Xavier Roger
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A “mysterious” explosion in occupied Crimea destroyed multiple Russian cruise missiles being transported by rail that likely were being readied to devastate Ukrainian cities, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry says.
Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs, posted video on social media of an explosion, apparently in the city of Dzhankoi in northern Crimea. Ukraine hinted at responsibility; military spokeswoman Natalia Humeniuk described the strike as a signal to Russia that it should leave the Black Sea peninsula it took from Ukraine by force in 2014.
“Right now, the way ahead is clear – they (Russian forces) need to make their way out by rail already,” she said Tuesday on Ukrainian TV.
Russia has been firing the missiles, which have a range of 1,600 miles or more, from ships in its Black Sea fleet. The defense ministry statement said the blast “continues the process of Russia’s demilitarization and prepares the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea for deoccupation.”
Russian state media made no mention of the missiles but said a 33-year-old man was injured by a falling drone in Dzhankoi. Mayor Igor Ivin said multiple drones were reported and the attack also damaged power lines, a house, a store and a college building.
‘FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR’:China’s Xi visitsMoscow; Russia cites ‘monstrous consequences’ of Putin arrest warrant
Developments:
►NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance has no proof that China is providing weapons to Russia, but officials are aware that Russia has sought military equipment from Beijing, German news outlet Deutsche Welle reports.
►Ukraine received another $1.6 billion from the European Union’s 18 billion aid package, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced. “Our support helps keep Ukraine running while defending itself,” she said. “Together, we’re writing Ukraine’s European future.”
►30,000 tons of wheat arrived in Kenya as part of the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program. “Despite Russian aggression, we won’t give up our participation in overcoming global challenges,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted.
Russia to begin releasing recruited convicts
Thousands of Russian convicts who have fought with Wagner Group mercenaries are likely to be pardoned and released within the next few weeks. Wagner prisoner recruitment peaked in autumn 2022, and inmates are being offered commutation of their sentences after six months, the British Defense Ministry says. Although approximately half of the prisoners recruited have likely been killed or wounded, evidence from Russia suggests the group is “following through on its promise” to free survivors, the ministry said in its most recent assessment of the war.
Wagner mercenaries have led the Russian charge in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, particularly in the battered city of Bakhmut. The region has been the scene of the war’s most brutal battles in recent months.
“With Wagner now likely banned from recruiting more prisoners, this exodus will worsen its personnel problems,” the assessment says. It adds that the “sudden influx of often violent offenders with recent and often traumatic combat experience will likely present a significant challenge for Russia’s war-time society.”
Japan PM Kishida arrives in Kyiv
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrived in Kyiv for a surprise visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, the last of the Group of Seven leaders to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion 13 months ago. Footage shown on Japanese TV showed Kishida walking on the train station platform, escorted by people who appeared to be Ukrainian officials. Kishida arrived hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping landed in Moscow for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel issued a statement saying Xi “stands with a war criminal” while Kishida stands for freedom.
“Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is making a historic visit to Ukraine to protect the Ukrainian people and promote the universal values enshrined in the U.N. charter,” Emanual said.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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