https://sputnikglobe.com/20220611/live-updates-up-to-400-ukrainian-troops-blocked-at-azot-plant-in-severodonetsk---lpr-envoy-1096212014.html

UPDATES: 'Mushroom Cloud' Rises Over Ukraine-Controlled Avdeevka After Blast Near Chemical Plant

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Russia has been conducting, since late February, a special military operation in Ukraine aimed to liberate the people of the breakaway people's republics of... 11.06.2022, Sputnik International

2022-06-11T07:52+0000

2022-10-19T20:59+0000

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Black smoke and dirt rise from the nearby city of Severodonetsk during battle between Russian and Ukrainian troops in Donbass on 9 June, 2022. - Sputnik International

UPDATES: 'Mushroom Cloud' Rises Over Ukraine-Controlled Avdeevka After Blast Near Chemical Plant

07:52 GMT 11.06.2022 (Updated: 20:59 GMT 19.10.2022)

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Russia has been conducting, since late February, a special military operation in Ukraine aimed to liberate the people of the breakaway people's republics of Donetsk and Lugansk in Donbass who had endured years of attacks from the Kiev regime.

After President Vladimir Putin announced the start of a special operation in Ukraine, the US, Canada, Britain and their allies in Europe and Asia have imposed several packages of unprecedented economic sanctions against Russia in response to what they see as "Russia's aggression" against its neighbour.

Apart from that, the West has been providing military assistance to Kiev worth tens of billions of dollars despite Russia's repeated warnings that such actions would only prolong the conflict.

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00:43 GMT 12.06.2022

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens to a servicemen report close to front line in Donetsk region, Ukraine, Sunday, June 5, 2022. - Sputnik International, 1920, 12.06.2022

Russia's Special Operation in Ukraine

No, You: Ukraine's Top Officials Slam Biden Over Claims Leadership Did Not Heed US' Russia Warnings

12 June 2022, 00:44 GMT

23:10 GMT 11.06.2022

Spain’s Plan to Send Leopard Tanks to Ukraine Crumbles Under German Pressure - Reports

Germany has blocked Spain’s plan to send dozens of old Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Business Insider reports.

The El Pais newspaper reported earlier this month that the Spanish government had considered sending up to 40 Leopard battle tanks to Ukraine. The old German-made tanks were taken from the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

German government sources told Business Insider on Saturday that, under pressure from Berlin, Madrid had to reduce its offer and is now considering sending about ten tanks at most, which need to be repaired. Even this number is under question and no application has been submitted to the federal government for the delivery of Leopard tanks to Ukraine.

In April, Madrid sent 200 tonnes of munition, military hardware and transport vehicles to Ukraine. At that time, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said that his country was not considering a transfer of heavy weapons to Ukraine.

20:54 GMT 11.06.2022

Civilians Leaving Ukraine-Controlled Chemical Plant in Sievierodonetsk – LPR Official

Civilians are starting to leave a besieged chemical plant in the city of Sievierodonetsk in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the republic’s envoy to Russia said on social media.

Rodion Miroshnik said earlier in the day that up to 500 civilians were feared trapped underneath the compound after escaping firefights. Some 300-400 Ukrainian troops in control of the Azot factory have been stopping civilians from leaving.

"Civilians are leaving Azot through the second passage. This passage is not controlled by militants [Ukrainian forces]. Our joint forces are meeting them [civilians] and taking them to safety," Miroshnik wrote.

18:47 GMT 11.06.2022

Russian MoD Delivers Briefing on Ukraine Op:

Over 7,500 people have been evacuated to Russia from Ukraine and Donbass over the past 24 hours without Kiev's assistance;

Ukrainian militants have deployed MLRS and artillery at schools in Slavyansk, the DPR;

Ukrainian troops have set up military hardware, ammunition, and weapon depots at schools in Nikolayev;

Ukrainian nationalists have deployed military equipment inside a church in Pershotravensk;

Civilians are being held hostage by Ukrainian neo-Nazis at a school gym in Pokrovsk, the DPR;

Russia has delivered over 29,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

18:41 GMT 11.06.2022

WATCH: 'Mushroom Cloud' Rises Over Ukraine-Controlled Avdeevka in DPR Following Blast Near Chemical Plant

A powerful explosion has occurred in Avdeevka in the Donetsk People's Republic, where the Koksokhim chemical plant is located. A massive plume of smoke that looks like a mushroom cloud is visible from Donetsk, a Sputnik correspondent reports.

