Russian bombardment into the northern Ukrainian counties of Sumy and Chernihiv has resumed, according to the Ukrainian military. “The enemy’s main purpose in the districts of Lysychansk and Severodonetsk is to surround our soldiers and restrict the main supplies routes,” the Ukrainian General Staff of the Armed Forces warned. Russian forces are also “trying to gain a footing on the northeastern outskirts of Severodonetsk, undertaking assault operations in the direction of the city center,” according to the statement.

After defending the Azovstal factory in a long siege, two spouses and a girlfriend of Ukrainian troops taken by Russian forces or unaccounted for told CNN they had little or no information about their loved ones’ location. With the surrender of the facility, the beleaguered Ukrainian port city of Mariupol fell completely under Russian control earlier this month. The number of Ukrainian troops in Russian custody is unknown, however, the Russian military claims that around 2,000 Ukrainian troops have surrendered. Azovstal defenders have been labeled “Nazis” by Russian state propaganda, creating severe concerns about how they will be handled in captivity.

In an interview with the French channel TFI, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that driving the Ukrainian army out of the Donbas region is a top goal for Moscow.

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As Russian soldiers strive to encircle the eastern Ukrainian city, it is being shelled heavily, with the head of the Luhansk region military administration declaring on Sunday that the situation is becoming “much more severe.” 60 houses were demolished in the region, according to Serhiy Hayday, and two persons were found dead in the wreckage. Separately, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine claimed in an operational statement on Sunday that Russia “took out assault operations in the vicinity of the city of Severodonetsk,” where “the battle continues.” As fighting raged on the outskirts of Severodonetsk on Saturday, the director of the civil-military administration claimed Ukrainian forces were in a “difficult defensive position.”

Allegations of war crimes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha are a “fabrication,” according to Russia’s ambassador to the UK. During an interview with the BBC’s “Sunday Morning” show, Andrei Kelin disputed that Russian forces were shelling people. Hundreds of people were killed during Russia’s month-long occupation of Bucha and other regions around Kyiv, which ended in late March after Russian troops failed to envelop the capital.

According to the deputy head of the Russian-appointed administration in occupied Kherson, the region would not hold a referendum on formally joining Russia until the conflict in the area and neighboring regions of Odesa and Mykolaiv subsides. “There are no conversations about a referendum right now,” Kirill Stremousov said on Saturday, adding “we’ll announce later when some kind of poll or plebiscite is taking place.” Officials in Ukraine have previously warned that Russian-installed administrators were planning a rigged election.

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As Russian troops push a coordinated offensive in the Luhansk region, Serhiy Hayday, the head of Luhansk’s regional military administration, stated on Saturday that the crucial eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk was “not cut off.” According to Hayday, a significant Russian bombardment is taking place in Severodonetsk, an industrial city in Luhansk that is the last major stronghold of Ukrainian sovereignty. While Russian troops attack from numerous directions, Ukrainian forces are struggling to prevent an apparent attempt by Russian forces to encircle the defenders of Severodonetsk.

According to Russian official media, the Russian-occupied region of Kherson has closed its borders to adjacent Ukrainian areas. The border crossings between Kherson and the Ukrainian regions of Mykolaiv and Dnipropetrovsk have been closed, according to Kirill Stremousov, the deputy head of the Russian-installed administration in Kherson. However, travel from Kherson to Crimea or the Russian-controlled areas of Zaporizhzhia is still possible.

Russia is mobilizing railway brigades with special machinery to repair damaged railway lines within northern Ukraine, according to Ukraine’s military. The railway connecting Russia to the Kharkiv region and south to Izium is a vital supply line for Russia’s offensive.

Officials from the US Defense Department said they were “mindful and aware” of Ukraine’s request for advanced, multiple-launch rocket systems, but no decisions had been made. According to CNN, the Biden administration is planning to provide MLRS equipment to Ukraine as part of a bigger package of military and security support that might be disclosed as soon as next week.

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Oleksandr Striuk, the head of the Severodonetsk municipal military administration, declared on television: “There have been bloody clashes for control of the city. The Mir Hotel is a hotspot for us. An enemy sabotage and reconnaissance group penetrated the Mir Hotel on May 26 [Thursday]. The [Ukrainian] Armed Forces stood firm in their defense.”

Russian forces had penetrated the hotel in Severodonetsk’s northwestern outskirts, according to a pro-Russian Telegram group, and street fighting was continuing.

The commander of the Luhansk regional military administration, Serhiy Hayday, stated on Friday that a Ukrainian operation to retake the hotel was begun, but added: “The hotel is still under our control. We are, however, working to expel the ruscists [Russian fascists].”

Hayday also reported intense bombardment on Severodonetsk and neighboring Lysychansk as Russian forces moved from the towns of Purdivka and Shchedryshchevo, claiming the police station in Lysychansk was set on fire and over 50 structures were destroyed.

According to the first impartial assessment examining claims of genocide in Ukraine, Russia’s activities in that country provide enough evidence to determine that Moscow is instigating genocide and committing atrocities intended to destroy the Ukrainian people.

The legal paper accuses Russia of breaking several articles of the United Nations Genocide Convention, which is signed by more than 30 top legal scholars and genocide experts. It warns that genocide is a serious and urgent threat in Ukraine, citing a comprehensive list of evidence that includes mass killings of people, forced deportations, and dehumanizing anti-Ukrainian language by high Russian leaders.

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In a video message Wednesday, Zelensky said, “No matter what the Russian state does, there is someone who says: ‘let’s take into account its interests.’ This year in Davos, it was heard again. Despite thousands of Russian missiles hitting Ukraine. Despite tens of thousands of Ukrainians being killed. Despite Bucha and Mariupol, etc. Despite the destroyed cities. And despite the ‘filtration camps’ built by the Russian state, in which they kill, torture, rape and humiliate like on a conveyor belt.

“Russia has done all this in Europe. But still, in Davos, for example, Mr. Kissinger emerges from the deep past and says that a piece of Ukraine should be given to Russia.”

In his remarks, Kissinger said of the conflict that: “Negotiations need to begin in the next two months before it creates upheavals and tensions that will not be easily overcome. Ideally, the dividing line should be a return to the status quo ante,” apparently suggesting that Ukraine agree to give up much of the Donbas and Crimea.

“Pursuing the war beyond that point would not be about the freedom of Ukraine, but a new war against Russia itself,” Kissinger said.

“It seems that Mr. Kissinger’s calendar is not 2022 but 1938, and he thought he was talking to an audience not in Davos but in what was then Munich,” he said. “By the way, in the real year 1938, when Mr. Kissinger’s family was fleeing Nazi Germany, he was 15 years old.”

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According to a statement from the Zaporizhzhia Regional Council, the Russian military launched four cruise missiles on Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday. The city’s air defense fired down one missile, according to the report.

According to the council, at least one person was killed, three others were injured, and 62 buildings in the city’s residential neighborhoods were destroyed.

Valentyn Reznichenko, the chief of the Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, said in a separate statement Wednesday that there had been persistent air raid alerts overnight.

“The enemy fired three missiles at Kryvyi Rih this morning,” Reznichenko said. “An industrial enterprise was hit. There is severe destruction. We are clarifying the information on the victims.”

According to a US official who provided CNN with a declassified map of the region on the condition of anonymity, Russia has built an “effective blockade” in the northern part of the Black Sea. According to the official, Ukraine exports around 10% of the world’s wheat, with the great bulk leaving through Black Sea ports. The UN’s World Food Programme chief has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to reopen Ukrainian ports to export in order to avoid children around the world from going hungry.

According to a Mariupol official, at least 22,000 people were killed during Russia’s three-month assault on the Ukrainian port city. Petro Andriushchenko believes the genuine number is far higher, based on the numerous conversations he and other town hall officials continue to have with authorities locked inside. The figures cannot be verified independently.

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In mid-March, the Russian military seized control of parts of the Kherson region, and Russian-backed officials claim to have taken over a number of government positions.

Officials in Ukraine think that half of Kherson’s population has departed the region, with many claiming to be fleeing Russian domination.

Russian plans to push through a vote on a “Kherson People’s Republic” that would parallel the creation of Russian-backed separatist statelets in eastern Ukraine appeared to have stalled.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, says Kyiv is ready for a prisoner swap with Russia “even tomorrow,” and urges allies to keep the pressure on Moscow up.

“The exchange of people — this is a humanitarian matter today and a very political decision that depends on the support of many states,” Zelensky said Monday via videoconference to an audience in Davos.

“It is really important, that the whole world does not beg Russia, no matter the circumstance, or to make concessions to Russia,” he said.

“[They must] keep the political pressure on any way they can, through powerful business connections, through the closure of businesses, oil embargo, and through threats, real threats of sanctions, thwarting business, we can actively intensify the exchange of our people for Russian servicemen.”

“We do not need the Russian servicemen, we only need ours. We are ready for an exchange even tomorrow,” Zelensky said.

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According to the UN refugee agency, more than 100 million people have been forced to flee conflict, violence, and persecution around the world, a record number exacerbated by the crisis in Ukraine. The “stark” figure, according to UNHCR, is “sobering and disturbing in equal measure” and should serve as a “wake-up call.” According to the report, the war in Ukraine has displaced 8 million people within the country, with more than 6 million refugees fleeing the country.

On Sunday, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he will “redouble efforts” to help Ukraine with “critical food and humanitarian relief.” According to a statement, Johnson discussed the “despicable” blockade of Odesa, Ukraine’s main port city, and said the UK would try to “guarantee that (Ukraine) is able to export to the rest of the world.”

According to the Ukrainian military, a Russian missile attack on Malyn, in the Zhytomyr region west of Kyiv, killed at least one person on Sunday. Russian forces fired “naval-based cruise missiles” from the southeast toward infrastructure facilities in Zhytomyr, according to Ukraine’s Air Command Center. According to the center, its air defense troops shot down four Russian cruise missiles, three of which were shot down by aircraft and one by an anti-aircraft missile.

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After Moscow’s invasion began on February 24, the strategically significant port city was one of the first to be attacked. It had been besieged by Russian forces by early March, leaving people with severe food and water shortages — as well as regular bombardment that destroyed a maternity hospital and a theatre where civilians were sheltering.

By mid-April, most of the remaining Ukrainian troops were trying to keep Russian forces out of the Azovstal steel mill, which had also become a sanctuary for up to 1,000 civilians, including several badly injured people who were stuck without medical care attention.

Russia claimed “liberation” of Mariupol in late April, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected, claiming that soldiers were still struggling in the city.

Civilians have been evacuated from Azovstal since May 1. Ukraine’s military announced on May 16 that its forces had completed their “combat mission” at the steel complex, with hundreds of servicemen evacuated.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers were evacuated from the factory and transferred to a pre-trial detention center, while the badly injured were treated.

Ukraine has stated that it expects to conduct a prisoner-of-war swap for the critically injured servicemen.

If confirmed, Russia’s claim on Friday would mean that after over three months of terrible warfare, the entire city of Mariupol has fallen under Russian control.

According to a Russian Defense Ministry official, the plant’s “final group of 531 insurgents surrendered.” The commander of the Azov regiment in Ukraine had already given an order for soldiers to protect their “life and health… and quit defending the city.”

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“Russian strikes on Chernihiv region, in particular the terrible blow on the Desna, there is an analysis of debris, many dead,” Zelensky said in his nightly address on Thursday.

There are “constant strikes on the Odesa region, on the cities of central Ukraine, the Donbas is completely destroyed — all this has no and cannot have any military explanation for Russia,” he continued. 

“This is a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible,” he said.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine continue to advance in the liberation of the Kharkiv region, Zelensky said.

“In the Donbas, the occupiers are trying to increase pressure. There’s hell, and that’s no exaggeration. The brutal and absolutely senseless bombing of Severodonetsk … There were 12 dead and dozens wounded in just one day,” he continued.

“The bombing and shelling of other cities, the air and missile strikes of the Russian army — all this is not just fighting during the war.”

“This is a deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible. Destroy as many houses, social facilities, and enterprises as possible. This is what will qualify the genocide of the Ukrainian people and for which the occupiers will definitely be brought to justice,” he added.

 “The first trial in Ukraine against a Russian war criminal has already begun. And it will end with the full restoration of justice within the international tribunal. I’m sure of it. We will find and bring to justice all those who give and carry out criminal orders,” he concluded.

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“Negotiation process with Russia continues on evacuation of our heroes from Azovstal. Evacuation mission continues. It’s overseen by our military and intelligence officers. The most powerful international mediators are involved,” Zelensky said.

Late Monday, Ukraine’s military announced that its soldiers had completed their “combat objective” at the massive steel complex, which had been the last significant holdout in a city besieged by Russian troops for weeks.

On Tuesday, the Ukrainian President met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss “Ukraine’s defense support and our EU collaboration.”

“I informed him about the current situation on the battlefield and the possible development of this situation. I had a substantive and lengthy conversation with French President Macron. We discussed the sixth package of sanctions being prepared in the EU, the negotiation process with Russia, and our heroes’ evacuation from Azovstal,” he said.

After hundreds of the remaining Ukrainian soldiers holding out at Mariupol’s massive Azovstal steel complex were evacuated, the war for the plant appeared to be nearing an end.

During a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine on Tuesday, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Defense Hanna Malyar stated that the operation to remove Ukrainian defenders from the Azovstal plant in Mariupol was the only chance for their rescue.

“Unfortunately, military unblocking is impossible in this situation. There could be no other way to rescue them than the way it is happening now. It was the only way out,” Malyar said, adding that “the defenders of Mariupol” have fully fulfilled their combat mission.

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Hundreds of people were evacuated from the steel mill on Monday, the final bastion of Ukrainian resistance in the face of unrelenting Russian shelling.

In a separate video statement, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar outlined the evacuation operation, stressing that some Ukrainian personnel remains at Azovstal.

“Fifty-three seriously injured people were evacuated from Azovstal to a medical facility in Novoazovsk for medical care,” she said. “Another 211 people were taken to Olenivka through the humanitarian corridor.”

An “exchange procedure” will see the evacuees eventually brought home, Malyar also said.

“Ukraine needs Ukrainian heroes alive,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday in a statement about the evacuation, thanking the Ukrainian military and negotiators, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the United Nations.

“The 82nd day of our defense is coming to an end. A difficult day. But this day, like all others, is aimed precisely at saving our country and our people,” Zelensky said.

Since Russia’s invasion in February, Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov, has seen some of the most violent fightings in Ukraine.

Many civilians have been evacuated already. Despite being besieged, low on ammunition, and outmanned by Russian forces, Ukrainian fighters in the city pledged to “fight till the end” in April.

On Monday, the Russian television network RT broadcast footage of 10 to 12 buses leaving the steel facility. The buses appeared to be a mix of hospital and public transportation, with some bearing a red cross.

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“We Social Democrats consider that the best for Sweden and the Swedish people’s security is that we join NATO. This is a decision that we have made after very careful consideration,” Andersson said during a press conference on Sunday.

“For us Social Democrats, the military non-alliance policy has served us well. But our analysis shows that it will not serve us as well in the future,” Andersson said. “This is not a decision that we have taken lightly.”

“It is very clear that there is a before and after the 24th of February 2022. Europe, Sweden, and the Swedish people are living in a new, dangerous reality. The European security order that Sweden has based its security policies on for centuries is now under attack,” Andersson said.

President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin of Finland announced their statement.

“We hope that the parliament will confirm the decision to apply for NATO membership,” Marin said in Helsinki on Sunday. “During the coming days. It will be based on a strong mandate, from the President of the Republic. We have been in close contact with governments of NATO member states and NATO itself.”

“We are close partners to NATO but it is a historic decision that we will join NATO and hopefully we are making the decisions together,” she added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin advised his Finnish counterpart that abandoning military neutrality and joining the bloc would be a “mistake”. Recently, Russia has cut the electric supply to Finland.

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According to Ukrainian sources, this convoy was attempting to leave the town when Russian troops opened fire. The bullet holes are concentrated on the doors of some of the drivers. The area around the trucks is littered with children’s clothes and toys. Russian troops opened fire on this caravan, killing four civilians, including a 13-year-old girl, according to Ukrainian officials.

The remains of a Russian convoy can be found a short distance up the road, out in the woods and hills nearby. Our escorts say there’s the wreckage of an armored personnel carrier in the trees, its tracks ripped away by a rocket-propelled grenade. The leaves where the Russian forces slept, just outside the town, are littered with sleeping bags, prayer books, grenades, and food. Two Russian bodies had been discovered there a few days before and were buried.

Another, more unusual piece of wreckage stands on the crest of the hill: the remains of a Russian T90M tank, allegedly destroyed days earlier by a Swedish-supplied Carl Gustav recoilless weapon. The Ukrainian military ministry posted a video of the tank being destroyed in the alleged strike, demonstrating the susceptibility of Russia’s newest armor to NATO’s hand-carried weapons. The tank’s turret has been dislocated, and ball bearings from the vehicle’s ammunition have been found in the ashes.

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Ukraine’s war will shortly be three months old. Russia’s forces are still well short of President Vladimir Putin’s minimal goals, and the front lines are beginning to look static in many regions. However, the Ukrainian defensive lines in the east have been weakened by weeks of heavy bombing.

There are essentially two battlegrounds forming. The Russians are beefing up their offensive in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The Ukrainians are attempting to both confine and cut them off. It’s like a military chessboard in three dimensions. Natural boundaries shaped by one river in eastern Ukraine are already impacting each side’s progress.

Russian forces have gained some ground, but only in small amounts. Many of their successes, particularly in the south, were made early in the invasion, and they attempted to consolidate them. They have resorted to blanket shelling in the conflict’s core, the Luhansk region’s industrial belt.

“The Russians do not change tactics,” one Ukrainian official said. “They destroy cities and then penetrate the scorched ground.”

For the time being, Russian ground forces are only gaining incremental land, and there are indications of low discipline and morale among some battalions.

According to US officials, Russia still maintains just under 100 battalion tactical groups (BTGs) in Ukraine, with another 20 close across the border. Each BTG has roughly 1,000 men, but US officials believe that many have been degraded by the fighting, which has lasted more than two months.

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Both victims died as a result of the callous shooting, which violated the so-called rules of war by targeting civilians. The victims have been named by CNN. One was the robbed car dealership’s owner, whose family does not want to be identified. Leonid Oleksiyovych Plyats, a 68-year-old grandpa who served as security at the facility, was the other.

Security camera footage shows the initial Russian attempt to conquer Kyiv in March. Fighting raged on the key road to the city, as Ukrainian forces fought Russian troops and tankers to halt the assault.

CNN has confirmed the video’s authenticity. It was created using footage from a variety of cameras located throughout the site, and while it lacks sound, the images are clear. Two defenseless guys were killed in a cowardly and cold-blooded manner.

Five Russian troops arrive and attempt to rob the establishments by firing at locks and smashing windows.

They appear to halt him and examine him for weapons as the owner approaches with his hands raised. Plyats arrives and is frisked as well. Before the troops turn away and the two citizens begin walking back to their guard station, there appears to be some talk.

Then at least two soldiers approach the men from behind and begin firing. Both civilians are knocked down.

A top Ukrainian prosecutor said the incident is being investigated as a war crime.

Aside from the death, the film depicts a slew of other unethical behavior by the group of five troops, who were identified as invading force members by their uniforms, as well as an analysis of who controlled what area at the time and witness accounts.

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On Tuesday, Haines told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the next phase of Putin’s months-long invasion is bleak and unpredictable. “Putin faces a mismatch between his objectives and Russia’s current conventional military capabilities,” she said, adding that his next move will be difficult to foresee.

The circumstances on the ground, according to Haines, could “raise the chance that President Putin will resort to more harsh measures.” “Including establishing martial law, reorienting industrial production, or even escalatory military activities,” according to the report.

She told legislators that the intelligence community does not believe Putin would resort to nuclear weapons unless he believes his country is facing an existential threat. The chief of the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, also stated that the US does not expect Russia to use a tactical or battlefield nuclear bomb anytime soon.

Haines’ remarks come as heavy battle rages in Ukraine’s east, where Russia is attempting to seize territory. Putin’s ambitions, according to the intelligence community, go far beyond the eastern Donbas region. “We are not sure that the struggle in Donbas will successfully end the war,” Haines added, even if they are victorious.

Putin, she claims, intends to take control of the two eastern provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as control the city of Kherson and maybe build a land bridge across Ukraine to Transnistria, a Russian-backed entity in Moldova. However, the intelligence community believes that in order to reach Transnistria, Putin would have to start a full-scale mobilization within Russia, which he has yet to do.

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According to Sergey Bratchuk, a representative for the Odesa regional military administration, three Kinzhal missiles — Russia’s new hypersonic missiles — were fired from a plane and targeted a “tourism infrastructure target.” According to Bratchuk, two persons were hospitalized as a result of the missile hit.

Bratchuk did not name the target, but CNN has tracked down and verified the veracity of two videos circulating on social media that show extensive damage to a hotel in Zatoka. The Odesa City Council was the first to publicize one of the films.

The hotel is the second in the Odesa region to be targeted on Monday. It’s unknown why the two hotels were targeted, or who might have been staying there.

According to Ukraine’s Armed Forces Southern Operational Command, seven missiles also targeted a commercial complex. The strike injured five people and killed one, according to the report.

“And if you’ll notice, (Russia has) just launched the hypersonic missile, because it’s the only thing that they can get through with absolute certainty,” Biden said. “It’s a consequential weapon … it’s almost impossible to stop it. There’s a reason they’re using it.”

“I would not see it as a game-changer,” Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

“On March 18, the Kinzhal aviation missile system with hypersonic aeroballistic missiles destroyed a large underground warehouse of missiles and aviation ammunition of Ukrainian troops in the village of Delyatin, Ivano-Frankivsk region,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said.

The UK Defense Ministry said Moscow probably deployed the Kinzhal to “detract from a lack of progress in Russia’s ground campaign.”

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Jill Biden, the first lady, makes an unannounced trip to Ukraine: On Sunday, the first lady traveled unannounced to Uzhhorod, a small town in Ukraine’s far southwest region. Biden met Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska, who has not been seen in public since the crisis began, at a converted school that now serves as temporary accommodation for displaced inhabitants. In recent weeks, the first lady has become the latest high-profile American to visit the war-torn country.

Hundreds of people are said to have died after Russia dropped a bomb on a Ukrainian refugee school: Russia has been accused by Ukraine of bombing a school in the Luhansk region. Ninety people were thought to be taking refuge in the school, with 60 believed to be dead. The school building was demolished, according to Serhiy Hayday, the chairman of the Luhansk regional military administration.

Evacuations from Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant: “All women, children, and old people” have been evacuated from the Azovstal steel mill in Mariupol, according to the Ukrainian authorities. More than 300 civilians had been evacuated, according to Zelensky.

Acting US Ambassador to Ukraine Kristina Kvien and a delegation of US diplomats arrived in Kyiv on Sunday for the first time since the conflict erupted more than two months ago.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, in Ukraine: Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the reopening of the Canadian embassy in Kyiv during a joint news conference with Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday. More military support for Ukraine was also announced by Trudeau, including drone cameras, satellite imagery, small guns, ammunition, and funds for demining operations.

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The General Staff said Saturday in its weekly operations briefing that in the area of Tsyrkuny and Rusky Tyshky east of Kharkiv, “the occupiers blew up three road bridges in order to slow down the counter-offensive actions of the Defense Forces.”

The Ukrainian military has retaken a number of towns north and east of Kharkiv in the last two weeks, making it more difficult for Russian artillery to attack the city and threatening to disrupt Russian supply lines to forces fighting in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Kharkiv, which lies near the Russian border, was one of the first cities to be attacked when Russia invaded Ukraine.

Russian offensive lulls: The General Staff reported that Russian forces had taken few offensive actions for the second day in a row, while artillery fire and aerial reconnaissance persisted.

According to some Ukrainian officials, Russian forces are taking a break before commencing the next phase, which aims to secure all of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Beyond these two areas, the Russians have continued to bomb Mykolaiv in the south, according to the General Staff. Ukrainians claimed to have destroyed “a storage with ammunition and up to 20 units of enemy military equipment” to the north of the city.

Tensions are building ahead of May 9, also known as “Victory Day” in Russia, which commemorates Moscow’s victory over Nazi Germany. Russian President Vladimir Putin might legally declare war on that day, allowing him to mobilize reserves and scale up the Russian assault, according to Western sources.

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The statement was released by Bennett’s office. “The Prime Minister accepted President Putin’s apology for Lavrov’s remarks and thanked him for clarifying the President’s attitude towards the Jewish people and the memory of the Holocaust.

As Russia was trying to justify the invasion of Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov mentioned the “de-Nazification” agenda they have. Ukraine happen to be led by a Jewish president. He added that Hitler himself had Jewish blood and that most who are anti-Jews are Jews themselves. At the moment that these statements were made, Russia’s ambassador to Israel was summoned. Bennett immediately responded that these claims were lies.

