As the war in Ukraine entered its 400th day on Friday, Russia accused an American journalist of spying, and Finland edged closer to joining NATO.
In his Thursday evening video speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the “tremendous road” his country had taken in 400 days since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.
“Ukraine will win at the front, leaving no sign of Russia on our soil or any enemy unpunished. We’re prepping this news “Said he. The Ukrainian military is plotting a counteroffensive, but he didn’t say how.
The Wall Street Journal ordered Evan Gershkovich’s urgent release on Thursday after denying espionage charges. He was “found red-handed” by the Kremlin, but no proof was provided.
The White House condemned Russia’s move and advised Americans in Russia to flee quickly.
“Espionage claims are absurd. Russian hacking of Americans is unconscionable “White House Press Assistant Karine Jean-Pierre stated.
The Russian FSB security agency detained Gershkovich, a 31-year-old journalist who has worked in Russia for six years, in Yekaterinburg, “suspected of spying in the interests of the American government.”
In a closed session in Moscow, a judge ordered him kept in pre-trial detention until May 29. Treason is a 20-year prison sentence in Russia.
Western political experts suggested Russia could use Gershkovich in a prisoner swap with Washington or as diplomatic leverage.
On Thursday, Turkey’s senate passed a NATO membership law for Finland. After Hungary’s parliament ratified Finland’s membership on Monday, the Turkish senate was the last of the 30 NATO allies to do so.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden wanted NATO admission. Russia invaded to stop the Western armed union from growing. Kyiv received military and fiscal aid from the union.
“Soon both Finland and Sweden will be members,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Fox News. “He got more NATO.”
Ukraine said Russian troops continued to attack Bakhmut, local towns, and Avdiivka, 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Bakhmut.
Russian troops are seeking their first win since mid-2022 at Bakhmut, the bloodiest infantry fight in Europe since World War Two.
“Our forces are holding the city and repelling multiple enemy strikes,” Ukraine’s military posted on Facebook Thursday evening.
On Ukrainian NV Radio, a military analyst and journalist, Andriy Tsaplienko, said Russian troops aimed to repeat Bakhmut in Avdiivka.
“They realize that they cannot simply take it and instead are starting to destroy Avdiivka,” Tsaplienko said.
Reuters couldn’t verify combat claims.
The Ukrainian military reported a day earlier that Russian forces were succeeding in Bakhmut. On Ukrainian NV Radio, military analyst Evhen Dikyi said Russian troops held over half the city.
“Bakhmut is staying firm, but there is heavy fighting in the city and it is moving closer to the city center,” he said.
“If Russian troops are claimed to have made’some headway’ it is probably because they have crossed the Bakhmutka River,” Dikyi said.
The Ukrainian military chose to stay and fight for Bakhmut a month ago to wear down Russia’s invading force.
Russia’s assault destroyed Ukrainian towns and displaced millions. Both sides lost tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens and troops.
