a with that because the president is marked by the political opposition as he delivered to the state of the nation address. back those, he declared a state of disaster and the country over its crippling energy shortage with un peacekeeping. force it kill civilians and wound almost 30 others and the democratic republic. good public of the congo. after protesters spent it outrage about a lack of progress in combating terrorism in the region. while western powers criticized russia, wagner group, 4th recruitment of convict r c. here is from a former prisoner torn soldier who says he was proud to drawing wagner to fight for his country with

coming to you live from the russian capital. this is our t international. i. rachel blevins here with the top stories of the our welcome to the program and the south african president, its reason state of the nation address devolved into a mass broad between members of the political opposition and the ruling party. oh, really me get done. opposition. parties have accused president refers using his state of the nation address as an attempt to consolidate his power. a medicaid expert to the speech,

the president outlined his administration plan to address the country's most pressing challenges. he declared the state of disaster because of a crippling energy crisis that he said he hoped could be overcome by in stating emergency authority. the no show disaster management center has consequently classified the energy crisis and its impact as a disaster. we are therefore declaring a national state of disaster to respond to the electricity crisis. and in fact, well meant is an announcement that was pretty much expected by sort of proposal. considering south africa's grapples with the energy shortage. the opposition was always intend on fighting or, and they intended on hagley speech ending in he got to the man, but remained resolute. and after some 45 minutes delay continued on with his speech

and stating that the african national congress, the party which he comes from and of the governing party of the country, still believes in energy mixed, mixed up of a lot of fossil fuels. and he says that the country will not transmission at a pace, it cannot afford. all of these measures will result in a massive increase in powered to the grades over the next 12 to 18 months. and also beyond those. now this power will be in line with our diverse mix of energy sources, including our current coal fired power station, sola wind gas, you clear hydro, and where to storage outside of the renewables we haven't seen that much room and especially when it comes to issues such as securing wood here, we know how long it takes to think she will a nuclear project,

get it up and running. but so there's another problem. and then is that internationally, no saga which continues to have them. and that is the bottom gate where a large amount of foreign currency was stolen from his private game from in the northern province of south africa. something that the opposition continues to take him to task with. un peacekeepers have killed 8 civilians and wounded 20 others. and the democratic republic of the congo as protesters were venting outrage over a lack of progress and combating terrorist and the read it. there is been rising anti un sentiment in the central african country, as vocals, believe the peacekeepers haven't been doing enough to defend civilians from attack by the m 23 insurgent group near the rwandan border. the un mission has insisted that his troops openly fire only to protect their own convoy. as the protest evolved into violence. the convoy was attacked by demonstrators who had previously

barricaded the road with large stones forcing the convoy to stop. the civilians died, while peacekeepers tried to protect the convoy. the clash happened about 10 kilometers from the major eastern city of goma. while the u. n. convoy was returning from a resupply mission. the un mission and the d. r. c has around 18000 personnel. it's mandate includes affording the congo least government's effort to stabilize the region which suffers from continuous attacks from m. 23 insurgents. local residents say they are dissatisfied with the peacekeepers. as the conflict with m. 23 is still ongoing, near gama, where thousands of people having been forced to flee their homes. we all flee the m 23 war. as you have heard about the situation in all villages, we need help when he tats, but above all, we need the return of peace. how buddy? a cupboard. the situation is very complicated at the moment in community. we came

from there under a hail of bullets when they arrived and kemati we decided to leave. we were scared of the bullets and the bombs that fell. there are many people who have been injured a. busy the m 23 started fighting the day before yesterday, crashes continue in the area. and that is why we leaving our villages in kinky we're looking for where we're going to rest. but we have no idea. we ask our government to do everything to displace the m 23 rebels. so we can return to our villages so that we don't die of all the diseases or of hunger in the camps. yet another video showing executed russian prisoners of war has emerged on line just a day after other footage appeared, showing ukrainian troops shooting a captured russian soldier in the hat and a warning. the following images are disturbing. the new footage appears to show the aftermath of the 1st video. several dead russian soldiers captured by ukrainians are lying on the ground. it's worth noting that all of them have severe head winds

