US president pledges support for Finland and Sweden while Nato applications are considered; Russian soldier in war crimes trial pleads guilty Russian soldier pleads guilty in first war crimes trial Turkey blocks early vote on Finland and Sweden joining Nato 900 Ukrainian troops sent to prison colony from Mariupol, says Russia Prosecutions of Azov fighters could breach Geneva conventions Russia-Ukraine war: what we know on day 84 of the invasion Russia’s ministry of defence has issued a statement on Telegram saying it has been requested by the investigative committee of Russia to provide information on “the illegal actions of Ukrainian armed formations related to the use of civilian objects for military purposes”. Without providing evidence, it claims “the Azov Battalion used the buildings of kindergartens and schools to equip barracks” and that members of the ‘Aidar’ battalion also “equip firing positions in places not intended for this, creating a real danger to the civilian population”. Continue reading...