April 12, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Jack Guy, Hannah Strange, Adrienne Vogt, Leinz Vales and Tori Powell, CNN

Updated 10:42 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023
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10:41 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Our live coverage for the day has ended. Follow the latest Ukraine news here or read through the updates below.

8:04 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

More than 77,000 alleged incidents of war crimes registered by Ukraine, chief prosecutor says

There have been more than 77,000 alleged war crimes registered by Ukraine, the country's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin told The Washington Post Wednesday.

He said the alleged war crime incidents "include not only murder, not only humiliation and rape, they also include the destroying of private property. They include forced deportation. They include forced detention of Ukrainians on occupied territories. They include looting on massive scale on the occupied territories and many other war crimes."

The chief prosecutor told the newspaper he has 305 alleged perpetrators "who are notified of suspicion," along with 150 indictments ready and 30 convictions "by Ukrainian courts with regard to Russian war criminals" who committed alleged crimes on Ukrainian soil. He added that "99-plus percent of all cases of war crimes committed against Ukrainians will be prosecuted and tried in Ukraine."

"We are investigating war crimes in course of ongoing aggression," Kostin said to the Washington Post. "We are not only investigating them, but also, we are making Russians accountable for the war crimes committed on Ukrainian soil."

According to Kostin, there are four elements contributing to the criminal accountability documented throughout the war in Ukraine: National efforts, assistance from the International Criminal Court, international coordination and the creation of a special international tribunal for the alleged "crime of aggression."

"These four layers of criminal responsibility create full web of accountability on (a) criminal level for Russia and its perpetrators," Kostin told the Post.

7:40 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Russia claims it's closer to entering Bakhmut. Here's what you should know

From CNN staff

Russia says its forces hit Ukrainian army reserves attempting to get into the battered city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine.

According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, Russian forces hit "reserves of the enemy that tried to break into Bakhmut from the settlements of Chasiv Yar and Bohdanivka, as well as the units of the 28th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Kostiantynivka."

On Tuesday, Ukrainian officials denied Wagner founder and financier Yevgeny Prigozhin's claim that Russian forces now control 80% of the city.

Here are other headlines:

Sanctions: The United Kingdom announced sanctions on a network of companies and individuals with financial links to Russian oligarch and ex-Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich, as well as Alisher Usmanov. It said the move would would target those helping the pair to "avoid the full cost" of sanctions already imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The United States also imposed a large tranche of sanctions Wednesday on more than 100 people and entities around the world for their ties to the war.

Beheading video responses: The EU has pledged to hold those responsible for war crimes in Ukraine to account, EU spokesperson Nabila Massrali said on Wednesday. The statement is in response to two videos released on social media in the past week that appear to show beheaded Ukrainian soldiers. Wagner private military company leader Yevgeny Prigozhin has denied that his fighters were involved in the grisly video.

Leaked documents: A Russian military group fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Vladimir Putin attempted to buy weapons and equipment from an unlikely source: NATO member Turkey, according to a leaked US intelligence document that was obtained by CNN. The leaked document appears to show the lengths the Russian private military group Wagner has gone to try to further strengthen its capabilities as the war in Ukraine — in which it is playing a key role — continues on with no signs of abating.

Electronic conscription bill: A new bill allowing for the electronic delivery of military draft papers is meant to fix a chaotic process of registration and enlistment, the Kremlin said Wednesday. The bill is designed to make the process “modern, efficient and convenient for citizens,” spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. The final step is for the bill to be signed by President Vladimir Putin before it officially becomes law. Russian officials have denied suggestions that the bill lays the groundwork for a fresh wave of mobilization.

Evan Gershkovich: The US continues its public push for consular access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, as the top official handling hostage negotiation committed to bringing him home from Russia. Access to Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage, is being considered and will be worked out in due course, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

Military aid: Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal repeated Ukraine’s requests for F-15 and F-16 fighter jets and longer-range missiles from the US directly to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in remarks at the top of their meeting at the Pentagon. Shmyhal also thanked the US for its continued military support during their meeting. Also, the Serbian government has denied it sold weapons and ammunition to Ukraine, after a report emerged claiming otherwise.

