An explosion at an optical-mechanical plant near Moscow injured at least 45 people, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing local officials.
The factory manufactures night vision equipment and binoculars for the Russian military and is part of Russian defense conglomerate Rostec. Russian emergency services blamed the explosion on “workflow violations” and rejected reports of a drone strike.
Separately, two drones were shot down upon approaching Moscow overnight, Russian officials said, in the latest of a growing number of interceptions by the Russian capital’s air defense systems. There were no damage or injuries, the Russian ministry of defense said.
In his nightly address on Tuesday, Zelenskyy said that the death toll from Russia’s Monday strikes on Pokrovsk in eastern Donetsk had risen to nine, with another 82 people injured. A missile reportedly destroyed a popular hotel near the front line.
Denise Brown, the United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, said she was “profoundly disturbed” by the “horrifying attack” on Pokrovsk, which she estimated hit residential buildings, “killing and injuring scores of civilians.” Brown said missiles struck the same location twice, meaning that front-line workers were hit.
White House expects continued support from bipartisan lawmakers on next Ukraine funding request
Ukrainian tankmen on the Bakhmut front line in Donetsk, Ukraine, on Nov. 27, 2022. Intense military activity around the city involves warplanes from both sides, artillery systems, tanks and other heavy weapons that are used day and night.
The White House said it has seen “solid support from the American people” when it comes to financing Ukraine’s fight against a full-scale Russian invasion.
“We have seen throughout this war solid support from the American people, solid support from the Congress in a bipartisan and bicameral way for continuing to support Ukraine. And we are going to stay focused on that,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters on a conference call.
The Biden administration is expected to submit its next financial request to Congress soon. The Pentagon said on Tuesday that the U.S. has approximately $6 billion in congressionally approved funds.
“The president will continue to make the case that the greater national security obligations are at play here, including our national security and the national security commitments that we have made through the NATO alliance,” Kirby added.
‘We’re hopeful:’ U.S. says of Russia returning to Black Sea grain deal
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the USA to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield speaks during briefing at UN Headquarters. USA will serve as President of the United Nations Security Council for the month of August.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Biden administration is hopeful that Russia will return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The deal, which Moscow abandoned nearly a month ago, reopened three Ukrainian ports amid Russia’s naval blockade for agricultural exports. The agreement allowed for more than 1,000 ships carrying nearly 33 million metric tons of agricultural products to more than 40 global destinations.
“We’re hopeful. The Secretary-General has not given up. The Government of Türkiye is working along with him to urge the Russians to come back into the deal, and we support those efforts,” Thomas-Greenfield said in an interview with Carolyn Beeler of PRX’s “The World.”
“Hopefully, through the efforts of the Secretary-General, they will eventually come to the right decision,” she added.
— Amanda Macias
Treasury imposes additional sanctions on Belarusian regime for Putin’s war in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attend a meeting of the Supreme State Council of the Union State of Russia and Belarus at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia April 6, 2023.
Mikhail Klimentyev | Sputnik | Reuters
The Biden administration imposed sanctions on eight Belarusian citizens, five entities and identified an aircraft as blocked property, according to an announcement by the Treasury Department.
“In line with our partners and allies, we will continue to ensure that the regime pays a price for its abysmal treatment of its own citizens and that our measures in response to Russia’s aggression cannot be circumvented through Belarus,” wrote Brian Nelson, undersecretary of Treasury’s Terrorism and Financial Intelligence unit, in a statement.
Source : CNBC
