Russia-Ukraine Conflict Highlights: Russian troops launched multiple air strikes on a military training ground outside Ukraine's western city of Lviv, near the border with Poland, a local official said Sunday.
Russia "launched an air strike on the International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security," some 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Lviv, head of the Lviv regional administration, Maxim Kozitsky, said on his verified Facebook page, adding that eight missiles were fired.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Sunday that Russia might use chemical weapons following its invasion of Ukraine and that such a move would be a war crime, according to an interview in German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
US President Joe Biden on Saturday authorized $200 million in weapons and other assistance for Ukraine, the White House said, as Ukrainian officials said heavy shelling by Russian forces were endangering attempted evacuations.
The decision brings total U.S. security aid provided to Ukraine over the past year to $1.2 billion, a senior administration official said. In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that up to $200 million allocated through the Foreign Assistance Act be designated for Ukraine's defense.
The funds can be used for weapons and other defense articles from the Defense Department's stock, as well as military education and training to help Ukraine. The fresh funds come days after the U.S. Congress approved $13.6 billion in emergency aid for Ukraine as part of a $1.5 trillion measure to fund the U.S. government through September.
Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what he called a special military operation before dawn on February 24, ignoring Western warnings and saying the "neo-Nazis" ruling Ukraine threatened Russia's security. Russia's assault is said to be the biggest on a European state since World War Two and threatens to upend the continent's post-Cold War order.
The live blog session has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned with Moneycontrol.com.
Instagram users in Russia are told service will cease from midnight
An email message from the state communications regulator told people to move their photos and videos from Instagram before it was shut down... Read More
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Russia counts on sanctions help from China
Russia said on Sunday that it was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, but the United States warned Beijing not to provide that lifeline.Russian Finance Minister AntonSiluanovsaid sanctions had deprived Moscow of access to $300 billion of its $640 billion in gold and foreign exchange reserves, and added that there was pressure on Beijing to shut off more.
"We have part of our gold and foreign exchange reserves in the Chinese currency, inyuan. And we see what pressure is being exerted by Western countries on China in order to limit mutual trade with China. Of course, there is pressure to limit access to those reserves," he said.
"But I think that our partnership with China will still allow us to maintain the cooperation that we have achieved, and not only maintain, but also increase it in an environment where Western markets are closing."(Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Instagram users in Russia are told service will cease from midnight
Instagram users in Russia have been notified that the service will cease from midnight on Sunday after its owner Meta Platforms said last week it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages such as "Death to the Russian invaders".
An email message from the state communications regulator told people to move their photos and videos from Instagram before it was shut down, and encouraged them to switch to Russia's own "competitive internet platforms".Meta, which also owns Facebook, said on Friday that the temporary change in its hate speech policy applied only to Ukraine, in the wake of Russia's Feb. 24 invasion. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Turkey, Greece agree to improve ties amid Ukraine conflict
Turkish PresidentTayyipErdoganand Greek Prime MinisterKyriakosMitsotakisagreed in talks on Sunday to improve ties, despite the long-running disagreements between the two NATO members, Ankara said.
Both countries have key roles to play in the changing security situation in Europe after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and their increased cooperation would have benefits for the region, the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
Turkey shares a maritime border with both Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea, has good relations with both countries and has offered to mediate in the conflict. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | 'Russia beginning to talk constructively': Ukraine gives brightest assessment yet of progress in talks
Russian and Ukrainian officials gave their most upbeat assessments yet on Sunday of progress in their talks on the war in Ukraine, suggesting there could be positive results within days."We will not concede in principle on any positions. Russia now understands this. Russia is already beginning to talk constructively," Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviserMykhailoPodolyaksaid in a video posted online."I think that we will achieve some results literally in a matter of days," he said. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Nearly 125,000 people evacuated via humanitarian corridors in Ukraine, says president
Nearly 125,000 people have been evacuated via humanitarian corridors from conflict zones in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a video address on Sunday. "Today the key task is Mariupol," he said, adding that a humanitarian supply convoy was now only 80 kilometres (50 miles) away from the besieged port city where more than 400,000 people are trapped. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | US, allies will continue to escalate pressure on Russia, says White House's security advisor Jake Sullivan
Russia's expansion of attacks to new targets in Ukraine near the Polish border reflects its growing frustration about the pace of the invasion, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday.
