Russia accuses Ukraine of striking its fuel depot

Ukrainian Foreign Minister neither denies not confirms his country’s involvement in the attack

The Kremlin said on Friday that a Ukrainian strike on a fuel depot in the Russian city of Belgorod did not create comfortable conditions to continue peace talks with Kyiv. Russia accused Ukraine on Friday of attacking the depot but Ukrainian authorities did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Speaking to reporters, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said authorities were doing everything to reorganise the fuel supply chain and avoid disruption of energy supplies in Belgorod. A Russian official said earlier on Friday that two Ukrainian military helicopters struck a fuel depot in Belgorod, making the first accusation of a Ukrainian air strike on Russian soil since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in late February. 

Firemen work to extinguish a fire at a Rosneft fuel depot in Belgorod in Russia on Friday. Pics/AP, AFP

However, talks between Russia and Ukraine resumed via video link. Russian delegation head Vladimir Medinsky published a picture of the talks under way Friday.

Ukraine min says no idea

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Friday he could not confirm or deny Ukraine’s alleged involvement in the strike on the fuel depot in Belgorod because he was not privy to all military information. Responding to a question in Poland, Kuleba said, “I can neither confirm nor reject the claim that Ukraine was involved in this simply because I do not possess all the military information.” He also said Ukraine was waiting for Russia’s formal response to Kyiv’s proposals laid out at peace talks in Turkey and that foreign powers were not pushing Ukraine to compromise in negotiations.

Scott Morrison, prime minister, Australia

Armoured vehicles from Oz

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Friday that his country will be sending armoured Bushmaster vehicles to Ukraine to help in its war against Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Australian Parliament on Thursday and asked for the Australian-manufactured four-wheel-drive vehicles and other aid.

1.7l
No. of people trapped in Mariupol

World heritage at risk, says UN

Dozens of valuable churches, historical sites and museums have been damaged by the war in Ukraine, the United Nations’ cultural agency said on Friday, adding that it was particularly worried about the city of Chernihiv. Last month UNESCO said it had bolstered protective measures for Ukraine’s endangered cultural heritage in light of Russia’s invasion, such as using a Blue Shield emblem to mark its cultural sites and monuments.    

Grossi to head Chernobyl mission  

U.N. nuclear watchdog chief Rafael Grossi will lead a mission to Chernobyl as soon as possible, he said on Friday, after Ukraine said Russian troops had left the radioactive waste facilities there though some remained. “I will head an (IAEA) assistance and support mission to (Chernobyl) as soon as possible. It will be the first in a series of such nuclear safety and security missions to #Ukraine,” International Atomic Energy Agency chief Grossi said on Twitter. He said Russian officials didn’t discuss why Russian forces left Chernobyl. 

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