Up to date August 26, 2023 at 9:33 a.m. EDT|Revealed August 26, 2023 at 2:00 a.m. EDT
A part of a non-public jet that crashed in Russia’s Tver area was taken away on Friday. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP)
President Biden mentioned the US was making an attempt to find out the reason for the aircraft crash in Russia which is believed to have killed Wagner Group chief Yevgeniy Prigozhin. The Embraer jet that crashed this week, killing all these on board, had Prigozhin on its passenger checklist, in accordance with Russian aviation officers. “We’re making an attempt to nail down exactly,” Biden instructed reporters on Friday, including that he was “not at liberty to talk to that” however was not shocked by experiences Prigozhin had died.
Russia’s Investigative Committee in the meantime mentioned it had recovered the aircraft’s black field, and that forensic exams had been being performed to substantiate the identities of all 10 crash victims.
Right here’s the most recent on the battle and its ripple results throughout the globe:
Aviation consultants mentioned the aircraft crash factors away from a mechanical drawback or human error, however cautioned in interviews with The Washington Submit that there was not sufficient proof accessible to make a definitive conclusion. Early assessments by U.S. officers recommend the opportunity of an onboard explosion, The Submit reported.
The Kremlin dismissed hypothesis that Prigozhin was possible assassinated on the path of Russian President Vladimir Putin, with out confirming the Wagner chief’s demise. “It’s all lies,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned Friday, including that every one the hypothesis within the West is “from a sure angle.” Nevertheless, many amongst Russia’s elite additionally consider the crash was instigated by the Kremlin, The Submit has reported.
Putin signed a decree ordering paramilitary fighters to swear an oath to the nation, in accordance with Russian information companies. The decree, signed Friday, comes into impact instantly and applies to fighters from the Wagner mercenary group, including that the formal oath of allegiance consists of pledging to observe the orders of commanders and senior leaders.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko claimed he had warned Prigozhin a few risk to his life if the Wagner boss continued his march to Moscow throughout a short-lived mutiny in June, in accordance with Belarusian state information company BelTA. Lukashenko had claimed credit score for brokering a truce that allowed Wagner personnel to maneuver to Belarus.
Moscow’s mayor mentioned air defenses destroyed a brand new drone approaching the capital early Saturday, the most recent in a spate of tried drone assaults, which the Kremlin has blamed on Kyiv. Russia’s Protection Ministry mentioned a second drone was intercepted within the Belgorod area close to the border with Ukraine.
Ukraine struck a brigade in Crimea on Friday, Ukraine’s army intelligence spokesperson Andriy Yusov claimed in feedback to Liga.web. The assault was a joint operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Safety Service of Ukraine, Ukrainian Pravda reported. Moscow accused Kyiv earlier of making an attempt dozens of drone assaults over Crimea, the peninsula Russia annexed illegally in 2014, though it mentioned Russian forces intercepted all of them. The Submit couldn’t independently confirm the claims.
It may take six to eight months for F-16 fighter jets to be delivered to Ukraine, Netherlands Protection Minister Kajsa Ollongren mentioned in an interview with European Pravda. A number of situations should be met, together with pilot coaching and spare half provides earlier than the switch can happen, she mentioned.
Turkey sees no various to the Black Sea Grain initiative, Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned at a information convention throughout a go to to Kyiv on Friday, Turkey’s TRT World reported. He mentioned alternative routes are being sought, however they include dangers and can’t change the unique settlement, which was brokered by Ankara and the United Nations to permit the move of Ukrainian grain exports to the world.
Russia warned Moldova towards deepening its help to Ukraine, Russia’s Overseas Ministry spokeswoman mentioned Friday. Maria Zakhrova warned Ukraine’s neighbor “towards getting too concerned within the strategy of supporting Ukraine,” in accordance with Russian information company Tass, including that this may “jeopardize stability and safety within the area.” Russia’s battle in Ukraine raised fears of a spillover into Moldova, a post-Soviet nation with a pro-West authorities. Moscow has lengthy supported — and has troops stationed in — Moldova’s breakaway enclave of Transnistria.
In Ukraine, some see ingesting Aperol Spritz as supporting Russia: Many bars that when served the favored cocktail at the moment are boycotting it, citing the choice of the model’s proprietor to proceed working in Russia, report Siobhán O’Grady and Kostiantyn Khudov from Kyiv.
The model’s proprietor, Italy-based Campari Group, introduced final yr that it halted all promoting and promotions in Russia, and “decreased the enterprise to the naked minimal essential to pay the salaries of our colleagues.” It additionally mentioned it assisted staff in Ukraine with emergency funds and helped discover shelters.
Natalya Abbakumova contributed to this report.