April 13, 2023 - Russia-Ukraine news

By Kathleen Magramo, Brad Lendon, Jack Guy, Ed Upright, Leinz Vales, Adrienne Vogt, Maureen Chowdhury, Matt Meyer and Elise Hammond, CNN

Updated 9:42 p.m. ET, April 13, 2023
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10:01 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Ukraine's borders must be restored to bring real peace, foreign minister says

From CNN's Duarte Mendonca in London

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba delivers a remote address via video link during the First Black Sea Security Conference in Bucharest, Romania, on April 13.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba delivers a remote address via video link during the First Black Sea Security Conference in Bucharest, Romania, on April 13. (Octav Ganea/Inquam Photos/Reuters)

Real peace will only be achieved in Ukraine by restoring the country's borders and it taking back Crimea, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Thursday.

“Real peace means restoring the internationally recognized borders of Ukraine. Real peace means a safe homeland for the targeted people in the Ukrainian Crimea,” Kuleba said via video link in an address to the Black Sea Security Conference in Bucharest.

“Real peace means grain ships in the Black Sea, not warships. The world under the rule of international law, rather than force is what real peace means. That is what we're fighting for,” Kuleba added.

“If Russia keeps Crimea once it has revealed its strengths, it will use it as a launchpad to invade Ukraine once again and take full control of the Black Sea. We will not allow this to happen. This is why we will liberate every inch of our territory and every last one of our fellow citizens,” the Ukrainian minister said.

“And that is why we are today calling for a demilitarization of the Black Sea so that peaceful law-abiding countries can once again use the shared sea to trade travel and live freely without fear of Russian warships,” Kuleba added.

Kuleba reiterated the impact of Russia’s aggression, saying it has left “a bleeding wound in the middle of Europe,” while adding it was time to turn the Black Sea into “a sea of NATO.”

What Moscow says: Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov responded to Kuleba’s statement, saying that “the Black Sea will never be a NATO sea."

“This is a common sea for all coastal states. It should be a sea of cooperation, interaction, and security," Peskov said on a regular conference call.

CNN’s Anna Chernova contributed to this post.

5:04 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

It's one year to the day since the strike that sank the "Moskva," Russia's Black Sea Fleet flagship

From CNN’s Olga Voitovych in Kyiv 

An image from social media showing Russia's guided-missile cruiser, the Moskva, badly damaged and on fire in the hours before the ship sunk in the Black Sea.
An image from social media showing Russia's guided-missile cruiser, the Moskva, badly damaged and on fire in the hours before the ship sunk in the Black Sea. (Social Media)

Thursday marks one year since Ukraine says it struck the Russian guided-missile cruiser Moskva in the Black Sea, causing it to sink the next day.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov commemorated the anniversary on Facebook.

“Remember the mood a year ago. The event was so inspiring and unbelievable at the same time that many thought it couldn't be true. After all, the last time Russia lost its flagship was more than a century ago,” he wrote.

“Our soldiers did the seemingly impossible. And it changed the course of history. Because a chain reaction began. It was the last day of the Russian fleet's dominance in the Black Sea.”

Ukraine said it hit the Moskva with anti-ship cruise missiles and that these sparked a fire that detonated the ammunition.

It was the biggest wartime loss of a naval ship in 40 years. 

Russia put out its own version of events: Russia’s Defense Ministry says a fire of unknown origin detonated the ship’s stored ammunition and the resulting explosions left the Moskva with structural damage.

It says the warship then sank amid rough seas as it was being towed to a nearby port.

4:22 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Father whose daughter drew anti-war picture extradited to Russia from Belarus

From CNN’s Anna Chernova

Russian citizen Alexei Moskalyov attends a court hearing in the town of Yefremov in the Tula region, Russia, on March 27.
Russian citizen Alexei Moskalyov attends a court hearing in the town of Yefremov in the Tula region, Russia, on March 27. (SOTA/Reuters)

A Russian father who was accused of discrediting the Russian army after his daughter’s anti-war drawing caught the eye of authorities has been extradited to Russia from Belarus, state media reported.

The Interior Ministry of Belarus confirmed to Russian state news agency TASS Thursday that Belarusian law enforcement agencies have handed over Alexey Moskalyov to Russia.

A lawyer with the human rights organization OVD-Info, Vladimir Biliyenko, who represents Moskalyov in Russia, said that he had not been informed about the extradition of his client.

According to OVD-Info, prior to extradition, Moskalyov was held in Prison No. 8 in Zhodino, Belarus.

Moskalyov was sentenced to two years in prison by a Russian court at the end of March for his online posts critical of the invasion of Ukraine.

He managed to escape from house arrest on the eve of the verdict but was tracked by the authorities and detained in Belarus two days later.

Read previous CNN reporting here:

3:37 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Russia fired two S-300 missiles at Sloviansk and another 32 air strikes across Ukraine

From CNN’s Olga Voitovych in Kyiv    

A resident in Sloviansk is seen clearing debris from his home in the damaged building following a rocket strike by the Russian forces on Thursday.
A resident in Sloviansk is seen clearing debris from his home in the damaged building following a rocket strike by the Russian forces on Thursday. (Ashley Chan/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images)

Russia fired two S-300 missiles at Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine overnight, Vadym Liakh, head of the city military administration, said Thursday.

