By RFE/RL's Russian Service
Hunger-striking Ukrainian military pilot Nadia Savchenko displayed defiance at a court hearing that could extend her confinement in a Russian jail until May 13.
A Moscow judge is set to rule on investigators' request for an extension of the pretrial detention period for Savchenko, whose hunger strike entered its 60th day on February 10.
Asked by the judge about her health, Savchenko said, "You'll wait in vain" -- a retort by which she meant that the Russian authorities are hoping for her death but that she will not die soon.
After her lawyers requested the replacement of the judge, Savchenko said she supported the motion but used an earthy quip to suggest it would make little difference whether a new judge is asigned to the case.
Savchenko, looking pale and gaunt and wearing a T-shirt with a Ukrainan trident design, spoke from behind the bars of a courtroom cage.
She cried "Glory to Ukraine" as she was led to the court by armed guards with a large dog.
Savchenko was captured by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in June and taken to Russia in July.
Charged with involvement in the deaths of two Russian journalists who were killed while covering the conflict in eastern Ukraine, she began a hunger strike on December 13 in protest.
Russia has ingored repeated Western demands for her release.
Chilling indeed.
Here is today's situation map of eastern Ukraine by the National Security and Defense Council:
