Moscow – Russia has stepped up its offensive in Ukraine as the war of words continues over the killing of Russian military vlogger Vladlen Tatarsky, 40, in a bomb blast. 6 killed in Russian shelling in Kostiantynivka, eastern Ukraine. 8 people were injured. Many buildings including schools and residences were destroyed. Ukraine rejects Russia’s claim that it has taken control of Bahmut, and continues to put up strong resistance there.
Tatarsky was killed Sunday while speaking at a cafe on the Neva River in St. Petersburg. A bomb hidden in a gift bag exploded. 32 people were injured. 10 of them are in critical condition. In connection with this, the police arrested a young woman named Daria Tripova, who was earlier arrested and released on the grounds of anti-war rallies. No one has yet claimed responsibility for the blast. The cafe is owned by Yevgeny Prigoz, one of the owners of the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary group fighting in Ukraine.
Russia blamed the attack on the cafe as an act of terrorism carried out by Ukraine and said it was aided by supporters of anti-government protest leader Alexander Navalny. Ukraine responded that internal problems in Russia were behind the explosion and that it had no role. Russia has announced that it will deploy nuclear weapons in the western region of Belarus, which borders NATO countries. It is also a response to Finland becoming a NATO member. This is a move that will increase the tension.
Finland is a full member of NATO today
BRUSSELS – Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that Finland will join NATO today as the 31st full member and Sweden will soon become a NATO member. He also informed that all 30 member countries of NATO have given permission for this. The document withdrawing Turkey’s opposition to Finland’s membership will be handed over to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken at the Finnish flag-raising ceremony at NATO headquarters. In last week’s election in Finland, a coalition of right-wing parties won by preventing the second term of left-wing Prime Minister Sana Marin.
English Summary : Russia says death of vlogger a terrorist attack
