This page is no longer being updated.
Click here to view the latest batch of updates from the Russo-Ukrainian War.
Sky News reporters shot at and hit by Russian death squad
23:53 – 4 Mar 2022
Sky news’ chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay and his team were attacked and wounded outside Kyiv, but have all fled and are now safely back in the UK.
Zelenskyy heavily criticises NATO’s unwillingness to create ‘no-fly zone’
23:36 – 4 Mar 2022
The 30 member countries of NATO met in Brussels to discuss the alliance’s next steps in Ukraine. Diplomatic efforts have failed to end the chaos in the country, eight days after Putin ordered his troops to invade.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned NATO’s decision to rule out the implementation of a no-fly zone over the country.
“NATO has deliberately decided not to cover the skies over Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a Facebook video.
“We believe that NATO countries have created a narrative that closing the skies over Ukraine would provoke Russia’s direct aggression against NATO. This is the self-hypnosis of those who are weak, insecure inside, despite the fact they possess weapons many times stronger than we have,” he said.
NATO’s chief said Friday that a no-fly zone over Ukraine is not an option being considered by the alliance.
European Council President Charles Michel said yesterday that enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine is a NATO decision, but that it would be “one step too far” with a “real risk of escalation and a real risk of a possible third international war.”
Bloomberg and CNN stop broadcasting in Russia
23:19 – 4 Mar 2022
CNN spokesperson has said that “CNN will stop broadcasting in Russia while we continue to evaluate the situation and our next steps moving forward.”
A similar stance was taken by the Bloomberg broadcast in Russia, with Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait saying that “We have with great regret decided to temporarily suspend our news gathering inside Russia.”
This comes as Russia has essentially banned the free press from the country, as Putin signed into law earlier this evening a law that would allow the courts to sentence anyone to a 15-year jail sentence if they spread any “fake” information about the war.
“The change to the criminal code, which seems designed to turn any independent reporter into a criminal purely by association, makes it impossible to continue any semblance of normal journalism inside the country.”
More Ukrainians return home to aid in war effort
22:47 – 4 Mar 2022
As more than a million Ukrainians cross the border into the safety of a welcoming Europe, the border flow does not seem to be going only away from the war zone, as hundreds of Ukrainians are reportedly returning to their homeland to help in the war effort, many of which do not have any previous military experience.
Volunteers from European countries, the United States, Canada and Australia, especially veterans and Red Cross workers, are also reported to be making their way to Ukraine.
Kamala Harris to visit Poland and Romania next week
22:36 – 4 Mar 2022
US Vice President Kamala Harris is set to travel to Warsaw and Bucharest between the 9th and 11th of March.
“Her visit will demonstrate the strength and unity of the NATO Alliance and U.S. support for NATO’s eastern flank allies in the face of Russian aggression,” a statement from her deputy press secretary said. “It will also highlight our collective efforts to support the people of Ukraine.”
Thousands of I.T. specialists & hackers fight the war online
22:16 – 4 Mar 2022
Since the start of the physical war in Ukraine, one of the largest information wars ever seen on the modern Internet has been semi-quietly going on, with specialists and hackers from both sides attacking connected civilian and military systems, with government websites, news stations, databases, intranets, mass leaking information and taking systems down for hours on end, constantly.
However, a significant majority of the capable individuals from all around the world have put their target on Russia, with Russian media outlets that are “constantly lying to their citizens,” and financial and transportation organizations supporting the war effort, are among the potential targets for digital attacks from the so-called Ukrainian “IT army”.
However, groups of Belarusians and Russians, especially from government divisions, are also reportedly attacking Ukrainian websites and defence systems, with a major attack occurring just today.
Ukrainian forces claim Russians “right near the city”
21:52 – 4 Mar 2022
“We don’t shoot anymore. They do not shoot,” said Vitaliy Kim, head of the regional administration in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv.
The Ukrainian forces are at a standstill with the Russian soldiers, stationed around the city. It was previously reported that the Russians within the city were driven out to the outskirts.
“In general, not a fun situation — they seem to be here, but it seems like they are not in the city, sometimes they shoot, protect themselves,” he said.
Ukraine to sell NFTs to fund war effort
21:42 – 4 Mar 2022
Ukraine has said that it will issue NFTs to fund its military as they defend the country against the Russian invasion.
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are a digital asset that can have value but do not have a tangible form. It is unclear what type of NFTs the country would be selling.
The announcement by deputy prime minister Mykhailo Fedorov comes in the same week the country raised more than £200m from the sale of war bonds.
Russia blocks Twitter
20:48 – 4 Mar 2022
Twitter has been blocked in Russia, only an hour after it was announced access to Facebook had been cut off.
The moves will mean ordinary Russians have even less access to information about the conflict in Ukraine from outside sources.
“This is part of their effort … to cut off a range of information from their public,” White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters.
“We are deeply concerned about this and concerned about the threat on freedom of speech in the country.”
large Russian military convoy “stalled”
21:04 – 4 Mar 2022
Actions by Ukrainians have “stalled” the large Russian military convoy headed in the direction of Kyiv, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said during an on-camera briefing at the Pentagon on Friday.
“We do have reports that a bridge was blown up that we believe was in the path there. We also have indications that the Ukrainians have struck the convoy elsewhere and on vehicles,” Kirby said.
“We do believe that the actions of the Ukrainians have stalled that convoy, certainly slowed it down, stopped it in some places,” he added.
US oil sanctions unlikely, but ‘not off the table’
20:34 – 4 Mar 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a conference that “we have a strong interest in degrading Russian energy,” and reducing dependence on Russian energy in the long term, but that is not currently feasible or in the interest of the United States, as this would send the price of oil surging.
Novaya Gazeta to remove all mentions of Ukrainian invasion
19:52 – 4 Mar 2022
Novaya Gazeta, a highly respected Russian independent investigative paper, tweeted that it was removing articles on the war in Ukraine, saying that the new Russian censorship laws necessitated removing those materials.
EU, UK ready to adopt more sanctions if war doesn’t stop
19:41 – 4 Mar 2022
“Thanks to this coordination [with the US], we have together designed, developed and deployed sanctions in record time. Sanctions that demonstrate our determination to make Putin pay a price for his war. We do not take these measures lightly but it is clear we need to act,” said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“We have to sustain this until it stops, until the war is over,” added United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, also said that changes to sanctions legislation would give the UK “new powers in our arsenal to go further and faster” in sanctioning Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Facebook blocked in Russia
19:21 – 4 Mar 2022
Russian state-owned domestic news agency RIA Novosti tweeted that Facebook is now blocked in Russia.
Russia had already limited access to Facebook and slowed the platform in response to the social network’s restrictions on Russian state media pages and Russian bot accounts.
The move will make it more difficult for Russian citizens to access outside sources of information, especially with the collapse of the remaining free press within the country occurring between yesterday and today.
Russia to accept plans for talks in Turkey
19:14 – 4 Mar 2022
Russian ambassador to the United Nations Gennady Gatilov has reportedly welcomed proposals for Russian and Ukrainian ministers to hold talks in Turkey next week.
A set of talks are planned to occur within the weekend, as delegates from both sides are attempting to find a diplomatic measure to end the conflict.
“Please don’t be silent”
19:01 – 4 Mar 2022
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged Europeans to stand up for his country.
“People of Europe, I call upon you not to be silent,” he said.
“Come out onto the streets and support Ukraine.”
“If Ukraine will not stand, Europe will not stand. If we will fall, you will fall.“
“Please don’t be silent. Do not turn a blind eye on this.”
US labour secretary predicts “short-term inflation”
18:33 – 4 Mar 2022
US Labour Secretary Marty Walsh indicated on Friday he didn’t think Russia’s war on Ukraine would impact job creation in the United States, but “certainly” had “potential to have an impact on inflation in some cases.”
“At the end of the day, we stand united with the Ukrainian people, and not just the United States, but major … countries in the world and all countries in the world. We’re rallying around the Ukrainian people. And I think for some short-term inflation, we need to continue to stand with the Ukrainian people. They don’t deserve what they’re experiencing right now. They don’t deserve what they’re getting. And we need to … show the world that we’re united behind them.”
Transnistria wants recognition of independence
18:25 – 4 Mar 2022
Following Moldova’s move to join the European Union in light of the continued Russian threat, the breakaway state of Transnistria, de-facto known as ‘The Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic’, has issued a statement for talks to start with the Moldovan government to officially recognise their independence.
“The decision of the Moldovan authorities represents willingness to transfer Moldova’s sovereignty to supranational authorities in Brussels and the transition to the final military-political and economic development of the Republic of Moldova’s territory by the West,” a statement from their foreign ministry read.
“In the new circumstances, including those created by the Moldovan leadership’s actions, we call on the Moldovan side to engage in dialogue with Pridnestrovie with a view to a final civilized settlement of relations based on the peaceful good-neighborly existence of two independent states by signing a comprehensive interstate agreement.”
Statement: https://mfa-pmr.org/en/node/8925
Ukraine to join NATO’s CCDCOE
18:09 – 4 Mar 2022
Ukraine is set to become a member-contributor of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE). This cooperation will help Ukraine with the field of cyber defence research, training and exercises on the technology, strategy, operations and law.
‘Constant’ flow of Russians entering Finland
17:44 – 4 Mar 2022
Finnish customs have been met with a ‘constant’ flow of Russians are entering Finland, as the Russian rouble continues experiencing a loss in value, and rumours of Putin’s government potentially enacting martial law against the protestors continue to grow.
Finland’s traditionally neutral population is experiencing a change in opinion, as recent polls show more and more Finns thinking that their country should join NATO.
Finland has been a neutral country since after the 2nd World War, in a move to satisfy the neighbouring Soviet Union enough to not invade the democratic nation.
Independent Journalism dead in RussiA
17:29 – 4 Mar 2022
After the Russian parliament approved a law that would sentence journalists spreading information that does not conform to the government stance, meaning anything that the government may label as “fake information”, to a 15-year sentence, the few remaining independent news outlets within the country have shut down.
The latest to do so is the Russian branch of the BBC, as the BBC director-general Tim Davie said in a statement, “It leaves us no other option than to temporarily suspend the work of all BBC News journalists and their support staff within the Russian Federation while we assess the full implications of this unwelcome development.”
“The safety of our staff is paramount and we are not prepared to expose them to the risk of criminal prosecution simply for doing their jobs. I’d like to pay tribute to all of them, for their bravery, determination and professionalism.”
“We remain committed to making accurate, independent information available to audiences around the world, including the millions of Russians who use our news services.”