The first missile hit a school yard and damaged multi-story buildings nearby. The second hit near the city's water facility, Liakh said. No casualties were reported.

In the past day, Russia had launched two missiles and 32 air strikes, as well as more than 40 rounds from multiple launch rocket systems, according to a report Thursday morning from the Ukrainian military's General Staff.

 The General Staff said Russia continues to focus its main efforts on conducting offensive actions in the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Mariinka areas.

9:29 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Person behind leaked Pentagon documents worked on military base, Washington Post reports

From CNN's Zachary Cohen and Sean Lyngaas

The Pentagon is seen on November 29, 2022.
The Pentagon is seen on November 29, 2022. (Alex Wong/Getty Images/FILE)

The person behind a massive leak of classified US military documents worked on a military base and posted sensitive national security secrets in an online group of acquaintances, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The Post reporting, which CNN could not independently verify, covers new ground in identifying the supposed leaker of highly classified documents – including some that paint a pessimistic US view of the war in Ukraine – and provides the first known details about who may be behind a major national security breach that has rocked Washington in recent days.

The leaker, described in the Post story as a lonely young man and gun enthusiast, was part of a chatroom of about two dozen people on Discord – a social media platform popular with video gamers – that shared a love of guns and military gear, The Post reported, citing an interview with the leaker’s friend who was also part of the group.

The friend told the Post he would not reveal the identity of the alleged leaker or their location to authorities.

The leaker, going by the moniker “OG,” began posting messages to the Discord chatroom last year that referenced military jargon, The Post reported. In the months that followed, the leaker posted messages in which he appeared to transcribe classified information from US documents, according to the report.

Read more here.

1:30 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Russia will run the UN Security Council this month, but its delegation does not have visas to the US

From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq, Josh Pennington and Rashad Rose

Representatives observe a minute of silence during a meeting at the United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters on February 24.
Representatives observe a minute of silence during a meeting at the United Nations Security Council at UN headquarters on February 24. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters/FILE)

Russian Ambassador to Washington Anatoly Antonov has urged the United States to issue a permit for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's special aircraft and visas for the Russian delegation to the United Nations.

Amid its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, it’s Russia’s turn to assume presidency of the UN Security Council – which is charged with maintaining global peace and security, and Lavrov is set to chair the UN Security Council meeting in New York this month. 

"We urge Washington not to delay issuing visas to our delegation, including our journalists. Failure to issue visas violates the obligations of the United States as the host country of the UN headquarters, hindering the proper, full functioning of the world organization," Antonov said, as cited by the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on Thursday. 

Antonov also said US authorities "have not agreed to the plane's arrival. We expect the Americans to promptly issue a permit for the aircraft (to enter US airspace) without any conditions or restrictions.”

He stressed that even though the event is still days from now, there is still no certainty.

CNN has reached out to the US State Department for comment but has not heard back.

Barred entry: Last February when Russia began its war on Ukraine, the US imposed sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and other members of Russia’s Security Council, prohibiting them from traveling to the US.

Why is Russia assuming presidency of the Security Council? Presidency of the Security Council rotates alphabetically among its 15 member nations. The body is controlled by its five permanent members -- China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Earlier in April, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield described Russia assuming the Security Council presidency as "an April Fool's joke."

Greenfield said the council does work beyond Ukraine when she was asked whether the US would issue a visa for Lavrov or whether to attend. 

"We haven't decided yet on what our attendance levels will be, but we intend to carry out the business of the Security Council during this month," Greenfield said.
"The Security Council does more than Ukraine. We work on many issues, and we again expect that Russia will carry their presidency in a professional way, but when they don't, we will stand ready to call them out."
1:08 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Florida man killed in fighting in Ukraine, his family tells CNN

From CNN’s Amanda Jackson

An American man from Florida died while volunteering in the fighting in Ukraine, his family tells CNN. 

Parker Cummings speaking to CNN by phone that his half-brother, Edward Wilton died in Ukraine where he was a volunteer fighter. Cummings said Wilton died on April 7 and the family was told by the embassy on April 10. Wilton had been in Ukraine for nearly a year at the time of his death.

Wilton felt compelled to join forces to help the Ukrainians. Cummings said that Wilton told him in a message on April 10, 2022, that he was on a plane to Ukraine.

“I talked to him through Signal the app and asked him to come home all the time,” Cummings said. “He would say ‘I have to stay here with my guys and do what’s right.’”

Wilton was slated to come back home in October when his contract expired, Cummings said. Wilton just turned 22 on March 23. He spent a week in Poland celebrating his birthday and visiting with his mom who traveled from Florida, Cummings said, he was also able to video chat with Wilton when he was in Poland.

“They had a nice week,” he said. “Now, two weeks later here we are.”

