Russia-Ukraine War LIVE: Zelenskyy accuses Russia of 'falsifying' independence referendum

Ukraine leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Russia of falsifying the independence referendum in the regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, and has asked the residents not to hand their personal information or passport details to the Russian troops. In a video message Thursday evening, Zelenskyy said, "This is not to help you... This is aimed to falsify the so-called referendum on your land, if an order comes from Moscow to stage such a show." "This is the reality. Be careful," he added. 

Petro Andryushchenko, an adviser to the mayor of the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol has said that Russian forces are continuing to drop bombs on the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol where over 2000 Ukrianian soldiers are holed up including the civilians. "Every day they drop several bombs on Azovstal. Fighting, shelling, bombing do not stop," Andryushchenko told AP. "The graves have been dug up and corpses are still being dumped there."

Russian president, Vladimir Putin, yesterday had ordered his forces not to storm the steel factory in talks with his defence minister, Sergei Shoigu. 

UN human rights chief says that international humanitarian law appears to have been “tossed aside” in Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Geneva-based human rights office said in a statement Friday that “Russian armed forces have indiscriminately shelled and bombed populated areas, killing civilians and wrecking hospitals, schools and other civilian infrastructure — actions that may amount to war crimes.”

The office said its mission in Ukraine so far has verified 5,264 civilian casualties, including 2,345 deaths, since the war began on Feb. 24. It said that 92.3% of those were recorded in Ukrainian government-controlled territory.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet added that “the actual numbers are going to be much higher as the horrors inflicted in these areas of intense fighting such as Mariupol come to light.” She said that “over these eight weeks, international humanitarian law has not merely been ignored but seemingly tossed aside.”

Source: AP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is looking at sending tanks to Poland to replace the Soviet-era T-72 tanks the Poles are shipping to Ukraine. Johnson made the comments Friday during a news conference in New Delhi, where he held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I think perhaps what I haven’t said publicly before is we’re also looking more at what we can do to backfill in countries such as Poland who may want to send heavier weaponry to help defend the Ukrainians,” Johnson said. “So we’re looking at sending tanks to Poland to help them as they sending some of their T-72s to Ukraine.”

Head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi will visit Ukraine’s Chornobyl nuclear plant next week to step up efforts to help prevent the danger of a nuclear accident, the global nuclear watchdog said in a statement. A team will be sent to Ukraine to ensure the nuclear safety, security and safeguards in Chornobyl. IAEA will also deliver “vital equipment and conduct radiological and other assessments at the site." The site was hled by the Russian forces for five weeks during their invasion and later they retreated on 31 March.

 "The IAEA’s presence at Chornobyl will be of paramount importance for our activities to support Ukraine as it seeks to restore regulatory control of the plant and ensure its safe and secure operation," said Rafael Grossi.  

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry says it’s trying to confirm intelligence that a South Korean citizen who had come to Ukraine as a volunteer fighter to defend the country against the Russian attack has been killed. The ministry said Friday it received the information from an unspecified foreign government but didn’t immediately provide more details.

The ministry said there were at least four South Koreans who went into Ukraine without government authorization. It pleaded them to quickly return home as the war escalates with Russia’s new offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Source: AP

Russia's embassy in Iceland has accused Western states of continuing to actively "stuff" Ukraine with heavy armament. "The volume of military equipment already delivered or ready to dispatch to the country exceeds dozens and hundreds units. Among them are howitzers, armored personnel carriers, helicopters, drones, etc," the Russian embassy said. 

Among the countries that actively support "the Ukrainian neo-nazis with weapons" are the UK, Canada, Germany, France, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland and others, Russian embassy claimed, singling out Peter Stano, an EU spokesperson for external affairs.

"Unfortunately, we have to state that Iceland also ‘contributes’ to ensuring the military supplies to Ukraine and thereby to prolonging the Ukrainian crisis. Iceland has organised 13 flights to transport military equipment. We hope that the Icelandic authorities are aware of responsibility for the negative consequences of such actions.

We would like to draw your attention that Russia reserves the right to consider foreign military cargo and equipment on the territory Ukraine as a legitimate target.

At the same time, we would like to point out that the ‘pumping’ of the Kyiv regime with weapons will not lead to the results pursued by the West. The goals of the special military operation to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine set by the Russian authorities will definitely be achieved."

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby says assessments show Ukrainian troops are still contesting the southern city of Mariupol despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s claim of victory in the battle for the city in Ukraine’s industrial heartland, home to coal mines, metal plants and heavy-equipment factories.

Putin on Thursday ordered his troops not to storm a giant Mariupol steel mill where an estimated 2,000 Ukrainians remain holed up but to seal it off — in an apparent bid to free up his troops for the broader campaign in the east.

Kirby said it was “unclear” why Putin did that and Putin’s words need to be viewed with skepticism.

“They made this big show yesterday of him saying he wasn’t gonna go into that plant and try to eradicate the people that are there,” Kirby told CNN on Friday.

“I think we have to watch and see what the Russians actually do here. What we would tell you this morning is that we still assess that Mariupol is contested, that it hasn’t been taken by the Russians and that there’s still an active Ukrainian resistance. So they continue to fight for that city.”

Ukraine has declared the sunken Russian warship Moskva of the Black sea fleet  as a “national underwater cultural heritage site”, according to the Kyiv Independent. Moskva, which was launched during the Cold War, pushed the Russian military forward during conflicts in Georgia, Syria, and Ukraine. The destroyer, which was 611.5 feet (186 metres) long and housed a crew of 476 with an additional 62 officers, was equipped to carry 16 long-range cruise missiles.  According to open-source intelligence firm Janes, the battleship was launched as the Slava from a shipyard in Mykolaiv in what was then the Soviet republic of Ukraine in July 1979. 

Russian Defence Ministry stated that the ship caught massive fire and was severely damaged following the detonation of ammunition. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed that its forces attacked and severely damaged Russia's Black Sea fleet's flagship, potentially handing a "huge defeat" to Moscow's troops as they prepare for a new push in eastern Ukraine.

Image: Twitter/@Dmitri Alperovitch

President of European Council, Charles Michel, has held a phone call with Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Michel  iterated  “no uncertain terms” the unacceptability of Russia’s war and warned Moscow of sanctions that the EU may impose on Russia for continuing the invasion. EU Council President appealed to Russia for a ceasefire in Ukraine on the during the Orthodox Easter. 

Kremlin released the details of the call saying: "The President of Russia spoke about the measures taken on an ongoing basis to protect the civilian population, the daily opening of humanitarian corridors and the announcement of a regime of silence for the safe evacuation of civilians from the combat zone."

In a phone call with EU Council President Charles Michel, Putin noted that Brussels could "influence the Kyiv authorities" in order to force them to stop the massive shelling of Donbas settlements and other gross violations of international humanitarian law. "Attention is drawn to the irresponsible statements of the EU representatives about the need to resolve the situation in Ukraine by military means, as well as ignoring the numerous war crimes of the Ukrainian security forces," Kremlin said in a readout of the call published later. 

Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that he was planning to hold phone calls with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and Russian presidet Vladimir Putin.  "Our friends will get in touch with them today, we plan to hold a call again with [Russian President Vladimir Putin] and [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] today or tomorrow," said Erdogan. 

He added: "With the calls, we plan to carry the process in Istanbul to the leaders’ level."

Russia's defence ministry has said that it is ready for a humanitarian ceasefire at Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant the final holdout of Ukrainian forces to have the Ukraine soldiers surrender. Moscow declared the "liberation" of the strategic eastern Ukraine city, except the Azovstal industrial area where Ukrainian troops were holed up in trenches and bunkers, still fighting.  President Vladimir Putin ordered to secure the entrance of the steelwork facility and stopped his troops from storming to avoid casualties. 

"We once again declare that Russia is ready at any moment to introduce a regime of silence and announce a humanitarian pause for the evacuation of civilians," the defence ministry said in a statement. It added that a ceasefire would start with the "raising of white flags" by Ukraine's forces "along the entire perimeter or in certain areas of Azovstal".

"If such signs are found in any part of the Azovstal metallurgical plant, Russia's Armed Forces... will immediately stop any hostilities and provide a safe exit," the ministry added in a statement. 

Russian troops will establish a corridor from Donbass into the breakaway oblast of Transnistria, which hosts large  Russian-speaking population. The region is not recognized internationally as independent and is considered to be part of Moldova.  Transnistria's economy is tackled by Moscow and large number of Russian troops have been stationed there.

Rustam Minnekayev, deputy commander of Russia's Central Military District, said that there were Kremlin plans to make a passage into Transnistria. "Control over the south of Ukraine is another exit into Transnistria, where there are also facts pointing to the oppression of the Russian-speaking population," he said, according to TASS. 

After taking control of the whole of southern Ukraine and Donbass, Russian troops are planning to open gateway to Transnistria in the second phase of the military operation. Deputy commander of Russia’s central military district, Rustam Minnekayev was quoted saying by Russia's state affiliated agency Interfax that the southern Ukrianian region will also give access to Moldova’s breakaway region of Transnistria.

“Control over the south of Ukraine is another way to Transnistria, where there is also evidence that the Russian-speaking population is being oppressed,” Minnekayev said at a meeting in Russia’s central Sverdlovsk region, acocding to Tass. 

Since the war started Ukraine had been stating that Kremlin has reportedly redeployed troops in Transnistria of the Republic of Moldova but Russia had doubled down on those claims. General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces had sais that Russia has started mobilising its troops in Transnistria and is planning to use these additional units for provocations and demonstrative actions on the border with Ukraine’s Odesa region. It remained unclear why. Transnistrian authorities had rejected such reports, saying that the news of the mobilisation of the Russian military troops on the territory of Transnistria is not credible. “Number of Russian peacekeepers in the Transnistrian region has not increased,” Moldovan President Maia Sandu had told reporters. 

Russian troops have started the defensive battles in the eastern region of Luhansk and have been trying to gain control of the city, local governor Serhiy Gaidai said in a post. "The enemy is trying to advance in the area of ​​Rubizhne, and defensive battles with the enemy continue in the direction of the settlements of Novtoshkivske and Popasna,” he said in a Telegram post.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced that he plans to reopen its embassy in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv next week during his visit to India. Johnson derided the Russian troops of committting the “barbarism” in Ukraine against the civilians and has said that Britian will be sending more military aid to the Ukrainian forces. 

Civilians have huddled in the basement of a damaged building in city of Rubizhne as Russian forces pounded targets in eastern region of Donbass with heavy artillery. 

Credit: AP

Sloviansk Mayor Vadym Lyakh has accused Russia of using cluster munition. In a telegram post Lyakh said, that “the night was restless as the city was under fire from Russian forces, who likely used cluster bombs." No casualties were reported. The mayor asked the civilians to evacuate the city. 

Mariupol city council said yesterday in a post on the Telegram messaging app that as many as 9000 Ukrianians may be buried in mass graves in a village outside the city of Mariupol. It added that Russian troops have been trying to bury the evidence of its “barbaric” war crimes in port city of Mariupol by dumping bodies of civilians in graves killed in the shelling. Satellite imagery released by Maxar Technologies showed new garves in the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol on a site existing cemetery in the village of Manhush, 20km (12 miles) west.

“The greatest war crime of the 21st century has been committed in Mariupol,” the mayor said. This is the new Babi Yar" he added referring to Nazi massacres of Ukrainian Jews in 1941. “Then Hitler killed Jews, Roma and Slavs. And now Putin is destroying Ukrainians. He has already killed tens of thousands of civilians in Mariupol. This requires a strong reaction from the entire world. We need to stop the genocide by any means possible.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday flagged that the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) must avoid direct confrontation with Russia. He was responding to why Berlin failed to deliver heavy weapons to Ukraine, as reported by The Guardian. This came at a time when Scholz is facing ample criticism domestically and from Ukraine for his soft approach to the calls for weaponry supply to embattled Kyiv. 