Many independent journalists are reportedly fleeing the country, being labelled as “foreign agents” by Putin’s government, as the risks and threats towards themselves and their families continue to mount.
Missile fragment lands at Presidential house
17:17 – 4 Mar 2022
Kharkiv today
16:56 – 4 Mar 2022
Video: Occupied Novopskov protests against Russian troops
16:44 – 4 Mar 2022
Switzerland to adopt further EU sanctions
16:26 – 4 Mar 2022
Switzerland will adopt the new European Union sanctions on Russia and freeze the assets of more people with close ties to Putin.
“The export to Russia of certain goods and services in the oil sector is no longer permitted. Furthermore, the export of certain goods and technology that can be used in aviation and the space industry is prohibited.”
Third round of talks this weekend
16:11 – 4 Mar 2022
President Putin told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine has been scheduled for this weekend.
It is unknown what was achieved from the first round of talks, if anything, whilst the second round of talks only achieved to create humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave the war zones.
“Unfortunately, the results Ukraine needs are not yet achieved. There is a solution only for the organization of humanitarian corridors,” tweeted senior Ukrainian official Mykhailo Podolyak.
Microsoft halts sales and services in Russia
15:56 – 4 Mar 2022
Microsoft President Brad Smith wrote that the company will suspend “all new sales of Microsoft products and services in Russia,” as well as “stopping many aspects of our business in Russia in compliance with governmental sanctions decisions.”
The company added that it also continues to offer cybersecurity assistance to Ukraine and “most recently” helped to defend the country against a cyberattack targeting a “major Ukrainian broadcaster.”
russia blames power plant attack on saboteurs
15:30 – 4 Mar 2022
The attack on the Zaporizhzhia factory was blamed on Ukrainian saboteurs by Russia’s defense ministry, who called it a “monstrous provocation.”
Igor Konashenkov, a spokesperson for the ministry, said the facility was operational and that the area had been under Russian control since Monday.
“However, the Kyiv nationalist regime attempted to carry out a horrific provocation on the property adjacent to the power plant last night,” Konashenkov stated.
russia is using cluster bombs – nato secretary general
15:15 – 4 Mar 2022
There is evidence that Russia is employing cluster bombs in its invasion, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
“We have witnessed the deployment of cluster bombs, and we have seen reports of the use of other sorts of weaponry that would be in violation of international law,” he told reporters at a press conference.
He also stated that the Western military alliance would not establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine or send soldiers there, but he promised Kyiv additional assistance and urged President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion immediately.
‘sanctions will benefit us’ – putin
14:45 – 4 Mar 2022
More from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has warned countries against imposing additional sanctions against his country.
Those who fail to cooperate, he claims, will injure themselves as well as Russia.
Despite this, he claims that his country is establishing “new competences” and programs to “address the challenges that we face.”
“This [the sanctions] will benefit us,” he believes.
navalny calls for protests
14:30 – 4 Mar 2022
Alexey Navalny, a jailed Kremlin opponent, has called for Russians to protest the war in Ukraine on March 6 in cities across Russia and around the world.
“Prove to the rest of the world that Russians do not want conflict.” Wherever you are, come out in the squares of Berlin, New York, Amsterdam, or Melbourne. We are now all responsible for the destiny of Russia. For what Russia will become in the eyes of the rest of the world,” Navalny wrote on his blog.
deaths reported at nuclear power plant facilities
14:00 – 4 Mar 2022
According to Ukraine’s foreign affairs ministry, several persons were killed or injured in a fire that erupted as a result of Russian bombardment of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant.
Employees are monitoring the Zaporizhzhia facility to ensure that it is working safely and that radiation levels are currently normal, according to a statement on the ministry’s Facebook page.
However, if the cooling process for the nuclear fuel inside the power plants is disrupted, there might be widespread radioactive contamination.
18,000 refugees have arrived in germany
13:45 – 4 Mar 2022
Since Moscow launched its assault into Ukraine, more than 18,000 refugees have fled to Germany, according to a spokesman for the German Interior Ministry.
According to the official, almost 3,000 of those who entered the country were not Ukrainian citizens.
swedes now in favour of joining nato
13:30 – 4 Mar 2022
According to a new opinion poll, a majority of Swedes now favor joining NATO as a result of Russia’s invasion, with Moscow’s assault reportedly prompting a swift shift in sentiments in a country long known for neutrality.
According to a poll commissioned by the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, 51% of Swedes now support NATO, up from 42% in January. The percentage of those who oppose joining the partnership has dropped from 37% to 27%.
Kremlin asks russians to unify behind Putin
13:15 – 4 Mar 2022
As Moscow continues its onslaught, the Kremlin has asked Russians to unify behind Putin.
On a conference call with reporters, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, “Now is not the time to separate; now is the time for all to join, be together, and, of course, unite around our president.”
He went on to say that what happened next in Ukraine would be determined by Kyiv’s reaction to the two sides’ talks this week.
drax to stop using russian biomass
13:00 – 4 Mar 2022
The owner of Drax, a power station in North Yorkshire, has declared that it will no longer use Russian biomass (a renewable energy source).
Following the invasion of Ukraine, it joins a growing number of corporations who have decided to stop using Russian resources.
Drax only utilizes a limited quantity of biomass at its facility, and the company is now working with suppliers and customers to find any more Russian ties.
klitschko visits kyiv shelters
12:45 – 4 Mar 2022
Former heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, brother of Kyiv mayor Vitali, was among the many notable Ukrainians internationally praised for their acts following Russia’s invasion.
He released a video of himself visiting individuals seeking refuge in a subway station in the city.
In one photo, the former boxer is seen comforting a woman who appears to be crying, while in another, he is seen holding another woman’s pet dog.
‘do not impose more sanctions’ – putin
12:30 – 4 Mar 2022
Opponents of Russia’s actions in Ukraine have been advised not to “exacerbate the situation” by slapping harsher sanctions on the country.
The Russian president was giving an address during a government meeting that was broadcast live on the state-run TV channel Rossiya 24.
Putin states, “We have no ill will against our neighbors.”
He also claims that his government sees “no need” for its neighbors to take additional actions that will “worsen our ties.” “I believe that everyone should consider how to normalize relationships, cooperate properly, and establish relationships normally,” he continues.
It comes as foreign ministers from around the world convene in Brussels to discuss how to keep the pressure on Russia up.
russia abandoned by its allies in UN council vote
12:15 – 4 Mar 2022
In addition to the BBC, Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international broadcaster has been restricted today in Russia as well.
On Friday, Russian officials blocked access to DW online.
Before the invasion of Ukraine, Russia had already barred DW’s Russian service from airing and revoked accreditation for its correspondents.
russia abandoned by its allies in UN council vote
12:00 – 4 Mar 2022
The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning the Russian invasion and establishing a commission to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity with a resounding majority.
Only one other member state, Eritrea, voted against the resolution, leaving Russia utterly isolated.
A commission of inquiry is the highest degree of probe that the council may order; one has already been established for Syria, and one will be established for Russia’s conduct in Ukraine.
Moscow has been humiliated by the result of the vote, which was 32 in favor, 2 against, and 13 abstentions.
China, Cuba, and Venezuela are generally dependable allies of Russia, but they abstained this time.
Another Russian media outlet closes down
11:29 – 4 Mar 2022
Russian online publication Znak.com has announced it is closing down due to the increasing restrictions on media in the country, it said in a statement on its Telegram account on Friday.
Znak.com, an independent media outlet based in Yekaterinburg, was known for its thorough, independent reporting. It is the latest media outlet forced to close after Russian government tightened restrictions on how media can report on the conflict in Ukraine.
‘Russian troops entering Mykolaiv’ says mayor
11:21 – 4 Mar 2022
The mayor of Mykolaiv has said that Russian troops are entering his city of 500,000.
It comes after Russian forces claimed to have captured Kherson, just an hour away on the south coast.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry claims Russian forces focusing on Kyiv encirclement
11:09 – 4 Mar 2022
The statement by the Ukrainian Defence Ministry claims that Russian troops were “blocked and stopped in the Makarov area,” which is about 60km away from the Ukrainian capital.
The ministry said that Russia’s forces have exhausted most of their operational reserves and have started “preparations for the transfer of additional forces and resources from the southern and eastern military districts.”
‘No release’ of radioactive material from Zaporizhzhia
10:56 – 4 Mar 2022
Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, said that the attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant did not impact the reactors, but an “adjacent” building.
“It is important to say that all the safety systems of the six reactors at the plant were not affected at all,” Mr Grossi said. “There has been no release of radioactive material.”
BBC restricted in Russia
10:45 – 4 Mar 2022
Earlier today, the Kremlin has announced that the BBC’s Russian Service website will be restricted within the country.
A spokesman said: “Access to accurate, independent information is a fundamental human right which should not be denied to the people of Russia, millions of whom rely on BBC News every week.
“We will continue our efforts to make BBC News available in Russia, and across the rest of the world.”
Mayor of Mariupol urges Nato to send troops
10:11 – 4 Mar 2022
The deputy mayor Sergei Orlov is urging NATO leaders to provide troops into Ukraine, saying Russia will not stop until thousands are killed and ethnic Ukrainians are kicked from their land.
“There is no way to stop Putin from killing our civilians from the sky until Nato wakes up and understands that it’s not a regional conflict – it’s a war against democracy, against freedom, against one of the biggest European nations.”
“It looks like [NATO] doesn’t understand that Putin will not stop, they are scared and this is a pity. And we expect that some day Nato leaders will understand that it’s totally necessary to provide direct military support to Ukraine to stop Mr Putin or at least to close our sky to protect us from the threat from the sky.”
Russia’s advancement into Ukraine
10:05 – 4 Mar 2022
The Institute for the Study of War has released the following map showing an approximation of what areas of Ukraine are, as of yesterday afternoon, under Russian occupation.
Russia introduces jail terms for spreading ‘fake’ information
09:59 – 4 Mar 2022
Russian legislators have introduced a 15-year jail term for anyone who creates any “discredit of Russian military” about the Armed Forces.
It also introduces fines for those who “intentionally” spread false information.
It is also to note that the last independent Russian news organisation dissolved this morning as the government continues to crack down on such platforms.
Nuclear reactors ‘taken offline’ after Russian attack
09:44 – 4 Mar 2022
Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which was attacked early this morning, is “not another Chernobyl”, however, the situation is still a risky one.
With only one of the six reactors still in operation, workers are attempting to “shut down the nuclear reaction and putting them into a safe and stable state”.
