August 11, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

Our live coverage of Russia’s war in Ukraine has moved here.

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is seen on August, 4, outside the Russian-controlled city of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine.

The head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog told an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Thursday that fighting close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine had caused some damage to the facility and called for an immediate inspection mission to be allowed to visit the plant.  

However, Russia and Ukraine have been unwilling to agree to such a mission and thus the plant ends up caught in the crossfire. 

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi outlined the parts of the plant that have been knocked out due to attacks. 

“Any military action jeopardizing nuclear safety, nuclear security, must stop immediately,” Grossi said. “These military actions near to such a large nuclear facility could lead to very serious consequences.”

Grossi said the situation at the nuclear plant had reached a “grave hour” and insisted that the “IAEA must be allowed to conduct its mission to Zaporizhzhia as soon as possible.” 

The plant — which is the largest nuclear power facility in Europe — was taken over by Russian forces in early March, along with the town of Enerhodar, where the complex is located.

Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of shelling the plant. Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia on Thursday blamed Ukraine for the shelling of the plant and urged supporters of Kyiv to stop attacks and prevent a disastrous radiation leak.

Bonnie Jenkins, US under-secretary for arms control and international affairs, said Russia is the country responsible for the nuclear dilemma now. She warned the Security Council “the many consequences of this conflict, including the situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, will only end when Russia ends its war. Today the United States demands particularly urgent action to address the nuclear risks posed by Russia’s latest moves. This must be done through the work of the IAEA and a return of full control of the Zaporizhzhia facility to Ukraine.” 

The Security Council is not expected to issue any statement today.

Mikael Damberg, Sweden’s finance minister

Sweden’s finance minister said that while the country’s decision to join NATO “was not a happy one,” it was a “necessary step to take” in the wake of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

In an interview with CNN’s Richard Quest in Stockholm, Mikael Damberg said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “really makes people think, ‘we can be next.’”

When asked about the status of the accession process, Damberg added the country wants to join NATO “as fast as possible.”

“So far, it’s gone well, and we expect that all countries … would welcome Sweden and Finland as members of NATO,” he said.

NATO formalized its invitation to Sweden and Finland to join the alliance at the end of June, and the decision must go to the 30 member states’ parliaments and legislatures for final ratification.

Additionally, Damberg said he’s “very much uncertain” about the country’s economic growth in the next few months, as the war in Ukraine rages on, compounded by inflation pressures and the prospect of higher interest rates.

“People are expecting tougher times,” Damberg said as inflation in Sweden hits 30-year highs.

“We see the second quarter coming out quite well when it comes to growth, but when we look ahead, we think it will slow down. We will be affected by Europe, by the war, [and] by the German economy,” he said.  

Brittney Griner leaves the courtroom before the court's final decision in Moscow, Russia on August 4.

Officials from the US Embassy in Moscow were last in touch with detained WNBA star Brittney Griner on Aug. 4, the day of her sentencing, State Department principal deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Thursday.

During a briefing call with reporters, Patel reiterated that “the US government continues to urge Russia to release wrongful detainees Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan.”

Patel said that “ultimately, the ball is in Russia’s court” when it comes to the “substantial proposal” put forward by the US to secure the release of the two wrongfully detained Americans.

Patel did not say explicitly whether there had been contact between US and Russia on the deal following US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Deputy Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department Ivan Nechaev confirmed negotiations on Thursday, and said “they are being conducted by the competent authorities.”

The North American Aerospace Defense Command on Thursday disclosed a third incident of a Russian military aircraft flying into the Alaskan air defense identification zone (ADIZ) some time between Aug. 8 and 10.  

CNN previously reported Tuesday about two incidents of Russian military aircraft flying into Alaska’s ADIZ.

The ADIZ is international airspace adjacent to Alaska that extends in places more than 100 miles (more than 160 kilometers) from US territory. The US military initiates identification procedures for aircraft in the ADIZ in the interest of national security. 

NORAD would not disclose which day the third incident occurred.

The US military also distributed a photo of the second incident from the air, showing an F-22 flying within visual range of a Russian Il-20 aircraft.

The Ukrainian military has repelled and even pushed back assaults by Russian forces in the east, its general staff said in an update Thursday evening. 

