Category: Ukraine

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Russian election latest: Putin claims landslide win as West condemns ‘pseudo-election’ – BBC News

No credible opposition candidate was allowed to stand in the vote which could see Putin in power until 2030.

Summary

  1. Vladimir Putin wins a fifth term as Russian president by a landslide of 87%, according to Russian exit polls
  2. He faced no credible opposition candidate as the Kremlin tightly controls Russia’s political system, media and elections
  3. Germany called it a “pseudo-election”, while the US said the vote was “obviously not free nor fair”
  4. Ukraine’s President Zelensky said Putin was “drunk with power and is doing everything to rule forever”
  5. In a post-election news conference, Putin vowed to press on with the invasion of Ukraine
  6. He also said Russian democracy was more legitimate than in the US, where “with mail-in voting… you can buy a vote for $10”
  7. Voting took place in the Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea. Overall, turnout was 77%

Source: Russian election latest: Putin claims landslide win as West condemns ‘pseudo-election’ – BBC News

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Ukraine: Drone strikes hit Russia as Zelenskyy travels east

KYIV, Ukraine — In a new display of defiance from Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy traveled to an eastern city near the front line Tuesday while two more strategic sites inside Russia were reportedly hit by drone attacks.

A fire blamed on a drone attack broke out at an airport in Russia’s southern Kursk region that borders Ukraine, the region’s governor said Tuesday. In a second incident, an industrial plant 80 kilometers (50 miles) from the Ukrainian border was also targeted by drones, Russian independent media reported, apparently missing a fuel depot at the site.

The strikes were carried out a day after Moscow blamed Kyiv for unprecedented drone attacks on two air bases deep inside Russia, and carried out another wave of missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.

Marking Ukraine’s armed forces day, Zelenskyy traveled to the eastern Donetsk region and vowed to push Russian forces out of all of Ukraine’s territory.

“Everyone sees your strength and your skill. … I’m grateful to your parents. They raised real heroes,” Zelenskyy said in a video address to Ukrainian forces from the city of the Sloviansk, a key Ukrainian stronghold in the east.

Source: Ukraine: Drone strikes hit Russia as Zelenskyy travels east

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Russia announces ceasefire to allow for evacuations: LIVE UPDATES

 

Russian officials announced a ceasefire at 10 a.m. in major cities to allow for evacuations. Ukrainian officials on Sunday said that Russian shelling prevented escape as hundreds of thousands were reportedly trying to flee the city of Mariupol and other parts of Ukraine.

FAST FACTS

  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its twelfth day Monday.
  • Russian shelling prevented would-be refugees from fleeing the war, Ukrainian authorities said.
  • The U.N. reported that 1.5 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries since the invasion started.

Source: Russia announces ceasefire to allow for evacuations: LIVE UPDATES

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Fire extinguished at Ukraine nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest

LVIV, Ukraine/KYIV/PARIS, March 4 (Reuters) – A huge blaze at the site of Europe’s biggest nuclear power station was extinguished on Friday, and officials said the plant in southeastern Ukraine was operating normally after it was seized by Russian forces in fighting that caused global alarm.

Separately, a presidential advisor said Ukraine had halted an advance on the city of Mykolayiv after local authorities said Russian troops had entered. If captured, the city of 500,000 people in southern Ukraine, where Russian forces have made the most progress so far, would be the biggest yet to fall.

A huge blaze at the site of Europe’s biggest nuclear power station was extinguished on Friday, and officials said the plant in southeastern Ukraine was operating normally after it was seized by Russian forces in fighting that caused global alarm.

Source: Fire extinguished at Ukraine nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest

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Russian troops are shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Ukraine, officials say

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its second week Thursday as fighting continues across the smaller country.

There were conflicting reports about which side controls the city of Kherson. Ukrainians still control capital Kyiv despite Russian efforts to overtake the city. Port city Maripol and Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city, experienced heavy shelling Wednesday.

Specific accounts of military activity are difficult to confirm as the situation on the ground in Ukraine can change quickly.

Source: Russian troops are shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Ukraine, officials say

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Ukraine cities face intense shelling as Russian convoy closes in on Kyiv

Facing fierce resistance on the ground, Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to be moving toward an escalation of his forces’ assault from the air.

By Rachel Elbaum

Ukraine’s embattled leader accused Russia of war crimes and “state terrorism” Tuesday after a fresh blast struck the heart of the country’s second-largest city, fueling fears civilians would face the brunt of an intensifying assault.

As the conflict escalated on its sixth day, increasingly heavy shelling hit major cities and a vast convoy of Russian forces threatened the capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to defend Kyiv and sought to rally both his country and the international community against what he called “outright, undisguised terror” from Moscow, in a video message posted on social media.

Global condemnation and crippling sanctions have left the Kremlin isolated in the wake of last week’s invasion, confronting a spiraling economy and dogged defense from Ukrainian forces. U.S. officials said they feared Russian President Vladimir Putin, frustrated by his military’s struggles, may see an escalation of violence as his only option.

Latest updates on Ukraine:

  • Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, was hit by intensifying shelling.
  • A huge convoy of Russian forces approached Kyiv.
  • Zelenskyy vowed to defend “the heart of our country.”
  • U.S. officials said they feared a frustrated Putin may order escalation of violence.
  • Moscow insisted Western sanctions won’t get it to change its approach toward Ukraine.

Source: Ukraine cities face intense shelling as Russian convoy closes in on Kyiv

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US, EU, UK to sanction Russian central bank, block SWIFT | AP News

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States, European Union and United Kingdom on Saturday agreed to put in place crippling sanctions on the Russian financial sector, including a block on its access to the global financial system and, for the first time, restrictions on its central bank in retaliation for its invasion of Ukraine.

The measures were announced jointly as part of a new round of financial sanctions meant to “hold Russia to account and collectively ensure that this war is a strategic failure for (Russian President Vladimir) Putin.” The central bank restrictions target the more than $600 billion in reserves that the Kremlin has at its disposal, meant to limit Russia’s ability to support the ruble amid tightening Western sanctions.

Cumulatively the steps announced by the West since Russia began the invasion would potentially amount to some of the toughest sanctions on any country in modern times, and if fully carried out as planned, would severely damage the Russian economy and markedly constrain its ability to import and export goods.

Source: US, EU, UK to sanction Russian central bank, block SWIFT | AP News

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U.S. intel shows Russian military officials given order to proceed with invasion of Ukraine

“As of this moment, I’m convinced he’s made the decision. We have reason to believe that,” President Joe Biden said Friday, citing U.S. intelligence.

By Josh Lederman and Courtney Kube

WASHINGTON — The U.S. has picked up intelligence showing that Russian military officials were given an order to go ahead with an invasion of Ukraine, a U.S. official and another person with knowledge of the matter told NBC News.

The intelligence, which was developed very recently, informed President Joe Biden’s startling declaration Friday that the U.S. believes President Vladimir Putin has already decided to invade, the people said.

Source: U.S. intel shows Russian military officials given order to proceed with invasion of Ukraine

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