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Heads of state and government at the EU summit in Brussels
Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
This article will be continuously updated.
London: Ukraine launches attacks in Russian-held areas
03:24:
According to British intelligence, Ukrainian forces have started attacking high-value targets in Russian-held areas.
Among them are a landing ship or an ammunition depot in the city of Berdyansk, according to an update from the British Ministry of Defense, citing intelligence information.
The Ukrainian General Staff had announced that the landing ship Saratov had been destroyed in an attack on the port of the city of Berdyansk, which had been taken by Russian units.
Two other such ships, "Caesar Kunikov" and "Novotscherkassk", were said to have been damaged.
The information could not be independently verified.
It is likely that Ukrainian forces will continue to target logistical assets in Russian-controlled areas, the British report said.
This will force the Russian military to prioritize the defense of its supply chain and deprive it of much-needed military supplies.
This will reduce the ability of Russian troops to conduct offensive operations and further hurt already declining morale.
EU summit approves solidarity fund for Ukraine
2:46 a.m .:
The EU states have decided to set up a solidarity fund to provide financial support to Ukraine.
This emerges from a statement by the heads of state and government published at the Brussels summit.
The text reads: "In view of the destruction and enormous losses caused to Ukraine by the military aggression of Russia, the European Union commits itself to support the Ukrainian government in its immediate needs and after the end of the Russian attack in the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine support."
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A pledging conference will be organized in due course to raise funds for the fund.
In addition, international partners are invited to participate in the development of the fund.
At the end of last week, EU Council President Charles Michel brought up the Solidarity Fund after a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The reason given was that Ukraine needed access to international liquidity to finance the import of daily necessities and military equipment.
Under the current circumstances, the country is unable to issue bonds on the international financial market.
Private investments would also be deducted.
The fund is said to initially ensure the functioning of the authorities and the continuation of defense efforts against Russia and emergency aid.
In the long term, massive investments for the reconstruction of the economy could then be financed in order to anchor Ukraine economically in the West.
IAEA 'concerned' about Russian attack on Chernobyl workers' home
1:26 am:
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed "concern" about a Russian attack on the home of Chernobyl nuclear site personnel.
Ukraine has informed the IAEA that "Russian forces have shelled Ukrainian checkpoints in the city of Slavutych," the UN agency said on Thursday in Vienna.
"Many people who work in the nearby Chernobyl nuclear power plant" live in the city.
According to IAEA chief Rafael Grossi, the attack happened “just a few days after the technical staff at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant were finally able to go to Slavutych and rest after working for almost four weeks without changing shifts”.
The employees were "put in danger" by the shelling.
Russia took control of the nuclear ruin site a month ago on the first day of the war.
As a result, around a hundred Ukrainian technicians had to maintain operations for around four weeks without being relieved.
The IAEA also referred to forest fires near the plant in the past few days.
However, these would not have represented “a major radiological problem”.
Grossi criticized the fact that, despite intensive efforts, no agreement could yet be reached with Moscow and Kyiv on sending IAEA personnel to the numerous nuclear facilities in Ukraine.
Zelenskyj calls for energy sanctions against Russia at EU summit
1:05 a.m .:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for energy sanctions against Russia at the EU summit.
According to an EU official, he urged the European heads of state and government in a video speech to further increase the pressure on Moscow.
His country is also fighting for the freedom of the EU, according to Zelenskyj in his ten-minute speech.
The Ukrainian head of state has repeatedly asked the EU to stop imports of Russian gas, oil and coal.
Poland and other Eastern European countries are also pushing for it.
"As long as we buy energy from Russia, we're financing the war," said Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Brussels.
As a result, Germany is increasingly coming under pressure.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is against an energy embargo as imposed by the USA.
Scholz only warned in the Bundestag on Wednesday that such a step would "plunge Germany into recession".
Meanwhile, in a video message, Zelenskyy thanked the citizens of Ukraine for their resistance.
The Ukrainian defenders stopped the enemy everywhere, he said.
Millions of Ukrainians who would do anything for Ukraine's victory and peace deserve medals.
"I thank each and every one of them," Zelenskyj said.
Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners of war
12:33 a.m .:
According to both sides, Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war.
"In exchange for ten captured occupiers, we got ten of our soldiers back," Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Facebook.
She also accused Russian forces of detaining and torturing civilians.
According to Wereshchuk, this was the "first real exchange of prisoners of war" since the Russian invasion began a month ago.
In addition, 11 Russian civilian seamen rescued from a ship that sank in the Black Sea near Odessa were sent to Russia.
In exchange, 19 sailors captured by the Russians returned to Ukraine.
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The Kremlin confirmed the exchange of prisoners in the evening, including the number of prisoners of war released.
On Wednesday, Russia's foreign ministry said two exchanges had taken place since the Russian invasion began, but without providing any further details.
In a video released in the evening, Vereshchuk also stated that Russian forces had captured 14 Ukrainian officials, mostly deputies of local parliaments or community representatives.
She called for their release, saying that the detention of civilians violated international law.
She also accused Russian soldiers of torture, citing testimonies from Ukrainians released by Russian forces.
She promised that those responsible would have to face international justice.
"All members of the Russian army who hear this statement must know that no one will go unpunished," she said.
Biden announces higher grain exports from US and Canada
12:12 a.m .:
Canada and the USA want to increase their exports because of the lack of grain deliveries after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The feared global food shortage is becoming "reality," said US President Joe Biden after the NATO and G7 summits in Brussels.
Both countries had therefore discussed how they could “increase and distribute resources more quickly”.
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The US President called on other countries to suspend all restrictions on their food exports.
The US also considered "major investments to meet humanitarian needs, particularly food aid."
Ukraine and Russia account for around 30 percent of grain exports worldwide.
Deliveries have fallen drastically because of the fighting and closed ports in Ukraine, as well as because of the sanctions against Russia.
However, the largest importers of grain from Russia and Ukraine are primarily populous countries such as Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh and Nigeria.
cop/dpa/AFP/Reuters