Pope calls on Japan to strengthen commitment to peace after Shinzo Abe killing
Francis condemned the ‘senseless’ assassination and offered condolences to the people of Japan.
Francis condemned the ‘senseless’ assassination and offered condolences to the people of Japan.
The governor of Luhansk, Serhyi Haidai, said there had been no sign of the expected operational pause by Russian forces.
The Ukrainian presidential office said Russian forces targeted cities and villages in the country’s south-east.
The country’s presidential office said Russian forces targeted cities and villages in southeast Ukraine.
A man has appeared in court charged with her murder.
Russia has stepped up its offensive in the eastern province in the past few days.
The barrage intensifies fears that Russian forces are positioned to advance further into the Donbas area, after declaring victory in Luhansk province.
Defence minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow’s forces have taken control of Lysychansk, the last major Ukrainian-held city in Luhansk province.
Ukrainian fighters have spent weeks trying to defend Lysychansk, and to stop it falling to Russia, as neighbouring Sievierodonetsk did a week ago.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said Ms Aleena was “an incredible woman and an inspiration to us all”.
The vigil is taking the form of a silent walk that traces the route Ms Aleena had been taking but never got to complete.
Ukrainian fighters have spent weeks trying to defend Lysychansk and to keep it from falling to Russia
The 35-year-old was only minutes from her front door in Ilford, east London, when she was attacked.
It comes as a man appeared in court charged with her murder, and with hundreds expected at a vigil on Saturday.
Friday’s strikes come a day after Russian forces withdrew from a strategic Black Sea island.