Russia Ukraine live updates: Putin makes shock move to punish the West

Vladimir Putin has audaciously put Western nations in a very uncomfortable position by announcing a brutal move on state TV.

Moscow has been lashed with multiple warnings to stop its military advance of Ukraine, as grim predictions have been made about its war effort.

As Ukraine enters its fifth week of invasion, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres called on the country to begin peacetalks, calling continued military action “unwinnable”.

This comes as a key spokesman for Vladimir Putin refused to quash fears of Russia issuing a nuclear attack.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Dmitry Peskov said Russia would consider the use of atomic weapons should they face an “existential threat” from Ukraine.

The US is currently preparing further sanctions against more than 300 members of Russia‘s lower house of parliament. The new measures will be implemented as soon as Thursday, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“We will have additional sanctions measures to announce that will be rolled out in conjunction with our allies on Thursday when the President has the opportunity to speak with them,” a White House statement said.

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Follow on for our live updates.

Putin stuns the world with shock move

President Vladimir Putin has audaciously stated on live TV that Russia will only accept payments in rubles for gas deliveries to “unfriendly countries”, which include all EU members, after Moscow was hit by unprecedented sanctions over Ukraine.

It means that these nations will soon have to convert their payments to Russian rubles if they want gas.

“I have decided to implement a set of measures to transfer payment for our gas supplies to unfriendly countries into Russian rubles,” Putin said during a televised government meeting, ordering the changes to be implemented within a week.

Putin ordered the nations’ central bank to develop a mechanism to make ruble payments in a matter of days.

Russia has earlier named the US, UK and members of the European Union “unfriendly” nations.

Putin instructed Gazprom to transfer payments for #Russian gas supplies to #Europe into rubles "as soon as possible". pic.twitter.com/IJIQUbv0kc

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 23, 2022

“At the same time, I want to emphasise that Russia will definitely continues to supply natural gas in line with the volumes and prices, pricing mechanisms set forth in the existing contracts,” Putin said.

Gas prices are surging in response to the move — jumping as much as 21 per cent on ICE Endex in Amsterdam overnight.

Poland expels dozens of Russian diplomats

Poland's Interior Minister Mariusz Kaminski confirmed the nation had “expelled 45 Russian spies pretending to be diplomats”.

“The internal security agency has drawn up a list of 45 people working in Poland under the cover of diplomatic activities,” ABW spokesman Stanislaw Zaryn told reporters, accusing the suspects of targeting Poland.

The counter-espionage service said the list of suspects had been transferred to the foreign ministry, tweeting that “ABW is requesting that they be expelled from Polish territory”.

The ABW “has detained a Polish national on suspicion of espionage for the Russian secret services,” the spokesman added on Twitter.

“The detainee worked in the archives of Warsaw‘s registry office,” he said.

“The activity of the suspect posed a threat to both (the) internal and external security of Poland.”

Poland has just expelled over 40 Russian diplomats on charges of spying. Setting the stage for Biden's visit later this week.

— Zakka Jacob (@Zakka_Jacob) March 23, 2022

Putin warned as officials claim army is ‘static’

UK’s Ministry of Defence has revealed Russia’s fighting force in the north is “largely static” and is yet to get into a viable position to take the capital of Kyiv, almost one full month into the current conflict.

“Russian forces are likely conducting a period of reorganisation before resuming large-scale offensive operations,” the latest dossier released on Wednesday read.

Analysts believe the move is part of an attempt to “envelop Ukrainian forces in the east of the country”, as the demolition of southern cities, including the “hellscape” in Mariupol, continues.

It came as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged Moscow to “immediately” stop fighting, declaring the campaign has hit a major snag despite continuous attacks on civilian centres.

“Putin‘s offensive is stuck despite all the destruction that it is bringing day after day,” Mr Scholz said in a speech to the German parliament.

“But that is just the beginning, many of the toughest consequences will only been seen in the coming weeks,” he said, warning the under-fire leader the EU “are constantly creating sanctions”.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 23 March 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/PCEfBZMADk

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/gmDkmzjI7F

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 23, 2022

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said an agreement has been reached between the opposing powers to try to evacuate civilians trapped in Ukrainian towns and cities via nine humanitarian corridors today.

