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Ukraine Russia conflict live updates: Civilians band together to block road into Energodar

The Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister has shared an incredible image on the front lines as Russia faces more problems than anticipated.

Alexis Carey and Alex Blair
15 min read
March 4, 2022 - 12:20AM
Horror moment city blasted on live TV (CBS)

Russia has stalled in its attempts to capture key Ukrainian cities with a convoy of armoured Russian military vehicles “delayed by staunch resistance and mechanical breakdown”.

In its latest intelligence update, the UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed Kharkiv, Chernihiv, and Mariupol all remain in Ukrainian control despite intense fighting from Russian forces.

“The main body of the large Russian column advancing on Kyiv remains over 30km from the centre of the city having been delayed by staunch Ukrainian resistance, mechanical breakdown and congestion,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

“The column has made little discernible progress in over three days.

“Despite heavy Russian shelling, the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol remain in Ukrainian hands.

“The Russian defence ministry has been forced to admit that 498 Russian soldiers have already been killed and 1,597 wounded in Putin’s war.

“The actual number of those killed and wounded will almost certainly be considerably higher and will continue to rise.”

Despite the delay, Ukrainian officials fear large numbers of people may be dead after “more than 15 hours” of shelling on a city near the Russian border.

The Deputy Mayor of the southeastern city of Mariupol, Sergiy Orlov, has told the BBC a riverside district, normally home to 130,000 people including his father, has been “nearly totally destroyed”.

“We cannot count the number of victims there, but we believe at least hundreds of people are dead. We cannot go in to retrieve the bodies,” he said.

The Russian army is working through all their weapons here – artillery, multiple rocket launch systems, aeroplanes, tactical rockets. They are trying to destroy the city,” Orlov says.

He said Russian forces are several kilometres away on all sides.

It comes as Russia ramps up assaults on key Ukrainian cities, sparking a bleak warning President Vladimir Putin may be planning to use banned weapons against Ukraine.

Read on for the latest updates.

Thousands of Ukrainians off block road to Russian troops

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba has shared an incredible image of thousands of citizens blocking a road leading into the southern city of Energodar.

Mr Kuleba claimed it was “one of hundreds of such photos and videos” showing locals banding together to repel Russian forces, as troops continue to bomb key strategic points in the country’s south.

Mr Kuleba has been one of several Ukrainian officials calling on nations to provide further support to the nation, after Russia took the city of Kherson on Wednesday.

Roughly 280km to the southeast, the city of Mariupol continues to come under heavy fire after the Ukraine military refused to recognise Russia taking control of the city.

“We cannot even take the wounded from the streets, from apartments, since the shelling does not stop,” Mayor Vadym Boichenko said on Thursday.

Russian plan to ‘cut Ukraine in two’

New reports claim Vladimir Putin could be set to “cut Ukraine in two” if Russia successfully seizes another key outpost in the country’s south.

According to the Telegraph, Russian forces have now “established a bridgehead from which his forces can cross the River Dnieper”. Putin has now taken the city of Kherson where mayor Igor Kolykhayev has met with “armed visitors” to agree on “certain conditions”, including the restriction of civilian movement.

“I didn‘t make any promises to them. I just have nothing to promise. I just asked not to shoot people. We do not have Ukrainian armed forces in the city, only civilians and people who want to live here,” Mr Kolykhayev said, confirming Russia had begun to turn use the location for “military administration”.

“Let it be for now. The flag above us is Ukrainian. And in order for it to remain the same, these requirements will have to be met. I can‘t offer anything else.”

Artillery strikes are now “flattening” Mariupol, another key objective for the Russian military. While Ukraine forces have disputed claims the city is under Russia’s control, mayor Vadym Boichenko revealed heavy losses over the previous 24 hours.

“The enemy occupying forces of the Russian Federation have done everything to block the exit of civilians from the city of half a million people,” Mr Boichenko said.

“Our railway link has been cut – they even went to the railway station and fired on our diesel locomotives so that people can‘t be evacuated. So their mission is to destroy us – they have no intention of helping civilians. They have been flattening us non-stop for 12 hours now.”

