How the EU reduces dependence on Russia, a transport plane crashed in Ukraine

Initiative to reduce dependence on Russian energy

The EU is calling on people to use less cars, turn off air conditioners, work from home three days a week to reduce dependence on Russian oil and gas.

According to The Guardian, the European Commission (EC) said that the above measures will help households save an average of nearly 500 euros a year. If all EU citizens follow the 9-point “Follow Your Responsibilities” plan outlined by the bloc and the International Energy Agency (IEA), it will save enough oil to refill 120 super tankers and enough gas to heat nearly 20 million homes.

The EU and IEA said: “People across Europe have helped Ukrainians by contributing or directly assisting refugees and many will do more. Most households are paying energy bills. Using less energy is not only a way for Europeans to reduce their immediate payments, but also to support Ukraine. and Russian gas will help reduce the revenue from funding Russia’s attack on Ukraine.”

According to the above plan, reducing the temperature by about 1 degree Celsius will save 7% of energy used for heating while increasing the air conditioner by 1 degree Celsius will reduce electricity use by up to 10%.

Fierce fighting in Luhansk and Donetsk regions

Ukrainian officials say fighting raged across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions between Russia is attacking! Donbass.

CNN news agency quoted an adviser to the deputy head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Olena Symonenko as saying on television yesterday (April 21) that in the past 24 hours, 42 more settlements under Russian control in the Donetsk region.

Serhii Haidai, head of the military junta in the Luhansk region, said Russian forces advanced in three directions towards the towns of Rubizhne, Popasna and Novotoshkivske. The official previously said that 80% of Luhansk territory is under Russian control. Over the past few weeks, Russian forces have made a lot more effort to direct their offensive toward eastern and southern Ukraine.

Haidai added that Russian shelling had disrupted efforts to evacuate civilians from the town of Rubizhne. Russian troops also blocked a bus to this town.

Identifying mass graves, crashed transport aircraft

Reuters news agency reported from local authorities in Ukraine that today (April 22) an AN-26 transport plane of the country crashed in the south of the country and had casualties. Case details are being verified. The accident happened in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The Australian government today, imposed sanctions and banned travel with the two daughters of Russian President Putin and the daughter of Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Before Australia, there was the UK and the US who made a similar decision. With the new bans and sanctions, the total number of individuals and institutions in Russia subject to Australian sanctions has increased to nearly 750.

Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Russian forces control most of the city of Mariupol, but Ukrainian troops are still entrenched there. About 120,000 people are blocked from leaving, he added.

Ukrainian officials said today they have identified mass graves outside the city of Mariupol. Ukraine alleges it is evidence that Russia has committed war crimes against Ukrainian civilians. This accusation is supported by photos provided by the US satellite imaging company Maxar. Accordingly, satellite images appear to show more than 200 new graves at a point on the northwestern edge of Manhush, a town located about 19km west of Mariupol.

Hoai Linh