Once a day, NU.nl gives you an overview of the situation in Ukraine. This time: Russian troops almost succeeded in cutting off Severodonetsk and Lysychansk from the Ukrainian army. Furthermore, all EU leaders have agreed to Ukraine’s candidate for membership.
The battle for the eastern cities of Severodonetsk and Lysychansk has reached a “terrifying climax”.
Russian troops are close to encircling cities and cutting them off from the Ukrainian army. A key adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC said. According to the adviser, Russia’s victory in that area is near, but it is not yet there.
Zelensky accuses Russia of “destroying” the Donets basin. In his late-night address, the president said massive air and artillery strikes had resumed. “The goal of the Russians is unchanged: they want to destroy the entire Donets basin step by step.”
Zelensky reiterated his call on Western leaders to deliver heavy artillery weapons more quickly.
Severodonetsk almost entirely in Russian hands
British military intelligence emphasized on Thursday that Russia is increasing pressure in the area around Lysychansk and Severodonetsk. Since last week, Russian troops have advanced about 5 kilometers in the direction of Lysychansk.
The Russian army has taken two villages near Lysychansk, the governor of the Luhansk region reported. The Russians already have almost complete control of the nearby city of Severodonetsk and are increasingly targeting Lysychansk.
The Ukrainian army continues to fight for Severodonetsk and the captured villages of Zolote and Vovchoirovka, the governor said. In Severodonetsk, only the site of a chemical factory is still in the hands of Ukraine. There are also many civilians.
All EU leaders embrace Ukraine’s candidate for membership
Ukraine (and Moldova) are officially eligible for candidate membership of the European Union. The heads of government of the 27 EU countries unanimously agreed to this during a meeting of the European Council.
Awarding candidate membership is for the time being a fairly symbolic gesture to offer Ukraine and Zelensky prospects for the future now that the country is burdened by the Russian invasion. It is also a signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte mistakenly thought that the European Union would be fooled by offering Ukraine candidate membership, he concluded earlier on Thursday. “I was a little worried that the European Commission would rush” with its assessment of Ukraine and its advice on candidate status, Rutte said. “I have to say: I was wrong.”
EU leaders agreed on Thursday on Ukraine’s candidate for membership.
EU leaders agreed on Thursday on Ukraine’s candidate for membership.
Photo: ANP/EPA
US announces new arms package for Ukraine
Zelensky’s appeal did not fall on deaf ears. The United States is expected to pledge an additional $450 million in aid. These include long-range missile systems.
The new package is also expected to include four additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS). The Ukrainian military says it needs this powerful long-range weapon system to match the range of Russian missile systems widely used against Ukrainian positions in the Donets Basin.
According to the US, Ukraine has promised that the long-range missiles will not be used to attack Russian territory. This could lead to an escalation of the conflict.
British and Moroccan appeal against death penalty
Two Britons and a Moroccan imprisoned in Ukraine by pro-Russian separatists are appealing the death penalty imposed on them. This is reported by the Russian news agency TASS. The three were captured in the Donetsk region while fighting for the Ukrainian armed forces.
The court convicted the men for allegedly working as mercenaries and for wanting to take control of the area. “We are still preparing the full appeal,” said the Ukrainian lawyer for one of the British. “If the appeal is rejected, we will file a pardon. Suspects in Donetsk have that right.”
The British government said after the conviction that the case violates the laws of war. According to Secretary of State Liz Truss, the men are prisoners of war and should therefore not be sentenced to death.
Organization of the Eurovision Song Contest understands disappointment in Ukraine
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, understands that Ukraine has reacted with disappointment at the choice not to hold the event in the war-stricken country next year. However, the organization stands by the decision that the winning country Ukraine currently does not meet the requirements to organize the Song Contest, she reports on Twitter.
The EBU announced last week that it would enter into discussions with the British broadcaster BBC (the United Kingdom finished second) about organizing the Song Contest. The Ukrainian broadcaster UA:PBC demanded new negotiations, because it saw possibilities to organize the event. British politicians also got involved in the discussion and stated that Ukraine should organize the Song Contest.
With the new statement, the EBU makes it clear that it will not reverse its decision.
