shelling intensifies on Russian border

Shots that ring out at regular intervals in this small town in eastern Ukraine, where the shelling has intensified in recent days. Several houses sheltering civilians were hit. A resurgence of tensions observed on the front line by these Ukrainian soldiers. 500 meters from their trenches, the enemy: pro-Russian separatists, very active for 24 hours. “At the moment there is an increase in the number of ceasefire violations. The enemy is firing guns, we have suffered more than 80 strikes since yesterday morning”, explains a soldier. Russian tanks leave the theater of operations by rails. Withdrawal maneuvers doubted by the Americans and their allies.

In Moscow, Vladimir Putin received his counterpart and ally, the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko. The opportunity for the Russian president to once again warn Westerners: “Through our joint military exercises, we have agreed to take the necessary measures to ensure our security, as the activities of members of NATO countries continue to intensify on our borders”. Last week, Emmanuel Macron traveled to Russia and Ukraine to attempt mediation. From Brussels on Friday, he once again calls on both parties to end hostilities: “We call for rapid de-escalation and the resumption of constructive negotiations”.