Sullivan said Washington had no plans to have U.S. military forces operating in Ukraine, but the United States would defend "every inch" of NATO territory, while increasing assistance to Ukrainian fighters, including through provision of anti-aircraft weapons.
He said the United States and its allies would continue to escalate pressure on Russia and warned that any moves by China or others to provide a lifeline to Russia or help them evade Western sanctions would "absolutely" result in consequences.(Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Anti-war protests across Europe, small rallies in Russia
Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather Sunday in cities across Europe to protest against the ongoing war in Ukraine, with small rallies taking place in Russia as well despite a crackdown by authorities against such demonstrations.
Trade unions called a protest in Berlin where sunny weather was expected to boost the turnout. Organizers planned to march from the city's Alexanderplatz a large square named after Russian Tsar Alexander I to a site near the Brandenburg Gate. Protests were also planned in Warsaw, London, Madrid, Frankfurt, Hamburg and Stuttgart.
In Russia, where protests against the war in Ukraine have typically met with a heavy police response, rights group OVD-Info said 135 people had been detained in 20 cities as of early afternoon Moscow time. Meanwhile, Ukrainian nationals in Taiwan and supporters staged a march Sunday in Taipei to protest the Russian invasion. (AP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Death toll climbs to 35 in Russian airstrike on Ukraine's largest military base
A Russian missile attack on a large Ukrainian military facility near the border with NATO member Poland on Sunday killed 35 people and wounded 134, a Ukrainian official said.
Ukraine said foreign military instructors have previously worked at the base, but a NATO official said there were no personnel from the alliance at the base. It was not immediately clear whether any non-NATO states might have representatives there.
Regional governorMaksymKozytskyysaid Russian planes fired around 30 rockets at theYavorivInternational Center for Peacekeeping and Security, adding that some were intercepted before they hit. At least 35 people were killed and 134 wounded, he said. Reuters was not able to verify his statement.
Reuters
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | Indian Embassy in Ukraine temporarily relocated to Poland
With the military conflict escalating between Ukrainian and Russian troops, India has decided to temporarily shift its embassy in Ukraine to neighbouring Poland.
"In view of the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Ukraine, including attacks in the western parts of the country, it has been decided that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine will be temporarily relocated in Poland. The situationwill be reassessed in the light of further developments," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE | 179 students reach Jharkhand from crisis-hit Ukraine
As many as 179 students who were trapped in war-torn Ukraine, have reached Jharkhand, State Migrant Control Room officials said on Sunday. Of the 179 students, 34 were from Ranchi district followed by East Singhbhum (26), Dhanbad (18), Godda (15), Palamu (14), Hazaribag (13) and Bokaro (10). (PTI)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| 9 dead, 57 injured at Lviv military base after Russia's multiple air strikes
Nine people died and 57 were injured in Russian air strikes overnight on a Ukrainian military base close to the city of Lviv, the city's mayor said Sunday. "Unfortunately we have 9 dead. 57 people were injured," Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy wrote on Telegram. (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Supplies and a smile: Kharkiv resident delivers aid to besieged city
Somehow Teimur Aliev manages to smile. A lot. The 23-year-old musician is in Kharkiv, a city in northeastern Ukraine that has suffered some of the heaviest bombardment from Russian forces and where dozens of civilians have been killed. Rather than fleeing, he has decided to remain in his home town and try to help those who are either trapped or, like him, staying put. As soon as the war began on Feb. 24, Aliev and his older brother Ramil collected all the money they had and bought food and other essentials, which they distributed to people who could not get to shops themselves. Read More
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Bus carrying dozens of Ukrainians overturns in Italy, 1 dead, several injured: Reuters
A bus carrying around 50 Ukrainians went off the road in Italy, leaving one dead and several injured, fire fighters said on Sunday. The accident occurred on the highway between Cesena and Rimini, on the north eastern coast. Pictures posted by the fire fighters on Twitter show the bus had overturned. Rescue operations are still underway, fire fighters said. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Russian forces advance in eastern Ukraine, strike military base in west: Reuters
