Swedish authorities have said that state sponsorship was the “main scenario” in the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline in the Baltic Sea last year, but they remain uncertain about who is responsible. The public prosecutor Mats Ljungqvist, who is heading up Sweden’s investigation, said on Thursday that “there is no doubt that this is gross sabotage in international waters directed toward infrastructure, whose owner is not connected to Sweden.” Ljungqvist added that “there is no doubt that this is gross sabotage in international waters directed toward infrastructure, whose owner is not connected to Sweden.”
In September of last year, the Nord Stream pipeline carrying gas from Russia to Germany was damaged in a series of explosions. Swedish authorities discovered remnants of explosives on the damaged pipeline. German authorities have also been probing the incident, with prosecutors last month announcing that a vessel suspected of involvement in the pipeline explosions had been searched.
Ljungqvist stated that the detonations took place 80 meters (262.5 feet) under the water on the ocean floor in the Baltic Sea, making it a difficult crime to investigate. However, he reassured the public that the Swedish authorities are working “unconditionally” to identify those responsible for the sabotage.
“Our hope is to be able to confirm who has committed this crime, but it should be noted that it likely will be difficult given the circumstances,” said Ljungqvist. He further explained that the current evidence suggests that criminals acted on behalf of a government.
Despite the challenges posed by the investigation, Ljungqvist emphasized that the Swedish authorities are leaving “no stone unturned” in their efforts to identify the perpetrators. “We are working unconditionally and turning over every stone and leaving nothing to chance,” he said in a statement.
The Nord Stream pipeline is a joint venture between Russian energy company Gazprom and several European companies. The pipeline carries natural gas from Russia to Germany, bypassing transit countries such as Ukraine. The pipeline has faced criticism from some European countries, including the United States, who see it as a tool for Russia to exert political influence in Europe.
On Thursday, April 6, several significant events related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine were also observed:
Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza may face 25-year prison sentence
Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza is facing a possible 25-year prison sentence on charges including treason for making critical comments about the Ukraine offensive. This was revealed by his lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov, after a closed hearing.
Kara-Murza, who is 41 years old, is among several opposition figures who have been targeted in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s crackdown on dissent. Most of them are either in jail or exile.
In this high-profile case, Kara-Murza has been accused of high treason, spreading false information about the Russian army, and having connections with an “undesirable organization.”
Kara-Murza’s lawyers have argued that he has been suffering from a nerve condition called polyneuropathy, which they say was caused by two poisoning attempts in 2015 and 2017.
Despite his deteriorating health, Kara-Murza has been present for some of his hearings. However, his condition has been such that he has been unable to attend others.
Kara-Murza’s case is just one example of Putin’s ongoing efforts to suppress opposition voices. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the crackdown has intensified, and many opposition figures have been targeted.
The charges against Kara-Murza stem from comments he made that were critical of the Ukraine offensive, which Russia launched in 2014. The conflict has caused thousands of deaths and has led to a major crisis in Ukraine.
The trial of Kara-Murza has been closely watched by human rights groups, who have called for his release. They have also criticized Russia’s broader crackdown on dissent and called for an end to the persecution of opposition figures.
It remains to be seen what the outcome of Kara-Murza’s trial will be, but his case has once again highlighted the challenges facing those who speak out against the Kremlin’s policies.
Yevgeny Prigozhin claims Ukrainian forces not leaving Bakhmut
In the latest development on the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the head of the Russian private military company Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has claimed that Ukrainian forces are not planning to abandon the city of Bakhmut. Prigozhin made this statement on his Telegram channel, where he also expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support his company was receiving from the Russian regular forces.
Bakhmut, located in the east of Ukraine, has been a battleground in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. According to the Ukrainian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, if captured by Russia, the city would allow for an advance further into the east. Ukrainian forces have been fighting fiercely to maintain control of the city, but the situation on the ground remains tense.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised the possibility of a possible withdrawal from the city. Zelenskyy said that the decision would be made if the Ukrainian forces in the city risked being surrounded by Russian troops. It remains to be seen whether Ukraine will follow through on this threat or whether it will continue its efforts to maintain control of the city.
The situation in Bakhmut is just one of many flashpoints in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. The conflict began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, and tensions between the two countries have been high ever since. Despite multiple ceasefire agreements, the fighting has continued, with both sides accusing the other of violating the agreements.
The conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of people and has had a significant impact on the region. The ongoing fighting has disrupted the lives of millions of people, and the humanitarian situation in the region is dire. The international community has called for an end to the fighting and a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but so far, these calls have fallen on deaf ears.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the situation on the ground remains unpredictable. Both sides are digging in, and the fighting shows no signs of abating. It remains to be seen how the situation in Bakhmut will develop and whether it will be a turning point in the conflict.
French president urges Chinese counterpart to promote peace talks in Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the importance of peace in Ukraine during his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday in Beijing. Macron spoke with Xi outside the Great Hall of the People, stating that the Russian aggression in Ukraine has impacted international stability. He asked Xi to bring Russia to reason and return everyone to the negotiating table.
Following their talks, the two leaders issued a joint statement that reiterated their call for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow as soon as possible. The statement came as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was also in China, expected to raise the issue of the Chinese president’s ties with Russia.
While China has publicly called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, it has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Last month, President Xi visited Moscow and held lengthy discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders celebrated their close ties, further solidifying their alliance.