“The occupiers unsuccessfully tried to improve the tactical position” near the city of Kramatorsk, but they were ” pushed back,” it said.

The Ukrainian military also said it was also able to repel Russian forces pushing toward Bakhmut and Avdiivka.

“Ukrainian soldiers inflicted casualties on the occupiers and forced them to flee,” the General Staff said, adding that Russia did not succeed in the direction of the Avdiivka, “suffered losses, and withdrew.”

The Ukrainian military said intense shelling and airstrikes were felt across the entire eastern frontline. 

A serviceman with a Russian flag on his uniform stands guard near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on August 4.

The United States supports calls for a “demilitarized zone” around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a US State Department spokesperson said Thursday.

“Fighting near a nuclear plant is dangerous and irresponsible – and we continue to call on Russia to cease all military operations at or near Ukrainian nuclear facilities and return full control to Ukraine, and support Ukrainian calls for a demilitarized zone around the nuclear power plant,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

Russia is accused of using the nuclear power plant as a military base. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week cited reports “that Russia is using this plant as the equivalent of a human shield, but a nuclear shield in the sense that it’s firing on Ukrainian from around the plant.” 

Both Ukraine and Russia have traded blame for attacks.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was maximizing the risk of a nuclear disaster at the facility, and the UN secretary general said he was “gravely concerned about the situation.”

“We must be clear that any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia or any other nuclear facilities in Ukraine, or anywhere else, could lead to catastrophic consequences not only for the immediate vicinity, but for the region and beyond,” Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

On Wednesday, the G7 Foreign Ministers in a joint statement demanded “that Russia immediately hand back full control to its rightful sovereign owner, Ukraine, of the Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant as well as of all nuclear facilities within Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders to ensure their safe and secure operations.”

“We remain profoundly concerned by the serious threat that the seizure of Ukrainian nuclear facilities and other actions by Russian armed forces pose to the safety and security of these facilities, significantly raising the risk of a nuclear accident or incident and endangering the population of Ukraine, neighboring states and the international community,” they said.

Radiation levels at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant are within the normal range despite renewed shelling on the site, Ukraine’s nuclear agency Energoatom said on Thursday.

Ukraine has accused Russia of shelling the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) again on Thursday, the country’s nuclear agency Energoatom said in a telegram post.

“The situation is getting worse, because there are radiation sources nearby and several radiation sensors are damaged,” Energoatom added.

The nuclear agency also said Thursday that radiation levels at the plant were within the normal range despite renewed shelling on the site. 

In a statement on Wednesday, G7 nations demanded that Russia give back full control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and other nuclear facilities to Ukraine, amid growing concern from international organizations that nearby fighting could lead to catastrophic consequences.

Ukraine is expecting the arrival of a ship that will be taking 23,000 tonnes of grain to Ethiopia, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov tweeted on Thursday. 

“Ukraine is ready for the BRAVE COMMANDER arrival, which is expected tomorrow [Friday],” Kuvrakov said. “Thanks to the Black Sea Initiative we are ready to load more than 23,000 tons of grain & export it to Ethiopia.” 

Conflict in the north and a drought in the south have pushed around 20 million people to a vulnerable and precarious humanitarian situation in Ethiopia, which, according to the United Nations, has been made worse by the war in Ukraine. 

“At the same time, the ripple effect of the war in Ukraine is set to exacerbate Ethiopia’s food security crisis,” the UN said in a report published in June. “With over three-quarters of [World Food Programme] and government wheat – a country staple – coming from Ukraine or Russia, the precarious situation there is threatening to push its cost, as well as that of fertilizer, beyond the means of millions of Ethiopian farmers. 

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace speaks during a press statement on August 11 in Copenhagen.

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Thursday that Britain is on track to train more Ukrainian troops than it first planned. 

When asked whether the UK could train more Ukrainian troops than the 10,000 by October as initially outlined, he said: “I think we’re committed now to really going beyond that. We are going to train more and for longer.” 

Speaking at a news conference in Copenhagen after an international donor conference to provide aid to Ukraine to help boost its military capabilities to fight against Russia, Wallace highlighted some of the achievements of the conference. 

Wallace also said that the actions of the international community to help Ukraine “are still on an upward trajectory.”

