- Ukraine’s President Volodymr Zelenskyy requires no-fly zone to cease Russian bombardment, however White Home says US isn’t contemplating such a transfer.
- At the least 70 Ukrainian troopers killed in a Russian artillery assault in Okhtyrka, a metropolis between Kharkiv and Kyiv, says an area official.
- ICC prosecutor says he plans to launch investigation into alleged battle crimes, crimes in opposition to humanity in Ukraine.
- Excessive-level talks between Kyiv and Moscow finish with no settlement besides to maintain speaking.
- Civilian loss of life toll now stands at 352 folks, together with 14 youngsters, Ukraine’s well being ministry says.
- Greater than 520,000 folks have fled Ukraine since Russian invasion started, UN says.
- FIFA and UEFA droop Russia from worldwide soccer.
Listed below are the most recent updates:
Air raid alerts in Kyiv, Kharkiv and different cities: Studies
Kyiv Impartial, a Ukrainian information outlet, is reporting air raid sirens in Kyiv, Kharkiv and different cities, together with Vinnytsia, Uman and Cherkasy.
It additionally cited a hospital administrator saying that Russian shelling has hit a maternity hospital within the village of Buzova close to Kyiv. “All folks have been evacuated from the constructing,” it mentioned.
⚡️Russian shelling hits maternity hospital close to Kyiv, the hospital’s CEO Vitaliy Girin mentioned on Fb.
The maternity hospital is situated within the village of Buzova on the Zhytomyr freeway the place heavy combating has been ongoing.
All folks have been evacuated from the constructing.
— The Kyiv Impartial (@KyivIndependent) March 1, 2022
Russian forces ‘encompass metropolis of Kherson’: Studies
Russian troops have surrounded the southern Ukrainian metropolis of Kherson, in keeping with a journalist and an area official.
“The town is definitely surrounded, there are loads of Russian troopers and navy tools on all sides, they arrange checkpoints on the exits,” Journalist Alyona Panina advised Ukrainian 24 TV channel.
The town’s Mayor Igor Kolykhayev additionally mentioned on Fb that the “Russia military is establishing checkpoints on the entrances of Kherson”.
Kherson has a inhabitants of round 280,000 and lies north of the Crimea peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014. Russia claimed to have besieged the town on Sunday.
Japan freezes belongings of Russia’s central financial institution
Japan is becoming a member of the US and different allies in slapping further sanctions on Russia, together with freezing belongings of the nation’s leaders and three monetary establishments.
Other than these held by six people together with President Vladimir Putin and International Minister Sergey Lavrov, Japan will freeze belongings of Russia state-owned Promsvyazbank and Vnesheconombank, in addition to the nation’s central financial institution.
Dozens of Ukrainian troopers killed in Russian assault
A Ukrainian official says a Russian artillery assault on a navy unit in Okhtyrka, a metropolis between Kharkiv and Kyiv, killed a minimum of 70 Ukrainian troopers on Monday.
Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, head of the Sumy Regional State Administration, posted pictures of the charred shell of a four-story constructing and rescuers looking out rubble.
Warner Bros halting launch of ‘The Batman’ in Russia
Warner Bros and Sony Photos are following Walt Disney Co’s swimsuit and halting the discharge of their movies in Russia.
Warner Bros mentioned it’s pausing the discharge of ‘The Batman’ in Russia ‘in gentle of the humanitarian disaster in Ukraine”. The film was as a result of open in Russian theatres on March 3.
Sony mentioned it would additionally droop its upcoming theatrical releases in Russia, together with the movie ‘Moribus’.
Learn extra right here.
Russians ‘have fallen behind timeline’, says US legislator
Democratic US Senator Chris Murphy says he was advised throughout a categorized briefing that Russia has fallen delayed in its invasion of Ukraine as a result of fierce resistance in addition to tools and logistics failures.
Simply leaving categorized briefing on Ukraine disaster. Just a few takeaways that I can share:
1/ Affirmation that the Russians have fallen behind their timeline. Ukrainian resistance has been fierce and there have been a number of Russian tools and logistics failures.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 1, 2022
Russia will attempt to encircle and reduce off Kyiv within the “subsequent a number of weeks,” Murphy mentioned, including that the battle for the capital can be lengthy and bloody.
4/ The U.S. and allies are coordinating to not solely freeze the belongings of Putin and his oligarch allies, however to grab these belongings as effectively. That is doubtless an extra step than Putin’s internal circle anticipated.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) March 1, 2022
Ukraine navy says Russia is planning to make use of Belarus troops
Ukraine’s Armed Forces say Russia is planning to contain the “most educated navy models” of the Belarusian military in its invasion.
Belarus beforehand denied the declare on Monday.
“Belarusian servicemen are finishing up duties in accordance with the Armed Forces’ coaching plan for the 2021-2022 coaching 12 months inside Belarusian borders solely and usually are not collaborating within the particular navy operation in Ukraine,” the Belarusian Protection Ministry mentioned.
Mastercard blocks a number of monetary establishments over Russia sanctions
Mastercard has blocked a number of monetary establishments from its cost community because of sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
The US bank card firm didn’t say which establishments have been blocked.