Russian forces launched a missile attack on a large Ukrainian military facility near the Polish border on Sunday, Ukrainian officials said, in what appeared to be the westernmost attack of the war. "The occupiers launched an air strike on the International Center for Peacekeeping and Security" in Yavoriv, the Lviv regional military administration said in a statement. "According to preliminary data, they fired eight missiles." Initial reports indicated "there are no dead, but information about the injured and wounded is being clarified," said Anton Mironovich, spokesman for the Academy of Land Forces of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to Interfax Ukraine news agency. Nineteen ambulances with sirens on were seen by Reuters driving from the direction of the Yaroviv facility after the strike. The 360 square-km (140 square-mile) facility less than 25 km (15 miles) from the Polish border, is one Ukraine's biggest and the largest in the western part of the country. Ukraine held most of its drills with NATO countries there before the invasion. The last major exercises were in September.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Ukraine says foreign instructors working at Lviv military base attacked by Russia
Foreign military instructors worked at the Yavoriv military facility near the Polish border that was hit by a Russian air strike on Sunday, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said, but it was not clear if any were present at the time. A ministry representative told Reuters the ministry was still trying to establish if any of the instructors were at the centre at the time of the attack. "Russia has attacked the International Center for Peacekeeping & Security near Lviv. Foreign instructors work here. Information about the victims is being clarified," Reznikov said in an online post. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Ukraine to support crop sowing campaign, says prime minister
Ukraine's government will introduce a plan to support the crop sowing campaign in an effort to safeguard food supplies amid Russia's invasion, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on Sunday. He said Ukraine had sufficient volumes of basic food products for the next few months. "But we must also think about the future. Therefore the government is implementing a plan to support the sowing campaign, which should start soon where possible," he said in a statement. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Russian forces attempt to surround Ukrainian forces in east, says UK intelligence
Russian forces are attempting to surround Ukrainian forces in the east of the country as they advance from the direction of Kharkiv in the north and Mariupol in the south, Britain's defence ministry said on Sunday. "Russian forces advancing from Crimea are attempting to circumvent Mykolaiv as they look to drive west towards Odesa," the ministry said in an intelligence update posted on Twitter. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Russian tanks fired on 9-storey apartment block in Ukraine's Mariupol
A tank emblazoned with a giant Z backs up clumsily in the besieged city of Mariupol, crashing into destroyed buses before letting loose a shell. Ukrainian fighters later destroyed it, notching up one small victory. An Associated Press journalist witnessed tanks firing on a 9-story apartment block and was among a group of medical workers who came under sniper fire Friday in the city completely surrounded by Russian soldiers. The video he shot shows shells exploding as they hit the apartment block, already severely damaged, setting balconies on fire. It wasn’t possible to tell whether the Russian positions had first received fire from the targeted locations. (AP)
Russia-Ukraine Crsisis LIVE| Ukraine readies for 'relentless defence' of Kyiv
Ukraine prepared Sunday for a "relentless defence" of Kyiv as the capital faced possible encirclement by advancing Russian forces who have also kept up a bombardment of the besieged southern port city of Mariupol. In a video address posted on social media late Saturday night, President Volodymyr Zelensky said nevertheless the Russians did not have the strength or spirit to conquer Ukraine. "The Russian invaders cannot conquer us. They do not have such strength. They do not have such spirit. They are holding only on violence. Only on terror. Only on weapons, which they have a lot," he said. A convoy of humanitarian aid headed for Mariupol had been blocked at a Russian checkpoint, but it was hoped it could reach the city Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said. The strategic port, in particular, is facing what Ukraine says is a "humanitarian catastrophe", with more than 1,500 civilians killed. Attempts to evacuate hundreds of thousands of civilians have repeatedly failed. "Mariupol is still surrounded, that which they cannot have by war, (the Russians) want to have by hunger and despair. Since they cannot bring down the Ukrainian army, they target the population," a French military source said. (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Greek, Turkish leaders to seek common ground over Ukraine war
