Russia-Ukraine War Highlights: McDonald's, Coca-Cola suspend their business in Russia

In an interview with the Associated Press, Defense Attaché Embassy of Ukraine, Maj. Gen. Borys Kremenetskyi on Tuesday said that the war-torn country needs more defence equipment immediately in order to deter Russian aggression.  "It can be ground-based air defence systems. It can be fighter jets, whatever possible,” he told AP. "As combat is ongoing, we need more right now. So we try to work with our partners to have it as soon as possible," he asserted.

In a most tragic development, 16-year-old Artyom Pryimenko, champion of Ukraine in sambo was killed along with his entire family members during an airstrike. According to Nexta, the family include two younger brothers.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while addressing the British Parliament on Tuesday, called for negotiations with Russia on ending the war. "The war must be stopped. We need to sit down at the negotiating table, but for honest, substantive talks," he said.
 

Poland said it would give all of its MiG-29 fighter jets to the US, in order to pass it to Ukraine. However, while reacting to Poland's offer, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said that the plan is not “a tenable one.” Further, he maintained that the United States will discuss with Polish ministers regarding the offer made by them.
 

Amid the ongoing crisis, the European Union on Tuesday has announced humanitarian aid worth 500 million euros to Ukraine. "As President von der Leyen has announced, EUR500 million from the EU budget is being directed to deal with the tragic humanitarian consequences of the war, both inside Ukraine and beyond," the Europan Commission said in a statement.

Amid the ongoing war, several companies on Tuesday have suspended their services in Russia. Check the latest updated list of companies here:

• The world's largest recording company, Universal Music Group, has suspended business in Russia.
• Instagram will stop showing user subscriptions in the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
• PepsiCo Inc. has also suspended the sale of its soft drinks and global beverage brands.
•  Lumen Technologies is terminating operations in Russia.
• Rolex stops exporting goods to Russia.
• Amazon has stopped accepting new cloud service customers in Russia and Belarus.

Amid the ongoing war and imposition of sanctions on Moscow, Russia’s Central Bank, on Tuesday, has tightened currency restrictions, reported AP. According to the news agency, the bank ordered the country’s commercial banks to cap the amount clients can withdraw from their hard currency deposits at $10,000. Any withdrawals above that amount would be converted to rubles at the current exchange rates.

Amid the deadly war initiated by Russia against Ukraine last month, Ukraine Health Minister Viktor Lyashko, on Tuesday said that the Russian forces destroyed at least 61 Ukrainian hospitals and have severely damaged buildings and medical equipment.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while speaking to his US counterpart, Joe Biden, on Tuesday, appreciated his decision to ban Russian oil, natural gas and coal from entering the US market. "Thankful for US and @POTUS personal leadership in striking in the heart of Putin's war machine and banning oil, gas and coal from US market," Zelenskyy tweeted. 

Hours after McDonald’s announced to temporarily close its 850 restaurants in Russia, a similar trend has been echoed by an American multinational chain of coffeehouses, 'Starbucks'. The announcement came as Russia attacked its neighbouring country, Ukraine and also after facing severe criticism for not taking any actions against Moscow.

Amid the heavy shelling in several parts of Ukraine, Russia on Tuesday has again shown interest in providing humanitarian corridors to evacuate the stranded civilians from the war zone. According to news agency Sputnik, Russia will provide humanitarian corridors in Ukraine from 07:00 GMT on March 9.
 

Minutes after United States President Joe Biden announced the banning of Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the US, the Kyiv Independent reported that the Russian President Vladimir Putin has also signed a decree prohibiting the import and export of products and raw materials to certain countries. According to a report by news agency Sputnik, the decree was signed as a special economic measure to enhance Russia's security in external trade,

A top Russian military official alleged that the Ukrainian forces were blocking the path meant for the safe passage of the civilians fleeing from different cities of Ukraine. According to a report by Russian news agency Sputnik, Russian National Defence Command Center chief Mikhail Mizintsev has said that the Ukrainian administration has used only one of ten civilian evacuation routes proposed by the Russian military.
 

Minutes after United States President Joe Biden announced the banning of Russian oil, natural gas and coal imports to the US, the United Kingdom also echoed to take similar actions on Moscow. Taking to Twitter, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy of UK, Kwasi Kwarteng, on Tuesday announced that the Boris Johnson-led government has decided to phase out the import of Russian oil and oil products by the end of 2022. In a series of tweets, the UK minister said that the decision to phase out the import by the end of this year was taken while considering the domestic market. 

Israel on Tuesday announced to provide temporary refuge to some 25,000 Ukrainians outside of its Law of Return, under which all Jews are eligible for citizenship. In a statement released by Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, he said that the more than twenty thousand Ukrainians who were in Israel without legal status before the outbreak of fighting will be shielded from repatriation “until the danger subsides.

McDonald’s on Tuesday said it is temporarily closing all of its 850 restaurants in Russia in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. According to the fast-food company, it will continue paying its 62,000 employees in Russia. But in an open letter to employees, McDonald’s President and CEO Chris Kempckinski said closing those stores is the right thing to do because McDonald’s can’t ignore the “needless human suffering in Ukraine.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss the response to Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Macron was briefing Blinken on his most recent round of conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin who is pressing ahead with the Ukraine invasion despite global condemnation and severe sanctions being imposed on his country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy evoked British wartime leader Winston Churchill as he told the U.K. Parliament that his country would fight Russia’s invasion to the end in Ukraine’s cities, fields and riverbanks. Zelenskyy told British lawmakers “we will not give up and we will not lose,” in a speech that evoked Churchill’s stirring “never surrender” speech during the darkest days of World War II.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Tuesday spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron where the leaders discussed the implementation of agreements on humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of the population and delivery of necessary goods.

"We have to fight, we will not give up, we will fight till the end, we will continue fight. We will fight in the sea, land and streets," Zeneskyy said during his address to British politicians.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on Tuesday addressed the House of Commons as Russia's military offensive entered the 13th day.

The military conflict in Ukraine could lead to a third world war, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said, adding that it is important to stop global "madness."

"The conflict is expanding from a military point of view, which could lead to a third world war. Already now it has global consequences, such as a devastating impact on the prices of oil, petrol and gas, on the cost of food, fertilizer, transportation. The global impact is expressed in insecurity, in the management of international relations," Maduro said, as quoted by Venezuelan broadcaster VTV.

Maduro also expressed hope that a timely warning could "stop the madness that has seized the most important leaders of the West and the world."

Venezuela is already taking measures to control inflation and the possible effects of the spread of the conflict in Europe, Maduro noted.

On February 24, Russia began a special operation to demilitarize and "denazify" Ukraine, responding to calls for help from the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics in countering the aggression of Ukrainian troops. The Russian Defense Ministry said the special operation is targeting Ukrainian military infrastructure only and the civilian population is not in danger. Moscow has repeatedly stressed that it has no plans to occupy Ukraine.

(ANI/Sputnik)

US President Joe Biden speaks about his decision to no longer accept Russian oil in US ports; says 'US is a bigger producer of oil than all European countries'.

The average price for a gallon of gasoline in the US hits a record $4.17 as the country prepares to ban Russian oil imports, reports AP

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) has suspended cooperation with Russia

In a huge relief for India, all its students trapped in Ukraine's Sumy moved out of the city through a Humanitarian Corridor on Tuesday, a day after a localised ceasefire announced by the Russians collapsed and fierce fighting resumed, blocking their exit to safety.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the students were being taken to Poltava, some 175 km south of Sumy, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. 

"Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy. They are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine," Bagchi tweeted.

Nearly 700 Indian students in Sumy had waged a doughty battle in bomb shelters and basements of their hostels in frigid weather, low on food, drinking water and other essential supplies over the last several days as Russian forces clobbered the city with rockets and heavy gunfire.

"Flights under Operation Ganga are being prepared to bring them home," Bagchi said but did not specify from which border point and when will they be evacuated from Ukraine to board flights for their return to India.

The MEA spokesperson also posted a video on Twitter showing Indian students having refreshments in the backdrop of parked buses.

Efforts to evacuate the students from Sumy had failed on Monday as a tenuous ceasefire declared by the Russians crumbled shortly after getting underway.

