Russian Digest
Top daily stories I'm keeping an eye on
The Russian military destroys Ukraine’s biggest oil refinery in Kremenchuk.
The capacity of the plant, which was co-owned by the state and the oligarchs Ihor Kolomoisky and Oleksandr Yaroslavsky, was 18.6 million tons per year. via Kyiv Independent
Britain is pushing to arm Ukraine with anti-ship missiles to sink Russian warships and relieve coastal cities being bombarded from the sea as part of a “gear change” in the West’s approach.
Boris Johnson has told ministers he wants to supply the weapons to prevent the Russians from advancing on Odesa, just as British anti-tank missiles have been used to stall President Putin’s efforts to take Kyiv. via The Sunday Times
Bucha massacre- Warning Graphic Images
Russia's genocide- 16-60-year-old men were executed, nearly 300 were buried in a mass grave
The rights group Human Rights Watch said it has collected evidence of a war crime in this Ukrainian city where Russian troops recently withdrew as Moscow shifted its military operations to Ukraine’s east.
Human Rights Watch said it has interviewed a woman who witnessed Russian troops round up five men and shoot one of them in the back of the head, killing him.
“We have documented an unmistakable case of summary execution by Russian Federation forces in Bucha on March 4,” a Human Rights Watch spokeswoman said via WSJ
Status of some key Ukrainian cities under Russian attack
Kyiv: The region around Ukraine’s capital is no longer under Russian control, a high-ranking Ukrainian official said Saturday. As Russian troops pulled out, locals and reporters have described grim scenes in their wake — with a trail of destruction and bodies in the streets of towns around the capital.
Chernobyl: Ukraine’s state-owned atomic energy firm Energoatom reported Saturday that the country’s flag has been raised again over the site of a major 1986 nuclear accident, which was seized by Russian troops in the early days of the invasion.
Mariupol: The International Committee of the Red Cross said Saturday that it had not yet reached this hard-hit port city where 100,000 were trapped after weeks of heavy fighting and a Russian blockade. Still, Ukrainian authorities said about 765 Mariupol residents made it to safer territory Saturday.
Mykolaiv: The death toll from a Tuesday missile strike on this southern city’s main government building has risen to 36, the regional governor said. Ukrainian forces there have managed to ward off Russian artillery, but interviews in the front-line city show that they’ve paid a heavy price.
Zaporizhzhia: Four people were “injured and severely burned” when Russian forces fired mortars at protesters near this city in southeastern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s human rights ombudswoman.
Donetsk region: Moscow has seemed to shift its focus toward eastern Ukraine, where pro-Kremlin separatists controlled some territory before the invasion. But Ukrainian and Western officials worry Russian troops might attack other areas anew after regrouping. via Washington Post
Another grim but necessary piece. Thank you.
I’m shocked and sickened by the butchery in Bucha. However I don’t understand your headlining this report as the killing of MEN 16-60, when the body of the story also notes murder and probably mass rapes of women. It’s essential that these war crimes be treated as seriously as mass murder/execution of “draft-age” men.
You yourself exemplify the value of women, as reporters and witnesses let alone Moms/child minders/warriors in their own right. True many Moms of younger children have fled (with their children in tow) - and are now widowed by the murders of men back home. But elder women (some still mothering), and unmarried/childless women who have stayed in UKR, leave proud legacies of community service and patriotism. Please give them due respect. Thank you.