Every evening, franceinfo summarizes the main developments in the Ukrainian conflict, both on the front and on the diplomatic field in kyiv, Moscow or Washington.
News from the front. The leader of the Donetsk separatists released a video on Monday (April 10) showing him in central Bakhmout, eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces appear to be advancing. On the same day, Ukraine and Russia announced that they had carried out a new exchange of prisoners of war, while, on the American side, the Pentagon expressed public concern about the recent leak of classified documents and the Secretary of State has formally denounced the “arbitrary detention” by journalist Evan Gershkovich. Here’s what to remember from the day.
A Russian occupation leader visits Bakhmout
The head of the Russian occupation of the Ukrainian region of Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, visited the center of Bakhmout, epicenter for months of fighting in Ukraine. In a video he posted on Telegram, the official is seen in combat gear in a square covered in debris. Based on the visible buildings, it could be Freedom Square in central Bakhmout.
“Here is our Artyomovsk [nom russe de Bakhmout] being released by [le groupe paramilitaire russe] Wagner. The enemy does not spare the city, nor his people, pushing them into a meat grinder”, says Denis Pouchiline in this short undated video. Ukrainian forces appear to have lost ground in the city center, where several Russian war correspondents have visited in recent days and whose reports show a devastated city.
More than 200 returning POWs
This is a first for over a month. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the repatriation of 106 Russian soldiers, who were “in mortal danger” during their detention. Servicemen are to be flown to Moscow for medical treatment and psychological assistance.
For its part, the Ukrainian presidential administration mentioned an exchange “difficult” allowing the return of 100 soldiers to Ukraine, “soldiers, sailors, border guards and members of the National Guard”. “Some people have been seriously injured and are suffering from illnesses. We will do everything necessary to ensure that each of them receives all the help they need”Kyiv added.
The United States denounces the “arbitrary detention” of an American journalist
Journalist Evan Gershkovich “is arbitrarily detained by Russia”formally denounced the US Department of Foreign Affairs. “Journalism is not a crime. We condemn the Kremlin’s continued crackdown on independent voices in Russia and its war on truth”according to the Secretary of State, which specifies that the American government will provide “all necessary support” to the journalist of wall street journal and to his relatives.
This qualification of “arbitrary detention”, which was expected, triggers a series of procedures within the American administration and in particular allows the authorities to exchange information with the journalist’s relatives. It also makes it possible to entrust the file to the special emissary for hostages, Roger Carstens, and to allocate specific funds.
Washington concerned about leak of classified documents
The US Department of Defense has ruled that the leak of classified US documents poses a risk “very serious” for the national security of the United States. President Joe Biden was made aware of this situation “at the end of last week”said his spokesman John Kirby. “Is this a concern for us? Absolutely”, he admitted. Among these documents, one takes stock of the state of the conflict in Ukraine at the beginning of March, others evoke the situation on specific fronts, such as Bakhmout, or the crucial anti-aircraft defenses of Kiev.