With both cities under Putin’s control, forces will be able to launch attacks on the captial of Kyiv, a city sustaining days of heavy bombing, from multiple angles.

Germany sends shipment of anti-air missiles

Germany has pledged to increase its support to Ukraine, providing 2,700 more ground-to-air missiles to local forces.

It came as Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the Ukrainian president, called for more humanitarian aid for Ukraine, claiming there has been increased “looting, robbery and murder” in towns where Russian troops are stationed.

Athletes banned from Olympics

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board has refused Russia and Belarus athletes entry to the Games.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon AEDT, the IPC confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus will no longer be allowed to participate in the Beijing Games.

The decision comes 24 hours after the IPC announced that Russian athletes had been cleared to compete at the Winter Paralympics.

Japan responds to Russian ‘helicopter incursion’

Japan has claimed to have scrambled fighter jets to “deter a Russian helicopter incursion into its airspace”. Tokyo’s Ministry of Defence linked the breach to Russia’s military drills in the Sea of Okhotsk.

Japan MP Kono Taro said the violation occurred over Nemuro Peninsula on Wednesday morning local time. The island nation has pledged support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion last week, sparking a feud between the two powers.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Hideki Uyama said Putin’s actions were a direct violation of international law.

“I understand that Russia occupying Northern Territories and Russian military’s invasion happening in Ukraine now are both against international law,” Mr Uyama said.

Zelensky claims 9,000 Russian troops killed

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed 9,000 Russian troops have been killed by local forces since the invasion began eight days ago.

In a video posted on Telegram on Thursday morning, Mr Zelensky hailed his “heroic” nation as Russian forces continue to bombard civilian locations in multiple cities.

“We are a nation that broke the enemy‘s plans in a week. Plans written for years: sneaky, full of hatred for our country, our people,” he said.

Russia refuted Zelensky’s claims on Wednesday, reporting under 500 deaths since the time of invasion.

Ukraine military says Mariupol still under control

Ukraine‘s military has refuted claims Russian forces have taken the southern city of Mariupol, reporting troops have remained “unsuccessful”.

Mariupol has faced ongoing strikes against Russia in recent days and is viewed as a crucial strategic location for the invading forces.

According to the statement, Russian forces have continued their assault on areas near to the capital Kyiv - Vyshgorod, Fastiv and Obukhiv.

“The enemy did not achieve the main goal of capturing Mariupol and reaching the administrative border of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts,” the statement read.

“Part of the enemy forces continues to operate in the areas of settlements Enerhodar, Vasylivka, Tokmak, Novopetrivka. After regrouping and involvement part of the operational reserves from the 205th separate motorised infantry brigade of the 49th General Army of the Russian Armed Forces, it continues the offensive in order to reach the outskirts of Zaporizhia and Mariupol.”

Ukraine Special Forces posts warning to Russian troops

The Ukrainian special forces announced it will no longer capture Russian artillerymen, warning it will “not spare troops” in response to the “brutal shelling” of civilians.

Defence reporter with The Kyiv Independent Illia Ponomarenko posted an update shared to the Ukrainian Special Operations Force’s verified Facebook page, which “vows to identify and assassinate all Russian artillery servicemen responsible for their indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets”.

“You seem to be far away and shoot at targets you can‘t see. You don’t see little children, old people, homes, kindergartens, schools and hospitals - all these are just goals for you,” the translated post reads.

“Every calculation, no matter: commander, driver, guide, charger - will be slaughtered like pigs. Tie your pants up, we‘ve already come for you.

“From now on, there will be no more captured Russian artillery. No mercy, no “please don‘t kill, I surrender” will be getting away.”

“If the enemy thinks that Ukraine will only defend itself, they are wrong. We will do as we see fit,” Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov said.

Political analysts across the globe were immediately alarmed by the stark message. Independent commentator Kyle Kulinski claimed the post was Ukraine forces “admitting to war crimes” by revealing their intention to refuse surrender.

The announcement came as the town of Izium, roughly two hours southeast of the heavily-attacked Kharkiv, reported eight civilians including two children were killed after an air attack hitting a residential building.

