclear power plants +++
Kyiv calls for “robust joint action” to prevent a Russia-triggered nuclear catastrophe. No-fly zones should be set up over Ukrainian nuclear power plants, said Deputy Foreign Minister Mykola Tochytsky at the start of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) review conference in New York. “The world is witnessing nuclear terrorism sponsored by a nuclear-armed state becoming a reality,” Tochytsky said. The aggressor Russia should not get away with invading Ukraine just because it has nuclear weapons.

+++ 03:14 Özdemir wants more export routes for grain from Ukraine +++
Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir emphasizes the need to develop alternative transport routes for grain from Ukraine. “It’s about permanent alternatives, not temporary ones,” says the Green politician of the “Rheinische Post”. Ukraine should no longer be dependent on Russia on this issue. “I want to persuade the EU Commission to push for the expansion of alternative export routes,” says Özdemir. After the first cargo ship left the Black Sea port of Odessa, a spokesman for the Federal Foreign Office had made a similar statement to Özdemir since the beginning of the war and said that the federal government was working flat out to create alternative routes.

+++ 02:20 “Unfriendly” states: Russian MPs plan adoption ban +++
Russian MPs want to ban citizens from “unfriendly” states from adopting Russian children. A draft law on this was published on the website of the State Duma, the parliament. A corresponding law for US citizens has been in force since 2012. It was decided at the time in response to US sanctions against Russian officials. According to the state news agency Tass, only 240 Russian children were adopted by foreigners in 2019, compared to more than 2,600 in 2012.

+++ 01:16 Spain makes energy saving measures mandatory +++
Because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the Spanish government decides on “urgent measures” to save and use energy more efficiently. All buildings in the public sector, but also department stores, cinemas, workplaces, hotels, train stations and airports will in future be allowed to cool their premises to no less than 27 degrees in summer and heat them to a maximum of 19 degrees in winter. The measures are to remain in force until November 1, 2023. In addition, shops and businesses must install automatic systems that keep their doors closed to prevent the escape of heat or cool air, depending on the season. The lighting in unused offices, shop windows and monuments must also be switched off after 10 p.m.

+++ 00:32 Selenskyj sees the first grain carrier as a positive signal +++
After the resumption of grain exports, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj is cautiously optimistic that he will be able to solve the global supply crisis and boost his own economy. “The port has started to work and this is a positive sign that there is a chance to stop the development of the food crisis in the world,” says Zelenskyy in his daily video message. According to him, 16 more ships are waiting in Ukrainian ports to be cleared for export. The implementation of the grain agreement is also of enormous importance for Ukraine. It’s not just about billions in foreign exchange earnings. “About half a million Ukrainians are involved in growing export agricultural products, and if we add related industries, that’s another million jobs,” Zelenskyy said.

+++ 23:52 Kyiv reports delivery of the first Mars II rocket launcher from Germany +++
Ukraine has received the first Mars-II multiple rocket launcher system from Germany. Defense Minister Oleksiy Resnikov announced this via Twitter. In addition, the United States had supplied four more Himars multiple rocket launchers. Germany has promised Ukraine a total of three Mars II systems. From Kiev’s point of view, the multiple rocket launchers are crucial in the fight against the Russian attackers.

+++ 23:12 Baerbock: Nuclear participation within NATO necessary +++
Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defends that US nuclear warheads are still stored in Germany. In the federal election campaign, the Greens had called for it to be removed. “At the time, even in the opposition, we didn’t say that you were pretending that nuclear weapons didn’t exist,” said Baerbock on RTL Direkt. They have campaigned for joint disarmament steps. “Unfortunately, since February 24, the brutal reality has changed.” Russia did not come to the negotiating table on nuclear disarmament and “literally blew up” the European peace order. Therefore, these days, nuclear disarmament goes hand in hand with nuclear sharing within NATO. “Because we unfortunately have to experience that we cannot rely on the promises that the Russian regime once made on our own,” says Baerbock.

+++ 22:08 report: USA rule out Ukrainian attack on prisoner of war camps +++
According to a report, the US has ruled out that Ukraine is responsible for the deaths of several Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka in the Donbass. “We know that Ukraine did not attack the complex with HIMARS missile systems because there are no signs of a HIMARS attack on the railings,” the US news portal quoted political two American government officials familiar with the investigation into the incident. Russians and Ukrainians accuse each other of being responsible for the deaths of Ukrainian prisoners of war.

+++ 21:41 Heineken wants to sell business in Russia before the end of the year +++
The Dutch brewery Heineken wants to find a buyer for its Russian business in the second half of the year. “We announced on March 28 that we were leaving Russia,” the company said. “We are making progress in finding a new owner to whom we can transfer the business in accordance with international and local laws.” Heineken gives the value of its Russian business at 475 million euros.

You can read earlier developments of the Ukraine war here.

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