Putin and Bennet also discussed the situation in Ukraine, particularly the evacuation of residents from the Azovstal plant’s site, according to the Kremlin. According to the Kremlin, Putin stated that the Russian military was prepared to ensure the safe evacuation of inhabitants from the Azovstal. Kyiv should order the “militants to put down their arms,” he said.

This Monday, the Azovstal steel complex in the southern city of Mariupol, where soldiers and residents had been sheltering from Russian aggression for weeks, was bombarded. CNN was able to geo-locate video from the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) administration to the Azovstal steel mill, with CNN analysis putting the damage this week.

According to Downing Street, Johnson also reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to helping Ukraine gather evidence on war crimes.

Finally, the two leaders reviewed Johnson’s recent speech to the Ukrainian parliament. Zelensky praised the prime minister on Twitter. According to the readout from Downing Street, Zelensky informed Johnson that the response was “heartfelt, showing the importance of the UK’s support for Ukraine.”

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What we know about the plant is as follows:

The facility, which is located south of Mariupol, is the site of a dramatic last stand against Russian invading forces.

According to its owner Metinvest Holding, Ukraine’s largest steelmaker, Azovstal was a key player on the global stage until recently, producing 4 million tonnes of steel annually and exporting the bulk.

Steel produced at Azovstal is utilised in some of the world’s most iconic monuments, from London’s Shard skyscraper to Manhattan’s Hudson Yards to Genoa’s San Giorgio Bridge (which replaced the fallen Morandi Bridge).

According to Yuriy Ryzhenkov, CEO of Metinvest Holding, which controls the facility, at least 150 people have been killed, with many more still missing.

He claims that the facility employed 11,000 people before the war, and that the company’s employees include family dynasties who have worked in the steel industry for as long as they can remember.

After Russian forces broke the plant’s perimeter, Lt. Col. Denys Prokopenko, the commander of the Azov Regiment soldiers inside, said there are “hard, brutal fighting” inside the complex.

“Heavy artillery and tanks are firing all over the castle,” Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said Wednesday. “Aviation is functioning, ships have approached and are also firing on the citadel.”

According to Boichenko, there are still 30 imprisoned at the plant who need to be evacuated.

Over 100 civilians were evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant over the weekend and arrived safely in Zaporizhzhia.

According to deputy commander Svyatoslav Palamar, fighters inside the besieged facility are “sharing water and food” with civilians, but time is running short.

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On May 9, a formal declaration of war might energize Russian civilians and boost public support for the attack. It would also allow Putin to deploy reserve forces and draught conscripts under Russian law, which officials believe Russia sorely needs due to a rising manpower shortfall. Since Russia entered just over two months ago, at least 10,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the fight, according to Western and Ukrainian sources.

Annexing the breakaway republics of Luhansk and Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, making a big push towards Odesa in the south, or declaring full control over the southern port city of Mariupol are all possibilities for May 9.

“We’ve seen the Russians really double down on their propaganda efforts, probably, almost certainly, as a means to distract from their tactical and strategic failures on the battlefield in Ukraine,” Ned Price said at a State Department briefing.

According to Maksym Marchenko, the chief of the Odesa region military administration, a missile was fired Monday at “one of Odesa’s infrastructure facilities.”

“Unfortunately, there are dead and wounded,” he said.

Separately, the Ukrainian military’s Command South reported, “Another missile strike in the Odesa region. There were hits to the city infrastructure. In particular, one of the religious buildings was damaged. Information about the victims is being clarified.”

Mykhailo Vershynin, chief of the Mariupol Patrol Police said they have been under constant fire since the early morning.

“There are a large number of wounded here. Everything is going toward the destruction of the site. We are highly interested in getting out the wounded, we are highly interested in getting out civilians. We would like to consider the option of extraction for the military contingent.”

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“The occupiers began firing on Azovstal again as soon as the evacuation of some Ukrainians was completed,” according to the commander of the 12th brigade of the National Guard Denis Schlega.

According to him, they were using all sorts of weapons to defend themselves.

It’s unclear whether the increased bombardment will put the next stage of the Azovstal evacuation, scheduled for Monday, in jeopardy. Hundreds of Ukrainian civilians are said to be still trapped in the plant’s debris.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, Iryna Vereshchuk, said “hundreds of civilians remain blocked in Azovstal together with the defenders of Mariupol. The situation has become a sign of a real humanitarian catastrophe because people are running out of water, food, and medicine,” she said.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, said in an interview on Italian television Sunday the “Kyiv authorities are trying by all means to achieve the withdrawal of the Ukrainian radicals remaining in Azovstal, since among them there may be Western officers and mercenaries.”

There’s been no firm evidence western nationals are among the fighters at Azovstal.

“The situation with the confrontation at the Azovstal plant in Mariupol and the stubborn, even hysterical desire of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky, his team, and his Western patrons to achieve the withdrawal of all these people and send them to the territory of Ukraine is explained by the fact that there are many characters who will confirm the presence of mercenaries and, perhaps, active officers of the Western armies on the side of the Ukrainian radicals,” Lavrov said.

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On Friday, Russia’s ruble surpassed a two-year high versus the US dollar. The currency strengthened after Russia announced that it had been able to repay creditors in dollars, avoiding a default.

In a statement, the country’s finance ministry said it had issued a $565 million Eurobond due this year, as well as an $84 million Eurobond due in 2024. According to the finance ministry, both payments were made in US dollars, as required by the bond’s contract terms.

“The payments were made in the currency of issue of the corresponding Eurobonds — in US dollars,” Russia’s finance ministry said in a statement. “In this way, the obligations of servicing sovereign Eurobonds are being carried out in observance of the conditions laid out in the issue documentation.”

Russia announced on April 6 that it had made the payments on those bonds in rubles, prompting S&P to declare Russia in default on its foreign debt obligations three days later. Despite the fact that the dollar payments are already past due, Russia’s late dollar payment is a last-ditch effort to avert default.

Russia has sufficient funds to repay its debts. It can only access nearly half of those cash after the West imposed unprecedented restrictions on its $315 billion in foreign reserves.

Russia, on the other hand, appears to have figured out a method to pay off hundreds of millions of dollars in debt without having to tap into its frozen reserves. According to Reuters, a US Treasury official said the payment must have come from a new pile of money because the sanctions on Russia’s sanctioned currency were not lifted.

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“Of course, the occupiers still have equipment in stock. Yes, they still have missiles to strike at our territory,” he added. “But this war has already weakened Russia so much that they have to plan (to have) even fewer military equipment for the parade in Moscow.”

Russia has issued low casualty estimates on a periodic basis, which analysts believe to be a significant underestimation. Two top NATO military officials assessed the number of Russian servicemen killed in action in Ukraine to be between 7,000 and 15,000 two days previous to Russia’s update. Other US officials estimated Russian losses in the range of 7,000 to 14,000 men killed around the same time, but they expressed “poor confidence” in those estimates.

In an interview with Sky News earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia has suffered “substantial” army losses in Ukraine, calling the losses “a terrible tragedy” for the country.

The truce, which was due to start at 6 a.m. local time, started around 11 a.m. local time, according to Capt. Svyatoslav Palamar, deputy commander of the Azov Regiment.

“As of now, it’s the truth, both sides follow the ceasefire regime,” he said.

The evacuation convoy was very delayed, he said. “Since 6 a.m., we’ve been waiting for the evacuation convoy to arrive, which only arrived at 6:25 p.m.”

“As of now, the rescue operation is ongoing, conducted by the servicemen of Azov – we rescue the civilians from under the rubble,” he added.

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Four of the murdered men worked for Gazprom, Russia’s state-owned energy conglomerate, or one of its subsidiaries.

According to Russian state media RIA Novosti, a top executive at Gazprom was discovered dead at his cabin in the village of Leninsky near Leningrad on January 30, 2022.

According to RIA, a suicide note was discovered at the scene, and the death was being investigated as a suicide. The individual has been identified as Leonid Shulman, the chief of transport at Gazprom Invest, according to Russian state television RenTv.

A month later, another top Gazprom executive was discovered deceased in the same village. According to Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, Alexander Tyulakov was discovered dead in his garage on February 25. He committed suicide, according to Novaya Gazeta.

Mikhail Watford, a Russian billionaire born in Ukraine, was discovered dead in his Surrey mansion on February 28.

The death is being probed by the coroner, according to Surrey Police, who stated a hearing will be conducted on July 29.

According to the Russian newspaper Kommersant, another Russian businessman, Vasily Melnikov, was discovered dead with his family in Nizhny Novgorod in late March.

Melnikov was the owner of MedStom, a medical supply firm. On March 23, a 43-year-old man, his 41-year-old wife, and two children ages four and ten were found stabbed to death, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee.

Two additional Russian businessmen died in suspected murder-suicide events earlier this month.

According to Russian state news outlet Tass, Vladislav Avayev, a former vice-president of Gazprombank, was found dead in his Moscow apartment on April 18 with his wife and kid.

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“It’s difficult to look at some of the images and imagine that any well-thinking, serious, mature leader would do that. So I can’t talk to his psychology. But I think we can all speak to his depravity,” said Kirby at a Pentagon news briefing before pausing for nearly 10 seconds.

“It’s hard to square his … BS that this is about Nazism in Ukraine, and it’s about protecting Russians in Ukraine, and it’s about defending Russian national interests, when none of them, none of them were threatened by Ukraine,” said Kirby.

Kirby listed some of what he called “unconscionable” actions by Russian forces, including civilians being “shot in the back of the head, hands tied behind their backs. Women, pregnant women being killed, hospitals being bombed.”

Kirby subsequently apologized for what he said was injecting his “personal perspective,” and would not elaborate further on the US assessment of Putin’s mental state.

Though Indonesia’s president said Friday that President Vladimir Putin had accepted an offer to attend the G20 conference, the White House secretly told Indonesia that Russia should not be permitted to attend.

Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, highlighted that the conference was still six months away and declined to comment on whether President Biden will attend. However, she stated that he was adamant that Russia should not be present.

“The President has expressed publicly his opposition to President Putin attending the G20,” she said.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said, “Indonesia wants to unite the G20. Don’t let there be a split. Peace and stability are the keys to the recovery and development of the world economy.”

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The war in Ukraine is a historic event that will be in the history books that could reshape the 21^st century. Nearly two months of fighting has pushed politicians to sanction Russia.

“Throughout our history, we’ve learned that when dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they cause more chaos and engage in more aggression,” Biden said. “They keep moving. And the costs, the threats to America and the world, keep rising. We can’t let this happen.”

Among the developments the world is focusing on is if NATO will join the war. Many called for the expansion of US and Western military aid to guard against Russian expansionism. Some are calling for the arming of nations in the Western Balkans and non-NATO states Georgia and Moldova.

Nuclear

Meanwhile, nuclear talks continue to raise concerns as Russia is known to be the country with the largest nuclear arsenal. They have also been open to the fact that they are ready to use it if they are threatened. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged “the danger is real and we must not underestimate it.”

Genocide

Another news that shocked the world is the alleged genocide in the cities of Bucha and Mariupol. Hundreds of bodies were found buried in mass graves on top of the bodies strewn all over the streets. The steel plant where civilians and armies were sheltering in Mariupol has been surrounded for days. It has been bombarded with heavy fire with Ukrainian soldiers vowing to fight till the last.

Political

Politically, the war has shown the broken relations between the east and the west. The two largest economies of Asia, India, and China choose to continue relations with Russia and refuse to sanction. This shows the independence of the east with the west having little to no influence.

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“This is just one of the steps of the Russian federation. This is happening to destabilize the region and threaten Moldova,” Zelensky said when asked by a journalist during a joint press conference in Kyiv with IAEA director-general Rafael Mariano Grossi on Tuesday.

“This is showing that if Moldova supports Ukraine this is what’s going to happen,” he said. 

“With regard to certain Russian troops that are constantly present in the temporarily occupied territory — this has been so for many, many years. We know they’re on alert, just waiting for the order,” Zelensky said.

Alleged drone shots of the cities of Kharkiv and Bucha show Russian soldiers walking the streets strewn with bodies.

In this footage dated March 13, a Russian military vehicle is seen sitting at a crossroads. Three objects in the video — just down the street from the military truck — have been recognized by CNN as the identical bodies seen in the video from April 1 and satellite photographs obtained on March 18 by Maxar Technologies.

Aerial footage taken by a drone on March 13 shows a second Russian military vehicle speeding up the street in the direction of the dead.

A group of Russian soldiers can be seen in the March 12 footage around a military vehicle parked outside of a house, close down the street from the dead. What they’re doing at the residence is a mystery.

Russian officials — President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov — have repeatedly claimed that the videos and satellite images that show bodies in Bucha are fake.

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The head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Oleksandr Pavliuk announced the curfews on Monday. No one is allowed to go out from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM local time.

“We remind you that during the curfew, it is forbidden to be on the street and in other public places, to move by transport, or on foot,” he said. The only ones exempted are those who work on critical infrastructures that hold a special permit.

“During martial law, it is important to adhere to requirements and decisions that are implemented on the ground. Such measures help protect the population from provocative actions of the enemy, “ he added.

In Russia, foreign minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged the danger of nuclear war and says they are working on lowering the possibility of it.

“It is real and it cannot be underestimated,” he said during an interview. He referenced a declaration on nuclear war saying “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought,” Lavrov said the “inadmissibility of nuclear war” remained Russia’s “principled position”.

He added that the fears of nuclear war are due to the west’s inability to trust Russia. He added that the failure to find a successor to the 1980s treaty between Russia and the US was a cause. The treaty was formed back then to ban the use of medium-range nuclear weapons. This pact collapsed in 2019 when the west did not respond to President Vladimir Putin’s offer to suspend the deployment of such weapons.

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During his Easter message, Ukrainian Capt. Svyatoslav Palamar said, “The enemy continues to drop aerial bombs, ships fire artillery, cannons fire, enemy tanks continue to hit, infantry tries to assault.”

Troops of Azov, along with other Ukrainian forces, continue to hold out in the besieged Azovstal factory, which was originally formed as a nationalist volunteer battalion but was later folded into the Ukrainian military. The situation at the plant is “close to a catastrophe,” according to officials. The plant’s owner, Yuriy Ryzhenkov.

Officials in Ukraine predict that 100,000 inhabitants may need to be evacuated from the damaged city. Civilians have been sheltering in the factory for weeks, and supplies are running low. Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister, reported on Thursday that “approximately 1,000 civilians and 500 wounded militaries” were present.

“Immediate and unhindered humanitarian access” to Mariupol is “urgently needed,” according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Sunday that it is “very disturbed” by the situation in Mariupol, where the population is in desperate need of assistance. ICRC has undertaken multiple attempts to evacuate inhabitants from the city, claiming that “every hour that passes has a horrible human cost.” According to the Ukrainian Parliament’s Human Rights Commissioner, Russia has deported residents from Mariupol to Primorsky Krai in Russia’s the Far East. Volunteers told Lyudmyla Denisova that on April 21, a train carrying 308 Ukrainians from Mariupol arrived in the city of Nakhodka, including women with young children, individuals with disabilities, and students.

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As fighting continues in the eastern region of Ukraine, Russia has its eyes on the southern cities of Ukraine. According to Russian state news outlets, Russia’s goal in the second phase of its invasion is to impose “complete control” over southern Ukraine and the eastern Donbas region. It also wants to build a land connection between Russia and Crimea, which it annexed in 2014.

Heavy fighting is reported in the eastern areas of Donetsk and Luhansk, with “intensified” shelling in the southern Mykolaiv region, according to Ukrainian officials. Russian forces are preparing for a new onslaught by sending troops to reinforce captured sites, according to Ukrainian military sources. Meanwhile, new drone footage taken on Friday shows a number of homes demolished in Moschun, a small village north of Kyiv that played a key role in deterring Russia’s march on the capital.

According to Russian state media TASS, Russia’s Defense Ministry recognized deaths from the sinking of its battleship the Moskva for the first time on Friday, stating at least one person was killed and another 27 are missing. The guided-missile cruiser Moskva sank on April 14, albeit the cause is still unknown.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, stated on Friday that normal life is returning to places that have been liberated from Russian rule. Many towns have been de-mined, and humanitarian supplies, as well as medical and educational services, are now available, he said.

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The revelation of satellite photographs gathered and analyzed by Maxar Technologies reinforced Ukrainian officials’ claims concerning the location of apparent mass graves outside Mariupol. Journalists in the area have reported the hurried burial of residents, and photographs have appeared on social media showing bodies seemingly left in the city awaiting pickup.

According to the CEO of the firm that owns the factory, the situation at the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, a large complex that formerly employed more than 10,000 people, is “near to a catastrophe.” According to Yuriy Ryzhenkov, supplies were initially sufficient for two to three weeks, but the embargo had been in place for about eight weeks. Those who remained “weren’t giving up,” he continued. Russian attacks are said to have pinned down hundreds of soldiers as well as civilians seeking sanctuary.

President Zelensky stated that “thousands” of residents are still stuck in the city due to air and ground bombardment, with little chance of safely evacuating. According to the Donetsk regional military administration, 79 residents were successfully evacuated to Zaporizhzhia on Thursday. However, bombardment near the extraction point prevented others from being evacuated, and there was no way to remove residents from the Azovstal plant, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk. Due to “risk on the roadways,” Vereshchuk stated Friday that no evacuation corridors had been agreed upon with the Russian side.

Both Ukraine and Russia claim that they have control over the besieged city of Mariupol. None are independently verified at the moment/

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“We don’t know when we can unblock Mariupol. And I say this openly, that all the boys in Mariupol want our victory, they want a free city, none of them are going to surrender to the enemy. This is their internal feeling, this is what they are,” he added, speaking alongside European Council President Charles Michel in Kyiv.

Many civilians were evacuated through agreed humanitarian corridors, “unfortunately a few thousand civilians went to Russian occupied territories, and we don’t know the fate of these thousands of people,” he added. 

Ukraine is “ready for any format of swaps of our people for the Russian troops that they left behind, the bodies and the wounded that they abandoned here,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the test launch of the Sarmat, an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin congratulated the military on their successful missile test, saying it would “give thought to those who are trying to threaten Russia,” according to the ministry statement as quoted by the state-run TASS news agency.

An intercontinental ballistic missile is among the deadliest weapons that could carry a nuclear warhead across borders. The RS-28 Sarmat is designed to replace the Soviet-era Voevoda ICBM, known by the NATO designation SS-18 Satan.

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Ukrainian commander requests evacuation of Mariupol for troops and civilians as the situation becomes “critical”. Maj. Serhii Volyna, commander of Ukraine’s 36th Separate Marine Brigade made the request to evacuate the Azovstal steel plant.

“I have a statement to the world,” Volyna said. “It may be my last statement because we have only a few days or even hours, left. We appeal to world leaders to apply the extraction procedure to the military of the Mariupol garrison, to the civilians who are with us here at the plant. We ask you to take us to the territory of a third country and provide us with security.”

Both civilians and troops took shelter at the Azovstal steel plant and are now trapped by heavy Russian bombardment.

“This should be at the level of agreements. If we talk about practical application, it could be a ship with helicopters, for example, that could pick us up. Or an international humanitarian mission that can come to us and guarantee our security and accompany us on the way to the state that will make such commitments.”

“We are completely surrounded,” he said. “There are about 500 wounded military, it is very difficult to provide them with medical care. They literally rot. There are civilians on the territory. They are also suffering from explosions, blasts on them, next to them. They [the Russians] use heavy aircraft bombs against us and strike with artillery.”

“This happens all the time. The city is destroyed. Enemy groups outnumber us dozens of times, they have a complete advantage in air, artillery, equipment, manpower. We fight to the last, but we have very little time left,” he continued.

A message to the world

“We appeal to absolutely all world leaders: Whoever will be able to make such commitments, whoever will be able to succeed in the short term in agreeing on such a procedure,” he said. “We know that there are some developments and talks with the Turkish side that it is acting as a guarantor. Probably the United States, because we believe that this is a very powerful state with a strong leader, Biden, and that he can personally resolve this issue in the shortest possible time. Or this issue can be resolved with his help in a short time.”

“If the world hears us, if the world leaders hear us, we very much hope so, and the extraction procedure will be carried out, then everyone will understand the quantitative composition of the people who were in captivity,” he said.

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#armukrainenow trends the internet as the Russian-Ukraine war continues while US and NATO decide on arming the Ukrainian forces. The US raises concerns about the readiness of the Ukrainian forces to use advanced weapons.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answered these concerns.

“I’ve heard these tall tales that we would need months to train our troops to use new tanks. OK, give us a Soviet-era tank,” Zelensky said in an exclusive interview with CNN.

“We are prepared to use any type of equipment, but it needs to be delivered very quickly. And we have the ability to learn how to use new equipment. But it needs to come fast.”

“I have heard many times from certain states that did not want to give us weapons quickly because our soldiers are not ready, from a technical standpoint, to use them,” he added. “But instructors of such equipment, our instructors, will get our troops ready to fight in them. If it’s a plane, for example, pilots can be ready in two weeks. Whether it’s Kamikaze drones, artillery, Howitzers, or (multiple launch rocket system) MLRS complexes, we have very smart people for these. We’ve had training with NATO countries.”

Mariupol

Meanwhile, in Mariupol where Russian forces are forcing Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms and surrender, the Ukrainian President assures the world they will not.

“They say they are ready to let all the military go if they surrender. But they are not going to surrender. They don’t want to do so and this is why it is a complicated and tragic situation because the military don’t want to surrender. And without it, Russians are not ready to let them go,” Zelensky said. “When you can make an agreement with Russians to let them go, unarmed, but after, what they will do is shoot them dead. That is why no one trusts Russia now.”

“We wanted to take away the wounded. We talked about it being a humanitarian mission. Give us the wounded back,” he said. “We even made plans for Turkey to be a mediator and get the wounded, civilians, and the military. They don’t let them out because we understand Russia just wants to shoot them dead.”

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Mariupol has endured heavy shelling for the past few weeks as the Russian forces encircle the city. The Russians gave an order yesterday to lay down arms and surrender the city. The Ukrainian forces defiantly rejected the order and will “fight until the end”.

The city is estimated to have about 100,000 civilians and 22,000 fatalities since the bombings began. Due to its isolation, the numbers could not be further verified.

Today, the Russian forces distributed passes in Mariupol to control the entry and exit of the city. The mayor’s adviser, Petro Andriushchenko reported the development. “Hundreds of citizens have to stand in a line to get a pass, without which it will be impossible not only to move between the districts of the city but also to go out on the streets starting next week,” he said.

The Head of the Kharkiv regional administration, Oleg Synegubov provided updates on the situation in Kharkiv. “Today, in broad daylight, there were shellings of the central part of the city, the residential area of ​​Saltivka from MLRS [multiple rocket systems] and artillery. Unfortunately, 20 people were injured, and 5 people were killed. Apartment buildings and other civilian infrastructure were damaged.”

The city’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov said that the Russian soldiers have not given up on “attempts to destroy the civilian population of Kharkiv, sow panic in the city and break our spirit. Still, the will of Kharkiv, the will of us Ukrainians, cannot be harmed by the enemy. Today, I was convinced of this when I saw how a medic covered a wounded woman during the shelling.”

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zekensky late Saturday said “the situation in Mariupol remains as severe as possible. Just inhuman.”

“Russia is deliberately trying to destroy everyone who is there in Mariupol,” he said in his latest video address.

“There are only two ways to influence this,” Zelensky said. “Either our partners will give Ukraine all the necessary heavy weapons, planes, and, without exaggeration, immediately… Or a negotiating path, in which the role of partners should also be decisive.”

Zelensky said solutions are being sought. “Military or diplomatic – anything to save people. But finding this solution is extremely difficult.”

“Although we have heard many intentions from those who wanted to help and who are really in positions of international influence, none of them have been realized yet.” he added.

“Today I held a meeting dedicated to the reconstruction of our cities,” he said. “Of course, this is a huge amount of work. But still less than defending the state in war.”

The president added, “Now it is a historic moment; the moment when we can solve many old problems of the whole environment of our life once and for all.”

Zelensky addressed the housing situation and what he called the “real modernization of our cities.”

“Millions of people know how difficult it is to get a home, earn money for their own apartment, build a house… Today, I set a task to provide temporary housing to all our IDPs [internally displaced.]…Those whose house was destroyed by war. Temporary housing until we rebuild their homes.”

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Russia-Ukraine War Update – More than 900 bodies were found just outside of Kyiv as President Zelensky warns of nuclear war.

Bodies Found Near Kyiv

The head of Kyiv regional police reported they have found more than 900 bodies of civilians after the Russians left. Andrii Niebytov said the bodies have been transported for an autopsy to find their cause of death. Niebytov also said that “they were ordinary locals, unfortunately also tortured, and we see that they were shot.”

“During the occupation of our cities, the occupiers forced citizens to wear white armbands as if this person had already been checked and was therefore not treated so meticulously. Therefore, in order to save their lives, our citizens wore these bandages themselves to protect themselves from gunshots,” he said. 

