A Russian missile attack this March 13 against the Yavoriv military base, in western Ukraine and near the border with Poland, leaves at least 35 people dead, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy assured. Another assault by Kremlin troops against the military facility in the city of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukrainian territory, claimed the lives of at least 9 people, local authorities said.
On day 18 of the war in Ukraine, the population has been able to observe the resurgence of Russian air attacks on cities, which increases the number of human losses.
This Sunday, March 13, Russian planes fired around 30 rockets at the Yavoriv military base, leaving at least 35 people dead, regional governor Maksym Kozytskyy reported.
Located less than 25 kilometers from the border with Poland, and traditionally the site of joint exercises with NATO, the attack on this military installation is the closest assault by Kremlin troops on a member nation of the US-led alliance. .
These are the main news of the day:
- 7:35 (BOG) Moscow says it counts on China to help it resist sanctions
Amid the wave of Western economic sanctions against Russia for its attack on Ukraine, the Kremlin was again defiant, but this time openly expressed that it has the support of the Asian giant to help cushion the impact of the measures.
Likewise, Moscow indicated that it has frozen almost half of its gold and foreign exchange reserves.
“We have part of our gold and foreign exchange reserves in the Chinese currency, in yuan. And we see what pressure Western countries put on China to limit mutual trade with China. Of course, there is pressure to limit access to those reserves,” Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said.
The official noted that the Kremlin trusts Beijing. “I think that our partnership with China will still allow us to maintain the cooperation that we have achieved, and not only maintain it, but also increase it in an environment where Western markets are closing,” he stressed.
- 6:40 (BOG) Pope Francis calls on Russia to end “armed aggression”
In Pope Francis’ harshest comments yet on the war in Ukraine, the pontiff said “armed aggression is unacceptable” and must stop.
Speaking to thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square for his Sunday religious ceremony, the Catholic Church leader also said the bombing of hospitals and other civilian targets had been “barbaric” and “without a valid strategic reason.”
“In the name of God I ask you: stop this massacre!” he said, adding that Ukrainian cities risk “being reduced to cemeteries.”
- 06:18 (BOG) Kiev works with Israel and Turkey to mediate negotiations with Moscow
Ukrainian presidential adviser and negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak announced that his country is in talks with the governments of Israel and Turkey to coordinate their role as mediators in the negotiations with Russia.
The parties are trying to determine a place for an eventual dialogue, the official said. “When it is resolved, there will be a meeting. I think it will not take long,” Podolyak said.
Despite the siege by Russian troops in Ukraine, delegations from the two countries have already held three rounds of negotiations aimed at a cessation of hostilities. However, so far the meetings have been unsuccessful.
Russian President Vladimir Putin insists on “demilitarizing” Ukraine and assured that he will seek it either through military or diplomatic means.
For the Government of Volodímir Zelenski, this is an unacceptable position and confirms that his Army will not surrender as Moscow intends.
- 06:00 (BOG) Russian troops try to encircle the Ukrainian Army in the east
The British Ministry of Defense indicated that the soldiers sent by Vladimir Putin are trying to surround the Ukrainian forces in the east of the country, while advancing from Kharkov in the north and Mariúpol in the south.
“Russian forces advancing from Crimea are attempting to bypass Mykolaiv as they seek to drive west towards Odessa,” the ministry said, based on British intelligence information.
- 5:40 (BOG) At least 35 killed in bombing of military base near Polish border
Several explosions were observed at the Yavoriv military base, a city in western Ukraine and less than 25 kilometers from the border with Poland, a NATO member country and the place where the majority of Ukrainian refugees have arrived.
“Poland condemns any element of aggression against Ukraine, including the shelling of the Yavoriv base,” the Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman said in a message sent to Reuters.
Regional Governor Maksym Kozytskyy reported that at least 35 people were killed after around 30 rockets launched from Russian planes hit the site.
The official added that some of the missiles were intercepted before they collided. The authorities have not yet clarified whether the victims are civilians or military.
“My windows shook. The whole house vibrated. It was dark. The sky lit up with two explosions,” said Stepan Chuma, a Ukrainian emergency services worker, who hurried out of the site with other colleagues.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that foreign military instructors work at the facility, but the government has not yet reported whether they were in uniform from other countries at the time of the attack.
- 5:20 (BOG) At least 9 dead after Russian attack on military base in southern Ukraine
Nine people were killed by a bombardment by Russian troops against the military base in the city of Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine and near the port of Odessa, on the Black Sea, reported the governor of the region, Vitaliy Kim.
Mykolaiv, a pre-conflict city of around 500,000 people, has been besieged by Kremlin-sent troops for days, with thousands of residents fleeing.
With Reuters, AP and local media
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