Many students, who had boarded the buses for their journey to Poltava, were asked to disembark, as the ceasefire failed to take hold. 

"The evacuation from Sumy has started. There was finally some good news on Tuesday. All Indian students will be evacuated from Sumy on Tuesday itself. They will be taken to a safe location from where they will be brought to India," said Anshad Ali, a student coordinator.

"We stood in a queue for three hours in freezing cold on Monday, waiting to board the buses and then, we were told that we cannot go. Thankfully, we have left Sumy. I am hoping that we will be in a safe zone soon," medical student Aashiq Hussain Sarkar told PTI, as fatigued students began the trip to Poltava, leaving behind broken and charred buildings and smouldering pieces of weaponry destroyed in war.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine issued an advisory urging all stranded Indian nationals to make use of the "humanitarian corridor" and evacuate using trains, vehicles or any other available means of transport keeping in mind their safety.

Considering the security situation, establishment of the next humanitarian corridor is uncertain, the advisory said.

"All stranded Indian nationals are urged to make use of this opportunity and evacuate using trains/vehicles or any other available means of transport giving due consideration to safety," it said.

Earlier in the day, Union minister Hardeep Singh Singh Puri said,"Last night, I checked with the control room, 694 Indian students were remaining in Sumy. Today, they have all left in buses for Poltava".

Tuesday's developments followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy a day before on ways to start the stalled evacuation process of the students from Sumy, battered by ceaseless Russian bombardment.

India has brought back over 17,100 of its nationals from Ukraine so far. 

Two civilian flights from Suceava in Romania airlifted 410 Indians nationals to India on Tuesday, the civil aviation ministry said. 

The Indian mission in Ukraine said it has evacuated 52 of the 75 Indian sailors stranded at the Port of Mykolaiv in the war-torn nation. 

"Mission intervened to evacuate 75 Indian sailors stranded in Mykolaiv Port. Yesterday buses arranged by Mission evacuated total of 57 sailors including 2 Lebanese & 3 Syrians," the Indian Embassy in Ukraine said in a tweet.

"Route constraints precluded evacuation of balance 23 sailors. Mission is attempting their evacuation today," it said.

(PTI)

US President Joe Biden has announced ban Russian oil imports, toughening toll on the Russian economy in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine

The English Premier League has announced that it will stop broadcasting matches in Russia.

The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia shows that a conventional war could happen, Indian Army Chief Gen M M Naravane said on Tuesday.

In response to a question on the sidelines of an event here, he underlined that the war between Russia and the eastern European country was being fought in a physical domain.

Is the war being fought in cyberspace or through air-conditioned chambers? he rhetorically asked, adding that this war shows that a "conventional war could happen".

"The war we seeing, is being fought physically on the ground," the Army chief said.

"So, a conventional war could happen. And, we have to be operationally ready," Naravane said, when asked what was the lesson from the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war.

Russia started a military offensive against Ukraine on February 24 this year. 

According to United Nation's estimate, 1.5 million refugees have sought shelter in neighbouring countries of Ukraine over the last 11 days.

(PTI) 

Australia has imposed another round of sanctions against Russia for its "unjustified invasion" of Ukraine and is targeting Moscow's senior military officers, as well as state propagandists spreading "pro-Kremlin disinformation".

As per an official statement by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, the Australian government is placing sanctions on Moscow's "propagandists and purveyors of disinformation" trying to legitimise Russia's invasion with false narratives such as the "de-Nazification" of Ukraine.

"The new round of sanctions will impose targeted financial sanctions on the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, and targeted financial sanctions and travel bans against an additional six senior Russian military commanders responsible for implementing naval, ground and air attacks on Ukraine," said the statement.

"The Australian Government is sanctioning 10 people of strategic interest to Russia for their role in encouraging hostility towards Ukraine and promoting pro-Kremlin propaganda to legitimise Russia's invasion," it added.

Notably, last week, Australia also imposed targeted financial sanctions on 11 financial institutions of economic significance to Russia, including the Central Bank of Russia.

The statement further informed that the Australian government is working with digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Google to take action to suspend the dissemination of content generated by Russian state media within Australia.

"Our designation of the Russian Armed Forces covers the Russian Ground Forces, Russian Navy, and Russian Aerospace Forces, as well as the Strategic Missile Troops and Russian Airborne Troops, and has the effect of prohibiting the export of goods from Australia to all Russian military end users," said the statement.

The foreign minister said that Australia will work collectively with its global partners to remove Russia's ability to continue financing its war by targeting its most significant banks, including those critical to its defence sector.

"Australia and partners will continue to impose costs on Russia's egregious, unlawful and completely unjustified war on Ukraine. We again call upon Russia to withdraw its military forces immediately from Ukraine," said the minister.

Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics followed by the announcement of a "special military operation" to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations and imposed sanctions on Moscow. (ANI)

Under mounting pressure from the West to exert influence over Moscow, China still considers Russia its ‘most strategic partner’, according to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, reports Russian state-owned media RT.

Under 'Operation Ganga' to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine's neighbouring countries, about 18 thousand Indians have been brought back by special flights so far.

410 Indians were brought back on Tuesday by special Civilian flights from Ukraine's neighbouring countries by 2 special civilian flights from Suceava, said the Ministery of Civil Aviation press release.

With this, about 18 thousand Indians have been brought back through the special flights which began on February 22, 2022.

Ovruch after Korosten, Republic's Shawan Sen reports from the cities that lay in ruins after Russian bombings.

The oil depots in Zhytomyr and Chernyakhiv were hit in two airstrikes by Russian forces, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Tuesday. 

"As a result of two air-strikes, oil depots in Zhytomyr and Chernyakhiv were hit," tweeted Ukraine MFA.

Earlier, Head of Sumy Regional State Administration Dmitry Zhivitsky had said that at least 10 people, including children, were killed as a result of targeted bombings by Russia on Sumy.

"Children among dead after the Russian air raid on residential buildings in Sumy. Head of Sumy Regional State Administration Dmitry Zhivitsky said in a video message on Facebook on March 7 that at least 10 people were killed as a result of targeted bombings by Russia on Sumy," tweeted The Kyiv Independent, a Ukrainian media outlet.

Meanwhile, Russia on Tuesday declared a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine from 10 am (Moscow time) to provide humanitarian corridors in the cities of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said in a statement.

The development comes following the third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine in Belarus on Monday, which apparently ended up in failure. In the meeting, both sides addressed the issues of civilian evacuation and the Ukrainian side assured Russia that the humanitarian corridor will start working from Tuesday. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions, Donetsk and Luhansk as independent entities.

(ANI)

Taking to Twitter, MEA spokesperson informed that all Indian students have been moved out from Sumy. He said that they are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday released a video from the country's capital Kyiv as Russia continued its onslaught. According to Nexta TV, the Ukrainian President welcomed spring in Kyiv as his country continues to counter the Russian invasion.

Moreover, he also assured people that he was still present in Kyiv and exuded confidence about Ukraine's victory against Russia. This also comes a day after the third round of talks were held between Russia and Ukraine, but did not yield any concrete results. Read Full Story HERE.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has released new estimates of casualties and damage from the Russian war, saying Russian military actions have killed 38 children and wounded more than 70. 

Overall at least 400 civilian deaths have been recorded and 800 wounded, though these data are definitely incomplete, he said in a video address.

It was not immediately possible to verify the figures.

He said Russian strikes have destroyed more than 200 Ukrainian schools, 34 hospitals and 1,500 residential buildings.

He estimated some 10,000 foreign students, notably from India, China and the Persian Gulf are trapped by the fighting, and described attacks on British and Swiss journalists.

He claimed that Ukrainian forces have killed more than 11,000 Russian troops.

Russian invaders fire on humanitarian corridors through which civilians are trying to escape, he said, without saying where.

Russian officials did not comment Tuesday and have only acknowledged several hundred deaths among Russian forces.

(AP) 

Indian Embassy in Kyiv has issued an advisory; urges stranded Indians to use humanitarian corridors.