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis are to hold talks in Istanbul on Sunday, a meeting analysts say will focus on coordination as war continues in Ukraine. The meeting comes as Ankara seeks to shore up its credentials as a regional power player by mediating in the conflict. On Thursday, the Turkish resort city of Antalya hosted the first talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba since the start of Russia's invasion. They failed to broker a ceasefire. Now Mitsotakis will see Erdogan, mindful that the burgeoning conflict in Ukraine looms larger than the long-standing tensions between Athens and Ankara. "From the standpoint of both countries, having a potentially new crisis between them would certainly be very unwanted at this particular point in time," Sinan Ulgen, president of the Centre for Economic and Political Studies in Istanbul, told AFP." "So what they will seek to do is really try to avert the emergence of such a scenario," he said. The Greek government spokesman this week said Mitsotakis was already due to visit the Istanbul-based Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Sunday and had been invited to lunch by Erdogan at the presidential mansion on the banks of the Bosphorus. Antonia Zervaki, assistant professor of international relations at the University of Athens, says the meeting will provide an opportunity to "bring the two countries closer together" after a fraught period in relations. (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Ukrainians soldiers hold off Russian tanks on Kyiv's eastern front: AFP
Firing a constant barrage of artillery at the Russians, a troop of Ukrainian soldiers are keeping up morale: their shelling has so far stopped Moscow's tanks entering Kyiv from the east. And they hope that the enemy forces, which have struggled to take large cities, will eventually get bogged down. Wearing camouflage uniform and carrying a Kalashnikov, a soldier nicknamed Topaz watches the motorway running north from Kyiv's eastern suburbs. With his companions, he is keeping up a barrage of artillery from behind the front line, as regular explosions of heavy weaponry echo across the plain and an icy wind blows. Read More
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Russia strikes military base outside Ukraine's Lviv, says local official: AFP
Russian troops launched multiple air strikes on a military training ground outside Ukraine's western city of Lviv, near the border with Poland, a local official said Sunday. Russia "launched an air strike on the International Centre for Peacekeeping and Security," some 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Lviv, head of the Lviv regional administration, Maxim Kozitsky, said on his verified Facebook page, adding that eight missiles were fired. (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| In Finland, Russia's assault on Ukraine has stirred up painful associations with 1939 Winter War
In her wooden, snow-covered house 20 minutes from Russia, Maija Poyhia wears a traditional blue headscarf that her mother carried with her when fleeing the Soviet invasion of Finland during World War II. In Finland, Russia's assault on Ukraine has stirred up some painful associations with the 1939 Winter War, when Red Army troops attacked the Nordic country across their shared border, which now runs to 1,340 kilometres (830 miles). As in Ukraine, the smaller Finnish army back then put up strong resistance and inflicted heavy losses on the Soviets. (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Russia trying to create pseudo-republics to break us apart: Ukraine President Zelenskyy
Russia is trying to create new pseudo-republics in Ukraine to break his country apart, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address to the nation Saturday. Zelenskyy called on Ukraine's regions, including Kherson, which was captured by Russian forces, not to repeat the experience of Donetsk and Luhansk. Pro-Russian separatists began fighting Ukrainian forces in those eastern regions in 2014. The occupiers on the territory of the Kherson region are trying to repeat the sad experience of the formation of pseudo-republics, Zelenskyy said. They are blackmailing local leaders, putting pressure on deputies, looking for someone to bribe. City council members in Kherson, a southern city of 290,000, on Saturday rejected plans for a new pseudo-republic, Zelenskyy said. Read More
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| UN to hold multiple meetings this week on Ukraine war
The United Nations will have multiple meetings this week about Russia's war in Ukraine, though it is unclear if they will lead to the adoption of an official text, diplomats said. On Monday, the Security Council will discuss the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Polish foreign minister Zbigniew Rau is expected to speak during the session, one of the diplomatic sources told AFP Saturday. Although this is an annual meeting, it will place special focus on the war in Ukraine and will likely see fresh calls for peace. For two weeks, a French-Mexican draft resolution on humanitarian aid has been debated by some council members. Members originally hoped to vote on the text in early March, but a date for a vote has not yet been set. On Friday, China's ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun told AFP he had not yet seen a finalized text. According to the draft version, obtained by AFP, the council would deplore "the dire humanitarian consequences of the hostilities against Ukraine." (AFP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Italy seizes Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko's Sailing Yacht
