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Ukraine conflict – day 403: Russia beefing up munition; Ukraine vows to fight on
CGTN
Civilian cars and military vehicle destroyed following the fierce fighting in Bucha last year./ Gleb Garanich/Reuters
Civilian cars and military vehicle destroyed following the fierce fighting in Bucha last year./ Gleb Garanich/Reuters

Civilian cars and military vehicle destroyed following the fierce fighting in Bucha last year./ Gleb Garanich/Reuters

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Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised to boost munitions supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine during a visit to the headquarters of Moscow's troops fighting in the country.

Ukraine will continue to fight for its independence, the chief of the army said, a year after bodies of civilians were found in Bucha after Russian troops retreated.

The EU will guard against any abuse during Russia's presidency of the United Nations Security Council during the month of April, the bloc's foreign policy chief said.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the defense of Kyiv a year ago. "You stopped the biggest force against humanity of our time. You have stopped a force that despises everything and wants to destroy everything that gives people meaning," he said.

Ukraine branded Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council "a slap in the face", joining a chorus of outrage from Western countries.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha for a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Russian retreat./ Sergei Supinsky/AFP
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha for a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Russian retreat./ Sergei Supinsky/AFP

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha for a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Russian retreat./ Sergei Supinsky/AFP

A top Ukrainian cleric from a church with alleged Moscow ties was sentenced to house arrest after a hearing into whether he glorified the activities of Russian forces and stoked religious divisions, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said.

Proposals to stop Russian companies from sending liquefied natural gas to EU nations were welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson.

The Wall Street Journal demanded the immediate release of Moscow-based correspondent Evan Gershkovich, arrested by Russia's FSB security service on suspicion of spying. The newspaper called the arrest "a vicious affront to a free press."

The conflict has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and destroyed 363 sports facilities, Ukraine's sports minister, Vadym Huttsait, said. He added no Russian athletes should be at the Olympics or other sports competitions.

Current champion Elena Rybakina said WImbledon was right to reverse its ban on Russian and Belarusian players, allowing them to compete as "neutral" athletes. Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova opposes the decision.

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IN DETAIL

Extra munition supplies promised to Russian fighters

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu promised to boost munitions supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine during a visit to the headquarters of Moscow's troops fighting in the country, according to Defence Ministry footage.

In the video, Shoigu is shown presiding over a meeting with senior military officers, including General Valery Gerasimov, Russia's most senior soldier.

Shoigu is shown telling colleagues Russia would take steps to boost the supply of munitions for the frontline. He says: "The volume of supplies of the most demanded ammunition has been determined. Necessary measures are being taken to increase them."

Shoigu has in recent months come under bitter criticism from hardline advocates of Russia's campaign in the conflict- including Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group - who has accused him of failing to supply sufficient munitions to troops.

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Meanwhile, Ukraine's chief of the army said they would not stop battling for its security, a year after bodies of civilians were found in Bucha after Russian troops retreated.

"We will continue to fight for the independence of our nation," Valery Zaluzhny wrote on Telegram.

Russian forces withdrew from Bucha, a commuter town northwest of Kyiv, on March 31, a month after the start of the conflict.

Ukraine and its Western allies have accused Russian troops of carrying out war crimes, pointing to extensive footage and witness accounts.

Prosecutors in Kyiv say that Russian forces killed 1,400 civilians around Bucha and that they have identified dozens of Russian soldiers responsible.

Moscow has claimed atrocities carried out in Bucha were staged.

 

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Source(s): Reuters ,AFP

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