Russia continues its invasion in parts of Ukraine amid the ongoing Peace Talks between the two counties.
Although the Talks have not reached mutual grounds, reports in Ukraine show ongoing attacks and evacuation among others. Here are the latest developments about the war in Ukraine.
Mariupol Evacuation
Residents fleeing the besieged Region around Southern Port Mariupol took a convoy of buses and private cars to reach Ukrainian-controlled Zaporizhzhia.
The fleet’s arrival led to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced over 3,000 people have been rescued from Mariupol, though it is not immediately clear if he is referring to the bus passengers. In addition, the Red Cross disclosed that its own Mariupol rescue effort is forced to turn back after “arrangements and conditions made it impossible to proceed”, but added its team will try again on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
US commits $300 mn in ‘assistance’
The US Defence Department announced that it is allotting $300 million in “security assistance” for Ukraine to bolster its defence capabilities, adding to the $1.6 billion Washington already committed since Russia’s invasion.The package includes laser-guided rocket systems, drones, ammunition, night-vision devices, tactical secure communications systems, medical supplies and armoured vehicles.
Ukraine accused of Russia attack
Ukrainian helicopters carried out a strike on a fuel storage facility in Russia’s Western Town of Belgorod, around 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the border, according to the Local Governor.
According to Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on Telegram, the air strike was “carried out by two Ukrainian army helicopters, which entered Russian territory at a low altitude”. Kyiv would not be drawn on whether it was behind the attack, with Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, saying he did “not possess all the military information”.
Peace talks resume
Peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian Officials resume via video conference, but Moscow warned that the helicopter attack will hamper negotiations. Moscow’s Chief Negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, on Telegram said: “Our positions on Crimea and Donbas have not changed”.
UN official to visit Moscow, Kyiv
A top UN official is set to fly to Moscow on Sunday, April 3, 2022, and then on to Kyiv to try and secure a “humanitarian ceasefire” in Ukraine, the Body’s Chief, Antonio Guterres revealed. As it stands, both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to meet Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Guterres added.
Russia preparing powerful strikes
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, revealed that Russia is preparing “powerful strikes” in the country’s East and South, including Mariupol.
Ukraine’s troops have began regaining control of some of its territories, including the capital, Kyiv and in the Southern Region of Kherson, which is the only significant City that Russia managed to occupy. Ukraine’s Defence Ministry pointed out that Russian troops “are continuing their partial retreat” from the North of Kyiv towards the Belarusian border.
Moscow said in Peace Talks earlier this week that it would scale back attacks on the capital, Kyiv and the Northern City of Chernigiv.
New gas war front
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has disclosed that “unfriendly” countries, including all EU Members, must set up Rouble accounts to pay for gas deliveries from April, or “existing contracts would be stopped”.
30 countries tap oil reserves
The 31-country International Energy Agency (IEA) agreed to tap national emergency oil reserves again in a bid to calm crude prices that have soared as a result of Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. As such, on Thursday, March 31, 2022, US President, Joe Biden, announced a record release of US oil onto the market.
China warned
The EU’s top Officials have also warned China’s Leaders at a Summit not to help Russia wage war on Ukraine or can sidestep Western sanctions, European Commission Head, Ursula von der Leyen warned.
“It would lead to a major reputational damage for China here in Europe,” Von der Leyen said after video talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Chernobyl radiation
Ukraine’s Nuclear Agency Energoatom revealed that Russian Soldiers might be exposed to radiation while occupying the area around the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station over the past four weeks. The power station, which is the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster in 1986, was taken back under the control of Ukrainian forces on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
Lavrov lauds India
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, has praised India’s refusal to condemn the Ukraine invasion, stressing their “friendship” and saying Moscow and New Delhi will find ways to circumvent “illegal” Western sanctions and continue to trade.
Landmarks damaged
According to the United Nations (UN) cultural agency, UNESCO, it has confirmed that at least 53 Ukrainian historical sites, religious buildings and museums have sustained damages during Russia’s invasion on the country. In addition to this, the United Nations report suggested that the number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s war in Ukraine has crossed 4.1 million.
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