Russia’s war on Ukraine latest: Kyiv assails Russia’s UN Security Council presidency

(Reuters) – Ukraine furiously criticised Russia taking charge of the U.N. Security Council with President Vladimir Putin accused of war crimes. His Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, called the move “absurd and destructive”.

WAR, ECONOMY

* Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu promised to boost munitions supplies to Russian forces in Ukraine during a visit to the headquarters of Moscow’s troops fighting in the country, according to footage published by the Defence Ministry on Saturday.

* A top Ukrainian cleric from a church with alleged Moscow ties was sentenced to house arrest on Saturday after a hearing into whether he glorified invading Russian forces and stoked religious divisions, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church said.

* Proposals to stop Russian companies from sending liquefied natural gas to European Union nations were welcomed by EU Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson on Saturday.

SPORTS, DIPLOMACY

* The Wall Street Journal on Saturday demanded the immediate release of Moscow-based correspondent Evan Gershkovich, arrested by Russia’s FSB security service on suspicion of spying. The newspaper called the arrest “a vicious affront to a free press”.

* The war has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and destroyed 363 sports facilities, Ukraine’s sports minister, Vadym Huttsait, said on Saturday. He said no athletes from Russia should be allowed at the Olympics or other sports competitions.

* The International Olympic Committee criticized Ukraine’s decision not to allow Ukrainian athletes to take part in qualifying events for the 2024 Paris Olympics if they have to compete against Russians, saying on Saturday this will hurt only Ukrainian sport and its athletes.

* Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina said the grasscourt Grand Slam was right to reverse its ban on Russian and Belarusian players, allowing them to compete this year as “neutral” athletes.

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(Compiled by Reuters editors)