“There is no fatigue on the actions. We started off with basic handheld weapons and debates about whether or not training people would be provocative. Six months later, we’re into discussions about how many helicopters the international community has provided, how many fixed-wing aircraft the international community has provided, how many GMLRS and HIMARS. If you judge us by our actions, the international community, the appetite is still upwards not downwards,” he said. 

Speaking at the same press conference, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov noted that it’s important to make continued support to Ukraine “sustainable” because the warehouses or storage “is not endless in every country.”

“That’s why we need to communicate … We need to invest money to production, for example, in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Latvia or Lithuania to extend their capacity,” he said. 

Radiation levels at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant are within the normal range despite renewed shelling on the site, Ukraine’s nuclear agency Energoatom said on Thursday. 

“As of 17:00 (10aET), the radiation background at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is 11-12 μR/h, which corresponds to natural norms,” according to Energoatom. 

Energoatom said there was currently no fire at the Russian-occupied plant but accused Moscow of firing on it earlier in the day. 

At least 10 shells landed in the area around the nuclear complex, five near the station commander’s office and five near the fire department, the agency said.

“The situation at the station is currently under control,” it said. 

Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov attends a press conference on the support for Ukraine in Copenhagen, on August 10.

A group of 26 countries pledged more than $1.55 billion (1.5 billion euros) in aid to Ukraine, Danish Defense Minister Morten Bødskov said after hosting ministers from allied countries in Copenhagen for a conference to discuss long-term support for Ukraine, including military training and weapon supplies. 

Reznikov said he was “satisfied with the results” of the donor conference.  

“I’m glad that we all have common sense, that there is no time for fatigue, that it’s a marathon. For marathon you need energy and frankly speaking the main energy in this case is money. Our partners know that we need funding and they articulated readiness to support us financially,” the Ukrainian minister added.  

A view of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant on August 4.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of maximizing the risk of a nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which was taken over by Russian forces in early March.

Addressing a meeting of allies from across northern Europe, Zelensky recalled the Chernobyl disaster.

“If the Soviet authorities tried to hide the Chernobyl disaster and its full consequences, then the Russian authorities are much more cynical and dangerous. They themselves do everything to maximize the risk of a nuclear disaster and lie to the whole world that someone else is allegedly to blame,” he said.

Zelensky accused Russia of turning the nuclear power plant into a “battlefield.”

“The Russian occupation army is using the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant for terror and armed provocations,” he added.

The Ukrainian president also reiterated his demand that Russia be declared a terrorist state and also urged tougher sanctions.

Russia “simply would not have a combat-ready army in modern conditions if it were not for imported parts. Electronics, optics and many other parts of foreign production are used in the creation of missiles, drones, means of communication, armored vehicles, etc. This flow of technical assistance to Russian terror must be completely stopped,” he said.

Ukraine also needs continued supply of weapons in order to force Russia to “finally think about finding a peaceful solution,” Zelensky said, adding an appeal for financial support.

Ukraine’s monthly deficit of is about $5 billion dollars, he told the Allied conference. “Ukraine needs reconstruction. Now. We need to carry out demining. And, of course, we need to prepare defenses for winter conditions,” he said. “Financial support for our state, for the budget and for fast recovery is as vital as weapons and ammunition for our army and sanctions against Russia.”

Germany will launch a new package of measures to help ease the impacts of the energy crisis on citizens as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

This includes a tax relief for low-income families and for people who have problems paying their energy bills, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday. 

“Citizens can count on us not to abandon them,” Scholz told journalists at a news conference in Berlin. 

On Wednesday, Germany’s finance ministry revealed a proposal to ease income taxes in response to rising living costs. Finance Minister Christian Lindner said he expects about 48 million Germans would benefit from the tax changes.

The proposal follows an announcement from Chancellor Scholz in July that German households would have to pay for higher gas prices in the fall as a result of a gas standoff with Russia.

On Thursday, Scholz also said that Germany is determined to tackle an energy crisis in the coming winter in solidarity with its European partners.

“I believe that as the biggest country with the greatest economy and the largest population at the center of Europe, we have a special task,” Scholz said. “We are the ones that have to do their share so that progress and sustainability come to pass in Europe. This is something that I commit to.”

