- Combating between Russian and Ukrainian forces intensifies as troops shut in on Kyiv.
- Western nations pledge to facilitate the supply of army support to Ukraine.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the nation’s forces have “have withstood and efficiently repelled enemy assaults”.
- Almost 200 individuals have been killed thus far, together with civilians, based on Ukraine’s well being minister.
- Greater than 150,000 Ukrainians have fled the nation for the reason that starting of Moscow’s assault, the UN says.
Listed here are the newest updates:
What’s SWIFT, the worldwide cost system?
The European Union, together with the US and different Western companions, has introduced additional sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, together with chopping off various Russian banks from the SWIFT interbank funds system.
Ejecting it from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Monetary Telecommunication (SWIFT) community would cripple Moscow’s capacity to commerce with many of the world and deal a heavy blow to the Russian economic system.
Click on right here to learn Al Jazeera’s explainer.
Russia closes airspace to carriers from Baltics, Slovenia
Russia has closed its airspace to flights operated by carriers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Slovenia in tit-for-tat punitive measures.
“Air carriers of those states and/or registered in them are topic to restrictions on flights to locations on the territory of the Russian Federation, together with transit flights by way of the airspace of the Russian Federation,” the federal air transport company Rosaviation mentioned.
Germany and Western allies agree chopping Russia out of SWIFT
Germany and its Western allies have agreed to chop Russia out of the SWIFT world cost system, a spokesperson for the German authorities mentioned, in a 3rd sanctions bundle geared toward halting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The sanctions, agreed with the US, France, Canada, Italy, Nice Britain and the European Fee additionally embody limiting the power of Russia’s central financial institution to assist the rouble.
They will even finish the “golden passports” for rich Russians and their households and can goal people and establishments in Russia and elsewhere that helps the conflict in opposition to Ukraine, the spokesperson mentioned.
“The international locations burdened their willingness to take additional measures ought to Russia not finish its assault on Ukraine and thus on the European peace order,” he added.
Macron asks for ‘withdrawal of Russian troops’ from Belarus
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has requested his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko to make sure the “withdrawal of Russian troops” from Belarus, the French presidency mentioned.
The president requested the Belarus chief “to demand as quickly as potential the withdrawal of Russian troops from his soil,” and urged him to cooperate with the worldwide group to permit humanitarian support to the Ukrainian individuals, it mentioned in a press release.
EU proclaims new Russia sanctions with US and others, together with SWIFT
European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen has mentioned that the EU, together with the US and different Western companions, plans to impose additional sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, together with chopping off various Russian banks from the SWIFT interbank funds system.
UK Johnson says stress constructing to chop Russia off from SWIFT
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned on Saturday that the world ought to reduce Russia off from the worldwide SWIFT funds system and mentioned extra international locations supported such a transfer.
“What you could have seen simply right this moment is extra international locations becoming a member of the decision of the UK to make use of SWIFT,” Johnson mentioned. He mentioned extra international locations had mentioned they might not block chopping Russia off from SWIFT.
“Issues should not going all the way in which President Putin,” Johnson mentioned of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Greece says 10 nationals killed in Ukraine
Athens says that 10 Greek nationals have been killed and 6 others wounded by Russian bombing close to the important thing southeastern port metropolis of Mariupol.
“Ten harmless civilians of Greek origin [were] killed right this moment by Russian air strikes near Mariupol. Cease the bombing now!” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis mentioned in a tweet.
The bombing occurred on the outskirts of the villages of Sartana and Bugas, and one of many injured was a baby, Greece’s International Ministry mentioned.
Russian military ordered to broaden Ukraine advance
The Russian military has been given orders to broaden its offensive in Ukraine “from all instructions” after Kyiv refused to carry talks in Belarus, the defence ministry mentioned.
Russian forces have made thrusts into the Ukrainian capital Kyiv earlier than reportedly falling again to the outskirts, going through robust resistance on day three of the invasion.
“After the Ukrainian aspect rejected the negotiation course of, right this moment all models got orders to develop the advance from all instructions in accordance with the operation’s plans,” Russian military spokesman Igor Konashenkov mentioned in a press release.
Russian army convoys ‘flooding’ throughout the Russia-Ukraine border
Al Jazeera’s Rania Dridi, reporting from the town of Volgograd, in southwestern Russia, says army models within the space are being deployed throughout the border with Ukraine.
“Convoys of Russian army gear proceed to flood throughout the Russia-Ukraine border; armoured gear and vehicle-mounted missiles,” Dridi mentioned.
“The convoys will participate within the ongoing army operations, the fiercest of which is at the moment raging on the Donbas entrance,” she added, citing the area in japanese Ukraine the place Russian-backed separatists management swaths of territory.
“This scene is repeated elsewhere as different convoys are crossing the borderline into Ukraine on different roads.”
Individuals in Ukraine’s capital take cowl as Russians strategy
Individuals in Ukraine have sought security underground as Russian troops closed in on Kyiv and skirmishes flared on the town’s outskirts.
The assault on Kyiv was clouded by a curfew set to final by way of Monday morning, however the relative quiet of the evening in Kyiv was sporadically damaged by gunfire.
“We’ll battle for so long as wanted to liberate our nation,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised, as he continued to press for added worldwide assist.
Small teams of Russian troops have been reported inside Kyiv, however Britain and the US mentioned the majority of Russian forces have been 30km (19 miles) from the town’s centre.
Lufthansa halts flights to Russia for per week
German airline Lufthansa has mentioned it’s going to cancel all flights to Russia and can stop utilizing Russian airspace for the approaching week, citing the “rising regulatory state of affairs”.
“Flights which might be in Russian airspace will depart it once more shortly,” a spokesperson for the corporate mentioned, including that the corporate was in shut contact with nationwide and worldwide authorities and would proceed to watch the state of affairs intently.
From Berlin to Sydney, world outpouring of assist for Ukraine
In a sea of blue and yellow flags and banners smeared with blood crimson handprints, protesters all over the world have confirmed assist for Ukraine on and referred to as on governments to do extra to assist Kyiv, punish Russia and keep away from a broader battle.
A number of hundred individuals marched by way of heavy rain in Sydney chanting “Ukraine will prevail”, whereas protesters in Tokyo referred to as for Russia to be expelled from the United Nations Safety Council for the assault on its neighbour.
1000’s of individuals additionally took to the streets in Europe, with protesters – together with many Ukrainians dwelling overseas – in London, Nicosia, Berlin, Athens, Helsinki, Madrid and Milan draping themselves in flags and holding “cease the conflict” placards.
Different protests occurred in Latin America, India, Turkey, in addition to Russia, the place greater than 3,000 individuals have been detained.
Learn the updates from Saturday right here.
