Here are the latest developments in Russia’s war in Ukraine:
– Humanitarian corridors relaunched –
Russia relaunches plans to open humanitarian corridors, allowing civilians to flee cities besieged by its forces to safe places in Ukraine.
Kyiv and its allies rejected a previous proposal to evacuate Ukrainians to Russia as a publicity stunt and accused Russian forces of mining and shelling escape routes. AFP witnessed thousands of civilians fleeing the Kyiv suburb of Irpin on foot over a makeshift bridge, with carpets serving as stretchers for children and the elderly
– Two million refugees –
After 13 days of fighting the UN says the number of people fleeing the war now tops two million, making it the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II. Since February 24, 2,011,312 people have fled the war-ravaged country into neighbouring countries, with Poland alone taking in 1.2 million, the UN refugee agency says.
– 21 killed in Sumy strikes –
Russia steps up its shelling of towns near Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east, Sumy in the north-east, Chernihiv in the north and Mykolayiv in the south-west.
Twenty-one people, including two children, are killed in air strikes on Sumy, authorities say.
Thousands attempt to board packed trains out of Odessa, Ukraine’s main port which is also bracing for attack.
– Zelensky denounces unkept ‘promises’ by West –
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounces what he calls unkept “promises” by the West to protect Ukraine from Russian attacks.
“It’s been 13 days we’ve been hearing promises, 13 days we’ve been told we’ll be helped in the air, that there will be planes, that they will be delivered to us,” Zelensky says in a video broadcast on Telegram.
“But the responsibility for that rests also on those who were not capable to take a decision in the West for 13 days,” Zelensky adds. “On those who have not secured the Ukrainian skies from the Russian assassins.”
– Russia ‘recruiting Syrians’ –
The US says reports of Russia recruiting fighters from Syria, where it intervened in 2015 in support of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, are credible. “We believe there’s truth to that,” a Pentagon spokesman says. Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is sending only “professional” soldiers to war.
– Kharkiv nuclear facility shelled –
The International Atomic Energy Agency is receiving reports of artillery shells damaging a nuclear research facility in Ukraine’s besieged second city Kharkiv, but says there was no “radiological consequence”.
– Allies torn on energy sanctions –
The White House indicates there is no agreement with European allies on a blanket ban on oil imports.
Russia warns Moscow could halt gas supplies to Europe through the Nord Stream 1 pipeline in retaliation for Western sanctions.
– Russian designer cancelled –
Russian designer Valentin Yudashkin, who designed the Russian army’s uniforms, has his show at Paris Fashion Week cancelled for his failure to condemn the war.
– World Bank funds for Ukraine –
The World Bank approves an additional $489-million package for Ukraine, to be made available immediately.
– Russian default predicted –
US-based Morgan Stanley says a Russian default is “the most likely scenario”, predicting Moscow will struggle to make coupon payments on its bonds as soon as next month.
– Foreign footballers can leave Russia –
Foreign footballers and coaches working in Russia and Ukraine will be allowed to temporarily suspend their contracts and move elsewhere, FIFA announces. Sports bodies have barred Russia from international competition following the invasion of Ukraine and FIFA says the new measures were designed “to facilitate the departure of foreign players and coaches from Russia” should they wish to leave.