Moscow Stock Exchange to remain closed once again
09:03 – 4 Mar 2022
With the Russian economy seemingly in shambles, the Moscow Stock Exchange will once again not open for trading, as worsening sanctions on the country.
The closure includes “trading and settlements on all markets of the Moscow Exchange,” the statement said.
google stop selling advertising in russia
08:45 – 4 Mar 2022
As the globe reacts to a week-long conflict in Ukraine, Google declared late last night that it will stop selling online advertising in Russia.
Advertising on search engines, YouTube, and outside publishing partners are all prohibited.
Twitter and Snapchat made similar moves.
‘mariupol still under ukrainian control’ – mod
08:30 – 4 Mar 2022
This morning, the Ministry of Defence published an intelligence update on the battle in Ukraine.
Following reports of heavy shelling, it claimed Mariupol “remains under Ukrainian control but has undoubtedly been encircled by Russian forces.”
The city has also been “subjected to intensive Russian strikes,” according to the MoD.
4 years since salisbury attacks
08:15 – 4 Mar 2022
The Novichok attack in Salisbury, which targeted Russian double agent Sergei Skripal, has been four years, reminds UK Foreign Secretart Liz Truss.
Yulia, his daughter, became unwell after the nerve toxin was used in March 2018, along with police officer Nick Bailey. All three of them were able to recover.
“Barbaric behavior remains a tactic of the Putin regime: terrorizing innocent individuals while continuing to avoid and dodge questions,” Ms Truss stated this morning.
where are ukraine’s nuclear power plants?
08:00 – 4 Mar 2022
Energodar nuclear power plant is ‘under russian control’
07:15 – 4 Mar 2022
After being targeted by Russian soldiers, a fire broke out in a training building at the plant early this morning. The fire has been put out as of 5 a.m. by firefighters.
However, Ukrainian officials reportedly claim that the Energodar plant has been “taken by Russian Federation armed forces.”
The State Inspectorate for Nuclear Regulation said in a statement that information on deaths and injuries is uncertain.
“Systems and elements critical to the nuclear power plant’s safety are operational,” the SINR stated. “At this moment, no changes in the radiation condition have been recorded.”
estonian cargo ship sunk off ukraine coast
06:45 – 4 Mar 2022
An explosion has sunk a cargo ship off the coast of Ukraine, according to its Estonian owners.
They claim that two crew members ended up in a life raft at sea and that four others went missing before being found by a local Ukrainian rescue organization.
Vista Shipping Agency, located in Estonia, owns the Panama-flagged ship. Estonia, a Nato member with a Russian border, is a Baltic state.
After departing the southern town of Chornomorsk near Odesa a few days ago, the ship was anchored off the Ukrainian shore. The reason of the explosion is unknown.
fire at nuclear power plant extinguished
06:15 – 4 Mar 2022
Ukraine emergency services say they’ve managed to extinguish the fire at the nuclear power plant.
us waives covid requirements for americans leaving russia and belarus
05:30 – 4 Mar 2022
According to the State Department, the necessity for negative COVID-19 testing for Americans leaving Belarus or Russia to return home will be waived.
The CDC stated it will use its discretion to authorize travel by US citizens, permanent residents, and holders of valid immigrant visas who were in either nation by February 28.
uk pm to seek un security council meeting
05:15 – 4 Mar 2022
After Russian soldiers stormed Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and caused a fire, Boris Johnson’s office announced that he will request an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
According to Johnson’s office, he spoke with Zelenskyy early in the morning. He claims that Britain will discuss the issue with Russia and other close allies right away.
According to Johnson’s office, he and Zelenskyy have agreed that Russia must stop bombing the plant immediately and allow emergency services unrestricted access. Both sides believe that a ceasefire is necessary.
nuclear power plants being safely shut down
05:00 – 4 Mar 2022
The reactors at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant are “protected by robust containment structures and reactors are being safely shut down,” according to US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm.
Granholm stated on Twitter that she had just spoken with Ukraine’s energy minister about the situation at the plant, which had caught fire during battle between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers.
“No higher radiation measurements have been seen near the site,” Granholm stated.
firefighters gain access to nuclear power plant
04:30 – 4 Mar 2022
According to the country’s emergency services, firefighter workers have finally made their way into the Zaporizhzhya power plant, where a fire broke out in a training facility after the Russian army shelled the site.
Zaporizhzhia accounts for 25% of ukraine’s power
04:00 – 4 Mar 2022
In response to allegations of shelling at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has announced it is in communication with Ukrainian authorities.
A plant spokesman also took to social media to request that Russian authorities “halt the heavy weapons firing.”
According to the Associated Press, Andriy Tuz warned in a video on Telegram that “there is a real concern of nuclear risk in Europe’s largest atomic energy station.”
He also stated that the reactor that is on fire is now undergoing renovations and is not active, although it does contain nuclear fuel.
According to reports, Zaporizhzhia accounts for 25% of the country’s power.
zelenskyy calls russia ‘terrorist state’
03:30 – 4 Mar 2022
After Russian military shot at a nuclear power station, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of using “nuclear terror” and seeking to “repeat” the Chernobyl disaster.
“Apart from Russia, no other country has ever fired a missile at a nuclear power plant.” This is the first time in our history that this has happened. In a video message, he stated, “The terrorist state has now turned to nuclear terror.”
alarms ring as europe’s largest nuclear power plant burns
03:00 – 4 Mar 2022
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, claims that Russian troops are “shooting from all sides” at Europe’s largest nuclear power facility, Zaporizhzhia.
He stated on Twitter, “Russians must IMMEDIATELY ceasefire, allow firefighters, and establish a security zone!”
Military activity around a plant, offers two direct threats to nuclear power plants: potential infrastructure damage and human injuries, or much more catastrophic damage that undermines a plant’s operational capability and could result in a meltdown.
osce nations to review humanitarian abuse reports
02:30 – 4 Mar 2022
The United States and 44 other OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) nations will review reports of humanitarian abuses by Russia in Ukraine, the US State Department has said.
europe’s biggest nuclear power plant is on fire
02:00 – 4 Mar 2022
A fire has reportedly broken out at Europe’s largest nuclear power station, Zaporizhzhia.
According to Mayor Dmytro Orlov of nearby Enerhodar, it appears to have been caused by “constant enemy bombing of [the plant’s] structures and units.”
Orlov had earlier reported heavy fighting on the outskirts of his city, which is in the southeast, between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers.
Residents and workers gathered around the plant and its surrounding roads on Wednesday as Russian military attempted to enter the city in tanks and seize the plant.
Zaporizhzhia is one of Ukraine’s four operational nuclear power facilities.
It also deals with nuclear waste at sites under Russian control, such as Chernobyl.
us, ukraine, discuss further aid
01:30 – 4 Mar 2022
In a call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed additional security, economic, and humanitarian assistance that Ukraine requires, according to the State Department.
oneweb suspends satellite launches
01:00 – 4 Mar 2022
The satellite company OneWeb, which is partly controlled by the UK government, has announced that all launches from Russia’s Baikonur spaceport have been halted.
The company had wanted to launch 36 satellites from Kazakhstan’s cosmodrome on a Soyuz rocket, but the project has been hampered by the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia wanted assurances that the satellites would not be used by the military. It also demanded that the UK government sell its OneWeb stock, a demand that Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng turned down.
no change in radiation at zaporizhzhia
00:30 – 4 Mar 2022
Background radiation levels at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, where a fire broke out after a Russian military attack, have remained unchanged, according to a facility spokeswoman quoted by the RIA news agency.
Separately, Ukraine’s regulator reported “no change” in radiation readings at the plant site, according to the UN’s nuclear watchdog.
nuclear power plant warnings
00:00 – 4 Mar 2022
Wladimir Klitschko, the champion boxer and brother of Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, has stated that the Russian invasion poses a threat to Ukraine’s nuclear installations, warning of a replay of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.
We previously reported on heavy bombardment in Enerhodar, Ukraine, which is home to one of Europe’s largest nuclear power facilities.
Due to the onslaught, the town’s mayor has already warned that there will be no water or electricity.
Klitschko said on Twitter today: “Ukraine has four nuclear power reactors, and the Russian army is bombarding next to them with rockets and bombs. Don’t turn your back on the Russian invasion; STOP IT NOW!!!”
Czechia to send machine guns to Ukraine
23:53 – 3 Mar 2022
Czechia is set to send additional military equipment to Ukraine to assist the country in its battle against the Russian invasion.
The package, worth €660,000, includes hundreds of machines guns and assault rifles and more than 100,000 ammunition rounds.
Earlier today, the Czech Prime Minister announced that Czech nationals will be able to join Ukraine’s defence forces without being punished, since the it is illegal for Czechians to to join foreign armed forces without permission from the president.
A Bird’s eye view of Borodyanka
23:38 – 3 Mar 2022
S&P cuts Russia’s credit rating from ‘BB+’ to ‘CCC-‘
23:13 – 3 Mar 2022
The Russian rouble has hit record lows in the wake of heavy sanctions. This was reflected in rating agency’s S&P’s new credit rating for the country falling from BB+ to CCC-. This means that Russian debt is now considered sub-investment grade, or in “junk” territory.
“The downgrade follows the imposition of measures that we believe will likely substantially increase the risk of default,” the agency said earlier today.
US sanctions 19 oligarchs
22:58 – 3 Mar 2022
The United States has been imposing sanctions on Russia and individuals within the Russian oligarchy since the start of the invasion, as tensions rise between Russia and the western allies.
In a fresh round of sanctions, 8 wealthy elites and 19 oligarchs will be cut off from the US financial system and will have their assets within the US frozen. This list includes Alisher Usmanov, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov and oil executive Nikolai Tokarev.
In addition, these 19 oligarchs as well as 47 of their family members and closest associates will be banned from traveling to America.
US to introduce bill to fund Ukraine with seized Russian assets
21:38 – 3 Mar 2022
A group of US lawmakers have introduced a bill that would empower the US government to use the proceeds from sanctioned Russian assets to help Ukraine.
“Typically, sanctioned assets are frozen, not permanently confiscated, an appropriate safeguard under more normal circumstances,” said Representative Tom Malinowski, who is co-sponsoring the legislation.
“But in this extraordinary case, we think it would be fitting and right to use the wealth that has supported Putin to help the country he is destroying.”
US-Russia hotline set up
21:00 – 3 Mar 2022
The Pentagon has reportedly set up a new hotline connected to Russia’s Ministry of Defence to prevent “miscalculation, military incidents and escalation”, according to a US official.
