The United States has imposed new sanctions on the families of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including Putin’s daughters. “I have made it clear that Russia will pay a serious and immediate price for its atrocities in Bucha,” US President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter. “Today, together with our allies and partners, we are announcing a new round of catastrophic sanctions.” U.S. officials say Maria and Katerina Putin, his two adult daughters, will face charges, including Lavrov’s wife and children and members of Russia’s Security Council. It comes as it has been revealed that more than 5,000 civilians have been killed in the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol since Russia started its war. About 210 children were among those killed, Mayor Vadym Boichenko said on Wednesday, adding that Russian forces had bombed hospitals, including one in which 50 people had been “burned to death”. He also said that more than 90 percent of the city’s infrastructure has now been destroyed by Russian bombing.
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Watch: Biden vows to ‘intensify pain’ on Putin to increase economic isolation
Biden vows to “intensify pain” for Putin to increase economic isolation Sam Hancock6 April 2022 20:53 1649274713
Boutsa’s assassinations “seem premeditated” – US defense official
A senior US defense official says attacks on civilians by Russian forces in the Ukrainian city of Butsa “appear to be premeditated”. “Just looking at the pictures – when you see people with their hands tied behind their backs and evidence that they were shot in the head, it certainly seems to be premeditated,” the official said. “It simply came to our notice then. It certainly seems to be very, very deliberate. “ Russia continues to deny any involvement in the attacks and has consistently described the reports as “false news.” Sam Hancock6 April 2022 20:51 1649273951
Who are Putin’s Western-approved daughters?
Vladimir Putin’s daughters have been the target of the latest round of sanctions against Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine, US officials have said. US and EU sanctions have been imposed on the Russian leader’s adult daughters with Lyudmila’s ex-wife Maria Vorontsova and Katerina Tikhonova. “We believe that many of Putin’s assets are hidden from family members and that is why we are targeting them,” a senior US official told reporters on Wednesday. The White House said Ms Vorontsova and Ms Tikhonova had been added to the sanctions list “as Putin’s adult children, a person whose property and interests in property have been disqualified”. But who are the daughters of the longtime leader of Russia and what do they do? Joe Sommerlad takes a closer look. Sam Hancock6 April 2022 20:39 1649272571
More than 5,000 dead in Mariupol from the Russian invasion – mayor
The mayor of Mariupol says more than 5,000 civilians have been killed in the besieged Ukrainian city since the Russian invasion on February 24. Vadym Boichenko had earlier said that 210 of those dead were children and that Russian forces had bombed hospitals, including one in which 50 people had been “burned to death”. He added that more than 90 percent of the city’s infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombing. Since the start of the war, Vladimir Putin’s troops have strategically cut off the Azov Sea port city from food, water and energy supplies – hitting it with artillery and air strikes. The occupation of Mariupol would allow Russia to secure a continuous land corridor to Crimea, which Russia occupied from Ukraine in 2014. Red Cross teams were constantly barred from entering the area, which meant the detainees left without what they needed for weeks. A local resident sits near an apartment building in Mariupol, damaged during the Ukraine-Russia conflict (Reuters) Sam Hancock6 April 2022 20:16 1649271546
Macron says Boutsa’s killings ‘very likely war crime’
Emanuel Macron says the killings in the Ukrainian city of Bukha are a “very likely war crime” that deserves justice, Reuters reports. In an interview published today, the French president condemned the alleged killing of civilians, saying: “It was probably a war crime committed there.” Macron also said he was in favor of additional sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Sam Hancock6 April 2022 19:59 1649271313
The United States says Ukraine can “absolutely win the war” with Russia
The Pentagon says its assessments of the conflict in Europe show that Ukraine can win the war against Russia. “Of course they can win,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a news conference Wednesday. “The proof is literally in the results you see every day; they can definitely win.” His remarks came as the United States imposed new sanctions on the families of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, including Putin’s daughters, in a latest bid to isolate Moscow and help end the war. “I made it clear that Russia would pay a serious and immediate price for its atrocities in Bucha,” US President Joe Biden wrote on Twitter after the announcement. “Today, together with our allies and partners, we are announcing a new round of catastrophic sanctions.” Sam Hancock6 April 2022 19:55 1649270372
Watch: Russian tank opens fire on a cyclist in Bukha
Russian tank opens fire on a cyclist in Bukha Sam Hancock6 April 2022 19:39 1649269363
Putin’s dog wears Prada: Chechen leader Kadyrov poses on TikTok as his men kill civilians in Ukraine
In addition to the barbarity and bloodshed associated with the Chechen militia, Ramzan Kadyrov is using the Russian war and taking to social media to bolster his position against Vladimir Putin, Borzou Daragahi said. Joe Middleton6 April 2022 19:22 1649268539
“I did not even have a gun”: Climate activists change the fight for the environment to the fight for Ukraine
Pavlo Vyshebaba is spending time in peace campaigning for the environment and animal rights. The 38-year-old, who founded Ukraine’s first vegan cafe, says he would not hurt a fly – and he literally means it. “However, when it comes to being in the front line, I will not back down,” he told the Independent. “My hands will not tremble until I neutralize as many Russians as I can.” He is one of many Ukrainians who have volunteered to fight the invasion of their country by Russian troops, which has destroyed cities, killed hundreds of civilians and displaced millions more. Zoe Tidman has the details. Joe Middleton6 April 2022 19:08 1649267800
Watch live as Pentagon spokesman briefs on Ukraine
Watch live as Pentagon spokesman briefs on Ukraine Joe Middleton6 April 2022 18:56
