10:16 Russian intelligence attributes terror attack to IS group for the initial time.

10:16 Russian intelligence attributes terror attack to IS group for the initial time.

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For the first instance, Russia officially blames the jihadist militia called Islamic State (IS) for organizing the lethal attack on a concert hall in Moscow's vicinity. Based on RIA Novosti's news reports, Alexander Bortnikov, the director of Russia's internal intelligence agency FSB, admitted that the terrorists' setup, funding, assault, and retreat were managed through the internet by Khorasan Province members - the Afghan faction of IS. Even though IS claimed responsibility for the attack on March 22 where over 140 individuals were killed and 360 others injured, Russia frequently implicated Ukraine in this matter. Nonetheless, Bortnikov clarified, "The ongoing investigation confirms that the Ukrainian military intelligence unit is directly associated with the attack." However, he didn't elaborate on how this connects to IS.

Here are other snippets of the day:

• 09:55 "There is no progress or regression in Vovchansk": The town of Vovchansk has been under continuous Russian assault for weeks. Concurrently, Russian bombardments are activating Vovchansk's warning systems. This putrid town stands on the brink of disaster.
• 09:29 Ukraine presents Russia's updated casualty figures: The Ukrainian military reports the casualties inflicted on Russia since their initial invasion on February 24, 2022. Thus far, Russia has allegedly lost 498,940 soldiers, including 1,240 in the previous day. Their losses include 7,635 armored tanks, 14,775 infantry fighting vehicles, 17,569 cars and fuel tanks, 12,902 artillery systems, 1,080 multiple launch rocket systems, 813 air defense systems, 356 aircraft, 326 helicopters, 10,401 drones, 27 ships and boats, and also a submarine.
• 08:57 Kharkiv experiences another glide bombing attack: Two glide bombs relentlessly targeted Kharkiv, a city that has been under Russian air strikes for months. This occurrence during the nighttime caused minor harm to residential buildings and an abandoned structure, as affirmed by Kharkiv's mayor Ihor Terekhov through a Telegram missive. Kharkiv suffered seven casualties the day earlier, while more than a hundred and fifty converted S-300 or S-400 anti-aircraft missiles fell on Kharkiv and surrounding areas. Kharkiv is also home to one of the country's largest printing houses for literature. The Ukrainian author Serhiy Zhadan made a comment on Facebook, "The Ukrainian book is the Ukrainian strength. Hence, the enemy wishes to demolish it."
• 08:26 FSB chief: Ukraine's military intelligence directly handled the Moscow terrorist attack: The head of Russia's internal intelligence agency, Alexander Bortnikov, pointed an accusing finger at Ukraine's military intelligence service for being in direct connection with the March attack on a Moscow concert hall. "We can already declare this with conviction, despite the ongoing investigation," said Bortnikov to Tass news agency. Russia has earlier blamed Ukraine for this heinous act but offered no proof for this statement. Bortnikov deemed NATO responsible for moving "militants and international terrorist organization members from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan" to Ukraine to battle Russia's forces.
• 08:02 Ukraine's notable injury: A missile strike destroyed a Russian communication center in Alushta, Crimea. Alushta is an occupied Crimean city. Ukrainian sources report "major equipment damage" and casualties. Russian news sites assert six America-supplied ATACMS missiles smashed the center, causing harm to both the antenna and nearby structures where high-level officials were housing.
• 07:27 Russian opinion: "Fated to live and perish as fools for numerous generations": Russian publicist and ex-Duma deputy Alexander Newsorov is critical of his countrymen. The circus animals - pugs or monkeys - preserve their skills through life and death. "The Russians are fated to live and perish as imbeciles, incapable of breaking free from all the skills inculcated by Russian propaganda, such as their longing for war, signs of deterioration, nationalism, and other atypical behaviors." The passing of Putin would not enhance their intelligence.

Original Story at: http://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article224836373/Moskau-Im-Zuge-von-Erswegen-ist-IS-fuer-Anschlaege-in-Russland-verantwortlich.html

RIA_Novosti's quote: https://ria.ru/20220423/1819836396/bortnikov-pozionirovannye-terroristi-kursovali-zave-prilozhenimi-v-internet-2423108520.html

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agrees with French President Emmanuel Macron's plans to boost European defense capabilities, including possible nuclear capabilities. He writes for The Economist, "We need to discuss how to create the right mix of abilities to safeguard Europe and ward off any aggressor." Along with nuclear deterrence, this includes strong conventional forces, aerial and missile defense, cyber, space, and precision strike abilities. The goal is to enhance the European defense industry through investment. The German leader adds, "It's crucial to strengthen the European foundation of our deterrence." However, Scholz clarifies, "Let's be clear: there won't be any 'EU nuclear weapons.'" This idea is unrealistic, Scholz states.

06:38 Tbilisi faces pressure from the US over controversial law
After adopting a disputable law on "foreign influence operations" in Georgia, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken introduces new visa limitations and evaluates relations with the nation. Blinken explains that this measure would apply to "individuals accountable for or associated with undermining Georgia's democracy" and their families. The US will also initiate "a comprehensive review of bilateral collaboration between the United States and Georgia," he adds. The US hopes the Georgian leadership will reconsider the legislation, promoting its "democratic and European aspirations."