A hotline between the US and Russia have been created due to multiple issues such as the war in Syria. It was first introduced right after the Cuban Missile Crisis when the world came dangerously close to nuclear annihilation, in which the Soviet premier and the US president had no way of directly communicating to resolve the crisis.
AIIB suspends activities in Russia and Belarus
20:04 – 3 Mar 2022
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank based in China, has put all activities related to Russia and Belarus on hold. All projects within these countries will be placed “under review”.
No-fly zone over Ukraine “one step too far”
19:50 – 3 Mar 2022
European Council President Charles Michel said that enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine is entirely up to NATO, but that it would be “one step too far” with a “real risk of escalation and a real risk of a possible third international war.”
“The EU is not at war with Russia. The reality is that Russia has launched a savage war against Ukraine. Ukraine is not a NATO member, and that’s why we must be extremely careful and cautious. We need to do everything which is possible, but taking into account that Russia has nuclear weapons, and it is very important to avoid a third international war,” he said.
“That’s why we are trying to advocate in different fields at the diplomatic level. We are trying to provide more support to Ukraine in order to have a ceasefire as soon as possible, and in order to make sure that we’ll be able to negotiate as soon as possible.”
Ukraine-Russia talks have ended
19:15 – 3 Mar 2022
The second round of talks that occurred this afternoon have come to a close, with Ukrainian and Russian delegates speaking to reporters in the area on the results of today’s meeting.
The Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak says that “with a great regret” the meeting “hadn’t achieved the results we were hoping for.”
“The only thing I can say is that we discussed the humanitarian aspect in details, because quite a lot of cities are now surrounded,” he says.
He continued to mention that there is some possibility of a ceasefire within certain areas of the country in the near future for civilians to be evacuated.
The Russian delegation claims “significant progress”, reiterating the Podolyak’s version that most of the meeting revolved around the humanitarian issues and the corridors for fleeing Ukrainians to leave the warzone.
“The main issue that we resolved today is the issue of saving people, civilians who found themselves in the zone of military clashes,” said Russian presidential aide and former culture minister Vladimir Medinsky.
Ukraine military believes Belarus troops are entering Ukraine
18:43 – 3 Mar 2022
The Ukrainian military said today that it believed that Belarusian troops have already received the order to cross into Ukraine.
Ukraine had already said Russia is using Belarusian territory for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, and Lukashenko, the dictator of Belarus, allowed Russian troops to enter Ukrainian territory to attack Chernobyl.
EU gives temporary protection to Ukrainian refugees
18:28 – 3 Mar 2022
The European Union will grant temporary protection to all refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to the bloc’s Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson.
He made the announcement in a tweet Thursday, calling it “a historic decision.”
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin provided further details on how the protection will be offered in a press release:
“This device will permit EU member states to offer persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine a response adapted to their situation. Eligible persons can benefit from a protective status similar to that of refugee, in any EU country for a one-year period which may be reviewed,” according to the statement.
Putin says Russians and Ukrainians are ‘one people’
18:09 – 3 Mar 2022
Putin gave a speech this evening announcing a posthumous award to a fallen Russian soldier who he says “blew himself up” with a grenade to avoid being captured. He called the invading forces “real heroes” of Russia, saying that Russia was simply uniting the Ukrainians and Russians, who are “one people.” but that Ukrainians are “threatened and brainwashed”.
He also continues his claims that Russia is fighting “neo-Nazis” and that civilians are being used as “human shields”.
Contrary to the Ukrainian delegation’s demands, Putin claims Russia is already allowing safe corridors for the fleeing Ukrainians, and that only Ukrainian “nationalists” are blocking them, not Russian forces.
“All objectives that were set are being resolved or achieved successfully,” was Putin’s statement on his “special military operation”, still refusing to say directly that Russia is at war with Ukraine. This goes against Western intelligence, which suggests that Russia has fallen behind its own schedule.
Zelenskyy wants to talk directly to Putin
17:42 – 3 Mar 2022
Ukrainian President says that direct talks with Vladimir Putin are “the only way to stop this war”.
“We are not attacking Russia and we do not plan to attack it. What do you want from us? Leave our land,” he said.
“Sit down with me. Just not 30 metres away like with [French President Emmanuel Macron],” he added, referring to the long-table talks Putin is starting to become known for.
“I don’t bite. What are you afraid of?” Mr Zelenskyy said at a news conference.
Russia in ‘a hot war’ with the West
17:32 – 3 Mar 2022
Russia’s foreign intelligence chief Sergey Yevgenyevich Naryshkin said that the country is no longer in a cold war but in a hot war with Europe, the United States, and their allies.
Russia still holds the stance that they are not at war with Ukraine, but are just trying to end an ongoing war, calling their invasion of Ukraine a “special military operation”.
“If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes”
17:23 – 3 Mar 2022
Ukraine’s President Zelensky has given a news conference where he appealed to the West to send him warplanes.
This comes after a no-fly zone, or exclusion zone, above Ukraine, was not imposed, meaning that Putin’s military aircraft can still bombard the country.
Macron tells Putin he is making a ‘serious mistake’
17:06 – 3 Mar 2022
Putin claimed the Russian military operation was going “according to plan” and “at the pace he wants it to”.
Macron told Putin that he was “committing a serious mistake” and added that the Ukrainian government was not, as Russia claims, a Nazi regime – telling him his point of view did not reflect the reality, the Elysee says.
The French president said he was worried about the impact on civilians including from bombings around Kyiv – something Putin denied.
Macron told his counterpart Russia would end up “as a very isolated, weak country” under sanctions.
Macron also spoke to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky – who said that his country would not surrender but remained open to dialogue.
Canada: “no limit” for Ukrainians
16:43 – 3 Mar 2022
Canada has announced that it would fast-track Ukrainian applications for both temporary and permanent residency status with full access to work and study programs, as well as family reunification applications.
“Canada is ready to welcome Ukrainians fleeing Vladimir Putin’s war, and there is no limit to the number of applications that we are going to be willing to accept,” said Sean Fraser, Canada’s immigration minister.
“There is every reason to believe it is going to get worse, and a lot more people are going to die and we as Canadians need to brace ourselves for that. It’s already been a bloodbath, I think it’s going to become more of a bloodbath.”
Second talks between Russia and Ukraine have started
16:04 – 3 Mar 2022
Talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations have begun at an undisclosed location on Ukraine’s border.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak also tweeted,
“Start talking to Russian representatives. The key issues on the agenda:
- Immediate ceasefire
- Armistice
- Humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians from destroyed or constantly shelled villages/cities.”
Russian Aeroflot removed from global reservation system
15:34 – 3 Mar 2022
The reservation system that is the backbone of airlines worldwide says it has terminated its agreement with Russia’s government-owned carrier, which could significantly hamper domestic travel.
The technology company Sabre says Aeroflot has been removed from its global distribution system, meaning the airline will not be shown in its “marketplace used by travel agencies, travel websites and corporations around the world to shop, book and service flight reservations.”
“Sabre has been monitoring the evolving situation in Ukraine with increasing concern. We are taking a stand against this military conflict,” said CEO Sean Menke.
Putin: Ukrainian demilitarisation ‘will be achieved’
14:41 – 3 Mar 2022
Putin has told the French President Emmanuel Macron that the goal of Russia’s operation in Ukraine is for the country to become demilitarised and set a neutral status, which ‘will be achieved’, the Kremlin has said.
Putin said that any attempts by Kyiv to delay negotiations would result in Moscow adding to its list of demands.
UKRAINian ARMED FORCES claim Kherson remains under their control
14:34 – 3 Mar 2022
Overnight, Russia claimed it had captured the city of Kherson, making it the first major city to fall into Russian hands.
However, a Ukrainian armed forces representative said that “by now, heavy fights are taking place near Kherson. The city is not under Russian control.”
2nd round of talks to start in ‘the next hour’
14:21 – 3 Mar 2022
A second round of talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations is due to begin in Belarus in the next hour or so.
Kyiv’s minimum goal is to set up humanitarian corridors for civilians to escape conflict-hit areas, according to Davyd Arakhamia, one of the Ukrainian negotiators who is a part of the delegation sent to Belarus.
Russia to stop deliveries of rocket engines to US
14:16 – 3 Mar 2022
Russia has decided to stop supplying rocket engines to the United States in retaliation for its sanctions against Russia over Ukraine.
“In a situation like this we can’t supply the United States with our world’s best rocket engines. Let them fly on something else, their broomsticks, I don’t know what,” Rogozin said on state Russian television.
Russian ‘preventING evacuations’ in Mariupol
13:52 – 3 Mar 2022
Mayor Vadym Boichenko claims Russian troops are actively attacking rail links in an apparent bid to prevent civilians from escaping shelling.
“The invaders are systematically and methodically trying to blockade the city of Mariupol,” he added.
‘Don’t provoke Russian soldiers’ – new rules for Kherson locals
13:00 – 3 Mar 2022
New laws have been introduced in Kherson, a crucial southern port city now under Russian administration, according to residents.
“No one left their homes yesterday because it was too hazardous, but today folks are heading out to attempt to get some food.”
However, violence can still be heard on the outskirts of town.
“We have some ground rules to adhere to. They agreed with our government that we should avoid provocation of Russian troops”
‘We need to cripple Russian economy’ – Truss
12:45 – 3 Mar 2022
UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is in Lithuania meeting the UK’s NATO partners in the Baltic states, claims that combating Russian aggression is a fight for “all of our freedom and security,” not only for Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-determination.
She outlines the efforts taken by the UK and emphasizes that “we need to go further” by putting all Russian banks in the Swift payment system ban and reducing reliance on Russian energy and gas.
Truss adds, “We need to… damage the Russian economy.”
ikea closes all stores in russia
12:30 – 3 Mar 2022
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Swedish furniture giant has declared that all of its stores in Russia will close.
It also stated that sourcing in Russia and Belarus, which do not have any IKEA stores, will be put on hold.
“The war has both a major human impact and is resulting in serious interruptions to supply chain and trading conditions, which is why the corporate groups have agreed to temporarily stop IKEA activities in Russia,” Inter IKEA and Ingka Group stated in a joint statement.
france seize yacht as part of sanctions
12:15 – 3 Mar 2022
As part of the European Union’s sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine, French officials seized a boat belonging to Igor Sechin, the CEO of the Russian state energy corporation Rosneft.
According to the French finance minister, customs authorities seized the sailboat overnight after identifying Sechin as the principal stakeholder of the firm that owned it.
