Ukraine war: Russia apparently attacked hospital in Mariupol

On the 65th day of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the Ukrainian online newspaper “Ukrayinska Pravda” reports that a Russian attack on a military hospital in the Azovstal steelworks near Mariupol at least one person was killed and 100 others injured.

In his daily video message, the Ukrainian President Zelenskyj both his US counterparts Joe Biden and the American people for the billions in aidwhich Congress will support “hopefully soon”.

News of the war in Ukraine on Friday, April 29:

4:55 a.m.: According to CNN: US citizens killed in fight against Russians in Ukraine

An American mercenary has been killed fighting Russian troops in Ukraine. This was reported by the US broadcaster CNN, citing the mother of the 22-year-old. The former US Marine who worked for a private company that hired mercenaries died on Monday. Immediately after the Russian army invaded Ukraine, the 22-year-old reported to the unnamed company as a contract fighter and has been supporting the Ukrainian troops since mid-March with his mercenary unit, which consisted of men from different countries.

4:50 a.m.: Russian attacks hit hospital in Mariupol

During a Russian attack on the last defenders of Mariupol, who were holed up in the Azovstal steelworks, the field hospital set up there came under heavy fire. According to a report in “Ukrajinska Pravda”, at least one soldier died and around 100 patients suffered further injuries. According to the defenders, the hospital, in which around 500 wounded and doctors were staying, was specifically attacked. The information could not be independently verified.

The last defenders of the port city of Mariupol and numerous civilians have holed up in the Azovstal plant. Despite repeated requests from the Russian side, they refuse to surrender. Most recently, UN Secretary-General Guterres in Moscow and Kyiv advocated opening a humanitarian corridor for civilians.

2.26 a.m .: Kyiv: Russification of Kherson will not work

According to the Ukrainian leadership, Russian plans to consolidate control of the occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine are doomed to failure. The secretary of the Ukrainian Security Council, Oleksiy Danilov, describes the referendum planned by the Russian side in Kherson as “legally and internationally meaningless”. The referendum with which the Russian occupiers wanted to proclaim a “People’s Republic of Cherson” is a “classic” with which Russia wants to legalize its actions.

The introduction of the Russian ruble as a means of payment in the occupied territories is also “classic Russian practice,” says Danilov, according to the Unian agency. These efforts by the Russian side would not lead to success either. “They will try to introduce a currency or pseudo-currency for these areas for some time,” said Danilov. But in view of the resistance to be expected from citizens, this will be “very short-lived”.

1:22 a.m .: Historical regulation in the USA for arms deliveries to Ukraine

Based on a regulation from the Second World War, the USA wants to facilitate the delivery of armaments to Ukraine and other Eastern European countries. After the Senate, the House of Representatives also passed a corresponding bill on Thursday (local time). The President is temporarily authorized until 2023 to lend or lease military equipment to Ukraine and other countries in Eastern Europe affected by the Russian war of aggression. Certain formal requirements in the procedure are to be suspended.

0.47 a.m .: Scholz equates Russia’s attack on Ukraine with an attack on democracy

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) equates the Russian attack on Ukraine with an attack on democracy. Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin is “not only pursuing the goal of destroying Ukraine. His war is directed against everything that constitutes democracy: freedom, equality before the law, self-determination, human dignity,” writes Scholz in a guest article for “Welt”.

In contrast, the democratic countries of the world are currently appearing more united than they have for a long time, says Scholz: “This shows what unites us as democracies: the conviction that law must set limits to power.” Scholz is convinced: “Only democracy is capable of getting the problems of the 21st century under control.”

0.36 a.m .: Selenskyj thanks Biden for billions in aid

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy welcomes the new financial support from the USA in the war against Russia as an “important step”. In his daily video message, Zelenskyy thanked both US President Joe Biden and the American people for the help that Congress will “hopefully quickly” support. Biden previously announced in Washington that he would ask Congress to approve an additional $33 billion (€31.4 billion) for Ukraine. 20 billion of that should be used for military aid, about 8.5 billion for economic aid. “We have to do this,” Biden said in the White House.

0.20 a.m .: Kyiv and Sofia agree on cooperation

Ukraine and Bulgaria have agreed on close military and economic cooperation. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday evening after a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov.

“Another issue on which we have agreed is the delivery of Ukrainian electricity to Bulgaria and the use of the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline together with the Bulgarian side,” said Zelenskyy. Russia stopped supplying natural gas to Bulgaria on Wednesday due to alleged non-payment.