April 11, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Jessie Yeung, Helen Regan, Aditi Sangal, Jack Guy, Adrienne Vogt, Maureen Chowdhury and Tori B. Powell, CNN

Updated 9:36 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023
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6:14 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Russia conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, ministry of defense says

From CNN's Josh Pennington and AnneClaire Stapleton

Russia successfully conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on Tuesday, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. 

The launch from the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region was part of testing on next-generation ICBM combat equipment, the defense ministry reports. 

"On April 11, 2023, a Strategic Missile Forces combat crew conducted a successful launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from the Kapustin Yar state central joint forces test range in the Astrakhan region," the statement said.

The launch helped confirm the correctness of schematic and structural and technical solutions used in developing new strategic missile systems the defense ministry said. The missile's test warhead hit the target at the Sary Shagan firing range (Republic of Kazakhstan) with the target accuracy, according to the statement.

“The objectives of the launch were fulfilled in full," the statement read. 

Back in February, Russia carried out a test of an ICBM that appears to have failed around the time President Joe Biden was in Ukraine, according to two US officials familiar with the matter.

Russia notified the United States in advance of the launch through deconfliction lines under its New START treaty obligations, one official said, adding that "such testing is routine." Another official said that the test did not pose a risk to the United States and that the US did not view the test as an anomaly or an escalation.

CNN's Oren Liebermann and Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.

6:06 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Blinken: Russia's failure to grant consular access to detained journalist violates international commitments

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia’s failure to grant consular access to wrongfully detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich “puts it, once again, in violation of international commitments it’s made."

“I think Russia not following through on meeting its obligations to consular access, never mind the practice of detaining people arbitrarily for political purposes, is going to do even more damage to Russia's standing around the world — a standing that has been in free-fall, particularly since its rei-nvasion of Ukraine last year,” Blinken said at a news conference at the US State Department.

“I think it sends a very strong message to people around the world to beware of even setting foot there, lest they be arbitrarily detained,” he said.

Blinken noted that he had designated Gershkovich as wrongfully detained Monday, and reiterated that he called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to immediately grant consular access and release the detained journalist.

Blinken did say what measures are being taken to free Gershkovich, only saying that the US is “engaged every single day in pressing for that access as well as pressing for Evan’s release.”

5:59 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Trudeau confirms cyberattack on Canadian infrastructure first disclosed in Pentagon documents leak

From CNN’s Paula Newton in Ottawa

There was no physical damage to Canadian energy infrastructure after leaked US intelligence documents appeared to show that Russian hackers were attempting to cause damage to pipelines earlier this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed Tuesday.

“In regards to the reports of cyberattacks against Canadian energy infrastructure, I can confirm that there was no physical damage to any Canadian energy infrastructure following cyberattacks,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau is hosting Ukraine’s prime minister, Denys Shmyhal, in Toronto for an official visit where Canada announced more military and humanitarian aid for the country. 

Trudeau also confirmed that his government website was down after a denial of service attack Tuesday morning. The website appeared to be functioning normally by 2:30 p.m. ET after being down for several hours. 

“It’s not uncommon for Russian hackers to target countries as they are showing their steadfast support for Ukraine as they are welcoming Ukrainian delegations or leadership to visit, so the timing isn't surprising,” said Trudeau during a news conference alongside his Ukrainian counterpart, adding that “Russia being able to bring down an official government of Canada webpage for a few hours is in no way going to dissuade us from our unshakable support of Ukraine."

In February, Canada’s Communications Security Establishment (CSE), which oversees Canada’s foreign intelligence and cybersecurity, issued an alert warning.

“Canadian organizations (need) to be vigilant and prepared for potential malicious cyber activity following the one-year mark of Russia’s war on Ukraine. The Cyber Centre would like to specifically warn Canadian organizations and critical infrastructure  operators to be prepared for the possible disruption, defacement, and attempted exploitation of Canadian network assets by cyber threat actors aligned with Russian interests,” the statement reads.

CSE said it would not confirm or deny any specific cyberattacks for security reasons.

Canada pledged another $2.4 billion (CDN) loan to Ukraine to support essential services, such as pension payments, purchasing fuel and restoring damaged energy infrastructure. This funding will be distributed through an IMF facility and brings Canada’s total contribution in this regard to about $8 billion (CDN).

Canada also signed a major nuclear supply contract to provide for Ukraine’s uranium needs to fuel its nuclear generators until 2035.

5:04 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Blinken: US has "engaged with allies and partners at high levels" in days since document leak

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The United States has “engaged with allies and partners at high levels” in the days since the leak of classified documents came to light “to reassure them about our own committed to safeguarding intelligence and, of course, our commitment to our security partnerships,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference at the State Department, Blinken noted that he had spoken Tuesday with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and emphasized: “our enduring support for Ukraine and for its efforts to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, its independence, reaffirmed the extraordinary support that we have provided to Ukraine along with dozens of other countries.”

The top US diplomat said he would not comment specifically on the “purported documents” when asked about a report that documents showed Ukraine had engaged in attacks outside of its territory.

However, Blinken noted that “Ukraine has to make decisions about how it can most effectively defend itself against Russian aggression and take back the territory that's been seized from it.”

“We give our advice as appropriate. We provide the support, that is well known, but Ukraine makes the decisions about how it actually prosecutes the effort to regain its territory,” he said.

6:00 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

US defense secretary says leaked classified documents are being taken very seriously

From CNN's Haley Britzky

The leak of classified Pentagon documents is being taken very seriously, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Tuesday.

“I can't say much more while the Justice Department's investigation is ongoing, but we take this very seriously,” Austin said in his first public remarks about the leak. “And we will continue to work closely with our outstanding allies and partners, and nothing will ever stop us from keeping America secure.” 