7:23 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Pentagon officials brief House and Senate lawmakers on leaked documents

From CNN's Michael K Callahan

The Pentagon is seen from the air on March 3, 2022.
The Pentagon is seen from the air on March 3, 2022. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)

Pentagon officials provided an unclassified briefing about the leaked classified information Wednesday afternoon for House leadership, the House Intelligence Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, according to three congressional sources familiar with the matter. 

 The 45-minute phone briefing was held by the Pentagon's Under Secretary for Defense and Security Ronald Moultrie, Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs Rheanne Wirkkala and Under Secretary for Policy Colin Kahl. 

It was the first official briefing the lawmakers received on the topic, coming a week after the Defense Department was made aware of the leaked classified documents. 

Senate leadership and the relevant Senate national security committees also received a briefing from the Biden administration on the leaked classified documents, according to a source familiar with the matter. 

The briefers told the House and Senate committees that the Pentagon is looking for the source of the leak and that the Biden administration is trying to ease the concerns of nervous allies, according to another source familiar with the briefings.

One source declined to provide details about what was said but told CNN that members learned very little, and some left the meeting feeling like there was a lack of urgency inside the administration over the leak.

All senators will receive a briefing on the leaked documents on Wednesday afternoon next week, according to a Senate Democratic aide. A classified briefing for all House members is also expected next week, possibly on Wednesday, one of the sources said. 

6:04 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

EU says those committing war crimes in Ukraine must be held accountable

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq

The European Union Delegation at the United Nations said those who are committing war crimes in Ukraine must be held accountable after a video appears to show beheadings of Ukrainian soldiers.

"The EU supports investigations on all war crimes committed in Ukraine. We will work tirelessly to ensure accountability," the EU said on Twitter Wednesday.

Some background: A video was posted to a pro-Russian social media channel on April 8, which appears to show the beheaded corpses of two Ukrainian soldiers lying on the ground next to a destroyed military vehicle.

Russian social media accounts said the video was shot near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine, which has been the scene of the war’s fiercest fighting for many months, with Wagner fighters very heavily involved.

CNN is unable to independently confirm the video’s location.

second video, which was posted on Twitter and is heavily blurred, looks to have been filmed during the summer because of the amount of plant life on the ground. It purports to show a Russian fighter using a knife to cut off the head of a Ukrainian soldier. A voice at the beginning of the video suggests the victim might have still been alive when the attack began.

4:11 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Leaked US military document reveals Wagner group tried to buy weapons and equipment from NATO member

From CNN's Zachary Cohen and Jennifer Hansler

 

A Russian military group fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Vladimir Putin attempted to buy weapons and equipment from an unlikely source: NATO member Turkey, according to a leaked US intelligence document that was obtained by CNN.

The leaked document appears to show the lengths the Russian private military group Wagner has gone to try to further strengthen its capabilities as the war in Ukraine — in which it is playing a key role — continues on with no signs of abating.

As a NATO member, Turkey is broadly considered a partner nation to the US and other nations providing direct military support to Ukraine and it has publicly expressed opposition to Russia's invasion.

It is also home to a major US military base where nuclear weapons are stored and act as an obvious warning sign to deter Russian aggression against NATO members. 

Evidence that Turkey has discussed selling weapons to Russian mercenary forces would likely raise serious concerns in Washington and complicate Ankara's relationship with other NATO members.

Not only does the document reference intelligence about Wagner seeking to purchase weapons from Turkey, it also states that the paramilitary group planned to resume recruitment of prisoners from Russia's jails. 

According to the US signals intelligence reporting cited in the document, personnel from the Wagner Group met with "Turkish contacts" in early February with the intent "to purchase weapons and equipment from Turkey" that could then be used by Wagner mercenaries who are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

Wagner also planned to use the weapons and equipment from Turkey in Mali, where the group maintains a significant presence, according to the leaked document.

While there is no evidence that shows that Turkey has moved forward with any arms sales to the Wagner Group, details about the February meeting — outlined in a section of the leaked document titled, "Mali, Russia, Turkey: Vagner seeks weapons from Ankara" — suggest US officials believe the Russian mercenary outfit has at least tested the waters. 

