CONFLICTSUKRAINE
Ukraine updates: Russian missiles strike hotel used by UN
Published 7 hours agoPublished 7 hours agolast updated 23 minutes agolast updated 23 minutes ago
A Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia damaged a hotel frequented by the UN and NGO workers. Meanwhile, a group of Western nations condemned Russia’s support for separatists in Georgia. Follow DW for more.
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A soldier walking past the Reikartz Hotel in Zaporizhzhia
One person was killed in the attack on the Reikartz Hotel in ZaporizhzhiaImage: Viacheslav Ratynskyi/REUTERS
Skip next section What you need to know
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A Russian strike on civilian infrastructure on Thursday has been confirmed to have damaged a hotel in Zaporizhzhia used by United Nations staff.
One person was killed and 16 others were injured.
Meanwhile, a fire broke out in Russia at a warehouse near President Vladimir Putin’s Moscow residence.
Six Western countries have also condemned Russia’s support for two breakaway territories in Georgia, something they linked with the more recent invasion of Ukraine.
Here’s an overview of some of the main stories concerning Russia’s war in Ukraine on Friday, August 11:
Skip next section Fate of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries remains unclear
23 minutes ago23 minutes ago
Fate of Russian Wagner Group mercenaries remains unclear
Despite previously getting a warm welcome from Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko, there are now reports that the Wagner Group mercenaries have been kicked out of Belarus.
Speculation rife over plans of Russia’s Wagner Group
01:35
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Skip next section Russia says it downed Ukrainian drone over Moscow
32 minutes ago32 minutes ago
Russia says it downed Ukrainian drone over Moscow
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday that it had jammed a drone that was flying toward Moscow, causing it to crash.
The Russian military said Ukraine was behind the attempted drone strike.
Earlier in the day, Russian news agencies reported that Moscow’s Vnukovo airport had to be temporarily closed due to a suspected drone.
“For reasons beyond the control of the airport, temporary restrictions on the landing and take-offs of aircraft were introduced in Vnukovo,” the airport said.
“For safety reasons, some of the flights were redirected to other airports of the Moscow aviation hub.”
The Russian capital has been hit by several drone strikes in recent months. Russia has fired hundreds of drones and missiles at cities and towns across Ukraine since it launched its full-scale invasion in February last year.
Russia says Moscow attacked by 3 Ukrainian drones
01:42
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Skip next section Explosions heard in Kyiv
2 hours ago2 hours ago
Explosions heard in Kyiv
The Ukrainian capital was again under attack on Friday as air raid sirens rang out and Mayor Vitali Klitschko told residents to seek shelter.
“Explosions in the city. Stay in shelters!” Klitschko wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
The Ukrainian air force said Russia had launched hypersonic missiles at the Kyiv region. Officials also said the city’s air defenses were in operation.
Klitschko said fragments from one of the Russian missiles that was shot down landed in the vicinity of a children’s hospital but said there were no reports of injuries or damage.
How Russia uses Western tech in bombs bound for Ukraine
04:23
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Skip next section Zaporizhzhia hotel hit by Russia
7 hours ago7 hours ago
Zaporizhzhia hotel hit by Russia
A Russian missile struck a hotel in Zaporizhzhia on Thursday that is frequently used by UN staff.
One person was killed and 16 others were injured in the attack.
In his evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that “a fire broke out in a civilian building after the occupiers hit it with a missile.”
Local media reported the damaged building is Reikartz Hotel in the city center, which was frequently used by staff from the UN and various non-governmental organizations.
Photos showed heavy damage to the facade, a large crater in front of the building, and several burnt-out cars.
A crater outside the The Reikartz Hotel in ZaporizhzhiaA crater outside the The Reikartz Hotel in Zaporizhzhia
The Reikartz Hotel was severely damaged on ThursdayImage: Viacheslav Ratynskyi/REUTERS
Denise Brown, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, condemned the strike in an email to Reuters.
“I am appalled by the news that a hotel frequently used by United Nations personnel and our colleagues from NGOs supporting people affected by the war has been hit by a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia shortly ago,” she said.
“I have stayed in this hotel every single time I visited Zaporizhzhia.”
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Skip next section Warehouse on fire near Putin’s residence
7 hours ago7 hours ago
Warehouse on fire near Putin’s residence
A warehouse in Odintsovo, west of Moscow, caught on fire on Thursday.
The warehouse is 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) from the official residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Officials did not say how the fire started.
It comes after Russia reported two drone strikes on Moscow this week — attacks for which Ukraine has not taken responsibility.
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Skip next section Western nations tell Russia to return Georgian territory
7 hours ago7 hours ago
Western nations tell Russia to return Georgian territory
On the 15th anniversary of Russia taking control of two breakaway regions in Georgia — Abkhazia and South Ossetia — six Western countries on the UN Security Council have demanded Moscow return them to Tbilisi.
Russia fought a brief war with Georgia in 2008 when Georgia attempted to regain control over the two regions. After that, Moscow officially recognized them and set up military bases there.
In a joint statement, the United States, United Kingdom, France, Albania, Japan and Malta said the conflict should be resolved according to international law, which requires Georgia’s territorial integrity to be respected, “also noting the context of Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine.”
They also condemned “continuous provocations which go in parallel with the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine.”
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, accused the “Russophobic West” of trying to “drive a wedge” between Russia and Georgia.
zc/lo (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)
