Russia extends arrest of U.S. journalist

During a closed-door hearing Tuesday, a Russian court extended Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich’s detention until Aug. 30. He was previously set for release by May 29. Russian officials arrested Gershkovich, an American, in March on espionage charges. If convicted, Gershkovich would face up to 20 years in a Russian prison. The U.S. State Department has said the charges against Gershkovich are “ baseless” and asked for U.S. Embassy access for Gershkovich. 

What’s happening in Ukraine? The head of the Russian Wagner military contractor group Tuesday said his forces lost more than 20,000 fighters in the battle for Bakhmut. For perspective, Russia in September claimed the number of its troops killed in the entire war was less than 6,000. Russia said it completely took Bakhmut after a nine-month battle. But Ukrainian commander Yevhen Mezhevikin said Tuesday that Russia has destroyed Bakhmut without controlling it.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell and Leigh Jones’ report in WORLD Magazine about the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.