He said that wearing white armbands did not always work, “even if they hung white rags on the fences of their apartments,” adding that there were also children who were living in those apartments.

Going Nuclear

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sends a warning to the world that President Vladimir Putin may use nuclear weapons.

“Not only me — all of the world, all of the countries have to be worried because it can be not real information, but it can be truth,” Zelensky said, speaking in English.

“Chemical weapons, they should do it, they could do it, for them the life of the people, nothing. That’s why,” Zelensky said. “We should think not be afraid, not be afraid but be ready. But that is not a question for Ukraine, not only for Ukraine but for all the world, I think.”

CIA Director Bill Burns gave the same warning yesterday, that Russia may use nuclear weapons. “Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that they’ve faced so far militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low yield nuclear weapons,” he said.

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Ground- and air-defense forces would be beefed up, he wrote on Telegram, and Russia would deploy “significant naval forces” in the Gulf of Finland.

If Sweden and Finland join NATO, Medevedev added, “it will no longer be possible to talk about any non-nuclear status of the Baltic — the balance must be restored.”

CIA Director Bill Burns urges the western governments to take these seriously. Russia has the largest collection of nuclear arsenals including intercontinental ballistic missiles.

“Given the potential desperation of President Putin and the Russian leadership, given the setbacks that they’ve faced so far militarily, none of us can take lightly the threat posed by a potential resort to tactical nuclear weapons or low yield nuclear weapons,” he said in public remarks at the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The CIA “watch for that very intently,” Burns said. But he emphasized that the US has yet to see any signs that Russia is preparing to take such a step.

“While we’ve seen some rhetorical posturing on the part of the Kremlin about moving to higher nuclear alert levels, so far we haven’t seen a lot of practical evidence of the kind of deployments or military dispositions that would reinforce that concern—but we watch for that very intently,” Burns said.

“His circle of advisors has narrowed and in that small circle it has never been career-enhancing to question his judgment or his stubborn, almost mystical belief that his destiny is to restore Russia’s sphere of influence,” Burns said.

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“There are more than 100 dead among the civilians in the Sumy region. Unfortunately, this number is growing every day,” Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, head of Sumy regional military administration.

“A lot of people found dead with their hands tied with the signs of tortures, shot in the head,” he added.

Zhyvytskyi alleged “there are people who are held captive and there are daily negotiations for them to be exchanged or set free. A lot of people whose fate remains unknown as of today.”

Sumy saw widespread damage in the early days of the Russian invasion, with several confrontations between civilians and Russian soldiers in the region.

Meanwhile, in the US, Biden made it clear he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is committing genocide but said he would “let the lawyers decide” to use that designation internationally.

“It sure seems that way to me,” Biden said. He cited mounting evidence over the past week for his determination, saying it had become “clearer and clearer that Putin is just trying to wipe out the idea of even being able to be Ukrainian.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the legal process for determining whether genocide was underway would proceed. She added that Biden was voicing his views as the US president, not just a personal stance.

“He’s the President of the United States and the leader of the free world and he is allowed to make his views known at any point he would like,” she went on, adding later: “I think we shouldn’t misunderstand who he is and where he stands on the totem pole, which is at the top.”

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“We take with great attention yesterday’s reports on the use of munitions with a poisonous substance in Mariupol against the defenders of the city. It is not yet possible to draw 100% conclusions about what kind of substance it was,” Zelensky said in a video address on Tuesday. “It is clear that it is impossible to conduct a full investigation and full analysis in the blocked city.”

Zelensky warned other leaders to pay attention to the possibility of chemical weapons put in use.

“However, given the repeated threats of Russian propagandists to use chemical weapons against the defenders of Mariupol and its repeated use by the Russian army, such as phosphorus munitions in Ukraine, the world must respond now,” he cautioned. “React preventively. Because after the use of weapons of mass destruction, any response will not change anything. And it will only look like a humiliation for the democratic world.”

There were reports of Russia finding chemical weapons manufacturing in Ukraine. In earlier news reported in China weeks ago, Russia claimed that the United States was manufacturing chemical weapons in Ukraine. This is one of the reasons they said they did the “special operation” in the country.

Now reports are flooding in regarding Russians using controlled substances in the alleged genocide of people in Mariupol. Both Ukraine and the US said that there were intelligence reports suggesting it is possible. These reports are not independently verified at the moment as both parties claimed the other used chemical weapons. This is an escalation of the war as chemical weapons is a higher level of technology and warfare.

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US says India has to decide how they will deal with the Russian War. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered the message to the Indian Ministers for Foreign Affairs.

He also said that they would continue to call on all nations to back up Ukraine “just as we call on all nations to condemn Moscow’s increasingly brutal actions.”

“Russia’s war against Ukraine is an attack on Ukraine’s people. It’s also an attack on that rules-based order that we both adhere to and defend.”

“[United States] will continue to increase our support to the government and people of Ukraine and call on other nations to do the same, just as we call on all nations to condemn Moscow’s increasingly brutal actions.”

“[Russian War] stands in stark contrast to the vision that the United States and India share for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” and noted that Moscow’s actions were having worldwide consequences.

“India has to make its own decisions about how it approaches” the Russian war in Ukraine and that the US believes “it is important that all countries, especially those with leverage, press Putin to end the war.”

Consequences of War

“We, as a general proposition, are consulting with all of our allies and partners on the consequences of Putin’s war, the atrocities being committed against the people of Ukraine,” Blinken said.

Blinken said it was important that “democracies stand together and speak with one voice to defend the values that we share — and we do share, profoundly, the values of freedom, openness, independence, sovereignty, and those values need to apply everywhere.”

The top US diplomat noted that “India’s relationship with Russia has developed over decades, at a time when the United States was not able to be a partner to India,” but “times have changed” and the US is “able and willing to be a partner of choice with India.”

“And I would also note that India is providing significant humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine, notably medicines which are very necessary and in real demand,” he added.

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“[Mariupol] has been blocked by Russian troops since March 1. It was a city of half a million. Half a million people. The occupiers blocked it and did not even allow food and water to be brought there,” he said, adding:

They tried to capture it in the most brutal way — just to destroy everything in the city. Mariupol is destroyed. There are tens of thousands of dead. But even so, the Russians are not stopping the offensive. They want to make Mariupol a showcase of a ruined city.

“It is a humanitarian catastrophe. The military that was involved in active hostilities here is completely surrounded. There are supply problems with water, food, medication, and general supply. It’s a very difficult situation,” said Serhiy Volyna, deputy commander of the Marine Battalion in Mariupol.

The head of the Kharkiv regional military administration, Oleh Syniehubov reports continuous shelling.

“Last night there were about 66 reports of shelling from Grad and Smerch multiple rocket launchers, artillery, and tanks,” Syniehubov said. “The battles were fought in Zolochiv district, that is in the direction of Derhachiv. Residential areas [of Kharkiv], residential districts of Pyatihatky, Saltivka, Oleksiyivka, the Kharkiv Tractor Plant, and Kholodna Hora were affected again.”

Among the casualties was a seven-year-old child. There were also about 14 people injured and around two thousand houses destroyed.

“We plan to sow 60-80% of the arable land in the Kharkiv region,” he said. “It depends on the military situation. In some places, the fields are mined … The arable land was damaged by explosions.”

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“It speaks to a Russian acknowledgment that it is going extremely badly and they need to do something differently,” the European official said.

Dvornikov, 60, was the first commander of Russia’s military operations in Syria when President Vladimir Putin dispatched soldiers to the country in September 2015 to support Syrian President Bashar al-regime. Assad’s During Dvornikov’s leadership in Syria, from September 2015 to June 2016, Russian planes assisted the Assad regime and its allies as they laid siege to rebel-held eastern Aleppo, bombing heavily populated areas and killing a large number of civilians. In December 2016, Syrian government troops took control of the city.

“We will see how effective that proves to be,” the European official said. “The Russian doctrine, the Russian tactics remain pretty much as they’ve been since Afghanistan.”

“They do things in the same old way,” the official added.

Russian forces have carried out missile strikes in Ukraine’s Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv regions, the Russian Ministry of Defense said Sunday.

“During the night in the village of Zvonetske — Dnipropetrovsk region — high-precision sea-based missiles destroyed the headquarters and base of the Dnipro nationalist battalion, where reinforcements from foreign mercenaries arrived the other day,” Russian defense ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

“High-precision air-launched missiles in the area of ​​​​the settlement of Stara Bohdanivka, Mykolaiv region and at the Chuhuiv military airfield [in Kharkiv region] destroyed launchers of Ukrainian S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems identified by reconnaissance.”

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“This is another war crime of Russia, for which everyone involved will be held accountable,” he said in his nightly address on Friday, adding that Russian state propaganda tried to blame Ukrainian armed forces for the attack.

“We expect a firm, global response to this war crime,” he said.

Zelensky confirmed previous reports from the head of the Donetsk region military administration, that at least 50 people were killed in the attack, including five children.

“Like the massacres in Bucha, as well as many other Russian war crimes, the missile strike on Kramatorsk must be one of the charges at the tribunal, which is bound to happen,” he said.

The Ukrainian President said “all the efforts of the world” will be directed to establish minute-by-minute “who did what, who gave orders, where did the rocket come from, who was carrying it, who gave the order, and how the strike was coordinated.”

“Responsibility is inevitable,” he said.

In Makariv, the mayor says 132 civilians were killed in the latest attacks by Russian forces.

“More than a month now we are without electricity, water, gas, without telephone lines. We don’t even have essential goods at home,” Tokar said.

Makariv, he said, has been hit by a “medical catastrophe,” with all doctors having been evacuated.

He also warned that people in the town need to be careful as mines are scattered in the fields.

“Our deforested areas are heavily littered with mines, and so we will work first on demining these areas before we can begin the full-fledged restoration of our infrastructure,” he said.

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“So far, the Russian state and the Russian military are the greatest threat on the planet to freedom, to human security, to the concept of human rights as such. After Bucha, this is already obvious,” he said, adding that work to clear rubble in Borodianka has begun.

“It’s much scarier there. More victims of Russian invaders,” Zelensky said.

President Zelensky also said that it could be the same situation in Mariupol.

“What will happen when the world learns the whole truth about what the Russian military did in Mariupol? There, on almost every street, is what the world saw in Bucha and other towns in the Kyiv region after the withdrawal of Russian troops. The same cruelty. The same terrible crimes,” he said.

Zelensky suggested that the atrocities committed by Russian forces would be used as propaganda.

“More and more information is coming in that Russian propagandists are preparing, so to speak, a ‘mirror response’ to the shock of all normal people from what they saw in Bucha. They are going to show the victims in Mariupol as if they were not killed by the Russian military, but by Ukrainian defenders of the city,” Zelensky said, “to do this, the occupiers collect corpses on the streets, take them out. And can be used elsewhere in accordance with the developed propaganda scenarios.”

Zelensky said every murder in Ukraine will be investigated and every looter, rapist, and murderer will be found, and that after what the world saw happening in Bucha, it is clear Russia “does not obey” human rights.”

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“It is regrettable that after the exposure of the ‘Bucha incident,’ the US, the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, has not shown any signs of urging peace and promoting talks, but is ready to exacerbate the Russia-Ukraine tensions,” the editorial said.

“No matter how the ‘Bucha incident’ took place, no one can deny at least one thing: War itself is the main culprit of the humanitarian disaster,” it added.

Since the beginning of the war, China has remained neutral and urged both sides to settle the war peacefully. There were allegations that the state media has chosen to support Russian propaganda.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun acknowledged that the images of civilian deaths in Bucha were “deeply disturbing,” but when it came to attributing blame for the situation he urged “all sides” to “exercise restraint and avoid unfounded accusations.”

“The relevant circumstances and specific causes of the incident should be verified and established. Any accusations should be based on facts,” Zhang said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said, “humanitarian issues should not be politicized.”

“All parties should exercise restraint and avoid groundless accusations” before fact-finding was concluded, Wang said, adding that China “is willing to continue to work together with the international community to avoid any harm coming to civilians.”

However, the tone is different within their walls. China News Service ran a post on the popular Twitter-like social media platform Weibo with the hashtag, “Russia shows the video to prove that the Bucha incident is staged” referencing a report from a Russian state news agency.

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“I think Bucha is just the beginning as we liberate more of our country,” Sviatoslav Yurash, Ukraine’s youngest member of parliament.

“You will see much more horror on your TV screens. We are seeing the horror in real life. We cannot but state our utter shock at the fact this is possible in our time,” he said.

Yurash, 26, who spoke from Kyiv, said he was in nearby Borodianka on Wednesday, which was “badly mauled by the Russians.”

Borodianka is among the places Russians have to go through before reaching the capital city. Like in Bucha and Irpin, it is now being liberated by the Ukrainian forces.

“This is a town which has no military base, had no brigade, had no airport, and Russians hit it with everything they’ve got,” Yurash said.

“They basically destroyed the buildings with air power. There are still people in the rubble. There are residential buildings they destroyed. There are shells lying around the city, and they basically have shown that this war is about destroying common people of Ukraine in the Borodianka area like nowhere else.”

“The point is to get the soldiers the supplies to help there, to defeat the Russians and to keep them out of the major cities, keep them from making more Bucha’s around Ukraine,” he said.

The Russian-Ukraine war is not yet over, President Vladimir Putin has moved his forces to the eastern region. There will be more casualties as this continues to send shockwaves around the world.

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“There is already information that the number of victims of the occupiers may be even higher in Borodyanka and some other liberated cities. In many villages of the liberated districts of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions, the occupiers did things that the locals had not seen even during the Nazi occupation 80 years ago. The occupiers will definitely bear responsibility for this,” Zelensky said.

In Bucha, Zelensky said there were more than 300 people killed, but that the total number of casualties will likely increase as the whole city is checked. 

Zelensky underscored the importance of journalists documenting the aftermath in liberated Ukrainian cities.

“We provide maximum access for journalists to Bucha and other liberated cities of Ukraine. For hundreds of journalists from around the world. And we are interested in having thousands of journalists there. As many as possible! For the world to see what Russia has done,” he said.

Zelensky cautioned that Russia will try to cover up the traces of violence committed in Bucha and other cities.

“They are trying to distort the facts. But, as then, they will not succeed. They will not be able to deceive the whole world,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky repeated his plea to be sent more weapons to fight Russian forces.

“I emphasize once again: Ukraine must get all the necessary weapons to drive the occupiers out of our land as soon as possible, to liberate our cities. And if we had already got what we needed – all these planes, tanks, artillery, anti-missile, and anti-ship weapons, we could have saved thousands of people,” he said.

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Residents say the grave, on the grounds behind the Church of St. Andrew and Pyervozvannoho All Saints, started being dug early in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

As Russian forces retreat from the area around Kyiv, the horrors of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine are increasingly coming to light. The death and destruction brought by Russia’s war machine are on full display in Bucha. Bodies could be seen on the streets of the suburb as early as Sunday. Some had their hands tied behind their backs.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has blamed Russia for the killings inside the district, accusing Moscow of trying to put an end to his “whole nation.”

“This is about the destruction and extermination of all these nationalities,” he said in an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

For its part, Russia has denied any involvement, maintaining it doesn’t target civilians and saying the images of bodies on the streets of Bucha are fake.

Inside the district, the roads are littered with destroyed Russian armored vehicles — including tanks — ambushed by Ukrainian drones or units with NATO-supplied hand-held rocket launchers such as Javelins and Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapons Systems, or NLAWs.

In some cases, entire columns of Russian armored vehicles were trapped on narrow residential roads before being destroyed.

The vehicles are now rusting away where they stopped, evidence of the heavy losses Moscow suffered before being driven out of the area around Kyiv.

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US intelligence intercepts suggest Putin is focused on May 9, Russia’s “Victory Day,” according to a US official. Russian President Vladimir Putin is under pressure to demonstrate he can show a victory. The most likely place he could achieve it would be in eastern Ukraine according to the intelligence reports.

“Putin will have a victory parade on 9 May regardless of the status of the war or peace talks,” a European defense official said. “On the other hand: a victory parade with what troops and vehicles?”

Still, US and European officials say any deadlines Moscow may set rhetorically don’t change the reality on the ground that Russia appears to be preparing for the prospect of an extended conflict.

A European diplomat said while the Kremlin is talking optimistically, Putin is preparing for a “Chechnya-style long, drawn-out war, because he, to a certain extent, has nowhere else to go on this.”

Ukrainian officials have publicly pointed to the date as well. “Ahead of May 9, Putin set the goal of a victory parade for this war,” Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Thursday.

“His ultimate goal is, was, and will be to take over Ukraine, but he failed. He failed due to a very strong resolve of the Ukrainian military and very strong unity of Ukraine and the Western world, and the sanctions that have been imposed by the United States and G7 and the European Union,” Yatsenyuk said. “So now, as far as I see, Putin switched to Plan B. My take is that this Plan B has a kind of, deadline.”

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Deputy mayor of Mariupol, Sergei Orlov, detailed the city’s current struggles including food shortage and evacuation problems.

“The city is totally destroyed. The city is like ruins … we’re upset, not because of infrastructure, but because of people. So we do not know how to help our citizens who are suffering inside the city,” he said during an interview with CNN. “Russia does not allow to solve any humanitarian issue, to transfer any humanitarian help and to make evacuation of our citizens for many days.”

“Once again, I want to clarify, there is no solution to reach Mariupol, either humanitarian help, either evacuate citizens,” Orlov noted. “We are talking about evacuating Mariupol citizens who are in Berdyansk, who are near Mariupol, nearest villages…who reached Berdyansk themselves either by walking, either on private cars. A lot of Mariupol citizens made evacuation themselves and it’s about 30-50,000 Mariupol citizens that are in Berdyansk and nearest villages at the moment.”

“So this mission helps us and made it possible to evacuate Mariupol citizens from Berdyansk to Zaporizhzhia. It’s very good. It’s absolutely necessary,” he said, noting that 45 buses were evacuated with more than 2,000 citizens, including 710 children.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

An International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) team traveling to Mariupol said Friday that they were unable to reach the besieged city to help facilitate the safe passage of civilians. The team is planning on trying to make the trip to the besieged city again on Saturday.

“I cannot even describe in words how life looks like in Mariupol,” he said. Citizens “cannot eat … [it’s] common for us to have three dishes, but three dishes per week. So we eat on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. So we cannot even eat a lot.”

Mariupol estimates that more than 100,000 citizens are still in the city, all hiding in hopes of staying safe. The official said citizens are living “as mouses.”

“All of them are living underground in shelters, bomb shelter in some spaces below, so just to have the possibility to survive, not to be killed by airstrikes, by missiles, by shelling,” said Orlov. “They are sharing some food with each other, so it’s typical food for a day is a glass of water with … one or two cakes, one glass of soup in the afternoon and also one glass of water and one cake in the evening.”

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“Today another decision was made regarding antiheroes. Now I do not have time to deal with all the traitors. But gradually they will all be punished,” he said.

The generals — former chief of the Main Department of Internal Security of the Security Service of Ukraine, Naumov Andriy Olehovych, and the former head of the Office of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kherson region, Kryvoruchko Serhiy Oleksandrovych — have been stripped of their rank.

“Those servicemen among senior officers who have not decided where their homeland is, who violate the military oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people as regards (to) the protection of our state, its freedom, and independence, will inevitably be deprived of senior military ranks. Random generals don’t belong here!” Zelensky said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said the situation in southern Ukraine and Donbas “remains extremely difficult” as Russia continues to prioritize military operations in the separatist-controlled region.

In the Donbas region, the besieged southern city of Mariupol, and in the direction of the northeastern city of Kharkiv, “Russian troops are accumulating the potential for strikes,” Zelensky warned.

Russian forces were regrouping in order to “intensify operations in priority areas and, above all, to complete the operation for the complete liberation of Donbas,” Russian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said on Wednesday.

Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s commitment to “do everything we can to stop the invaders.”

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“It’s the information we’re confident in,” the official said. “I think it’s information that we’re confident in now and it’s also information that probably had a degree of truth to it before the invasion.”

The US revealed declassified intelligence showing that Putin has been misinformed by his own advisers.

“There’s only so much we can say about where this information is derived from,” the official said, declining to provide additional details on the intelligence. He explained it was necessary to protect sources and methods.

“Putin clearly seems to have thought that he could go into Ukraine, that his forces wouldn’t meet resistance, that they would be greeted warmly including in Russian speaking parts of Ukraine, that he would be able to take Kyiv in a matter of 48, 72 hours,” the official said.

“Every single element that he seems to have believed turns out to be wrong. So, whether his advisers weren’t giving him the full unvarnished truth, whether he wasn’t listening, you know … I think we’ve seen this every step of the way.”

Speaking on a visit to Morocco, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “One of the Achilles’ heels of autocracies is that you don’t have people in those systems who speak truth to power or who have the ability to speak truth to power. And I think that is something that we’re seeing in Russia.”

US Sen. Angus King said that Russian President Vladimir Putin might become desperate. “The Russians do seem to be refocusing towards the east and the danger is they encircle the Ukrainian troops and squeeze them pretty substantially.”

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“Any outcome of the operation (in Ukraine), of course, is not a reason for usage of a nuclear weapon,” Peskov said. “We have a security concept that very clearly states that only when there is a threat for existence of the state, in our country, we can use and we will actually use nuclear weapons to eliminate the threat for the existence of our country.”

When asked about US President Joe Biden’s comments calling Vladimir Putin a “butcher” and declaring the Russian President should no longer remain in power, Peskov said “it is quite alarming.”

“It is personal insult,” Peskov said. “Of course, it is completely unacceptable. It is not for the United States’ President to decide who is going to be and who is the president of the Russian Federation.”

According to Russian and Turkish officials, the latest round of Russia-Ukraine talks will take place in person in Istanbul on Tuesday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed Moscow’s optimism that the summit will “accomplish our essential aims.” Following prior face-to-face conversations in Belarus, the most recent round of talks took place about two weeks ago.

Despite the Ukrainian military, journalists, and refugees fleeing the nation reporting devastating bombardments targeting civilian facilities such as houses, schools, and hospitals, Peskov denied that Russian forces purposefully targeted people in Ukraine in the PBS interview.

“They are not selling houses., they are not shelling apartments. They are not shelling civil objects,” Peskov said. He added, “They are only shelling and they’re aiming of military infrastructure.”

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Biden’s remarks on Putin put the White House in clean-up mode. President Joe Biden remarked during his speech in Warsaw that President Vladimir Putin “cannot remain in power”.

“I just was expressing my outrage. He shouldn’t remain in power, just like, you know, bad people shouldn’t continue to do bad things,” Biden said in an interview with CNN. “But it doesn’t mean we have a fundamental policy to do anything to take Putin down in any way.”

“I was talking to the Russian people,” Biden said on Monday at the White House. “The last part of the speech was talking to Russian people,” he said. “I was communicating this to, not only the Russian people but the whole world. This is … just stating a simple fact that this kind of behavior is totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable. And the way to deal with it is to strengthen and keep NATO completely united and help Ukraine where we can.”

Clean Up Mode

This has happened frequently as White House officials clean up after speeches of so-called “Ad-libs”.

As he was hailing the heroism of the Ukrainians, Biden told US troops, “You’re going to see when you’re there” — even though he’s vowed American forces won’t be entering the conflict directly. Afterward, a spokesman said nothing had changed: “The President has been clear we are not sending US troops to Ukraine.”

On Monday, Biden pushed back on any suggestion he’d told US troops stationed in Poland they were going to Ukraine, telling a reporter, “We were talking about helping train the troops that are the Ukrainian troops that are in Poland. That’s the context.”

Kremlin’s Response

Officially, the Kremlin’s response came from spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who said the fate of the Russian ruler is “not to be decided by Mr. Biden.”

Peskov then said on Monday that the comments “are certainly causing concern,” adding, “We will continue to closely monitor the statements of the US President. We carefully note them and will continue to do so.”

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Russian missiles targeted the cities of Lutsk, Kharkiv, Zhytomyr, and Rivne on Sunday, according to Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podoliak. “Every day, more and more missiles are launched. “Mariupol was bombed on the ‘carpet,'” he claimed. “Russia no longer has a language, a civilization, or a humanism.” Only missiles, bombs, and attempts to obliterate Ukraine off the face of the planet.” 

In a video shared on social media, Zelensky claimed that peace and the restoration of normal living are the “clear” aims of Ukraine, ahead of a fresh round of peace talks scheduled for Tuesday in Istanbul. “Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unquestionable. Effective security assurances for our country are required “he stated A neutral, non-nuclear status for Ukraine in the form of a “real treaty” was acceptable as part of a compromise with Russia, Zelensky told journalists on Sunday, but any agreement would have to be submitted to a referendum.

Responding to a reporter’s query about whether he was pushing for regime change in response to statements made Saturday, US President Joe Biden answered, “No.” President Vladimir Putin of Russia, according to Biden, “cannot remain in power.” Other members of the Biden administration have tried to clarify Biden’s remark.