At least two people were killed by Russian shelling in central Ukraine overnight, and pro-Russian forces say they have entered two towns in the eastern Donetsk region. Various European leaders have also pledged more military support for Ukraine, including rocket systems promised by the United Kingdom.

Here are the latest headlines:

The United Nations Secretary General said he is “gravely concerned” about the situation at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine,

Reports of “further deeply worrying incidents” in the past few days could “lead to disaster,” António Guterres said.

He called for the involved parties to withdraw any military personnel and equipment from the plant “and refrain from any further deployment of forces or equipment to the site.”

“We must be clear that any potential damage to Zaporizhzhia or any other nuclear facilities in Ukraine, or anywhere else, could lead to catastrophic consequences not only for the immediate vicinity, but for the region and beyond,” he added. “This is wholly unacceptable.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks during a press conference in Berlin on August 11.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Thursday that Germany will continue to provide Ukraine with arms deliveries for its fight against Russia.

“Germany has broken with its tradition and supplied weapons to a war zone,” Scholz told journalists at a press conference in Berlin.

“We will continue to do so in the near future,” Scholz said, without giving specific details. 

In July, the German government released a list of lethal and non-lethal military aid provided to Ukraine. 

The military equipment sent by Germany to Ukraine to date includes 14,900 anti-tank mines; 500 stinger anti-aircraft missiles; 10 Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers; and 2,700 Strela man-portable air defense systems; as well as anti-drone devices, artillery ammunition, and handguns. 

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced on Thursday that Denmark will give another 110 million euros ($113.7 million) in financial aid to Ukraine for “weapons, equipment and training.”

“I hope that we here today can agree on even more contributions. And of course, Denmark is ready to do our part,” Frederiksen said at an international donor conference in Copenhagen.

UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov were present at the conference in Denmark’s capital.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also made a virtual appearance to thank the participants.

Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister, Emine Dzheppar, says that authorities in Crimea have arrested several Tatar activists after searching their homes.

“The morning of August 11 in #Crimea started with unlawful searches in the houses of Enver Krosh, Seitiai Abbozov, Edem Bekirov, Murat Mustafaiev, Rinat Aliiev, journalist Vilen Temerianov and his mother,” Dzheppar tweeted.

She said three of the activists had been detained and posted several photographs showing security forces carrying out the raids.

“#Russian occupational authorities continue pressure and persecution of #CrimeanTatars as they oppose occupation and support territorial integrity of #Ukraine,” Dzheppar added.

The wife of Temerianov said in a Facebook video that three men wearing balaclavas were among those that arrested her husband. They had said that the investigation was to do with criminal extremism, and had asked questions about postcards at the house that were to be sent to Crimean activists in prison.

The Russian-backed authorities in Crimea have not made any comment.

Thousands of Crimean Tatar people began to return to the peninsula in the late 1980s. Some 200,000 Crimean Tatars had been forcibly deported by Stalin in 1944 in what the Ukrainian parliament has recognized as an act of genocide.

The United Kingdom will send send further multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukraine, according to Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.

“Britain will also give a significant number of precision guided M31A1 missiles which can strike targets up to 80km away, enabling Ukraine to continue to defend itself against Russian heavy artillery,” the Ministry of Defense announced.

Wallace said in a statement: “This latest tranche of military support will enable the Armed Forces of Ukraine to continue to defend against Russian aggression and the indiscriminate use of long-range artillery. Britain and the international community remain opposed to this illegal war and will stand shoulder-to-shoulder, providing defensive military aid to Ukraine to help them defend against Putin’s invasion.”

Ukrainian troops have been trained in the UK on how to use the launchers.

The Ministry of Defense said other equipment currently being delivered to Ukraine includes more than 20 155 millimeter self-propelled guns; 105 millimeter artillery guns and ammunition; more than 50,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine’s Soviet-era artillery; and at least 1,600 more anti-tank weapons.

The UK and other NATO countries are also committed to training up to 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers in infantry skills.

The announcement came as Wallace co-hosts a conference of northern NATO states to discuss further long-term support for Ukraine on training, equipment, and funding.

The Ministry of Defense said the UK and its allies will begin to establish a plan of action to support Ukraine into 2023 and beyond for as long as necessary.