Water levels in the Ural River have topped 11 meters in Russia’s Orenburg region, officials say
The water level of the Ural River reached 11 meters and 29 centimeters on Friday in Orenburg, Russia, said regional governor Denis Pasler. he said on Telegram.
In the two hours to 8 a.m. local time alone, the water level had risen by 6 centimeters, Pasler said, calling the situation “difficult,” according to a Google translation of his statement.
Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said work was underway to limit the impact of the flood and reduce water levels in cities – including Orsk, which was one of the first places to flood as the Urals began to rise. last week – they continue. Overnight, the water level in Orsk dropped by 30 centimeters, the ministry said on Telegram.
Meanwhile, state media reported that people in the southwestern Kurgan region were evacuated early Friday as water levels rose by 1.4 meters overnight.
The Ural is the third largest river in Europe and flows through Russia and Kazakhstan. Melting snow last week caused water levels to rise rapidly, and the river has since burst through dams and its banks, flooding nearby towns.
— Sophie Kinderlin
Overnight attacks in Ukraine damaged infrastructure facilities, officials say
Attacks by Russia overnight destroyed infrastructure facilities and private homes across Ukraine, officials said on Friday.
The Ukrainian military said Telegram that it had shot down 16 of 17 drones used by Russia in overnight raids. Russia has also developed a Kh-59 air-to-air guided missile, the Ukrainian military said.
Serhiy Lysak, governor of the Dnipropetrovsk region in eastern Ukraine, he said on Telegram that debris from a drone fell on a “critical” infrastructure facility, causing a fire. Reuters reported that it was an energy facility. Several private homes were also damaged in the area, Lysak said.
Elsewhere, Kherson Governor Oleksandr Prokudin he said on Telegram that new strikes on infrastructure and houses were recorded in the region of southern Ukraine.
CNBC could not independently verify the information.
— Sophie Kinderlin
Japan calls for a law-abiding solution to the handling of frozen Russian assets
Japan wants any handling of frozen Russian assets to comply with international law, its finance minister said on Friday, adding that the issue would likely be discussed at next week’s meeting of its G7 counterparts.
“I don’t think there is yet a consensus among countries on what to do with frozen Russian assets,” Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki told a news conference.
“Japan’s position is that it should be dealt with in a way that does not violate international law,” he said, indicating that Tokyo is wary of Washington’s idea of seizing frozen Russian assets — a move that some experts warn would could lead to legal disputes.
Suzuki is expected to travel to Washington next week to attend the G7 and Group of 20 economic leaders’ gatherings, which will be held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund’s spring meeting.
— Reuters
Ukraine’s parliament votes on controversial new military mobilization law
The parliament of Ukraine on Thursday passed a controversial new law This will give the government more power to mobilize society for war as the country continues to fight Russia’s onslaught.
The vote in favor of the legislation follows months of delays and must now be signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take effect.
Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuri Sodol speaks from the podium before the Verkhovna Rada’s law on military mobilization vote on April 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
World Pictures Ukraine | World Pictures Ukraine | Getty Images
Ukraine’s parliament today passed a law on military mobilization that will boost the number of its troops. 283 People’s Deputies of Ukraine voted “Yes” for its adoption.
World Pictures Ukraine | World Pictures Ukraine | Getty Images
Commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuri Sodol speaks from the podium before the Verkhovna Rada’s law on military mobilization vote on April 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
World Pictures Ukraine | World Pictures Ukraine | Getty Images
The US and Russia are reportedly discussing not deploying nuclear weapons in space
Russia and the US are discussing non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in space, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Thursday, according to Russian state news agency Tass.
“Our delegations at the relevant international platforms, and especially in New York, where Washington – the US government – is pushing the issue of accusations against Russia, are indeed in contact and discussing this issue,” Ryabkov said in comments translated from Google.
Ryabkov said space could be used for military purposes, but there should be no strikes there and Russia would work to keep space peaceful.
“We will work with the global majority in the interest of guaranteeing that space remains peaceful, to achieve a situation where there is no threat to anyone from there,” he said.
Earlier this year, tensions flared between Washington and Moscow over the risk of possible nuclear attacks in space. Russia at the time denied US claims that it was developing nuclear weapons that would target satellites in space.
— Sophie Kinderlin
Overnight strikes in response to Ukrainian attacks on oil and gas industry, Russia says
Russia said it carried out a “massive” drone and missile attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in response to Ukrainian attacks on its oil and gas industry.
“In response to attempts by the Kiev regime to damage Russia’s oil and gas industry and energy facilities, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation launched a massive strike overnight with long-range air and sea weapons, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles against facilities of Ukraine’s fuel and energy complex,” Russia’s Defense Ministry he said Thursdayaccording to google translation.
“The targets of the strike were met. All targets were hit,” the ministry added.
Early morning Russian missile and drone attacks in several regions across Ukraine left thousands without power and damaged energy infrastructure, officials said Thursday.
People take shelter at Pochaina metro station during a Russian missile and drone attack on April 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Yan Dobronosov | World Pictures Ukraine | Getty Images
Russia’s Defense Ministry said that as a result of the attacks, “operations of the Ukrainian military industry were interrupted, the transfer of supplies to combat areas was interrupted, and the supply of fuel to the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was interrupted. .”
CNBC was unable to confirm the developments on the ground.
— Holly Elliott