Head of Catholic Church Pope Francis on Friday confirmed that he will not meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in Jerusalem. The meeting, scheduled for June, has been suspended over Kirill's open support for the Russian war. Vatican diplomats said that the meeting at the time could lead to "confusion at the moment." 

Russia has plans to take over complete control of Donbass in order to secure access to Transnistria, a Russian official was quoted as saying by The Interfax News Agency. Notably, Transnistria is Moldova’s breakaway region. The deputy commander of Russia’s central military district said it was a part of the "second phase" of operations in Ukraine, adding that they will also consider Chisinau. 

IKEA on Friday refuted the claims of the Russian deputy head of the Ministry of Industry, saying that their decision to halt operations in Russia is intact. Taking to Twitter, the massive retailer of furniture and home accessories said that their decision, taken on March 3, "still stands." 

Ukrainian officials have described the war in east Ukraine as "heavy fighting" as Russian troops intensified their onslaught on Thursday. Over the last 24-hour period, 42 more settlements had come under Russian control in the Donetsk region, said Olena Symonenko, an adviser to the Deputy Head of the Office of the President. "We understand that fierce hostilities are ongoing in these settlements. And people who stayed there are staying in the shelters or basements," she said in a televised address, as quoted by CNN. Meanwhile, Russian troops have shelled a civilian hospital in the town of Liman in Donetsk.

According to the Ukraine Armed Forces, defending troops have eliminated at least 21,200 Russian soldiers during the 58-days-long running war. Apart from this, Ukrainian defenders have also destroyed over 830 tanks, 2162 armoured personnel vehicles and 397 artillery systems. 

A Ukrainian military aircraft An-26 crashed in Zaporizhzhia. The plane was performing a "technical flight" when it crashed in the Volnyanskiy district. No casualties were reported at the crash site, Ukrainian regional military authorities said. 

Ukraine Prosecutor-General Iryna Venediktova's Office on Friday informed that at least 7,500 war crimes allegations are being investigated currently. Separately, another 3,652 crimes committed by the invading troops re being investigated. 

In a first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Israel has announced that it will provide protective equipment, including helmets and bulletproof vests, for Ukrainian rescue and humanitarian services as part of humanitarian aid.  “For the first time since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Israel will supply the Ukrainian side with helmets and body armour,” Becth newspaper reported. It added that Tel Aviv made the decision to start deliveries at the highest level and it had remained secret for several weeks.”

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Olympic medalist Evgeny Rylov on Friday was suspended from participating in championships under International Swimming Federation for attending a pro-Putin concert in Luzhniki. Rylov will now not be allowed to participate in any competitions for 9 months. 

Ukraine PM Iryan Vereshchuk stated that despite agreeing to evacuation corridors for children, women, and the elderly earlier this week, Russia failed to allow green zones for those stranded in Mariupol on Friday. Taking to Telegram, Vereshchuk wrote "No humanitarian corridors for evacuation for civilians will be open on April 22 to danger on the routes," Kyiv Independent quoted. 

As the brutal war in Ukraine continues to escalate, the United Kingdom's Defence Ministry has released its latest intelligence update about the ongoing situation in the war-torn nation. Taking to their official Twitter handle, the UK Defence Ministry stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to blockade the Azovstal steel plant likely indicates a desire to contain Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol and free up Russian forces to be deployed elsewhere in eastern Ukraine. "A full ground assault by Russia on the plant would likely incur significant Russian casualties, further decreasing their overall combat effectiveness," the ministry claimed.

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Greece, on Thursday, announced that it will release a Russian oil tanker that it impounded earlier this week. "The coast guard has been ordered by the anti-money laundering authority to release the vessel," a government official told Maritime Executive, stopping short of revealing details. The Russian-flagged vessel was seized by Greek coast guards as it violated EU sanctions which forbid Russian vessels in its ports.

While the Pegas ship was deemed to belong to Vladimir Putin's government-backed bank Promsvyazbank, it was later revealed that the carrier was sold in April last year to somebody else. Notably, the ship carried Iranian oil, which has been banned by both the US and Europe. According to reports, the tanker had been sailing through the Mediterranean region since September 2021 but had failed to fetch any substantial customers.  

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Germany cannot send heavy weapons to Ukraine from its own supplies, Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht said on Thursday as the Russian invasion of the ex-Soviet state continued for the 57th day. In a television broadcast, he proposed a set up a ‘circular exchange’ with EU and NATO states which would mean that other countries would supply arms for which Berlin will later compensate. In addendum, she also suggested that Soviet-made weapons including tanks, and infantry fighting vehicles could be used in the fighting.

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As the Russian war intensifies, invading troops on Friday fired missiles at Khortytsia Island in Zaporizhzhia. At least 8 civilians were injured in the attacks, said the regional Ukraine military commander of the region, as quoted by Kyiv Independent. 

UK-based bands Florence and The Machine released a song titled Free in honour of Ukraine. The song upholds the "spirit, creativity and perseverance" the "brave" Ukrainians. 

A massive fire broke out in Russia's Aerospace Defence Forces institute in Tver. As many as 6 people died and 27 others were injured in the incident. The fire was reported by emergency services. An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the fire and potential violation of safety requirements, NEXTA reported. 

Ukrainian Minister of Economy Yulia Sviridenko on Friday stated that Ukraine is expected to ascend to the members' list by "this summer." Further, she added, by the end of 2024, the embattled ex-Soviet nation will become a "full member" of the 27 nation bloc. 

US President, Joe Biden on Thursday (local time) announced a new refugee programme for Ukrainians called "Uniting for Ukraine", enabling the refugees to come directly from Europe to the US amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

"We’ve already welcomed tens of thousands of Ukrainians to the United States. And today, I’m announcing “Uniting for Ukraine,” a new program to enable Ukrainians seeking refuge to come directly from Europe to the United States," President Joe Biden said in a press briefing at the White House.

According to the statement given at the press briefing and also shared on Twitter, this new refugee programme will complement the existing legal pathways available to Ukrainians. "This new humanitarian parole program will complement the existing legal pathways available to Ukrainians," Biden said.

US on Thursday informed that it is currently not in talks with Moscow over the possibility of scrapping sanctions imposed by the West on Russia. Addressing a panel from Bretton Woods Committee, US National Security Advisor Daleep Singh stated that while the channels of common are still open between both sides, "but we are not at the point at which we are talking about sanctions relief." He highlighted the significance of the penalties and their profound impact on Russian supply chains.

Singh said the measures, directed toward Russia's productive capacity and over time military-industrial complex, shall create leverage when it time comes for negotiations for a solution in Ukraine. He further clarified the sanctions-relief talks with Russia will be led by Ukraine and not the US. The annulling of penalties on Russia must also include security guarantees, Singh specified. Singh's statement comes at a time when Russia has "refocused" its offensive to seize territories in eastern Ukraine, said US President Joe Biden during a presser on Thursday, adding that the time frame is a "critical window" as Moscow embarked on its "second phase" of its war.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has decided to suspend Russia's position as a permanent observer in the organisation following a vote, according to St. Lucia's Ambassador to the OAS Elizabeth Darius-Clarke. The vote ended with 25 in favour of the decision and 0 against, while 8 abstentions and one country, Nicaragua was absent. 

Darius-Clarke said, “The Permanent Council hereby declares the draft resolution Suspension of the Status of the Russian Federation as a Permanent Observer of the Organization of American States approved," ANI reported.  

World Bank President David Malpass has said that the estimated infrastructure damage to Ukraine so far is at $60 billion, and the cost will increase if the war with Russia continues. While addressing the World Bank conference on Ukraine’s financial assistance needs, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy estimated that Ukraine will need $7 billion per month to make up for economic losses, stated Kyiv Independent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of planning to “falsify” an independence referendum in the partly occupied regions of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. He said, "I urge the residents of the southern regions of Ukraine - Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions - to be very careful about what information you provide to the invaders. And if they ask you to fill out some questionnaires, leave your passport data somewhere, you should know - this is not to help you..."

"This is aimed to falsify the so-called referendum on your land, if an order comes from Moscow to stage such a show. And this is the reality. Be careful," he added.

Germany will provide $40.12 million or €37 million to Ukraine for the reconstruction of the war-torn country, reported Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper citing ministry sources. Around €22.5 million will go into the reconstruction of the power grid in Ukraine and €14.4 million would to rebuild apartments attacked by Russian forces. German development minister Svenja Schulze was quoted as saying, "My ministry has reallocated funds for this via an emergency programme".  

Deputy Commander Svyatoslav Palamar from Ukraine’s Azov regiment said in an interview with BBC, "All the buildings in the territory of Azovstal are practically destroyed. They drop heavy bombs, bunker-busting bombs which cause huge destruction. We have wounded and dead inside the bunkers. Some civilians remain trapped under the collapsed buildings". It is to note here that in the besieged city of Mariupol, people took shelter in the Azovstal steelworks plant, which has now been majorly destroyed.

Erkki Tuomioja, deputy chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the Finnish parliament, has said that Finland will submit an application for NATO membership 'in the coming weeks'.

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has asked workers to complete the development of a Russian application store for mobile devices before June 1, according to an official statement published by Kremlin. Amidst growing western sanctions, Mishustin, on Thursday, instructed to "ensure the completion of the development of a domestic application store for mobile devices.” While Google LLC and the Putin administration have been at loggerheads, Play Store is still functional in Russia.

According to TASS, the goal was set following the Russian Prime Minister’s speech in parliament’s lower house-Duma-with a report on government activities in 2021. The Prime Minister drew attention to the fact that foreign platforms - App Store and Google Play - could limit the ability of Russian users to download applications.

Maxar Technologies has released an image that shows an alleged mass grave near the besieged city of Mariupol. The images show a trench in the village of Mangush that is more than 300 meters long. It could contain thousands of bodies, said Petr Andryushchenko, an adviser to the city's mayor.

Maxar Technologies has released an image that shows an alleged mass grave near the besieged city of Mariupol. The images show a trench in the village of Mangush that is more than 300 meters long. It could contain thousands of bodies, said Petr Andryushchenko, an adviser to the city's mayor.

Maxar Technologies has released an image that shows an alleged mass grave near the besieged city of Mariupol. The images show a trench in the village of Mangush that is more than 300 meters long. It could contain thousands of bodies, said Petr Andryushchenko, an adviser to the city's mayor.

'We're preparing, but we need weapons', said Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he requested stronger military assistance against Russia. According to the Kyiv Independent, Ukraine's military is trying to unblock Mariupol using diplomatic or military means. 

US President Joe Biden, on April 21, announced the "Uniting for Ukraine" program "to enable Ukrainians seeking refuge to come directly from Europe to the United States". In a tweet, Biden said "This new humanitarian parole program will complement the existing legal pathways available to Ukrainians. This program will be fast. It will be streamlined. And it will ensure the United States honors our commitment to the Ukrainian people".

Joe Biden, on April 21, announced that the US will provide $500 million in direct economic assistance to Ukraine. The recent announcement has brought the total economic support by US to $1 billion in just two months.

"In the past two months, we have moved weapons and equipment to Ukraine at record speed. The United States alone has provided 10 anti-armor systems for every one Russian tank that is in Ukraine", Biden's office said in a tweet.