Speaking early on Thursday, deputy mayor Volodymyr Matsokin revealed city centre sustained significant damage, with policemen injured after a government building was attacked.

Russian convoy outside Kyiv ‘remains stalled’

US Defense Department Spokesman John Kirby has confired the armoured convoy heading towards Kyiv has “remain stalled”.

“They haven’t from our best estimates made any appreciable progress in the last 24 to 36 hours,” Mr Kirby said at a Pentagon briefing on Wednesday, hinting the delay is due to Russian forces “regrouping themselves and reassessing the progress that they have not made and how to make up the lost time”.

Mr Kirby said “logistics and sustainment challenges” and “resistance from the Ukrainians” continue to plague the Russian forces as Ukraine wakes to the eighth day of conflict since the invasion.

Zelensky: ‘Occupiers are fleeing’

Ukraine’s heroic president Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed the morale of Russian troops is faltering, with many escaping back to Russia.

In a passionate Facebook post, Mr Zelensky praised the efforts of Ukrainians in resisting the invading forces.

“More and more occupiers are fleeing back to Russia, from us, from you, from all those who drive out the enemy with javelins, guns, tanks, helicopters – with everything that shoots. I wish you health, native Ukrainians, strong and kind, but not to the enemy!” he said.

“We are a nation that broke the enemy’s plans in a week — plans those have been built for years, vile, calculated, with hate for our country, for our people, for any people who have 2 things: freedom and heart. But we stopped them and beat them.”

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyclaims Russian morale is “deteriorating”. Picture: UKRAINE PRESIDENCY/AFP
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyclaims Russian morale is “deteriorating”. Picture: UKRAINE PRESIDENCY/AFP

Mr Zelensky also claimed Ukraine’s military, border guards, territorial defence and “even ordinary farmers’ were capturing the Russian military daily – and that all prisoners claimed not to know “why they are here”.

“Despite the fact that there are dozens of times more of them, the morale of the enemy is constantly deteriorating.

“These are not warriors of the superpower, these are confused children who were used.

“They will not have peace here, they will not have food here, they will not have a single quiet moment here. The occupiers will receive only one thing from Ukraine — a rebuff, a worthy rebuff. They will always remember that we do not give up.”

‘No obstacles’: Russia’s message to Kyiv residents

The Russian military has recommended residents fleeing Kyiv to leave the city to Vasylkiv, a neighbouring town just south of the capital.

Speaking on Russian state TV, Major General Igor Konashenkov said locals would not be hindered by Russian troops.

“There will not be any obstacles from Russian military personnel for the exit of the civilian population,” he said.

Terrifying moment blast interrupts live TV report

A CBS reporter’s live cross from Kyiv was interrupted by a horrifying blast as the city faces a barrage of attacks.

Correspondent Charlie D’Agata was just wrapping up an on-air update from the capital when a bright flash lit up the sky behind him.

“What the hell was that?” he asked, before stating it was “almost like lightning”.

A second bright flash hits, and Mr D’Agata ducks for cover and says, “that was close”.

First Ukrainian city falls to Russia

Kherson has become the first Ukrainian city to fall to Russia, with a Ukrainian official confirming it was now under the “complete control” of Putin’s forces.

Kherson – considered to be a strategically key centre – has around 300,000 residents, and its capture could enable Russia to control a significant chunk of the southern coastline and allow troops to head west towards the port city of Odessa.

According to the New York Times, mayor Igor Kolykhaev confirmed Russian troops had encircled the city with Ukrainian forces retreating to the nearby city of Mykolaiv.

Russia has claimed victory over the city, with Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov stating that Kherson was under the “complete control” of Russian forces.

He claimed in a statement that Russian authorities were in talks with Ukrainian leaders and that Kherson’s infrastructure was still operational.

A military truck and tank are seen on a street of Kherson. Picture: Video obtained by Reuters I
A military truck and tank are seen on a street of Kherson. Picture: Video obtained by Reuters I

Russia accused of ‘full-scale genocide’

The mayor of Mariupol has given a powerful interview, accusing Russia of carrying out “genocide” against his people.

