Once a day, NU.nl gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: Ukraine is again extending martial law, which has been in place since the first day of the Russian invasion on February 24. Russia’s first soldier on trial for war crimes admits killing Ukrainian civilian.
Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has already extended martial law twice for a month. This time, President Volodymyr Zelensky wants a 90-day extension, until at least August 23. That date is not a coincidence, because a day later Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day.
Zelensky has already rigged the bill, but the Ukrainian parliament has yet to approve it. However, that is a formality, the previous extensions were also immediately approved and the parliament fully supports Zelensky.
Russian soldier confesses war crime
The first Russian soldier to face trial for war crimes in Ukraine has admitted to killing a Ukrainian civilian. Tank commander Vadim Shishimarin is on trial in Ukraine for shooting an unarmed 62-year-old civilian on February 28.
Shishimarin, 21, shot the man in the head from the window of a car carrying a Kalashnikov, just a few tens of meters from his home. He and the other four soldiers then left the deceased victim on the side of the road. The Russian soldier risks a life sentence.
Ukraine is receiving assistance from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, among others, in investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity. The International Criminal Court (ICC) will also investigate the allegations. Human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) has previously established that Russian soldiers are guilty of war crimes.
US also reopens embassy in Kyiv
The United States reopened its embassy in Kyiv after nearly three months, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reported. According to a spokesman, the Americans are resuming all diplomatic operations from the Ukrainian capital.
The return will be gradual, with a handful of diplomats returning first. At the end of April, the Netherlands already decided to reopen the embassy in Kyiv.
The Stars and Stripes fly again over Embassy Kyiv. I can announce that we have officially resumed Embassy operations in Ukraine’s capital. We stand proudly with the government and people of Ukraine as they bravely defend their country from Putin’s brutal invasion. Slava Ukraine!
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AuthorSecBlinkenMoment of places18: 03 – 18 May 2022
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