The Putin administration has sent a powerful missile battalion to its ally Belarus as the war against Ukraine enters the 13th day.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday expressed concern over rising crude prices due to the Ukraine crisis and indicated that the central government is looking to tap alternative sources. 

At an interactive session organised by BJP's Karnataka unit, she was asked about the impact of rising crude prices and war in Ukraine on the Indian economy. 

"It will certainly have an impact on Indian economy", the Minister said. "How much we are going to be prepared to take it as a challenge and mitigate the impact is something which we will have see as we go (along)". 

Noting that India imports more than 85 per cent of its crude oil requirements, she said when oil prices go up, it is a matter of concern and "now we will have to see how it pans out". 

She pointed out that oil marketing companies fix pump prices based on 15-day average. "But now averages and beyond averages are the numbers that we are talking about". 

The government is watching to see if there are alternative sources from where it can get crude, she said but hastened to add: "Obviously global markets are all equally unthinkable at various sources". 

"It (rising crude prices) will have a bearing. We have made some provisions for it in the budget. But that provision is only based on some average prevailing earlier but now is beyond that. So, we will have to see how we can work it out". 

International benchmark Brent was trading at around USD 127 per barrel on Tuesday. 

On bringing petrol and diesel within the GST ambit, she said: "It's already in there (before the GST Council). Petrol and diesel are already in the GST (Council).

(PTI) 

EU envoy to Ukraine said that the evacuation operations have been suspended due to heavy shelling in the Sumy region. 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday addressed a joint briefing with Estonia PM Kaja Kallas amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"Many people in Russia don't have any idea what Russia is doing in Ukraine; This is President Putin's war, not Russia's, the world will hold him accountable," Blinken said.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has released a new video welcoming spring in the capital city 'Kyiv' as the war enters its 13th day.

Energy giant Shell says it will stop buying Russian oil, natural gas and shut service stations in Russia, reports news agency Associated Press.

The war has entered day 13 and after three rounds of negotiations in Belarus, an end seems to be far-sighted. The Ukrainian government has claimed that last night Russian pilots committed another crime against humanity in Sumy. According to Kyiv, the Russian forces dropped 500-kilogram bombs on residential buildings.

18 civilian deaths have already been confirmed, including two children. Meanwhile, Speaking about NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he "lost interest in this issue after we realized that NATO is not ready to accept Ukraine". He said that the security alliance is afraid of contradictory things and confrontation with Russia.

What Is Putin's Plan To End War?

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was on the last leg Tuesday of a short tour of the three Baltic states aimed at reassuring the former Soviet republics that NATO will guarantee their security as Russia's war with Ukraine rolls on unabated.

Blinken was meeting with senior Estonian officials in Tallinn, a day after hearing appeals from both Lithuania and Latvia for more support and greater US and NATO troop presence to deter a feared Russian intervention.

We will defend every square inch of NATO territory if it comes under attack, if it's on the receiving end of aggression, Blinken told Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Maria Liimets.

Liimets, echoing her Baltic counterparts, denounced the Russian invasion, calling it a direct threat to Europe and particularly to the Baltics.

As the security situation has changed in Europe we must continue to strengthen the defense and deterrent posture here in NATO, especially here on the eastern flank, she said.

As the war in Ukraine rages, leaders in all three Baltic states have expressed grave concerns about Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions for former Soviet bloc countries that are now allied or otherwise linked to the West.

We have no illusions about Putin's Russia anymore, Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said Monday in Riga. We don't really see any good reason to assume that Russia might change its policy. 

Rinkevics said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had shown the Baltic countries in particular the need to bolster air and coastal defenses and that Latvia would like its security cooperation with NATO to be more efficient. Lithuanian President Gitanes Nauseda told Blinken in Vilnius that a policy of deterrence was no longer enough and that forward defense was now needed. He predicted that Putin will not stop in Ukraine if he will not be stopped. 

Memories of Soviet rule are still fresh in the Baltics and since the Russian invasion of Ukraine last month, NATO has moved quickly to boost its troop presence in its eastern flank allies while the US has pledged additional support.

Support for Ukraine's resistance to the Russian invasion was palpable in all three Baltics as Ukrainian flags and other signs of solidarity were evident in many businesses and on houses, public buildings and buses.

From Tallinn, Blinken will travel to Paris later Tuesday for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss his recent conversations with Putin about Ukraine and efforts to convince the Russian leader to end the conflict.

(AP)

Take a look at the war bunker created by a Korosten citizen to keep him and his family alive during the Russian bombings.

"While Russians are to blame for the killings, responsibility is shared by those who for 13 days in their Western offices haven’t been able to approve an obviously necessary decision, who didn’t save our cities from these bombs and missiles – although they can," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, The Kyiv Independent reported.

UN refugee chief says the number of people fleeing Russia's advance into Ukraine has reached 2 million, reports AP

Oil prices are determined by global prices. There is a war-like situation in one part of the country. The oil companies will factor that in. We will take decisions in the best interest of our citizens: Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas

In the wake of the ongoing war between Kyiv and Moscow, the Japanese payment system, JCB, has suspended suspends operations in Russia. Cards already issued in Russia will not be available abroad from March 14.

In Moscow, a convoy of drivers rallies to support Russia's ongoing "special military operation" in Ukraine. 

The Ukrainian government has claimed that last night Russian pilots committed another crime against humanity in Sumy. According to Kyiv, the Russian forces dropped 500-kilogram bombs on residential buildings. 18 civilian deaths have already been confirmed, including two children.

Speaking about NATO, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he "lost interest in this issue after we realized that NATO is not ready to accept Ukraine". He said that the security alliance is afraid of contradictory things and confrontation with Russia. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy answers questions about the possibility of recognizing Crimea as Russia and the republics of Donbass. "We can discuss this and find a compromise on how people will live there," he said. 

India may consider an alternative payment system for exporters if the Russia-Ukraine war continues, as per govt sources.

Republic is reporting live from Ukraine's Korosten, which is the site of Russian airstrikes. 

The Ukrainian ministry of foreign affairs has called on Russia to uphold ceasefire during the evacuation of Sumy. 

The Ukrainian deputy prime minister has warned that although the first stage of Sumy’s evacuation has begun, Russia is "preparing to disrupt" them.

In the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the British rating company Quacquarelli Symonds has announced that it has stopped the cooperation with Russian and Belarusian universities. 

Donetsk People's Republic has claimed that militants are blocking the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha. 

The Ukrainian Interior Ministry has alleged that this is the first war in human history when the Russian army has refused to take its dead back. It is to mention that according to government figures, Russia has lost more than 12 thousand army personnel since the invasion began on February 24. 

The Ukrainian government has announced that citizens from areas with the heaviest fighting will be entitled to financial assistance. According to the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, the payment of 6,500 Ukrainian Hryvnia can be paid to hired employees and individual entrepreneurs.

Ukraine's military says that as Moscow's invasion slows down, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) is using tactical groups to intimidate and spread terror among civilians to crush Ukrainian resistance in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

Czech Republic President Milos Zeman has announced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been awarded the highest state award - the 'Order of the White Lion'.

Ukrainian authorities claim that Russian troops shelled an evacuation bus and a number of villages in the Kyiv region. According to the Ukrainian government, three people were wounded.

As promised by the Ukrainian side, the green corridor in Sumy has opened. The first batch of citizens has already been evacuated, reports NEXTA. 

In the wake of the Ukrainian invasion, Japan has introduced a ban on exports of oil refining equipment to Russia.

The head of the UN refugee agency has warned that a second wave of refugees from Ukraine will be more vulnerable than the first. Speaking at a news conference, Filippo Grandi stated that if the war continues people with “no resources and no connections” will be left with no choice but to flee. 

"That will be a more complex situation to manage for European countries going forward, and there will need to be even more solidarity by everybody in Europe and beyond,” he added.

The Russian Defence Ministry has claimed that the United States has "covered" Ukraine with a network of bio laboratories linked to the Pentagon. 

The Russian government has imposed a ban on the export of foreign medical devices from the country. According to NEXTA, this refers to medical devices that were delivered from the states that joined the sanctions and are now in the warehouses of importers or undergo customs procedures.