The city has been among the hardest hit by Russian troops, with hundreds feared dead after hours of non-stop bombardment.

Mayor Vadym Boychenko told Ukraine’s 1+1 TV Channel that Russian troops had prevented citizens from fleeing to safety.

“There’s been colossal destruction of residential infrastructure, there are many wounded and unfortunately many civilian dead, women, children, old people,” he said.

“A full-scale genocide of the Ukrainian people is underway.

A woman sits at a camp near the Ukrainian-Slovakian border.
A woman sits at a camp near the Ukrainian-Slovakian border.

“You have to understand that the occupation forces of the Russian Federation have done everything to stop the exit of civilians from our city of half a million people.

“Our railway link has been cut – they even went to the railway station and fired on our diesel locomotives so that people can’t be evacuated.

“So their mission is to destroy us, they have no intention of helping civilians.”

Mariupol is seen as especially strategic for the invading forces, as it would allow pro-Russian separatists to link up with troops positioned in Crimea.

‘No movement closer’: 64km convoy failing miserably

A massive, 64km-long convoy of Russian troops and vehicles heading to Kyiv has been hit by major logistic nightmares, with “no appreciable movement closer to the city” made over the past two days.

That’s according to a senior Pentagon official, who claimed Russian forces were now facing serious food and fuel shortages.

The official added that Ukrainians had been strongly resisting north of the capital, and had potentially also “at places and times” targeted the convoy, according to the New York Times.

The insider also confirmed that Russia had failed to take control of Ukrainian skies, and that “Ukrainian air and missile defence capabilities remain intact and viable.”

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby also confirmed the convoy remained “stalled”, CNN reports.

“They haven’t from our best estimates made any appreciable progress in the last 24-36 hours,” Mr Kirby said.

While he said “nothing very significant” had happened in terms of progress, forces were likely intentionally “regrouping themselves and reassessing the progress that they have not made and how to make up the lost time”.

The convoy has “stalled”. Picture: Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies /AFP
The convoy has “stalled”. Picture: Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies /AFP

Four countries side with Russia

A handful of rogue nations have sensationally sided with Russia during a UN vote “deploring” Russia’s “aggression against Ukraine”, which also called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces.

The only nations to vote no in support of Vladimir Putin were Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria, with long-term Russian allies Cuba and Venezuela joining China and 32 others in abstaining.

Meanwhile, 141 of the 193 member states voted in favour of the resolution.

During the meeting, Ukraine’s ambassador to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, compared Mr Putin to Adolf Hitler in a passionate speech, calling on the world to unite against him.

Ukraine's UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya gave a passionate speech at the UN General Assembly Emergency session in New York. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP
Ukraine's UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya gave a passionate speech at the UN General Assembly Emergency session in New York. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP

It comes amid increasing signs Belarus plans to take a more direct role in supporting Russia against Ukraine, with Ukrainian officials claiming some Belarusian troops had already crossed the border.

Russian billionaires flee in yachts

Russian oligarchs have reportedly fled in luxury yachts to locations around the Maldives and Seychelles after US President Joe Biden warned their “ill-begotten gains” would be seized.

In his State of the Union address this week, Mr Biden told oligarchs the US was “joining with our European allies to find and seize your yachts, your luxury apartments, your private jets”.

According to a vessel data analysis by Bloomberg, “the four biggest luxury yachts in the Maldives right now are Russian-owned”.

Roman Abramovich's super yacht Solaris is seen moored at Barcelona Port. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images
Roman Abramovich's super yacht Solaris is seen moored at Barcelona Port. Picture: David Ramos/Getty Images

ICC launches investigation into invasion

The International Criminal Court has announced plans to investigate the unfolding crisis in Ukraine.

“On 28 February, I announced my decision to seek authorisation to open an investigation into the situation in Ukraine, on the basis of my office’s earlier conclusions arising from its preliminary examination, and encompassing any new alleged crimes falling within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court …,” ICC Prosecutor, Karim AA Khan QC, said in a statement.