CNN has not independently confirmed the veracity of the document, but US officials have indicated that most of the leaked tranche are authentic. A State Department spokesperson said the "the Department of Defense and the intelligence community are actively reviewing and assessing the validity" of the leaked documents, adding "we are not in a position to confirm or comment on any specific information they contain."

CNN has reached out to the US National Security Council, the office of the Turkish President and Turkey's Embassy in Washington for comment on the document.

Read more here.

3:58 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Ukraine's prime minister signs $200 million agreement with World Bank to rebuild energy sector

From Yulia Kesaieva in Kyiv and CNN's Vasco Cotovio in London

Workers repair infrastructure at a power station that was damaged by a Russian air attack November 4, 2022, in Kyiv Oblast.
Workers repair infrastructure at a power station that was damaged by a Russian air attack November 4, 2022, in Kyiv Oblast. (Ed Ram/Getty Images)

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has secured a $200 million loan from the World Bank to help rebuild the country’s energy sector.

“Today we signed the agreement with World Bank VP Anna Bjerde to provide an additional $200 million to restore power system in #Ukraine,” he tweeted Wednesday, after a meeting in Washington. “We are also preparing to implement a military risk insurance project for foreign investors.” 

“Grateful for the support for Ukraine’s recovery,” he added.

Shmyhal said Ukraine would begin rebuilding damaged areas this year.

“The funds attracted from the World Bank will be used to rebuild the power grid and heat supply systems in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Sumy and the cities of Chernihiv region,” he said, according to his office. “This winter, we have defeated Russia in the battle for light and are already preparing for the next heating season.”

2:59 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Russian Foreign Ministry says access to Evan Gershkovich is being considered

From CNN's Katharina Krebs in London

Access to Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who was detained in Russia on suspicion of espionage, is being considered and will be worked out in due course, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

“Regarding the visit of Evan Gershkovich by representatives of the US Embassy in Moscow, we inform you that the issue is being considered and will be worked out in due time in accordance with consular practice and Russian law. The status assigned to him by the American authorities in this case does not matter,” said Zakharova in a statement published by the ministry Wednesday.

Zakharova said the "noise" staged in the Western media around the detention of a journalist "caught red-handed" is "an example of blatant hypocrisy."

"It is kept silent that the American embassy in Moscow was notified in a timely manner about the detention of Evan Gershkovich. Our diplomats in similar cases, in violation of the bilateral consular convention, are informed either with a delay or not at all, especially in high-profile cases under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Justice and the FBI," she said.

According to Zakharova, the calls by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and other US officials to its citizens to leave the Russian Federation are "hypocritical," since it was Washington that launched "the real hunt for Russians in the US and third countries."

“I emphasize that any attempts to put pressure on the Russian authorities and the courts, insisting on a 'special treatment' for US citizens who have broken the Russian law, are senseless and futile. It is time for Washington to learn that we will not tolerate interference in our internal affairs and will act exclusively in accordance with our national interests," Zakharova added.

Some background: On Monday, the US State Department officially designated Gershkovich as wrongfully detained by Russia.

The designation gives further backing to the assertions by the US government and the Wall Street Journal that the espionage charges against the reporter are baseless. It will empower the Biden administration to explore avenues such as a prisoner swap to try to secure Gershkovich’s release.

Reporting from CNN's Jennifer Hansler contributed to this post.

1:35 p.m. ET, April 12, 2023

Ukrainian prime minister thanks US for military support in Pentagon meeting with defense secretary 

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio and Yulia Kesaieva

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, left, stands alongside US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, left, stands alongside US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during an honor cordon ceremony at the Pentagon on Wednesday. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal thanked the United States for its continued military support as he met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon on Wednesday.

"Denys Shmyhal thanked the United States and the Secretary personally for their significant military support, as well as for their efforts to establish the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense, which currently includes more than 50 countries," his office said in a readout of the meeting. 

The pair discussed Ukraine’s further needs, with Shmyhal asking Austin to supply Ukraine with more weapons. 

“Ukrainian soldiers have proven that they can master the latest equipment in a short time and use it effectively on the battlefield,” he said, according to his office. “For a quicker victory, Ukraine also needs more weapons: Air defense, heavy artillery and equipment, mortars and ammunition.”