This comes just hours after Biden pledged $800 million for military assistance to Ukraine for defending itself against Russia. 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been honoured with the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for defending democracy. Explaining the reason for awarding Zelenskyy, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation said that he was chosen for the way he “marshaled the spirit, patriotism and untiring sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in a life-or-death fight for their country". The foundation chose four other winners from the US for standing up for free and fair elections.

The Kennedy award was created by the family of the late US President and honours those who risk their careers by embracing unpopular positions for the greater good, The Associated Press reported. Caroline Kennedy, who will present the award on May 22 said, "The war in Ukraine has shown the world that we can’t take freedom for granted, and the courage of our elected officials in the U.S. reminds us that as citizens we each have a responsibility to protect our democracy and exercise our fundamental right to vote". 

The Ukrainian defense ministry revealed that a research institute developing Iskander missiles and systems for SU-27 and TU-160 bombers in the Russian city Tver is destroyed. "Corruption and irresponsibility in russia has dealt another insidious blow to its war efforts. In Tver, a research institute that develops russia’s Iskander missiles and systems for SU-27 and TU-160 bombers, which have been destroying peaceful Ukrainian cities, has burned down", the ministry wrote in a tweet.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his US counterpart Joe Biden for supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Earlier today, Biden announced $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, Zelenskyy wrote, "I’m grateful to @POTUS & people for the leadership in supporting the people of Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. This help is needed today more than ever! It saves the lives of our defenders of democracy and freedom and brings us closer to restoring peace in".

Estonia's Minister of Economic Affairs, Taavi Aas, revealed that Ukraine is planning to open new transport corridors through Baltic countries. Kyiv decision comes as Russia has been blocking Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. "There is a wish, but there are also numerous technical problems that need to be tackled so that Ukrainians can transport the necessary amounts of goods", the minister said.

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 UK Government has announced further trade sanctions against Russia – expanding the list of products facing import bans and increasing tariffs. With these new measures, the UK will now be imposing import tariffs and bans on over £1bn of Russian goods.

The new sanctions – announced today (Thursday, April 21) by International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak - will include import bans on silver, wood products and high-end products from Russia including caviar.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: We are steadfast in our support for the people of Ukraine and these new significant sanctions against Putin will bring the total import tariffs and bans on Russian goods to over £1 billion - imposing further economic pain on Putin’s economy for his barbaric and unjustified attacks on a sovereign nation.

We will also increase tariffs by 35 percentage points on around £130m worth of products from Russia and Belarus, including diamonds and rubber.

UK has led the international sanctions effort, already increasing tariffs on goods from Russia and Belarus, banning the import of many iron and steel products as well as the export of quantum technologies, advanced materials and luxury goods and cutting off any new UK Export Finance (UKEF) support for Russia and Belarus.  

International Trade Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: The UK continues to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine and is working closely with our international partners to inflict maximum damage to Putin’s regime, reducing the resources and funds he needs to carry out this illegal war.

We are taking every opportunity we can to ratchet the pressure to isolate the Russian economy and these further measures will tighten the screws, shutting down lucrative avenues of funding for Putin’s war machine.

Source: UK Government Release

 US President Joe Biden approved a new $800 million military aid for Ukraine and stressed that Washington has to "accelerate that assistance package to help prepare Ukraine for Russia's offensive that's going to be more limited in terms of geography but not in terms of brutality." 

"We don't know how long this war will last but as we approach the two-month mark, here's what we do know, Putin has failed to achieve his grand ambitions on the battlefield. After weeks of shelling Kyiv — Kyiv still stands. President Zelensky and his democratic-elected government still remain in power," Biden said  during White House briefing. 

"And the Ukrainian Armed Forces, joined by many brave Ukrainian civilians, have thwarted Russia's conquest of the country. They've been bolstered from day one by an unstinting supply of weapons, ammunition, armor, intelligence, from the nations of the free world led by us, the United States." 

US president Joe Biden has said that it is "doubtful" that Russian troops have captured the beseiged port city of Mariupol to the south. “It’s questionable whether he [Putin] does control Mariupol. There is no evidence yet that Mariupol is completely fallen," he said. Biden asked Putin to allow humanitarian aid into Ukraine and let those trapped inside the steel plant evacuate safely.

“That’s what any head of state would do in any circumstance,” Biden said. 

US President Joe Biden has said that the war in Ukraine has a "critical window of time" now as Russian troops launched renewed offensive in the eastern Donbass region. Biden also held talks with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal who visited White hosue this morning with US national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Ambassador Oksana Markarova.

"We had a good discussion. I talked about what I'm about to tell you about today, as well as he was thanking the American people for their support, understands it's significant, and we talked about keeping everyone together in terms of Europe, European Union and others, in the effort to stop Putin's brutality," Biden said.

he iterated that a "big credit" must be given to the agencies exposing the war on the ground and crimes committed by the Russian forces.  "It's so clear to the whole world now. Russia launched and refocused their campaign to seize new territory in eastern Ukraine, and we're in a critical window now of time where they're going to set the stage for the next phase of this war," said the US President. 

US President Joe Biden has banned US Russian-affiliated ships from American ports in a retaliatory move to tighten grip against Russia. "No ship that sailed under the Russian flag, or that is owned or operated by Russian interests, will be allowed to dock in the United States port or access our shores," Biden said in remarks at the White House. 

Credit: AP

Ukraine has ammended amended the Laws of Ukraine "On Sanctions", "On the Legal Regime of Martial Law", "On Prevention and Counteraction to Legalization (Laundering) of Proceeds from Crime, Financing of Terrorism and Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction" to make sanctions against Russia easier. 

The law aims to prevent the use of economic assets to the detriment of Ukraine's national security and to attract assets that are the basis for activities aimed at preparing, inciting and waging an aggressive war (including aggressive propaganda), strengthening Ukraine's defense and reparation, Ukraine's parliament announced in a government release. 

"Adoption of the Law will contribute to the formation of resources to minimize and eliminate the humanitarian consequences of the destruction of Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, as well as compensation for the damage caused to victims of crimes committed by the aggressor state in Ukraine." 

Credit: Nexta

Denmark’s Parliament has decided that Danish students studying in Russia or Belarus will no longer be entitled to state grants from Denmark. Under Danish law, the country’s citizens are entitled to receive financial support throughout their studies wherever they study, a system meant to ensure that people from all social backgrounds can study without having to focus on earning money. This year, they get 6,397 kroner ($931) per month before tax. Lawmakers voted Thursday to exclude studies in Russia and Belarus from the grant program until Jan. 1, 2024.

Source: Associated Press

It is not possible to start the evacuation of the civilians and the Ukrainian forces from the Azovstal plant on Thursday as there isn't a stable ceasefire that will risk the safe evacuation, Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said at a briefing. Ukraine instead appealed to the world to help establish a ceasefire and a safe corridor for evacuation of the civilians who had stayed back as hostilites had started. 

"Unfortunately, many residents made a decision to remain in the town because they thought it will be dangerous and their life will be threatened," said Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko in an online briefing. 

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has arrived at the White House, American broadcaster CNN reported adding that he travelled along with Oksana Markarova, the ambassador of Ukraine to the United States. He is expected to meet Joe Biden as the latter announces additional military aid for the war torn Ukraine. 

Spanish Prime Minister  Pedro Sanchez during press conference with his Danish counterpart Mette Frederiksen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pledged 200 tons of ammunition and other material, 30 trucks and 10 light vehicles for Ukraine. Speaking at  a press conference in a room of the presidential residence in kyiv, Senchez said: "Ukrainians are not alone."

"We want Putin to face responsibility for these crimes," he said condemning the civilian killings and destruction of the civilian infrastructure. 

Sanchez stated that the International Criminal Court is investigating the war atrocities and that he and his Danish counterpart "have seen first hand in the city of Borodyanka". Sanchez has admitted that he was "shocked" to witness the devastation and crimes in thw town. "It could be a potential genocide," he added. 

UK’s defence secretary Ben Wallace has said that “We all could do more” to help Ukraine counter the Russian aggression on their territory. Speaking at the The Hague for the Invictus Games, Wallace said: “We will continue to give them [Ukraine Army]  the air defence they need.”

"The Ukrainians need, first and foremost, they need long-range artillery and artillery shells. They use currently Russian Soviet stocks and the calibres are different from what the West holds, so not only are we trying to help them source those calibres so that they can immediately be used, but at the same time helping them explore developing new capabilities," PA Media quoted Wallace as saying. 

President Joe Biden is set to announce plans to send an additional $800 million in military aid to help Ukraine fight back against the Russian invasion, according to a White House official.

The official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Biden will use a Thursday morning speech at the White House to detail plans to build on the roughly $2.6 billion in military assistance that his administration has already approved for Ukraine.

The new package is expected to include much needed heavy artillery and ammunition for Ukrainian forces in the escalating battle for the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

Source: Associated press 

Russia on Thursday stated that the humanitarian corridor from the territory of Azovstal was opened by Russia since a long time.  Moscow's foreign ministery spokesperson Maria Zakharova in a telegram post said that  Russian Armed Forces have repeatedly asked the Ukrainians to use the corridors  but they have been holding out the city. Russia appealed to the World leaders "to convince everyone on Azovstal to use them." 

Zakharova cited Russian defense ministry's statement, asking world leaders to "invite once again all those who have not yet laid down their arms to do so. The Russian side guarantees them life and dignified treatment in accordance with relevant international legal acts. To all who wounded, qualified medical care will be provided. "

Furthermore, Russia's foreign ministry spokesperson added that Russian Defense Ministry has also recently made an official promise to guarantee the preservation of life, complete safety and qualified medical care to all those who laid down their arms.

"Russia has repeatedly confirmed its humane treatment of prisoners of war, full compliance with the norms international humanitarian law, and this time the Russian side guarantees compliance with the Geneva Conventions for the Treatment of Prisoners of War. "

Estonian parliament on Thursday said in a statement that Russia's military and political leadership has done “systematic and massive war crimes” in Ukraine as the two nations declared those crimes as "genocide." Russia's military and political figures, as well as  national propaganda authorities incited these crimes.

Russians have committed “acts of genocide” against the civilian population in Ukraine, the statement by the two nations read. They committed murders, enforced disappearances, deportations, imprisonment, torture, rape and desecration of corpses.

On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen. Spanish Prime Minister's Office said in a statement that the three leaders will hold a joint press conference in Kyiv later on the day. 

Earlier this week, the Spanish PMO stated that the Prime Minister will visit Ukraine following the visits of other European leaders, but did not specify a specific date citing security reasons. Spain has also stated that it will reopen its embassy in Kyiv, which was closed just hours after the Russian invasion on February 24.

The parliament of Latvia released a statement condemning the Russian aggression and war crimes in Ukraine. The country became first to declare Russia's war crimes as genocide against the Ukrainian people. Latvia parliament Saeima has called on the European Union member states to "suspend Russian oil and gas imports immediately."

MPs in a joint statement cited the evidence of the mass brutal crimes committed by the Russian army: killings, torture, sexual abuse and desecration of Ukrainian civilians, including women and children in Bucha, Irpin, Mariupol and other towns.  Latvia, as a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the EU and NATO stated that it defends the democratic values and derides the Russian Federation for committing the war crimes. 

Germany’s foreign minister says her country and others are keeping up pressure on Russia to allow people out of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol and stop striking potential evacuation routes. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a news conference Thursday that trying to ensure humanitarian corridors has been an issue for weeks. She noted that in some cases such corridors have been shot at, and “you see that assurances can’t be relied on," according to associated press report. 

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Russia’s military operation in Ukraine “continues according to plan” although President Vladimir Putin has ordered his forces not to storm the Azovstal steel plant, the last holdout of Ukrainian forces in the port city of Mariupol.