06:29 Estonia supports children in war-torn regions
The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs will provide over €650,000 in humanitarian aid to Ukraine, mainly to assist the education system in war-hit regions and aid children affected by the war. As per Kyiv Independent, a portion of the funds will be utilized by the Estonian non-profit organization Eesti Pagulasabi, which will focus on enhancing living conditions in vulnerable regions and accommodating Ukrainian refugees in Georgia. Additionally, part of the funds will be allocated to the non-profit organization Mondo for planning summer camps and psycho-therapeutic help for children in Zaporizhzhia.

05:57 Russia aims to gain control of Vovchansk and its surrounding regions
Russian forces are aiming to control more than half of Vovchansk, a border town in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. This information was shared by Russian parliamentary deputy Viktor Vodolatsky from the TASS news agency. Once they have captured Vovchansk, Russia's next targets will be the cities of Slavyansk, Kramatorsk, and Pokrovsk.

05:29 Putin meets with Lukashenko for discussions on security and military exercises
Vladimir Putin, the Russian President, has arrived in Belarus for discussions with his Belarusian counterpart, Alexander Lukashenko. The agenda includes security, military exercises comprising simulated launches of small nuclear warheads, and Minsk's inclusion in these exercises.

04:33 South Korea imposes sanctions against North Koreans and two Russian ships
In response to North Korea's arms trade with Russia, South Korea imposes sanctions on seven North Korean individuals and two Russian ships. This information was declared by the South Korean Foreign Ministry.

03:39 The US prepares $275 million in military assistance for Ukraine
The US is planning to furnish $275 million worth of military aid to Ukraine, encompassing artillery shells, precision-guided bombs, and vehicles. The assistance will be provided under the Presidential Drawdown Authority, which empowers President Joe Biden to act during emergencies with Congress's approval.

02:34 China and Brazil slightly distancing themselves from Ukraine peace conference
Brazil and China are indirectly distancing themselves from the international peace summit on Ukraine in Switzerland, to which Russia has not been invited. In an official document signed by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's special advisor, Celso Amorim, and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, these countries advocate for Russia and Ukraine involving in peace talks. China and Brazil call for an international peace conference, ensuring each party's involvement, a condition acknowledged by both sides.

01:15 A Moscow court sentences a Kremlin critic to 25 years in prison for sabotage
A Russian military court has sentenced a 36-year-old barman from Moscow to 25 years in jail for sabotage, terrorism, and high treason. The prosecution claims the man, Vladimir Malina, was a member of the "Legion for the Freedom of Russia," a group of Russians aiding Ukraine. In 2022, Malina set fire to a railway control box and devised sabotage attacks. He was apprehended in June. The unusually high prison sentence highlights the severity of his crimes.

11:55 PM: Poland and Greece request EU to establish an air defense shield

In response to the ongoing Russian conflict, Poland and Greece urge the EU to create an air defense shield to safeguard European countries. In a joint letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Greek counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis said, "Europe will be secure as long as its skies are secure." They believe this project is vital in addressing the "significant vulnerability of our security."

10:26 PM: Explosion in Crimea suspected

Videos suggest an explosion might have occurred in the Russian-controlled Crimea. It's believed that Ukraine may be targeting Crimean locations with missiles supplied by the United States a few weeks prior. Captured video from Alushta, a village on the Crimean coast, appears to show at least one explosion. The Russian air defense system also seems active, as indicated by the recording. Crimea's governor, Sergei Aksyonov (appointed by Russian occupiers), claims missile attacks on Simferopol and Alushta on Telegram, resulting in two deaths and damage to a commercial building. However, Russia typically underplays or denies Ukrainian attacks, asserting that they've successfully intercepted all missiles and drones. Ukrainian forces have been increasingly focusing on targeting Russian air defense systems and radars. There's speculation that this is the case in this situation.

10:00 PM: Potential arrest of another military official

Pro-Russian channels declare that Vladimir Verteletsky, head of the Russian Ministry of Defense's department for maintaining the state defense order, may have been arrested. He's accused of committing fraud on a considerable scale. Before this, Vadim Shamarin, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, was taken into custody. This marks the fourth senior military official to be arrested since April.

For more information on previous events, see this article. [link]

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1. In response to Russia's blame towards Ukraine for the Moscow concert hall attack, Volodymyr Zelensky's military intelligence was directly linked to the incident by Russia's internal intelligence agency director Alexander Bortnikov.
2. As the Ukraine conflict continues, NATO is accused by Bortnikov of moving militants and international terrorist organization members from the Middle East, North Africa, and Afghanistan to Ukraine to fight against Russia's forces.
3. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has led to increased military operations, and while Russia lost a significant number of soldiers, vehicles, and equipment, there have also been reports of a cyberwar, with Ukrainian sources reporting damage to a Russian communication center in Crimea.
4. Despite Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz's agreement with French President Emmanuel Macron's plans to boost European defense capabilities, Ukraine's defense is not excluded from the conversation, as both conventional and cyberwarfare capabilities are considered vital components of Europe's security strategy.

Source: www.ntv.de