Ukraine has informed that total troops losses of the Russian forces from February 24 to March 07 tentatively amounted to almost 12,000. Russia has also lost around 303 tanks 120 artillery systems and 27 anti-aircraft warfare systems.

Ukrainian authorities say more than 600,000 residents have already been evacuated from Kharkiv.

For several hours on March 6, Russian forces bombarded an intersection on a road that hundreds of civilians were using to flee the Russian army’s advance in northern Ukraine to Kyiv, HRW said today. The repeated nature of the attacks, which according to the government killed at least eight civilians, suggests that Russian forces violated their obligations under international humanitarian law not to conduct indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks that harm civilians, and failed to take all feasible measures to avoid civilian casualties, the agency stated. 

Amid ongoing conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, Apple has disabled the ability for Russians to watch its spring presentation on its official website and YouTube channel.

Ukraine's foreign ministry says oil depots in Zhytomyr and Chernyakhiv were hit by two Russian airstrikes.  

Russia claims anti-aircraft gun and tanks have been destroyed.  

According to the latest survey, more than 15% of the regular Ukrainian army are women.

Ukraine's deposed former President Viktor Yanukovych has urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy "stop the bloodshed at any cost and reach a peace agreement". 

Patrick Lancaster gives a perspective of how the Donetsk people have been at war with Ukraine for eight years. 

Rescuers in Sumy eliminated the aftermath of a nighttime airstrike on the city. The bodies of civilians were pulled out from under the rubble of houses - 9 people were killed, including two children.

In Kharkiv, four people died during the night bombardments. Their bodies were found under the rubble.

Russia had attacked Mykolayiv using rocket artillery during the night. Four civilians were killed in the shelling. 

Taking to Twitter, former US Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said, "Mothers of Russian Soldiers - The Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia - you helped stop the unjust and brutal war in Chechnya in the 1990s. Rise up and stop this new war! Save your sons now before it's too late."

In its latest intelligence update on Tuesday, British Ministry of Defence accused Russia of developing 'nuclear or biological weapons' on day 13 of the Russia-Ukraine war. It said, "Since the end of February there has been a notable intensification of Russian accusation that Ukraine is developing nuclear or biological weapons."

"These narratives are long-standing but are currently likely being amplified as part of a retrospective justification for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine," it added.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said on Tuesday, "An additional reward in the amount of UAH 30,000 per month is paid. All categories of servicemen who are directly involved in combat or provide national security and defence measures to disassemble and contain armed aggression directly in the areas and during the implementation period mentioned measures ̶ the size of the additional reward increases to 100,000 UAH per month, proportional to the time of participation in such actions and events."

United Nations has said 1.7 million refugees have gone abroad since the beginning of the Russian invasion. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decided to recall Ukrainian peacekeepers from all missions in the world. The goal is to participate in the protection of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state.

Senior Advisor to the U.S. Congress Paul Massaro has said "Ukraine saved the West".

The Cabinet allowed during martial law to register marriages with servicemen without their personal presence.

The Ukrainian authorities gave a rough estimate of the damage to the country's infrastructure as a result of the war to be $10 billion.
 

US State Department spokesperson Ned Price has accused Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of 'lying.' 

General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has said on Tuesday, "The thirteenth day of the heroic confrontation of the Ukrainian people to the Russian military invasion began. The opponent continues the offensive operation, but the pace of promotion of his troops has slowed significantly."

"The occupants are demoralized and increasingly tend to looting and violations of International Humanitarian Law on War Conflict. So in Kharkiv, Sumy, Chernihiv and Kiev regions, on the territories temporarily occupied by Russian occupants, facts, robbery, violent actions against local residents, confiscation of civilian rooms, use of salt agricultural hangers for parking of military equipment, setting up fire positions in gustonasel areas and civil infrastructure objects," it added.

Kharkiv's Orthodox church was attacked in Ukraine by Russia.

According to The Guardian, the Kremlin has threatened to cut off gas supplies to Europe and warned that the price of oil could rocket to $300 a barrel if the western allies step up their economic war against Russia by banning energy imports.

Cosmetics giant "Estée Lauder" has suspended its activities in #Russia.
 

The foreign ministers of Ukraine and Russia will meet in Turkey on March 10, stated reports after the third round of Russian and Ukrainian delegations failed to produce a ceasefire as the war intensifies. 
 

Dainius Žalimas, former head of the Lithuanian Constitutional Court, supported the creation of an international tribunal modelled on Nuremberg, which would issue a verdict against Russian war criminals responsible for the invasion of Ukraine.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry unveiled the details of the third sanctions package against Russia and Belarus in connection with the situation in Ukraine: personal sanctions were imposed against another 20 Russians and 12 Belarusian citizens, as well as against two more Russian and 12 Belarusian organizations.

The Belarusian Defense Ministry was slapped by an export ban, including the Armed Forces, as well as law enforcement agencies and intelligence organizations. The personal sanctions were in particular imposed on Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, businessmen Boris Rotenberg and Alisher Usmanov and others.

The British rating company Quacquarelli Symonds stops the cooperation with Russian and Belarusian universities because of the war in Ukraine.
 

American consumer goods company Procter & Gamble (P&G) has announced it would reduce the number of products sold in Russia, according to RT. 

Ukrainian prisoners of war were sent to the military office. They were also given first aid, and allowed to watch TV 

Follow live coverage here -

The Australian oil company Ampol refuses to buy Russian crude oil since the start of the war in Ukraine. Additionally, the Australian company Viva Energy also joined Ampol in this decision. These are the largest oil companies in Australia.

According to Sputnik, Australia has slapped fresh sanctions on Russia including against the armed forces. 

While asserting that he is 'not scared of anyone,' Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, in another video message said that he is staying in Kyiv. On the 12th day of Russia's aggression, President Zelensky also affirmed that Ukraine is going to win this war. Meanwhile, the United States on Monday announced that over 500 US troops would be deployed in Europe to reinforce NATO's flank including Poland, Romania, Germany and Greece.

"I am staying in Kyiv.  On Bankova.  Not hiding.  And I'm not afraid of anyone.  As much as it takes to win this war!" he was quoted saying. 

On the 13th day of the war between Moscow and Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will address British MPs via video link later today. According to Sky News, UK Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle granted Zelenskyy’s request to read a statement to the House of Commons at 5pm GMT (10:30pm IST) on Tuesday. His speech will be shown on screens being installed in the chamber, and more than 500 headsets will also be provided to relay an English translation of his statement. 

“Every parliamentarian wants to hear directly from the president, who will be speaking to us live from Ukraine, so this is an important opportunity for the House,” Sir Lindsay said as quoted by SkyNews. 

"Thanks again to our incredible staff for working at pace to make this historic address possible,” he added. 

According to The Guardian, Moscow has warned that a western ban on Russian oil imports may more than double the price to $300 a barrel and prompt the closure of the main gas pipeline to Germany. Oil prices have significantly spiked to their highest levels since 2008, although Brent crude slipped 0.7% to $122.30 on Tuesday morning after shooting up to $138 briefly on Monday. 

Japan has introduced a ban on exports of oil refining equipment to Russia.

In Saintpetersburg, a young man and a woman were given 15 days in jail for writing the words "No to War. The good will win".

President of the World Bank Group David Malpass spoke to United Nation Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday. 

According to Yale School of Management, around 230 companies have already left or announced their exit from Russia since the invasion in Ukraine began.

Russian Defence Ministry on Tuesday said, "From 10:00 a.m. MSK on March 8, 2022, the Russian Federation declares #ceasefire and is ready to provide humanitarian corridors (from Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy, Kharkov, Mariupol)."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "Amidst the tragedy and suffering Putin’s war has wrought upon Ukraine, I am inspired by the Polish people's welcoming of Ukrainian refugees after seeing it firsthand. The U.S. and Poland will continue to work together to respond to Russia's aggression in Ukraine." 

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has confirmed his plans to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on March 10. Kuleba said if Lavrov is ready for a serious substantive conversation, then he is ready as well. Kuleba also said that he would talk to anyone so that peace could be established between the two countries, according to CNN.

Since Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine, Canada has sanctioned over 400 individuals & entities, said Canadian MP Melanie Joly.