During an operation in the Kharkiv region, what appear to be Ukrainian forces shoot individuals who are allegedly Russian detainees in the knees in a nearly six-minute video. When asked about the video, Oleksiy Arestovych, a senior presidential advisor, said: “The government is taking this extremely seriously, and an investigation will be launched right now. We’re a European army, and we don’t make fun of our detainees. This is completely terrible behavior if it turns out to be true.”

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Here are more companies in various sectors that have shut operations

Dunkin Donuts, Papa John’s, Burger King, and Yum Brands are franchises that have cut ties but the venture partner in Russia refused to close. These chains own only a part of their business in Russia, mostly below 50%. If their Russian business partner who owns most of the share decides to stay open, they could not do anything.

Bunge, Cargill, and Trafigura argue that exiting the country could risk world supply chains. Natural resources like wheat, corn, and nickel are used for producing essential products. Not just for Russia but for the entire world. Suspending operations in this area could mean a reduction of supply.

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Later, the White House released a statement saying that this was not a call for a regime change.

“The President’s point was that Putin cannot be allowed to exercise power over his neighbors or the region. He was not discussing Putin’s power in Russia, or regime change,” a White House official said.

Biden’s line that Putin “cannot remain in power” was not in his prepared remarks, a White House official said.

“For us, it’s not about regime change. The Russian people have to decide who they want to lead them,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said earlier this month.

“This is not to be decided by Mr. Biden,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “It should only be a choice of the people of the Russian Federation.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated his plea for international partners to step up their military assistance, saying his country only asks for 1% of NATO’s tanks and planes. In a Saturday video message, Zelensky said the need to strengthen common security in Europe was raised during his two conversations with Polish President Andrezj Duda Saturday.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement Saturday that the United States intends to provide “an additional $100 million in civilian security assistance” to Ukraine.

The money is intended “to enhance the capacity of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs to provide essential border security, sustain civil law enforcement functions, and safeguard critical governmental infrastructure in the face of President Putin’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack,” according to the statement.

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There are a number of companies who refuse to leave Russia and say it’s due to “humanitarian concerns.” Previous reports have shown big names like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Universal Music, and Heineken have all exited Russia. There are others who have stayed to provide essential needs.

Abbott Labs, AbbVie, AmerisourceBergen, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Pfizer had to stay to provide medicines. They cited that humanitarian decency requires them to provide health-related supply chains. We have to remember that the people of Russia did not sign up for war. They have the right to the supply of vital medicines, especially for those with underlying health concerns.

Carlsberg, Danone, General Mills, Kellogg, Kraft-Heinz, Mars, Mondelez, Nestle, and Pepsi supply water and food. There are essential grocery items produced by these companies that are necessities for daily life. Granted that chocolates and snacks are not that essential but everyone needs access to it.

Ventures

Dunkin Donuts, Papa John’s, Burger King, and Yum Brands are franchises that have cut ties but the venture partner in Russia refused to close. These chains own only a part of their business in Russia, mostly below 50%. If their Russian business partner who owns most of the share decides to stay open, they could not do anything.

Bunge, Cargill, and Trafigura argue that exiting the country could risk world supply chains. Natural resources like wheat, corn, and nickel are used for producing essential products. Not just for Russia but for the entire world. Suspending operations in this area could mean a reduction of supply.

At the end of the day, we have to separate the people, they did not sign up for the war. Granted that the people of Ukraine did not sign up for it too, it was not the Russian people who attacked them. We also have to keep in mind they are human too, they too have needs and they too deserve to be supplied with essential goods.

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“In general, the main tasks of the first stage of the operation have been completed,” Colonel-General Sergei Rudskoy, first deputy chief of Russia’s General Staff, said in a Friday briefing. “The combat potential of the armed forces of Ukraine has been significantly reduced, allowing us, I emphasize again, to focus the main efforts on achieving the main goal — the liberation of Donbas.”

For days, the Russian advance has been halted in Kyiv and Kherson. The Ukrainian forces were able to defend the city and push back the Russian army.

“The public and individual experts are wondering what we are doing in the area of ​​the blockaded Ukrainian cities,” Rudskoy said. “These actions are carried out with the aim of causing such damage to military infrastructure, equipment, personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the results of which allow us not only to tie down their forces and prevent them from strengthening their grouping in the Donbas but also will not allow them to do this until the Russian army completely liberates the territories of the DPR and LNR.”

The Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics are located in the eastern part of Ukraine. They have declared their independence which President Vladimir Putin backed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that the goal of what Russian officials refer to euphemistically as the “special military operation” in Ukraine is the complete demilitarization of the country. Putin has said the war is going according to plan. Rudskoy said in the same briefing that 1,351 military personnel had been killed in Ukraine and 3,825 had been wounded.

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“Soon you will feel the wrath of the world’s hackers,” Anonymous declared in a video on Twitter in late February.

The group has made good on its promise. They have hacked a Russian State TV channel and interrupted programming to show the bombing of Ukraine.

The Russian government has very tight control over its media. President Putin signed a law that criminalizes reporting against the official government statement on the war in Ukraine.

Western sanctions are working to cut-off Russia from international trade and the international banking system. Among the steps they took is Russia being removed from the SWIFT systems that allow international transfers.

Anonymous’s main advantage is its digital capability. Although unconventional, they have means that could change the tide. Among their targets are international companies that have not yet left Russia. They tweeted “Your time is running out. We do not forgive. We do not forget.” Also, earlier this month, members of the group offered $52,000 worth of Bitcoin to Russian soldiers to abandon their tanks.

There are also a number of hackers from Poland who have built a group named Squad 303. The name comes from a World War II Polish fighter squadron. They have built a website that allows people to send messages to random Russian numbers to inform them about the war. So far about 20 million tests have already been sent.

In the digital age, cyber talents are vital because they provide support and protection in places that no armies could go.

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EU sanctions are “a little too late”, says President Zelensky in his message. He thanked all the European allies’ support through economic sanctions against Russia but it’s already too late. Zelensky said if the sanctions had been preventative, there was a chance Russia would not have gone to war.

“You blocked Nord Stream 2. We are grateful to you. And rightly so. But it was also a little late. Because if it had been in time, Russia would not have created a gas crisis. At least there was a chance,” he told the council.

Zelensky told member states: “The Russian military does not see what dignity is. They do not know what conscience is. They do not understand why we value our freedom so much. This is what determines how the country will live.”

He said Russia has already destroyed 230 schools, 155 kindergartens and killed 128 children in Ukraine.

“Whole cities, villages. Just to ashes. Nothing remains,” he said, “The Russian military killed journalists. Although they saw the inscription “Press” on them. They may not have been taught to read. Only to kill.”

In his address, Zelensky thanked member states for their support but stopped short of thanking Hungary, calling on Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban to “decide already” on its treatment of Russia.

“You hesitate whether to impose sanctions or not? And you hesitate whether to let weapons through or not? And you hesitate whether to trade with Russia or not? There is no time to hesitate. It’s time to decide already.”

European countries have cut ties with Moscow as they refuse to buy any export from the country. Investors also exited the country cutting all financial ties and future projects. Some even seized Russian oligarch properties and banned them.

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“If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO I don’t know … we are a nuclear power, why not?” Russian Deputy Ambassador to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy said.

He was asked if it was a legitimate threat, he answered that it must be considered. “I don’t think it’s the right thing to be saying but it’s not a right thing to threaten Russia and to try to interfere. So when you’re dealing with a nuclear power of course you have to calculate all the possible outcomes of your behavior.”

A previous statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s chief spokesman refused to rule out the use of nuclear weapons. Especially if Moscow deems it as an “existential threat”.

The US government formally declared that members of the Russian armed forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine. These are based on “credible reports” of the deliberate targeting of civilians. The indiscriminate attacks have led to the destruction of civilian infrastructures like schools and hospitals.

Russian diplomat Polyanskiy denied that Russia was committing war crimes in Ukraine.

“Of course, it’s not up to me to assess — I’m not there, you’re not there, you’re looking at the videos, you’re looking at many videos considered to be fake news,” he told Sky News.

Civilians still in the city of Mariupol have been without water, power, and food, and describe bodies left in the street because it is too dangerous to collect them. Zelensky has said the sustained Russian attack on Mariupol is an “act of terror” that will be “remembered for centuries.”

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Russian President Vladimir Putin’s chief spokesman Dmitry Peskov did not admit or deny the possibility. He did admit that Russia has not yet achieved its military objective in Ukraine. When asked about the use of Nuclear weapons on “existential threats”, his answer is unclear. “If it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be,” he said.

In February, President Putin already gave a hint that he might resort to using it. “No matter who tries to stand in our way or all the more so create threats for our country and our people, they must know that Russia will respond immediately, and the consequences will be such as you have never seen in your entire history.”

He also said, “officials in leading NATO countries have allowed themselves to make aggressive comments about our country, therefore I hereby order the Minister of Defense and the chief of the General Staff to place the Russian Army Deterrence Force on combat alert.”

Dmitry Peskov said that the “special military operation is going on strictly in accordance with the plans and the purposes that were established beforehand.”

He also echoed Russia’s demands saying that the “main goals of the operation” are to “get rid of the military potential of Ukraine,” to ensure Ukraine is a “neutral country,” to get rid of “nationalist battalions,” for Ukraine to accept that Crimea — annexed by Russia in 2014 — is part of Russia and to accept that the breakaway statelets of Luhansk and Donetsk “are already independent states.”

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The US is aware of Russian hypersonic missiles launched towards Ukraine as confirmed by US President Joe Biden. Many are concerned about this advanced weaponry and here is why.

“And if you’ll notice, (Russia has) just launched the hypersonic missile, because it’s the only thing that they can get through with absolute certainty,” Biden said. “It’s a consequential weapon … it’s almost impossible to stop it. There’s a reason they’re using it.”

All missiles are considered hypersonic since they travel five times the speed of sound. It is an existing technology that many countries possess. Any rocket missile launching in the atmosphere will reach the same speed.

HGV

Experts are concerned if it is a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV). This particular missile can fly low and undetected by radar, almost impossible to intersect. It can also adjust its course and altitude while on its flight.

Russia is thought to have this technology named the Avangard system which President Vladimir Putin announced in 2018. He said it was “practically invulnerable” to any Western air defenses.

The Kinzhal missile that was launched by Russia is not an HGV. A part of its advantage is that it can be launched using the MiG-31 fighter jets. This gives it a longer range and the ability to be launched from multiple directions.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies reported the capabilities of these missiles.

“The MiG-31K can strike from unpredictable directions and could avoid interception attempts altogether. The flying carrier vehicle might also be more survivable than the road-mobile Iskander system,” the report said. “This suggests that claims of the Kinzhal’s invulnerability to missile defense systems may also be somewhat exaggerated”.

Although the US is aware of one instance it was launched, the question as to why it was launched is still unanswered. It is not necessarily an escalation of the war but could be related to other internal problems.

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As Kyiv is being surrounded, the Ukrainian army pushed them back on the northern and western part of the capital. The Russian appeared to have either been stalled or pulling back jeopardizing supply lines.

About 48 kilometers from Kyiv is the city of Makariv where Ukraine regained control of the town. For the past few days, the town has experienced a number of bombings and destruction. Today, the Armed Forces of Ukraine said they have taken back the town. If they can defend it further and manage to consolidate control, the Russians will not be able to move further.

In the town of Moschun about 35 kilometers from Kyiv, the Ukrainian army is seen patrolling the streets. Satellite images show armored vehicles abandoned or destroyed on the streets.

In the western part of Kyiv, mother nature seems to have provided an additional defense for the city. The Irpin River has flooded the area and made it difficult for the Russians to cross it. The dam has caused the flood but it is unclear if it was opened by the Ukrainians or hit by strikes.

In the cities of Kherson and Mykolaiv, the Ukrainian forces are trying to regain the cities.

Now that Ukraine fights back the Russian army, many wonder if this would escalate the attacks. Many anticipate that the Russians will now use more advanced and deadlier weapons to try to take the city. In recent news, Russia has launched a hypersonic missile which is an advanced weapon.

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This suggests that Russia’s response to the US’s support of Ukraine and harsh economic sanction against the country is a cyber-attack. The US government is concerned that this is part of Putin’s escalation of the war. Recent changes in Russian tactics suggest that they are upping their game. Russia began shelling civilians as well as using new generation weaponry like hypersonic missiles.

 “The magnitude of Russia’s cyber capacity is fairly consequential, and it’s coming,” the President warned. “He hasn’t used it yet, but it’s part of his playbook,” Biden said of Putin.

For a year, the US has blamed the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service for the SolarWinds attack. Also, a group of Russian hackers was believed to be behind the ransomware cyberattack on the trans-America Colonial Pipeline.

In Ukraine, there were small cyber attacks against banks and government agencies. There has been no major cyber attack with heavy repercussions like a blackout or shutting down powerlines.

The US president also warns big businesses to increase their defenses and ensure additional security.

As he put it: “You have the power, the capacity, and the responsibility to strengthen the cybersecurity and resilience of the critical services and technologies on which Americans rely.”

Cybersecurity comes at a cost and it could hurt small businesses significantly.

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Nestle, makers of global brands like Nescafe, Koko Crunch, Kitkat, and many more defended their stance.

“We have significantly scaled back out activities in Russia: we have stopped all imports and exports from Russia, except for essential products,” a Nestlé spokesperson said. “We no longer make investments or advertise our products. We do not make a profit from our remaining activities.”

“The fact that we, like other food companies, supply the population with important food does not mean that we simply continue as before,” Nestlé said. “We are still one of the few active food companies in Ukraine and sometimes even manage to distribute food in Kharkiv,” Ukraine’s second-largest city, which is currently under siege.

Nestlé said at the time it is “shocked and deeply saddened by the invasion of Ukraine” and the company stands with the international community in calling for peace and the restoration of security and stability.

Many companies have already left Russia like Heineken, Carlsberg, Universal Music, McDonald’s, and Starbucks. They left to support the end of the war as well as the people of Ukraine.

It is the sad truth of war as we see children suffering in Ukraine, cutting the supply of essential goods could mean suffering for Russians. The people of Russia did not sign up for the war and yet they are being asked to pay for it. Is it right to ask a company to starve the people of another country who did not sign up for the war?

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The Russia-Ukraine war is still ongoing as both sides attempt to negotiate for peace. President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for talks however he added that any constitutional changes need a referendum. It would require members of the government to come together and vote on the changes.

“It is a long process which will be decided by the parliament and by the Ukrainian people,” he said.

“I explained to our negotiators at the talks that when one is talking about changes — and these changes may be of historic importance — there is no other way around it, we will have to hold a referendum,” he said.

“The people will have to speak up and respond to this or that form of compromise you have mentioned. And what they (the compromises) will be is the subject of our talks and understanding between Ukraine and Russia.”

When asked if he is willing to compromise with his Russian counter-part Zelensky said: “I think that without this meeting you cannot truly understand what they are really prepared to do in order to stop the war and what they are prepared to do if we are not ready for this or that compromise.”

Inhuman

In a video recently uploaded in Telegram, Zelensky called Russian soldiers inhuman. “They definitely have emptiness instead of heart. Instead of soul. Instead of everything that makes human, human.”

“Our military has already shot down so many Russian planes and helicopters that one can only wonder what do their pilots have instead of mind? Is it also emptiness?” he said.

Zelensky also said, in Kherson, “the occupiers shot at people who peacefully took to the streets without weapons at a rally for their freedom. For our freedom.

“The Russian soldiers do not even know what it is like to be free. They were driven here, to be honest, as if sentenced. Sentenced to death, sentenced to disgrace.”

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“China will continue to make independent judgments based on the merits of the matter and in an objective and fair attitude. We will never accept any external coercion and pressure, and we also oppose any groundless accusations and suspicions against China,” Wang Yi told reporters, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Wang said “the long-term solution is to abandon the Cold War mentality, refrain from engaging in group confrontation, and truly form a balanced, effective and sustainable regional security architecture. Only in this way can long-term stability on the European continent be achieved.”

This statement comes after the 110-minute call between US President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US believes that China is considering supporting Russia’s request for military and economic support.

China’s Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng claimed Western countries were “weaponizing” globalization.

“Sanctions will only harm ordinary people, impact the post-war economic and financial system, and make the world economy worse,” Le said at the International Forum on Strategy and Security held by Tsinghua University.

He added that “historical experience has proven time and again that sanctions cannot solve problems.”

Le said the “root” of Ukraine’s conflict is “Cold War mentality and power politics” and blamed NATO for “going back” on a purported “promise” to not expand eastward.

NATO should have disbanded and been “consigned to history” with the Warsaw Pact, he said.

“NATO continues to strengthen and expand. One can imagine the result of this, the Ukraine crisis is a warning,” Le added.

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Russia increases the attack with the first known use of a hypersonic “Kinzhal” missile, a powerful and destructive weapon. It was launched and hit a military ammunitions warehouse in western Ukraine.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced its launch on Friday. “On March 18, the Kinzhal aviation missile system with hypersonic aeroballistic missiles destroyed a large underground warehouse of missiles and aviation ammunition of Ukrainian troops in the village of Delyatin, Ivano-Frankivsk region.”

The missile was first introduced in 2018 when President Vladimir Putin announced its development. He claimed that it was a missile that carries a nuclear warhead and delivers it at hypersonic speed.

The ministry also claimed that this missile is highly maneuverable and travels at the speed of light. It could be compared to the capabilities of MiG-31 fighter jets.

This is a major escalation and the possible beginning of the use of nuclear warheads.

The Effects of War

Since the invasion has begun, at least 847 civilians including 64 children. This number is based on the United Nations database, they do believe that the actual toll is higher.

According to UNICEF, about 1.5 million children have been evacuated from Ukraine. They added that “countless others” are displaced inside the country.

Mariupol

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attack on the city is an “act of terror” that will be “remembered for centuries.”

According to reports, the residents of Mariupol are taken to Russian territory against their will. Captured residents were taken to camps where Russian forces checked their phones and documents, the city council said.

The city is continuously bombarded by the Russian troops. The residents begin to ration food and water to survive.

Missile Strike

In the southern city of Mykolaiv, military barracks have been hit with missiles. Regional official Vitalli Kim estimates that dozens of soldiers have been killed.

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When the Ukraine invasion began, many huge companies also began to boycott Russia. Companies like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Heineken, and Carlsberg have already exited the country. For Burger King, it could be a little complicated.

“We started the process to dispose [of] our ownership stake in the business,” said David Shear, president of RBI’s international operations, in an open letter. “While we would like to do this immediately, it is clear that it will take some time to do so based on the terms of our existing joint venture agreement.”

Burger King is under the Restaurant Brands International. RBI partnered with Russian businessman Alexander Kolobov to open stores in Russia. In their agreement, RBI controls only 15% of the venture and Kolobov has the majority. He is the one who handles “day-to-day operations and oversight” in Russia.

In comparison to McDonald’s which owns 80% share of its ventures, it is easier to shut down the business. RBI has demanded to shut its businesses in Russia and end the venture but Kolobov has “refused to do so.”

“There are no legal clauses that allow us to unilaterally change the contract or allow any one of the partners to simply walk away or overturn the entire agreement,” Shear said. “No serious investor in any industry in the world would agree to a long-term business relationship with flimsy termination clauses.”

Burger King pulled out its corporate support from Russia including suspending operations, marketing, and supply chain assistance.

RBI is not the only one experienced joint venture complications. Papa John’s partner in Russia also refused to close over 200 stores in Russia.

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The Chinese President has expressed that he is uninterested in escalating the war. He added that US and China have a responsibility in ensuring peace.

“We have that concern,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said. “The President detailed what the implications and consequences would be if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians. And that is something we’ll be watching and the world will be watching.”

No additional details were released about the talks except that it was “direct,” “substantive” and “detailed”. There were also no details on the sanctions the US will make in case China supports Russia.

“China has to make a decision for themselves on where they want to stand and how they want the history books to look at them and view their actions,” Psaki said. “That is a decision for President Xi to make.”

China have always expressed that they are open to mediating talks between Russia and Ukraine to promote peace. They have not denounced the invasion but they also acknowledge Ukraine’s need of humanitarian assistance. There were reports however that inside China, they are supporting the Russian propaganda.

“We must not only lead the development of China-US relations down the correct path but also shoulder our international responsibilities and make efforts for world peace and tranquility,” Xi said on the video call, according to CCTV.

“The world is neither peaceful nor tranquil,” Xi acknowledged. “The Ukraine crisis is something we don’t want to see.” could be open to supporting the Russian aggression.

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“I want everyone to hear me now, especially I want them to hear me in Moscow. It’s time to meet, time to talk, time to restore territorial integrity and justice for Ukraine, or else Russia will face such losses that several generations will not be enough for it to rise back up,” he said.

He said that the Russian military actions were also making it worse for their country. He added that negotiations “without stalling” are the best way forward for both nations.

“We always insisted on negotiations,” Zelensky said. “We always proposed dialogue and solutions for peace. Not just during the 23 days of the invasion.”

“War must be stopped,” Zelensky said. “The Ukrainian proposal is on the table.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that the country’s ministers are working on a program for those affected by war. The plan includes the following:

Help displaced people find jobs in places they are currently located. This is “so that every one of our people, every one of our families had the foundation for life.”

Provide housing for displaced people, and organize efforts to rebuild destroyed houses once the war is over.

Provide support to families housing people who fled occupied territories or areas where combat is ongoing. “At a minimum, they will receive reimbursement of their utility expenses related to housing the resettled people,” Zelensky said.

He also announced a coordination center is open that hand humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He has also said that his office is in coordination with ambassadors to increase the deliveries.

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that China respects “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.”

“China always stands for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, attaching importance to the legitimate security concerns of all countries, supporting all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis and promoting peace talks and easing the humanitarian situation,” Zhao said.

“China’s position is above board, fair, objective, and unquestionable.”

China has talked about a “no-limits partnership” with Russia. President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin have expressed support for each other numerous times.

US officials allege that Russia asked for economic and military support from China and Beijing is open to the idea. Both countries have always denied this allegation.

Mr. Zhao addressed it by saying “some people in the US have been spreading disinformation to smear and put pressure on China, which is extremely irresponsible and will not help solve the issue. China is firmly opposed to this and will never accept it.”

“The US should seriously reflect on its role in the Ukrainian crisis, take its due responsibilities, and take concrete actions to ease the situation and resolve the issue, rather than adding fuel to the fire and shifting the conflict to others,” he said.

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Pop stars condemn the Russian war. Huge western music stars have shown their support to Ukraine. Madonna condemned the attack on Ukraine while Iggy Pop and Pink Floyd canceled their Russian tours.

Sting’s Instagram account has racked up more than 2.2 million views for his song “Russia” released in 1985. The song is asking for peace and de-escalation.

“I never thought it would be relevant again but in the light of one man’s bloody and woefully misguided decision to invade a peaceful, unthreatening neighbor the song is once again a plea for our common humanity,” he wrote in the introduction.

He dedicated the song to “the brave Ukrainians fighting this brutal tyranny and also the many Russians protesting this outrage despite threats of arrest and imprisonment”.

The Cure, another legendary 1980s band, has been selling T-shirts with their name in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag to raise money for the UNHCR, the UN’s refugee agency. Robert Smith has been retweeting messages about Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, currently on trial and facing 13 years in a prison colony.

“Our thoughts are with the Ukrainians and all the brave people who oppose this violence and seek peace,” tweeted Iggy Pop.

Nick Cave and Gorillaz are among other bands canceling Russian shows.

“Our thoughts and love go out to the brave people of Ukraine, their heroic leader, and all those suffering from this senseless war,” said Cave in a statement.

Russian People

Scottish band Franz Ferdinand also canceled their tour but emphasized the distinction between the Russian government and the people.

“We love Russia. This great country has inspired our band through its art and literature and since we first played there 17 years ago, we have built a rich and deep relationship with our Russian fans,” they said in a statement.

“We know you see the madness of your country’s leadership. We know you do not want war,” they added.

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On the ground, Kyiv continues to face challenges as the Russians press closer towards the capital. In the southern city of Mariupol, a theater with hundreds of people seeking shelter has been bombed. Hundreds of thousands of people are also surrounded by Russian forces in the Ukrainian coastal cities.

Head of the Russian negotiating delegation, Vladimir Medinsky said that the talks were “difficult” and “slow”. He also said that his objectives in negotiations with Ukraine have not changed. Moscow wants a  “peaceful, free, independent and neutral” Ukraine. He also added that joining a military bloc like NATO was not an option. Putin sees Ukraine joining as NATO expansion and an existential threat to Russia.  

This week, however, President Zelensky has expressed his opinion that joining NATO is not on the cards. They would rather welcome joining the EU rather than seek membership with NATO.

In a video call with the US congress, Zelensky repeated his calls for a no-fly zone in Ukraine.

“In the darkest time for our country, for the whole Europe, I call on you to do more,” Zelensky said. “New packages of sanctions are needed, constantly, every week until the Russian military machine stops. Restrictions are needed for everyone on whom this unjust regime is based.”