In January, the boat arrived in La Ciotat, Marseille, for maintenance. When it was inspected, however, French authorities claimed it was making “arrangements to sail urgently, without having finished the planned work.”
russia schoolchildren told ukraine war is necessary
12:00 – 3 Mar 2022
Today, schoolchildren across Russia were given a virtual lesson on “why the liberation mission in Ukraine is a necessity,” according to the Kremlin. On Thursday, at 12 p.m. Moscow time, this was shown nationally.
According to the Russian education ministry, children were taught about the “threat NATO poses to our country.”
The televised lecture also explained “why Russia stood up for the safety of residents in the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.”
Shortly before initiating what he called a “peacekeeping” expedition, Vladimir Putin recognized the two areas in eastern Ukraine as independent.
‘violence is getting worse by the hour’
11:45 – 3 Mar 2022
As Russia’s invasion enters its second week, reporters from Lviv, western Ukraine, claim there has been “no let up in the severity of the violence.” Many have remarked that the violence appears to be increasing every hour.
“Kherson is the first city in Ukraine to fall to the Russians, and it has depleted morale in the region,”, one journalist said.
“Ukrainian forces are not visible in the city… [and] the situation at Mariupol, further down the coast, is simply extraordinary.
ukraine forces initiating counter-attacks
11:30 – 3 Mar 2022
According to a military adviser to Zelenskyy, Ukrainian troops are initiating counter-attacks against invading Russian forces while defending the country from Moscow’s invasion.
“Assistance directed to us is growing by the minute, while the enemy’s power is dwindling by the minute. In a televised briefing, the adviser said, “We’re not only defending, but also counter-attacking.”
‘this is the genocide of the ukrainian people’
11:15 – 3 Mar 2022
Local authorities claim that Russians are disrupting power, water, and heat supply, as well as demolishing bridges and train lines.
“They are obstructing food supplies, just as they did in Leningrad,” the city council states in a new statement, referring to the devastating and protracted siege of the Russian capital by German forces during WWII.
“The Putin horde’s soldiers are constantly pounding the city, preventing us from evacuating the wounded, women, and children.
The statement declares, “This is the genocide of the Ukrainian people.”
Lavrov compares US to Hitler
11:04 – 3 Mar 2022
Sergeĭ Viktorovich Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, has repeated the Russian claim that the Ukrainian government is nothing more than a neo-Nazi regime and claims that gangs are looting towns and cities, including in Mariupol.
Lavrov also says the Ukrainians are “now trying to use civilians as human shields”.
He compares the US to Napoleon and Hitler, saying “back in the days, Napoleon and Hitler had a goal to subjugate Europe – now Americans do so,” citing the cancelling of the Nordstream 2 gas pipeline as the US cementing its subjugation of Europe.
Independent Russian station ‘Echo of Moscow’ shutting down
10:54 – 3 Mar 2022
Russia’s independent radio station “Echo of Moscow” announced Thursday it will be closing down following authorities’ decision to take the station off-air.
“By a majority vote of the Board of Directors of Echo of Moscow, a decision was made to liquidate the radio channel and the website of Echo of Moscow,” reads a statement on its website.
This comes after Russian officials blocked the station due to their coverage of the war in Ukraine not conforming to Russia’s stance on the invasion.
Spain to send weapons to Ukraine
10:44 – 3 Mar 2022
Spain will send 1,370 anti-tank grenade launchers to Ukraine, as well as light machine guns and 700,000 rounds of rifle and machine-gun ammunition to help against the Russian invasion, according to Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles.
Lavrov wants Russia and Ukraine to negotiate as equals
10:36 – 3 Mar 2022
Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, says that his country will sit down with Ukraine to negotiate, “but only on one condition that it has to be equal parties negotiating.”
It is understood that Ukraine and Russia are due to pick up the second round of talks soon.
Russian troops “not allowing the Red Cross to bring medicine and ambulances”
10:03 – 3 Mar 2022
A Kherson resident claims that food supplies are insufficient and there are many wounded civilians who need to be taken out of the city for treatment.
He adds that the Russians are “not allowing the Red Cross to bring medicine and ambulances to help people”.
Russia’s advancement into Ukraine
09:01 – 3 Mar 2022
The Institute for the Study of War has released the following map showing an approximation of what areas of Ukraine are, as of yesterday afternoon, under Russian occupation.
‘humanitarian tragedy’ in mariupol
08:35 – 3 Mar 2022
The city of Mariupol is being besieged by Russian troops. The city has been undergoing incessant artillery pounding for most of the week, with yesterday bringing 16 hours of consecutive shelling.
People have lost access to electricity, water and fuel as relentless attacks have destroyed supply lines and most infrastructural systems.
russia, belarus, banned from 2022 winter paralympics
08:30 – 3 Mar 2022
Athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be allowed to compete at the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing, the International Paralympic Committee has said.
‘end this bloodshed’
07:00 – 3 Mar 2022
In a statement posted late Wednesday US time, the US State Department urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to ‘immediately end this bloodshed’ and withdraw soldiers from Ukraine’s borders.
The US also accused Russia of conducting a “full assault on media freedom and the truth” by denying independent news organizations access and prohibiting them from broadcasting information about the invasion.
The declaration comes as Russia continues its attacks on key Ukrainian cities, resulting in an increasing number of civilian deaths and more than one million people fleeing the nation in search of safety.
recap of the night’s events
06:30 – 3 Mar 2022
The Russian military has taken control of Kherson, an important southern port city. It’s the first major Ukrainian city to fall under Russian control since the invasion began.
Loud explosions have shaken Kyiv and other places in recent hours, with images showing a massive flame lighting up the night sky in the capital.
According to a US defense official, a large convoy of Russian military vehicles near Kyiv has “stalled” due to fuel and food shortages.
The International Criminal Court in The Hague has opened an inquiry into suspected war crimes in Ukraine.
According to the UN, more than one million people have fled Ukraine since the invasion began, with the number fast increasing.
russia ‘waging a full war on media freedom’ – us
06:15 – 3 Mar 2022
By restricting independent news sites and preventing Russians from receiving news of the invasion of Ukraine, the US has accused Russia of waging a “full war on media freedom and the truth.”
The State Department claimed in a statement that “Russia’s government is also throttling Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram services that tens of millions of Russian citizens rely on to access independent information and ideas.”
what happened to the military convoy?
06:00 – 3 Mar 2022
According to US Defense Department spokesman John Kirby, hundreds of Russian armoured vehicles on their way to Kyiv are reportedly “stalled” en route.
“They haven’t made any substantial progress in the recent 24 to 36 hours, based on our best estimates,” Kirby said during a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday.
He suggested that the delay could be the result of the forces “regrouping and reassessing the progress that they have not achieved and how to make up for lost time.”
He went on to say that “logistics and sustainment issues” as well as “Ukrainian reluctance” are also concerns.
victims of kyiv bombings still unknown
05:45 – 3 Mar 2022
On Wednesday night and earlier today, powerful explosions were reported in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and other Ukrainian cities.
Around 03:00 local time, at least four big explosions lit up the night sky in Kyiv, which were captured on camera by witnesses.
It’s unclear who the attackers were targeting or how many individuals were hurt or injured.
The blasts occurred just hours after the city was jolted by a large bomb near Kyiv’s major railway station. It occurred near a refuge for hundreds of evacuees who were fleeing Russian shelling.
india denies russian claims of hostage students in ukraine
05:30 – 3 Mar 2022
Russian claims that Indian students are being held captive in Ukraine have been refuted by the Indian authorities.
The students were being utilized as a “human shield” by Ukrainian armed forces, according to Russia, who were attempting to “keep them from departing for Russian territory in any manner possible.”
However, India’s foreign ministry stated in a statement on Thursday that it had not “received news of any hostage situation involving any student” in Ukraine.
Thousands of Indian students are thought to be stuck in Kharkiv.
India has increased evacuation efforts, but is encountering logistical challenges in returning its residents.
amazon pledges its support to ukraine
05:15 – 3 Mar 2022
As part of its support for Ukraine, Amazon.com Inc is leveraging its logistics capabilities to bring supplies to those in need, as well as its cybersecurity expertise to assist governments and businesses, according to Chief Executive Andy Jassy.
On Twitter, Jassy wrote, “Amazon stands with the people of Ukraine and will continue to help.” Amazon is the latest corporation to mobilize in offering relief, announcing earlier this week that it will donate up to $10 million to humanitarian efforts.
protests rage on in russia despite thousands of arrests
05:00 – 3 Mar 2022
Russian activists have returned to the streets of St Petersburg, President Vladimir Putin’s hometown, to oppose the invasion of Ukraine once more.
They were confronted with considerable police presence, as in previous days, with anti-riot cops violently dispersing protestors and arresting dozens more. Hundreds of protesters have been detained in recent days.
The new round of protests occurred as Alexei Navalny, a jailed Kremlin critic, called for regular marches against the military invasion, saying Russia should not be a “country of frightened cowards.”
zelesnkyy issues message of hope to ukrainians
04:45 – 3 Mar 2022
“Wherever they go, they will be destroyed. They will not have calm here, they will not have food, they will not have one quiet moment. The occupiers will receive only one thing from Ukrainians: resistance. Fierce resistance. Such resistance that they will forever remember that we don’t give up what is ours, that they will remember what a patriotic war is. Yes, for us Ukrainians, this is a patriotic war. We know how patriotic wars start and we know how they end for the invaders.”
“Our army is doing everything to fully break the enemy. Nearly 9,000 Russians have been killed (unverified) in one week. In Nikolaevsk, the occupiers are forced to use tens of helicopters to pick up their killed and wounded – 19 and 20-year-olds. What have they seen in their lives other than this invasion? But the majority of them are left all over the place. Ukraine doesn’t want to be covered by the dead bodies of soldiers. Go home. With your whole army. Tell your officers that you want to live. That you don’t want to die but to live. We need to stop the war and restore peace as soon as possible.”
“I am convinced, if they went somewhere, then temporarily. We’ll drive them out. With disgrace. Like those ordinary people who drive out the occupiers from grocery stores where the Russian soldiers go to try to find food and something to eat. These are not warriors of a superpower. These are confused children who have been used. Take them home.”
russian military offers kyiv residents ‘safe exit’
04:30 – 3 Mar 2022
Officials in Moscow have stated that Russian forces will let Kyiv inhabitants to escape the city in the direction of Vasylkiv, the center town.
A spokesman for the defence ministry, Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov, made the promise to state television while giving an update on the invasion.
