Ukraine struggles to evacuate civilians in the East, Zelensky announces the worst in Borodyanka

Ukrainian authorities are struggling to evacuate civilians from eastern regions threatened by a Russian offensive, with President Volodymyr Zelensky saying the destruction in Borodyanka is even worse than that seen recently near the capital after forces left Russians. As Russia steps up its attacks in the south and east, kyiv -- where European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU Foreign Minister Josep Borrell are expected on Friday -- is seeing the real extent of damage in areas now abandoned by Moscow forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the destruction in Borodianka, near kyiv, was worse than in Boutcha, where images of dead bodies on the streets sparked international outrage.

Twenty-six bodies have been extracted by Ukrainian rescue workers from the rubble of two apartment buildings in Borodianka, northwest of kyiv, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova announced on Facebook on Thursday. In a video message Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky assured that the situation in Borodianka is "much more horrible" than in Boutcha. "There are more victims". But it is also to the east of the country, now a priority target for Moscow, that attention is focused. The Kremlin spokesman acknowledged Thursday that Russian forces had already suffered "significant military losses" in this region, citing a "huge tragedy". Fearing an offensive against these regions, the Ukrainian authorities have again called on the civilian population to leave them. Russian forces have "damaged the railroad in Shastya. From now on, the evacuation will take place only by bus", indicated the governor of the region of Lugansk, Sergei Gaïdaï.

Israel struck again: Two killed in attack in Tel Aviv

A new armed attack, causing scenes of chaos in the heart of Tel Aviv, left at least two dead and many injured Thursday evening, still mourning Israel after a recent series of attacks. Magen David Adom, the equivalent of the Israeli Red Cross, said 16 injured were transferred to local hospitals in connection with the attack on Dizengoff Street, in the heart of Tel Aviv with its bars and cafes. . "We received several serious injuries with different types of injuries, mainly to the chest, abdomen and some to the face (...) unfortunately two of them died and we are currently fighting to save lives" , Director of Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, Ronni Gamzu, told AFP. Witnesses on the spot told AFP that they heard gunshots and saw scenes of chaos in the center of Tel Aviv where the Israeli police were heavily deployed.

IN SHORT

Three departments of New Aquitaine - Charente-Maritime, Vienne and Deux-Sèvres - were placed on orange alert "violent winds" on Friday with the arrival of storm Diego.

The New York State Attorney General on Thursday sued former US President Donald Trump for "obstructing" his civil investigation conducted since 2019 into possible fraud in the tax practices of the Trump Organization family group.

The Volkswagen group declared itself in favor Thursday of the project of its subsidiaries Porsche and Audi to join Formula 1 from 2026 provided that the championship succeeds in its ecological transformation.