The White House does not support instituting a no-fly zone over Ukraine. They also are not keen on supplying the Ukrainian Air Force with new fighter aircraft. “I think he is a war criminal,” Biden said to reporters on Wednesday.

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Russia has crossed many red lines according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. “I believe that Russians have already crossed all the red lines when they started shelling civilians.” In an interview with NBC, Zelensky has expressed his frustration on the growing civilian suffering brought about by the war.

Russia has already killed more than 100 children Zelensky said. He added “I don’t understand the meaning of red lines. What else should we wait for? For letting Russians kill 200, 300, or 400 children?”

Ukrainians are “unconquerable” and if Russians were to conquer Kyiv, they won’t be able to conquer the people of Ukraine.

“The heart will always remain with Ukrainians,” he said.

Zelensky also said negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are “still in progress” but are “difficult.” “Any war could be finished at the table of negotiations,” he said.

Satellite Images

Significant damage across Ukraine has also been shown by recent satellite images released by Maxar Technologies.

The small city of Volnovakha in southeastern Ukraine lies in ruins. Russian-back separatists from the Donbas region claimed that they have captured the Ukrainian forces. Most of the buildings have no roofs and even a church has been devastated by the bombings.

In northern Ukraine, in the city of Chernihiv, more Russian self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launch systems are seen. A number of homes are still on fire and the Chernihiv stadium is seen with impact craters.

Northeastern Ukraine city of Kharkiv also shows apartment complex still on fire. Kharkiv Aircraft Manufacturing Company airfield is also seen with many impact craters.

Humanitarian corridors

President Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the agreed evacuation corridors are not working. While civilians are being evacuated, the Russian military has continued the shelling.

“We are ready to take people out and send humanitarian aid. But we can’t expose people to shelling on the road,” he said early Thursday.

“We are taking away Mariupol residents who managed to escape to Berdyansk. We are taking them to Zaporizhzhia. In total, more than 6,000 Mariupol residents were transported in one day, more than 2,000 of them are children,” he said.

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Russian Foreign Ministry released the statement and said that the sanctions were “an inevitable consequence of the extremely Russophobic course taken by the current US Administration, which, in a desperate attempt to maintain American hegemony, has relied, discarding all decency, on the frontal constricting of Russia.”

The Russian government also plans to expand the list to “top US officials, military officials, lawmakers, businessmen, experts and media people who are Russophobic or contribute to inciting hatred towards Russia and the introduction of restrictive measures.”

They added that the Russian government does “not refuse to maintain official relations if they meet our national interests, and, if necessary, we will solve problems arising from the status of persons who appear on the ‘black list’ in order to organize high-level contacts.”

“It won’t surprise any of you that none of us are planning tourist trips to Russia, none of us have bank accounts that we won’t be able to access, so we will forge ahead,” said White House press secretary Jen Psaki. He assured that they would still have the ability to have direct contact with Russia.

The decision of Russia to sanction the US was “to protect the Russian economy and ensure its sustainable development.”

Russia on Tuesday also announced it is banning Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly, and Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand from entering the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry tweeted on Tuesday.

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“For years we have been hearing about how the door is supposedly open but now we hear that we cannot enter. And it is true, and it must be acknowledged,” he said.

“I am glad that our people are beginning to understand this and rely on themselves and on our partners who assist us,” he added.

Initially, Ukraine expressed its intention to join NATO as a partner. This is one step away from full membership to NATO. This was also the initial reason Russian President Vladimir launched the “special military operation”.

US Secretary of State Tony Blinken called it a “reflection of reality” for Zelensky. The signal was sent through the message that he will not join NATO anytime soon.

“I don’t think that’s a concession. I think first of all it’s a reflection of reality that even before this aggression by Russia, Ukraine was not going to get into NATO tomorrow. All the more reason why as we’ve seen when Putin was saying that their concerns about Ukraine centered on its admission to NATO, that was wrong. That was a lie,” Blinken said.

Blinken said that Putin has demonstrated that this war in Ukraine is about “denying Ukraine its independent existence.”

Blinken called the US support for Ukraine “extraordinary”. He also said that support will continue “to make sure that Ukraine has the means to defend itself.”

Blinken would not detail what consequences China would face if they provide military or economic support to Russia. However, he said the US has “made very clear that is not something we are going to face sitting down.”

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki called for Ukraine to be “very quickly” considered as a candidate to join the EU. Poland also committed to helping Ukraine organize its defenses.

“We are here to admire your fight against such a cruel aggressor. This invasion has to stop,” Morawiecki said. “Those who are killed by (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, they can never be forgotten. They are not forgotten.”

“We will never leave you alone. We will be with you. Because we know you are fighting not only for your homes, for your freedom, for your security, but also for ours,” he said.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala coming face to face with the Ukrainian President is “something really special.”

“The main goal of our visit and the main message of our mission is to say to our Ukrainian friends that they are not alone. That Europe stands with you,” Fiala said.

The Czech Republic has now taken in 250,000 refugees, according to the prime minister. They also committed to “continue to provide more aid and support.”

Zelensky thanked the EU leaders for their “wonderful support”. “So many other ambassadors have left Ukraine because of the full-scale Russian invasion.”

“Most important, is that we truly trust these leaders,” Zelensky said. “When we are talking about the security guarantees, about our future in the European Union. When we talk about the sanctions policy, we are 100% assured that whatever we are discussing, whatever we talk about, this will reach a positive outcome for our country.”

He continued that with “friends like this,” Ukraine “can win.”

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Korean Air has also suspended all passenger and cargo services to and from Moscow and Vladivostok.

Korean Air said it is also rerouting its flights to avoid Russian airspace, citing “operational challenges and safety concerns.”

Flights from Seoul to Europe will be rerouted over China, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. This would extend flight times up to two hours 45 minutes. Flights from eastern areas of North America to Seoul will also be rerouted over Alaska and the Pacific Ocean. This will be adding close to two hours for some flights.

Ukrainian official in South Korea requests Seoul’s assistance in boosting its cybersecurity capability to defend against Russian attacks.

Ukraine’s ambassador-designate to South Korea, Dmytro Ponomarenko said that many government institutions suffer from cyber-attack. These Russian cyber-attack cripples many systems that aid important government functions.

Top global cyber security firms also suggest that destructive software is found to circulate in Ukraine. It has already hit hundreds of computers and is part of a suspected hack.

“We would also be grateful if the Republic of Korea, being a highly developed hi-tech country, gave us a hand in strengthening our cybersecurity capabilities,” Ponomarenko said.

A foreign ministry official who later briefed reporters mentioned export controls as part of possible international sanctions. “Of course, some countries are considering unilateral sanctions including financial measures but we are not considering that.” Discussions are underway to finalize details, the official added.

South Korea supports international efforts to stop the armed aggression against Ukrainians. They also would like both countries to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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A top white house aide warned his Chinese counterpart of “potential implications and consequences”. During the meeting of both countries in Rome, the US aid added in the discussion the potential of China helping Russia.

China has expressed its concern about the war and the devastation it has caused to Ukraine. Other reports suggest otherwise due to the ongoing support of China to the Russian propaganda.

The official’s main concern stems from the idea that if China does support Russia, the conflict will be prolonged. This will then result in more civilian suffering that could cause more fatalities.

The US already relayed the information to their European allies regarding the “willingness” of China to assist Russia.

“There is real concern by some that their involvement could hurt economic relationships with the West, on which China relies,” said one of the sources.

Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi “raised directly and very clearly” concerns about Chinese “support to Russia in the wake of the invasion. Also, the implications that any such support would have for” China’s relationship with the US and partners around the world.

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan expressed that they will continue to watch how China will respond to Russia.

“We also are watching closely to see the extent to which China actually does provide any form of support, material support or economic support, to Russia. It is a concern of ours. And we have communicated to Beijing that we will not stand by and allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions,” Sullivan said.

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The battle for Kyiv and “war crime” calls have filled the news as Ukraine continues to face the Russian invasion. New photos and videos fill the internet of the aftermath of the destruction as many cities lay in ruin.

Ukraine’s Azov Battalion uploaded a video showing the destroyed buildings in the city of Mariupol. Thick smoke can be seen at a distance coming from what were once were apartment complexes. Epicenter K shopping center is borne open as explosions and fire devastate the remaining buildings.

Ukraine’s military has carried out an airstrike on Russians positioned on the forests just outside of Kyiv. The village of Ozera and the northern end of the runway at Antonov Air Base is visible on the video. Both show significant destruction of properties.

“War Crimes”

In a message of President Volodymyr Zelensky, he said that the Russian military has a “responsibility for war crimes.”

“Responsibility for war crimes of the Russian military is inevitable,” Zelensky said early Tuesday. “Responsibility for a deliberate humanitarian catastrophe in Ukrainian cities is inevitable.”

In an agreed humanitarian corridor, he reports that the Russians have violated the cease-fire on these areas. “Mariupol. Kharkiv. Chernihiv. Sumy. Okhtyrka. Hostomel. Irpin. In all our cities.”

“Our convoy with 100 tons of what is most necessary for Mariupol is still kept in Berdyansk. For three days already. But we will try. We will do everything to ensure that Mariupol residents receive food, water, and medicine,” he said.

“Everyone who is responsible for the war. Everyone is responsible for the destruction of democracy”. He added, “everyone is responsible for repression against people. Everyone will get an answer. The answer of the world. And this is just the beginning,” he said.

“Every aggressive action of the invaders only pushes the world to new sanctions.”

“Our delegation also worked on this in negotiations with the Russian party. Pretty good, as I was told. But let’s see. They will continue tomorrow,” he said.

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The possibility of Chinese support would be a significant development in Russia’s invasion. It could potentially upend the grip Ukrainian soldiers still have over the nation. This would also provide a counterweight to Russia’s economic sanctions.

Spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in the US, Liu Pengyu, said in a statement, “I’ve never heard of that.” She also added the Ukraine situation is “indeed disconcerting”. She assured that China has and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

“The high priority now is to prevent the tense situation from escalating or even getting out of control. … China calls for exercising utmost restraint and preventing a massive humanitarian crisis.”

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that China aiding Russia is a “concern”.

“We also are watching closely to see the extent to which China actually does provide any form of support, material support or economic support, to Russia. It is a concern of ours. And we have communicated to Beijing that we will not stand by and allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions,” Sullivan said.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki, have been increasingly critical of Beijing’s response to Russia’s war in Ukraine. While Beijing has seemingly tried to strike a neutral tone on the international stage, Chinese domestic media coverage has promoted Russian disinformation campaigns and described the war as a “special military operation.” Psaki also tweeted Wednesday that Beijing “has seemingly endorsed” false Russian claims that the US is developing chemical weapons in Ukraine.

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Users were urged to relocate their photographs and videos of Instagram before it was shut down. They were also advised to utilize Russia’s own “competitive internet platforms.” The email was sent by the Russian communications regulator.

Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Meta, owner of Facebook (FB), allowed the temporary adjustment in its hate speech policy. They said it was wrong to stop Ukrainians from “expressing their resistance and fury at the invading military forces”. The decision was greeted with outrage in Russia, where authorities have opened a criminal investigation against Meta. Prosecutors on Friday asked a court to designate the US tech giant as an “extremist organization”.

According to Instagram’s CEO, the ban will affect 80 million users. Russia has already blocked Facebook in the nation. This is in response to what Russia claims are limits on access to Russian media on the network. Roskomnadzor described the decision to allow calls for violence against Russians as a breach of international law.

“We need to ensure the psychological health of citizens, especially children, and adolescents, to protect them from harassment and insults online,” it said, explaining the decision to close down the platform.

More companies have begun to exit Russia and services have also begun closing down. As the war continues, most brands do not like to be associated with “invaders”. Joining Instagram were companies like McDonald’s, Starbucks, Carlsberg, and Heineken.

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“We condemn the Russian Federation’s missile attack on the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security in Yavoriv, close to Ukraine’s border with Poland,” Blinken tweeted Sunday.

More than 30 missiles were launched into a military facility early Sunday morning, killing 35 people and injuring 134 others. The International Peacekeeping and Security Center is a massive military installation that housed the US and NATO personnel.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday it is only a matter of time before Russia’s military assault on Ukraine expands. He warns members of NATO it will happen unless the alliance installs a no-fly zone over his country.

“Last year, I made a clear warning to NATO leaders that if there were no tough preventive sanctions against Russia, it would start a war.” Zelensky said in a video address Sunday posted to his Facebook page.”

He added, “We were right … now I repeat again — if you do not close our sky, it is only a matter of time before Russian missiles fall on your territory. NATO territory. On the homes of citizens of NATO countries.”

“An American journalist was killed in the Kyiv region today. Brent Renaud. His colleague was wounded. It was a deliberate attack by the Russian military. They knew what they were doing. But not everyone in the West seems to know what they are doing,” he said.

“Representatives of our countries’ delegations speak in video format every day. Our delegation has a clear task — to do everything to ensure a meeting of the presidents, the meeting that I am sure people are waiting for,” he said.

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The lawsuit stems from a temporary adjustment to Meta’s hate speech policy, which permits certain Facebook and Instagram users to express violent emotions against Russian-backed military forces invading Ukraine. The policy change was originally reported by Reuters on Thursday.

“A criminal case has been initiated in the Main Investigation Department of the Russian Investigative Committee in connection with illegal calls for murder and violence against citizens of the Russian Federation by employees of the American company Meta, which owns the social networks Facebook and Instagram,” the Investigative Committee’s statement said, citing the policy change.

“These actions contain signs of crimes under Articles 280 and 205.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – public calls for extremist activities; assistance to terrorist activities,” the statement reads.

In response, Meta (FB) did not immediately answer. However, the business underlined in a statement on Thursday that the policy modification does not allow for incitement for violence against Russians outside of the context of the invasion of Ukraine.

“In light of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, we made a temporary exception for those affected by war, to express violent sentiments toward invading armed forces such as ‘death to the Russian invaders.’ These are temporary measures designed to preserve voice and expression for people who are facing invasion,” Meta said in a statement to CNN Thursday. “As always, we are prohibiting calls for violence against Russians outside of the narrow context of the current invasion.”

Roskonadzor, Russia’s information watchdog, said Friday it will restrict access to Instagram, saying the “social network distributes informational materials containing calls to commit violent acts against citizens of the Russian Federation, including military personnel.”

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Fedorov was accused of terrorism and was under investigation by the Russian-backed Luhansk regional prosecutor a short time afterward. Fedorov is suspected of helping and funding terrorist acts. He is also accused of being a member of a criminal community. This is according to a notice on the Luhansk prosecutor’s website.

Fedorov’s capture by armed men is the first reported imprisonment of a Ukrainian political official by Russian or Russian-backed troops. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded his immediate release, saying it was a “crime against democracy”. He added that Russia has “switched to a new stage of terror” in its invasion by “trying to physically eliminate representatives of the legitimate local Ukrainian authorities.”

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry called Fedorov’s detention an “abduction” and a “war crime.” Hundreds of people protested the kidnapping outside Melitopol’s city hall. The crowd was chanting “Freedom for the Mayor.”

Galina Danilchenko, a former member of the city council, is now the new mayor. She was assigned by the Zaporozhye regional administration on Saturday.

Danilchenko said that her “main task is to take all necessary steps to get the city back to normal.”

In Lviv, reports of Russian military airstrikes filled the news. Among the ones hit was the International Peacekeeping and Security Center (IPSC). It is a huge military base in the northwestern city of Lviv. It is predominantly kept for peace-seeking missions. Russia fired eight missiles near Lviv, the regional government said. Officials are looking into whether there are casualties.

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Kyiv is under fire and Russia warns the US they will shoot down any weapons given by the US to Ukraine. Russian troops continue to bombard the city of Ukraine and significant damages are being made.

Russia says that any convoy carrying foreign weapons are considered “legitimate targets”. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov issued a warning that they will be shot down. This could spark a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.

The US recently authorized a $200 million immediate defense aid. The aid includes military education and training for Ukraine. A US official announced that “anti-armor, anti-aircraft systems, and small arms in support of Ukraine’s front-line defenders facing down Russia’s unprovoked attack.”

Kyiv is under attack as Russians move closer to the capital. They are 25 kilometers away from the center of the city. Civilians are constantly in the line of fire as Russia continues the bombing. The city of Marakiv has seen large damage from the bombings. Residential apartments, schools, and a medical facility were damaged.

Chernobyl and Other Cities

On March 9, Chernobyl was hit by Russian attacks and was cut from the electrical grid. It is now running on external diesel generators to keep the reactors working. Russians also took over Ukraine’s largest nuclear power plant.

Kharkiv, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Chernihiv, and Sumy have also sustained a significant amount of damages. Mariupol also shows gasoline stations and apartment buildings destroyed by the attacks.

Zelensky said 12,729 Ukrainians were successfully evacuated.

In Peremoga, in the Kyiv region, civilians were killed when they were they were trying to feel. Seven civilians were killed including women and children.

Zelensky also said that he has seen a “lack of courage from the members of NATO to come together for Ukraine. it’s a huge problem. A philosophical problem of the alliance.” He also announced that about 1300 troops were killed since the war started.

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Melitopol Mayor detained by Russians is a “crime against democracy,” Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky. Friday morning, the mayor of  Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov was escorted by military men from the government building. Russian-backed Luhansk regional prosecutor claimed Fedorov had committed terrorism and was under investigation.

“They did not find any support on our land, although they counted on it. Because for years they’ve been lying to themselves that people in Ukraine were supposedly waiting for Russia to come.

“This is Ukraine here. It is Europe here. It is a democratic world here,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky added it’s “not only against a particular person, not only against a particular community and not only against Ukraine.”

“This is a crime against democracy,” he said.

Geneva Convention prohibits civilian hostages from being taken according to Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.

Diplomatic Channels

The war has been raging for three weeks now and there are no signs that diplomatic channels will work. The diplomatic talks between the two nations have not yielded any result. Humanitarian corridors were not decided and ceasefires on these areas have been questioned. As the civilian loss continues, both sides are now arguing about chemical weapons development.

“A variety of different countries can try to shape things as they would like, but at the end of the day, this will likely boil down to what President Zelensky is willing to accept and what President Putin is willing to accept,” said a senior State Department official.

Much of the world has already given sanctions against Russia in the hopes that this will cripple their economy. The sanctions have not led to any solutions as both sides have had their own arguments.

Many international companies have also exited Russia as a protest against the war. This did not seem to have an effect since Russians continue to advance into the city. Although the operation’s main goal is unclear, part of the updates is surfacing. Initially, the operation was said to be about the “denazification” of Ukraine. However, chemical weapons have been put into the spotlight recently as documents surface about their development in Ukraine.

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It would seem that the Russians are planning to encircle the city and eventually cut off any supplies to it. They would then come to overthrow the current president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

According to the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, the city has enough food and supplies that could last for two weeks.

Ukrainian forces were able to fortify the city and prepare for the Russian attack. Many civilians have also signed up to assist in any way that they can. There are anti-tank barriers all around the city that would make it harder for the Russian forces to enter.

This tactic is a reflection of World War two when one side launches an artillery attack destroying most of the buildings. This would create many casualties as buildings and infrastructures collapse. After a barrage of artillery, the tanks will be rolling in with thousands of infantrymen.

Kyiv is not the only one under attack as cities Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk have also been under attack. For the past 24 hours, air and missile attacks bombed the city.

UK Ministry of Defense has applauded the efforts of Ukrainian forces.

“The staunch resistance of the Ukrainian air defense forces is compelling Russia to rely on ‘stand-off’ munitions to conduct attacks against targets deep inside Ukraine,” the ministry said.

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China has remained neutral regarding international talks about Russia’s attack on Ukraine. They neither have condemned nor sanctioned Russia and continue to promote peace talks. They have offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia to promote an end of the hostilities.

Recent reports uncover that the stance of the country domestically is of a different story.

According to the national broadcaster CCTV, the United States is funding a biological weapons program situated in Ukraine. Russia is the victim of NATO’s relentless expansionism. Also, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is a “special military operation”.

This is the same for social media platforms. The same information is distributed among social media channels and is currently trending in the country. Western media suspects that both countries have coordinated the propaganda in their respective countries.

In the distributed information, Russia assured the public that the civilians are not targeted. There is also a description of Ukrainian soldiers employing “Nazi” tactics. Part of the information is also the whereabouts of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This is the information that is allegedly distributed in China.

According to the US

Western media also released an analysis on the details of the information that is distributed to the public. According to the narrative, Ukraine is a US puppet state and has become a threat to Russia. The threat stems from an alleged biological weapons development in Ukrainian labs.

The source was said to be Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov. On Sunday, he claims that “evidence” of the “hasty measures to conceal any traces of the military biological program finance(d) by the US Department of Defense.” He went further by saying they have obtained documents detailing the hazardous pathogens in the facility.

The White House seems to be aware of the information since press secretary John Psaki denied these claims. “Russia’s false claims about alleged US biological weapons labs and chemical weapons development in Ukraine” and noted the “echoing” of those “conspiracy theories” by Chinese officials.

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Fighting for Kyiv. Recent satellite photos show updates on what is happening on the outskirts of Kyiv. The capital city has not yet fallen, but Russian troops are beginning to enter the city.

The northern city of Chernihiv shows significant damage. In Hostomel, northwest suburb of Kyiv, Antonov Airbase is now under Russian control. Smoke rises from the tanks that were set on fire.

Northwest of Kyiv in the town of Borodyanka shows a series of apartment buildings demolished. The demolition was caused by Russian airstrikes. Just outside Kyiv in Stoyanka, the satellite shows images of a warehouse completely stripped open.

80 miles northeast of Kyiv shows Chernihiv consumed by fire. Among the buildings that were destroyed was the Epicenter K supermarket. On the south side of Chernihiv, industrial buildings are also on fire.

Russian Convoy

The 40-mile Russian convoy near Kyiv seems to have dispersed. Recent satellite images show most of the vehicles have moved to a different position. Some were hidden in the forest while some has traveled miles.

Parts of the convoy are seen repositioned into the forests tree line areas near Lubyanka. In the residential areas of Ozera, some Russian vehicles were seen sitting on the roadways. This is just 17 miles from Kyiv. In some patched areas, artillery and other vehicles are hidden, they are spotted 3 miles from the Antonov Airbase. In Berestyanka, hidden within the tree line are rocket launchers. Towards the end of the convoy about southeast of Ivankiv, some vehicles were just sitting on the roadway.

In the eastern part of Kyiv, in Brovary, there has been increased activity on the ground. Heavy fighting has ensued between the Russian and Ukrainian armies. It appears that the Russians continue to advance but Ukrainians resisted. However, as both armies go head-to-head, the civilians continue to suffer. In the suburb, there is no supply of water, food, or medicines.

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International companies walk out of Russia as a protest to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Heineken, Carlsberg, and Universal Music group are the latest to join the mass exodus of companies. A few days ago, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mcdonalds, and Starbucks have closed operations in Russia. Ferrari has also announced the suspension of deliveries to Russia.

Dutch Brewer Heineken, the second-largest beer manufacturer said it was stopping the production, sale, and advertising of its Russian brand. This is “in response to the continued escalation of the war”. They have also suspended exports and investments in Russia.

“We are shocked and saddened to watch the tragedy in Ukraine unfold,” Heineken chief executive Dolf van den Brink said. “The Russian government’s war against Ukraine is an unprovoked and completely unjustified attack.”

Danish Brewer Carlsberg, the fourth largest beer producer also halted operations in Russia. They said that, during the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, any profits generated by its business in Russia would be donated to relief organizations.

Universal Music Group also announced “We urge an end to the violence in Ukraine as soon as possible,” Universal said in a statement.

“We are adhering to international sanctions and, along with our employees and artists, have been working with groups from a range of countries… to support humanitarian relief efforts to bring urgent aid to refugees in the region,” it said.

Coca Cola, Pepsi, and Starbucks

Coke, among the first to withdraw announced their exit from Russia in a statement. “Our hearts are with the people who are enduring unconscionable effects from these tragic events in Ukraine,” Coke said in a brief statement Tuesday afternoon. “We will continue to monitor and assess the situation as circumstances evolve.”

“As a food and beverage company, now more than ever we must stay true to the humanitarian aspect of our business,” Pepsi CEO Ramon Laguarta wrote in a memo to employees.

Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson said they would suspend all Russian business activity, including the shipment of its products. While Mcdonald’s has announced the same, they received criticisms for some branches that remained open.

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Chernobyl is off the grid. Ukraine’s Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been disconnected from the electricity grid. This was announced by Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s energy operator, and Energoatom, the state-run nuclear company.

Chernobyl was the site of the worst nuclear disaster in 1986. It is no longer an operational power plant and it does not handle any nuclear material. The facility however is home to decommissioned reactors and radioactive wastes.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said that the loss of power has “no critical impact” on the plant’s safety.

“Specifically, regarding the site’s spent fuel storage facility, the volume of cooling water in the pool is sufficient to maintain effective heat removal from the spent fuel without a supply of electricity. The site also has reserve emergency power supplies with diesel generators and batteries,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said in a statement.