Peskov told reporters on Thursday that “there was and still is an opportunity for Ukrainian troops to lay down their arms and come out via established corridors.”

He said that “the operation continues according to plan” and that Mariupol “has been liberated.” Asked whether the order not to storm the steel plant represented a change of plans, he said that “this is a separate facility where the remaining group of Ukrainian nationalists is completely blocked.”

Source: Associated Press

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sanchez and his Danish counterpart, Mette Frederiksen have arrived in Kyiv to visit Borodianka, a town in the Kyiv region. Sanchez wrote in a tweet that he was “shocked to witness the horror and atrocities of Putin’s war on the streets of Borodyanka”.

As Russian president Vladimir Putin asked his defense minister Sergei Shoigu to seal the access to the sprawling Azovstal steel plant where Ukrainian forces and the civilians took refuge during the final hold out, and declared that the city was "liberated" [or captured], Ukrainian President Zelesnkyy called the Russian seige a "terrorist operation." 

"As to our army, the forces of the Russian Federation do not allow us to pass through these occupied 120 kilometers so that we could reach the military unblocking of Mariupol today. It's true. We can't do it today. We negotiate and open humanitarian corridors, and some people are leaving. But the thousands I told you about are blocked there, and so far Russia isn't allowing these people to get out from captivity," Zelenskyy said in an address. 

Britain’s defense ministry says Russian forces in Ukraine are advancing from staging areas in the Donbas region toward the city of Kramatorsk, which is the target of “persistent” rocket attacks. In an intelligence update posted Thursday morning, the ministry says Russian forces may increase the intensity and forcefulness of operations in Ukraine as the Kremlin seeks to demonstrate “significant successes” before the annual Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which commemorate the surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945.

Source: AP

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin on Thursday that the sprawling Azovstal steel plant where Ukrainian forces were holed up was “securely blocked” while the rest of the city was “liberated,” which Putin hailed as “success,' associated press is reporting. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces not to storm the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the besieged city of Mariupol but to block it “so that not even a fly comes through.”

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin on Thursday that the sprawling Azovstal steel plant where Ukrainian forces were holed up was “securely blocked” while the rest of the city was “liberated,” which Putin hailed as “success.”

Leaving the plant in Ukrainian hands, however, robs the Russians of the ability to declare complete victory in Mariupol. The city’s capture has both strategic and symbolic importance.

Ukrainian soldiers walk on a destroyed bridge in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)

Source: Associated Press

Rusian troops have intensified the hsellings in the second largest city of Kharkiv and the situation is "stressful" its mayor said on Thursday. "Two markets have been destroyed, firefighters are extinguishing fires there now. There was a direct hit in another residential building,"  Ihor Terekhov said in an online post. Russian troops are bombarding  kindergartens, schools and boarding schools, the mayor has claimed. 

German chancellor Olaf Scholz has blocked supplies of heavy weapons to Ukraine and has defended his decision not to export such a miliatry aid, saying Berlin’s closest allies have concluded those supplies and it "makes no sense."  “Look at what our close allies are doing,” he told reporters. They “and their armies had reached similar conclusions [to us]”.

Serbia’s interior minister says the Balkan country should reconsider its proclaimed goal of joining the European Union because of alleged Western pressure to join international sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. Aleksandar Vulin was responding Thursday to a question about a draft European Parliament resolution calling on Serbia to introduce sanctions against Russia if it really wants to join the EU.

He told the state RTS broadcaster that the draft ”clearly indicates that the European Union does not want Serbia in its composition“ and that it’s ’’high time that Serbia also reconsiders its decision to remain on the path to EU membership.’’

Although Serbia has voted in favor of three United Nations resolutions condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine, it has refused to join Western sanctions against Moscow.

Vulin said that “we are an old, ancient, historical nation that chooses its friends. Russia is our friend.”

Source: AP

Ukraine is planning to launch an offensive on the Crimean bridge which Russia uses as the main logistical route for military deliveries. "If there is an opportunity to do so, we will definitely do it," said secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov.

A russian court has ordered a 7 million rouble fine on the American firm Google raising the total to 11 million roubles (£105,000 / $137,000). Russian court had earlier threatened Google and Wikipedia with fines of up to $96,000 (8 million roubles) for failing to remove "fake" content on its platform, Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor in a statement threatened that the US-based internet giant will be slapped with hefty penalties for being unable to delete videos, that Moscow deems "illegal", from YouTube, some related to Ukraine war. Meanwhile, the Wikimedia Foundation (owner of Wikipedia) was threatenedd with fines for publishing false information on its website.

Yuriy Sak, the advisor to the Minister of Defence, Ukraine, spoke about the latest Russian offensive in an exclusive conversation with Republic TV. 

“Ukrainian troops are trying to push back Russian military officials every day. Russian troops are carrying out missile attacks every day while Ukrainian troops are trying to bring the nation’s cities back to normalcy,” Yuriy Sak stated.

Speaking about the Russian bombardment of Western Ukraine, advisor to Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Yuriy Sak said, “There is hardly any war crime left that Russia has not committed yet in the country. Russian armed forces have devastated cities like Buchan, Irpin, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and many more. And everyone witnessed what they did to the citizens of Mariupol." 

Read more here 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has hailed the effort by Russian forces to capture Mariupol a "success" and noted that it was "no longer necessary" to storm the industrial area around the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. In a meeting with Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Kremlin leader said, "There is no need to climb into these catacombs and crawl underground through these industrial facilities. Block off this industrial area so a fly cannot get through".

In a bid to further abandon Russia, Austria has said that it has stopped importing and refining oil from Russia, says the oil and gas company.

Russia has imposed a fine of 4 million rubles or £38,000 or $50,000 for the company's failure in deleting "fake" information about what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine.

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has said that he is cutting off ties with his President Zoran Milanović calling the latter a "man with pro-Russian views". As per reports, the Croatian PM said, "We do not intend to meet with him in the format of the National Security Council. We are not going to meet with him face to face, unequivocally. We are not going to waste time and have physical contact with someone who can behave in such a vulgar and outrageous way. the party, the government and many of us individually."

Making an appeal for an 'urgent' humanitarian corridor to evacuate the people trapped in the Mariupol plant Azovstal, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk on Thursday called on the world leaders to 'focus on Azovstal now'. On the official Telegram channel, she said, "We demand from the Russians an urgent humanitarian corridor from the Mariupol plant Azovstal. There are now about 1,000 civilians and 500 wounded soldiers. They all need to be removed from Azovstal today."

"I call on world leaders and the international community to focus their efforts on Azovstal now. Now this is a key point and a key moment for the humanitarian effort," she added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. During the meeting, Putin reportedly called an assault on the Azovstal industrial zone in Mariupol inexpedient and ordered its abolition. The Kremlin leader also demanded to block the Azovstal industrial zone so that "the fly would not fly".

The European counties are adamant about helping Ukraine fight the Russian forces. Norway has decided to send 100 anti-aircraft missiles to war-torn Ukraine. Norwegian Defence Minister, Bjørn Arild Gram announced on Wednesday that Ukraine can expect a shipment of 100 Mistral missiles from Norway, as per the reports of Sputnik. The missiles are intended to aid Ukraine in its fight against Russia's military campaign to demilitarize the country. Norwegian Defence Minister said that the Mistral air defence system is a powerful weapon that the Navy has utilized and will be of great service to Ukraine.

However, Norway agreed to send its entire Mistral missile arsenal to Ukraine, which was set to be scrapped, but the Norwegian Defence Ministry stated that while the missile will be phased out by the Norwegian military, it is still a modern and powerful weapon and that it can help Ukrainian forces fight the aggressor. The Defence Minister also claimed that similar weapons systems have also been supplied by other countries.

Read more here 

According to the Interfax news agency, the Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has claimed that country's defence forces have captured Mariupol. He also said that the situation in the city, which witnessed the most significant blow of the Russia-Ukraine war, is now calm. Shoigu reportedly said that Russia evacuated more than 142,000 civilians from Mariupol, 1,478 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered.

Days after the first images of Russia’s sunken warship ‘Moskva’ emerged on social media, media reports have stated that scientists from Ukrain are now planning to visit the site and take ownership of the vessel, according to Ukraine 24. In one of the major wins for Ukraine in the war with Russia, Kyiv on April 14 took down Moscow’s key warship of its Black Sea fleet. The United States had also confirmed that two Ukrainian Neptune missiles had caused the fire on Moskva that ultimately led to its sinking.
 

Binance cryptocurrency exchange has decided to restrict access to Russian users. It is reported that customers whose assets exceed 10 thousand euros will be suspended from trading and they will only be able to withdraw funds.

As of Thursday, Ukrainian armed forces claimed that Russia lost around 21,000 soldiers in the 56 days of the Moscow-Kyiv war. 

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said Thursday that four evacuation buses managed to leave the besieged city of Mariupol on Wednesday through an evacuation corridor. She said, "They spent the night in Berdiansk and are now heading to Vasylivka...We are waiting for them in Zaporizhzhia soon."

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki has said that five planes with military aid have arrived in Ukraine in the last few days. Psaki said, "just to give you an example of how that assistance has flowed, just in the last few days — and I think I gave an update the other day — but five flights with military assistance have arrived in the region over the last few days.  More than half a dozen flights from the United States are scheduled to land in the region shortly with additional equipment."

Lithuania has handed over heavy mortars worth tens of millions of euros, reported BNS news agency, citing Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas.

The permanent members of the UN Security Council including Russia, China, UK, USA, and France, may form the basis of guarantor states for Ukraine. The same issue is being discussed at the negotiations, said Aleksey Polishchuk from the CIS Department of Russia's Foreign Ministry, stated Nexta Tv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 20 that law enforcement has resumed operations in 435 settlements, local government in 431, and humanitarian headquarters have been established in 361 settlements.

The Ukrainian military has said that Russia’s ‘pseudo-referendum’ in Kherson is set for April 27. According to Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian Operational Command South said on April 20 the staged referendum shows Russia is uninterested in expressing the will of the local population, as the falsified result is “already known.”

Finance ministers for the Group of Seven countries on Wednesday vowed more than $24 billion in 2022 in support of Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion. The leaders said in a statement, "Against the background of the ongoing brutal Russian aggression, the accompanying suffering of the Ukrainian population, and the continued destruction of the country itself, we are prepared to do more as needed". 

"International organisations and multilateral fora should no longer conduct their activities with Russia in a business-as-usual manner," they added.

UK Ministry of Defence, in its latest intelligence update, stated that "Russia likely desires to demonstrate significant successes ahead of their annual 9th May Victory Day celebrations. This could affect how quickly and forcefully they attempt to conduct operations in the run-up to this date."

"Russian forces are now advancing from staging areas in the Donbas towards Kramatorsk, which continues to suffer from persistent rocket attacks," it said.

"High levels of Russian air activity endure as Russia seeks to provide close air support to its offensive in eastern Ukraine, to suppress and destroy Ukrainian air defence capabilities," it added.

Russia has refused the UN Secretary General's request for a four-day Easter truce in Ukraine. Russian representative to the UN Security Council said, "The calls for peace and a cease-fire sound very false and insincere in these conditions, which in practice mean only a desire to give the Kiev nationalists and radicals a break so that they can regroup, get new batches of drones, ATGMs and MANPADS, and simultaneously arrange new inhuman provocations".

Japanese Foreign Minister Nobuo Kishi planning to visit the United States in early May to discuss Ukraine, United States, according to Kyodo News. Kishi is expected to meet with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss cooperation on the situation in Ukraine and North Korea. However, the dates have not yet been disclosed. 

