German foreign minister visits Yahidne in Chernihiv Oblast, says it is vehement example of Russian occupation

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock paid a visit to the village of Yahidne in Chernihiv Oblast, where hundreds of locals were imprisoned in the basement during the first few weeks of the Russian occupation.

As reported by ntv, Annalena Baerbock arrived in Ukraine on her eighth visit since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.

"This place makes it crystal clear... What does the Russian occupation mean? Inhumanity, terror, things that no one on this planet would want to go through," Baerbock said in Yahidne.

During the Russian occupation of the village in 2022, Russian soldiers detained 350 inhabitants, including 5 babies, in a school basement. Ten elderly people perished, and seven others were shot.

"And when we remember the suffering that took place here, our mission today is to work continuously to ensure that people throughout Ukraine can one day live in peace again," Baerbock said.

Ukraine should be provided with "support for defence and self-defence, as well as for the liberation of territory that remains under occupation," she stated.

On Monday 4 November, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in Kyiv, during which the parties discussed military support and investments in Ukraine's defence.

According to Zelenskyy, he spoke with Baerbock about "military support, investments in Ukraine’s defence, and the challenges we face ahead of winter".

During the visit, Baerbock announced the allocation of €200 million in additional winter aid to Ukraine.