LIVE – War in Ukraine: US bans imports of Russian metals

Washington on Friday banned imports of Russian-origin aluminum, copper and nickel to the United States as part of additional sanctions with the United Kingdom aimed at undermining Moscow's revenues.

Metals have been Russia's main export since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, although their value has fallen, the British government said in a separate statement. Exports fell from $25 billion in 2022 to $15 billion in 2023, “due to efforts by the G7 and its allies to control the market,” it noted.

The measures taken on Friday are aimed at further reducing Russia's earnings from aluminum, copper and nickel exports.

A former Security Service (SBU) officer of Ukraine was injured Friday in an incident involving his vehicle in Moscow, Russian news agencies TASS and Ria Novosti reported. The victim, Vasily Prozorov, suffered injuries to his arms and legs.

Another source in the emergency services confirmed that he was injured when an explosive device detonated under his SUV near his residence in the north of the Russian capital. The investigative body tasked with conducting criminal investigations in Russia confirmed an incident “Damaged a vehicle and injured its owner“Without specifying whether an explosion actually took place, an investigation has been launched and assessments are underway,” he continued.

One person was killed and three others wounded Friday in a Russian bomb attack in the Kharkiv region of northeastern Ukraine, which continues to be targeted by Russia, the national police announced.

“Three civilians were injured in the blasts, and a 65-year-old man was killed“, he said in Telegram, noting that the strikes took place in the city of Vovsansk and the village of Monachinivka, as well as in the Kubiansk district. Two others were injured in the eastern region of Donetsk. One in Kherson, according to the respective authorities.

In a short interview Western FranceArmed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu said in his “A difficult exchange“With his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu in early April. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the comments”Baroque and menacing“From the Russians after this discussion.

“The statement given by Moscow is not consistent with our discussions, because the subject of my call is only the fight against terrorism. Sébastien Lecornu assures this on a daily basis. I once again condemn the exploitation that Russia intends to do by turning this attack against the Ukrainians and their allies.“

The minister also confirmed in the interview that Ukrainian pilots are being trained in the south of France to fly the latest generation fighter jets.

Russia summoned the French ambassador to Moscow on Friday after what French diplomatic chief Stéphane Séjourné deemed “unacceptable”, saying on Monday that Paris was “not interested” in holding talks with Moscow.

“The French Ambassador was informed of the inadmissibility of such statements which had no relation to reality.“, the Russian Foreign Ministry in a statement, condemned the “u”.Conscious and deliberate action“From Paris”It was aimed at undermining the possibility of any dialogue between the two countries“.

Russian investigators linked the attack near Moscow to Burisma Holdings, netizens said on Tuesday. A criminal investigation has indeed been opened against this private Ukrainian company, but unrelated to the Crocus City Hall attack. This company is at the center of speculation, which is not supported by any evidence.

For the first time since the beginning of mobilization in Russia, a soldier will be tried for acts of voluntary surrender. According to Mediazona. Charged with desertion during the mobilization period, he faces up to ten years in prison and will be tried by the Khabarovsk Eastern District Court.

For weeks, Russia has continued to target Ukrainian energy sites. According to Vladimir Putin, the bombings were aimed at the “militarization” of Ukraine. This is a response to Ukrainian strikes hundreds of kilometers from the front, particularly against refineries.

According to its latest estimate of Russian losses, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry estimates the number of soldiers killed on the front in 24 hours at 451,730, or 840. More than 7,000 tanks were said to have been destroyed, along with more than 9,000 drones and more than 300 helicopters.

Here are some facts about the current situation in Ukraine.

• Electrical installations are affected. Russian missiles and drones destroyed a major power plant near Kiev and hit electrical installations in several parts of the country, Ukrainian officials said. The major attack destroyed the Trypilska coal-fired power plant, an official from the company that runs the facility told Reuters. According to Vladimir Putin, the strikes are aimed at “militarizing” the country.
• A turning point in the war? International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director-general Rafael Croci warned that the recent attacks on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant “mark the beginning of a new, more dangerous war front”. According to him, these have “brought us to a critical juncture” in the conflict.
• A controversial bill. Kyiv passed a controversial law on conscription yesterday, allowing more men to be called up to the frontline. But tightening this law is not unanimous within Ukrainian society, as we explain to you here.

Hello and welcome to this live broadcast dedicated to the war in Ukraine and its consequences around the world. The latest information on the conflict can be found there throughout the day.