Ukraine latest updates: ‘All Severodonetsk bridges destroyed’

Ukraine news from June 13: Destruction of bridges makes it impossible to evacuate civilians remaining in the city, governor of Luhansk says.

A local man walks next to a building damaged by a military raid, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Lysychansk, Luhansk region, Ukraine [Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters]

By David Child, Sasha Petrova and Linah Alsaafin-12 Jun 202212 Jun 2022

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Updated: 

26 minutes ago

 

• Ukraine’s national police chief says criminal proceedings have been opened in connection with the deaths of more than 12,000 civilians during Russia’s invasion.
• Separatist leader warns Ukrainian forces in Severodonetsk must “surrender or die” as Moscow’s troops continue to press for total control of the key eastern city.
• Amnesty International accuses Moscow’s troops of war crimes in northeastern Kharkiv, saying hundreds of civilians have been killed there by the indiscriminate bombardment of residential areas.
• An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asks Kyiv’s allies to send additional “heavy weaponry”, arguing parity with Russia is needed to “end the war”.

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These were the latest updates on Monday, June 13:

2 hours ago (19:59 GMT)

Human cost of Severodonetsk fight ‘terrifying’: Zelenskyy

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the battle for Severodonetsk was taking a “terrifying” toll as Russian forces threaten to take the strategic eastern city.

“The human cost of this battle is very high for us. It is simply terrifying,” Zelenskyy said on Telegram in his daily address to the Ukrainian people.

“The battle for the Donbas will without doubt be remembered in military history as one of the most violent battles in Europe,” he added.

“We are dealing with absolute evil. And we have no choice but to move forward and free our territory,” Zelenskyy added, calling on the West to supply more weapons to the Ukrainian army.

3 hours ago (19:14 GMT)

Russia’s key goal of operation in Ukraine to protect Moscow-backed republics: Peskov

Russia’s main goal of its military operation in Ukraine is to protect the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics, Russia’s RIA state news agency cited Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov as saying.

“In general, the protection of the republics is the main goal of the special military operation,” Peskov said.

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3 hours ago (19:12 GMT)

Zelenskyy tells Germany to give Ukraine support, worry less about Russia

Zelenskyy has asked Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz to show full-throated support for Kyiv, charging the German leader with being too concerned about the repercussions this would have for Berlin’s ties with Moscow.

Zelenskyy’s comments, made in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF, come amid speculation that Scholz could make his first trip to Kyiv since the start of the war on Thursday.

“We need from Chancellor Scholz the certainty that Germany supports Ukraine,” he said. “He and his government must decide: there can’t be a trade-off between Ukraine and relations with Russia.”

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5 hours ago (16:51 GMT)

Britain’s Truss says she discussed Russia’s blockade on Ukraine grain exports with Blinken

Britain’s Foreign Minister Liz Truss has said she spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken about Russia’s blockade on grain exports from Ukraine, as well as new legislation to govern post-Brexit trade rules in Northern Ireland.

“Spoke to @SecBlinken. We agreed that Russia must release those subjected to abhorrent show trials & end their blockade on grain exports,” Truss said in a tweet.

“Also discussed our Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.”

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