The Russian army claimed to have succeeded in “blocking the sending of Ukrainian army reserves” to Bakhmout, before being contradicted by kyiv, but also by the Russian paramilitary group Wagner.
The Wagner group is always talked about. This Russian paramilitary organization assured, Thursday, April 13, that it was not involved in the beheading scene which caused shock and anger, the day before, in Ukraine and in the West. Now sanctioned for her participation in the conflict in Ukraine, she judged “premature” to assert that the Ukrainian troops were now surrounded in Bakhmout, as suggested by the Russian army. Here is what to remember from this new day of war.
Ukraine denies any blockade of its troops in Bakhmout
Russia said it was blocking Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut and preventing any reinforcements from entering, hinting it was close to taking the eastern city, the epicenter of fighting since last summer . “The airborne troops support the assault groups on the flanks, blocking the sending of Ukrainian army reserves into the city and the possibility of a withdrawal of enemy units”according the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Ukrainian army immediately denied this, ensuring that it continued to supply its troops on the spot and inflict daily “crazy losses” to the enemy. The leader of the Russian paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigojine, whose fighters are on the front line in Bakhmout, himself felt that he was still “premature” to speak of complete encirclement. “The Ukrainian army continues to bring in reinforcements and transfer them to the city”he added.
Russian prosecutors look into beheading video
The Russian prosecutor’s office has announced that it has started examining the video showing a Russian-speaking individual in uniform beheading with a knife a person who appears to be a Ukrainian prisoner of war. “In order to determine the authenticity of this content and draw conclusions [judiciaires] which are required, [la vidéo] has been forwarded to the investigative bodies for examination”, according to the prosecutor’s office. This decision is a preliminary step which may or may not lead to the opening of a criminal investigation. The Russian prosecutor’s office notes that the images appear to have been filmed “in summer”thus implying that the scene could have taken place in 2022.
Wagner group denies involvement in beheading
The boss of the paramilitary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigojine, rejected accusations made the day before by an NGO and a deserter from his group who claimed that the executioners of the Ukrainian soldier were members of Wagner. “It’s nonsense, it does not correspond to reality”said the leader of this group of mercenaries, who are fighting in eastern Ukrainian territory to try to seize the cities of Bakhmout and Soledar.
Wagner Group added to EU sanctions list
The European Union has added the Russian paramilitary organization Wagner to its list of individuals and entities sanctioned for “active participation in the war of Russian aggression against Ukraine”. The group had already been placed on another EU sanctions list in February, this time for violating human rights and “destabilize” of countries in Africa. Persons sanctioned by the European Union are subject to a freezing of their assets on the territory of its member states and a ban on traveling there. Also, no one in the EU is allowed to make funds available to them.
Moscow threatens to suspend grain deal
Russia has again called for the lifting of Western restrictions on the Russian agricultural sector, on pain of ending, on May 18, the agreement allowing Ukrainian grain exports. Russian diplomacy has put forward five demands, including the reconnection to the SWIFT international banking system of a Russian bank specializing in agriculture, the resumption of deliveries to Russia of agricultural machinery and spare parts and the removal of obstacles for insure ships and access foreign ports. Concluded last July, the agreement, which allows Ukrainian cereals to be exported via the Black Sea despite the conflict, was extended on March 19 for a period of 30 days.
Norway expels 15 Russian ‘intelligence agents’
Norway has announced the expulsion of 15 employees of the Russian Embassy in Oslo, suspected of espionage and now “declared undesirable”. Present in the country under diplomatic cover, these staff members, on quarantine stationed at the embassy, will have to leave the territory “soon”. Moscow’s reaction cannot be expected: denouncing a “another extremely unfriendly decision”the Russian embassy has already promised “a replica”.