Zelensky claims Russian army cops ‘biggest blow in decades’
The Ukrainian president has claimed the Russian army has suffered its biggest losses in decades, after 31 tactical battalion groups have “lost capability”.
The Russian army has suffered its biggest losses in decades, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In a Facebook video addressing the city of Mariupol on Saturday, the president said since the beginning of the invasion, 31 Russian tactical battalion groups have lost capability, and more than 360 Russian tanks have been lost.
He claimed that Ukrainian forces are inflicting the “biggest blow to Russia’s army in decades”.
“Our Armed Forces are doing everything to deprive the enemy of any desire to continue the war against Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said, according to Ukrinform.
“The losses of Russian troops are enormous. The dynamics of the invaders’ losses on the 17th day is such that it is safe to say that this is the biggest blow to the Russian army in decades. “They’ve never lost more than that in such a time period.”
He added that groups of Russian troops were surrendering to Ukrainian forces, but that Russia is now recruiting fighters, reservists, conscripts, and mercenaries to “outnumber” Ukrainian forces, CNN reported.
He explained Ukrainian forces will guarantee a ceasefire along the evacuation corridor out of the city to allow supplies into the city, and to facilitate civilian evacuations.
It comes as a Russian air strike on Mariupol’s maternity and children’s hospital on Wednesday left 17 people injured, according to Mariupol city officials.
Three people died, the city council said Thursday, among them, a child.
Couple go head-to-head with Russian soldiers
A Ukrainian couple has gone viral after video footage showed the pair confronting three armed Russian soldiers who broke into their property.
The footage of the tense encounter was shared on Twitter by the embassy in Kyiv on Friday.
It shows the three soldiers in combat gear approach the front of the couple’s gated driveway before trying to break in.
The soldiers eventually open the gate and force themselves in as they move forward
with their weapons drawn.
Dogs can be heard barking in the background before an elderly couple — a man in a blue sweater and a woman in a pink hat — approach the armed men.
Shouting can be heard before one of the soldiers fires his gun.
The couple continues to yell as a fourth soldier enters their property, motioning for them to scram.
Eventually, the soldiers turn around and leave in defeat. The couple can be seen walking them toward the gate, before quickly closing it behind them
The exchange took place in Mykolayiv Oblast, about 80 miles east of Odessa in southern Ukraine, NY Post reports.
The US Embassy Kyiv shared the footage alongside the caption: “Today we salute this elderly couple, who stood up to three Russian soldiers.”
The post has been inundated with ‘likes’ and comments from many around the world applauding the elderly couple.
“Looks like Putin’s mighty troops just got schooled and escorted out by grandma and grandpa,” one person tweeted.
Follow our updates below.
Protest breaks out in Melitpol against mayor’s arrest
More than 2000 residents of Melitopol, a city in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, gathered near the city administration building on Saturday following reports mayor Ivan Fedorov was abducted by Russian forces a day earlier.
Mr Fedorov was taken from the city’s crisis centre by a group of about 10 Russian troops, according to a statement made by Ukraine’s parliament on Twitter.
“Freedom for the Mayor” and “Fedorov,” chanted the crowd, according to a short video by Ukrainian state TV on its Facebook page, CNN reported.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called Fedorov’s arrest a “crime against democracy” in a Facebook video Friday.
Pink Floyd removes music from streaming platforms in Russia
The rock band are protesting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine by removing a large portion of their music catalogue from streaming properties in Russia and Belarus.
In a tweet and Instagram post shared by Pink Floyds official account on Saturday, read: “To stand with the world in strongly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the works of Pink Floyd, from 1987 onwards, and all of David Gilmour’s solo recordings are being removed from all digital music providers in Russia and Belarus from today.”
The included works that are set to be leaving Russian and Belarusian streaming platforms are Pink Floyd studio albums “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987), “The Division Bell” (1994) as well as 2014’s “The Endless River,” the NY Post reported.
Gilmour has released four solo studio albums in his career, the most recent being “Rattle That Lock” in 2015. His entire solo discography is also being removed from streamers, the publication added.
Gilmore has been vocal on his stance against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Russian soldiers, stop killing your brothers. There will be no winners in this war. My daughter-in-law is Ukrainian and my granddaughters want to visit and know their beautiful country. Stop this before it is all destroyed. Putin must go,” he wrote in a tweet, shared last week.
