Ukraine news on Thursday: Russia apparently recruits soldiers in penal camps and prisons

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Russian penal colony IK-3, photo from April 2021

Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff / AFP

This article will be continuously updated.

Russia apparently recruits for the war in prisons

9:28 a.m .:

According to human rights activists in Russian prisons, the Kremlin is specifically looking for volunteers to work in Ukraine.

The Russian civil rights activist Olga Romanowa, who lives in Berlin, reported on Facebook that suspects and accused were recruited with the promise that in return the criminal proceedings would be dropped.

There are examples from detention centers in the Moscow region.

"But I think it started everywhere," writes Romanova, who is considered an expert on prisoner rights in Russia.

Since the war in Russia, which has been going on for almost half a year, is not considered a "war", there is no general mobilization and the army is dependent on volunteers.

In many regions, the authorities have started using street advertising to promote a mission in Ukraine.

Cities and regions set up their own battalions.

Since almost all charges in Russia end in a guilty verdict, suspects and accused should now be given a choice: war or prison.

The founder of the Gulaga.net project created to combat violence in Russian prisons, Vladimir Osechkin, while in exile in France, confirmed prison recruitment practices.

There is also information from St. Petersburg, Ryazan, Tver and Bryansk.

According to the internet portal Meduza, there were already reports in the Russian media at the beginning of July about the search for volunteers in numerous prison camps in the huge empire.

Accordingly, the private mercenary organization »Wagner« is said to have recruited criminals there for use in the war.

The Internet portal Mediazona reported that the businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin wanted by the USA, who is considered a "Wagner" financier with the best contacts to Putin, is said to have recruited volunteers himself in prison camps.

In return, they were promised a monthly salary of 100,000 rubles (1,600 euros), bonuses, payments to families in the event of death and an amnesty.

Russia warns of Ukrainian "provocation" in Zaporizhia

9.12 a.m .:

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine is preparing a “provocation” during the planned visit of UN Secretary General António Guterres to the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant on Thursday.

In the Russian-controlled nuclear power plant and in its vicinity there are no heavy Russian weapons, the ministry also said in a statement distributed by the state news agency RIA.

The information cannot be independently verified.

Another ship with grain leaves Ukraine

8:58 a.m .:

Another ship with grain has left the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk.

This was reported by the Turkish Ministry of Defense on Twitter.

According to this, 25 ships have now left Ukraine as part of the Turkish-brokered Black Sea Grain Agreement.

The I Maria, flying the Belizean flag, is carrying corn.

Apparently, four more freighters with grain on board are to set off from Ukrainian ports today.

Zelenskyj demands the unconditional withdrawal of the Russians from Zaporizhia

8:51 a.m .:

Before a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for Russian troops to be withdrawn from the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant.

“This must be done without conditions and as soon as possible,” said Zelenskyj in his evening video address.

"Only absolute transparency and a controlled situation in and around the nuclear power plant guarantee a return to normal nuclear safety for the Ukrainian state, the international community and the IAEA."

The situation in Europe's largest nuclear power plant, which is occupied by Russian troops, has been worrying the international community for weeks.

Bullets keep falling on the power plant site, with Russia and Ukraine blaming each other for the shelling.

Visiting an IAEA mission in Zaporizhia will be the subject of today's meeting between Zelensky and Guterres in Lviv.

The third participant at the summit is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Pole vaulter Zernikel: »The war naturally makes you nervous«

8.40 a.m .:

The war in Ukraine is also an issue during the European Athletics Championships in Munich.

The German pole vaulter Oleg Zernikel, who was born in Kazakhstan, said in an interview with "Münchner Merkur" and "tz" that he "wasn't mentally up to par," especially at the World Cup in the USA.

Nevertheless, the 27-year-old finished fifth and was the best German participant.

'War makes you nervous, of course.

As a sports soldier you think twice about it: What is happening right now?

How can this end?

Of course you try to help people as best you can.«

The Ukrainian long jumper and triple jumper Maryna Bech-Romanchuk pointed out the strain on athletes from Ukraine.

»It is a hard time for all Ukrainian athletes.

You do competitive sports, but you worry about your country, your family, your friends every day," said the 27-year-old.

She is competitor of world champion Malaika Mihambo this Thursday in the European Championship final.

Both are friends.

“Malaika is so nice.

I like talking to her and being around her.

We've become really good friends."

Russia apparently brings planes to safety in Crimea

8.21 a.m .:

There have recently been several explosions on the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia.

According to a report by the Ukrainian secret service, Moscow is now reacting and relocating planes and helicopters.

Read the entire message here.

That happened at night: dead and injured in Kharkiv, Estonia restricts entry for Russians

8.04 a.m .:

Ukraine reports a “cynical attack on civilians” in Kharkiv.

Estonia is tightening its visa regulations for people from Russia.

And: Selenskyj meets Erdoğan and Guterres.

Read the overview of what happened that night here.

mgo/AFP/dpa/Reuters