In contrast, President Xi has yet to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Macron’s meeting with Xi may have provided an opportunity to discuss China’s stance on the Ukrainian conflict, which has caused tension between Western countries and Russia.
The situation in Ukraine has remained volatile since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. In response, Western countries imposed economic sanctions on Russia, leading to a sharp decline in their relationship. As the situation continues to escalate, global leaders are calling for renewed diplomatic efforts to bring peace to the region.
Macron’s meeting with Xi highlights the ongoing efforts to address the Ukrainian crisis and emphasizes the importance of cooperation between world leaders to promote international stability. The French president’s call to bring Russia to the negotiating table could signal a new approach to resolving the conflict and preventing further escalation.
Russia rejects NATO criticism of nuclear weapons deployment in Belarus
Russia has rejected criticism from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg over its recent move to station tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Stoltenberg’s comments by stating that it was actually NATO that was expanding toward Russia, which had prompted Moscow to take measures to defend its territory.
Stoltenberg had previously spoken out against Moscow’s actions, citing a joint Russian-Chinese statement that had been made just weeks prior. The statement stipulated that countries should not deploy nuclear weapons outside their borders. Stoltenberg claimed that Russia’s move was in direct opposition to this statement.
However, Peskov was quick to rebut Stoltenberg’s remarks, stating that it was NATO that was at fault for expanding its military infrastructure toward Russia. “It is NATO that is expanding toward Russia, not Russia that is taking its military infrastructure towards the borders of NATO,” Peskov told reporters during a recent press conference.
Russia’s decision to station nuclear weapons in Belarus has raised concerns among NATO members, who fear that this move could destabilize the region. However, Russia has remained steadfast in its stance, claiming that it is simply taking necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Despite these tensions, both Russia and NATO have expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue in order to find a diplomatic solution to the ongoing conflict. However, with both sides seemingly unwilling to budge on their positions, it remains to be seen whether any progress can be made in the near future.
British Ministry of Defence supports claims of dismissal of senior Russian commander
British Ministry of Defence (MOD) has backed up the claims on social media regarding the dismissal of the commander of the Eastern Group of Forces (EGF), Colonel-General Rustam Muradov. The MOD has stated that the Russian forces under Muradov had suffered “exceptionally heavy casualties” over the past few months, and that “poorly conceived assaults repeatedly failed to capture the Donetsk Oblast town of Vuhledar.”
According to the MOD’s daily intelligence briefing, these failings had resulted in intense criticism. The briefing emphasized that Muradov had taken command of the EGF following the failed assault on Kyiv during the initial stages of Russia’s invasion. The MOD also highlighted that Muradov was the most senior military dismissal of 2023 so far, and it anticipates more dismissals due to failure to achieve objectives in Donbas.
The EGF is a Russian military unit responsible for the operational control of the military forces in the Eastern Military District of Russia. The district includes the disputed region of Donbas in Ukraine, where pro-Russian separatists have been fighting Ukrainian government forces since 2014.
The MOD’s statement has come amidst reports of a significant increase in hostilities in the region. According to the United Nations, the fighting in Donbas has resulted in the displacement of over 1.5 million people since 2014.
The MOD’s statement also reflects the growing concern of the international community about the situation in Ukraine. Earlier this week, US President Joe Biden warned Russia against the use of military force in Ukraine and offered his support to the Ukrainian government.
The situation in Ukraine has been a cause for concern for many countries, with the conflict in Donbas escalating in recent months. The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of deploying troops and weapons to support the separatists in the region, while Russia has denied any involvement.
The international community has been calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with diplomatic efforts ongoing to find a solution. However, the recent increase in hostilities and the dismissal of the EGF commander have further complicated the situation. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop in the coming days and weeks.
Russian girl sent to orphanage for anti-war drawing reunites with mother
According to a report by Reuters news agency, Maria Moskalyov, a young Russian girl who was sent to an orphanage after drawing an anti-war picture, has left the facility with her estranged mother. The girl’s father was convicted for discrediting Russia’s armed forces and sentenced to two years in jail, after authorities introduced severe punishment for people found guilty of discrediting the armed forces.
As a result of her father’s conviction and sentence, and her not having lived with her mother for the past seven years, Maria was taken to the children’s home. However, Children’s Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova confirmed that she had spoken to the girl and her mother. She stated that Maria did not want to go to her mother at first, and her opinion is legally required to be taken into account.
Lvova-Belova added that Maria’s position has since changed, and the young girl is now willing to go with her mother. Olga, Maria’s mother, has already taken her from the social rehabilitation center. The Children’s Commissioner expressed hope that everything would work out for the mother and daughter.
The case of Maria Moskalyov has garnered attention from human rights groups and activists who criticized the Russian authorities for punishing a child for her father’s actions. Many also questioned the severity of punishment for discrediting the armed forces, which could lead to imprisonment.
In recent years, the Russian government has come under criticism from various quarters for its crackdown on dissent and criticism. The case of Maria Moskalyov is yet another instance that highlights the challenges faced by individuals who oppose the government’s policies and actions.
However, the news of Maria’s release from the orphanage and reunion with her mother has been welcomed by many who had been following the case. The incident is a reminder of the importance of upholding children’s rights and protecting them from the impact of political controversies.