Italian police have seized a superyacht owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Igorevich Melnichenko, the prime minister's office said on Saturday, a few days after the businessman was placed on an EU sanctions list following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The 470-foot Sailing Yacht A, which has a price tag of 530 million euros ($578 million), has been sequestered at the northern port of Trieste, the government said. Designed by Philippe Starck and built by Nobiskrug in Germany, the vessel is the world's biggest sailing yacht, the government said. Melnichenko owned major fertiliser producer EuroChem Group and coal company SUEK. The companies said in statements on Thursday that he had resigned as a member of the board in both companies and withdrawn as their beneficiary, effective Wednesday. Read More
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Brits to get 350 pounds a month to open homes to Ukraine refugees
Britain will pay people to open their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion as the government moves to deflect anger over its response to the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two. The new scheme called "Homes for Ukraine" will let refugees from the war come to Britain even if they do not have family ties, the government said on Sunday. Britain will pay people 350 pounds ($456) a month if they can offer refugees a spare room or property for a minimum period of six months. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to portray Britain as helping lead the global response to the Russian invasion - which Moscow calls a "special operation" - but his government has faced criticism over delays in accepting refugees.(Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| NATO Chief says Russia may use chemical weapons, reports German newspaper
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Sunday that Russia might use chemical weapons following its invasion of Ukraine and that such a move would be a war crime, according to an interview in German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. "In recent days, we have heard absurd claims about chemical and biological weapons laboratories," Stoltenberg was quoted by Welt am Sonntag as saying, adding that the Kremlin was inventing false pretexts to justify what could not be justified. "Now that these false claims have been made, we must remain vigilant because it is possible that Russia itself could plan chemical weapons operations under this fabrication of lies. That would be a war crime," Stoltenberg was quoted as saying. He added that although the Ukrainian people were resisting the Russian invasion with courage, the coming days are likely to bring even greater hardship. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| 7 Ukrainians die in shelling of refugee convoy, reports AP
Seven Ukrainian civilians, including a child, died when Russia shelled a humanitarian convoy of refugees and forced them to turn back, Ukraine's Ministry of Defense said. The seven were among hundreds of people who tried to flee the village of Peremoha, 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of Kyiv. An unknown number of people were wounded in the shelling, the report added.
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Zelenskyy open for talks with Vladimir Putin in Israel if ceasefire in place
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he's open for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Israel ,but only if there is a cease-fire in place. Zelenskyy said Saturday he told Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett that he would be ready to meet Putin in Jerusalem. Bennett visited Moscow for a meeting with Putin and spoke repeatedly with Zelenskyy and the leaders of France and Germany as he sought to help mediate an end to the war. Zelenskyy said Bennett informed him about his talks with Putin, adding that he can't share details. Putin has ignored numerous previous offers of talks from Zelenskyy. Putin has ignored numerous previous offers of talks from Zelenskyy. Speaking at a news conference, Zelenskyy said the Russians could take the Ukrainian capital "only if they kill us all. If that is their goal, let them come," he said. "If they carry out carpet bombings and wipe off the historic memory of the entire region, the history of Kyivan Rus, the history of Europe, they could enter Kyiv but they will have to leave on that land alone, certainly without us. If that is their goal, let them come," he said. (AP)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Boris Johnson to host Baltic, Nordic leaders to discuss new ways for isolating Russia