Warehouse near Kyiv catches on fire
A frozen goods warehouse in Brovary district, northeast of Kyiv, caught fire early Saturday morning, according to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry.
The warehouse in Kvitneve was set ablaze as a result of Russian shelling.
Preliminary reports show there were no casualties
Kvitneve is a village 21 miles east of Kyiv.
Russian convoy had circled the Ukrainian capital ahead of a potential attempt to invade the city, NY Post reports.
Russian forces ‘abduct mayor of Ukrainian city’
Video appears to show the mayor of Ukrainian city of Melitopol being kidnapped by Russian forces on Friday.
The footage, shared by the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine, shows a person with their head covered in a black bag being led out of an office building by soldiers, The NY Post reports.
It comes amid claims Mayor Ivan Fedorov was taken from the city’s crisis centre by a group of about 10 Russian troops made by Ukraine’s parliament in a statement on Twitter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky compared Russian soldiers to “ISIS terrorists” in response to the alleged kidnapping which reportedly occurred when Fedorov “refused to co-operate with the enemy”.
The mayor was reportedly kidnapped after he “refused to hand them the city”.
He was taken from the city’s crisis centre by a group of about 10 Russian troops – who put a plastic bag over his head – after he “refused to co-operate with the enemy,” Ukraine’s parliament said
Melitopol: The occupiers kidnapped the mayor of Melitopol, who refused to hand them the city #StopPutinNOW#StopRussia#WARINUKRAINE#Ukraine#mariodraghipic.twitter.com/oSXCvW1vNq
— SSSCIP Ukraine (@dsszzi) March 11, 2022
Zelensky compared Russian soldiers to “ISIS terrorists”, adding: “They have transitioned into a new stage of terror, in which they try to physically liquidate representatives of Ukraine’s lawful local authorities.”
Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry called the kidnapping a war crime. It urged Ukraine’s allies to step up pressure on Russia in response to the mayor’s abduction and continued attacks on civilians.
“We urge the international community to immediately react to the abduction of Ivan Fedorov and other civilians in Ukraine, to strengthen pressure on Russia to force it to end the barbaric war against the Ukrainian people,” the ministry said in a statement on Facebook.
“The facts of the kidnapping of the mayor of Melitopol, as well as hundreds of other facts of war crimes of Russian occupiers on Ukrainian land, are carefully documented by law enforcement agencies. The culprits of this and other crimes will be brought to the harshest accountability.”
Russia squeezes Kyiv as ‘unimaginable’ tragedy looms
Russian forces inched towards Kyiv and pounded civilian areas in other Ukrainian cities Friday, drawing warnings of “unimaginable tragedy” as the United States and the EU moved to tighten the economic noose around the Kremlin.
Sixteen days after Moscow shocked the world by invading Ukraine, the United Nations and others said it may be committing war crimes in cities such as Mariupol, which for days now has been besieged by Vladimir Putin’s forces.
On Friday officials in the southern port said more than 1500 people had been killed during 12 days of attacks.
Survivors have been trying to flee Russian bombardment in a freezing city left without water or heating, and running out of food. The situation is “desperate”, a Doctors Without Borders official said.
“Hundreds of thousands of people … are for all intents and purposes besieged,” Stephen Cornish, one of those heading the medical charity’s Ukraine operation, told AFP in an interview.
“Sieges are a medieval practice that have been outlawed by the modern rules of war for good reason. We are really heading towards an unimaginable tragedy. There is still time to avoid it, and we must see it avoided.”
As Russia widens its bombardment and talks between Moscow and Kyiv seemingly go nowhere, Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky’s pleas for NATO to intervene have grown increasingly desperate.
US President Joe Biden on Friday again ruled out direct action against nuclear-armed Russia, warning that it would lead to “World War III.” Instead Washington added more layers of sanctions to those already crippling Russia’s economy, this time ending normal trade relations and announcing a ban on signature Russian goods vodka, seafood and diamonds.
The United States and the European Union also suspended the export of their luxury goods to Russia.
“Putin must pay the price. He cannot pursue a war that threatens the very foundation of international peace and stability and then ask for help from the international community,” Mr Biden said from the White House.