Russiam envoy at United Nations Security Council said that the issues of the evacuation of the population from other regions, as well as the provision of humanitarian assistance, are being politicized. In particular, the requests of the Ukrainian side were voiced to us less than 3 hours before the opening of humanitarian corridors. In the statement on possibilities of evacuating the Ukrainian citizens towards Russia, the officials have ignored the fact that there were already Ukrainian refugees in Russia.

UN Relief Chief outlined immediate humanitarian priorities for Ukraine in the Security Council briefing and noted, "We’re failing to meet the needs of civilians today, at this time. I hope we will not fail them tomorrow."
 

Russian mission to UN said ina  statement shared on Twitter, "Declaring the impossibility of evacuating Ukrainian citizens in #Россию, Ukraine ignores the fact of the presence of refugees in the regions Russia. We are setting up temporary accommodation facilities. All of them are in readiness for individual work with civilians arriving from Ukraine."

According to Kyiv Independent, Russian energy companies Gazprom and Rosneft face foreign debt repayments. Gazprom repaid foreign investors on a $1.3 billion dollar-denominated bond on March 7, while Rosneft has yet to make a payment on a $2 billion, the dollar-denominated bond which was due on March 6.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, British Foreign secretary Liz Truss and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell on Tuesday.

Amid the chaotic situation in Ukraine, the delegates of Russia and Ukraine met for the third time in the past week-- with high expectations and low outcomes. Soon after the meeting, Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was quick to announce the outcome of the meeting on Twitter, affirmed the latest discussion yielded some positive results. However, the same enthusiasm was not witnessed from the Russian side. According to Podolyak, both the countries made little progress during the third round of talks that lasted for more than three hours at the Belarus-Poland border on Monday. Without elaborating much about the last meeting, he said: “there were some small positive shifts regarding logistics of humanitarian corridors” to allow civilians to flee some besieged Ukrainian cities. 

Russia has only included professional military service members to carry out its special military operation in Ukraine, said Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday. According to Sputnik, while delivering his congratulations on International Women’s Day, the Kremlin leader addressed the relatives of servicemen who were participating in the ongoing operation in Ukraine while the Russian military aggression is being condemned by the West. He also said that conscript soldiers are not participating in the operation and will not be in the future. 

"I would like to address the mothers, wives, sisters, brides and girlfriends of our soldiers and officers who are now... defending Russia during the special military operation. I understand how you worry about your loved and close ones. You can be proud of them just as the entire country is proud of them and worries about them... I would like to stress that soldiers on active duty do not and will not participate in hostilities. And there will be no additional call-up of reservists," he said, according to Sputnik.

"The tasks set are solved only by professional servicemen. I am convinced they will reliably ensure security and peace for the people of Russia," Putin said.

India on Monday raised concern about the worsening situation in Kyiv and stated that humanitarian action should not be politicised amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has led to a pressing humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed expeditiously. Speaking at the UN Security Council, India’s Ambassador to the UN, TS Tirumurti informed that India has sent seven tranches of humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. He also went on to say that the worsening situation in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis deserve immediate and urgent attention. 

“Allow me to underscore that it is important that humanitarian action is always guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, i.e., humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. These should not be politicised," India’s Ambassador to the UN, TS Tirumurti said. 

"As per the UN's own estimate, 1.5 million refugees have sought shelter in neighbouring countries of Ukraine over the last 11 days. This has led to a pressing humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed expeditiously," he added. 

The United States announced on Monday that over 500 US troops would be deployed in Europe to reinforce NATO's flank including Poland, Romania, Germany and Greece. Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby assured that the US army will not be sent to conflict-ridden Ukraine. Kirby also announced that the new deployments are being positioned to support US forces already in Europe in response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine. The new deployments include KC-135 refuelling aircraft from Fairfield Air Force Base in Washington, to Greece, along with 150 personnel for refuelling support. Additionally, an air support operations centre made up of 40 troops from Fort Stewart, Georgia, are deploying to Poland and Romania.

The World Bank on Monday approved a USD 723 million package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing government budget support amid the all-out conflict with Russia. The international lender approved a supplemental budget support package for Ukraine, called Financing of Recovery from Economic Emergency in Ukraine - or FREE Ukraine - for USD 489 million, the bank said in a statement. "The package approved by the Board consists of a supplemental loan for USD 350 million and guarantees in the amount of USD 139 million and is also mobilizing grant financing of USD 134 million and parallel financing of USD 100 million, resulting in total mobilized support of USD 723 million," it added.

The Australian government says it is placing sanctions on Moscow’s “propagandists and purveyors of disinformation” who legitimatize Russia’s invasion as the “de-Nazification” of Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Tuesday her government was sanctioning 10 “people of strategic interest to Russia” for their role in encouraging hostility toward Ukraine.

“This includes driving and disseminating false narratives about the ‘de-Nazification’ of Ukraine, making erroneous allegations of genocide against ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine, and promoting the recognition of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic as independent,” Payne said, referring to separatist regions of Ukraine.

According to the command of the Ukrainian Air Force, they have shot down at least 52 enemy fighter jets and 69 helicopters in the last 12 days.

The multinational technology corporation IBM has suspended all its business in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine, CEO Arvind Krishna said. "I've heard from many of you in response to last week's announcement regarding the war in Ukraine, and I appreciate your feedback. First, let me be very clear -- we have suspended all business in Russia. In addition, I want to give you an update on a few of the efforts underway to support our colleagues in the region," Krishna said in a statement on Monday. The company said the company is providing critical support to the most heavily impacted areas.

A special flight, carrying 200 Indian evacuees from Ukraine, has landed in Delhi from Suceava in Romania. "While we were travelling in the bus, there were no bombings. The government and our Embassy helped us a lot, we are very happy to be back" said a student who returned from Ukraine.

Russia’s U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia says Russia will carry out a cease-fire on Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Moscow time and open humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens from Kiev, Chernigov, Sumy and Mariupol.

He took the floor at the end of a U.N. Security Council meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine on Monday to make the announcement.

“This proposal doesn’t have any demands about the citizens being sent necessarily to Russia, into Russian territory,” he said.

“There’s also evacuation offered towards Ukrainian cities to the west of Kyiv, and ultimately it will be the choice of the people themselves where they want to be evacuated to,” Nebenzia said.

 President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said instead of an agreement on humanitarian corridors, what Ukraine got on Monday was “Russian tanks, Russian Grad rockets, Russian mines.”

“They even mined the roads that were the agreed routes for taking food and medicine to the people, to the children, of Mariupol,” Zelenskyy said in what has become a daily video address close to midnight. On Monday night he spoke from behind the ornate desk in his official office, visual proof that he remains in Kyiv.

During talks on Monday, the Russians proposed evacuation routes leading to Russia and its ally Belarus, rather than to areas of western Ukraine that remain peaceful.

“It’s just cynicism,” Zelenskyy said. By opening a small corridor to Russia, he said, Moscow is looking only for a propaganda victory.

In the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Ukrainian forces have reportedly killed Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov near Kharkiv. According to a report by The Kyiv Independent, Ukraine’s Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry said confirmed the killing of the top Russian military officer on Monday. 

Top officials in the U.S. Congress reached an agreement Monday on legislation that would ban Russian oil imports to the U.S. and end Russia’s permanent normal trade relation status in response to the intensifying war in Ukraine.

That’s according to a Senate aide granted anonymity to discuss the private deliberations in Congress.

Voting could come swiftly but no schedule has been set.

The White House has been reluctant to ban Russian oil imports as gas prices at the pump spike for Americans but has not ruled out the option.

Ending the normal trade relation status could result in steep tariffs on other Russian imports.

Raising concern about the worsening situation in Ukraine, India on Monday stated that humanitarian action should not be politicised amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict which has led to a pressing humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed expeditiously. Addressing the UN briefing on Ukraine, India's Ambassador to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti informed the Security Council that India has sent seven tranches of humanitarian supplies to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries. "Allow me to underscore that it is important that humanitarian action is always guided by the principles of humanitarian assistance, i.e., humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence. These should not be politicised," he added. At the security council debate on Ukraine, the Indian representative said the worsening situation in Ukraine and the ensuing humanitarian crisis deserves immediate and urgent attention. "As per the UN's own estimate, 1.5 million refugees have sought shelter in neighbouring countries of Ukraine over the last 11 days. This has led to a pressing humanitarian crisis that needs to be addressed expeditiously," he added.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog says Ukraine has informed it that a new research facility producing radioisotopes for medical and industrial uses has been damaged by shelling in Kharkiv.