that seemed to shout, they were shot execution style at point blank range. this would be a war crime in violation of the geneva conventions. archie roman closer has more details. the 1st video, evidence of the execution of the unarmed russian soldier, a surface just a couple of days ago. it showed the ukrainian soldier shooting the man point blank while he was on the ground with his hands up, the nationalist was a shouting the nazi slogan, glory to ukraine when he was killing the prisoner. now another piece of evidence on the war crime appeared on the internet on friday. it showed several unarmed dead russian soldiers with lethal head wounds, all apparently killed execution style. now the disturbing footage also shows the ukrainians ravaging through the belongings of the men that they have just executed russia. foreign ministry has issued a statement saying that they have repeatedly drawn the attention of the

international community to the war. crimes of give and to have stated that the ukraine and authorities do not comply with international humanitarian law. the latest execution of russian prisoners of war as largely on the conscience of the western characters of kiev. so created this nazi regime, raising a generation of ukrainians. obsessed with the idea of hatred and national superiority. a shameful fact is the silence of the international structures that have a shoot professionalism and objectivity for the desire to curry favor with the united states and other western countries. now this is not the 1st so i am that ukrainians have proudly distributed videos of the executions of russian prisoners of war. rushes investigative committee has launched multiple criminal inquiries regarding these atrocities by ukrainians. the new video has become yet another piece of evidence of the war crimes. boy, the key of a regime, russia investigators are certain that the crimes will not go unpunished. and the

criminals will eventually face justice. news just in your korean officials are reporting missile strikes and several regions. right now, the attacks have been reported in the national capital, as well as the 2nd largest city of par cough and the major southern port of odessa, as well as more than 10 other cities. energy infrastructure is being targeted with further shortages of electricity expected. a state of emergency has been declared throughout the country earlier on friday. drone strikes were reported in harcourt as well as the eastern port city of numbers and the ukrainian held city of this operation, the latter of which is in the recently ratified russian territories. meanwhile, the head of the wagner group says his company has stopped recruiting from russian prisons. however, replying to a cnn request on what could be the reason for that. he said they received many applications from the united states. after we released the wagner pmc advertisement

for the american audience, we received more than 10000000 applications from us citizens wishing to join us to fight against nato. at the moment we are considering about 1000000 american citizens for employment. therefore, we temporarily suspended the recruitment of volunteers from russian prisons. however, if there is a corresponding request from the us state department, we will recruit from american once the wagner group as one of the most formidable forces on the don bass front lines. i mean, is military successes. the wagner group has been branded as a criminal organization by this top ally the u. s. and it has been a constant target of the western mainstream media. our correspondence sweeney had a chance to speak with a wagner fighter, who just recently completed his contract with the group. wherein rushes northwestern city of saint petersburg meeting with spartak, a former convict, and wagner fi to whose recently return from the front line and ukraine. can you tell us how you came to join the army?

was the 1st one to serve in the security force in chechnya in 2002. there were many issues to deal with in the motherland. i served until 2005 and was wounded in a special operation. there were many special operations in chasing him. we were defending a city in the den ski region. we had shootouts with arab mercenaries. that's where i was wounded. but in general there were many. what's the difference between the all me back then and today, was jim. well, we had to rely on ourselves. the army wasn't that strong. back then. now we have a strong army. why did you decide to join cutter of forces some way? was you mean my father served? i love my republic and i'm proud to be a chechen. i have brothers sisters, my father, and my mother there. oh my family, how could i not join when i was called up? what did you do after you were wounded? robert de larosa. miss sarah, i worked here in their study to become

a construction worker, to be honest. i haven't managed to find myself, but now i've matured became wiser. i began to break the law and got locked up. sure . and how did you end up in prison? rome of this dish, but i really don't know how to explain what happened. i was caught with a weapon after the war. i was young, maybe mentally unstable. maybe i didn't understand something in my own reality. i guess it just happened. do you have family and if so, how did i react to your decision to join wagner and head to the front lines to fight that had been i have a child, a father, a mother, a brother, sisters. we have a big family. my son is 6 years old. of course they were worried. that's our mentality. but what could be done? they understand our families, very patriotic. they love their motherland. all my brothers, my sister has 3 kids. her husband was killed in ukraine, but this is our country. we must love it and protect it. and how did you end up

