Russia-Ukraine latest updates: Griner freed in prisoner swap
The US and Russia exchanged US basketball star Brittney Griner for Viktor Bout, a Russian arms dealer jailed in the US.
This live blog is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates on the Russia-Ukraine war for Thursday, December 8:
This live blog is now closed. Thank you for joining us. These were the updates on the Russia-Ukraine war for Thursday, December 8:
- United States basketball player Brittney Griner is freed from prison as Russia and the US agree on a prisoner swap for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.
- Russia’s fleet has shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Black Sea, the Russian-installed governor of Crimea’s Sevastopol says.
- Russia says its troops are taking part in tactical exercises in Belarus amid growing fears that Moscow is preparing to attack Ukraine from the border.
- After Russian air raids leave millions of Ukrainians without power, restoring energy will remain a priority for Ukraine’s government, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.
Blinken says he spoke to sister of detained American Whelan
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he had spoken to the sister of Paul Whelan, the ex-US marine who is being detained in Russia.
“I spoke to his sister, Elizabeth Whelan, a short while ago. I have to say the Whelan family is remarkable,” Blinken told CBS News.
No reason to believe Russia involved in blocking ships from Mediterranean: Yellen
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has told reporters the Biden administration had no reason to believe the Russian government was involved in a decision by Turkey to block ships from transiting to the Mediterranean Sea.
Yellen also said the administration saw no reason oil shipments from Kazakhstan should be subjected to new procedures.
Kremlin sees ‘risk’ of Ukraine attacks on Crimea
The Kremlin has said that the Moscow-annexed Crimean Peninsula was vulnerable to Ukrainian attacks after officials said they had shot down a drone near a key naval base.
The latest drone attack came after Russian President Vladimir Putin recently visited the only bridge connecting Crimea with the Russian mainland to survey repair work on the key artery damaged in a blast Moscow blamed on Kyiv.
“There are certainly risks because the Ukrainian side continues its policy of organising terrorist attacks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“But, on the other hand, information we get indicates that effective countermeasures are being taken.”
Saudi Arabia did not mediate in Griner release, White House says
Griner’s release was negotiated between the US and Russia only, the White House has said, refuting a claim from Saudi Arabia that it was involved.
“The only countries that negotiated this deal were the United States and Russia,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said when asked about Saudi Arabia’s role.
“There was no mediation involved.”
Arms dealer Bout arrives in Russia, tells family ‘all OK’
Bout has arrived in Russia, according to state television.
“Don’t worry, everything is OK, I love you very much,” he told his mother Raisa in comments broadcast by state television.
He spoke to his family when his plane made a refuelling stop in Russia.
Viktor Bout’s clemency granted Thursday: White House
US President Joe Biden approved a prisoner swap for Griner last week but the grant of clemency for Bout was not approved until Thursday, the White House has said.
Pope weeps as he speaks of ‘tormented’ Ukraine
Pope Francis was unable to hold back tears as he offered prayers for Ukraine during a traditional ceremony in central Rome.
He briefly broke down during the afternoon ceremony at the city’s Piazza di Spagna to mark the Immaculate Conception, a public holiday in Italy.
“I would have liked to have brought to you today the thanksgiving of the Ukrainian people,” he said, addressing the statue of the Virgin Mary that stands on a column in the square.
He had to pause for a moment, his body shaking with emotion, at which point the audience broke into applause.
He continued, “Of the Ukrainian people for the peace we have long been asking the Lord for.
“Instead,” he said, his voice still shaking with emotion, “I still have to present to you the supplication of the children, of the elderly, of the fathers and mothers, of the young people of that tormented land.”
Mother of Viktor Bout thanks Putin for his release
The mother of arms dealer Viktor Bout has thanked Putin for her son’s release as part of a prisoner swap with the US.
The release happened “thanks to our president”, Raisa Bout said in televised remarks.
“I am so grateful. A low maternal bow to the Russian foreign ministry with Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov at its helm,” she said.
She said she was also grateful to the “kind people” in the US, thanking them for having “faith”.
“You cannot say that all of them are evil,” she added.
Finnish FM says missing clear date on NATO ratification by Turkey
Finland’s foreign minister has said that many issues over Turkey’s concerns over terrorism set out in a memorandum to allow Finland and Sweden to join NATO had been clarified, though a date for ratification by Ankara remained missing.
“What we are still missing is the clear date, a clear plan for the Turkish parliament to deal with this issue,” Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told a news conference with his Swedish and US counterparts during a visit to Washington.
“We know that Turkey is going to elections. Of course, our hope is that a decision comes from Turkey sooner rather than later.”
Turkey is one of two NATO members that have yet to ratify the accession of the Nordic countries.