As per reports, the head of Chechnya said that "Azovstal" today will completely come under the control of the Russian military.

Police in the Kyiv region have found two more graves in #Borodyanka with the bodies of nine more local residents killed during the occupation of the city. They found the bodies of two 35-year-old men and a 15-year-old girl, as well as the bodies of four men and two women, stated Nexta Tv.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called on Asian nations to keep the future of the region in their hands and proposed a Global Security Initiative respecting the sovereignty of all countries amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in a veiled attack on the US’ forays into the region with the Indo-Pacific strategy.

President Xi, speaking via video link at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2022, outlined a six-point proposal for global security which broadly confirms China’s stand on Russia’s war against Ukraine to protect what Moscow states its security interests against Kyiv joining the NATO alliance.

China has declined to condemn Russia’s military offensive against Ukraine and highlighted Moscow’s concerns over NATO expansion threatening its security.

In his proposals, Xi said that countries should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, uphold non-interference in internal affairs, and respect the independent choices of development paths and social systems made by people in different countries.

“The countries should stay committed to taking the legitimate security concerns of all countries seriously, uphold the principle of indivisible security, build a balanced, effective, and sustainable security architecture, and oppose the pursuit of one's own security at the cost of others' security,” he said.

(PTI)

In a bid to end the Russia-led war on Ukraine and maintain peace in the war-hit zone, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote to Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to receive him in Moscow and Kyiv. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric mentioned that both letters were sent to respective countries' UN Missions in New York on Tuesday.

The request holds relevance as the Kremlin forces waged a full-fledged war on the eastern European country on the pretext of a 'special military operation' in Ukraine. This comes after foreign ministers of both countries met in Turkey on March 10 to negotiate a ceasefire and end the conflict.

It may be noted that ongoing tension revived elements of a conflict that began eight years ago with the annexation of Crimea in 2014. So far, the military clash had caused thousands of fatalities on both sides and over five million refugees. In March, the UN refugee agency deemed the ongoing displacement as Europe's largest influx of refugees since World War II.

"In eastern Ukraine, some 1.4 million people are without access to running water, including in the besieged port city of Mariupol.  Millions more have only limited access to water and electricity," a UN report stated.

Read more here

Ukraine negotiator and presidential aide Mykhailo Podolyak on Wednesday said that Kyiv is ready to resolve the issue of unblocking besieged city of Mariupol. In a tweet, he said, "Yes. Without any conditions. We’re ready to hold a “special round of negotiations” right in Mariupol. One on one. Two on two. To save our guys, Azov, military, civilians, children, the living & the wounded. Everyone. Because they are ours. Because they are in my heart. Forever."

The members of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing network including the US, Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, said that “evolving intelligence” indicates Russia can launch powerful cyberattacks against rivals supporting Ukraine. Iin a statement released on Wednesday, the countries said, "Evolving intelligence indicates that the Russian government is exploring options for potential cyberattacks".

"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could expose organisations both within and beyond the region to increased malicious cyber activity. This activity may occur as a response to the unprecedented economic costs imposed on Russia as well as materiel support provided by the United States and US allies and partners," it added.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova blamed NATO members for sending armaments to Ukraine in her weekly briefing on Wednesday. Zakharova went on to say that since the beginning of Russia's special military operation in the neighbouring Ukraine, the country has attracted 7,000 foreign mercenaries from 63 countries, with the United States being one of the main sources. Read more here.

In a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, China's State Councilor and Minister of National Defence General Wei Fenghe advised the former to avoid exploiting the Ukriane crisis. The Defence Ministry of China issued a statement that suggests that General Wei emphasized that China aspires to have strong and stable major-country relations with the United States and that it will vigorously defend its national interests and dignity. 

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced plans to provide heavy artillery to the war-torn nation. Speaking to reporters in Dalhousie, New Brunswick, Trudeau said that the Ukrainians have "fought like heroes" and that they are fighting not only for themselves but for democratic societies. 

Read full story.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov spoke to his Israeli counterpart Benny Gantz on Wednesday, April 20. Taking to his Twitter handle, Reznikov stated that the two leaders discussed "existential threats" posed to Ukraine and its right to self-defence against the Russian military offensive. 

Speaking at a State Duma session on Wednesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov stated that the Foreign Ministry has drafted a Bill that would allow Moscow to suspend treaties and certain provisions of international treaties with the EU in order to simplify the visa application process for Russian citizens. 

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The All England Club and the Committee of Management of The Championships at Wimbledon have decided to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the tournament. The Grand Slam made it clear that their intention was to aid the United Kingdom government and the administrations around the world to curb Russia's global influence following their 'unprovoked' invasion of Ukraine that has almost been going on for two months.

️Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the army on the successful launch of the Sarmat super-heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, on April 20. He said the the Sarmat missile system will ensure Russia's security and make those 'think twice' who are planning to threaten Moscow. Russian space agency Roscosmos chief shared a glimpse of the test fire in a short clip.

The Pentagon, on Wednesday, stated that it has supplied Ukraine with Soviet-era S-300 launchers, 155 mm howitzers, noticeable upgrade in long-range artillery, and in a first, 11 Soviet-designed Mi-17 helicopters. In a press briefing, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said, "We do the best we can with each package to tailor it to the need at the time, and now the need has changed".

Charles Michel, the President of the European Council visited Ukraine to show solidarity with the people of the war-torn country. In a tweet posted earlier today, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared glimpse of his meeting with Michel. "Sanctions against Russia, defense and financial support of our state and answers to the questionnaire on compliance with EU criteria were discussed. Thank you for a meaningful meeting and solidarity with the people", Zelenskyy tweeted.

The Russian foreign ministry claimed that it has supplied 15,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Donetsk and Luhansk region since the launch of 'military operation' in Ukraine on February 24. "Evacuation corridors for civilians are opened daily. The Kiev regime denies civilians the opportunity to evacuate to Russia", it tweeted.

The Russian foreign ministry tweeted that Ukraine is is dragging out the negotiation process and called on Kyiv for "realistic settlement options". "Unfortunately, the Ukrainian negotiators are trying to drag out the negotiating process by refusing to be constructive on some key issues. We call on Ukraine to start searching for realistic settlement options without delay", the ministry tweeted.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on Wednesday, revealed that the total number of war refugees stands at 5.03 million and half of them are believed to be children. According to the refugee agency, this number was around four million by March 30 and more people might flee in the coming days, The Associated Press reported. 

Ukraine on Wednesday refuted international media claims that it received MiG-29 fighter jets from the United States to fight the Russian Air Force. Ukrainian Defence Ministry stated that Kyiv has not received new airplanes from its foreign partners. "Ukraine has in fact received spare parts for the overhaul and repair of aircraft. This has allowed us to bring more aircraft to a combat-ready status,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

The European Parliament's Committee on Development is discussing the humanitarian situation in Ukraine following Russia's aggression. During the session earlier today, "MEPS called for children fleeing the war in Ukraine to be given safe passage and for assistance for those internally displaced or unable to leave areas under siege," the European Parliament informed in a press release.

It further said that "this follows a decision in March 2022 by MEPs to approve the redirection of EU regional and asylum funding to EU countries sheltering people fleeing from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and release up to €420 million (approximately Rs 3,473.82 crore) to fund accommodation, food, healthcare, or extra staff."

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs minister Dmytro Kuleba revealed his meetting with the President of Bulgaria on April 20. Kuleba said that the duo discussed development in the Black Sea region along with ways to restore peace. "We also agreed on the need to strengthen supply chains for agricultural products in order to sustain global food security", he tweeted.

Norwegian Defence Minister Bjorn Arild Gram informed that Oslo has donated 100 Mistral air-defence systems to Ukraine. The short-range missiles are reportedly not used by Norway anymore. The French-made missiles, considered to be modern and effective, have already been shipped for Ukraine, Norway Defence Minister added.

With job cuts and multinational businesses withdrawing operations from Russia, some 98,000 Russians are now idle. Despite many companies not opting for mass layoffs, the number is 2.5 times higher than on March 1, NEXTA reported. According to an analysis by The New York Times, some workers were also forced to leave Russia after they objected to the Russian "military operation" in Ukraine. 

Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday claimed that it hit 1,053 military facilities in Ukraine overnight. In an operational briefing posted on Telegram, the Russian MoD said that it has also damaged 106 artillery firing positions and shot down six Ukrainian UAVs. 

It said its forces hit 73 military assets of Ukraine, among them:

• Four command posts
• 57 areas of Ukrainian manpower and military equipment
• Seven strong points and four ammunition depots
• Six tanks and nine armoured vehicles and
• One Msta-B howitzer battery weapon

Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Wednesday claimed to have hit 1,053 Ukrainian military facilities overnight. In an operational update posted on Telegram, the Russian MoD said it has also mowed down 106 artillery firing positions and shot down six Ukrainian UAVs.

It said its forces hit 73 military assets of Ukraine, among them:

• Four command posts
• 57 areas of Ukrainian manpower and military equipment
• Seven strong points and four ammunition depots
• Six tanks and nine armoured vehicles and
• One Msta-B howitzer battery weapon

In condemnation of the Russian actions in Ukraine, G20 delegates are preparing to stage protests against Moscow. The leaders, including US treasury secretary Janet Yellen, UK finance minister Rishi Sunak. Both Yellen and Sunak have planned to avoid G20 sessions attended by Russian officials. Nevertheless, Yellen will address the opening session on the Ukraine war, a US treasury official said, as reported by The Guardian. 

EU Council President Charles Michel on Wednesday travelled to Kyiv. He reached the capital city of the embattled nation via train. Michel was welcomed by Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European Affairs and Euro-Atlantic Integration. The EU Council President is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later today. 

The symbol gained popularity after the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) posted on 3 March that the "Z" symbol is an abbreviation of the phrase "for victory." A similar sign is displayed on Russian vehicles and tanks during the Russia Ukraine war. It was earlier used on Friday easter cupcakes put up for sale in many Russian bakeries

Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova on Wednesday reiterated warnings against Finland and Sweden over membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

As the European Union mulls over sanctions on Russian energy supplies, Hungary on Wednesday stated that it will not support measures on Russian gas. 

"The Hungarian people cannot pay for this war," said Péter Szijjártó, Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has once again urged countries across the world to provide modern lethal weapons to the war-torn nation in order to combat Russian aggression. Addressing the nation on April 15, Zelenskyy stated that any delay in the delivery of weapons could endanger the lives of tens of thousands of people. Zelenskyy further claimed that Russian troops in southern Ukraine were torturing and kidnapping people, and he urged the international community to take some appropriate action. According to him, the Russian forces have built "torture chambers" and were abducting local government officials and representatives.

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France is ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees but only after the end of the war, said a spokesperson for French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Segodnya News. The spokesperson also said that the guarantees by France would include the supply of military equipment and be “strong enough to prevent a new war."  Media reports have stated that the French official also said that the security guarantees offered by Paris would look more like the defence clause that the European Union (EU) presently has among the members of the bloc. 

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In response to the Russian offensive in Ukraine, Shell on Tuesday announced that it has started withdrawing its employees from Russia. Dozens of employees working on the Sakhalin-2 oil and gas project have been terminated and/or subsequently relocated to work on other projects. Notably, Shell is engaged with two more long-term projects with Gazprom. 

Despite the fragile situation in Jerusalem after sporadic clashes between Israeli Police and Palestinians, Tel Aviv on Wednesday confirmed readiness to host talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Russian war seems to not have affected the spirit of Ukrainian sportsmen. Three participants on Wednesday bagged medals at the Invictus Games in The Hague. Swimmer Andriy Bararak won a gold in 50-meter backstroke. On the other hand, Lepekha and Oleksiy Bobchynets won bronze medals in 50m freestyle and 50-meter backstroke respectively. 