joining wagner? and it almost, there wasn't really, i didn't think i would end up in wagner. i signed the papers to go and here i am. the boss came to our prison. he just made an offer and told everything how it was, the war is brutal. it's not the chechen war. someone decided to go and someone didn't. i decided instantly. i wasn't even thinking about the amnesty. yes, of course amnesty is great and my term is long. i had other motives, my relatives died there, and i was ready to serve the motherland if needed at any time. what did the inmate think about these special military operation? what was their perception of what was happening in ukraine? but they'll ask us when we found a chance will, i will say patriotism. there is much stronger than in civilian life. we were all watching and felt for our country, whatever it may be, we were born. our country is a great country. right now. some people are running away across the border. every

one is different, some r i t specialists, some are storm troopers like me, but in my opinion, you must serve the country and make yourself useful. what is the process of joining wagner? how did that happen before the thing, though? so the federal penal service communicate speaks to us. if you want to go, if you're ready, if you understand in 2 to 3 days he came back, then begins the paperwork, all the bureaucratic issues. i don't know the details. i haven't delved into it deeply. we talked and he took me away as he promised he said he'd come and he did. and we flew there by playing then by helicopter. and then we arrived at the training base. what's going through your mind when you sign the contract? you are aware that you're going to the front line and as heavy fighting that you might die. what do you think when you put in pen to paper, joe? a shim ned, i didn't think about anything for a single day to tell you the truth. i didn't make any further plans for the time

after the contract. it's not that i lived one day at a time. i was thinking about to morrow. about the guys the group i was thinking about the performance of the assault group. it was like a fellowship. however, i didn't think of coming back to civilian life. we thought about the job and served as faithfully as we could. we tried to be useful. how did you become a commander doctor? yeah. well, i'd served in chechnya. i didn't get the position right away. they look at your performance. it just happened by itself or more. there's no difference if you're re, for more kernel or an ex convict. what really matters is that you must know how to work and just work hard and efficiently. what training do you have? what? what was it like that are 30 of us did a did in roster of we got completely equipped ammunition clothing. we got everything. then we flew to the training base, we trained learned to shoot the 1st ones who went were the guys who served in the

army. we had physical training there, shooting lessons. how hard was it worth your permit? as it should be? the guys can see for themselves what condition they are in. they realized that they had muscular atrophy. the training sessions were hard core until you're ready, they won't let you out to fight. and what did you have in terms of equipment and support or the adequate did you have everything that you needed with what a formal which for we are given 2 pairs of the best, uniformly rations for the last 4 months. we have been a couple meters away from ukrainians. yet we still drank energy drinks and 8. we have good, timely deliveries. well, what happened off to your last fight where we must very lot of storm troopers also rotate. you need to swim, check your health. go through medical checks, we do it once a month. how long is the contract? half a year? how we wound it? well, we had our 1st battle. we were trying to capture pill boxes. there were mercenaries

. there are 1st battle with mercenaries. there were different ones swedes, norwegians polls. many others in a shoot out. 3 of us, 3 died. 10 people came in. we fought with dignity, shot every one. the task was completed in full and we left. how many foreign fighters are there? orchard logo. a lot. we whacked around 40 in the 1st battle right now. it's mostly mercenaries fighting. they're fighting well, you are you. but after 30 minutes of contact with us, they run and that's all your poor guys. they throw ukrainian soldiers at us. we whack them and catch them. they are also very ideological guys. like zombies. they have a lot of propaganda there. they think that they will soon take moscow, but the are afraid of wagner. why? lewis knows that replied, well, you see,

that's how we were presented till i captured this one. ukrainian. why torture him propaganda tells him fairy tales. nonsense food? did they change their minds off? they meet you illumine does no good if i think many guys are ready to serve with us because they start seeing the reality. even though there's information on the internet, they're still heavily zombified thinking they're winning the ward and that we are orks. do you know, proposing? how is communication between him and the wagner fighters? yes, i talked to him many times. let me tell you, he's a simple russian man, a patriot of his country. yes, wagner is a private company, but it's not about the money. his soul is in it. he talks to us like a real lad, armed up south western media portray, wagner is terrorists? what do you make of that lazopoulos for western countries? it is surprising that a person goes directly to the battlefield. they will all talk,

