The Kyiv Independent

2022-04-16 20:03:09 Russia warns Czech Republic against supplying weapons to Ukraine, Prague says won't respond to blackmail.

Russia claimed that the Czech Republic isn’t allowed to provide Ukraine with Soviet-made weapons without Russian permission.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova brushed off these claims, calling them “blackmail and disinformation.” Open / Comment

2022-04-16 18:55:21 Italy closes its ports to Russian ships starting April 17.

Under the EU sanctions, Russian ships anchored in Italian ports will have to leave immediately after completing their commercial activity. The ban will also apply to ships that changed their flag after Feb. 24 to circumvent sanctions, with the exception of emergency stops. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 18:13:02 Ukraine's intelligence: FSB detains Russia's proxy in Donbas, likely over chemical weapons reveal.

According to Ukraine’s intelligence, Russia’s Federal Security Service has taken Eduard Basurin, a Kremlin proxy in the occupied parts of Donetsk Oblast, in an unknown direction. His detention is likely connected to Basurin’s earlier statement disclosing Russia’s plans to use chemical weapons in Mariupol. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 17:44:10 Zelensky: Destruction of Mariupol defenders will put an end to negotiations with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 16 that Russia wanted them to surrender and that Ukraine didn’t trust Russia in the light of the Ilovaisk battle in 2014 when Russia’s proxies massacred disarmed Ukrainian soldiers.

Mariupol defenders are fighting at one against six, according to Zelensky, and they need heavy weapons as soon as possible, he said. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 17:18:19 Oligarch Akhmetov pledges to rebuild Mariupol.

Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man, told Reuters on April 16 that his holding would play a key role in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine and Mariupol in particular. The oligarch built part of his fortune thanks to two plants located in Mariupol. His company, Metinvest, said on April 15 that it would never operate under Russian occupation. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 17:01:11 Luhansk Oblast Governor: Russian occupiers open fire in central Lysychansk, thwarting evacuation.

Serhiy Haidai said residents decided to stay in basements and only one person has been evacuated. While shelling continues throughout the region, 42 residents were able to flee Sievierodonetsk, 11 from Rubizhne, 14 from Kreminska and six from Popasna. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 16:07:58 More than 10,000 volunteers register to help rebuild Ukraine.

The volunteers currently work in Kyiv Oblast, particularly in the areas that have already been demined. They are cleaning the streets by picking up dismantled debris and contributing to the search operations, according to the State Emergency Service. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 15:56:41 Published by Mariupol City Council, the new video shows destroyed apartment buildings in the city's Eastern residential district.

Mariupol, a seaport in southeastern Ukraine, has been heavily bombarded since the beginning of Russia's all-out war and besieged since early March. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 15:30:14 Energy minister welcomes Poland's decision to phase out of Russian coal import.

Herman Halushchenko thanked the neighboring country for being an example of following a decisive and consistent policy. “This is indeed a bold step, given the structure of coal consumption in Poland,” he said.

According to the ministry, Russian coal accounted for 70% of Poland’s coal imports in 2020. Open / Comment

2022-04-16 15:03:13 Luhansk Oblast Governor: Russian forces shell oil refinery in Lysychansk.

Serhiy Haidai said that a fire broke out in an area of 5,000 square meters following the morning attack, and workers are still extinguishing the flame. Shelling still continues in residential areas of Lysychansk and locals are asked to remain in shelters, the official added. Open / Comment