• 08:45 a.m.: Russia likely behind leak of military documents, says U.S.

Russia or pro-Russian elements are likely behind the leak of several classified U.S. military documents outlining the war in Ukraine from last month, three U.S. officials told Reuters yesterday.

The documents, circulated on social media, appear to have been manipulated to reduce the number of casualties suffered by Russian forces, the officials added.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Russian embassy in Washington immediately responded to a request for comment.

  • 8:03 a.m.: Wall Street Journal rejects charges against US journalist indicted in Russia

The Wall Street Journal denounced last night the "totally false" charges against American journalist Evan Gershkovich, officially charged in Russia for "espionage".

"As we have said from the beginning, these charges are totally false and unjustified, and we will continue to demand Evan's immediate release," the business daily said in a statement.

  • The essentials of the day of April 7

In Bakhmut, Russia advanced into the city center, taking the west bank of the Bakhmut River, now endangering a key supply route to Ukraine, according to information published Friday by the British Ministry of Defence in its daily bulletin on Twitter. Ukraine, however, said that the situation in Bakhmut was "difficult", but that it was holding firm despite Russia's numerical superiority.

Russia on Friday threatened to call into question the agreement allowing the export of Ukrainian grain if nothing is done to remove obstacles to exports of Russian fertilizers and food products.

In addition, the Russian currency plunged Friday to its lowest in a year, falling in the morning to 82.4 rubles to the dollar and 90 to the euro, due in particular to the fall in Moscow's foreign currency revenues amid sanctions.

Russian authorities have formally charged Wall Street Journal journalist Evan Gershkovich with espionage. The journalist rejected these accusations, as did the Wall Street Journal, which called for the immediate release of its "trusted and dedicated journalist".

With AFP and Reuters

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