Avdeevka is currently controlled by Ukrainian troops.

16:23 GMT 11.06.2022

European Union - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.06.2022

Norwegian Media Gives Five Reasons Ukraine Can’t Join European Union

11 June 2022, 15:55 GMT

16:00 GMT 11.06.2022

Prague Says First Czech Mercenary Fighting for Kiev Dies in Ukraine

A Czech citizen participating in the hostilities in Ukraine on the side of Kiev died, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said on Saturday.

"I can confirm that one Czech citizen died in Ukraine, this happened in the Donetsk region. On Sunday, the body of this citizen should be transported to Kharkov region," the minister was quoted as saying by the Czech Television broadcaster.

According to Lipavsky, the Czech diplomatic service is investigating the circumstances of the mercenary's death in cooperation with the Ukrainian authorities and is looking to contact his relatives.

The mercenary, who went to fight Russia in Ukraine with Prague's permission, died as a result of a mortar shelling, the broadcaster's correspondent said.

In March, Czech presidential spokesman Jiri Ovcacek said that the government had received more than 300 applications for permission to serve with the Ukrainian armed forces. On 11 May, the spokesman said that President Milos Zeman issued permission to 103 Czech citizens to join the Ukrainian military.

In late May and early June, Ovcacek said that the Czech president turned down the requests of 218 citizens to join the Ukrainian troops due to the negative recommendations of the country's defence and interior ministries.

13:21 GMT 11.06.2022

These Boys Have Something to Say to Ukrainian Troops Shelling Donbass - Video

13:12 GMT 11.06.2022

Canada Buying Weapons It Promised to Ukraine From US – Lawmaker

Canada has been stocking up with weapons supplied from the United States as it struggles to deliver on its promise to send hundreds of millions worth of military aid to Ukraine, a Canadian lawmaker said.

Yvan Baker, the chair of Canada-Ukraine parliamentary friendship group, told Ukraina.ua television channel on Friday that the Canadian armed forces had only a limited arms stockpile and a modest defence budget.

Canada has supplied Ukraine with heavy weaponry worth $200 million since February and has recently greenlighted a further $400 million in military assistance. Baker said the expenses were huge.

Russian Ambassador Oleg Stepanov has criticized Canada for choosing what he referred to as the most destructive way possible to handle the conflict in Ukraine. He said supplies of heavy weapons to Ukraine only added fuel to the fire.

13:04 GMT 11.06.2022

DPR Foreign Minister Says Trial of S. Korean Mercenary Fighting in Ukraine Being Prepared

Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) Foreign Minister Natalya Nikonorova said on Saturday that the trial of a South Korean citizen who fought on the side of Ukraine was being prepared in Seoul.

"We know that a verdict against a mercenary from South Korea, their citizen who fought on the side of Ukrainian armed forces, is being prepared," Nikonorova told the Solovyov Live show.

The minister noted that the said soldier of fortune would be tried in South Korea since "he escaped from the country."

Nikonorova added that there were many mercenaries fighting on the Ukrainian side. Therefore, she said, charges could follow against other mercenaries soon after they surrender.

On Thursday, the DPR supreme court ruled that Moroccan citizen Saadoun Brahim and UK nationals Sean Pinner and Aiden Aslin should be punished with the death penalty. According to DPR laws, they will be executed by shooting. All three soldiers of fortune pleaded guilty to participating in hostilities on the side of Ukraine; Aslin also pleaded guilty to taking training to commit acts of terrorism. The convicted foreign contract fighters have a month to appeal against the decision in a higher court.