US will be able to call Sweden, Finland NATO allies soon: Blinken
Blinken has said he is convinced the US will be able to call Sweden and Finland NATO allies soon and said Turkey’s concerns about the two nations joining the alliance are being addressed.
The secretary of state, speaking at a news briefing following meetings at the Department of State with his Swedish and Finnish counterparts, said the two nations are already integrating into the work of the alliance.
Germany to buy 20,000 encrypted radios amid war in Ukraine
Germany’s parliament will approve a 1.35-billion-euro ($1.4bn) purchase of 20,000 encrypted radios for its military on December 14, a person familiar with the matter said.
The deal will also offer an option to buy another 14,000 radios for 1.5 billion euros ($1.58bn).
The acquisition of the radios from German company Rohde & Schwarz is part of modernising the military’s command and control system.
It will be one of the first significant deals for the 100-billion-euro ($105.5bn) special fund set up after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
EU to agree on new Iran sanctions over drones and human rights abuses
The European Union is set to agree on new sanctions on Iran over human rights abuses and the supply of drones to Russia, France’s foreign ministry spokesperson says.
Speaking to reporters, Anne-Claire Legendre said foreign ministers would discuss new designations on individuals and entities involved in the crackdown on protesters in Iran and entities exporting drones to Russia.
Iran has said it shipped several drones to Russia before the invasion.
Russia denies its forces have used Iranian drones to attack Ukraine.
The EU has already imposed two rounds of sanctions since October in the form of asset freezes and travel bans.
Naftogaz to begin selection process for board members
Ukraine’s economy ministry says an open selection process will be held to choose four independent members of the state energy provider Naftogaz’s supervisory board.
The board has not been operating since September 2021 due to a dispute over the sacking of Naftogaz’s then-chief executive, Andriy Kobolyev, and the rapid appointment of his successor, Yuriy Vitrenko.
While the process of appointing new board members was delayed by Russia invading Ukraine in February, Vitrenko has been replaced by a new chief executive, Oleksiy Chernyshov, who has said he will boost international investors’ confidence.
Vitrenko had said Naftogaz’s efficient work depended on corporate governance’s effectiveness and called for independent board members to be selected in an open competition.
Chernyshov said on Wednesday that recent Russian attacks on Ukraine had damaged 350 natural gas facilities though production should be largely restored by year-end.
He said the loss of gas production capacity amounted to around $700m.
Family ‘devastated’ Paul Wheelan not part of Russia-US prisoner swap
The family of Paul Wheelan, a former US marine who remains detained in Russia, say they are “devasted” he was not part of the prisoner swap with Brittney Griner.
“As the family member of a Russian hostage, I can literally only imagine the joy she will have, being reunited with her loved ones, and in time for the holidays,” David Whelan, Paul’s brother, said in a statement.
“There is no greater success than for a wrongful detainee to be freed and for them to go home. The Biden Administration made the right decision to bring Ms Griner home, and to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to happen.”
President Biden said Russia was treating Wheelan’s cases differently from Griners’ “for totally illegitimate reasons”.
“And while we have not yet succeeded in securing Paul’s release, we are not giving up. We will never give up,” he said.
Finland to consider Turkish arms export permit
Finland will consider granting arms export permits to Turkey on a case-by-case basis, Finland’s defence minister says while visiting Ankara.
Finland and Sweden asked to join NATO in May in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but their bids require the approval of all 30 member states.
Turkey stands opposed to their membership, accusing the Nordic countries of hosting Kurdish fighters.
“In principle, it is possible that going forward some permits can be granted,” Kaikkonen said after meeting with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar.
Applications would be processed case by case as they arrive, he added.
Finland must lift an arms embargo on Ankara as a condition for securing support from Turkey for its NATO bid, Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday.
Ukraine’s GDP to fall deeper than expected due to Russian air raids
Ukraine’s GDP will fall more than expected this year due to Russian air raids on the country’s energy infrastructure, according to central bank Deputy Governor Sergiy Nikolaychuk.
“The fall in GDP will be deeper this year than we had expected in October,” he said at a press conference. “Next year, the economic recovery will be very lethargic and much lower than we had expected.”
Ukrainian official lists possible Kremlin tactics for winter
The head of the Ukrainian presidential office, Mikhail Podolyak, writes on Twitter about what he thinks Russia might do this winter.
He says: “Putin’s classic triad, or the Kremlin’s bets for this winter: 1. Genocidal energy attacks to leave millions without electricity and cause a flood of refugees. 2. An information campaign about the need for a ceasefire to end suffering. 3. Nuclear intimidation in case of defeat.”