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will host leaders from countries along Russia's northwestern flank next week to discuss ways they can respond to President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including finding new ways to isolate Russia's economy. The leaders from countries in the Joint Expeditionary Force, a British-led grouping made up of Denmark, Estonia, Finland and Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden will meet for talks in London on Tuesday. The leaders are expected to agree to more military exercises in the North Atlantic and Baltic Sea and will discuss the war in Ukraine and energy security, Johnson's office said. "European security has been shaken by the attack of Russia on Ukraine, and alongside our partners, we will take action to ensure we emerge stronger and more united than before," Johnson said in a statement. "Ensuring we are resilient to Putin's threats needs to go beyond our military footing - together alongside our North and Baltic Sea partners we must ensure we are insulated from Russia's interference and impact on our energy supplies, economy and values." (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Around 13,000 Ukrainians evacuated from cities on Saturday: Ukraine Deputy PM
Around 13,000 people were evacuated from a number of Ukrainian cities on Saturday, said Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk, almost twice the number who managed to get out the previous day. Vereshchuk said in an online message that no one had managed to leave the besieged city of Mariupol and blamed obstruction by Russian forces. Moscow had earlier accused Ukrainian forces of intentionally trapping people there. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Satellite images show fires, severe damage to residential buildings in Mariupol
Satellite images taken on Saturday morning showed extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and residential buildings throughout the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, a private U.S. company said. Maxar Technologies said fires were seen in the western section of the Black Sea port city and dozens of high-rise apartment buildings had been severely damaged. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Saturday that Mariupol was besieged by Russian forces that have invaded his country but was still under Ukrainian control. At least 1,582 civilians in Mariupol have been killed as a result of Russian shelling and a 12-day blockade, the city council said on Friday. It was not immediately possible for Reuters to verify the casualty figures. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| Ukraine says seven killed, including a child, after Russia fired at evacuation convoy
Ukraine's intelligence service accused Russia on Saturday of firing at a convoy that was evacuating women and children from the village of Peremoha in the Kyiv region, killing seven people including one child. "After the attack, the occupiers forced the remnants of the column to turn back to Peremoha and are not letting them out of the village," the intelligence service said in a statement, adding that the total number of wounded was unknown. "Russians shot a column of women and children while trying to evacuate from the village of Peremoha in the Kyiv region along an agreed "green" corridor. Seven people died, including one child," it said. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| France says Putin shows no readiness to end Ukraine war as fighting rages
Fighting raged near Kyiv on Saturday and heavy shelling in other areas threatened new attempts to evacuate trapped civilians as France said Russian President Vladimir Putin showed no readiness to end the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Moscow was sending in new troops after Ukrainian forces put 31 of Russia's battalion tactical groups out of action in what he called Russia's largest army losses in decades. It was not possible to verify his statements. He also said about 1,300 Ukrainian troops had been killed so far and urged the West to get more involved in peace negotiations. The president suggested Russian forces would face a fight to the death if they sought to enter the capital. "If they decide to carpet bomb (Kyiv), and simply erase the history of this region, the history of the Kyivan Rus, the history of Europe, and destroy all of us, then they will enter Kyiv. If that's their goal, let them come in, but they will have to live on this land by themselves," he told a news conference. Zelenskiy discussed the war with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Emmanuel Macron, and the German and French leaders then spoke to Putin by phone and urged the Russian leader to order an immediate ceasefire. (Reuters)
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE| US authorizes $200 million for additional arms, equipment to Ukraine: White House
President Joe Biden authorized $200 million for additional arms and equipment to Ukraine, White House said on Saturday. "Today, President Biden authorized $200 million for additional arms and Ukraine. This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than one year brings the total U.S. security assistance to Ukraine to over $1.2 billion since January 2021," White House said in a Tweet.Biden's decision brings total US security aid provided to Ukraine to $1.2 billion since January 2021. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeted: "This unprecedented fourth drawdown in less than a year will bring total US security assistance provided to Ukraine to more than $1.2 billion since January 2021."
Russia-Ukraine Conflict LIVE|
Good morning and welcome to Moneycontrol's Live Coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict today on March 13, 2022. Stay tuned for the latest news, developments, and analysis!
