► UN chief on his way to kyiv to meet Volodymyr Zelensky
UN chief Antonio Guterres is traveling to Kyiv on Tuesday and Wednesday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his third trip to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
The Secretary General of the United Nations arrived in Poland on Tuesday, from where he will continue his journey to Kyiv, before meeting on Wednesday with the head of the Ukrainian state in order in particular to discuss the continuation of the agreement on exports of Ukrainian cereals.
► The capture of Bakhmout necessary for the continuation of the Russian offensive
The capture of the city of Bakhmout, epicenter of fierce fighting in eastern Ukraine for months, is necessary for the continuation of the Russian offensive, said Tuesday, March 7 the Russian Minister of Defense.
“This city is an important node (lines) defense of Ukrainian soldiers in the Donbass. Taking it under control will make it possible to conduct new in-depth offensive operations against the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” declared Sergueï Choïgou, during a meeting of executives of his ministry, diffused on television.
Russian troops have advanced in recent weeks north and south of the city, cutting off three of four Ukrainian supply routes.
► Volodymyr Zelensky orders the army to still defend Bakhmout
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the Ukrainian army to strengthen the defense of the city of Bakhmout. “I told the general staff to find the appropriate forces to help the guys in Bakhmout”, assured the Ukrainian president in his daily video message broadcast on Monday evening, reaffirming “that no part of Ukraine can be abandoned” to Russia.
For Ukrainian officials, the defense of Bakhmout is already a “strategic success” by mobilizing and weakening the Russian offensive forces, which suffered very heavy losses there without winning more decisively.
► Ukraine claims to have identified its shot soldier in a viral execution video
The Ukrainian army claimed on Tuesday to have identified its soldier who, prisoner, seems to have been killed by bursts of bullets after declaring “Glory to Ukraine” in an execution video that has gone viral.
“According to preliminary data, the deceased is the soldier of the 30th mechanized brigade Tymofiï Mykolayovych Shadura”who participated in the fighting near Bakhmout and was considered missing since February 3, the Ukrainian army said on Telegram.
► Poland will deliver 10 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine this week
Poland will deliver ten of its Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine this week, Poland’s Defense Minister announced on Tuesday.
“Poland will deliver 10 Leopard 2A4 tanks to Ukraine this week”said Mariusz Blaszczak from Warsaw, before flying to Stockholm where he will attend the meeting of European Union defense ministers.
► More than 20 arrests after the alleged sabotage of a Russian military plane in Belarus
More than 20 people have been arrested in Belarus in connection with the alleged sabotage of a Russian military aircraft last month at an airfield near Minsk, the leader of this Moscow-allied country, Alexander Lukashenko, announced on Tuesday.
The main suspect, presented as a Russian-Ukrainian working for the special services of kyiv, and “more than 20 of his accomplices who were on Belarusian territory” have been arrested to date, said Alexander Lukashenko.
► The Council of Europe is alarmed by a “war” against journalism on the margins of the Ukrainian conflict
The Council of Europe on Tuesday denounced the « guerre » against journalism “in parts of Europe”especially since the launch of the Russian invasion of Ukraine where “at least twelve journalists and media professionals” have been killed since the start of the war.
In Ukraine, “at least 12 media professionals” died in 2022 while covering the conflict and “21 others were injured” in this same context, continues the Platform for the Safety of Journalists in its report entitled “The war in Europe and the fight for the right to inform”.