It promised to contribute $2m for humanitarian reduction.
Australia commits $50m in assist for Ukraine
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison says his authorities will present Ukraine with $50m to assist fend off the Russian invasion.
“The overwhelming majority of that … can be within the deadly class,” he mentioned.
“We’re speaking missiles, we’re speaking ammunition, we’re speaking supporting them of their protection of their very own homeland in Ukraine and we’ll be doing that in partnership with NATO.”
Diplomats accuse UAE of ‘soiled take care of Russia’
Diplomats say the United Arab Emirates (UAE) abstained from two votes on UN Safety Council resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a purpose to win Moscow’s assist for an arms embargo on Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
A Safety Council diplomat advised Reuters information company that UAE made a “take care of the satan” to safe Russia’s assist.
“UAE’s two abstentions on Ukraine purchased the Russian sure vote,” the diplomat mentioned.
One other diplomat advised AFP: “We’re very offended with the Emirates and satisfied they made a grimy take care of Russia” that hyperlinks the Houthis and Ukraine.
Each the UAE and Russia denied a deal was made on voting.
Learn extra right here.
However Russia abstained in vote, after UAE abstained on vote on decision condemning Russian invasion, in what was perceived at council as a quid professional quo. Extra of this to comply with on different recordsdata…
— Peter Salisbury (@peterjsalisbury) February 28, 2022
Disney halts movie releases in Russia
Disney says it’s suspending the discharge of its movies in theaters in Russia after Moscow’s assault on Ukraine
“Given the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian disaster, we’re pausing the discharge of theatrical movies in Russia, together with the upcoming ‘Turning Crimson’ from Pixar,” the US leisure big mentioned in a press release.
Putin stripped of taekwondo black belt
World Taekwondo has stripped Russian President Vladimir Putin of his honorary taekwondo black belt over his nation’s invasion of Ukraine.
It added that it could be a part of the Worldwide Olympic Committee in banning the Russian flag and anthem at its occasions.
World Taekwondo strongly condemns the brutal assaults on harmless lives in Ukraine, which go in opposition to the World Taekwondo imaginative and prescient of “Peace is Extra Treasured than Triumph” and the World Taekwondo values of respect and tolerance.#PeaceIsMorePreciousThanTriumphhttps://t.co/nVTdxDdl2I
— World Taekwondo (@worldtaekwondo) February 28, 2022
World Rugby suspends Russia, Belarus
Rugby’s world governing physique is suspending Russia and Belarus from all worldwide rugby “till additional discover”.
It additionally suspended Russia’s membership indefinitely.
“World Rugby reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggressive invasion of Ukraine and the facilitation of this motion by Belarus,” the physique mentioned.
Blinken ‘assures Ukraine of extra sanctions and weapons’
Ukrainian International Minister Dmytro Kuleba says US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has supplied Kyiv extra assist within the type of sanctions and weapons.
“In our name, Secretary Blinken affirmed that the U.S. assist for Ukraine stays unfaltering,” Kuleba mentioned on Twitter.
“I underscored that Ukraine craves for peace, however so long as we’re beneath Russia’s assault we’d like extra sanctions and weapons. Secretary assured me of each. We coordinated additional steps.”
In our name, @SecBlinken affirmed that the U.S. assist for Ukraine stays unfaltering. I underscored that Ukraine craves for peace, however so long as we’re beneath Russia’s assault we’d like extra sanctions and weapons. Secretary assured me of each. We coordinated additional steps.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 28, 2022
Satellite tv for pc photographs present 40-mile lengthy Russian convoy descending on Kyiv
The Russian navy convoy descending on Ukraine’s capital stretches for about 40 miles (64 km), in keeping with Maxar Applied sciences.
The US satellite-imaging firm mentioned footage taken on Monday exhibits the convoy “comprises a whole bunch of armoured autos, tanks, towed artillery and logistics assist autos”.
The Maxar footage additionally confirmed deployments of floor forces and floor assault helicopter models in southern Belarus.
A satellite tv for pc picture exhibits southern finish of convoy armour towed artillery vehicles, east of Antonov airport, Ukraine, February 28, 2022 [Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters]
Ukraine says Russia used a vacuum bomb
Oksana Markarova, Kyiv’s ambassador to the US, says Russia had used a vacuum bomb in Ukraine on Monday.
Often known as a thermobaric bomb, the weapon makes use of oxygen from the encompassing air to generate a high-temperature explosion, usually producing a blast wave of a considerably longer period than that of a traditional explosive.
“They used the vacuum bomb at the moment, which is definitely prohibited by the Geneva conference,” Markarova mentioned after a gathering with US legislators. “The devastation that Russia is attempting to inflict on Ukraine is massive.”
Russia ‘continued shelling Ukraine throughout talks’
Ukraine’s president says Russian troops intensified shelling of Ukraine in an effort to drive his authorities into making concessions throughout talks held earlier on Monday.
In a video tackle, Zelenskyy mentioned that “the talks have been going down in opposition to the backdrop of bombing and shelling of our territory, our cities. Synchronizing of the shelling with the negotiating course of was apparent. I imagine Russia is attempting to place strain (on Ukraine) with this straightforward technique”.