The International Atomic Energy Agency said the Ukrainian regulator told it that Sunday’s incident didn’t cause any increase in radiation levels at the site. It said the nuclear material at the facility is “always subcritical” and there is a very low stock of it, so the IAEA’s assessment is that the reported damage would have no “radiological consequence.”

However, it adds to a string of concerns the Vienna-based IAEA has over nuclear facilities and materials in Ukraine.

It reported “another worrying development” Monday at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, Ukraine’s biggest, which was seized last week by Russian forces. The IAEA said the Ukrainian regulator has informed it that it’s not currently possible to deliver spare parts or medicine to the plant.

 The United Nations is unable to meet the needs of millions of civilians caught in conflict in Ukraine today and is urging safe passage for people to go “in the direction they choose” and for humanitarian supplies to get to areas of hostilities, according to the U.N. humanitarian chief.

Undersecretary-General Martin Griffiths told a U.N. Security Council meeting Monday that his office has sent a team to Moscow to coordinate with the Russian military to try to scale-up the delivery of humanitarian aid to the level needed. He said this followed a phone call Friday between U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

European Union ambassadors on Monday agreed to examine bids by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to join the bloc, starting the lengthy process towards accession. The French Presidency of the EU said that the 27 Permanent Representatives of European Countries had, "agreed to invite the European Commission to present an opinion on each of the applications for EU membership submitted by Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova." "Launch of a written procedure for the Council to validate draft letters seeking the opinion of the @EU_Commission," the French Presidency said on Twitter.

Gasoline prices are pushing even farther above $4 a gallon, the highest price that American motorists have faced since July 2008, as calls grow to ban imports of Russian oil.

Prices at the pump were rising long before Russia invaded Ukraine and have spiralled faster since the start of the war. The U.S. national average for a gallon of gasoline has soared 45 cents a gallon in the past week and topped $4.06 on Monday, according to auto club AAA.

“I am looking at the possibility of walking to work,” said Asiya Joseph, who had just paid $4.29 a gallon at a BP station in Brooklyn, New York. “This is the first time that I am filling up my tank in like, 10 days.”

The price of regular broke $4 a gallon on Sunday for the first time in nearly 14 years and is now up nearly 50% from a year ago.

"Ukraine’s air defence forces shoot down Russian aircraft over Kyiv. Soon after that, at 9:10 p.m, "Another Russian plane was destroyed in an air battle on the city’s outskirts", The Kyiv Independent quotes Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valerіy Zaluzhny

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he does not expect a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine for weeks.

He said that he has told the Russian leader that a cease-fire must come before any real dialogue, but that President Vladimir Putin has refused, making their regular talks “difficult.”

“I don’t think that in the days and weeks to come there will be a true negotiated solution,” Macron said at a forum in Poissy, a southwest suburb of Paris, while campaigning for the first time to renew his mandate in April presidential elections.

He said that Putin is making a “historic fault” with his war pitted against Ukrainians, “brothers.” Macron stressed the need to respect the people of all countries ... “and ensure that no nation, no people be humiliated.”

US President Joe Biden on Monday held a video call with France President Emmanuel Macron, Chancellor Scholz, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. According to the statement released by The White House, the leaders affirmed their determination to continue raising the costs on Russia for its unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. They also underscored their commitment to continue providing security, economic, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. In addition, they discussed their respective recent engagements with the Ukrainian and Russian presidents.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday imposed sanctions against ten individuals with close ties to the Russian leadership, including Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, and businessman Oleg Deripaska. The announcement was made in a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday. "Today, Canada is announcing new sanctions on 10 individuals complicit in this unjustified invasion. This includes former and current senior government officials, oligarchs and supporters of the Russian leadership," said Trudeau. "Names of these individuals come from a list compiled by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. These sanctions put increased pressure on Russia's leadership including on Putin's inner circle. Canada has sent about a billion dollars worth of financial assistance to Ukraine," added the Canadian PM.

The two sides held a third round of talks Monday, with an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reporting that a little progress had been made on the matter of safe corridors. Mykhailo Podolyay said without elaboration that “there were some small positive shifts regarding logistics of humanitarian corridors.”

The countries’ foreign ministers are also scheduled to meet in Turkey on Thursday, according to that country’s top diplomat.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Monday said that London and other Western governments are seriously considering sanctions on Russian energy exports in response to the ongoing military operation in Ukraine. President of European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the EU will table proposals to 'quickly get rid' of the dependency on Russian fossil fuels. She noted that the approach to reduce dependency on Russia is by diversifying suppliers, switching to LNG and pipeline gas and by investing in renewables. Hungary, on the other hand, said it will not support the expansion of anti-Russian sanctions in the energy sector as this would threaten both the national currency and welfare of Hungarians. The third round of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia kicked off in Belarus. 

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended his government’s treatment of Ukrainians fleeing war, after France accused U.K. authorities of “inhumane” behaviour towards the refugees.

Johnson said Britain was being “very, very generous,” but would not have “a system where people can come into the U.K. without any checks or any controls at all.”

Britain says it expects to take in as many as 200,000 displaced Ukrainians. Very few have managed to reach Britain so far. The Home Office said “around 50” visas had been granted by Sunday.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Sunday that hundreds of Ukrainian refugees in the English Channel port of Calais had been turned away and told by British authorities that they must obtain visas at U.K. embassies in Paris or Brussels.

Calling that “a bit inhumane,” Darmanin urged Britain to “stop the technocratic nit-picking.”

AP

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says that getting military material for Ukrainians to fight a Russian invasion is set to become more difficult for the U.S. and its allies.

“I think that the international community has been tremendously responsive and have found ways to get the material in. That may become harder in the coming days, and we’ll have to find other ways to manage this,” Sherman said Monday during a visit to the Spanish capital for meetings with officials.

The Biden administration is considering how to fulfill Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy’s request for warplanes, the official said, considering that Ukrainians would only be able to operate soviet-era warplanes provided by Poland.

“People are trying to see whether this is possible and doable,” she said, adding that the warplanes should not be regarded by Moscow as direct involvement in the conflict: “We would expect that this delivery would be seen as all the deliveries have been seen as a right for Ukraine to defend itself.”

Amid the deteriorating situation in Ukraine, Pentagon on Monday informed that nearly one lakh US troops are currently deployed in European regions. 

Russia announced yet another limited cease-fire and the establishment of safe corridors to allow civilians to flee some besieged Ukrainian cities Monday. But the evacuation routes led mostly to Russia and its ally Belarus, drawing withering criticism from Ukraine and others, reports Associated Press. 

Will #AmericanEgo Lead To World War 3? It's time to #GivePeaceAChance, Arnab says, on The Debate #LIVE here - https://youtube.com/watch?v=K7XT6izgcEI

Ukrainian forces have retaken Mykolaiv airport, reports The Kyiv Independent quoting regional governor Vitaliy Kim.

Turkey's attempts to mediate between Russia and Ukraine, while walking a diplomatic tightrope, seem to have led to a breakthrough with Foreign Ministers of the two warring countries agreeing to meet in Antalya. With Moscow intensifying its aggression against Kyiv, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet in Turkey's coastal Antalya province on Thursday, March 10.

Massive blow to NATO as Germany’s Scholz says "EU's energy needs cannot be secured without Russia and its imports. Germany has no plans to suspend them"  

At least 1,207 civilians have been killed or wounded in Ukraine since February 24, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported today.

Talks are underway between the Russian-Ukrainian delegations in Belarus, said reports. The meeting is the third round of discussions between Russia and Ukraine as the two countries strive to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and a safe passage corridor for people. 

