Continued horror at execution video
A video allegedly showing the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian fighters has caused horror far beyond Ukraine. United Nations observers in Ukraine and Czech President Petr Pavel were shocked.
“The long history of Russian impunity must finally come to an end,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said. However, the Moscow Kremlin questioned the authenticity of the video. In fact, this had not yet been definitively verified by an independent party. A former Russian mercenary claims to have “clearly” identified his former comrades as the perpetrators (see next point).
A video of about one and a half minutes appeared on the internet on Wednesday evening. It shows a man in uniform being beheaded by another. The perpetrator wears a white mark on his clothes typical for Russian soldiers. In addition to checking the authenticity, an independent analysis of the time of the withdrawal is pending.
Civil rights activists: Russian mercenaries identified in beheading video
According to civil rights activists, a former Russian mercenary identified former comrades as the perpetrators. The video footage was sent to Andrei Medvedev, who fled to Norway months ago and is currently being held in Sweden, the founder of Russian civil rights organization Gulagu.net, Vladimir Ossechkin, said on Wednesday.
“He listened and watched it carefully several times, and he clearly recognizes his former colleagues there, fighters of the Wagner mercenary group,” Ossechkin said in the post, which was published on the YouTube channel of Russian opposition figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who lives abroad. . Medvedev, who himself fought for the infamous Russian mercenary group, identified the men based on “characteristic call names and their way of speaking,” the civil rights activist said.
Ossechkin’s organization is actually best known for its work against violence in Russian prison camps. However, she also looked after ex-mercenary Medvedev when he was arrested in Norway in January in accordance with local immigration laws after fleeing. Medvedev was later released in Norway, but a few weeks later he was imprisoned in neighboring Sweden for illegal entry.
The current developments in the live ticker:
Selenskyj calls for a minute of silence after a brutal video
Zelenskyy called for a minute of silence at an event in Washington after the video was released. “I now ask you to remember with a minute of silence the Ukrainian soldier, whose death we all witnessed yesterday,” said Zelenskyy, who was on video at a roundtable discussion on Ukraine at the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Health Organization. Bank. He also commemorated the other victims of the Russian offensive war in Ukraine. Then Selensky paused for a moment.
“Ukraine is currently going through a storm of emotions,” said the Ukrainian president. The Russian military is trying to make this level of violence and atrocities routine throughout Ukraine and is proud of it.
Czech president compares Russia to Islamic State
Czech President Pavel was also shocked. “If this video turned out to be authentic, then Russian soldiers have lined up for the Islamic State, which we should condemn all over the world,” said the off-duty general in Prague.
Zelenskyj demands confiscation of Russian assets
Zelenskyj also called on Washington to confiscate Russian state property and make it available to his country for reconstruction. “Russia must feel the full price of its aggression,” Zelensky said. It is realistic to confiscate Russia’s assets and those of the Russian central bank so that life can be restored to Ukraine. Selenskyj repeated this demand a little later in his evening video address. The world community has largely lagged behind similar calls from Ukraine in the past. The main reasons were legal objections and practical obstacles.
Yellen: Supporting Ukraine is a joint effort
The US government called on the world community not to give up financial aid to Ukraine. “Supporting Ukraine is a joint effort,” US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned at the spring meeting of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. “We welcome the efforts of our allies and partners to provide comprehensive (…) and timely assistance,” Yellen said, urging everyone to “continue to do so.”
US imposes sanctions on Russian bank in Budapest
The US Treasury Department, meanwhile, has imposed sanctions on the Russian-controlled, Budapest-based International Investment Bank (IIB). This was announced by the ministry in Washington and the US ambassador in Budapest, David Pressman. According to the US Treasury and State Department, the US has imposed a total of new sanctions on more than 120 entities and individuals from more than 20 countries.
What will be important on Thursday
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock will begin her inaugural visit to China this Thursday (around 8 p.m.) in the port city of Tianjin. Partly because of China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, the visit will probably be one of the most difficult diplomatic missions in Baerbock’s tenure to date. (con/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
