The threat that Russia could potentially use tactical or low-yield nuclear weapons in Ukraine cannot be taken lightly, but the CIA has not seen much practical evidence to reinforce that concern, CIA chief William Burns said on Thursday. Burn’s comments underscored concerns that the largest attack on a European state since 1945 could escalate into the use of nuclear weapons. Follow FRANCE 24’s live blog for the latest developments. All times are Paris time (GMT + 2).
8:00: It is difficult to find alternatives for Russian thermal coal, says the head of Japan’s electricity company
Alternatives to Russian thermal coal are difficult to find as the market becomes tighter, the head of a group representing Japanese power plants said on Friday.
“We want the government to provide maximum support (on the issue),” Kazuhiro Ikebe, chairman of the Japan Federation of Electricity Companies, said at a news conference. The Japanese government said earlier this month that it would ban coal imports from Russia in a broad escalation of sanctions after gradually reducing imports while looking for alternative suppliers.
07:00: Zelensky celebrates the Ukrainians’ determination 50 days into the invasion
A day that saw Moscow suffer a painful symbolic defeat with the loss of its flagship in the Black Sea Fleet, the President of Ukraine praised his people for their determination since Russia invaded in February and for having made “the most important decision of his life – to fight.”
In his evening speech, Volodymyr Zelensky told Ukrainians late on Thursday that they should be proud to have survived 50 days under Russian attack when the invaders “gave us a maximum of five”.
06:05: Loud explosions were heard in Kyiv
Powerful explosions were heard in Kyiv early Friday and airstrike sirens erupted over Ukraine as residents prepared for new Russian attacks after Moscow’s leading Black Sea warship sank after a fire.
The explosions appeared to be among the most significant in Ukraine’s capital region since Russian troops withdrew from the area earlier this month in preparation for fighting in the south and east.
03:30: France 24’s Robert Parsons says that the sinking of Moscow’s warships is a big blow for Russia
01:23: CIA warns that Putin is desperately threatening nuclear weapons
Russia’s setback in its invasion of Ukraine could prompt President Vladimir Putin to resort to a tactical or low-exchange nuclear weapon, CIA chief William Burns said on Thursday.
“Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks they have faced so far, militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat from a potential approach to tactical or low-yield nuclear weapons.” said Burns during a speech in Atlanta.
The Kremlin said it placed Russian nuclear forces on high alert shortly after the attack began on February 24, but the United States has not seen “much practical evidence” of actual deployments that would cause more concern, added Burns, who spoke with students at Georgia. Technical University.
“We are obviously very concerned. I know that President Biden is deeply concerned about avoiding a third world war, to avoid a threshold where, you know, nuclear conflict will be possible,” Burns said.
23:50: The sinking of warships a “big blow” for the Russian navy, says the Pentagon
The sinking of the Moscow warship after it was engulfed in an inferno was a “major blow” to Russia’s naval force in the Black Sea, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
“This is a big blow to the Black Sea Fleet, this is … a key part of their efforts to carry out some form of naval dominance in the Black Sea,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told CNN.
“This will have an effect on their capacity.”
22:22: Russia says that the flagship Moscow cruiser from the Black Sea Fleet has sunk
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the missile cruiser Moscow, the flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, sank as it was towed back to port in stormy weather following an explosion and fire, according to Russian news agencies.
“While being towed … towards the intended port, the ship lost its balance due to damage to the hull when fire broke out after ammunition exploded. Due to the choppy sea, the ship sank,” the state news agency TASS reported, the Defense Ministry quoted.
The ministry said earlier on Thursday that the Soviet-era ship had been badly damaged by the fire, which Ukraine said was the result of a missile strike.
20:47: “You use the nuclear card and it scares the West”
According to Dmitry Medvedev, Vice President of the Russian National Security Council and a former Russian president, if Finland and Sweden join NATO – perhaps in the coming weeks or months – the Baltics will no longer be a non-nuclear zone, FRANCE noted 24 international commentators Douglas Herbert.
“He suggests that there will be nuclear weapons within reach […] homes for ordinary people in Finland and Sweden, “said Herbert.” It is bullying; it’s threatening. Russia reads from its script, its playbook: You use the nuclear card and it scares the West – it scares many people. “
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS)
Originally published on France24
Source: sn.dk