but we're not interested at all. if we respond every time than things will be very bad for us, we must have our own idea. it's important to educate young people to love their country, hooligan or not. everyone should know that they're motherland is russia, and that they have to be ready to stand up for it. lust laura chechnya is developing, doing well in russia. i would be surprised even upset if the chechens did not stand up 1st. chechen russian, there is no difference. the wagner, this is my family, my brothers. i can call them sit down to talk, drink tea, go somewhere, help out. if need it. they have their own brotherhood. the main thing is for them to do their job. what was your heaviest fight? thought that this will not tough because every battle is tough in its own way. but the 1st battle was the most emotional. there was a lot of adrenalin. i got

a wound because i was in a hurry. i could have avoided that. do you get used to it? do you get used to the fighting? the cooper? yeah. when there is shelling, you know, roughly where it's going to land. if you've survived a month, it is easier to survive from than on. does it start to feel a bit like an everyday job? yes, of course. daily assaults shelling of both sides serious shelling. i couldn't even imagine that it could be like that. those who served in chechnya guys who also served in uganda, syria, they say it doesn't look like any other war. it's a brutal war. what's the atmosphere like on the frontline of good, we try to treat it lightly. war means war. the guys are very spirited. it's like they don't even think that someone can be killed. we drink tea in the evening. there is no talk of potentially someone being gone to morrow. how do you feel being

part of such a notorious group? oh, well, i'm proud in general that i served that i met the boss. i'm proud that i shook his hand. he taught me a lot, gave a lot to me. i model for all the conflict will end one day. what does the future hold for you? but also full wagner group. oh yeah, i don't know. i'm ready to help somewhere to work. and wagner has a great future. in addition to ukraine, it operates in africa, protects russian interests. there are many jobs around the world if she were furbished them at the ministry of defense. the national guard who all treat us with respect advances on the ground have been impressive. wagner fighters were crucial in the operations. so russia take control of solid on why, why do you think that is? why do you think these achievements are so impressive? the most thought of because we're fighting there, there was fighting, but the results. so logistics tactics, morale, the boys are working. it's hard,

it's winter, the ukrainian said that works will freeze in the winter. but you can see the results of our work. there is no difference whether it's winter or summer or russian. people are used to everything. if it must be done, it will get done. is there any interaction on the ground between the regular armed forces and, and wagner and how do you communicate with each other and, and reach a consensus? there was them. um, we are on our own, our own tanks, a platoon of 425 people. 16 to 17 age yes. 5 mortars, a tank and a p. c. and 80 g m. we have everything we have our own planes right now. sometimes we ask our units for artillery back up, and they don't stop until we say that we're going in the door. they cover us with mortars the supporters. then we go with lawyer. sometimes there are no survivors.

illness, how heavy are ukraine's losses? what you thought of but huge or so they say they're missing, they dumped the bodies. we walked through the forest. there were a lot of corpses that here right now there are urban battles, but there were maybe 10 missing that end up being under a house with a bit of what is hard fighting in the town in the cities oh or in the forest at omega urban combat is tough, the war itself is hard. tough. you know we, we are fighting a special operation. 42 country support them. i myself wrote down what they are provided. well, when i took trophies, sort of the weather is body armor for a sleeping bag. a little bit of everything as technology weapons checks. it's a computer war, yelling quad copters. i couldn't even imagine that boy should let you love. will those 42 countries be able to help you cry?

