Russia-Ukraine latest news: explosions heard in Kyiv; Nato to deploy more troops to eastern Europe

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Russia-Ukraine latest news: explosions heard in Kyiv; Nato to deploy more troops to eastern Europe



 
Russia-Ukraine latest news: explosions heard in Kyiv; Nato to deploy more troops to eastern Europe


Russia-Ukraine latest news: explosions heard in Kyiv; Nato to deploy more troops to eastern Europe

 

Summary

Here’s a summary of today’s events on the second day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine:

The day focused on the capital, Kyiv. Russian forces entered the city’s outskirts on Friday and were threatening the Ukrainian capital from the north-west and east in a lightning attack apparently aimed at seizing the city.
The Russian defence ministry claimed its forces had taken control of the strategic Hostomel airfield to the north-west, while Russian tanks were filmed by locals in the Obolonskyi district about six miles north of the city centre in the morning.
Vladimir Putin urged the Ukrainian army to overthrow its leadership, whom he labelled as a “gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis who have has lodged itself in Kyiv and taken hostage the entire Ukrainian people.”
A senior US defence source briefed Pentagon reporters that they believed Russia had launched an amphibious landing with thousands of naval infantry to the west of the key southern coastal city of Mariupol.
President Zelenskiy pleaded for international help and for western powers to act faster to cut off Russia’s economy and provide Ukraine with military assistance. “When bombs fall on Kyiv, it happens in Europe, not just in Ukraine,” he said. “When missiles kill our people, they kill all Europeans.”
Nato will deploy significant extra troops to countries in eastern Europe who are part of the alliance, secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said. UK ministers warned there would be no forces going to Ukraine itself to avoid an “existential” war between Russia and the west.
The EU and the UK moved to freeze foreign-held assets of Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov. The initiative is largely symbolic but the move by Brussels and Downing Street followed recognition that appeals for action from Volodymyr Zelenskiy had to be heard.
The Council of Europe suspended Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The 47-nation council announced that Russia was suspended with “immediate effect” from the organisation’s Committee of Ministers and parliamentary assembly on Friday “as a result of the Russian Federation’s armed attack on Ukraine.”
Russia will no longer be allowed to compete in this year’s Eurovision song contest, with organisers saying its inclusion could “bring the competition into disrepute.”
Updated at 14.50 EST

The Ukrainian ambassador to the US said today that attacks from Russia on Ukraine have “been more brutal”, but that Russian forces did not advanced as planned.

“The enemy is clearly surprised by the result of the armed forces and volunteers to protect the integrity of our country,” said Oksana Markarova, who is currently speaking at the the embassy of Ukraine in 

Washington DC.

14.35 EST

The Ukrainian ambassador to the US said today that attacks from Russia on Ukraine have “been more brutal”, but that Russian forces did not advanced as planned.

“The enemy is clearly surprised by the result of the armed forces and volunteers to protect the integrity of our country,” said Oksana Markarova, who is currently speaking at the the embassy of Ukraine in Washington DC.

Markarova also said that Ukrainian authorities are gathering evidence of “crimes” by Russian authorities to submit to international tribunals.

On the Chernobyl power plant that Russian troops captured yesterday, Markarova said that responsibility for it now lies with Russia as strict regulations for the plant are not being observed, adding that 92 plant personnel were taken as hostages.

The Russian army has reportedly destroyed the Kyiv thermal power plant, says Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko, a sign that Russia’s army is targeting critical infrastructure in the capital city.

This announcement follows another report from Klitschko that five blasts were heard in three to five minutes near a power station located north of Kyiv, reported the Telegraph.

“The emergency services are under way. We’re finding out the details,” said Klitschko of the five blasts. “The situation now – without exaggeration – is threatening for Kyiv. The night, close to the morning, will be very difficult.”

Updated at 14.30 EST

Boris Johnson has recorded a video in which he aims to speak to both Ukrainians and Russians after a phone call with Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy this morning, ITV News reports.

The video – in which he describes the invasion as a tragedy for Ukraine and Russia – was recorded after the PM held a phone call this morning with the Ukrainian leader.

Speaking in Russian, the prime minister says:

To my Russian friends I do not believe this war is in your name. It does not have to be this way.

In a recording that will be released this evening, Johnson also says in Ukrainian:

This crisis, this tragedy, can and must come to an end because the world needs a free and sovereign Ukraine.

Updated at 14.12 EST

Markarova also confirmed that Russian troops hit an orphanage in Ukraine, but did not injure any of the 50 children that were inside.



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