In comments broadcast on rolling news channel Rossiya 24, Maj Gen Konashenkov remarked, “There will be no hurdles from Russian military forces for the escape of the civilian population.”
However, since the invasion began about a week ago, Vasylkiv has also been subjected to severe Russian shelling.
local officials confirm that kherson is under russian control
04:00 – 3 Mar 2022
Local officials have reported that Russian forces has taken control of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, the first major urban center to fall since Moscow invaded a week ago.
“The [Russian] occupants are in every corner of the city and are extremely dangers,” regional administration chief Gennady Lakhuta posted on the Telegram messaging app.
‘our support for ukraine is unwavering’ – trudeau
03:45 – 3 Mar 2022
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has once again declared that his country will continue to support Ukraine and has called for Putin to end his “illegal attacks”.
His comments followed a call with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on yesterday evening. He added that Canada, and its allies, will continue working to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine.
“We’ll continue to be there for the people of Ukraine,” Mr Trudeau said.
“Our support is unwavering.”
kharkiv cathedrals, schools, hit by artillery
03:30 – 3 Mar 2022
According to local media, Russian military strikes targeted three schools and a cathedral in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s north-eastern metropolis, as well as several shops near the municipal council office.
Meanwhile, artillery bursts in Okhtyrka claimed the lives of dozens of “residential buildings,” according to sources.
russian embassy in australia receives suspiscious package
02:45 – 3 Mar 2022
According to 9News Australia, a suspicious item was sent to the Russian Embassy in Canberra.
Emergency services are said to be responding to the parcel.
japan to cut off more banks
02:30 – 3 Mar 2022
Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki indicated that Japan will freeze the assets of four more Russian banks.
The names of the banks that were sanctioned were not released by the government.
The move follows the government’s statement on Tuesday that assets of Russia’s state-owned banks, Promsvyazbank and Vnesheconombank, as well as the country’s central bank, will be frozen.
kyiv bombarded through the night
02:25 – 3 Mar 2022
Air raid sirens are currently blaring in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, Mykolaiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernihiv and Chernihiv Oblast, Volyn Oblast, Cherkasy Oblast, Kirovohrad Oblast, Poltava Oblast, Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa.
More details to follow. To our readers, please be cautious, hundreds of unverified reports are currently circulating from the cities and will only increase throughout the coming day.
1 million people have fled ukraine – un
02:15 – 3 Mar 2022
According to the UN refugee agency, one million people have fled Ukraine since Russia’s incursion.
It goes on to say that this is the fastest refugee migration this century.
moscow police detaining children
02:00 – 3 Mar 2022
Groups of children are being detained by Moscow police after rallying against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Young children can be seen in tears gripping their parents’ hands from behind bars in several stations across the city.
Thousands of people have defied police intimidation and staged protests against the invasion of Ukraine in cities across Russia.
more flee to lviv
01:45 – 3 Mar 2022
Reports show that the arduous journey can now take as long as 15 hours and passes through over 14 checkpoints along the way.
kyiv rattled by explosions
01:30 – 3 Mar 2022
Already tonight, at least four explosions have been recorded in Ukraine’s capital city.
Two loud explosions were reported in Kyiv’s city centre, followed by two more near a metro station. The sound of air raid sirens has been heard.
‘we stopped them’
01:15 – 3 Mar 2022
From an undisclosed location, Ukraine president Zelenskyy remarked, “We are a nation that destroyed the enemy’s plans in a week.”
“However, we were able to stop them.”
Captured Russian soldiers “don’t know why they’re here,” he added, adding that hostile forces are “fleeing back to Russia.” He went on to say that the troops are “confused children” who are being “used” by their Moscow bosses.
In the cities of Konotop, Bashtanka, Energodar, and Melitopol, Zelensky commended locals for blocking highways for Russian troops.
He also mentioned that he spoke with the leaders of Norway, Israel, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Canada, Poland, and the European Council recently.
Russia declared ‘uninvestable’ – MSCI
01:00 – 3 Mar 2022
After provider MSCI (Morgan Stanley Capital International) labelled Russia “uninvestable,” the country was removed from the most indexes used by many fund managers to pick where to invest.
Western investors are likely to abandon Russian stocks in droves as a result of the decision.
Many have committed to sell out of Russia in the aftermath of the invasion of Ukraine, but the process has been complicated by the fact that the Moscow stock exchange has been closed for the whole week.
MSCI said in a statement that the decision was made after consulting with institutional investors and that it will go into effect next Wednesday.
15,000 now ‘live’ in kyiv metro
00:45 – 3 Mar 2022
According to the person in charge of the city’s subway, up to 15,000 people are now taking refuge at Kyiv metro stations. Viktor Brahinsky, the official mentioned, says the underground can hold up to 100,000 people.
He went on to say that the system currently has water, restrooms, food, and medicine.
“Many people are stranded with nowhere to go. Their only house is a few metres on the floor and a blanket “According to the BBC Ukrainian Service, he stated.
Netflix halts all future Russian projects
00:30 – 3 Mar 2022
As a result of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Netflix has halted all further Russian initiatives and acquisitions.
According to Variety, the streamer is “evaluating the impact of current events,” which has resulted in the indefinite suspension of four Russian original shows. Zato, a crime series helmed by Belarus-born director Darya Zhuk and set after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, was already in production but has been placed on hold.
In Russia, Netflix is developing three more programmes, including Anna K, based on Anna Karenina. The service was introduced in the country just over a year ago and has an estimated 1 million users.
russian sovereign debt downgraded
00:15 – 3 Mar 2022
Russia’s sovereign credit rating has been downgraded from BBB to B, and the country has been placed on “rating watch negative” by credit agency Fitch, citing the increasing international sanctions campaign against Moscow.
The sweeping sanctions imposed on Russia’s economy are likely to have an impact on Moscow’s capacity to repay its obligations, according to Fitch.
As a result of “hostilities towards the people of Ukraine,” the World Bank has suspended all programmes in Russia and Belarus.
siege of leningrad survivor arrested
00:00 – 3 Mar 2022
At an anti-war protest in St Petersburg, Russian police reportedly seized Yelena Osipova, a well-known survivor of the Leningrad siege.
Russian superyacht seized in Germany
23:58 – 2 Mar 2022
Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov’s super yacht, one of the biggest in the world, was seized in Germany, as crackdowns on Putin’s oligarchy continue to rise.
The yacht is 153 meters long, and estimated to be worth around €725 million.
Moscow Exchange to remain closed tomorrow as well
23:49 – 2 Mar 2022
Russia’s central bank will keep the stock market trading on the Moscow Exchange suspended for a forth day in a row.
EU sanctions 22 Belarusian officials for involvement in Russian invasion
23:15 – 2 Mar 2022
In a document published today, the EU said the 22 Belarusian high-ranking individuals were being targeted “in view of the gravity of the situation and of the fact that Belarus is participating in a Russian unprovoked invasion against Ukraine by allowing military aggression from its territory.”
The bloc also announced further restrictions on Minsk, banning certain imports from Belarus into the EU, and EU’s exports of machinery to Belarus.
SWIFT complies, removes 7 Russian banks
22:59 – 2 Mar 2022
In a statement Wednesday, SWIFT said “Diplomatic decisions taken by the European Union, in consultation with the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States, bring SWIFT into efforts to end this crisis by requiring us to disconnect select Russian banks from our financial messaging services. As previously stated, we will fully comply with applicable sanctions laws.”
The Council of the EU said the Russian banks removed from SWIFT are Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Rossiya Bank, Sovcombank, VNESHECONOMBANK (VEB), and VTB BANK.
US has delivered hundreds of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine
22:48 – 2 Mar 2022
The US has delivered hundreds of Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine for the first time over the last few days, including over 200 last Monday.
The US had previously allowed the Baltic states to send American-made weaponary to Ukraine, but had previously not yet sent any directly from the United States.
Russia reported to ICC
22:41 – 2 Mar 2022
Russia has been reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at the Hague in the largest ever referral, with 38 countries, after referring alleged war crimes committed during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We are crystal clear that Putin cannot commit these horrific acts with impunity,” wrote the Prime Minister of the UK Boris Johnson.
“An investigation by the International Criminal Court into Russia’s barbaric acts is urgently needed and it is right that those responsible are held to account. The UK will work closely with allies to ensure justice is done,” said UK Foreign Secretary Liz Trus.
Russian fighter jets violate Swedish airspace
22:32 – 2 Mar 2022
Four Russian fighter jets violated Swedish airspace on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Swedish Armed Forces.
Sweden banned any Russian aircrafts from its airspace last Monday.
Blinken to visit Europe
22:23 – 2 Mar 2022
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will begin a touring through Europe over the next six days as the conflict in Ukraine intensifies.
The trip will see him visit NATO and EU leaders in Brussels, as well as Poland, Moldova, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
Blinken said the crisis was fast becoming “a threat to stability in Europe and to the entire rules-based order” of the world.
“European defense must cross the next step”
22:03 – 2 Mar 2022
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe “cannot depend on others to defend ourselves.”
“Europe has entered a new era,” Macron said as he announced a summit of European heads of state and government to take place next week to discuss these topics.
227 civilians killed only today
21:25 – 2 Mar 2022
A total of 227 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since midnight on 1 March, the UN Human Rights Office has said.
The office added that at least 525 people have been injured.
It also warned that the real number of deaths could be “considerably higher” due to reporting delays.
Ukraine sets up emergency hotline for foreign students fleeing the country
21:14 – 2 Mar 2022
US not prepared to sanction Russian oil and gas
20:22 – 2 Mar 2022
“When you talk about oil, you talk about increasing pain here at home for Americans and raising the price of gas and everyday expense.”
“It’s something we’re definitely looking at; it is not something we’re prepared to do right now. But I think the President was very clear when he said everything is on the table and he’s not prepared to take anything off the table.”
These are comments taken from CNN’s interview with US President Joe Biden’s senior adviser Cedric Richmond.
Explosion near Kyiv railway station
20:05 – 2 Mar 2022
A powerful explosion near a railway station in Kyiv has been reported by a Ukrainian interior ministry adviser.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron har reported that Russian forces were bombarding the Ukrainian capital once again.
Confirmed: Georgia to apply to join EU
19:37 – 2 Mar 2022
Russian state news had previously reported Georgia will launch its own bid for membership.
This has now been confirmed by the chairman of the ruling party ‘Georgian Dream’ Irakli Kobakhidze, who told reporters he was calling on the EU “to review our application in an urgent manner and to make the decision to grant Georgia the status of an EU membership candidate”.