The president mentioned Ukraine isn’t ready to make concessions “when one facet is hitting one another with rocket artillery.”
Zelenskyy says that Kyiv, the capital, stays “a key objective” for the Russians and that Russian forces have additionally shelled the town of Kharkiv with rocket artillery.
Zelensky seeks ban on Russia in all international airports and ports
Ukraine’s president is in search of a world ban on Russian planes and ships as punishment for attacking his nation.
“We should shut entry for this state in all ports, all canals and all of the world’s airports,” Zelenskyy mentioned on Fb. He additionally urged the worldwide group to “contemplate a complete closure of the skies to Russian missiles, planes and helicopters”.
Ukraine says Starlink tools has arrived
Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation says tools to make use of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite tv for pc web service has arrived in his nation.
Mykhailo Fedorov thanked SpaceX founder Elon Musk for the tools in a Twitter put up Monday that was accompanied by a photograph of bins on the again of a truck.
Starlink is a satellite-based web system that SpaceX has been constructing for years to carry web entry to underserved areas of the world. It markets itself as “ideally suited” for areas the place web service is unreliable or unavailable.
You’re most welcome
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 28, 2022
Canada to ban Russian oil imports, provide Ukraine with anti-tank weapons
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his nation will ban imports of Russian crude oil and provide Ukraine with anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition.
“We’re saying our intention to ban all imports of crude oil from Russia, an trade that has benefited President Putin and his oligarchs vastly,” he advised reporters in Ottawa.
Canada may also step up “deadly help” to Ukraine and can ship 100 Carl Gustaf anti-tank weapon techniques and a couple of,000 rockets “as shortly as potential,” mentioned Defence Minister Anita Anand.
Ukraine accuses Russia of battle crimes
Kyiv’s Ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, says Russian troops are “attacking hospitals, cellular brigades and ambulances” in Ukraine.
“This isn’t the motion of a state with a legit safety concern,” Kyslytsya mentioned at a UN Safety Council’s emergency assembly. “That is the motion of a state decided to kill civilians. There isn’t any debate. These are battle crimes.”
Ukraine opens entry to overseas battle volunteers
Ukraine’s president has signed a decree briefly lifting the requirement for entry visas for any foreigner prepared to affix Ukraine’s Worldwide Protection Legion and struggle on Ukraine’s facet in opposition to invading Russian troops.
Zelenskyy’s decree takes impact Tuesday and can stay in impact so long as martial legislation is in place.
White Home guidelines out no-fly zone
White Home press secretary Jen Psaki advised reporters that implementing a no-fly zone over Ukraine can be a step towards sending US troops to struggle Russia.
“A no-fly zone would require implementation,” she mentioned, including it could require “deploying US navy to implement, which might be … probably a direct battle, and probably a battle with Russia, which is one thing we aren’t planning to be part of”.
US Congress ‘would by no means’ authorise no-fly zone, says legislator
Murphy, the Democratic US senator, is ruling out approving a no-fly zone for Ukraine in Congress, saying the transfer would quantity to battle between the US and Russia.
“It’s a foul thought and Congress would by no means authorize it,” Murphy wrote on Twitter.
“Army tools for Ukraine, humanitarian assist for Ukraine, crippling sanction on Russia, motion of US troops to the japanese flank of NATO – these are all the appropriate strikes. However direct battle between the world’s two nuclear powers must be a non-starter.”
There’s been loads of free speak from sensible folks about “shut air assist” and “no fly zones” for Ukraine.
Let’s simply be clear what that’s – the U.S. and Russia at battle. It is a unhealthy thought and Congress would by no means authorize it.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) February 28, 2022
Fb to limit entry to Russian state media retailers in EU
Fb’s mother or father firm Meta has introduced plans to limit entry to Russian state media retailers RT and Sputnik throughout the European Union.
Meta’s head of worldwide affairs, Nick Clegg, tweeted on Monday afternoon that the social media firm had obtained requests “from various Governments and the EU to take additional steps in relation to Russian state-controlled media”.
US not contemplating no-fly zone in Ukraine
Hours earlier than Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged a no-fly zone for Russian plane on Monday, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby mentioned Washington isn’t contemplating such a transfer.
Zelenskyy urges West to contemplate no-fly zone for Russian plane
Ukraine’s president says it’s time for the West to contemplate imposing a no-fly zone for Russian missiles, planes and helicopters in response to Russian shelling of the Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv.
In a video tackle, Zelenskyy didn’t specify how and by whom a no-fly zone can be enforced. He mentioned Russia had launched 56 rocket strikes and fired 113 cruise missiles in opposition to Ukraine prior to now 5 days.
“I imagine that Russia is attempting to use strain on this unsubtle manner. Don’t waste time. We don’t settle for such techniques. Honest negotiations can happen when one facet doesn’t hit the opposite facet with rocket artillery on the very second of negotiations,” he mentioned.
Welcome to Al Jazeera’s persevering with protection of the Ukraine-Russia disaster.
Learn all of the updates from Monday, February 28, right here.