Establishing its nuclear deterrence amid war with Ukraine, Russia has stated that its Sarmat advanced silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will be ready in 2022. Speaking in a Russian television interview, Dmitry Rogozin, chief of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, said that the inclusion of Sarmat would secure Russia's interests for the following 35 to 40 years.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, said on Monday that the number of people who have fled the war in Ukraine since the Russian invasion started on February 24, has increased to more than 1.7 million. On Sunday, the UN stated that more than one and a half million people had fled Ukraine to seek safety as the Russian invasion triggered Europe's 'fastest-growing refugee' crisis since World War II. 

'Kharkiv is under barbaric attack with cluster bombs being used,' Ukraine tells ICJ citing UN Reports. Russia refuses to participate in the ICJ hearing. Watch non-stop global coverage of the Russia-Ukraine conflict here: 

“During the night, Russia hit Mykolayiv, residential areas, using rocket artillery. They hit Kharkiv, neighbourhoods, they hit other cities too. This had zero sense from a military standpoint, it’s simply terror," reports The Kyiv Independent quoting Ukraine President

Ukrainian Vice Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has rejected humanitarian corridors to Russia and Belarus.

After speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for 35 minutes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held telephonic conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin for about 50 minutes. According to sources, President Putin briefed PM Modi on the status of negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian teams.

Russia has abandoned the ICJ hearing over its military aggression in Ukraine. The court’s president, American judge Joan E Donoghue, said Russia’s ambassador to the Netherlands informed judges that “his government did not intend to participate in the oral proceedings.” The hearing went ahead without the Russian delegation.

As the ICJ hearing kickstarted on Monday, a Ukrainian lawyer gave a clear message to Russia, 'Let us settle this dispute like a civilised nation'.

Anton Korynevich, Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine in ICJ said, "'Putin lies and people in Ukraine die'.

Revealing the gruesome reality of Russia's military aggression in Ukraine, the Ukrainian lawyer at ICJ said, "My countrymen are killed by Russia". He went on to further accuse Russian President Vladimir Putin of 'lying' and that Russia has 'disrespected' international law. 

Ukrainian media reports that today in The Hague in the International Court of Justice of the United Nations hearings begin on the claim of Ukraine against Russia's invasion.

Russian government media report that a Russian delegation flew to #Belarus for the third round of talks with Ukraine.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has said on Monday, "Due to the enormous losses suffered by the enemy, the power of fighting has been temporarily reduced. However, the Russian invaders concentrate forces and budgets for a new wave of attacks."

At New Delhi, Priya said after returning from Ukraine, "Urge GoI to evacuate students stuck in Sumy at the earliest...We were struggling for food in Kharkiv. Stayed in bunkers from Feb 24- Mar 2, left on Mar 2. Boarding train was difficult as they weren't giving preference to Indians."

Russian Ministry of Defence has said that six humanitarian corridors are opening on the territory of Ukraine as ceasefire comes into effect at 7:00 GMT.

Gas prices in Europe exceed $3,600 per 1,000 cubic meters

Image: @nexta_tv/Twitter

Lithuania President Gitanas Nausėda met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the Russia-Ukraine war. He stressed the urgent need to move from deterrence to real defence. Reinforced NATO and US military presence in the Baltic region is crucial.

Republic reports LIVE from Vilnius. Follow live coverage here- 

State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine has said that Russia suffered "heavy losses" in liberation of Chuhuiv. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenksyy on Monday said that he informed Prime Minister Narendra Modi about Russian military aggression. 

Ukraine’s Marines said 30 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at the Kherson Airfield.

A spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has just described Russia’s stance on the humanitarian corridors as “completely immoral”. the spokesperson, according to AP, said Russia’s announcement of a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors doesn’t appear to have stopped its forces targeting Ukrainian cities.

Press Service of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine said that the head of the Hostomel territorial community, Yuriy Prylypko and two volunteers were killed by Russian occupants when bringing food to local civilians.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that the US would replace every Polish aircraft given to Kyiv with an American one.

The German finance minister said that the new anti-Russian sanctions prepared by the European Union in connection with the events in Ukraine should affect Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion.

Buses on way to pick up Indian students stranded in Ukraine's Sumy region. The Ministry of External Affairs earlier asked Indian students to be prepared on a short notice for evacuation.

Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, not only posted gruesome images of the dead, but said, "Two children and their parents were killed while evacuating from Irpin. The Russian troops opened fire on civilians as they attempted to flee the city. Inaction costs human lives."

Russia claims advancement towards Mariupol. As per Russian media outlets, Russian troops seen with anti-air weapons headed towards Mariupol as the Russian advancement continues. 

As per reports, around 5,000 people were detained on March 6 at anti-war protests in Russia with the largest detentions traditionally in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Reznikov said that there has been significant progress in the supply of weapons and ammunition to the country and promised Russia a "surprise".

According to Sputnik, New Zealand has sanctioned at least 100 Russians including President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, "Russian Peace" is trying to suffocate the hero city Mariupol with a humanitarian crisis. The leadership of the state is doing everything possible and impossible to ensure humanitarian corridors."

"It's not easy. Russian terrorists don't keep their word. There is no pity even for children and women, for the wounded. They are shooting up residential neighbourhoods. They are shooting at peaceful people during the evacuation. Even jackals don't behave like this," he said while adding, "We use every minute to strengthen our defence. All efforts are aimed around the clock to ensure the needs of our defenders and defenders."

Prime Minister Modi spoke on phone to President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. The phone call lasted for about 35 minutes. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in Ukraine. PM appreciated the continuing direct dialogue between Russia & Ukraine, according to GoI Sources.

Additionally, as per sources, Prime Minister Modi thanked President Zelensky for the help extended by the Government of Ukraine in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. PM sought continued support from the Govt of Ukraine in ongoing efforts for the evacuation of Indian nationals from Sumy.

In view of Visa and Mastercard suspension, Russia to switch to Chinese card system. As per reports that Russia's Sberbank will issue Mir card with China's UnionPay, after Mastercard and Visa stopped operating in the country.

Special Emergency Services of Ukraine, said in its update on Monday that, "In total, rescuers made more than 60 trips per day to eliminate fires and to dismantle the ruins of destroyed buildings. In total, more than 50 units of fire and rescue equipment and about 300 people were involved in the DSNS."

"About 200 people were rescued and evacuated by rescuers during the fire and demolition of the gutters. Also, firefighters under the zavalami found the bodies of 8 dead persons. The final information on the victims and victims is currently being specified," it added.

Follow rolling coverage on the Russia-Ukraine war here -

"I hope we win": The first British volunteers with combat experience arrive in Ukraine to help against the Russian invasion.

Former United States President Donald Trump had reportedly joked earlier on Saturday that the U.S. should “put the Chinese flag” on F-22 fighter jets and “bomb the s***” out of Russia. According to CBC News, Trump made the comment to top Republican National Committee donors at a retreat in New Orleans. The former US President, according to the report, suggested the United States should just blame China for the offensive and then watch as the two countries engage in a conflict.

This morning, Mikolayiv was shelled by Smerch multiple-launch rocket systems as Russia continues the attack for the 12th day.

One of the world's largest auditing services companies KPGM is winding down business in Russia and Belarus.

In a major development, the Russian Military declares a ceasefire in Ukraine from 07:00 GMT to open humanitarian corridors at French President Emmanuel Macron's request. Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy regions to witness the ceasefire which will come into effect at 10: AM Moscow time. Earlier, Macron talked to both Russian President and Ukrainian presidents Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy on phone. the French President had said, "We are striving to preserve the integrity of Ukraine's civilian nuclear plants, in addition to other priority demands we presented to Russia: a ceasefire and the protection of civilians."

But, Russian state media outlet Russia Today quotes the ministry: “Kyiv’s attempts to accuse Russia of disrupting the humanitarian operation this time are meaningless, control will be carried out with the help of drones.”

On day 12 of the war, a strong explosion was witnessed in Luhansk. As per reports, it appeared that an oil depot caught fire.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone today, revealed GoI sources.

In the operational update information on Monday, the General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine said, "Acting insidious, the occupiers violate the rules of International Humanitarian Law, shelling civilians, "green corridors", taking women and children hostage, deploy equipment, ammunition in residential neighbourhoods of cities, artificially create a humanitarian crisis in occupied settlements."