Georgia has seen big demonstrations against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after a similar push into Georgia in 2008 after the country attempted to reintegrate Russian-backed separatists in South Ossetia.
Roman Abramovich to sell Chelsea
19:21 – 2 Mar 2022
Roman Abramovich, owner of Chelsea Football Club, has confirmed that he will be selling the football club following scrutiny over his relationship with the Russian regime.
“I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.”
“As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.
“In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.”
RT & Sputnik taken off air
18:43 – 2 Mar 2022
The European Commission published its sanction to take Russia Today and Sputnik, two of Russia’s state most-prolific propaganda outlets, off the air.
Below is a video of the last airing of RT before it was shut down.
UN votes to deplore Russia’s invasion
18:07 – 2 Mar 2022
A meeting of the United Nations General Assembly has voted to deplore Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The assembly also called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces, in a global expression of outrage that highlighted Russia’s increasing isolation.
141 of the 193 member states voted for the resolution, 35 abstained and 5 voted against.
In a passionate speech a few minutes ago, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN told the General Assembly that this would be a “defining moment in our generation”.
“Ukraine needs additional deliveries of weapons now”
17:53 – 2 Mar 2022
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says that he emphasised the need for additional weapons, mainly for their Air Force, with the US secretary of state Antony Blinken.
UN: 875,000 have fled
17:41 – 2 Mar 2022
The UN refugee agency says more than 900,000 people – mostly women and children – have left so far.
Poland has received more than half of this amount.
Georgia allegedly to launch bid to join EU
17:33 – 2 Mar 2022
Following yesterday’s Ukrainian application of joining the European Union, Georgia will launch its own bid for membership tomorrow, according to the Russian news agency TASS.
The country was already invaded by Putin in 2008, with areas of the country remaining under Russian-backed separatist control to this day. These regions are now allegedly backing Putin in his invasion of Ukraine.
Polish PM says all people are being treated in “an equal manner”
17:14 – 2 Mar 2022
Prime Minister of Poland, Mr. Mateusz Morawiecki, defended his country after reports that border guards were badly treating non-Ukrainians, mainly those of non-European descent, that are attempting to enter Poland.
“Poland serves all the people, all the people fleeing from war from all over the world and refugees of every country of origin,” said Morawiecki.
“We are treating everybody with dignity and are in an equal manner because this is the only way how it should be, treating all people in a humane way and helping all the war refugees regardless if they are Ukrainian or citizens of other countries,” he continued.
He urged people not to fall the “subject of any manipulation and any propaganda of Russia.”
Russia’s advancement into Ukraine
16:59 – 2 Mar 2022
The Institute for the Study of War has released the following map showing an approximation of what areas of Ukraine are, as of late last night, under Russian occupation.
Russia reports talks to resume
16:02 – 2 Mar 2022
Russian and Belarusian state media reports that the second round of peace talks is to take place tomorrow.
A Russian delegation is reportedly already heading to a meeting point in Belarus for talks.
The first negotiations occurred on Monday, but no agreement seems to have passed after 5 hours.
primary school children detained for anti-war protest
15:23 – 2 Mar 2022
In Moscow, Russian children and their parents were left under custody overnight after they were detained when they laid flowers at the Ukrainian embassy.
OPEC decline to offer relief as oil price sours
14:59 – 2 Mar 2022
OPEC Plus (Organization of Petroleum-Exporting Countries) said it would decline any measures that would help stabilise the market as oil prices exponentially increase.
The oil cartel said in a statement that had surreal qualities given the surging prices in recent weeks, the group, which includes Russia, said that current fundamentals and the outlook for the future pointed “to a well-balanced market.”
With Russia, which produces 1/10th of the world’s oil, unable to find western buyers, companies working in the European Union, the United States, and their allies, are looking for alternate suppliers.
“Most European majors are not touching Russian oil, and only a few European refiners and trading firms are still in the market,” said “Most European majors are not touching Russian oil, and only a few European refiners and trading firms are still in the market,” said Energy Aspects in a statement.
Ukraine claims it foils assassination attempt
14:02 – 2 Mar 2022
Ukraine claims it has foiled an assassination attempt against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Officials said a unit of Chechen special forces – known as Kadyrovites – were involved in the scheme and had been “eliminated”.
Ukrainian security chief Oleksiy Danilo said: “We are well aware of the special operation that was to take place directly by the Kadyrovites to eliminate our president.”
Mr Danilo said Ukraine had been tipped off about the plot by members of Russia’s Federal Security Service.
Malta suspends golden passport scheme for Russians and Belarusians
13:26 – 2 Mar 2022
Malta will be suspending the cash-for-passport scheme for all Russian and Belarusian citizens, after pressure from EU and US who cited issues of Russians circumnavigating sanctions using their Maltese passport.
“Consequently, Community Malta Agency and Residency Malta Agency have suspended, until further notice, the processing of applications for the above-mentioned statuses from nationals of the Russian Federation and Belarus,” the government said.
MISSILE HITS KHARKIV CITY COUNCIL
13:21 – 2 Mar 2022
The deputy regional governor of Kharkiv has said that a cruise missile has hit the local council building.
Ukraine requests help to safeguard nuclear plants
12:55 – 2 Mar 2022
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it has received a request from Ukraine’s nuclear power authority “to provide immediate assistance in coordinating activities in relation to the safety of the Chornobyl (Chernobyl) NPP and other nuclear facilities.”
The IAEA said Grossi will be holding consultations and maintaining contacts in order to address Ukraine’s request.
The agency added: “The Director General has repeatedly stressed that any military or other action that could threaten the safety or security of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants must be avoided. He also said that operating staff must be able to fulfil their safety and security duties and have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure.”
It was recently announced that Zaporizhzhia plant workers, the largest of Ukraine’s nuclear power sites, as well as Enerhodar residents, were blocking the approaching Russian troops.
Video: Aftermath of bombing on Kharkiv
12:50 – 2 Mar 2022
Kremlin says Russian economy experiencing “serious blows”
12:43 – 2 Mar 2022
The Russian economy is being impacted as a result of sanctions imposed by the West, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged when asked about US President Joe Biden’s remarks in his State of the Union speech.
“Russia’s economy is experiencing serious blows,” Peskov said in call with foreign journalists on Wednesday. “But there is a certain margin of safety, there is potential, there are some plans, work is underway.”
“[Our economy] will stay on its feet,” he concluded.
Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete as neutrals
12:26 – 2 Mar 2022
The International Paralympic Committee has said that Russian and Belarussian athletes and staff at this month’s Winter Paralympics will compete as neutrals.
A statement says that “they will compete under the Paralympic flag and not be included in the medal table”.
EU approves sanctions against Belarus
11:52 – 2 Mar 2022
European Union diplomats have approved new sanctions against Belarus for its supporting role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the French presidency of the EU.
Sanctions will also hit “some economic sectors, and in particular timber, steel and potash,” it said in a statement.
“These measures will be published in the Official Journal of the EU for entry into force,” the presidency said in its statement, without indicating the exact timing of the publication.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant workers blocking off Russian forces
11:44 – 2 Mar 2022
Hundreds of workers from the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant are reported to be blocking off access to Russian forces making their way towards the plant, with workers in the street blocking off Russian vehicles and troops in any way possible.
As of yesterday, the plant was only using 3 of its 6 reactors, fearing Russian attack would jeopardize the integrity of the reactors.
Heavy shelling in Mariupol
11:12 – 2 Mar 2022
Fierce fighting is continuing around Mariupol, as Russian and Russian-backed separatist forces have surrounded the city on all sides.
Mayor Vadym Boychenko said that “today there are 128 people in our hospitals. Our doctors don’t even go home anymore. They are fighting for the lives of Mariupol residents.”
Mariupol is the last major city required by the Russians to complete a land corridor between Russia and Crimea. Taking the city would mean that Ukraine would lose access to the shore east of Russian-annexed Crimea.
Fears of food shortages in Ukraine
10:18 – 2 Mar 2022
Supermarket shelves have been stripped bare across Ukraine since Russia invaded Ukraine.
In Kyiv, people report having no access to fruit, vegetables, bread and other “basic supplies”
Citizens in some areas, such as Melitopol, have not yet received any information for when supplies will arrive, if ever.
Oil hits $113 a barrel
10:08 – 2 Mar 2022
As fighting continues in Ukraine, the conflict is also continuing to push up global oil prices – despite new measures by the United States and businesses to calm the markets.
It rose even after the International Energy Agency’s members agreed to release 60 million barrels of oil from emergency stockpiles.
Russia was one of the biggest energy producers in the world, and the western sanctions against Russia will continue to affect global markets.
Odessa ready for battle
09:13 – 2 Mar 2022
Ukraine’s 3rd largest city, Odessa, is preparing for a Russian amphibious landing as the residents face bombardment.
Odessa is 200km west of the town of Kherson, now occupied by Russian forces.
Video: Missiles hit residential buildings in Kharkiv
08:56 – 2 Mar 2022
Civilians killed in strike on eastern city Zhytomyr
07:45 – 2 Mar 2022
Ukraine claims that a Russian missile strike killed at least two people in Zhytomyr, which is located 120 kilometers (75 miles) west of Kyiv.
The strike, which was aimed at a municipal air base, also impacted surrounding civilian homes.
At least two individuals were killed, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, while 16 others were injured. Anton Gerashchenko, a government official, had earlier claimed on his Telegram account that the death toll was considerably higher.
“Four people have died thus far. A youngster is included in this “he stated
wizz air offer 100,000 flights to ukraine refugees
07:30 – 2 Mar 2022
Wizz Air, a low-cost European airline, has stated that 100,000 complimentary seats on short-haul flights will be made available to Ukrainian refugees.
On social media, the Hungary-based airline stated that it was “dedicated” to assisting Ukrainian migrants in reaching their destination.
During the month of March, the seats will be available on Wizz Air flights departing from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania, according to the airline.
According to the UN’s refugee agency, more than 660,000 individuals have already fled to other countries, with Poland bearing the brunt of the movement.
According to Poland’s Deputy Interior Minister Pawel Szefernaker, an estimated 450,000 Ukrainian migrants have arrived in the country, accounting for half of the total number of refugees thus far.
At least 136 dead, 13 children – un
07:15 – 2 Mar 2022
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began last Thursday, at least 136 civilians have been murdered, according to the United Nations.
Thirteen children are thought to have died.
The real death toll, according to Liz Throssell, a spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is likely to be substantially higher.
Heavy artillery bombardment, airstrikes, and other wide-impact explosives, according to Throssell, caused the majority of the casualties.
