Live: Russian missile strike hits hotel in town of Bakhmut in Donetsk region

Issued on: 27/07/2022 – 07:07

11:24am: European court upholds broadcasting ban on Russia’s RT France

Europe’s second-top court on Wednesday upheld a European Union ban on Russian state-controlled media outlet Russia Today imposed in March due to its systematic disinformation over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The Grand Chamber of the General Court dismisses RT France’s application for annulment of acts of the Council, adopted following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, temporarily prohibiting that organisation from broadcasting content,” the Luxembourg-based General Court said.

10:53am: Strike on hotel in east Ukraine kills at least one

At least one person was killed by a Russian strike on a Ukrainian hotel in the Donetsk region town of Bakhmut on Wednesday, local authorities said.

“According to preliminary information, there are dead and wounded, a rescue operation is underway,” local Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko wrote on Facebook. The local emergency service said a toll of one dead and four wounded had been confirmed so far.

9:47am: Ukraine forces strike key bridge in Russian-occupied south

Ukrainian troops have struck a strategic bridge essential for Moscow to supply its forces occupying the country’s south, as Russia pounded several areas in Ukraine with rocket and artillery strikes.

The Ukrainian military struck the Antonivskyi Bridge across the Dnieper River late Tuesday, the deputy head of the Moscow-appointed administration for the Kherson region, Kirill Stremousov, said.

He said the bridge was still standing but its deck was pierced with holes, stopping vehicles from crossing.

The 1.4-kilometer (0.9-mile) bridge sustained serious damage in Ukrainian shelling last week, when it took multiple hits. It was closed for trucks but had remained open for passenger vehicles until the strike late Tuesday.

8:55am: Russian mercenary group Wagner made tactical advances in Donbas, says UK intelligence

Russian private mercenary group Wagner has likely made tactical advances in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, British military intelligence said on Wednesday.

The advances were made around the Vuhlehirska Power Plant and the nearby village of Novoluhanske, the ministry of defence said on Twitter, adding that some Ukrainian forces have likely withdrawn from the area.

7:29am: Nord Stream 1 pipeline gas nominations nearly halve for July 27 

Requests for Russian natural gas flows through Nord Stream 1 into Germany nearly halved from 8am CET on July 27, data from the pipeline operator showed on Wednesday.

Russian energy giant Gazprom had said Monday it was halting one more turbine at the Nord Stream 1 gas pipeline for maintenance, which would result in a reduction of gas flows from Wednesday.

EU energy chief Kadri Simson called the move “politically motivated”.

7:16am: EU agrees to cut gas consumption amid Russian supply fears

European Union governments agreed Tuesday to reduce consumption of natural gas this winter to protect themselves against any further supply cuts by Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, although the measure contains exemptions for some countries.

“European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was trying to portray this as a moment of great unity today but behind the scenes there was a lot of disunity”, reports David Keating, FRANCE 24’s correspondent in Brussels.

01:35

6:44am: Yellen discusses price cap on Russian oil with UK’s Zahawi

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen considered a proposed price cap on Russian oil on a phone call with British Finance Minister Nadhim Zahawi on Tuesday, a move to reduce the impact of the war in Ukraine on global energy prices.

(FRANCE 24 with Reuters, AP and AFP)