He spoke as the United Nations said 2.5 million people had now fled Ukraine and around two million more had been internally displaced by the war.
Russia bans Instagram over ‘calls to violence’
Instagram has temporarily changed its rules to allow posts that call for the death of Russian leader Vladimir Putin in some countries.
Leaked internal emails from Meta to its content moderators revealed the social media platforms will temporarily allow posts regarding the war in Ukraine for the countries involved and most neighbouring European countries, The Independent reports.
Such posts will not be allowed if they include two suggestions that the threat is credible – such as the location and method – or other targets, one email reportedly said.
Calls for violence against Russians were acceptable when the post is clearly talking about the invasion of Ukraine.
The temporary policy changes apply to Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Russia and Ukraine.
However Russia’s state media watchdog Roskomnadzor says Instagram will be blocked in the country in response.
Russian Prosecutor General’s Office called for a criminal investigation to be launched against Meta, citing Russian propaganda and extremism laws, according to the BBC.
On March 4, Russia blocked Facebook over claims of “discrimination” against local media.
Israeli PM reportedly tells Zelensky to ‘surrender’
A senior Ukrainian official claims Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has told President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept Putin’s conditions in order to end the conflict.
After Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, Mr Bennett was the first world leader to speak to Putin in person.
Axios reports the call between Mr Bennett and Mr Zelensky occurred on Tuesday, with Ukrainian officials rebuffing the Israeli Prime Minister’s suggestions.
"Bennett is basically telling us to surrender and we have no intention of doing that," the senior Ukrainian official said.
“His initiative looks like an excuse for why he is not speaking out against Russia, not providing weapons to Ukraine and not sanctioning Russia,” they added.
However, the claims have been disputed by Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The claimed the mediation talks were conducted on a private line and were only attended by Mr Zelensky and his close advisers.
They also said that recommendations had not been given during the talks, which are being focused on “stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine”.
Zelensky: Ukraine hits ‘strategic turning point’
The Ukrainian President has delivered a hopeful message to Ukrainian citizens urging that the military had reached a “reached a strategic turning point,” that would see them win against the Russian invasion.
“It is impossible to say how many days we still have (ahead of us) to free Ukrainian land. But we can say we will do it,” he said. “We are already moving towards our goal, our victory.”
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the country was ‘moving towards victory’ in war with Russia and urged Ukrainians to sow as many crops as possible this spring despite the invasion https://t.co/F8yIJyVFAapic.twitter.com/ktoQ1TKb1Y
— Reuters (@Reuters) March 11, 2022
He also called the invasion a “patriotic war” against “a very stubborn enemy” and once again accused Russia of pulling reservists and conscripts into battle.
Mr Zelensky then called on Ukrainian people to partake in “a full-fledged sowing campaign” to grow crops during the spring time in preparation for their victory.
“It is about life. Life is important. It is about our life, our dreams, our future and hence, our victory,” he said.
White House briefs TikTok stars on Ukraine war
The White House has briefed 30 TikTok stars in relation to the invasion of Ukraine, after identifying the platform as a channel where Gen Z consume news.
The Zoom call was joined by Nationa Security Council staffers and White House press secretary Jen Psaki and occurred on Thursday afternoon, The Washington Post reports. During the meeting, influencers were able to submit questions about the conflict and the US’ response and strategic goals in relation to the Ukraine invasion.
Other topics discussed during the call included whether the US would consider military intervention in the Ukraine and the potential for the US to impose no-fly zones over Ukraine.
Some of the names included in the call were Jules Terpak, Kahlil Greene, Jules Suzdaltsev, Marcus DiPaola and Ellie Zeiler.
SCOOP: The Biden administration has been briefing dozens of TikTok stars about the war in Ukraine, I obtained audio of yesterday’s big briefing which shines light on how the administration is promoting their messaging w/ creators https://t.co/nTfFVlDYzI
— Taylor Lorenz (@TaylorLorenz) March 11, 2022
Woman ‘blown up’ while evacuating from Kyiv
The employees of a 31-year-old Ukrainian woman, said the trained medic was killed by a Russian tank while evacuating from a village near Kyiv.