According to the UN, over 400 people have been injured as a result of the conflict so far.
According to government estimates, 352 civilians have died and 1,684 have been injured in Ukraine.
kherson under russian control, occupation underway
06:30 – 2 Mar 2022
Russian military, according to witnesses, are on the streets, however the precise situation in the city is unknown.
Kherson’s train station and port were captured on Tuesday night, according to city mayor Igor Kolykhayev. “The struggle is ongoing, and the occupation of our city is continuing,” he is quoted as saying.
global oil prises rise, despite efforts
05:45 – 2 Mar 2022
This morning, oil prices increased by more than $5 a barrel.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, rose $5.43 to $110.40 a barrel in London trading.
On Tuesday, the International Energy Agency’s 31 members – a group of big oil users – decided to release 60 million barrels of petroleum from their own stocks in the hopes of restoring market stability.
However, there are still fears about Russian supply disruptions (the second-biggest exporter behind Saudi Arabia).
According to Mizuho Bank analyst Tan Boon Heng, Russia pumps more than 60 million barrels “in just six days.”
russia bans cash exports over $10,000
05:30 – 2 Mar 2022
With the latest directive issues by President Putin, Russian residents can no longer leave the country with more than $10,000 in foreign money on hand.
On Wednesday, the order will take effect.
It comes as the Russian economy has been ravaged by Western sanctions, and the rouble’s value has plummeted.
military confirms russian kyiv under attack by paratroopers
05:15 – 2 Mar 2022
The Ukrainian military has verified that Russian paratroopers have landed in Kharkiv in an attempt to retake the besieged city.
The aerial assault began shortly as air raid sirens began to ring throughout Kharkiv and the surrounding region, according to the Ukrainian military.
According to the statement, Russian troops stormed a provincial military hospital, and fighting is still occurring.
In the predominantly Russian-speaking city, it is currently just after 06:00.
russian paratroopers are attacking kyiv
04:45 – 2 Mar 2022
According to the Ukrainian Independent Information Agency and Ukrainian military sources, Russian paratroopers have landed in Kharkiv’s and attacked one of the city’s military hospitals.
japan moves embassy from kyiv to lviv
04:40 – 2 Mar 2022
Japan’s embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, will close temporarily on Wednesday and shift its operations to a temporary liaison office in Lviv, according to a spokesman for the country’s foreign ministry.
According to the spokesperson, Japan will secure the safety of roughly 120 Japanese residents in Ukraine and assist them in evacuating the country from the temporary liaison office in Lviv.
According to the spokesman, the Japanese Embassy in Poland has also established a temporary liaison office in Rzeszow, on the other side of the Ukrainian border, to assist Japanese nationals fleeing Ukraine.
660,000 have fled ukraine – un
04:30 – 2 Mar 2022
Since the invasion began, nearly 660,000 people have fled Ukraine for neighboring nations, according to the United Nations refugee agency. “At this rate, the situation seems likely to become Europe’s largest refugee crisis this century,” said agency spokeswoman Shabia Mantoo.
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, has stated that the overall number of refugees is expected to approach 4 million in the next weeks. The country that has taken in the most refugees is Poland, although Hungary, Romania, and Moldova have also taken in tens of thousands. A special free ticket was given by Germany’s national train company for Ukrainian refugees to visit relatives.
us to release large amounts of oil
04:10 – 2 Mar 2022
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve will be releasing 30 million barrels of oil.
It is part of a group of 30 countries working to liberate 60 million barrels of oil from global reserves.
city of kherson has fallen – reports
04:05 – 2 Mar 2022
The southern city of Kherson, which has a 250,000 residents, is said to have fallen to Russian soldiers in the most recent combat in Ukraine.
The mayor has been pleading with the national government and relief organizations for assistance in ensuring the delivery of supplies, such as food and medicine, as well as the evacuation of the injured.
According to the BBC, 200 individuals were murdered, the majority of whom were civilians.
Meanwhile, emergency personnel in the city of Zhytomyr, in Ukraine’s north-western region, are battling fires in residential structures damaged by a suspected missile attack.
belarus to double troops on ukraine border
04:00 – 2 Mar 2022
Belarus will double its troop numbers on its southern border with Ukraine, its president has said.
The five tactical battalion groups on the border will go up to ten over the next two days, President Alexander Lukashenko announced.
“These are highly trained mobile groups that are ready to stop any provocation and any military action against Belarus,” he told his security council.
Lukashenko called the mobilisation “a preventative action” that would “prevent the penetration of [Ukrainian] radicals and weapons into the country”.
‘Let us send a signal to Ukraine and to the world’
03:50 – 2 Mar 2022
President Joe Biden is delivering statements on the Russian invasion as part of his State of the Union address, despite the fact that the situation in Ukraine remains dire.
“Russia’s Vladimir Putin attempted to rock the foundations of the free world six days ago, believing he could make it conform to his scary ways,” he stated.
“However, he made a critical error.”
“A wall of power [Putin] never imagined,” he says of the Ukrainian people.
“Their fearlessness, courage, and determination, [which] inspires the globe,” Biden said of his Ukrainian colleague Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian citizens.
He requests that the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States, who is present in the room, stand and be recognized.
‘When dictators do not pay a price, they cause more chaos’
03:45 – 2 Mar 2022
President Biden claims that the US and NATO have demonstrated that the West stands by Ukraine.
He claims that “when dictators do not pay a price for their violence, they produce more disorder,” as history has proved.
Biden praises the alliance of “freedom-loving nations” that have united with the US in response to Russia’s “premeditated and unprovoked” strike.
“Putin was mistaken. We were prepared “, he declared.
‘to the oligarchs, we are coming for your ill-begotten gains’
03:30 – 2 Mar 2022
US President Joe Biden has just announced in his State of the Union speech, that the US will join its allies in closing its airspace to Russian planes, and a taskforce created to crack down on illegal financial operations by the Russian oligarchy.
He has also announced that the US will step up oil and gas production in order to counter the cost effect of restrictions inflicted by Russian measures.
mariupol, kherson, kharkiv, surrounded
02:30 – 2 Mar 2022
According to many reports, the Russians have encircled the southern city of Mariupol.
The UK Ministry of Defence has stated that the city, along with Kharkiv in the north-east and Kherson, is believed to be encircled.
us expected to ban russian flights from airspace
02:15 – 2 Mar 2022
More details to follow…
russian attacks expected to become more deadly
02:00 – 2 Mar 2022
According to western military officials, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered a new phase, indicating a more dangerous period ahead for the country’s citizens and its surprisingly determined army.
According to a research by the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, Russian commanders are abandoning the tactic that typified the conflict’s early days, in which they relied on lightning attacks into cities they anticipated would be half-heartedly defended.
Officials from the United States and its allies expect Russia to deploy increasingly indiscriminate tactics to quell resistance after successive failures.
The ISW anticipates Russian forces to continue their offensive on Kyiv after a brief pause to recover and deploy new assets surrounding the capital.
skating union bans all russian, belarusian skaters
01:45 – 2 Mar 2022
The International Skating Union, the sport’s world governing body, has ruled that all Russian and Belarusian skaters will be banned from international competitions, including the world championships in France later this month.
Anna Shcherbakova, the Olympic women’s singles champion, would be unable to defend her world championship in 2021.
Russia has long dominated the sport of figure skating.
russian missiles hit maternity clinic
01:30 – 2 Mar 2022
According to the chief of the Adonis maternity clinic, a missile hit a private maternity facility on the outskirts of Kyiv on Tuesday night.
“The maternity clinic was hit by a rocket. Despite the extensive damage, the structure is still standing. On his Facebook page, Vitaliy Gyrin posted, “Everyone has been evacuated.”
“Most importantly, do not come now to get anyone from here,” Gyrin said, explicitly asking people not to come to the clinic. Everyone is in a safe and secure environment. This is undeniably true.”
Gyrin also shared a series of images purporting to show the Adonis clinic’s damaged structure.
ukrainian cyber warfare groups to target russian infrastructure
01:15 – 2 Mar 2022
A hacking team coordinator told Reuters that a Ukrainian cyber guerilla warfare organisation aims to execute digital sabotage assaults against important Russian infrastructure such as railways and the energy grid in retaliation for Moscow’s invasion.
Last week, officials from Ukraine’s defence ministry asked Yegor Aushev, a Ukrainian businessman and local cybersecurity expert, to help organise a hacking squad to protect against Russia.
Aushev stated on Monday that he planned to stage hacking assaults against any infrastructure that aids the delivery of Russian troops and weaponry to his country.
“Anything that could prevent a conflict,” he said. “The idea is to make bringing these weapons into our country impossible.”
russian cruise missile kills at least 4
01:00 – 2 Mar 2022
A Russian cruise missile reportedly aiming at a neighbouring air base hit homes in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr, killing four people, according to Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, on his Telegram channel.
He claimed that residential structures near the 95th Airborne Brigade’s base in Zhytomyr, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) west of Kyiv, had been set on fire, and that the strike had started in Belarus.
“Four people have died so far.” He added, “Including a child.”
Zhytomyr air strike damages private homes
00:45 – 2 Mar 2022
According to an update from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and a press release from the US Embassy of Ukraine press secretary, Volodymyr Riznichenko, an air attack in Zhytomyr destroyed ten residential homes, with three setting fire and shattering glass in the city hospital building.
Two persons were killed and three others were injured in the incident. People are thought to be trapped beneath the rubble of destroyed homes. According to the emergency services, the strike began at 10.16 p.m.
polish nationalists attack middle-eastern, african people from ukraine
00:30 – 2 Mar 2022
On Tuesday evening, dozens of Polish nationalists gathered at the train station in Przemyl, where migrants from the Middle East and Africa escaping Ukraine’s war are being housed, and attempted to attack them. The attackers, who were associated to the local football team’s “hooligans,” approached groups of African and Middle Eastern students who had just arrived in Poland from Russian-invaded areas in Ukraine and tormented them with anti-immigrant shouts and slogans.
“Around 7 p.m., these individuals began yelling and shouting at groups of African and Middle Eastern refugees who had gathered outside the railway station,”
‘Go back to the railway station!’ they cried. ‘Go back to your country!’
UKRAINE-RUSSIA CONFLICT
00:00 – 1 March 2022
Hello, and welcome back to our rolling coverage of the Ukrainian crisis, having drastically escalated in recent hours with the advancement of Russian forces in what is widely recognised as a full-scale military invasion
Refer to this article if you’d like to revise the events of the past two days from the very start of this invasion.
A Bird's Eye View 