A Russian court sentenced American journalist Evan Gershkovich to 16 years in prison on Friday, marking the end of a speedy, closed-door trial on charges of “espionage,” a charge Russia has never substantiated. His conviction was a precondition for a possible prisoner swap with Washington, as Moscow only exchanges detainees if they are convicted. But it is also a sign of the Kremlin’s ever-increasing crackdown on any voices dissenting from power.
For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky was in London today to attend an exceptional cabinet meeting of the British government, where he reiterated his demand for lifting restrictions on Western weapons against Russia.
Key information:
⇒ American journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in prison in Russia
⇒ Moscow claims capture of new village in eastern Ukraine
⇒ Zelensky reiterates demands for lifting of restrictions on Western weapons before British ministers
Russia: American journalist Evan Gershkovich sentenced to 16 years in prison
American journalist Evan Gershkovich has been convicted of “espionage” in Russia and sentenced to 16 years in prison, an accusation never substantiated by Moscow and rejected by the man, his relatives and the United States.
The 32-year-old reporter from Wall Street Journal and former AFP journalist will have to serve his sentence in a penal colony with a “severe regime,” ordered Judge Andrei Mineyev, according to an AFP journalist present at the hearing, which means very strict detention conditions compared to the “normal regime.” For comparison, these are the same conditions as Alexei Navalny in his penal colony in Siberia, where he died on February 16.
Earlier this Friday, the Russian prosecutor’s office had requested 18 years in prison for Evan Gershkovich. This marked the end of a closed and expeditious trial: a hearing on June 26, another on Thursday and finally this Friday. The entire procedure was placed under the seal of secrecy and nothing has leaked from the closed session imposed by the authorities. However, all hope is not lost for Evan Gershkovich: his conviction was a precondition for a possible exchange of prisoners with Washington, Moscow only exchanges detainees if they are convicted.
RSF calls US reporter’s conviction a “hostage-taking”
The sentencing in Russia to 16 years in prison of American journalist Evan Gershkovich is “another flagrant example of unacceptable hostage-taking by Russia”, the NGO Reporters Without Borders denounced this Friday.
“The conviction (…) is the result of a trial that can in no way be considered fair or free. This verdict must be immediately quashed,” added Rebecca Vincent, RSF’s campaigns director, in a statement.
Russia claims capture of new village in eastern Ukraine
Russia claimed control of another village in eastern Ukraine on Friday, continuing its push toward the city of New York, which has been under heavy bombardment by Russian forces seeking to advance. “The village of Yurivka […] “has been released,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Yurivka, a very small village in Donbass, is located 2 km south of New York, and not far from Toretsk, two localities which have been subjected to numerous strikes since mid-June by the Russians who are seeking to seize them and advance in the Donetsk region (east).
Zelensky reiterates call for lifting of restrictions on Western arms against Russia
In a speech to a special cabinet meeting of the British government, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky again called on his allies to lift “restrictions” imposed on Kiev on the use of Western weapons against Russia. The Ukrainian president is the first foreign leader to address British ministers in person since 1997, when Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair invited US President Bill Clinton.
Greeted by a standing ovation from British ministers, Zelensky called on Keir Starmer to “show leadership” so that the UK and Kiev’s other allies “lift the restrictions” on strikes on Russian soil. “We need this step, a step that will force Russia to seek peace,” Zelensky said.
Ahead of last week’s NATO summit, Keir Starmer reiterated the British position that Ukraine would be happy to use UK-supplied missiles to strike Russian targets “for pre-emptive purposes”.
Ukraine: Two dead in Russian strikes in the south
Russian bombings killed at least two civilians and injured seven others in the Ukrainian region of Kherson on Friday, local authorities said, reporting near-daily shootings.
The “massive Russian artillery strikes” killed two people in the town of Bilozerka, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram. The shooting also injured five people, including a 26-year-old medic who was hit by a Russian drone explosion while she was helping other victims, the governor said.