Wilton was in the US Army and previously stationed at Fort Benning in Georgia, Cummings said. In high school, Wilton played football and his favorite team was the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“My brother was the most selfless person I ever met. Edward is a true hero.”
“I want everyone to know that my brother chose to go fight for democracy, freedom and righteousness versus evil. My brother laid down his 22-year-old life in the namesake for the future of Ukraine and all his children. We will miss him dearly. We cannot wait to see him again.”

A State Department spokesperson tells CNN, "We can confirm the deaths of U.S. citizens in Ukraine," but did not reveal their names, out of respect for the families' privacy, adding, "We are in touch with the families and providing all possible consular assistance."

Cummings said that Wilton’s squadron (Foreign Legion) in Ukraine held a memorial for him on Wednesday morning. The family is now waiting to find out when they can get his body back so they can plan a funeral.

CNN’s Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.

10:57 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

Leaked US military document reveals Wagner Group tried to buy weapons and equipment from NATO member

From CNN's Zachary Cohen and Jennifer Hansler

A Russian military group fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Vladimir Putin attempted to buy weapons and equipment from an unlikely source: NATO member Turkey, according to a leaked US intelligence document that was obtained by CNN.

The leaked document appears to show the lengths the Russian private military group Wagner has gone to try to further strengthen its capabilities as the war in Ukraine — in which it is playing a key role — continues on with no signs of abating.

As a NATO member, Turkey is broadly considered a partner nation to the US and other nations providing direct military support to Ukraine, and it has publicly expressed opposition to Russia's invasion.

It is also home to a major US military base where nuclear weapons are stored and act as an obvious warning sign to deter Russian aggression against NATO members. 

Evidence that Turkey has discussed selling weapons to Russian mercenary forces would likely raise serious concerns in Washington and complicate Ankara's relationship with other NATO members.

Not only does the document reference intelligence about Wagner seeking to purchase weapons from Turkey, it also states that the paramilitary group planned to resume recruitment of prisoners from Russia's jails. 

According to the US signals intelligence reporting cited in the document, personnel from the Wagner Group met with "Turkish contacts" in early February with the intent "to purchase weapons and equipment from Turkey" that could then be used by Wagner mercenaries who are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine.

Wagner also planned to use the weapons and equipment from Turkey in Mali, where the group maintains a significant presence, according to the leaked document.

While there is no evidence that shows that Turkey has moved forward with any arms sales to the Wagner Group, details about the February meeting — outlined in a section of the leaked document titled, "Mali, Russia, Turkey: Vagner seeks weapons from Ankara" — suggest US officials believe the Russian mercenary outfit has at least tested the waters. 

CNN has not independently confirmed the veracity of the document, but US officials have indicated that most of the leaked tranche are authentic. A State Department spokesperson said the "the Department of Defense and the intelligence community are actively reviewing and assessing the validity" of the leaked documents, adding "we are not in a position to confirm or comment on any specific information they contain."

CNN has reached out to the US National Security Council, the office of the Turkish President and Turkey's Embassy in Washington for comment on the document.

Read more here.

1:13 a.m. ET, April 13, 2023

US imposes large tranche of new sanctions on over 100 people or entities for ties to Russia's war

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The United States imposed a large tranche of sanctions on more than 100 people and entities around the world for their ties to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Wednesday’s sanctions are the latest action meant to diminish Moscow’s abilities in its war in Ukraine and punish those who are supporting it, including through helping Russia to evade existing sanctions.

Sanctions on Russian billionaire and associates: The latest sanctions target a wide network tied to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who is already under sanction in multiple countries, and were taken in coordination with the United Kingdom.

According to the US Treasury Department, Usmanov "is one of Russia’s wealthiest billionaires" who "holds significant interests in the metals and mining, telecommunications, and information technology sectors."

He is "known to be close to multiple U.S.-designated, senior Russian officials, including Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as Dmitry Medvedev, current deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia and former president and prime minister of Russia," according to a statement.  

Sanctions on international companies and a bank: The US also imposed sanctions on companies -- based in China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates -- which the US Treasury Department said are supporting Russia’s military industrial complex in defiance of existing sanctions. 

The Treasury also sanctioned the International Investment Bank, "a Russia-controlled financial institution" in Budapest, as well as its Moscow-based subsidiary and several former and current executives. 

"The IIB’s presence in Budapest enables Russia to increase its intelligence presence in Europe, opens the door for the Kremlin’s malign influence activities in Central Europe and the Western Balkans, and could serve as a mechanism for corruption and illicit finance, including sanctions violations,” according to the Treasury Department. 

Sanctions on organizations that target children: In addition, the US State Department is sanctioning two Russian entities "that support Russia’s efforts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine through the militarization and indoctrination of schoolchildren: The All Russian Children's And Youth Military Patriotic Public Movement Youth Army, and the State Budgetary Educational Institution of Additional Education of the Republic of Crimea Crimea Patriot Center,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. 

According to the State Department, the so-called youth army was created by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and is "responsible for militarizing and propagandizing schoolchildren in occupied areas of Ukraine."
The "Crimea Patriot Center" is "an organization whose objective is to provide youth with a ‘military-patriotic education’ in order to prepare them for service in the Russia’s Armed Forces," it said.