Ex-US Navy and MSNBC journalist Malcolm Nance joined the International Legion of Territorial Defense created by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to fight the battle against the Russian Federation. 

Ukrainian defenders stuck in Mariupol's Azovstal steel plant have called on the West to facilitate quick evacuation efforts. Commander of the 32nd Marine Brigade Unit Serhiy Volynskyi stated that 500 wounded soldiers and hundreds of civilians are holed up in the plant. The defenders are currently outnumbered 10 to 1 and "only few days" are left, he added.  

Ukrainian envoy to the UN, Sergiy Kyslystsya, half a million Ukrainians have been 'forcibly transferred' to Russia. The exodus includes 1,21,000 children. The displaced are being forced to move to the "economically depressed regions" of the Russian Federation, particularly in the northern islands of Sakhalin, he claimed. 

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate for the so-called ‘decisive’ battle for Donbas, Moscow has poured more troops into Ukraine on Tuesday in Kyiv’s eastern industrial heartland of coal mines and factories. If Russian forces win in the battle for the separatist region, which is already occupied by pro-Russian rebels, Moscow would be able to divide Ukraine into two parts providing Russian President Vladimir Putin with a much-needed victory. It is to note here that in over seven weeks of the Moscow-Kyiv war, Russia failed to capture the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. 

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The United States, European Union (EU) leaders and NATO reached a “broad consensus” to ramp up measures against Moscow amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. According to the official release by the Italian government, Prime Minister Mario Draghi held a fresh video conference on Tuesday with the leaders of other countries as the Moscow-Kyiv war entered the 56th day. 

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As the Russia-Ukraine war continues for the 56th day, with Moscow relentlessly bombarding key Ukrainian cities, Kyiv has claimed that more than five lakh Ukrainians have been relocated to Russia and are being detained by Russian forces. According to the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Sergiy Kyslytsya, 500,000 Ukrainians, including 121,000 children, were forcefully transferred to Russia by the invaders.

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As friction in Russia-United States ties continue, Russia on Tuesday urged the US to abandon its "futile policy" of blockade and sanctions in foreign policy. The Russian Embassy in Washington on Wednesday made the comment following the announcement of a new round of high-level dialogue between the United States and Cuba on migration. The Russian Embassy welcomed the step ahead of the meeting that will take place on April 21.

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In a bolstered effort to join the West in imposing sanctions against Moscow, Japan's Toshiba Corporation on Tuesday announced that it will no longer accept purchase orders or investments from Russia. The company is also set to donate 100 million yen in humanitarian aid to war-torn Ukraine. 

Ukrainian Defence Ministry on Tuesday informed that Norway has decided to send at least 100 Mistral surface-to-air missile systems to Ukraine as the war burgeoned in the eastern flank of the country, NEXTA reported. 

Member of the State Duma, Mikhail Sheremet, on Tuesday asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to surrender himself in order to ensure the safety of Ukrainian "remnants" holed up in the besieged city of Mariupol. Sheremet said, Zelensky must "act like a man" and exchange himself for servicemen defending Azovstal, NEXTA reported. 

"Russian air activity in northern Ukraine is likely to remain low since its withdrawal from north of Kyiv. However, there is still a risk of precision strikes against priority targets throughout Ukraine. Russian attacks on cities across Ukraine show their intent to try and disrupt the movement of Ukrainian reinforcements and weaponry to the east of the country.”

Major German manufacturer Henkel on Tuesday announced that it will exit from Russia. "Against the background of the current developments of the war in Ukraine, Henkel has decided to exit its business activities in Russia. We will now work closely with our teams in Russia on the details to ensure an orderly process," Henkel said in an official statement. At least 2,500 of its employees are based in Russia. The Dusseldorf -based company said it will continue to keep them employed and paid.

Two employees left behind to feed animals in Kharkiv zoo were found dead on Tuesday, the  Feldman Ecopark zoo said in a statement. The employees stayed back last month to care for the animals amid heavy Russian shelling. The employees had been shot and killed by Russian soldiers and found barricaded in a room after they were reportedly missing from early March. 

As Russia begins an offensive in east Ukraine, a defence official of the United States on Tuesday stated that he believed that Russia will target routes used to move military weapons in Ukraine. The official, under conditions of anonymity, told CNN that his hunch is based on the playbook Russian troops are inclined to such as striking moving targets like convoys, and rail deliveries. However, such targetted attacks will still not disrupt shipment in its entirety, he added. 

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a stark message during his Tuesday late-night address. Calling out leaders of the West for inadequate access to weapon supply, Zelenksyy stated that Ukraine would have “already ended”  war if it has all the weapons it needed. 

"If we had access to all the weapons we need, which our partners have and which are comparable to the weapons used by the Russian Federation, we would have already ended this war. We would have already restored peace and liberated our territory from the occupiers. Because the superiority of the Ukrainian military in tactics and wisdom is quite obvious …" Zelenskyy said. 

Russia on Monday shelled one of Europe's largest steel plants in Mariupol's Azovstal. The metallurgical plant was destroyed "just because it will years to rebuild," said Leslia Vasylenko, Ukrainian MP.

An anonymous psychological health hotline in the past 2 weeks received over 400 calls, said Ludmila Denisova, Ukrainian ombudsman. The majority of the phone calls come from people who went through sexual assault, torture, and abuse inflicted by Russian invaders, the Ukrainian official said. 

Drone manufacturer AeroVironment announced a donation of over 100 unmanned aircraft systems to Ukraine. The donation will be separate from the company's equipment used by Kyiv supplied via the US government. In addition to the assistance, the US-based producer will also provide operational training services for free to Ukraine. 

Ukraine received a contingent of additional fighter aircraft and spare parts to boost its air fleet capabilities as the Russian war intensifies in the eastern part of the country, US Defence Department spokesperson John Kirby said on Tuesday. The defence supplies come at a time when a part of Washington's additional $800 million defence aid to Ukraine was shipped earlier this week amid anticipation of a "wider assault" by Russia. However, Kirby added that the US has yet not delivered a whole military aircraft to Ukraine since the war began on February 24.

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As Republic Media Network continues to bring in ground reports of the Ukraine war, as per the latest development, the Russian army has destroyed the majority of the territory of the village of Horenka in the Kyiv region. Many people who left the Moschun, a small town northeast of Kyiv after multiple homes, military bases, and buildings were on fire, are now returning home. There was widespread destruction in Moschun with several homes destroyed by artillery shelling.

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Ukraine on Tuesday informed that direct communication has been established between Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant and Kyiv's national regulator after months of lost contact after Russian troops took over the site. 

As the Russian onslaught intensified in the surrounding areas of Kyiv since mid-March, the invading troops have killed as many as 1,000 civilians, said Andrey Nebitov, head of regional police in Kyiv region. 

As part of the $30 million aid package, South Korea on Tuesday supplied 20 tons of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The assistance package included defibrillators and other goods requested by Kyiv. The said aid is in addition to the $10mn tranche sent to Ukraine in March.

 US President Joe Biden on Wednesday engaged in a teleconference with his Allies and partners to discuss the harrowing atrocities of the war in Ukraine. The leaders deliberated on the Russian aggression, including the ongoing provision of security, economic and humanitarian assistance, the White House said in a statement. The world leaders also affirmed their solidarity with Ukrainians and condemned the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia's "unprovoked and unjustified" invasion.

The virtual meeting had in attendance British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President von der Leyen, European Council President Michel, President Macron of France, Chancellor Scholz of Germany, Prime Minister Draghi of Italy, Prime Minister Kishida of Japan, NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg, President Duda of Poland, President Iohannis of Romania.

The Netherlands is prepared to dispatch more military aid that comprises heavy weaponry and armoured vehicles to Ukraine as Russian troops begin renewed assaults in the eastern Donbas region. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte wrote on Twitter that he held a telephonic conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and pledged more military assistance.

"In a call with [Zelenskyy], [Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren] and I expressed our support as Russia begins a renewed offensive,” Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said. 

“The Netherlands will be sending heavier material to Ukraine, including armoured vehicles. Along with allies, we are looking into supplying additional heavy materiel,” he went on to add. 

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 World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said it is struggling to send two electricity generators to hospitals in the besieged port city of Mariupol in Ukraine, which has remained the worst-hit since early March.

Lack of electricity, war, and dwindling food supplies has left the citizens "desperate" in the wake of the Russian occupation, Doctors Without Borders had said. Noting the deteriorating conditions, WHO said it was trying to deliver 15 generators to Ukraine hospitals from its base in the west Ukrainian city of Lviv.

This comes after WHO on Wednesday said it verified 147 incidents of Russian attacks on healthcare facilities in Ukraine. As many as 73 health workers are reportedly dead, with 52 injured, as Moscow prepares for intense "phase two" of its invasion.

In a video posted on Facebook, the commander of the Ukrainian marines fighting in the besieged city of MariupolSerhiy Volyna, appealed for extraction and said his forces were “may be facing our last days, if not hours”.

“The enemy is outnumbering us 10 to one," he said, while adding "We appeal and plead to all world leaders to help us...We ask them to use the procedure of extraction and take us to the territory of a third-party state.”   

"We are only defending one object - the Azovstal plant - where in addition to military personnel, there are also civilians who have fallen victim to this war,” he added.

Chinese ambassador to the United Nations (UN) Zhang Jun criticised western actions in the Russia-Ukraine war and said that the provision of offensive weapons “will only prolong and escalate the conflict”. According to him, some of the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies in the West are “tantamount to weaponising economic interdependence”. 

“We call on Russia and Ukraine to adhere to the general direction of dialogue and negotiation, continuously narrow differences, and accumulate conditions for a ceasefire,” Zhang Jun said in a statement.

He said, "Continuing to send more offensive weapons will not bring peace. It will only prolong and escalate the conflict, and further aggravate humanitarian catastrophe."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on Tuesday that the intensity of shelling by Russian troops towards Kharkiv, the Donbas and Dnipro has “increased significantly”. He went on to say that the situation in Mariupol “remains unchanged” and “as severe as possible". 

He said, "The situation in Mariupol remains unchanged - as severe as possible. The Russian army is blocking any efforts to organise humanitarian corridors and save our people. The occupiers are trying to carry out deportation or even mobilisation of the local residents who have fallen into their hands."

Zelenskyy added, "The fate of at least tens of thousands of Mariupol residents who were previously relocated to Russian-controlled territory is unknown.”

The latest British intelligence report has stated, "Russian shelling and strikes on the Donbas line of control continue to increase, with the Ukrainians repelling numerous attempted advances by Russian forces."

"Russia’s ability to progress continues to be impacted by the environmental, logistical and technical challenges that have beset them so far, combined with the resilience of the highly-motivated Ukrainian armed forces," it said.

It added, "Russia’s inability to stamp out resistance in Mariupol and their indiscriminate attacks, which have harmed the resident civilian populace, are indicative of their continued failure to achieve their aims as quickly as they would like.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told a news conference in Berlin on Tuesday, "We intend to pay for these deliveries". According to The Guardian, he said, "Weapons with substantial impact” have already been delivered to Ukraine while adding that Germany will seek help from arms manufacturers to provide Kyiv with anti-tank and air defence weapons. Scholz said, "We are ready to make things possible".

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) met with "allies and partners to discuss our support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression." He said, "We are committed to continuing our assistance and to imposing severe economic costs on Russia — and we reaffirmed our solidarity with the Ukrainian people."
 