“In the same statement, I indicated that active investigations by my office would be significantly expedited if a State Party to the Rome Statute … were to refer the situation to my office, as provided in article 14 of the Statute …

“I have notified the ICC Presidency a few moments ago of my decision to immediately proceed with active investigations in the situation. Our work in the collection of evidence has now commenced.”

Belarus ‘participating in invasion’

The EU has cracked down on 22 Belarusian officials and military personnel found to be “participating” in the brutal Ukraine invasion.

Kyiv has been battered by Russian forces.
Kyiv has been battered by Russian forces.

In a document published Wednesday, the EU said the individuals were being targeted “in view of the gravity of the situation and of the fact that Belarus is participating in a Russian unprovoked invasion against Ukraine by allowing military aggression from its territory”.

A number of Belarusian imports will also be blocked.

Russia’s sick plan to use banned weapons

US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has told a UN General Assembly emergency special session on Ukraine that Russia was intentionally destroying crucial infrastructure – and that she feared worse was to come.

“We have seen videos of Russian forces moving exceptionally lethal weaponry into Ukraine, which has no place on the battlefield,” she said.

“That includes cluster munitions and vacuum bombs – which are banned under the Geneva Convention.

Four nations have sided with Russia.
Four nations have sided with Russia.

“We have seen the 40-mile-long (60km) lethal convoy charging toward Kyiv. President Putin continues to escalate – putting Russia’s nuclear forces on high alert, threatening to invade Finland and Sweden. At every step of the way, Russia has betrayed the United Nations. Russia’s actions go against everything this body stands for.”

Dead Russian soldiers litter Ukraine

Confronting pictures of dead Russian soldiers are emerging amid conflicting reports regarding the number of Russian troops have been killed during the invasion.

According to Russia’s military, the fatalities are less than 500, while Ukrainian authorities put that figure far higher, at more than 7000.

They claim hundreds of Russian troops have also been captured and are now prisoners of war.

China’s bombshell Russia move

A shocking Western intelligence report has revealed that China allegedly asked Russia not to invade Ukraine until after the Beijing Winter Olympics had concluded.

According to the New York Times, the report proves Beijing has prior knowledge of the invasion, which began on February 24 – just four days after the Olympic closing ceremony.

In fact, Vladimir Putin met with Chinese President Xi Jinping of China in Beijing on February 4 ahead of the opening ceremony, raising eyebrows at the time.

It comes as China abstained from a UN vote condemning Russia’s invasion.

Russian prisoners turn on Putin

Ukraine’s Security Service has posted videos of emotional, captured Russian soldiers slamming the invasion and claiming they were being treated like “cannon fodder”.

One prisoner of war claimed troops were fighting against “peaceful people defending their territory” while others said they were “lied to” and that they did not want war with their neighbours.

“This is not our war. Mothers and wives, collect your husbands. There is no need to be here,“ an injured soldier said.

“They don’t even pick up the corpses, there are no funerals,” another added of the widespread devastation.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian officials invited Russian mothers to come and pick up their wounded or captured sons in an apparent dig at Moscow.

“A decision has been made to hand over captured Russian troops to their mothers if they come to collect them in Ukraine, in Kyiv,” the defence ministry said in a statement.

The ministry has also set up a telephone hotline for Russian parents to find out if their sons had been killed or captured.

“You will be received and taken to Kyiv where your son will be returned to you,” the ministry statement said.

“Unlike Putin’s fascists, we Ukrainians are not waging war against mothers and their captured children.”

Emotional Russian soldiers have slammed the invasion. Picture: Facebook/Security Service of Ukraine SBU
Emotional Russian soldiers have slammed the invasion. Picture: Facebook/Security Service of Ukraine SBU

Blast hits Kyiv train station

Reports are emerging of a major explosion near the Vokzalna train station in the capital city of Kyiv.

There are fears the blast has knocked out heating supply to residents.

2000 dead in brutal invasion

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that more than 2000 ordinary Ukrainian citizens had been killed over the course of the invasion so far.

“Children, women and defence forces are losing their lives every hour,” Ukraine’s emergency service said in a statement.

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Originally published as Ukraine Russia conflict live updates: Civilians band together to block road into Energodar

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