French journalist Arman Soldin, who worked for Agence France-Presse in Ukraine, was killed in a rocket attack in the east of the country.
Agence France-Presse’s video coordinator in Ukraine, Arman Soldin, was killed in a Russian rocket attack in eastern Ukraine, near the besieged town of Bakhmout, on Tuesday (May 9th). In addition, the National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the inclusion of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, accused of abuses in Ukraine and Africa, on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations. Franceinfo summarizes what to remember from this day of conflict.
A French journalist killed near Bakhmout
Agence France-Presse’s video coordinator in Ukraine, Arman Soldin, was killed in a rocket attack, the agency reported. The shelling took place around 4.30 p.m. (local time) in the vicinity of Chassiv Iar, near Bakhmout, a city targeted daily by Russian forces. Arman Soldin was with four colleagues who are all unharmed. They were with Ukrainian soldiers when they were taken under the salvo of rockets.
The French journalist, who was born in Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina), was 32 years old. He is at least the 11th reporter, fixer or driver of journalists to have been killed in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022according to a count by specialized NGOs RSF and CPJ.
French MPs demand that Wagner be labeled by the EU as a terrorist group
The National Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution calling for the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, accused of abuses in Ukraine and Africa, to be placed on the European Union (EU) list of terrorist organizations.
The text, without binding value, invites the French government “to mobilize diplomatically” so that the EU accedes to this request, which should make it possible to sanction more effectively the members of Wagner and their supporters, in particular financially.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the initiative, saying “this is what the whole world must adopt”. “Any manifestation of terrorism must be eliminated and every terrorist must be condemned“, he said in his evening address.
Vladimir Putin promises ‘victory’ for Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin promised the “victoire” in Ukraine during commemorations of the defeat of Nazi Germany. More than a year after having launched his army to attack his neighbor whom he accuses of Nazism, and after a series of bitter failures, the head of the Russian state estimated during a speech in front of hundreds of soldiers standing to attention as the world was “at a turn”.
“A war has been launched against our homeland”accused the Russian president from Red Square, alongside the country’s political elite and a handful of leaders of former USSR countries, including Belarusian Alexander Lukashenko.
“The future of our state, of our people depends on you”said the master of the Kremlin, addressing the soldiers engaged in Ukraine, while the boss of the paramilitary group Wagner accused soldiers of the Russian regular army of having fled their positions in Bakhmout. “For Russia, for our valiant armed forces, for victory, hooray!”he concluded, before a parade of thousands of men began under a spring sun.
US announces new military aid to Ukraine
The United States announced new military aid to Ukraine in the amount of $1.2 billion. This new aid reflects “the determination of the United States to continue to support Ukraine by providing it with critical short-term resources such as air defense systems and ammunition” artillery while strengthening its ability to defend itself “longer term”said a statement from the Pentagon.
The Ukrainian President welcomed this “sign of solidarity” . “Together we are heading for another victory!”said Volodomyr Zelensky on Twitter.
Ukraine renews EU membership
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urges EU to speed up ammunition deliveries, lift restrictions “unacceptable” on cereal exports and launched accession negotiations, receiving the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in kyiv.
The latter traveled to the Ukrainian capital to mark Europe Day and once again show the support of the EU in the face of the Russian invasion.
“The time has long come to remove this artificial political uncertainty in the relations between Ukraine and the EU”notably launched Volodymyr Zelensky during a joint press conference. “The time has come to take a positive decision on the opening of accession negotiations” from Ukraine to the European Union, he added.