However, the lack of power “is likely to lead to a further deterioration of operational radiation safety at the site,” Grossi said.

A possible leak

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba however suggests in a tweet that there could be a leak.

“Reserve diesel generators have a 48-hour capacity to power the Chornobyl NPP. After that, cooling systems of the storage facility for spent nuclear fuel will stop, making radiation leaks imminent,” Kuleba said.

IAEA has also raised concerns regarding the staff of Chernobyl that is currently under Russian control.

“From day today, we are seeing a worsening situation at the Chornobyl NPP, especially for radiation safety, and for the staff managing the facility under extremely difficult and challenging circumstances,” Grossi said. “I repeat my urgent appeal to the forces in effective control of the plant to respect internal radiation protection procedures, to facilitate the safe rotation of staff, and to take other important steps to ensure safety.”

Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Zaporizhzhya is also currently under Russian control. At moment, radiation levels appear normal. The plant was previously reported to have caught fire that could have caused the cooling system to fail. It was close to having a nuclear meltdown.

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Mariupol bombing is “proof of genocide” according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In a video message through Telegram, he said that the bombing of the maternity hospital is proof of genocide.

The hospitals are ruined, the schools are ruined, the churches are ruined, ordinary buildings and all the dead people, dead children, he said. He added, “a strike on a maternity hospital is a final proof, proof of a genocide of Ukrainians taking place.”

“Europeans you won’t be able to say you haven’t seen what was going on to the Ukrainians, what was going on in Mariupol, to the residents of Mariupol, you have seen it and you know what’s going on so you have to strengthen sanctions against Russia in a manner that leaves it no more chance to continue this genocide,” he said.

He asks that sanctions against Russia be increased to stop the further invasion.

Chemical Weapons

Wendy Sherman, Deputy Secretary of State tweeted she is “horrified, outraged, and heartbroken by credible reports that a Russian airstrike destroyed a maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol. How much more devastation will Putin’s senseless war of choice bring to the people of Ukraine? He must stop these heinous acts now.”

The White House sends a warning of the use of chemical weapons in Ukraine. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki claims Russia could use it as a false flag.

“Now that Russia has made these false claims, and China has seemingly endorsed this propaganda, we should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them. It’s a clear pattern.”

Psaki also noted Russia’s “long and well-documented track record of using chemical weapons”. Also, its pattern of “accusing the West of the very violations that Russia itself is perpetrating.”

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China offers to mediate talks with Russia and Ukraine. President Xi Jinping stated that China is prepared to “work actively” with the international community. The goal is to settle the conflict in Ukraine, but he did not provide any specifics. He also maintained his opposition to Western sanctions on Russia.

During a call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, China’s president agreed it is “worrisome”. China is “deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent.”

“China will stay in communication and coordination with France, Germany, and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community,” the statement said, adding that all efforts “conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported.”

Germany, France, and China

Germany and France are ready to strengthen their relationship with China to promote peace. China and Russia share the same views regarding the West. It was clear when China abstained from voting on the UN condemnation of Russia.

China has not imposed any sanctions on Russia nor have they publicly condemned their actions. They have not aided Russia’s economy in any way as well. Beijing seems to be neutral as it also fears being sanctioned for helping Russia.

The Chinese government has never called the war a Russian invasion. They also share the point of view of Russia that this was due to NATO’s eastward expansion. President Xi however urges both sides to “keep the talks going and bring about peaceful outcomes.”

China calls for both sides to exercise “maximum restraint” in the hopes of preventing a humanitarian crisis. They also agreed to provide Ukraine with humanitarian aid. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that the Chinese are “ready to seek a peaceful solution”.

President Xi is against the Western sanctions as they will “dampen the global economy that is already ravaged by the pandemic.”

“This is in the interest of no one. We need to actively advocate a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security,” Xi said.

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The residents are determined in defending Kyiv as the Russians encircle the city. Civilians volunteered to defend their city and helped construct defenses in the city. They are also the ones guarding these defenses.

Trenches stretch deep into the forests that surround the motorway from the south that leads towards Kyiv. Fallback positions that have been strengthened are prepared for whatever happens next. Huge metal anti-tank barriers called “the hedgehogs” because of their spiky design are set at regular intervals along the route. At each exit, makeshift blockades made of sandbags and large concrete blocks stand.

Many volunteers appear to be underdressed for the frigid temperatures. They dress casually, with huge jackets and sweatpants serving as an unofficial uniform. Their trousers are generally green, black, or camouflage patterned. These are not military camouflage, but civilian camouflage used for hunting.

Call of Duty

According to the chief of staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, about 40,000 volunteers joined the Territorial Defense Forces. This is only in the first two days after the invasion began. When authorities in Kyiv asked for volunteers and reservists to take up guns, 18,000 people responded.

There were so many who applied that the Territorial Defense Forces had to turn individuals away. Those who were unable to join the forces are assisting in other ways.

They’re constructing Molotov cocktails, stitching barrier camouflage netting, and handing out food, hot drinks, and smokes to the guards. In an attempt to confound invading soldiers, they are soliciting funds for the military, erecting extra roadblocks, and even painting over traffic signals.

They have answered the call of duty in many ways we could not imagine. These are people who were just a few weeks ago have normal lives. They used to go to work, they were regular people at the grocery, and they were with their families watching TV. The reality of war has dawned on them in a matter of days. They have proven their patriotism by simply answering the call. They have one purpose: defending Kyiv. Their strength inspires the world as we all watch what happens next.

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There is a divide between Asia and the West. As political tensions rise due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, two Asian superpowers remain silent.

Both China and India have hesitated to express explicit condemnation of Russia’s savage invasion. They also both have refrained from voting on UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions urging that Moscow cease its war on Ukraine immediately.

The US made it plain that countries that do not criticize Putin’s war are linked with Russia. The world’s two most populous countries are under greater international pressure to speak out. Or they could face being labeled complicit.

The fact that neither nation has decided to do so highlights Russia’s disproportionate power in Asia. The arms sales and no-strings-attached commerce have allowed Moscow to show Asia’s weakening connections with the West.

China

China has so far refrained to denounce the Russian strike or refer to it as an “invasion,” instead of stating that it recognizes Moscow’s “legitimate security concerns.” Russia’s talking lines on Ukraine have also been parroted by China’s official media. Guo Shuqing, head of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, stated on Wednesday that China will not cooperate in sanctions.

India

So far, India has tried to play both sides — Modi has spoken with both Zelensky and Putin, and has pledged humanitarian aid for Ukraine. Modi hasn’t explicitly condemned Russia’s attacks — he’s called for “an immediate cessation of violence” and “concerted efforts from all sides” to negotiate, according to a read-out of his February 24 call with Putin.

Russia and India have a long history of friendly relations, which stretch back to the Soviet era when the USSR helped India win its 1971 war with Pakistan. There’s also the relationship between Putin and Modi, who was one of only two world leaders Putin traveled to see last year, for a visit to New Delhi in December.

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“We cannot allow Russia to be active there only, because they’re bombing us, they are shelling us, they are sending missiles, helicopters, jet fighters — a lot of things,” Zelensky said. “We don’t control our sky.”

He also commented on President Joe Biden having the capability to do more to stop the war. “I am sure he can and I would like to believe that. He is capable of doing that,” Zelensky said.

He also put out a warning for the rest of the world.

“Everyone thinks that we are far away from America or Canada. No, we are in this zone of freedom. And when the limits of rights and freedoms are being violated and stepped on, then you have to protect us. Because we will come first. You will come second. Because the more this beast will eat, he wants more, more, and more.”

Russia has proposed a cease-fire beginning March 8, 10 am Moscow time. The cease-fire will occur in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Mariupol. This is to give way to humanitarian corridors.

“Russia declares a ceasefire from 10 a.m. (Moscow time) on March 8, and is ready to provide humanitarian corridors: from Kyiv and adjacent settlements to the Russian Federation through the territory of the Republic of Belarus to Gomel,” Russian media quotes the statement. 

The Russian statement added that evacuation corridors “will also be open from Chernihiv through the territory of Belarus, from the city of Sumy along two routes to Poltava and to the territory of Russia, from Kharkiv to the territory of Russia or to Lviv, Uzhgorod, Ivano-Frankivsk. Also, a humanitarian corridor will be opened from Mariupol along the two routes to the territory of Russia and Zaporizhie.”

Ukraine has not yet agreed on the cease-fire.

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Macron expressed the safety of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. President Putin answered, “the provocation staged by Ukrainian radicals in the area of ​​the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant with the involvement of a sabotage group.”

“Russian troops are in cooperation with Ukrainian personnel and continue to ensure the operation of the nuclear power plant in the normal mode and the radioactive background remains normal,” Putin said. He added that these details can be confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

“The physical and nuclear safety of the plant is well protected,” the readout said.

Russian Armed Forces “control the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant” to ensure there are no “provocations fraught with catastrophic consequences by Ukrainian neo-Nazis or terrorists.”

The French president also suggested holding a trilateral (IAEA-Russia-Ukraine) meeting in the Chernobyl zone. Putin responded with “In principle, this idea could be useful, but it would be worth considering whether to hold such a meeting via videoconference or in a third country.”

Both leaders were also talking about evacuating the civilian population. Putin said that Ukraine “is not fulfilling the agreements reached on such an acute humanitarian issue.”

“Ukrainian nationalists did not allow the evacuation from these cities. And the pause in hostilities was again used to build up forces and means in their positions.”

This is part of the French president’s ongoing effort to calm the situation and find a diplomatic solution to the conflict. He believes that there could be talks done to deescalate the conflict.

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95% of Russia’s combat power is now in Ukraine according to s senior US official. Russia has also fired a total of 600 missiles since the war has begun. Kherson and Mykolaiv have already fallen under Russian troops while Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol still stand.

Ukrainians continue to present a hard resistance to the Russian troops. Many Ukrainian soldiers and civilians continue to defend their respective cities.

The 40-mile Russian convoy headed for Kyiv has stalled for some time. The last update was that it was 25 kilometers from the city. There is no additional information as to why it has stalled.

The skies are almost clear at the moment as both sides try to retain their air combat power.

“We believe the Ukrainian people in most parts of the country still have means of communication, access to the internet and the media,” the official added.

A Message from Zelensky

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky published a new Facebook video on Sunday. “Today is Forgiveness Sunday. But we cannot forgive the hundreds upon hundreds of victims. Nor the thousands upon thousands who have suffered,” the video was captioned. “And God will not forgive. Not today. Not tomorrow. Never. And instead of Forgiveness, there will be Judgment.”

“For tomorrow Russia has officially announced the shelling of our territory. Our enterprises of the defense complex. Most were built decades ago by the Soviet government, built in cities. And now they are in the middle of an ordinary urban environment,” Zelensky said. “Thousands of people work there. Hundreds of thousands live nearby.”

He added, “this is murder. Deliberate murder.”

“And I have not heard a reaction from any world leader today. From no Western politician. There are no reactions to this announcement. Think about the sense of impunity of the occupiers: they announce the atrocities that are planned. Why?”

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According to Chatchai Viriyavejakul, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Consular Affairs, the second group of 45 landed at Suvarnabhumi around 12:05 p.m. on Emirates aircraft EK 384 from Warsaw.

As part of Covid-19 prevention efforts, everyone was given RT-PCR testing upon arrival. They then boarded buses for a one-day quarantine at the Bamrasnaradura Infectious Disease Institute in Nonthaburi, pending test results.

Mr. Chatchai stated that the Thai embassies in Bucharest and Warsaw have been aiding the 256 Thais who have tried to leave Ukraine, with 203 having returned home thus far.

The Russian embassy in Bangkok has issued a warning to Thai people from fighting alongside Ukrainians. The Russian Defense Ministry strongly cautions against such engagement in foreign military actions. This is according to a message posted on the embassy’s Facebook page on Saturday.

Last week, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, issued a plea to international nationals to assist the country in fighting Russia’s incursion, which some have compared to a war. According to the Russian embassy, such mercenaries do not qualify as combatants under international humanitarian law and hence cannot be awarded prisoner-of-war status.

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Sanctions are Like Declarations of War. – Sanctions imposed by Western nations for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have been compared to “a declaration of war” by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“But thank God it has not come to that,” he added.

Any effort to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be viewed as participation in the military conflict, according to Mr. Putin.

He also dismissed concerns that he will declare martial law or declare a state of emergency in Russia.

Mr. Putin made the comments to a group of female flight attendants at an Aeroflot training facility in Moscow.

The West has slapped a slew of penalties on Russia since the invasion began 10 days ago. This is including the freezing of Mr Putin’s overseas assets. Also, the withdrawal of a number of Russian institutions from the Swift international payments system.

In addition, numerous global corporations have stopped doing business in Russia. Zara, Paypal, and Samsung were among the latest major businesses to halt operations in the country on Saturday.

The rouble has already fallen in value as a result of the economic measures, forcing the Russian central bank to double interest rates.

Mr. Putin attempted to explain the conflict in Ukraine in his most recent remarks. He repeated his claim that he was attempting to preserve Russian-speaking minorities in the nation. This is by “demilitarizing and de-Nazifying” the country.

In response to Western defense analysts’ claims that Russia’s military campaign is failing to meet expectations. Putin said: “All of the duties will be completed by our army. That is something I have no doubt about. Everything is progressing according to schedule.”

Despite claims to the contrary, he stressed that only professional soldiers were involved in the fighting and that no conscripts were participating.

No-Fly Zone

Efforts to enforce a no-fly zone in Ukraine would be regarded as a step towards a military confrontation by Russia. Those responsible would be handled as enemy fighters, according to the Russian leader.

“The current leadership needs to understand that if they continue doing what they are doing, they risk the future of Ukrainian statehood,” he added.

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Ukraine update – President Volodymyr Zelensky has a message for the citizens of the Donbas region. He urged them to fight for their rights and freedom.

“To everyone who can hear us, whose memory hasn’t been erased by propaganda, whose eyes weren’t shut by fear, whose soul wasn’t disfigured by cynicism — Fight!” he said. “Fight for your rights! For your freedom, for Ukraine! Together with Kherson, together with Berdyansk, together with Kyiv and all the rest of Ukrainian cities that value life and are not afraid of anything.”

“I know that many of you believed that Ukraine allegedly hates you. Will allegedly attack you. Will allegedly destroy you. Liars on Russian TV talk about it every day. Liars. It’s their job to lie to you every day. But this should not be your destiny.”

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant

Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is still under the control of Russian troops. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed it on Saturday. Head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi said that the staff is held at gunpoint. They are also forced to work. This goes the same for the workers at Chernobyl where they are also forced to work without changing shifts.

Starlink

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for providing internet services to the country. Starlink sends antennas to assist destroyed cities.

“I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds,” Zelensky said in a tweet early Sunday. “Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities.”

Mariupol

Mayor of the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko shared the situation of his city.

“The situation is very complicated, the Russian army has already put up a blockade on the humanitarian corridor. We have a lot of social problems, which all the Russians have created. All our thermal substations rely on this power supply, so accordingly, we are without heat. Since the attack on Mariupol, we lost our reserve water supply, and so we are totally without water now. “

“[The Russian army] is working to besiege the city and set up a blockade,” he said. “They want to cut us off from the humanitarian corridor, shutting down the delivery of essential goods, medical supplies, even baby food. Their goal is to choke the city and place it under unbearable stress.”

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Singapore sanctions Russia in support of stopping the war in Ukraine. “We will impose export controls on items that can be directly used as weapons to inflict harm on or to subjugate the Ukrainians, as well as items that can contribute to offensive cyber operations,” according to the Singapore Foreign Minister.

Singapore Customs will reject all permit applications to Russia involving all items listed as military goods, electronics, computers, and “Telecommunications and Information Security.”

All financial institutions in Singapore will be prohibited from pursuing transactions or establishing business relations with major Russian financial institutions including VTB Bank, VEB.RF, Promsvyazbank, and Bank Rossiya.

Singapore will prohibit transactions or the facilitation of fundraising for the Russian government and Central Bank of Russia or any entity owned by them.

Singapore will prohibit providing financial services in the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the transport, telecommunication, and energy sector.

Digital payment token service providers are prohibited from facilitating any transactions “that could help to circumvent these financial measures.”

Switzerland

Switzerland has also adopted EU sanctions after staying neutral. “The export of all dual-use items to Russia is now prohibited, regardless of their end-use or end-user. In addition, the export of goods that could contribute to Russia’s military and technological enhancement or the development of the defense and security sector is prohibited,” the government said, adding that “it is also prohibited to provide technical assistance, brokering services or financing.”

Putin has called for the removal of the sanctions. “We have no bad intentions, there is no need to escalate the situation, impose restrictions, we fulfill all obligations,” he said. “If someone does not want to cooperate with us within the framework of single cooperation, and by doing so harms themselves, they will, of course, harm us too,” Putin added.

“We will just have to move some projects a little to the right, to acquire additional competencies. But we will still solve the problems that we face” he said. “In the end, we will even benefit from this because we will acquire additional competencies.”

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United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at the UN that the Russian troops are closing in. “Russian forces are now 20 miles, and closing, from Ukraine’s second-largest nuclear facility,” she said.

“President Putin must stop this humanitarian catastrophe by ending this war and ceasing these unconscionable attacks against the people of Ukraine,” the ambassador added.

The meltdown of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Powerplant was narrowly avoided. Now, the radiation levels remain normal and the fires were extinguished. Had they continued the bombing of the plant and hit the cooling pits, it could have been a meltdown.

“The international community must be unanimous in demanding Russia’s forces stop their dangerous assault. And as I’ve said before, the people of Ukraine are counting on us and we must not let them down,” she said.

Refugees

In the meantime, the United Nations reported that 1.2 million refugees have left Ukraine. 1,209,976 refugees are currently in Poland. Others have fled to neighboring countries Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, and Romania.

UN expects additional refugees to leave within the week as the bombardment continues. Countries have offered refugee visas for the Ukrainians fleeing the country.

In the next few days, Russia could send additional mercenaries to bombard cities into submission. Western intelligence officials warned that there are “some indications” that mercenaries could be involved. “We’ve seen some indications that they’re being employed,” the official said.

“The days to come are likely to be worse, with more death, more suffering, and more destruction, as the Russian armed forces bring in heavier weaponry and continue their attacks across the country,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.

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Russian and Ukrainian delegations agreed to possible brief ceasefires during discussions from an unknown location, the second this week.

But, according to Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, the cease-fires would only be in regions where humanitarian corridors were being established and for the length of civilian evacuations.

“To our great regret, we did not get the results we were counting on,” he added.

Since the assault began last Thursday, Ukraine says that over 2,000 people have perished. According to the United Nations, the fighting has forced over a million people to escape Ukraine.

According to the United Nations, Russia’s continuous shelling of residential areas across Ukraine has caused more than one million refugees to escape the nation in only seven days, as the battle enters its second week.

“I have worked in refugee catastrophes for over 40 years, and seldom have I seen an exodus as quick as this one,” UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said in a statement Thursday.

Millions more people are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine, Grandi said. He added: “International solidarity has been heartwarming. But nothing — nothing — can replace the need for the guns to be silenced; for dialogue and diplomacy to succeed. Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy.”

Following a day of continuous bombardment, residents in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv were startled in the early hours of Thursday by at least one massive explosion in the southwest of the city. To the south, the mayor of the strategically vital Black Sea city of Kherson said that Russian soldiers had taken control, however, allegations are still being debated. According to local officials, inhabitants in the port city of Mariupol, which has a population of over 400,000, are without electricity and water as Russian forces ramp up their onslaught.

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“Our Ukrainian army and National Guard are very brave, they stand and fight for Ukraine, for Mariupol. But the situation is quite critical,” Orlov said Thursday.

Russian assaults on the Kharkiv area in northeast Ukraine killed 34 civilians in less than a day, according to emergency services. Russian forces are making their way toward Odesa, a strategically important city on Ukraine’s southern coast.

In Kyiv, the Russian convoy is preparing to lay siege to the city. “As of this morning, we still assessed that the advance of the Russian forces was still about 25 kilometers from the city center, but they are trying to close in,” Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said. “They are still outside the city, but we still believe that their intent is to try to encircle Kyiv, and ultimately occupy it.”

The ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine have not reached a conclusion. “Unfortunately, the results Ukraine needs are not yet achieved. There is a solution only for the organization of humanitarian corridors,” senior Ukrainian official  Mykhailo Podolyak said in a tweet after the talks ended.

Humanitarian help is urgently needed as a result of the Russian invasion. Food and resources are becoming increasingly limited throughout the country. Shelter, food, water, and extra relief are being provided by organizations on the ground in Ukraine and neighboring countries.

According to a statement by the United Nations, more than 10 million people may evacuate their homes in Ukraine, with four million crossing the border into neighboring countries.

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According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), it contains 15 nuclear energy reactors. If the cooling system is destroyed, it could lead to a meltdown. At the moment, the radiation levels are normal.

Russians attacked the area to try to encircle the Ukrainian army. Also, as the supplier of 20% of Ukraine’s electrical energy, it can disrupt many things when taken offline. This could mean the loss of communication systems, heating, and electricity for Ukrainians.

Plant personnel is trying to contain the fire. They have also informed that essential equipment was not damaged. If electricity or fuel is cut off from the plant, it could cause the cooling system not to function. This will trigger an uncontrollable nuclear reaction that can set off radiation.

Spokesperson Andrii Tuz posted that a lot of technical equipment was hit. One of six power generation units is working.

American Nuclear Society President, Steven Nesbit urged both sides not to continue the fight in the area. “We also urge the securing of off-site power supplies for every nuclear facility, uninterrupted transportation to and from sites for plant workers and supply chains; and unfettered communications with regulators and inspectors.”

Enerhodar Mayor Dmytro Orlov posted earlier on social media. “A threat to world security!!! As a result of relentless shelling by the enemy of the buildings and blocks of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is on fire!!!”

“I demand, stop! Immediately stop shelling the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant point-blank,” the mayor said in a video message.

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Following the sanctions made by western countries, Vladimir Putin has put his country’s nuclear forces on high alert. Many analysts argue that this does not mean he will use but this is a warning to other countries. Nuclear weapons are destructive, with their presence in a country, it deters any national security threat.

According to the Federation of American Scientists Russia currently holds 5,977 nuclear warheads. About 1,500 are known to be dismantled or retired. This is just an estimate based on intelligence information gathered. 1,185 warheads are loaded on intercontinental ballistic missiles. 800 are on submarine-launched missiles and 580 are air-launched nuclear bombers. The rest are loaded on short-range missiles that can be used in land combat.

There are only nine countries that have nuclear bombs. These are China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the US, and the UK. Russia holds the highest number at 5,977. They are followed closely by NATO combining 5,428 from NATO, 290 from France, and 225 from the UK. China has 350, Pakistan has 165, India has 160, Israel has 90, and North Korea has 20.

NPT

Most of these countries signed a Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In theory, they are committed to lowering their stockpile and eventually eliminating the use of the weapons.

No one has experienced the actual devastation of a nuclear weapon. The last bomb that was detonated was in Nagasaki and Hiroshima back in World War II. Both of them are atomic bombs, a lesser version of the nuclear warheads yet they kill tens of thousands.

Each nuclear weapon has its own capability to damage. It depends on the size of the warhead, the height of detonation, and the environment. A 100 kiloton weapon has a damage radius of up to 8 kilometers. 1.8 kilometers of the inner circle is subject to complete destruction.

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The resolution has a political weight although it is legally non-binding. It “also demands that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”

“The message of the General Assembly is loud and clear: end hostilities in Ukraine now. Silence the guns now. Open the door to dialogue and diplomacy now. The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine must be respected in line with the UN Charter,” Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said.

“We don’t have a moment to lose. The brutal effects of the conflict are plain to see. But as bad as the situation is for the people in Ukraine right now, it threatens to get much, much worse. The ticking clock is a time bomb,” he added.

Abstained

Cuba, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Bolivia are part of the 35 countries that have abstained from the votes.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has put into question the “destabilizing actions of NATO.” He has pledged support to the Russian President after numerous calls with him.

Long-time Russian allies Cuba and Nicaragua also blamed the conflict on NATO’s “increasingly offensive military doctrine that threatens peace.”

Mexican President López Obrador and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro both took a neutral stance.

“We’re not going to take any kind of economic reprisal because we want to have good relations with all the governments in the world,” said López Obrador. “We do not consider that [the war] concerns us, and we think that the best thing is to promote dialogue to achieve peace.”

Bolsonaro, who visited Moscow a few weeks ago, has said that his country was, “not going to take sides.”

“We are going to continue to be neutral and help however possible to find a solution,” said the president currently up for reelection later this year.

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Kherson has fallen but Kyiv stands – Kherson Mayor Ihor Kolykhaiev confirmed that the Ukrainian military is no longer in the city. Control of Kherson is now under “armed people who came to the city’s administration.”