Canada has said that it will impose targeted sanctions on 14 individuals, including Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters. In a statement, the Canadian Foreign Ministry has said "These new measures impose restrictions on 14 close associates of the Russian regime, including Russian oligarchs and their family members. This includes President Putin’s two adult daughters."

Russian Defence Ministry said that it will offer a ceasefire in Mariupol on Wednesday for Ukrainians to surrender. While Russia continued to bombard the Ukrainian city on Tuesday, the ministry said that the ceasefire on Wednesday would begin at 2 PM (Moscow time) or 11 AM GMT to allow the Ukrainian defenders to surrender and leave unharmed.

Russia has ordered the expulsion of  31 Dutch, Belgian and Austrian diplomats to leave the country amid heightened criticism against Moscow for its military actions in Ukraine. 

During an event in New Hampshire, United States President Joe Biden told the reporters that he’s been to Ukraine many times, but is unsure if he will go to Kyiv.

The Kremlin’s diplomats are stepping up to do more online dirty work as governments and social media companies move to suppress Russia’s state media and the disinformation it spreads about the war in Ukraine.

Russian embassies and consulates are prolifically using Facebook, Twitter and other platforms to deflect blame for atrocities while seeking to undermine the international coalition supporting Ukraine. 

With hundreds of social media accounts on every continent, Russia’s diplomatic corps acts as a global propaganda network, recycling and tweaking claims for each nation's audience.

Tech companies have responded by adding warning labels and removing Russia’s diplomatic accounts from its recommendations and search results. But they remain active, disseminating disinformation in nearly every nation, in part because their diplomatic status gives them an added layer of protection from moderation.

“Each week since the beginning of the war these diplomats have posted thousands of times, gaining more than a million engagements on Twitter per week,” said c who tracks more than 300 social media accounts linked to Russian embassies, consulates and diplomatic groups.

(AP)

A truck driver was killed by a landmine in Irpin, Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn said on Tuesday. He once again urged residents to refrain from returning to Irpin, a satellite city northwest of Kyiv, before it’s completely defined, The Kyiv Independent reported.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for a four-day halt in fighting in Ukraine, starting Thursday to coincide with Orthodox Christians’ Holy Week observances.

Noting that Orthodox Easter is coming amid an intensifying Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine, the U.N. chief said Tuesday that the need for a “humanitarian pause” is all the more urgent.

Guterres said the goal is to allow for evacuating civilians from “current or expected areas of confrontation” and or getting more humanitarian aid into desperately needy places such as Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk and Kherson. More than four million people in those areas need assistance, Guterres said.
 

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Tuesday in Novo-Ogaryovo to discuss bilateral relations and the situation in the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

There have been recent clashes that have raised concerns about the stability of a cease-fire that ended the 2020 war over the separatist region.

"Of course, security issues, including those related to Karabakh, will be in the centre of our attention. There are still many problems, I agree with you," Putin said told Pashinyan. 

Pashinyan praised Putin's personal role in the conflict settlement, adding that it was necessary to make the activity of Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh "more effective."  

The Russian President also hailed the development of economic cooperation with Armenia, during the meeting.

(AP)

The Czech Defense Ministry says local companies will work to repair Ukrainian military equipment damaged in fighting the invading Russian military.

The ministry says the first contract will focus on fixing T-64 Soviet-era tanks. Various armoured vehicles of BRD and BRDM types will follow. 

The ministry says the Czech Republic was the first partner country officially approached by Ukraine with such a request.

Netherlands said that it will send heavy weapons, including armoured vehicles, to war-hit Ukraine. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that he had called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and announced the arms supplies “as Russia begins a renewed offensive.”

Bruno Le Maire, France's economy minister, said on Tuesday to local media that French President Emmanuel Macron was trying to convince its European partners to stop Russian oil imports, but without success so far, The Kyiv Independent reported.
 

Russian shelling on Tuesday killed 3 people in Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Synehubov said. He said that 16 people had been injured. Kharkiv has been shelled by Russian multiple rocket launchers, according to the official.

British officials say the next phase of the war in Ukraine is likely to be “an attritional conflict” that could last several months. A senior U.K. national security official briefed the Cabinet on Tuesday, as Russia ratcheted up its battle for control of the eastern Donbas region.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the official told ministers that Russia’s greater number of troops was “unlikely to be decisive on its own” against fierce Ukrainian resistance.

The official told Cabinet that there are signs Russia has not learned the lessons from previous setbacks in northern Ukraine, with evidence of troops being committed to the fight in a “piecemeal fashion” and some soldiers and units refusing to fight.

Johnson’s spokesman, Max Blain, said the prime minister had told Cabinet that Ukraine’s position remained “perilous,” with Russian President Vladimir Putin “angered by defeats but determined to claim some sort of victory regardless of the human cost.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted to the parliament a bill extending martial law until June 24. The current martial law period expires on April 25, The Kyiv Independent reported.

The Kremlin-backed leader of Chechnya says he is certain that the Russian forces will uproot the last remaining pocket of Ukrainian resistance in the key port of Mariupol within hours.

Ramzan Kadyrov said on a messaging app channel that the Russian troops will “finish off” the Ukrainian defenders of Mariupol on Tuesday and take full control of the giant Azovstal steel mill, the last remaining Ukrainian stronghold in the city.

Ukrainian troops have defended the strategic port on the Sea of Azov for seven weeks despite the Russian blockade and relentless barrage that flattened most of the city.

A regional governor in eastern Ukraine says five civilians have been killed by Russian shelling.

Kharkiv region Governor Oleh Synyehubov said Tuesday that another 17 residents were wounded in the Russian rocket barrage of the centre of Kharkiv and its outskirts.

Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, has faced Russian attacks since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.

Russia's defense minister has accused the U.S. and other Western nations of supplying Ukraine with weapons so that it continues fighting until the last Ukrainian.

Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday at a meeting with the top military brass that Washington and its allies are doing all they can to drag out Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

He noted that the growing supplies of foreign weapons clearly signal their intention to provoke the Kyiv regime to keep fighting until the last Ukrainian.

The White House says it's considering additional sanctions on Russia as the existing sanctions are beginning to put "the squeeze" on the Russian economy that the administration intended.

Speaking at the White House briefing Monday, press secretary Jen Psaki said "you will see us continue to expand our sanctions targets and continue to take steps to both further tighten our sanctions to prevent evasion."

McKinsey & Company has stopped all client service in Russia. The consulting company had already announced it would not undertake any new client work in Russia on March 3.

Meanwhile, the exiled mayor of Melitopol city in Ukraine, Ivan Fedorov met with Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio. He had previously met with Pope Francis as a part of his visit to Rome. For a recap, Federov was released as a prisoner of exchange after he was abducted by Russian troops in early March. 

In the midst of Russian aggression in Ukraine, the war-torn country is receiving assistance from all over the world. The United States, which from the beginning has helped Ukraine fight the Russian forces has sent another set of military aid to Ukraine. Pentagon stated that the first supplies of the latest batch of US military aid to Ukraine, which includes heavier weaponry systems, began arriving in the region this weekend.

As per the reports of CBS News, Howitzer artillery systems, 40,000 artillery rounds, armoured personnel vehicles, and other weapons are among the $800 million in security aid that was recently approved. US senior defence official stated that four flights of assistance package shipments arrived in the region over the weekend, with a fifth coming in the next 24 hours. The official didn't say which weapons from the new shipment were the first to arrive in the region.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday stated that Moscow does not seek to "change regime" in Ukraine but the Ukrainians must decide how they want to live. As quoted by NEXTA, the Russian FM also confirmed that the "next phase" of war has begun in east Ukraine's Donbass region. 

With the Russia-Ukraine war nearing eight weeks, Moscow has now accused Kyiv of being inconsistent in its stance on peace talks. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a press call on Monday that Ukraine was constantly changing its position on the already agreed issues between both sides as conflict continues on the ground in major Ukrainian cities. Thousands of casualties have been recorded in the Russian and Ukrainian military and so far, the negotiators of both countries have remained unsuccessful in achieving a breakthrough to abate the war.

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In the wake of Russia's burgeoning attack in east Ukraine, New Zealand on Tuesday slapped sanctions on 18 new financial institutions of Russia, including the Russian central bank. As of now, the island nation has sanctioned nearly 80% of Russian banking system.

Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday disapproved Russian proposal to build biological laboratories in the country amid the war in Ukraine. This comes at a time when Moscow was accused of dropping chemical substances in a Ukrainian city. Previously,  Moscow had also alleged that Ukraine of indulging in biowarfare with the help of the US. According to NEXTA, the Kyrgyz Health Ministry discussed the construction of third security level biolabs with Russia on April 14.

In response to Ukraine defying Russian ultimatum, invading troops have dropped bunker bombs on the Mariupol steel plant, the commander of Azov Regiment of the National Guard, Denys Prokopenko, said Monday. “Russian occupational forces, and their proxy … know about the civilians, and they keep willingly firing on the factory,” Prokopenko added.

The chief of UN emergency relief efforts gave a bleak assessment of the situation on the ground as Russian troops continue to besiege the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. "No doubt we are failing the people of Mariupol. It's a place I have described as a centre of hell," Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, was quoted as saying by CBS News. He claimed that the United Nations (UN) receives offers on a daily basis to build humanitarian corridors that are not cleared by one side or the other, due to which many people are trapped in the war-torn country of Ukraine.  

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In response to Russia's claims that it has destroyed Western weapons in 5 consecutive attacks in the western Ukraine city of Lviv, the Pentagon on Tuesday stated that there is 'no indication' of the same. The attacks were carried out on April 18.

Aas many as 205 Ukrainian children have been killed in the war waged by Russia, informed Ukraine's Prosecutor-General's office. At least 5 Ukrainian children were injured in the last 24 hours, which brings the total number of injured children to 357. However, the true figures are expected to be higher as the figures do not include casualties in hostile regions, Kyiv Independent reported. 

To ward off Ukrainian defenders, Russian troops are shelling residential areas around Azovstal metallurgical plant in Mariupol, said Petro Andryuschenko, advisor to the Mariupol mayor.

As Russia began what it calls a "new phase of the war," Ukraine on Tuesday claimed that the invading troops are attacking the broad east front to acquire control of the industrial heartland. The Russian forces are concentrating efforts to assume control over Donbass region by making an "attempt to break through our defenses along nearly the entire frontline,” the General Staff of Ukraine said. 

Russian forces have launched a “large-scale offensive” in the battle for the Donbas region, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday as the Moscow-Kyiv war entered day 55. He also said that a “significant” portion of Russian troops is now concentrated in the region. It is to note here ever since Russian Defence Ministry announced the drawback of forces from Kyiv and Chernihiv, Ukrainian intelligence had claimed that the so-called de-escalation’ claimed by Moscow was for ‘reorganising’ troops in the Donbas region. 

Noting the concentration of Russian forces in Donbas, Zelenskyy went on to say that regardless of the number of soldiers, Ukraine “will fight”. Ukrainian President averred that his country’s forces will not surrender “any part of Ukraine” and they do not seek to take “any land that is not ours”. He also declared that the “battle of Donbas” has begun while claiming that Russia had been preparing for it for a “long time”. Echoing similar remarks as Zelenksyy, his chief of staff Andrii Yermak declared that the “second phase of the war has started.”

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Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Tuesday arrived in Bulgaria. He has been tasked tasked “with seeking steps to win peace in Ukraine," Kuleba wrote on his Twitter handle. Kuleba thanked the people of Bulgaria for support 'at this very critical time." 

A senior Pentagon official on Monday confirmed that the first shipment of the $800 million military packages arrived at the Ukraine border. “There have been four flights from the United States arriving into the theatre just yesterday,” the official said, as quoted by The Guardian. This is a part of the new defence aid tranche signed by US president Joe Biden last week, which includes the supply of helicopters, Humvees, and armoured personnel carriers.

