Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the bombing of the Olenivka prison in the pro-Russian Republic of Donetsk a "deliberate Russian war crime", resulting in 53 deaths.
"I have received information about the attack by the occupiers in Olenivka, Donetsk region. It is a deliberate Russian war crime , a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war. More than 50 dead ," he said.
In the bombing, on which Kiev and Moscow are now blaming themselves, some fighters of the Azov regiment were killed , right where the battalion was born in 2014 as a group of volunteers against pro-Russian separatists in the Donbass region.
After the definitive surrender, on May 20, of the leaders of the Azov battalion, Russia had transferred about 100 commanders of the regiment, defined by Moscow as a "terrorist" and accused of neo-Nazi convictions for years, to Lefortovo prison in Moscow awaiting a trial or of an exchange of prisoners. Others had been taken to the Sukhodol penal colony in Russia but the Russians had reported that most of the roughly 1,000 Azovs had been taken to the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic.
"It was the Ukrainians with American-made Himars missiles, - accuses the leader of the pro-Russian Denis Pushilin - it is obvious that this is an intentional bombing that aims to eliminate the members of the Azov battalion who have begun to testify". Kiev counter-accusation: "It is a classic, cynical and elaborate operation conducted under a false flag", attacks arguing that the goal of the Russians, or the separatists, is both to stain Ukraine with "war crimes" in the eyes of the allies and to hide "the torture of prisoners and executions".
( HERE all the news about the war)
( HERE all the videos of the conflict)
The day by the hour:
Zelensky: "Evacuate the Donetsk region"
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the evacuation of all civilians from the part of the Donetsk region under the control of Kiev, where the most intense fighting with Russian forces is taking place. "A government decision has been made on the mandatory evacuation of the region," the president said.
***
Azov: "Putin must be executed"
"You will be executed with your jackals and your embassies": is the message addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin by the commander of the Ukrainian Azov battalion, Mykyta Nadtochia, quoted by the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper, after yesterday's attack on the Olenivka prison, in Donetsk region, which resulted in more than 50 deaths and more than 100 injuries among Ukrainian prisoners of war.
***
The Russian embassy in GB: "Azov soldiers must be hanged"
“The Azov militants deserve execution, but death not by firing squad but for
hanging, because they are not real soldiers. They deserve a humiliating death. "It is the tweet that appeared on the account of the Russian embassy in Great Britain that provoked the vehement reaction of Ukraine.
***
Kiev shows a photo of a reporter in a burning wheat field
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry shared on Twitter images of a journalist escaping into a cornfield set on fire. "These photos remind not only of the burnt crop that was supposed to feed the world, but also the inhumane circumstances in which journalists and photographers work to tell the world the truth about Russia's atrocities."
***
Moscow, Ukrainian raid on prison toll is 50 dead and 73 injured
50 Ukrainian prisoners killed and 73 seriously injured are the toll of a missile attack on a preventive detention facility near Olenivka. This was stated by the spokesman of the Russian Defense Ministry Igor Konashenkov during a briefing. "According to information updated to July 30, 50 Ukrainians - says Moscow - were killed in a missile attack. The remains of 48 Ukrainian prisoners of war were found and recovered from under the rubble of the preventive detention facility. Two more prisoners of Ukrainians died of serious injuries while being transported to a medical facility. A total of 73 seriously injured Ukrainian POWs were taken to medical facilities. They were provided with necessary medical assistance. "
Moscow reiterates the accusation in Kiev of being the perpetrator of the bombing: "All political, criminal and moral responsibility for the bloody massacre of Ukrainians lies personally with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, his criminal regime and Washington who supports them", Konashenkov said.
***
United Kingdom: "The Russians use a ferry after the destruction of the bridge in Kherson"
In Kherson, after the Ukrainians knocked out the city's main bridge, Russian forces probably installed two modular bridges and a ferry crossing system. This is what British intelligence sources say in its daily update, as reported by Ukrinform.
***
Russian bombing of Mykolaiv, one dead and 6 wounded
One person died and 6 others were injured as a result of Russian bombing that took place overnight in the Mykolaiv area. The head of the regional military administration of Mykolaiv Vitaly Kim reports on Telegram. According to reports, many buildings suffered significant damage from the bombing.
***
Gazprom suspends gas supplies to Latvia
Russian gas giant Gazprom has announced that it has suspended gas supplies to Latvia following tensions between Moscow and the West over the conflict in Ukraine and the EU's unprecedented sanctions against Russia. "Gazprom has suspended gas supplies to Latvia today due to the violation of gas purchase conditions," reads a statement from the Russian company on Telegram.
(Unioneonline)