Austin added that the Defense Department will “turn over every rock until we find the source” of the leaked intelligence documents. 

“They were somewhere in the web, and where exactly and who had access at that point we don’t know, we simply don’t know at this point,” he said during a news conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and senior Philippine officials. 

Austin said the documents they are aware of are dating February 28 and March 1, and that they do not know if there are “other documents” that had been posted. 

“Again,” he said, “we will continue to investigate in and try to determine the full scope of the activity.”

Austin said that he was first briefed on the “unauthorized disclosure” of documents on April 6 and has been convening senior leaders daily since then.

More background: Highly classified Pentagon documents leaked online in recent weeks have provided a rare window into how the US spies on allies and foes alike, deeply rattling US officials, who fear the revelations could jeopardize sensitive sources and compromise important foreign relationships.

Many of the documents, which US officials say are authentic, had markings indicating that they had been produced by the Joint Staff's intelligence arm, known as J2, and appear to be briefing documents.

CNN’s Celine Alkhaldi and Mostafa Salem contributed to this report.

4:05 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

No indications Egypt is supplying lethal weapons to Russia for war in Ukraine, White House says

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

The White House says it has no indication Egypt is providing Russia with deadly arms for its war in Ukraine. 

A leaked US intelligence document obtained by the Washington Post indicated Egypt’s military was planning to produce 40,000 rockets for Russia. It said that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi instructed officials to keep production and shipment secret "to avoid problems with the West."

"We've seen no indication that Egypt is providing lethal weaponry capabilities to Russia,” said John Kirby, a spokesman for the US National Security Council.

Kirby said Egypt remained “a significant security partner” and would remain so.

“The United States military has a longstanding defense relationship with Egypt that goes back many, many years,” he said, speaking to reporters on board Air Force One. 

The February-dated “top secret document” purported conversations between Sisi and senior Egyptian military officials referencing plans to supply Russia with artillery and gunpowder, and to keep the plans a secret, the Washington Post said.

CNN has not seen the document cited by the Washington Post and is not able to confirm its authenticity.

An Egyptian official, unnamed by state-affiliated media, called the Washington Post report “informational absurdity” and said that Egypt follows a “balanced policy” with all international parties, Al Qahera News, a state-affiliated media outlet said. The statement was carried by several Egyptian state-affiliated news outlets.

Kirby refused to confirm the validity of the document and declined to detail any diplomatic conversations between Washington and Cairo. 

2:42 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Detained WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich's family says "There is a hole in our hearts"

From CNN's Jon Passantino

Evan Gershkovich is seen in a picture taken on July 24, 2021.
Evan Gershkovich is seen in a picture taken on July 24, 2021. (Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP via Getty Images)

The family of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained in Russia, released a statement on Tuesday calling for his release.

“We are encouraged that the State Department has officially designated Evan as wrongfully detained. We appreciate President Biden’s call to us today, assuring us that the U.S. government is doing everything in its power to bring him home as quickly as possible," the statement said.

The statement continued:

"In addition to being a distinguished journalist, Evan is a beloved son and brother. There is a hole in our hearts and in our family that won’t be filled until we are reunited. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from his colleagues, friends and everyone standing with Evan and advocating for his immediate release.”

2:20 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

UAE rejects AP report on leaked US intel that alleges Russian officers deepened ties with Emirati government

From CNN’s Celine Alkhaldi and Mostafa Salem

The United Arab Emirates rejected reports suggesting that Russian intelligence was touting deepened ties with the Emirati government and planned to work against the United States and the United Kingdom, as reported by the Associated Press — citing an apparent intelligence document from the US. 

The purported intelligence document which was posted online and viewed by the AP cited research reportedly from March 9 with the title “Russia/UAE: Intelligence Relationship Deepening,” that said US spies caught Russian intelligence officers boasting that they had convinced the UAE to “work together against US and UK intelligence agencies.” 

CNN has not seen the document cited by AP, and both have been unable to confirm its authenticity.   

“UAE officials have not seen any of the referenced materials, and any purported claims referenced in the Associated Press regarding the FSB enquiries are categorically false,” an official from the UAE told CNN in a statement on Tuesday.

“We refute any allegation regarding an agreement to deepen cooperation between the UAE and other countries’ security services against another country,” the official said. “The UAE has deep and distinguished relations with all countries … and is committed to adherence to international law and respect for the sovereignty of states,” the official said. 

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing longstanding norms around the government's communications with the media.

More background: Highly classified Pentagon documents leaked online in recent weeks have provided a rare window into how the US spies on allies and foes alike, deeply rattling US officials, who fear the revelations could jeopardize sensitive sources and compromise important foreign relationships.

Many of the documents, which US officials say are authentic, had markings indicating that they had been produced by the Joint Staff's intelligence arm, known as J2, and appear to be briefing documents.

2:25 p.m. ET, April 11, 2023

Biden spoke to parents of journalist Evan Gershkovich, White House says

From CNN's Kevin Liptak

Evan Gershkovich in an undated image
Evan Gershkovich in an undated image The Wall Street Journal/Reuters/FILE

US President Joe Biden spoke with the parents of Evan Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal correspondent detained in Russia, Tuesday.

It's their first time speaking since Gershkovich was arrested in Russia last month.

Biden told reporters, before boarding Air Force One, that he planned to speak with Gershkovich's parents. He connected with them aboard the plane as he flew to Northern Ireland, according to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. 

"The president made it clear that his national security team has been and will remain focused on securing Evan’s release as well as that of Paul Whelan," she said, referring to a second American who has been detained in Russia for several years.

She said the charges of espionage against Gershkovich were baseless and said "he should be released immediately."