Japan Ministry of Defence on Tuesday announced that Tokyo will dispatch a shipment of masks and clothing designed to protect against chemical weapons as well as drones to Ukraine. The delivery comes in response to Kyiv's request, it added. 

Advisor to the head of Ukraine President's office head, Oleksiy Arestovich, stated that Russian troops do not see Kharkiv as a "target" as they are shelling the surrounding the city to prevent attack by Ukrainian Armed Forces. 

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Iryna Vereschuk, on Tuesday, took to her Telegram handle and informed that Russian troops have not agreed to open a humanitarian corridor in Ukraine for the third consecutive day today, The Guardian reported. 

Today, 19 April, unfortunately, there are no humanitarian corridors. Intense shelling continues in the Donbas. According to Mariupol: the Russians refuse to provide a corridor for civilians in the direction of Berdyansk. We continue difficult negotiations on the opening of humanitarian corridors in the Kherson and Kharkiv regions.

As Russia began its offensive in Donbass, British ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons on Tuesday tweeted, “Ukraine is not fighting to take territory from Russia. Ukraine is fighting for the right to live peacefully in their own territory.” Her message echoes the words of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Over 7,000 alleged war crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine are under investigation, said Ukraine’s prosecutor’s office. A total of 7,280 cases have been reported, including the deaths of 205 children, the office added.

The US is reportedly looking at seizing a superyacht possibly belonging to a Russian oligarch. The yacht is docked in the Pacific island nation of Fiji. On Tuesday Fiji’s director of public prosecutions filed a restraining order after the vessel arrived in Fiji a week ago. The superyacht, Amadea, was on sail across the Pacific for 18 days after leaving Mexico, The Guardian reported.

It has been 54 days since Russia first launched attacks on what was once the world’s third-largest nuclear power-Ukraine. Since then, hundreds have been killed, cities reduced to rubbles, and international human rights abused. This has prompted the west to impose several hard-hitting sanctions on President Vladimir Putin, Foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, and other kremlin officials. Now, Japan and Switzerland have jointly announced that they will join the international community in slapping tougher sanctions and embargoes on Moscow.

This came as Swiss president Ignazio Cassis met Japanese PM Fumio Kishida in Tokyo. In a statement that was released later, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said that both the leaders, during the talks, decided that Russia must be held accountable for the attacks on Ukraine. However, Cassis made clear that tougher measures do not mean that Bern had abandoned its policy of neutrality.

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The World Bank on Monday lowered its forecast for the global economy 2022 by 0.9% in the wake of the burgeoning Russian war. According to the apex financial body, the economic growth now could stand at 3.2%, which was lowered from 4.1%. The war unleashed by Russia will lead to greater economic damage to Eastern Europe than the pandemic, World Bank predicted. 

According to UNICEF, at least six million Ukrainians have limited access to drinking water as of April 18. In a report, the UN organisation claimed that the Russian war has "devastated water and electricity networks" in Ukraine, leaving at least an additional 4.6 million with concerningly limited availability of drinking water. 

In the latest operational update by Ukraine's armed forces, the country's intelligence has claimed that Russia’s 126th coastal defence brigade of the Black Sea Fleet has suffered losses amounting to 75%. It said, "According to the available specified information, the loss of the 126th Coast Guard Brigade of the Black Sea Fleet is up to 75%. 810-a separate brigade of the Black Sea Navy lost 158 soldiers killed, about 500 injured, and 70 people are considered missing. A large portion of the military personnel of the designated brigade wrote reports refusing to participate in the so-called "special operation".

Russian forces have launched a large-scale offensive in the battle for the Donbas.  A significant portion of Russian forces is concentrated in the region. Regardless of the number of forces, we will fight, we will never cease to defend Ukraine. We will never surrender any part of Ukraine, and we do not seek to take any land that is not ours.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Monday, submitted a completed questionnaire for Ukraine’s membership in the European Union. As the Russian-Ukraine war has continued for 54 days, the embattled leader handed over the document to the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Matti Maasikas. In mid-march, the 27-member board had given a green light for Kyiv's "euro-integration”, following which Kyiv was given a questionnaire.

"I want to thank you for this important meeting. Today is one of the stages for our country in joining the European Union, the aspiration that our people are striving for and fighting for," meanwhile, the president in a statement said.

"It's an important signal. We believe that we will gain support and become a candidate for accession. After that, the next, final stage will begin. We believe that this procedure will take place in the coming weeks and that it will be positive for the history of our people, given the price it paid on the path to independence and democracy," he added..

Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boichenko said in an interview on Ukrainian television that Russian forces illegally deported 40,000 civilians from the besieged city.  He said that the civilians have been “forcibly deported” to Russia or to Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine.

Belgorod's governor reportedly said on day 55 of the Moscow-Kyiv war that once again, shelling was reported on the border village of Golovchino by Ukraine. According to him, there is destruction and a woman was hurt. She is being assisted.

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price on Monday said that Washington will continue monitoring the level of support China offers to Russia in regard to the war in Ukraine. "We're going to continue to keep a careful eye, a careful watch on the level of support the PRC (People's Republic of China) exhibits towards Russia," Price said during a press briefing. He further warned that Beijing will "face" consequences if it provides Moscow evade Western sanctions. 

As the Russia-Ukraine war escalates, UN OCHA warned that up to 30% of agricultural fields in Ukraine won't be used to plant grains this year.

French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has said that if she wins the elections, she would engage with the Russian Federation to ensure that it doesn’t create an alliance with China. “It will be necessary diplomatically, when the war [in Ukraine] is over, when a peace treaty has been signed, to try to avoid this tie-up which risks being the largest danger of the 21st century for us,” the far-right leader said in an interview with French Public Radio. Le Pen is set to contest against incumbent Emanuel Macron on April 24 in the second round of the presidential polls.

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The White House on Monday reiterated that US President Joe Biden is not planning to visit Kyiv even though Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been urging his American counterpart to support the war-torn nation in the fight against Russia by travelling to the embattled capital. During a daily press briefing on Monday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki averred, “There’s no plans for the President to go”. 

While a range of European leaders have made the trip to Kyiv and have met with Zelenskyy, reports had emerged that Biden was planning to do the same in a show of support for Ukraine. Even US President himself had said that he was “ready” to go to Kyiv even though his visit would present a more complex security challenge. Hence, the Biden administration officials have said that instead of the US President, they want to send hi9gh-ranking officials such as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken or Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. 

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Amidst the ongoing war, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced that it has declared some employees of the Bulgarian embassy in Moscow “personae non grata.” While the Kremlin stopped short of revealing an exact number of the diplomats that have been expelled, it said that the decision was made in retaliation for Sofia’s removal of Russian officials. It is pertinent to note that not only Bulgaria but a couple of European countries have expelled Russian diplomats and officials in the wake of the ongoing invasion.

Last week, the Bulgarian administration announced the expulsion in a statement. “Bulgaria is expelling 10 Russian diplomats saying they were carrying out activities deemed incompatible with their diplomatic status,” it said. The move was quickly followed up by the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. 

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As European Union is still debating on whether or not to boycott Russian gas, French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday stated that "Europe depends on Russian energy...but France does not need it."

Switzerland President Ignazio Cassis on Monday stated that his country has joined the international community to slap the Russian Federation with strongest sanctions for its "unprovoked" invasion of Ukraine. Speaking to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, President Cassius also agreed that Moscow must be held responsible for the attacks on Ukrainian civilians. However, he clarified that the decision does not imply that Switzerland has abandoned its traditional neutrality, Associated Press reported. 

The US State Department on Tuesday informed that it has not ruled out the possibility of declaring Russian Federation as a "sponsor of terrorism." The move will put an end to all international relations between Moscow with the rest of the world. "We are taking close look at the facts," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in an interview with CNN. Currently, North Korea, Iran, Syria and Cuba are recognised as sponsors of terrorism. 

Ukraine on Monday stated that Russian military had launched their onslaught in eastern Ukraine after raining missile strikes throughout the ex-Soviet nation. The ground assault along a nearly 300-mile front in the east began after the invading forces launched the most intensive strikes in the past weeks, including the one in Lviv, a city in west Ukraine that was sheltering thousands, The New York Times reported.  

A video posted by Azov Battalion on Monday showed Ukrainian forces ambushing Russian military convoy in Mariupol. The footage shot on drone displayed six vehicles moving south of Mettalurgist Avenue in Mariupol. The video also shows Ukrainian soldiers attacking Russian soldiers with grenade thrown at brick walls. 

Mayor of the besieged port city of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, on Tuesday claimed that the invading troops have "illegally" deported at least 40,000 civilians from the city. Speaking in an interview with Ukrainian television he stated the civilians were "forcibly" displaced from the Russian-controlled region of the strategic city, Kyiv Independent reported. 

Russia on April 17 had claimed that peace negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation that have been ongoing in Istanbul, Turkey had been progressing at a significantly slower pace. Press secretary to Russia's President Dmitry Peskov blamed Ukraine for “changing its position” and creating hurdles in a mutual consensus influenced by the West and allies. Peskov added that Russia’s so-called “special military operation” has been unfolding as planned by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The special military operation continues. The President recently, while at the cosmodrome, said that it was going according to plan, at the same time, indeed, contacts continue at the expert level within the framework of the negotiation process,” said Moscow’s Press secretary Dmitry Peskov. 

As the Russia-Ukraine war escalates to day 55, US Treasury Department on Monday warned that the Russian military-industrial complex is next to be hit with sanctions led by the US. 

Ukraine military official on Monday informed that mass evacuation efforts in Kreminna were thwarted by street battles that erupted sporadically. Kreminna is one of the spots where Ukrainians said Russians managed to break through on Monday along the battlefront stretching hundreds of miles, Associated Press reported. 

As the Russian military launched their offensive in Donbass, Luhansk regional military administrator Serhiy Haidai on Monday informed that the town came under heavy artillery strike overnight, according to AP report. At least seven buildings caught fire from the arbitrary shelling, including the Olympus sports complex where the nation's Olympic team trains. 

As Russia continues to intensify its attack on beleaguered Ukraine, the Russian Defence Ministry on April 18 claimed that they had wiped out the logistic bases of the Ukrainian army near Lviv. The Russian Defence Ministry has revised its warfare tactics after facing strong retaliation from Kyiv’s army during the first phase of their incursion. The latest pattern of Russia targeting the army bases and logistics centres of Kyiv’s forces has come to the fore.

Russia is deliberately striking at Ukraine's logistics centre to deprive them of the weapons being supplied by the West, in order to weaken their response and military capabilities and strength. The Russian Defence Ministry on Monday confirmed carrying airstrikes at the Lviv logistics centre to destroy weaponry supplied by the West. 

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Hundreds of people, including women, children, and families of the Mariupol defenders are sheltering in the plant’s basement, said Denys Prokopenko, Lieutenant Colonel in the National Guard of Ukraine, and Commander of the Azov Regiment. 

Russian invading forces are unlikely to replenish their missile arsenal amid prevailing stringent sanctions led by the West. It will be difficult for them to restock its missile, artillery and aircraft, he added. 

French President Emmanuel Macron was one of the active negotiators between Kyiv and Moscow in the initial days of the Russia-Ukraine war, however, as the colossal battle extended beyond a month mark, Macron stepped back from his visible efforts, here's why: 

"After massacres in #Bucha and other cities, war took a different course, since then I have not spoken [with Putin] directly anymore but I do not exclude that I will do so in future," said French president on France 5.