Putin's classic triad, or the Kremlin's bets for this winter:
1. Genocidal energy attacks to leave millions without electricity and cause a flood of refugees.
2. An information campaign about the need for a ceasefire to end suffering.
3. Nuclear intimidation in case of defeat.— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) December 8, 2022
Viktor Bout arrives in Moscow: AJ correspondent
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem, reporting from Moscow, says the freed prisoner, Viktor Bout, has arrived in Russia.
“[Bout] is a very mysterious personality. As we know, he was arrested in 2008 in Thailand by a joint US-Thai force and extradited to the US, where he was sentenced to 25 years for planning espionage against US citizens and officials.
“According to what we gathered, his name was linked to several arms deals from Africa to Asia, from Congo to Liberia to Sierra Leone, reaching to Afghanistan and Lebanon, so there is a lot on him,” Hashem said.
He added that Russian officials on Telegram are celebrating Bout’s release, with one describing him as a “wonderful person”.
Who controls what?
Here are four maps, which we update daily, charting the latest developments in the war.
Who is Viktor Bout?
The US basketball star Brittney Griner has been freed from prison in a Russian prisoner swap for Viktor Bout. Who exactly is the man Russia wanted back?
Here is everything you need to know about the arms dealer.
Brittney Griner released in prisoner swap for Viktor Bout
Russia’s foreign ministry says it exchanged US basketball star Brittney Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in a prisoner swap.
Russian news agencies reported that Bout’s swap with Griner took place at Abu Dhabi airport.
Paul Whelan, a former US marine, remains in custody.
Biden celebrated the news on Twitter and wrote: “Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner. She is safe. She is on a plane. She is on her way home.”
Moments ago I spoke to Brittney Griner.
She is safe.
She is on a plane.
She is on her way home. pic.twitter.com/FmHgfzrcDT— President Biden (@POTUS) December 8, 2022
Europe lacks ‘defence capabilities’: EU foreign policy chief
The EU lacks “critical defence capabilities”, the bloc’s foreign policy chief says.
Speaking at the annual European Defense Agency (EDA) conference in Brussels, Josep Borrell said the EU needs to take more responsibility for its own security.
“After the Cold War, we shrunk our forces to small-size armies without coordination … We lack critical defence capabilities,” said Borrell. “We have to compensate [for] years of underspending,” he said.
According to the EDA, the total defence spending of the EU member states, excluding Denmark, rose to 214 billion euros ($225bn).
Although the EU’s defence spending grew by 6 percent in 2021 compared with 2020, the finding revealed joint European defence spending is still below benchmark levels.
“Total defence expenditure that member states have announced will grow by another 70 billion euros in the next three years”, Borrell said.
Son of Putin ally acquitted in Norway for use of drones
The son of Putin’s ally has been acquitted of violating Norway’s drone law.
Andrey Yakunin, who holds a dual Russian and United Kingdom passport, was arrested in Hammerfest, in Arctic Norway, on October 17, after he had sailed around the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and along the coast of Norway.
When off Svalbard, two drones were used several times for flights over the archipelago.
The 47-year-old had been filming with the drone while mountaineering, glacier walking and sailing.
Under Norwegian law, it is prohibited for aircraft operated by Russian companies or citizens “to land on, take off from or fly over Norwegian territory”.
“It is very gratifying, but not at all surprising, that the district court has concluded that Andrey Yakunin has not committed any criminal offense in Norway,” his lawyers, John Christian Elden and Bernt Heiberg, said in a statement.
Yakunin is the son of Russian businessman Vladimir Yakunin, a longtime acquaintance of Putin, who was placed on the US State Department’s sanctions list of Russian officials and businessmen following Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Ukrainian security service detains couple suspected of spying
The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has detained a married couple suspected of spying for Russia in Odesa.
An SBU statement did not name the couple but accused them of collecting intelligence for Russia about locations of possible military deployments and the movement of air defence units.
It added that they were believed to be Russian military intelligence officers who were planning to create a network of agents in southern Ukraine.
SBU officers found equipment with evidence of “hidden correspondence with the aggressor”, it said.
“The SBU detained both spies when they attempted to transfer classified information to Russia,” the SBU said.
‘No lasting peace’ until there is justice, says Nobel Peace Prize winner
There will be no lasting peace in Ukraine until there is justice and human rights, the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties head says as she arrives in Oslo to receive the Nobel Peace Prize with fellow human rights campaigners from Belarus and Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin “thinks he can do exactly what he wants,” Oleksandra Matviichuk told reporters upon arrival at the Oslo airport.
“There will be no lasting peace in our region until we achieve justice.”
“Human rights and peace are inextricably linked,” Matviichuk said.
“A state that systematically violates human rights does so not only against its own citizens but against an entire region, an entire world. Russia is a great example of this,” she said, according to the Norwegian news agency NTB.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize was shared by jailed Belarus rights activist Ales Bialiatski, the Russian group Memorial and the Center for Civil Liberties.