On the 55th day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, all eyes are on the east of the country, where Moscow launched a major offensive on Monday, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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► The site of the Russian editorial staff of RFI broadcasts Ukrainian public radio (in the Ukrainian language) from the home page.
The main points:
► The Ukrainian President announced on Monday April 18 the start of the Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, part of which is in the hands of pro-Russian separatists and where deadly fighting has intensified. “ Now we can say that Russian troops have started the battle for Donbass, for which they have been preparing for a long time. A very large part of the entire Russian army is now devoted to this offensive said Volodymyr Zelensky.
► The city of Lviv, in the west of the country, relatively spared since the beginning of the invasion of the Russian army, was targeted. Shootings “ powerful » of missiles made at least seven dead and thirteen injured Monday.
► To Mariupol, a port city in the south-east, the last Ukrainian defenders are still resisting in certain sectors. These soldiers seem to have ignored the ultimatum issued by the Russian army on Sunday. “ They will fight until the end »warns Denys Chmygal, the Ukrainian Prime Minister.
► Ukraine released a short video showing Viktor Medvedchuk, Ukrainian MP and close friend of Vladimir Putin. In it, he asks the Russian President and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree on an exchange: his freedom against that of the soldiers and inhabitants of Mariupol. Russia also released a video showing two british fighters, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin, addressing British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The two prisoners ask him to help them return home by promoting an exchange with Viktor Medvedchuk.
Times are given in Universal Time (UT)
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