![Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Putin visits commanders in Ukraine, Russia bombards Bakhmut](https://i-invdn-com.investing.com/trkd-images/LYNXMPEJ3E06Z_L.jpg)
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(Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin met his commanders in two areas of Ukraine that Moscow claims to have annexed, whereas Russian forces stepped up artillery bombardments and air strikes on the devastated jap Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut.
POLITICS/DIPLOMACY:
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited troops on Tuesday in Avdiivka in jap Ukraine, his workplace stated. He heard studies from army commanders on the battlefield scenario and handed out awards to troopers.
* The Group of Seven industrial powers on Tuesday criticised Russia’s menace to station nuclear weapons in Belarus, promising to accentuate sanctions on Moscow for its warfare on neighbouring Ukraine.
* Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held a gathering with the Russian-installed head of Ukraine’s Donetsk area on Tuesday, the state-run Belta information company reported.
* Russia’s International Ministry summoned the U.S., British and Canadian ambassadors for a dressing down after they condemned the conviction of an opposition politician for treason.
FIGHTING:
*Russian forces are stepping up their use of heavy artillery and air strikes within the devastated jap Ukrainian metropolis of Bakhmut, the commander of Ukraine’s floor forces stated on Tuesday. Russia was struggling important losses within the battle, he stated.
* A Russian artillery assault killed one individual and injured 9 extra within the metropolis of Kherson in southern Ukraine on Tuesday, regional officers stated. Officers stated a market within the metropolis centre had been hit.
US REPORTER
* A Moscow court docket on Tuesday rejected an attraction from U.S. journalist Evan Gershkovich to be free of pre-trial detention, that means he’ll keep in a former KGB jail till a minimum of Could 29 whereas a spying case towards him is investigated.
Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Road Journal, denies the espionage expenses.
ECONOMY
* It will likely be very tough for Europe to refill its fuel storage to final yr’s ranges after the continent ended the winter heating season with comparatively low stockpiles, Russian large Gazprom (MCX:) GAZP.MM stated on Tuesday.
* French spirits group Pernod Ricard (EPA:) PERP.PA stated it’s suspending exports solely of its premium vodka Absolut to Russia, having beforehand lowered gross sales following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.GRAIN
* Inspections of ships transferring grains from Ukraine have restarted after a pause which threatened to close down the Black Sea transport hall, the RIA information company stated, citing the Russian international ministry.