go to believe they will stop. poland levia will remain, but the big countries will peel away from this dirt. little by little. why are they unable to how, why ukrainian forces retreating? what, what went wrong with their lay of the peer? here's an example. you take a mercenary prisoner. she receives 2800 euros a day in salary payments. he thought it was going to be a safari, but they also realized that this is not of ghana. stan, not syria. there is no spirit, but we are guys with a spirit, an idea. whoever you are though, it's hard to go into battle when you think you may die. but when you know that it's for your people and that your country depends on you, it's different. i never, not even once thought that we would lose despite the whole world wishing it. rubbish. who is rush or fighting? is it ukraine? through the we are at war with almost the entire civilized world. europe, america,

all the weapons are there. it's not ukraine. poor ukraine. many there are also being forced. they have the i dar battalion mercenaries and ideological western ukrainians are also fighting their zombified. a ukrainian will sit in captivity for a week and totally changes. due paper on the front line, understand what they're fighting for, even though we'll get is our war. this is a holy war on our land, almost a civil war. these are our people. how was it not our war? i don't understand. who are we? if this isn't our war, your contract is over. have you been officially pardon the ball? yes. officially, and state awards and p. m. c. awards and a letter of thanks from the head of logan's. all is clear. so we'll see your plans now for the the coming days, the coming month. will you return to the front line?

yes, the luggable if necessary. yes. if i'm ordered to yes. in the meantime it's family affairs health. my plans for the future is to get some medical treatment. remove a fragment of up of the wagner, takes inmates like yourself. i from prison. do you feel that you have redeemed yourself and is it an opportunity for other prisoners to do the same? the yes, greater redemption only comes from god. i personally saw death 10 to 15 times in front of my eyes. there it was. i left the trench for a 2nd and my friend was killed. i believe i ever deemed myself and all of those who work in this war, every citizen must be ready for not necessarily stormtrooper. of course, there are computer scientists. there are poets. every one should do what they can. but you have only one motherland, and you must love it. meanwhile,

france as withdrawing true from the west african country burkina faso. that's a rising anti french sentiment in the region with local saying the french forces failed to prevent reoccurring terrorist attack. the latest deadly incident happened in northern province. this week 25 people were killed among them 3 police officers working if also is under constant attack from jihad, as groups linked to arcada and isis. the government has now asked for help from the wagner group to counter then. a local journalists has more details. as boykin, a fossil, his face still a pass for years now, the situation is still not getting any better. governmental officials simply decided to expel refresh, military con patient which have been present in the country since 2018. while more than 40 percent of the country is under the control of till his group. the decision was welcomed by visited here, who have called for new partners,

especially the russian private military group, wagner aleck, more by their fast on idea that in my opinion, we have waited long enough with france. we've suffered for too long. they were here for a long time and we did not see any results. they killed many of our soldiers in many of our family members. and in just 4 months, captain abraham came and we already can see change in with the health of the wagner group in our soldiers. we know that things will get better. what us, why, if i truly believe that the wagner group will do far, much better than france for the last 20 years, they did nothing. they had all the power to change things around here. but nothing change will be what we need. someone who will bring concrete solutions, someone who listens to the people of burkina and can achieve our common goals. with that in mind, the wagner group is more than welcome. mckinney has also called for me the pepto fresh ambassador in december as compelling to naming new diplomats in we're good to

go. last month on the captain, abraham towers, the lowest, the military cooperation agreement, we phrase the head, the prison. so 400 place troops in book in a fossil this comes is the new authorities in bo killer, have improved coalition with russia since october 2022. the corporation has increased the cup abilities of able killer, the army, but larry, in the control of its f space now will kill out is able to be more reactive to telescopes attack. last month, 6 major terrorist attacks received a swift response from the army, which use tones emily captors in a counter attack. however, at the same time, vitalis have changed tactics by systematically killing civilian. they come into contact with a former mayor of

a city in lawful bull killer and former political adviser to captain thomas and kara, his, the only survivor of the military, colbert killed san kara and 12 other 40 years eagle. his opinion is clear about wagner group on the plateau danella we cannot eternally be submissive. i do not understand how france cannot understand that france, who planes to be the leader of freedom in the country of human rights. it does not recognize any thing for france. we are slaves, we refuse to be slaves, france liberated itself from the old regime. let us do the same and be free from france. the french troops failed. that is for sure. our people will succeed to remember history and more importantly, learn from mistakes is a cardinal rule that those in miley and book in a fossil are set to embrace as the countries have moved away from me. colonial pos to a future of partners.