12:40 GMT 11.06.2022

Von der Leyen: EU Commission to Finalise Advice 'Next Week' on Ukraine's Hopes to Join Bloc

11:08 GMT 11.06.2022

There are Certain Ukrainian Soldiers Who Constantly Fire at Civilians Collecting Water, Resident of Severodonetsk Says

09:02 GMT 11.06.2022

Russian MoD Offers Latest Updates on Special Operation in Ukraine

08:44 GMT 11.06.2022

First Russian Passports Issued in Zaporozhye Region

The first Russian passports were issued in the Zaporozhye Region, Vladimir Rogov, a member of the main council of the military-civilian administration of the region, said on Saturday.

"The first Russian passports have already been issued in the Zaporozhye Region. This is a landmark and historical event for us. Another step towards our return home to Russia's composition," Rogov said.

According to the official, the ceremony of issuing passports was held in Melitopol, and was timed to coincide with the upcoming Russia Day on Sunday.

08:36 GMT 11.06.2022

EU Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen Visiting Ukraine to Discuss Country's Bid to Join Bloc

08:12 GMT 11.06.2022

WATCH Russian 'Akatsiya' Self-Propelled Howitzers in Action

08:10 GMT 11.06.2022

Russia Destroys Headquarters of Foreign Mercenaries in Kharkov Region With High-Precision Air-Launched Missiles, Russian MoD Says

The Russian aerospace forces have destroyed a hub of foreign mercenaries in the Ukrainian region of Kharkov with high-precision missiles, Russian Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Saturday.

"A hub of foreign mercenaries in the vicinity of the Andreevka village in the Kharkov Region has been destroyed with air-launched high-precision missiles," Konashenkov told a briefing.

The spokesman added the Russian military hit other 48 hubs of Ukrainian troops and military equipment killing some 170 soldiers and destroying five tanks, six units of artillery, eight special military vehicles and an ammunition depot.

08:00 GMT 11.06.2022

Kherson Residents’ Debts to Ukrainian Banks Likely to Be Expunged, Local Administration's Deputy Chief Says

07:32 GMT 11.06.2022

Gas Supply via Nord Stream Pipeline Could Decrease by Almost 3% on Saturday - Operator

Gas traffic via the Nord Stream pipeline from Russia to Europe could decrease by almost 3% to some 140 million cubic meters on Saturday, according to the data of the pipeline's operator Nord Stream AG.

According to gas requests for Saturday, Nord Stream is planning to be supplying about 5.8 million cubic meters per hour, totaling some 140 million cubic meters per day. This is 2.7% below the transit on Friday and an almost 18% drop in transit compared to May.

Europe continues to pump gas into underground storage facilities. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), the European facilities were half full as of June 9 with an average filling level standing at 50.76%, or about 53.9 billion cubic meters.

In March, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the government and Gazprom to switch to ruble payments for gas deliveries to the countries that imposed sanctions on Russia over its special military operation in Ukraine.

Gazprom has already suspended gas deliveries to the importers in Bulgaria, Poland, Finland, and the Netherlands after they rejected the new payment arrangement.

07:15 GMT 11.06.2022

Some 300-400 Ukrainian Troops Blocked at Azot Plant in Severodonetsk - LPR Envoy to Russia

Some 300-400 Ukrainian troops are blocked on the territory of the Severodonetsk Azot Association chemical plant, Rodion Miroshnik, the ambassador of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) to Russia, said on Saturday.

"About 300-400 Ukrainian soldiers are now blocked at Azot. They are positioned near the first gatehouse of the chemical plant. Up to 500 civilians who were hiding from shelling in the plant's bomb shelter may also remain there. There are more civilians on the territory [of the plant], but they are in other parts of the plant," Miroshnik said on Telegram.

The ambassador noted that the troops demanded that a safe passage for them together with the hostages from the territory of the plant to the city of Lysychansk be provided; however, Miroshnik said, such demands are unacceptable and will not be discussed.

Nevertheless, the ambassador said that the contact with the soldiers is established and negotiations on the safe exit of civilians from the territory of the plant are currently underway. Miroshnik added that the Ukrainian troops "will be guaranteed their lives and adequate treatment in accordance with international requirements if they release the hostages and lay down their arms."