Mayor Kolykhaiev announced that Russian officers entered the city hall building. Their plans are to install a new administration similar to the Donbask region. This marks the first major city occupied by the Russian army.

Head of Kherson regional administration, Hennady Lahuta issued a warning to all citizens. “I ask everyone who is not at home now, or who is planning to go outside, not to do so. The occupiers are in all areas of the city and are very dangerous.”

After the Russian occupation of the city, his final announcement was made. “Let it be for now. The flag above us is Ukrainian. And in order to keep it the same, these requirements will have to be met. I can’t offer anything else.”

Kyiv Stands

In Kyiv, President Zelensky claims that the Russian morale is breaking. “More and more occupiers are fleeing back to Russia, from us, from you, from all those who drive out the enemy with javelins, guns, tanks, helicopters – with everything that shoots. I wish you health, native Ukrainians, strong and kind, but not to the enemy!”

“We are a nation that broke the enemy’s plans in a week — plans those have been built for years, vile, calculated, with hate for our country, for our people, for any people who have 2 things: freedom and heart. But we stopped them and beat them.”

“Our military, our border guards, our territorial defense, even ordinary farmers capture the Russian military every day. And all the captives say only one thing: they do not know why they are here. Despite the fact that there are dozens of times more of them, the morale of the enemy is constantly deteriorating.”

“Blocking roads, people come out in front of enemy vehicles – it’s extremely dangerous, but how courageous. It is also salvation.”

“They will not have peace here, they will not have food here, they will not have a single quiet moment here. The occupiers will receive only one thing from Ukraine — a rebuff, a worthy rebuff. They will always remember that we do not give up.”

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Apple announced that they have stopped selling their products in Russia. “Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia and we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.”

Exxon also announced the cancellation of the Sakhalin-1 project. “Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia,” Apple said. “And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens.”

GM also announced that they will not be exporting to Russia. “GM is committed to complying with the laws and regulations of the markets in which we do business, including applicable US economic sanctions and export control laws and regulations,” according to the official statement. “We continue to monitor developments and take action to implement mitigation strategies as appropriate.” All exports to Russia are stopped “until further notice.”

Not just companies but even social media giants have also stepped in.

Facebook announced that they are “fully blocking the ability of a number of Russian state media entities from broadcasting into Ukraine.”

Twitter also said there are plans to “reduce the visibility and amplification of this content site-wide, no matter who it comes from.”

Youtube announced that it will be “significantly limiting recommendations to these [RT and Russian state media] channels.”

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Thailand remains neutral on the Russian-Ukraine conflict according to Prime Minister Prayut Cha-o-cha.

According to the source, a cabinet meeting on Tuesday examined the subject extensively. 25 diplomats based in Thailand pressed the government to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. General Prayut cited the long-standing relations with Russia. He asked everyone to tread carefully. His priority is the safe return of Thai citizens who were in Ukraine.

“We need to be composed and make decisions carefully. Thailand must maintain a neutral stance and bring Thais in Ukraine back home quickly,” he said.

ASEAN

Thailand would support ASEAN’s stance on the dispute between Russia and Ukraine. ASEAN called for discussion between the parties involved in order to settle the issue in Ukraine.

25 ambassadors met with Foreign Ministry Permanent Secretary Thani Thongphakdi on Monday. They called for support for the United Nations General Assembly’s (UNGA) resolution. The ambassadors said that the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is a violation of the UN Charter. All UN members including Thailand are asked to “speak up to save our rules-based international order and vote for the UN Resolution”.

“It is about the regional grouping’s decision. We need to keep a balance. But most importantly, we have been concerned about the safety of people in countries involved in the conflict. We also have to ensure Thais in those countries are safe. We also support the peace process to end the conflict and war. [Thailand] We need to tread carefully and act through ASEAN’s mechanisms,” Prime Minister Prayut said.

“We call on all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint and make utmost efforts to pursue dialogue through all channels, including diplomatic means to contain the situation,” the ASEAN ministers said.

“[ASEAN] We believe that there is still room for a peaceful dialogue to prevent the situation from getting out of control,” they added.

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The citizens of Kyiv lined up rows of concrete panels on the streets to help slow down the convoy. Piles of sandbags and improvised barriers made from metal, wood, and anything on hand line up the roadsides. The Ukraine flag defiantly standing in every corner as the men prepare to go head-on with the invaders.

Many citizens left the city, some chose to stay in bunkers, bomb shelters, and underground subways. Regular citizens are on the street carrying guns, manning checkpoints. Father, brothers, and husbands stand firm to protect their city.

These are not soldiers but they are true patrons who just a while back were regular people going to work. They have answered the call of their country.

The world watches as they prepare to meet a 40-mile-long convoy full of tanks, artillery, and Russian soldiers. Every hour, this convoy approaches the city. Ahead of the convoy, Russia has launched rockets aimed at the city. It has hit a maternity clinic as well as a Holocaust Memorial site. The target seems to be the city’s communication systems.

So far there are 136 casualties confirmed including 13 children. About 400 civilians including 26 children were injured. The actual number might be higher since these were only the reported ones according to the UN. About 677,000 have evacuated in less than a week. The country sees at least 150,000 citizens leaving every day. UN has pledged support to all the people who are in need.

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“The parties discussed holding another round of negotiations where these decisions can develop,” he said.

“I do not really believe in the result of this meeting, but let them try so that no citizen of Ukraine would have any doubt that I, as president, did not try to stop the war when there was even a small chance,” President Zelensky said Sunday.

President Zelensky also accused Russia of war crimes for the bombing of Kharkiv. He added that he is currently analyzing the talks between Russia and Ukraine.

Belarus has been the host of a joint military exercise with Russia. Its borders are also close to the capital city of Kyiv. Now, a 40-mile long Russian convoy is seen passing through the border on the way to Kyiv. The convoy includes tanks, artillery, armory, and logistical vehicles.

Australia sends a $50 million support package including missiles to Ukraine. The package contains lethal and non-lethal aid to be used to defend the country.

“We are answering the call from President (Volodymyr) Zelensky: he said we need ammo, not a ride and that’s exactly what we’re doing… we’ll provide 50 million US dollars to support Ukraine, lethal and non-lethal support… we’re talking missiles, we’re talking ammunition,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

A further $25 million will be for humanitarian support for the hundreds of thousands fleeing Ukraine and those displaced by war.

The war continues as many countries continue to sanction Russia in the hopes to deter any further invasion. Many social media outlets have also helped censor information regarding the conflict.

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The Thai Embassy in Warsaw arranges the evacuation of Thais in Ukraine. The city of Lviv is where the help center is currently set up. Currently, 47 Thais are in the city with more on their way.

When the Russian invasion has begun, the embassy did not waste time posting updates on their page. They announced plans for the safe evacuation of Thais from Ukraine. As soon the Thais reached Lviv, they will be transported by bus to Warsaw.

On Sunday, 43 Thais arrived in the city while the others confirmed they were safe and are on their way. There are about 100 Thais who are still confined to the cities of Mykolayiv and Kharkiv. They could not travel at the moment due to the imposed lockdowns. They must remain at their homes while the attacks are ongoing.

In the capital city of Kyiv, there are about 148 Thais living in the city. About 102 have already left and 43 have arrived. About 40 Thais are choosing to remain in Kyiv with their families. Most of them are women married to Ukrainians. Their husbands are currently enlisted to defend the city prompting them to remain with their children.

Evacuation Routes

There are currently two evacuation routes for Thais. The first one is through the city of Odessa in the southern part of the country. There are currently 41 Thais on this route. They will eventually be taken to the neighboring country of Romania. They will be traveling to Bucharest and will be flown home.

The second route is through the city of Lviv. They will travel to Warsaw where commercial flights are being booked from March 1-4.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed the Labour Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry to provide all the assistance needed for all the Thais in Ukraine to be flown home safely. The Department of Employment is in touch with the families of the Thais in Ukraine to provide any financial assistance.

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Satellite images capture a Russian convoy 60 kilometers from Kyiv. The three-mile-long convoy is compose3d of fuel tanks, infantry vehicles, and artillery. There were also logistical trucks spotted.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior reports 1,684 people including 116 children were injured during the invasion. So far, there were 352 civilians including 14 children killed.

The world’s largest aircraft, the Mriya (Antonov AN-225) was destroyed by Russian attacks. Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs tweeted “Russia may have destroyed our ‘Mriya’, but they will never be able to destroy our dream of a strong, free, and democratic European state.”

As the US, UK, and EU continue to sanction Russia to deter the invasion, United Nations Assembly is also voting on additional sanctions for Russia. Australia is the most recent country to slap Russia with sanctions. Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed in a statement Monday.

“From midnight last night, Australian targeted financial sanctions and travel bans came into effect on the Russian President and remaining permanent members of Russia’s Security Council: Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Internal Affairs Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev. It is exceedingly rare to designate a head of state and reflects the depth of our concerns. President Putin joins a very small group that includes Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Mu’ammar Gaddafi of Libya, and Bashar al-Assad of Syria.”

Russia and Ukraine delegations will take place on Monday. President Zelensky agreed to meet President Putin at the Ukraine-Belarus border. Meanwhile, Moscow is on high alert including its nuclear forces.

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Early Sunday morning, 30 kilometers southwest of Kyiv was met with two large explosions. The small town of Vasylkiv is the host for a military airbase and a couple of fuel tanks. There was a fire raging at the oil storage area of the Vasylkiv Air Base.

Heavy gunfire in a western district of the Ukrainian capital killed a six-year-old boy and injured several others. Kyiv’s Okhmatdyt hospital reported two teenagers injured along with three adults.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Air Defence system has performed quite well. It has hugely helped in defending the country. It has caused heavy losses to the Russian army.

United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees about 120,000 Ukrainians have already left. About 850,000 are currently displaced. Queues begin to show at various crossings as about 4 million Ukrainians are expected to flee if things get worse.

The White House, European Commission, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Canada have all stated that they support the expulsion of certain Russian banks from SWIFT, a high-security network that connects thousands of financial institutions around the world, and have pledged to work together to “ensure that this war is a strategic failure for Putin.”

According to Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Russian state media outlets will no longer be permitted to run ads or otherwise monetize their content on any platform owned by Meta. Similarly, YouTube has barred RT, a Russian state-run news organization, from operating in Ukraine and has halted its ability to monetize its video on the site worldwide.

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Russia blocked a draft UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine on Friday (local time). The resolution failed to pass when Russia, as a permanent member of the Security Council and President for the month of February, used its veto. The resolution earned 11 yes votes and three no votes.

On Friday, the United Nations Security Council voted on a draft resolution co-sponsored by the United States and Albania, as well as Australia, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, and the United Kingdom. China, India, and the United Arab Emirates were the only countries to vote no.

“India is deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities,” India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said.

“Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution,” Tirumurti added.

Meanwhile, Russian forces targeted an army installation in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, but the offensive was repulsed, according to a Facebook post by the Ukrainian military early Saturday. Separately, the Interfax Ukraine news agency said that the Russian military was attempting to seize one of the city’s power plants.

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Video from eyewitnesses earlier Saturday showed explosions in a location northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. In the region, there is a military base. Meanwhile, the severe battle was reported outside Vasylkiv, around 30 kilometers southwest of Kyiv, by Ukrainian military troops. “Heavy fighting is currently underway in the town of Vasylkiv in the Kyiv region, where the occupiers are trying to land a landing party.”

Russian soldiers are approaching Kyiv from the north and east, according to Zelensky’s statement, after capturing control of an airbase just north of the city on Thursday. “Ukrainians resist the Russian aggression heroically,” he said.

Russian reconnaissance forces have penetrated the Obolon neighborhood of northern Kyiv, just a few kilometers from the city center, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Civilians rushed to shelter from small weapons fire in chaotic scenes seen on video from the region.

According to the Ukrainian envoy to the United States, 92 employees working at the Chernobyl power plant, the site of the world’s worst-ever nuclear accident, have been kidnapped. On Thursday, Russian soldiers grabbed control of the complex, raising concerns that the conflict may disrupt the operation of nuclear waste facilities.

According to intelligence information, the city will fall in a few days. As Russia encircles, the capital, President Zelensky has acknowledged that he is target number 1. He is aware that when Russia reaches the city, they will replace him with a new leader.

Follow us and be updated on the battle for Kyiv

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Russia invades Ukraine just a few hours ago. Citizens of Kyiv and Kharkiv awoke to the sounds of sirens warning them to take cover. Then reports began to flood in that the Russian army has begun its invasion. Many rushed to the subway, others made a last-ditch effort to withdraw money from ATMs and buy gasoline. The stark reality of war has come down on the people of Ukraine.

Countries like the US, the UK, and members of the EU have condemned the attack made by President Putin. Most of them have slapped economic sanctions against Moscow. Everyone was asking to stop the violence.

President Vladimir Putin has addressed Ukrainians and asked them to lay down their arms and go home. Russian Government Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says that the goal of the “special mission” regarding Ukraine is the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country.

“Ideally, Ukraine should be liberated, cleansed of Nazis, of pro-Nazi people and ideology,” he said. “The operation has its goals, they should be reached. The president has said that all the decisions have been made and all the goals will be reached,” Peskov said. “It all depends on the decision of supreme commander-in-chief.”

World Response

There were mixed responses to his move. Below are a few announcements made by governments across the world.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – “We will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets,” she said.

“We condemn this barbaric attack and the cynical arguments that are being used to justify it.”

“These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s interests and their ability to finance the war. And we know that millions of Russians do not want war,” she added.

“We will not allow President Putin to replace the rule of law, by the rule of force, and ruthlessness, Ukraine will prevail.”

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – “We strongly criticize Russia’s actions and will cooperate with the United States and the international community to respond swiftly.”

Japan has also imposed sanctions against Russia. The sanctions include the issuance of visas and freezing of assets of people involved in the Donetsk and Luhansk declaration of independence. Import and exports to the regions are also banned.

Chinese Embassy has issued a warning to Chinese nationals in Ukraine

“The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically. There have been bombings in multiple cities, and the military operations are underway.” The statement also asked citizens to stay at home and away from windows or glass. They also added that for those Chinese nationals traveling on the roads, “the Chinese flag can be affixed to the visible part of the body.”

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20:49 (BKK): Russia spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says that the goal of the “special mission” regarding Ukraine is the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country.

“Ideally, Ukraine should be liberated, cleansed of Nazis, of pro-Nazi people and ideology,” he said. “The operation has its goals, they should be reached. The president has said that all the decisions have been made and all the goals will be reached,” Peskov said. “It all depends on the decision of supreme commander-in-chief.”

20:14 (BKK): Ukraine Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak says “Russia is attacking not just Ukraine, but all the rules of normal life in the modern world. What will be left of the security system on the continent? Zero.”

“The main thing now is to focus as much as possible on defending the country and preserving people’s normal lives,” Podolyak said.

19:17 (BKK): Indian Government and the Indian Air Force are in talks with the Ukrainian government regarding the evacuation of Indians in Ukraine. They are working on the best plans for a safe evacuation.

18:50 (BKK): Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov – “I cannot give you information on the military, technological and other components of this operation,” Peskov said. “The only primary source here should be our military and defense departments.”

“No one is talking about occupation, in this scenario that word is not applicable,” Peskov said. “This is a special operation. I do not think it’s necessary for me to explain anything here, because the president himself gave exhaustive explanations.”

18:31 (BKK): Ukraine reports casualties including 40 soldiers and 10 civilians since the attacks began.

18:22 (BKK): Chinese Embassy has issued a warning to Chinese nationals in Ukraine

“The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically. There have been bombings in multiple cities, and the military operations are underway.” The statement also asked citizens to stay at home and away from windows or glass. They also added that for those Chinese nationals traveling on the roads, “the Chinese flag can be affixed to the visible part of the body.”

17:25 (BKK): Multiple attacks are now being reported as many users take to social media to share photos of what is happening in Ukraine.

17:16 (BKK): Reports of Russian tanks presence in Kharkiv. Ukraine President Zelensky offers weapons to everyone who wants them. Many civilians have undergone basic military training in the past few weeks in preparation for an invasion.

16:42 (BKK): President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine officially cuts all diplomatic ties with Russia in a briefing.

16:50 (BKK): People begin to take shelter while some are trying to leave the capital. Many are stuck in traffic and some are queueing to access the ATM or groceries. The underground train stations has become a temporary bomb shelter.

16:33 (BKK): European stock markets plunge as Russia invades. FTSE 100 down by 2.5%, FrencH CAC down 4%, Germany’s Dax down by 4%.

Dow is 1.4% lower, S&P 500 is 1.8% lower and Nasdaq closed 2.6%

Asian Markets has shown the same pattern.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index – decrease by 3%

Korea’s Kospi – down by 2.6 %

Japan’s Nikkei 225 – down 2%

China’s Shanghai Composite – down 1.7%

16:14 (BKK): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison – “We denounce what are unilateral hostile actions in Ukraine. Russia is flagrantly breaching international law and the UN Charter. Russia has chosen war, together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms.” 

15:52 (BKK): Indian Embassy in Ukraine has released a statement.

For Indians living in Ukraine, the present situation is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hotels, accommodations, or in transit.

All those who are traveling to Kyiv, including those traveling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries.

Further advisories will be issued for any update.

15:42 (BKK): French President Emmanuel Macron – “France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage war on Ukraine. Russia must end its military operations immediately, France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war.”

15:15 (BKK): EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – “We will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets,” she said.

“We condemn this barbaric attack and the cynical arguments that are being used to justify it.”

“These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s interests and their ability to finance war. And we know that millions of Russians do not want war,” she added.
“We will not allow President Putin to replace the rule of law, by the rule of force, and ruthlessness, Ukraine will prevail.”

15:00 (BKK): Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – “We strongly criticize Russia’s actions and will cooperate with the United States and the international community to respond swiftly.”

Japan has also imposed sanctions against Russia. The sanctions include the issueance of visa and freezing of assessts of people invovled in the Donetsk and Luhansk declaration of independece. Import and exports to the regions are also banned.

14:05 (BKK): The world has shown its support for Ukraine as leaders pledged their support. Leaders include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Council President Charles Michel, Emir of Qatar, and Polish President Andrzej Duda.

14:00 (BKK): General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces reports five Russian aircrafts and a helicopter was shot down earlier today. Russian military claims Ukraine “did not provide any resistance.”

13:45 (BKK): Ukraine Foreign Ministry Dmytro Keleba urged Ukrainians to stay strong and share the truth.

“Putin attacked, but no one is running away,” he wrote. “Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win. Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately,” he said.

13:44 (BKK): Tanks begin to move in via Belarus border.

13:39 (BKK): Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Oleg Nikolenko “This is an act of war, an attack on sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a gross violation of the UN Statute and the fundamental norms and principles of international law,” the Russian attack is seen as move to “destroy the state of Ukraine, seize Ukrainian territory by force, and establish occupation control.”

13:03 (BKK): Kharkhiv Mayor  Igor Terekhov warns everyone to stay at home. “Please do not leave your homes today. Due to the complicated situation, schools, kindergartens and other institutions do not work today — until the situation becomes clearer.”

12:59 AM (BKK): Stocks plunge as Moscow Echange closes until further notice.

12:52 AM (BKK): South Korean embassy in Ukraine advises citizens to prepare for an evacuation. “Considering the urgent change in the current situation, we strongly recommend that the South Koreans who are still in Ukraine be fully prepared so that they can move to a safe area or location promptly in case of an emergency.” 

12:48 AM (BKK): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced “The situation is tense. We will continue to work in collaboration with the international community, including the G7 nations. We will do our best to collect information and get a grasp of the situation.”

12:46 AM (BKK): Russian Military releases a statement “The Russian Armed Forces are not launching any missile or artillery strikes on the cities of Ukraine. High-precision weapons destroy military infrastructure: military airfields, aviation, air defense facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the statement read. “The civilian population is not at risk.” 

12:44 AM (BKK): Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says “The world must act immediately. Future of Europe & the world is at stake. ” Shares a few suggestions

1. Devastating sanctions on Russia NOW, including SWIFT
2. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats 
3. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine 
4. Financial assistance 
5. Humanitarian assistance

12:18 AM (BKK): President Zelensky announced martial law – “No panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will win over everybody because we are Ukraine.”

12:01 AM (BKK): “All parties concerned should exercise restraint and avoid the further escalation of tensions,” – Zhang Jun China UN Ambassador. China seeks to promote peace talks and diplomatic solutions.

11:52 AM (BKK): Attacks have begun as troops begin to cross the border. UN-Secretary General warns of war worse than any in this century. Meanwhile, flights announce that Ukraine is a no-fly zone.

11:49 AM (BKK): To those who threaten Russia “know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never experienced in your history”- Vladimir Putin

10:47 AM (BKK): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Moscow to give peace a chance and to stop attacking Ukraine. Emergency meetings are ongoing to address the Russian advance.

10:32 AM (BKK): President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the “special military operation” in the Donbas region. Explosions in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Russian invasion has began.

February 23, 2022: USA and UK sanction Russia to deter any attack.

February 22, 2022: Russia moves in for “peacekeeping” missions in eastern Ukraine.

February 21, 2022: Biden and Putin agree for talks

February 20, 2022: The US warns everyone of imminent attacks

February 19: 2022: US President Joe Biden says Russia will invade.

February 18, 2022: US says Russia has already selected targets in Ukraine.

February 17, 2022: Despite claims of pulling back, Russia has added more troops at the border.

February 16, 2022: Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and two other banks were hacked.

February 15, 2022: Russian military advances closer to Ukraine

February 14, 2022: US warns that Russian Invasion will be any day now.

February 13, 2022: Experts begin to realize that Ukraine is surrounded.

February 12, 2022: Russia says that the west has a “large-scale disinformation” campaign.

February 11, 2022: Joe Biden urges americans living in Ukraine to “leave now”

Febraury 10, 2022: Russia advances further towards the Ukrainian border

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Russia announces military operation in Eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the “special military operation” in the Donbas region. This has come after US, UK, and other European nations have announced their sanctions to deter the Russian invasion.

A few signs have pointed to the beginning of the attacks. The first one was President Putin allegedly not answering the calls of President Zelensky. The second sign was Russia announcing the Ukraine region as a no-fly zone. Finally, the Russian President has responded.

A few days ago, President Putin declared the eastern separatist-held regions of Ukraine independent. While Ukraine’s president did not acknowledge any of it, Putin is beginning his operations in the region.

United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Moscow to give peace a chance and to stop attacking Ukraine. “The day was full of rumors and indications of an offensive against Ukraine was imminent. In the recent past, there were several situations with similar indications, similar rumors. And I never believed in them, convinced that nothing serious would happen,” Guterres told the council. “I was wrong. And I would like not to be wrong again today.”

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has also expressed her thoughts.

“We are here tonight because we believe, along with Ukraine, that a full-scale, further invasion into Ukraine by Russia is imminent,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

“Tonight, we’re seeing the Russians close airspace, move troops into Donbas, and move forces into combat-ready positions,” she added, calling this “a perilous moment.”

“And we are here for one reason and one reason only: to ask Russia to stop. Return to your border. Send your troops, and your tanks, and your planes back to their barracks and hangars. And send your diplomats to the negotiating table,” she said.

Reports are coming in of explosions in Kyiv and the second largest city of the country Kharkiv.

President Putin addressed Ukrainian soldiers and advised them to lay down their arms and go home. He also warned that any military aggression will be on the conscience of the Ukrainian government.

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Boris Johnson has named five banks whose assets will be frozen. He also announced three Russian billionaires who had been given a UK travel ban. Johnson said that this is just the “first barrage” of sanctions and could get worse if Russia continues to invade.

US and EU have also imposed a sanction of their own. This is part of a coordinated response by the West to the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The UK is also planning to sanction members of the Russian Parliament who voted to recognize the independence of eastern Ukraine. The sanctions will be most likely the same as those of the Russian billionaires.

In the upcoming weeks, they will be preventing any business of financing of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This similarly happened when Russia reclaimed Crimea. They said that they are willing to slap additional “unprecedented” measures and are prepared for more.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said that President Putin is “establishing the pretext for a full-scale offensive.” His statements were based on satellite reports of Russian troops massing on different areas near the border.

The EU has announced plans to target the Russian parliament as well as banks that are financing the Russian military. Germany has also frozen the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Russia.

MPs also called for additional sanctions on Russia such as excluding them from the global Swift payment platform. They also wanted a ban on trading Russian sovereign debt. A proposal also includes the prevention of Russia spreading any false propaganda to the world. They suggest that if the full sanctions are not done now, then the Russian President might think invasion outweighs these sanctions.

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Just a few days ago, President Vladimir Putin has made his speech regarding the independence of east Ukraine. He also deployed Russian troops to these “independent” states for “peacekeeping” missions. However, the Ukrainian President did not acknowledge any of it saying their borders stay the same.

President Joe Biden announced its “first tranche” of sanctions. This includes two large financial institutions, Russian sovereign debt, and Russian elites and family members. They will be “cut off Russia’s government from Western finance.”