"Yes, the city of Irpin remains deprived of light, water and heat for more than three days, there is no food and water, the occupiers banned the residents from leaving their homes. There are many cases of shooting stage reports for Russian TV channels on the alleged humanity and humanity of the soldiers of the warp. Also, in social networks the enemy continues the distribution of content created by the first person who negatively illuminates the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," it added.

On Monday, Russian missiles struck Ukraine's Mikolayiv with glimpses of destruction emerging on social media.

Third round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations to take place on Polish-Belarusian border: Reports

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According to Ukrainian Defence Ministry, Zelenskyy signed a decree on the establishment of the honorary award "Hero City of Ukraine"  in order to celebrate the feat, mass heroism and resilience of citizens detected in defence of their cities during the Russian invasion.

New Zealand is set to pass the Russia Sanctions Bill this week which would mark a significant increase in sanctions against Moscow. On Monday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had said, "The Russia Sanctions Bill is the first law of its kind in New Zealand, and is the country’s next step in its response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

"A Bill of this nature has never been brought before our Parliament, but with Russia vetoing UN sanctions we must act ourselves to support Ukraine and our partners in opposition to this invasion," she also said.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba signed letters to all foreign ministers of EU and G7 countries with a specific list of the sanctions that Ukraine expects “in order to finally pinch the Russian economy and end the war in Ukraine,” Kuleba had said on March 6.

Just a day after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised warnings over upcoming aerial strikes on Odesa,  Russian troops launched a missile strike near the village of Tuzla in Odesa Oblast, targeting critical infrastructure. It si to note here that Ukraine's Odesa is a historic city of nearly 1 million people on the Black Sea coast, that roughly has the same population as San Jose, California.

Sensex crashes 1368 points in early trade, currently trading at 52,965; Nifty at 15,870

Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights has said  that since  the beginning of the war, 38 children have died in Ukraine and 71 children have been injured - Lyudmila Denisova.

Oil prices jump more than $10 a barrel, shares sink as US mulls calling for ban on imports of crude from Russia.

As Russia continues to ramp up attacks on Ukraine including the nighttime offensive, Mykolaiv was hit by multiple rocket launchers on Monday.

According to Chinese state media Global Times, the Chinese official on Monday that Beijing would continue to push the Belt and Road Initiative or BRI with participating countries including Russia and Ukraine, while hoping that both sides can solve problems peacefully via talks to minimize the conflicts' impact on the global economy.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone today, revealed Government sources. It is the second time that both leaders will speak on the phone since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a special military operation in Ukraine on 24 February. PM Modi had already talked to Putin as India ramped up its evacuation process, Operation Ganga, for Indians stranded in war-ravaged Ukraine. 

The New York Times has reported that US has provided Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with encrypted communications equipment and a direct line with American counterpart Joe Biden. As per the report, intelligence officers in Germany and Russia re-sending satellite photographs and electronic intercepts of Russian military units to Ukrainian military units “within an hour or two”. The publication further wrote, "As he tries to stay out of the hands of Russian forces in Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine travels with encrypted communications equipment, provided by the Americans, that can put him into a secure call with President Biden."

South Korea will stop transactions with the Central Bank of Russia amid the Ukraine crisis.

In the latest update by Britain's Defence Intelligence, it said that Russian forces made 'minimal ground advances' has it continued to invade Ukraine for the 12th day. On Monday morning, UK intelligence said, "Russian forces probably made minimal ground advances over the weekend. It is highly unlikely that Russia has successfully achieved its planned objectives to date."

United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the chamber is “exploring” legislation to ban imports of Russian oil and that Congress intends to enact this week $10 billion in aid for Ukraine. According to a letter published to the speaker of the house official website read, "The Biden Administration has requested $10 billion in humanitarian, military and economic support for Ukraine."

"The Congress intends to enact this emergency funding this week as part of our omnibus government funding legislation. And an urgent request from President Zelensky is to help ensure air support for the Ukrainian armed forces," it added.

As per reports, Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Frederiksen said that the main parliamentary parties of the country have agreed to abandon Russian gas in the near future in the view of escalating war in Ukraine. 

As per reports, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assigned the entire territory of Russia the third level of danger out of four possible. The third level of danger means the recommendation to refrain from any trips to Russia.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that he had a "lengthy conversation" with Prime Minister Narendra Modi about giving a strong condemnation of war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Morrison on Monday hailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over 'what he is doing' amid Russia's attack. Australian Prime Minister said, "Zelenskyy understands the delicate relationship that he shares with the countries that supports him and balance well."Addressing the reports of Russian President Vladimir Putin going mad over teh progress in Ukraine, Morrison said, "No, Putin is not going mad. He is an autocrat."

Two residential buildings and an employment centre were destroyed in airstrikes in Ovruch. Several apartment buildings were damaged.

Image: Official page of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel on Monday morning informed that she has sent a letter to the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), calling for a decision to suspend Moscow’s access to the organisation’s activities. Taking to Twitter, Patel claimed that Russia’s operation in Ukraine is a “direct threat” to international law enforcement cooperation. She wrote that the United Kingdom, alongside the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, has written to Interpol calling for an urgent decision on excluding Russia from Organisation's systems. 
 

Netflix has said that it's suspending its service in Russia. A statement from the company cited on Sunday circumstances on the ground for its decision to suspend its Russian service but didn't offer any additional details.

As per reports, Ukraine official  Russian forces step up nighttime shelling of cities in the centre, north and south of the country.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's Third European Department Director Oleg Tyapkin told Sputnik that the events unfolding in Ukraine will lead to a shift in relations between Moscow and the United States, Europe, as well as NATO. "We presume that as a result of the current events, our country will have a new quality of relations both with European countries and the EU as a whole, as well as with the United States and the North Atlantic Alliance guided by them," Tyapkin said.

Canada's Minister of National Defence Anita Anand noted, "Canada's package of support for Ukraine is comprehensive.".

Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke Sunday evening by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, just a day after he took a quick trip to Moscow to discuss the invasion in Ukraine which has lasted for more than 11 days now. Bennette also spoke with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz whom he met on Saturday while visiting Berlin. 

Furthermore, Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid will fly to Riga, Latvia, on Monday to meet with United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the Foreign Ministry said.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted on Facebook, "In the course of hostilities, the city of Chuhuiv was liberated. The occupiers suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Safronov, Commander of the 61st Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, and Lieutenant Colonel Denis Glebov, Deputy Commander of the 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, were killed".

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Monday said, "We face many other threats the horror of war has fallen on Europe...new arc of autocracy .. reset world order ...this is not a world we want ..we have been clear-eyed in threats ..we have been criticised".

On the condition of anonymity, US officials revealed to the Wall Street Journal that Moscow is recruiting Syrians to fight in Ukraine. The media outlet cited at least four American officials who believe that in recent days, Russia has been recruiting fighters from Syria in the hope that their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv

Two among the four so-called Big Four accounting firms, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers have decided to pull out from Russia amid the war with Ukraine. Both firms, reportedly said that they would cut off ties with the Russia-based member firms. KPMG said it was also pulling out of Belarus. It is to note that the company has over 4,500 employees in the two countries.

As per reports, Ukraine will as the United Nations (UN) top court on Monday (local time) to issue an emergency ruling which requires Russia to stop the invasion. Kyiv would reportedly also argue that Moscow’s justification for the attack is based on a faulty interpretation of genocide law. It is to note that the court’s rulings are binding and countries usually follow them but it has no direct measures of enforcing the same. 
 

In a powerful national address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the West to do more as he spoke about the destruction caused by Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine. He also highlighted the sufferings of the people while adding, “We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war on our land.”

Apart from warning the Russian troops against committing atrocities, he said that the “only quiet place” that awaits them is the grave. Zelenksyy said, “Today is Forgiveness Sunday. But we will not forgive hundreds and hundreds of victims. Thousands and thousands of sufferings. And God will not forgive. Not today. Not tomorrow. Never. And instead of Forgiveness, there will be a Day of Judgment”.
 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s office has reportedly said that Britain will provide $100 million t Ukraine through World Bank. Moreover, UK is also trying to push new legislation on Monday (local time) that aims to speed up the sanctions process.