Employees of USAID and Chemonics said Valeriia “Lera” Maksetska, her ill mother Irina and a driver named Yaroslav, were waiting for a Russian convoy to pass when the blast occurred. All three died in the attack.
I'm enormously sad to share the death of Valeriia "Lera" Maksetska—proud Ukrainian, beloved @USAID implementing partner & brilliant, compassionate leader on building social cohesion & fighting disinformation.
— Samantha Power (@PowerUSAID) March 9, 2022
She was killed by the Russian military just shy of her 32nd birthday. pic.twitter.com/ZoMJJN2CJW
In a tribute to her colleague, USAID administrator Samantha Power said Lera had remained in Kyiv during the invasion in order to help others but decided to evacuate when her mother ran out of medicine.
“She survived the shelling of Donetsk, moved to Kyiv, and started working with USAID – where she became beloved as ‘a brave woman with a kind heart,’” wrote Ms Power.
“As Lera wrote when Kyiv was attacked, she was angry at the awful violence ‘but so proud to be a Ukrainian & live someplace where beliefs matter’.”
‘More momentum:’ Kyiv siege advances
There are fears Russia is gaining ground on a potential assault on Ukraine’s capital.
During a press briefing on Friday, Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said intensifying attacks could signal Russia’s imminent assault on Kyiv.
“There‘s Russian bombardment and shelling going on quite violently as we speak,” Mr Kirby told reporters.
“And we do assess that the Russians are beginning to make more momentum on the ground towards Kyiv, particularly from the east.”
While Russia’s 64km convoy seems to have stalled in the past week, it’s believed Putin will attempt to overthrow Ukraine’s elected government in order to install a puppet regime should he capture Kyiv.
Kyiv: ‘City under siege’
Describing the situation, presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak called Kyiv a “city under siege”.
He tweeted that it was “ready to fight”, with checkpoints prepared and supply lines in place, adding: “Kyiv will stand until the end”.
This comes as Ukrainian military warned Russia was trying to “block” Kyiv by taking out defences to the west and north of the capital, adding that there was also a risk to Brovary in the east.
The northwest suburbs, including Irpin and Bucha, have already endured days of heavy bombardment but Russian armoured vehicles are also advancing on the northeastern edge.
Ukrainian soldiers described fierce fighting for control of the main highway leading into the capital, with AFP reporting missile strikes in Velyka Dymerka just outside Kyiv’s limits on Thursday.
Russia to ban Instagram, YouTube response amps up
Russia has dubbed Meta – which own Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp – as an “extremist organisation,” after claims the conglomerate had relaxed their moderation policies.
Reuters reported that emails to sent to Facebook and Instagram moderators would allow posts which incited violence against Russian soldier, President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko. Content around violence against Russian civilians will continue to be banned.
The concession however, is only available for users in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Ukraine.
However, Russia has retaliated against the alleged changes by banning Instagram and making an application which would officially recognise Meta as a “extremist organisation”. If approved this would see all of Meta’s platforms banned across the country.
âš¡ï¸Russia blocks Instagram.
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) March 11, 2022
Russia has blocked the social network after its parent company, Meta, said it would relax its hate speech policy, allowing calls for violence against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian troops fighting in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, YouTube has also announced they would begin blocking global access to Russian state-funded media. Previously the Google-owned site had prevented accounts like RT and Sputnik from monetising their content, as well as being accessed in Europe.
In an announcement on Twitter, YouTube also said that content which “minimises or trivialises well-documented violent events” will also be removed.
While the changes were implemented immediately, the streaming site said it may “take time” for their systems to “ramp up”.
Putin not engaging is ‘serious diplomacy’
The first high-level talks between the two sides on Thursday failed to make a breakthrough, but Putin said negotiations are “now being held on an almost daily basis”.
However, US Vice President Kamala Harris said Putin showed “no sign of engaging in serious diplomacy” to end the war.
“That’s why we engaged in historic sanctions, with the effect of a free falling rouble, the Russian stock market is still not open, their credit ranking is now junk,” the Vice President said, warning of further sanctions against Russia’s “atrocious and outrageous conduct.”
The situation is particularly dire in the southern port city of Mariupol where local officials said Friday more than 1,500 people have been killed during 12 days of Russian siege.
– with AFP
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