Additional US troops will also be deployed to strengthen the US allies on the Baltic nations. He did clarify that the troops will not be there to fight Russia.

“The United States and our allies and partners remain open to diplomacy if it is serious,” he said. “When all is said and done, we’re going to judge Russia by its actions, not its words.”
President Biden would still like to proceed with diplomatic solutions to the ongoing issues. He was also open to sharing his perspective regarding the acknowledgment of independence. He believes that Moscow was planning to redraw borders which violates international laws.

“Who in the Lord’s name does Putin think gives him the right to declare new so-called countries on territory that belonged to his neighbors? This is a flagrant violation of international law and demands a firm response from the international community,” Biden said.

He viewed it as a beginning of an invasion so de does believe it is also the right time to give a response. There has been no additional response from Russia after President Putin’s speech.

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Russia orders troops to move in for peacekeeping missions in eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin signed decrees for Russia-backed regions’ declaration of independence. Separatist-held eastern Ukraine is known to be backed by Moscow and could mark the beginning of the invasion.

The decrees that were signed recognize Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic (DPR and LPR). Both are independent states in the Donbas region of Ukraine. The decree also guarantees that Russian Troops will defend them.

Many US government officials stated that this could be the beginning of a huge military attack.

Vladimir Putin has made a speech on Monday regarding the Ukrainian Socialist Soviet Republic. He called the eastern part of Ukraine, “ancient Russian lands.”

“Russia has always tried to resolve all conflicts by peaceful means. Nevertheless, the Kyiv authorities conducted two punitive operations in these territories [Donetsk and Luhansk], and it seems that we are now witnessing an escalation for the third time,” Putin said.

Zelensky Remains Steadfast

President Zelensky of Ukraine does not recognize these declarations of independence. He added that Russia has violated Ukraine’s “national integrity and sovereignty” and their borders will “remain as such”. “We are on our land, we are not afraid of anything and anyone. We don’t owe anything to anyone, and we will not give away anything to anyone. And we are confident of this,” Zelensky said.

Ukraine has begun the meeting for the Normandy Four which includes Germany, Russia, and France.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken backed the Ukrainian government recognizing this move as an attack on sovereignty. US President Joe Biden signed an executive decree prohibiting any investment, trade, and financing on the ‘Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics.’

Both President Putin and President Biden have agreed to meet “in principle” to talk about deescalating the issue. Among the points, Russia is demanding is not to allow Ukraine to join NATO. The reason was to avoid NATO spreading its foothold at the Russian borders.

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Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin agree to meet if Russia does not attack Ukraine. The White House announced that the US president will attend the French-brokered summit. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet on February 24. They will be discussing the details in advance.

“We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war. And currently, Russia appears to be continuing preparations for a full-scale assault on Ukraine very soon,” Press Secretary John Psaki said.

The summit was proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron. He talked to both President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin back-to-back. His efforts are towards exploring every available pathway to avoid conflict.

“President Biden is prepared to engage President Putin at any time, in any format, if that can help prevent a war,” according to Blinken.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his opinion. He said that Russia is planning “the biggest war in Europe since 1945.”

“I’m afraid to say, that the plan that we’re seeing, is for something that could be really the biggest war in Europe since 1945,” he said. He added that “people need to understand that the sheer cost in human life that could entail not just for Ukrainians, but also for, for Russians and for young Russians.”

Satellite Images

Maxar has also released additional satellite photos showing that Russian troops are mounting and moving into position. “Multiple new field deployments of armored equipment and troops have been observed northwest of Belgorod and near Soloti and Valuyki, Russia “. These are places 35 kilometers away from the border.

“This new activity represents a change in the pattern of the previously observed deployments of battle groups (tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery, and support equipment). Until recently, most of the deployments had been seen primarily positioned at or near existing military garrisons and training areas. Today (Sunday) most of the combat units and support equipment at Soloti have departed and extensive vehicle tracks and some convoys of armored equipment are seen throughout the area. Some equipment has also been deployed east of nearby Valuyki, Russia in a field approximately 15 kilometers north of the Ukraine border,” Maxar noted.

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Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskiy reported several mortar fires on Sunday. He was on tour on the front lines and was giving interviews shortly prior to the bombing.

“We have information about the advance of the Russian army along with our territory,” he said. “There is also information that certain units of the Wagner PMC have entered our territory. The purpose of the stay is to organize sabotage in our territory.”

Munich Security Conference

Munich Security Conference

President Zelensky asked for the sanctions against Russia to be made public. The Munich Security Conference initially decided not to publicize the sanctions until Russia has invaded.

“The question of just making it public … just the list of sanctions, for them, for us, to know what will happen if they start the war — even that question does not have the support,” he said.

He argued that what use is the sanctions to them after their economy has collapsed due to invasion. He urged the members to make it public before applying pressure to Russia not to invade. He was asking for sanctions that can provide or he also suggested that Ukraine can provide a list.

“If you can’t even disclose what will happen to whom if the war starts … I doubt it will be triggered after it happens,” he added.

Russia has been amassing troops at the Ukrainian border. There were satellite images of about 150,000 soldiers. There were also additional reports of troops gathering in Crimea and other points of the border.

“Ukraine needs security guarantees,” Zelensky said. “We are smart people, we are not narrow-minded. We understand there are lots of different risks because of NATO, there is no consensus around other allies, everyone is saying there is some distance that we need to go between Ukraine and NATO that we need to walk. All we are saying is tell us how much time does it take to complete this distance?”

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Joe Biden says Russia will invade. “As of this moment, I am convinced he’s made the decision,” Biden said during his speech at the White House. He also added that they believe they will attack “in the coming week” or sooner. The target will be the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv. He did emphasize that there is still room for diplomacy.

Biden will gather the national security team over the weekend and monitor any progress during the weekend. He will also remain in close contact with world leaders. His administration has disclosed several intelligence details on Russian troop movements. The reason he chose to do it is to say it “loudly and repeatedly, to remove any reason that Russia may give to justify invading Ukraine and prevent them from moving.”

Russia Refutes the Claims

“Make no mistake. If Russia pursues its plans, it will be responsible for a catastrophic and needless war of choice,” he added.

Mara Zakharova, Russian foreign ministry spokesperson denied the claims Biden made. “The American president also repeated the unsubstantiated thesis about Russia’s alleged attempts to ‘attack’ Ukraine, threatening Moscow with sanctions in the event of an escalation. The Russian Federation categorically denies such statements and escalation plans attributed to it,” the Russian news agency said.

It is up to Ukraine

Biden stated that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky must decide whether or not to attend the security summit in Germany this weekend. On Saturday, Vice President Kamala Harris is slated to meet with Zelensky at the conference.

The US also released a statement regarding the recent cyber attacks on the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense and two banks. “We believe that the Russian government is responsible for widescale cyberattacks on Ukrainian banks this week. We have technical information that links the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate, or GRU, as known GRU infrastructure was seen transmitting high volumes of communication to Ukraine based IP addresses and domains,” said Anne Neuberger, deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology.

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The US claims that evidence shows that Russia is “moving towards an imminent invasion” despite Russia’s claim to withdraw. US officials including President Joe Biden believe that the attack will happen “in the next few days”.

“Every indication that we have is that they are prepared to go into Ukraine, attack Ukraine,” Biden said.

Russia however answer and said that these were “baseless accusations”.

Blinken suspects that Russia will generate a pretext of war. This could include fabricated terrorist bombing, the discovery of mass graves, or staged drone strikes. “Russia may describe this event as ethnic cleansing or a genocide, making a mockery of a concept that we in this chamber do not take lightly,” Blinken said.

“The information I presented here is validated by what we’ve seen unfolding in plain sight before our eyes for months,” Blinken said. “Remember that while Russia has repeatedly regarded our warnings as melodrama and nonsense. They’ve been steadily amassing more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s borders.”

Russian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Sergey Vershinin, warned others about making the UN meeting a “circus,”. He said they should not present “baseless accusations saying that Russia allegedly was going to attack Ukraine.”

“We have long ago clarified everything and explained everything. And the announced date of this so-called invasion is behind us, so, therefore … my advice to you is [to] not present yourself in an awkward situation,” Vershinin said.

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A senior US administration official said that Russia’s claims of withdrawal were “false” and warned that these diplomatic claims were a farce.

“Every indication we have now is they mean only to publicly offer to talk. They make claims about de-escalation, while privately mobilizing for war,” the official said.

President Joe Biden mentioned during a televised speech that the estimate of Russian troops on the border is at 150,000. “Our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position,” Biden said. “And the fact remains right now Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine and Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.”

A senior diplomat cautioned that Russia may attack under a false pretext. This includes claiming NATO activities or an incursion into Russian territory. Or claiming atrocities were taking place in the eastern Donbas area, which has been under Russian-backed rebel rule since 2014.

“We should expect more false reports from Russian state media over the coming days,” an official said. “We don’t know what form the false pretext will take. But we hope the world is ready.”

“We will continue to pursue diplomacy over the coming days while being prepared to respond swiftly and decisively,” the official said. “Russia keeps saying it wants to pursue a diplomatic solution; their actions indicate otherwise. We hope they will change course before starting a war that will bring catastrophic death and destruction.”

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the alliance had not yet seen “any sign of de-escalation on the ground,” but added that “signs from Moscow that diplomacy should continue” were grounds for cautious optimism.

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The Russian military advances are closer to Ukraine. Social Media posts show submarines and amphibious landing ships in the Black Sea. They also reveal short-range ballistic missiles, tanks, and howitzers around Ukraine’s northeastern edges. Some of the videos come from official sources; most are from TikTok or YouTube. They are being analyzed by online observers and often complement satellite imagery.

There’s plenty of other evidence of the military build-up in the Belgorod region. Russian forces are also moving at night in the area showing tanks off-loaded from trains. The area around Voronezh also appears to be getting pretty crowded. A large collection of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles was filmed in the last couple of days from a passing train. Social media videos also featured the arrival of helicopters near the Ukrainian border.

Michael Kofman, the Russia analyst at CNA, notes that troops in Kursk “appear to be moving up to Belgorod with district-level artillery support. He says the 1st Guards Tank Army has started to move too — “presumably to a final staging area.” Of particular concern is the movement of convoys of Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles. They have a range of up to 250 miles (402 km) and have been spotted in recent satellite imagery.

Belarus

Russian and Belarusian troops began sizeable joint exercises last week near the Polish border, but some Russian forces are on the move many miles from where the exercises are taking place and have taken up positions close to where the borders of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus meet. Russian weaponry — and ships — continue to close in on the Ukrainian border. Sites, where equipment had been pre-positioned more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) from the border, have been progressively emptied as units have moved forward.

The Russian military movement is concerning and it is even more frightening not knowing what the next move is.

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“We cannot perfectly predict the day, but we have now been saying for some time that we are in the window, and an invasion could begin, a major military action could begin by Russia in Ukraine any day now — that includes this coming week, before the end of the Olympics,” Sullivan said on an interview with CNN.

“The way they have built up their forces, the way they have maneuvered things in place, makes it a distinct possibility there will be major military action very soon. And we are prepared to continue to work on diplomacy, but we are also prepared to respond in a united and decisive way with our allies and partners should Russia proceed.”

In a call between the US and Ukraine, Biden vowed that the US will respond “swiftly and decisively” should Russia attack.

“President Biden made clear that the United States would respond swiftly and decisively, together with its allies and partners, to any further Russian aggression against Ukraine. The two leaders agreed on the importance of continuing to pursue diplomacy and deterrence in response to Russia’s military build-up on Ukraine’s borders,” according to the White House.

Ukraine also called for an urgent meeting with Russia for the next 48 hours. They are hoping to understand the reason for the buildup of troops. Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia did not respond to the request. This has prompted the west to speculate that there is an invasion. Russia continuously denied any plans of invasion.

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The Ukraine crisis has gained international coverage since it began. All eyes are now focused on Russia’s next move. The most recent reports show that Russia has amassed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. All the while, Russia claims that the US is on a disinformation campaign.

Experts have continued to track this growth and realized Russia has surrounded Ukraine on three points. The three points are in Crimea to the south, on the Russian side of the two countries’ border, and in Belarus to the north.

Most of the world knows about the troop build-up in Eastern Ukraine. The initial base is found in Yelnya which originally held Russian troops and artillery. Now, satellite images show that this base is empty. The troops have moved to a position even closer to Ukraine in the Bryansk region.

Belarus

The second pressure point is in Belarus. Russia and Belarus began 10 days of joint military drills on Thursday. The size and timing of which have sparked fears in the West. Belarus could provide Russia with an opening into Ukraine. The buildup in Belarus includes an expected 30,000 combat troops and Spetsnaz special operation forces. It also has fighter jets including SU-35, Iskander dual-capable missiles, and S-400 air defense systems. This is the largest buildup since the cold war. Experts from the west find it coincidental with the invasion threats.

Crimea

The third point is at Crimea. The peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 would provide a natural staging ground for any new operation. A large deployment of troops and equipment has been observed by Maxar. They estimate that there are about 550 troop tents and hundreds of vehicles have arrived north of the Crimean capital, Simferopol. Then a new deployment was identified by Maxar for the first time Thursday near the town of Slavne. On the northwest coast of Crimea, they have begun to see armored vehicles. Those new deployments were observed on the same day that several Russian warships arrived in Sevastopol, Crimea’s main port.

With these movements, the west is interpreting the massive troop build-up as the beginning of the invasion plans. However, what if they are increasing a troop presence for defense purposes?

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The Russian Foreign Ministry statement came only hours before US President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to speak on Saturday. Also, just hours after the US issued a harsh warning that a Russian invasion of Ukraine was near.

Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Friday – “At the end of 2021 and the beginning of 2022, the global information space faced a media campaign unprecedented in its scale and sophistication, the purpose of which is to convince the world community that the Russian Federation is preparing an invasion of the territory of Ukraine,”

US national security advisor Jake Sullivan warned on Friday that a Russian assault on Ukraine, involving bombs and missiles, might start shortly. For their own safety, Sullivan recommended all Americans leave the country as soon as possible. This is an echo of the advice of President Biden earlier.

Russia said that their main concern is the increased presence of NATO on their western flank.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko provided steps to protect “critical and social infrastructure facilities” in “the event of a possible emergency”. He added, “our efforts are aimed at preventing or overcoming both possible provocations and withstanding a military attack.”

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The previous base was located in Yelnya about 160 miles from Ukraine. Senior director at satellite imagery company Maxar, Stephen Wood commented that it has moved. “It looks to me like a considerable amount of the vehicles [tanks, self-propelled artillery, and other support vehicles] have departed from the northeastern vehicle park. Additional armored vehicles departed from the more central vehicle park.”

Social media posts shot in the previous days show that equipment was carried towards the Bryansk region. This is much closer to Ukraine. Russian journalist Rusland Leviev of the Conflict Investigation Team (CIT) reported the movement. “We also saw videos of several trains that were posted by social media users from the Bryansk region. On the carriages we could read 8-digit identification codes, which, when checked against openly accessible databases, trace the train’s origins to Yelnya.”

“This is important because those vehicles previously were several hundred kilometers away from the border, and now [they] are stopping in mere dozens [of kilometers away].”

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC News: “We believe that there is a very distinct possibility that Vladimir Putin will order an attack on Ukraine. It could take a number of different forms. It could happen as soon as tomorrow or it could take some weeks yet.”

Russia has denied any plans of invasion. They have not commented on the troop movements but are in open discussions with NATO and the US.

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Russia advances its deployments in several locations in Belarus. This is according to a US-based technology company’s latest satellite images. This move concerns Ukraine and NATO as fears of invasion fill the news.

The advances could be because of the joint military exercise of Belarus and Russia that is set for Thursday. However, the satellite image was taken hundreds of miles away from the exercise venue.

Russia denied the claims that they are planning to invade Ukraine. However, some experts say that they have the 70% of what was needed for a full invasion at the border. There is no additional intel if Russia will add more troops however, the threat remains imminent.

Normandy Front

France President Emmanuel Macron urged the EU to have their separate talks with Russia. Macron hopes to revitalize the Normandy Front. The talk between Russia, France, Germany, and Ukraine. This would work towards a viable solution to the ongoing conflict.

The French president said “And we see that looking at the dialogue that the US and Russia are currently undertaking. I think that it is good for there to be coordination between Europe and the US but it is vital that Europe has its own dialogue with Russia.”

Russia has accused the US government and media of hyping up the situation. Even the Ukrainian president pleaded not to cause panic. Russia also said that their concern is the expansion of NATO footprint along their border. While NATO and the US responded that any sovereign nation has the right to join the alliance.

Russia currently holds a large chunk of Europe’s natural gas supply. There is also an economic tie between the nations that are vital to both of their economies.

China also expressed its support of the Russian President. They both agree on NATO’s expansion is unacceptable. As of this moment, there are no intelligence reports on the exact reason for the troop buildup. Both sides are speculating at this point. The Russian advance could be a defense of their border against NATO expansion.

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Just last week, President Vladimir Putin called out the US government and media saying they are hyping it up. He also said that the west is pushing Russia to respond through armed combat. His primary concern is that NATO is expanding its footprint near the Russian border. Ukrainians themselves say that the threat is there but uncertain.

USA and Russia caught up in talks regarding the NATO open-door policy and Ukraine has the right to join. China is showing support for Russia in terms of ideology but not economically. Europe is worried that Russia could use the natural gas supply as an economic threat. No one really is sure the reason for the escalations. Although both sides are open for talks, no one seems to agree on anything at the moment.

Military experts say that President Putin has 70% of what he needs for a full-scale invasion assembled at the border. This is based on the latest intelligence received by the US government. Although the source is not disclosed. US officials publicly and privately stated that they are not sure if President Putin will have a military response. At the moment, they are calculating it.

Russia continues to add forces along the border and the US estimates soon they would have enough to begin. Given all Putin has moved and his public rhetoric on Ukraine and NATO, he could soon make a decision.

Some of the experts’ calculations include Kyiv falling within 48 hours should Russia unleash its full capacity. They also calculate Putin could decide for a multipronged operation. He could be sending in forces from several directions across Ukraine to quickly fracture the ability of Ukraine’s military to fight.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley warned during a news conference. “There’s a potential they could launch on very little warning”.

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Russia and China called for the halt of the NATO invasion. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed this during a meeting. The increasing alienation of the west for both countries seems to have pushed them even closer.

Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the two leaders “had an in-depth and thorough exchange of views on China-Russia relations and a series of major issues concerning international strategic security and stability.”

China seemed to be empathetic of Moscow’s current troubles with the west. Russia requests NATO to stop expanding its footprint along Russian borders. Russia and China agree on these terms.

The meeting took place as President Putin and President Xi were attending the Beijing Olympics. Most western leaders are not present due to a political boycott. The boycott was made to condemn the human rights violations in China.

Press Release

In an English-translated press release Russia and China “believe that certain States, military and political alliances and coalitions seek to obtain, directly or indirectly, unilateral military advantages to the detriment of the security of others”. They added, “oppose further enlargement of NATO and call on the North Atlantic Alliance to abandon its ideologized cold war approaches, to respect the sovereignty, security and interests of other countries, the diversity of their civilizational, cultural and historical backgrounds, and to exercise a fair and objective attitude towards the peaceful development of other States”.

On Monday, China was the only member of the United Nations Security Council to vote alongside Russia to dismiss a council meeting called by the US to discuss Russia’s military build-up at the Ukrainian border.

Due to the current tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border, Europe fears that Russia will leverage its natural gas supply. Russia provides around 30% of the European Union’s natural gas, with supplies from the country playing a vital role in power generation and home heating across central and eastern Europe. If Russia would withhold the supply, it could send Europe into an economic crisis.

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The US alleges that Russia is preparing to release a propaganda video to “fabricate a pretext for an invasion”. This contains a “very graphic propaganda video” showing Ukraine attacking Russia.

Russia continues to build up forces along the Ukraine border. This allegation is the latest of “intelligence” data suggesting Russia’s plan to invade. Pentagon suggests that Russia “is planning to stage a fake attack by Ukrainian military or intelligence forces against Russian sovereign territory or against Russian-speaking people”. This is to create a rationale for Russia’s invasion.

Press secretary John Kirby added, “As part of this fake attack, we believe that Russia would produce a very graphic propaganda video which would include corpses and actors that would be depicting mourners and images of destroyed locations, as well as military equipment at the hands of Ukraine or the West, even to the point where some of this equipment would be made to look like it was Western supplied … to Ukraine equipment.”

This same week, President Vladimir Putin said that the US is “hyping” the situation. In the same speech, he claims that the US government and media are pushing them towards armed conflict. The Russian president also said the US is ignoring their primary concerns.

Artillery

The US Ambassador to the UN claims that Russia had moved nearly 5,000 troops into Belarus. This includes short-range ballistic missiles, special forces, and anti-aircraft batteries. It is also with the intention of massing more than 30,000 troops near the Ukraine border.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said this is the biggest Russian deployment they have seen since the cold war. The deployment contains  “an expected 30,000 combat troops, Spetsnaz special operation forces, fighter jets including SU-35, Iskander dual-capable missiles and S-400 air defense systems.”

According to the data and intelligence reports, Russia might not need to cross the border to attack. Their missile systems are capable of reaching Kyiv from Belarus. Russia already has about 100,000 troops stationed at the border.

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A recent statement by President Vladimir Putin claims that the west is simply hyping up the situation. He further claims that the west is pushing them to an armed conflict. This comes as the controversy of having some 100,000 Russian troops gather along the border.

There will be about 2000 US troops to be deployed in Germany and Poland. About 1000 troops currently in Germany will be deployed to Romania. Pentagon claims that they are there to protect not to fight in Ukraine. They will simply help defend US allies.

“It’s important that we send a strong signal to Mr Putin and, frankly, to the world that NATO matters to the United States and it matters to our allies,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

Pentagon also seems to back the contents of the leaked letter regarding the diplomatic talks. A story from a Spanish news media claim that they have information on the contents of the letter. In the talks between USA and Russia, they are moving to have trust-building measures. One of them is to cut back on the use of nuclear weaponry.

In a discussion between the UK, Ukraine, and the Russian leader on Wednesday, concerns were raised. Johnson stated that all European democracies have the right to join NATO. Putin answered that the west is pushing him to go on an armed conflict with Ukraine. He also stated that Ukraine violated the Minsk agreement. President Putin went further to say that this was a political move to force sanctions against Russia.

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He added that Russia have not seen “adequate consideration of our three key demands regarding NATO expansion, the renunciation of the deployment of strike weapons systems near Russian borders, and the return of the [NATO] bloc’s military infrastructure in Europe to the state of 1997 when the Russia-NATO founding act was signed.”

Putin also said that the United States is luring Russia into conflict. He claimed that Washington’s main goal is to force “allies in Europe to impose the very tough sanctions against us,” or “draw Ukraine into NATO.”

President Vladimir Putin also said “I hope that this dialogue will continue,” he said, adding: “I hope that we will eventually find this solution, although it is not an easy one, and we are aware of this. But what that will be, I’m not ready to say today, of course.”

Putin also characterized NATO’s history of deception, claiming that the alliance promised to expand “not an inch” eastward. “They said one thing, they did another,” Putin said. “As people say, they screwed us over, well they simply deceived us.”

Follow us for updates on Russia.

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“Hysteria hyped up by Washington is causing hysteria in Ukraine, almost to the point that people are packing their bags for the front. It’s a fact,” added Peskov. Even President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on the same subject. He asked world leaders not to cause panic. The president also said that since Crimea’s invasion, Ukrainians learned to live with the threat.

Pescov asked western countries “to take a more constructive approach”. The current wave of panic is causing harm to businesses and financial institutions. “It’s an open attack on business,” he added.

Both the US and UK representatives have identified business individuals who currently have ties to Russia. They said that should Russia invade Ukraine; they will impose heavy sanctions.

“In general, the Anglo-Saxons are widely escalating tensions on the European continent,” Peskov said.

Current diplomatic conversations are ongoing as Russia has sent its reply to the US. This is in response to a letter sent by the US last week. US State Department officials say that the report has been received. They are not published with respect to the ongoing negotiations.

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The USA has recently decreased its staff in Ukraine urging embassy members’ families to leave the country. This is part of the precautions they are taking as tensions arise. This has been the first time in decades that countries are close to war.

Recent intel from both UK and USA suggests that Russia is planning to install an ally in power. The current government’s decision to join NATO does not bid well for Russia. As a former part of the Soviet Union, Ukraine is looking to be independent. At the moment there is no confirmation on what are the actual plans of President Vladimir Putin. Currently, there are 127,000 troops and equipment at the border.

Whitehouse spokesperson said “If Russia chooses further escalation, then the security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, in Russian controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice. We are taking this action now because of Russia’s aggressive actions towards Ukraine.”

US flights to Ukraine are currently suspended. The Biden administration also encourages citizens of Ukraine to leave and secure themselves. The tensions grow day by day. As of the moment, the US is also preparing a military response. The UK also promises to support the USA with ammunition and equipment.

Stay tuned for USA vs Russia Update

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