Russian invasion of Ukraine.#AFPgraphics showing key developments in Ukraine as of March 23, 06:00 GMT pic.twitter.com/b0b8Xb8nTm

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 23, 2022

Ukraine says Russia seized humanitarian convoy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russian forces of seizing 15 humanitarian workers on their way to provide essential aid for the decimated city of Mariupol, as evacuations and shelling continue into the four-week long conflict.

“Sadly, almost all of our efforts are sabotaged by Russian occupants, by [their] shelling or deliberate terror,” he said.

“Today, one of the humanitarian convoys was seized by occupants on an arranged route near Mangush.

“Employees of the State Emergency Service and bus drivers have been taken captive. We are doing everything to set our people free and unblocked the movement of humanitarian cargo.”

Nearly 100,000 people are reported to be trapped inside the ruins of Mariupol. The besieged port city has faced weeks of bombing and shelling from Russian forces, while being cut off from water, electricity, food and medication.

The conditions are so poor, they’ve been described by the Human Rights Watch as a “freezing hellscape riddled with dead bodies and destroyed buildings”.

While Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky estimates 7026 have been able to escape the city, several attempts to create humanitarian corridors and evacuations have previously been sabotaged by Russian attacks.

On the President’s Tuesday nightly address (local time), Mr Zelensky said the remaining residents were living in “inhumane conditions,” with Russian troops instilling “deliberate terror” on those attempting to flee.

Earlier in the day, Mr Zelensky issued a grim plea to the Kremlin where he urged Russia to allow civilians to evacuate Mariupol.

“There is nothing left there. Only ruins,” said Mr Zelensky in a video-link up with the Italian parliament.

Reports from Tuesday morning also suggested that Russian soldiers have begun entering the city.

This comes as the city was rocked by two “super powerful bombs” on Wednesday morning, however the death toll as a result of the attack has yet to be revealed.

‘Unwinnable:’ Grim prediction for Russia’s war effort

The United Nations has declared Russia’s war on Ukraine “unwinnable”, imploring its government to begin peace talks.

“Sooner or later, it will have to mhumanove from the battlefield to the peace table. This is inevitable,” said Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, addressing journalists outside the Security Council.

“The only question is: How many more lives must be lost?

“How many more bombs must fall? How many more Mariupols must be destroyed? How many more Ukrainians and Russians will be killed before everyone realises that this war has no winners – only losers?”

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is not going well.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian and US sources have said that Russia’s military efforts have been greatly depleted.

In a press briefing with the US Department of Defence, a senior official places Russia’s combat power at “just below 90 per cent”.

They did however, explain that while they’re “expending an awful lot” during combat, they also have “a lot available to them”.

“We recognise they are taking casualties every day,” said the official.

“They are losing aircraft. They are losing armour and vehicles, no doubt about that.

“We do see them continue to suffer casualties and losses, but they had – they built up an awful lot of combat power.”

The senior defence official said that while Russia had suffered heavy losses, their reserves were also large. Picture: Sean Gallup/Getty Images.

Today, a report from the Ukrainian military claimed Russian forces have a mere three days worth of food, ammunition and fuel left.

Pentagon officials agreed that Russian forces are “struggling on many fronts,” and that several isolated units have reported supply issues, The Guardian reports.

“It is consistent with an advance which has ground to a halt. Failures in the logistic chain has been one of the reasons they have not been as effective as they hoped,” they wrote.

Russian forces are running out of food, ammunition and fuel supplies, Ukrainian forces claimed. Picture: Reuters/ Alexander Ermochenko.

The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine also claimed that Russia had resorted to “hidden mobilisation” tactics, accusing the Russian Prosecutor’s Office of offering to release all credit obligations from people who sign a contract with the army. Similar proposals have also been given to criminals in exchange for full amnesty.

“Given the total failure to replenish the military reserve, the occupiers are moving to new forms of hidden ‘mobilisation,’” a spokesman wrote via their Facebook.

A devastating bombing of a Mariupol theatre on March 16 was believed to have hit a theatre where hundreds of civilians were sheltering in. Picture: Supplied

‘Existential threat:’ Russia refuses to deny use of nuclear weapons

In a bold declaration, Vladimir Putin’s press secretary refused to quash the potential for nuclear weapons to be used in Russia’s assault on Ukraine.

CNN reports Dmitry Peskov repeatedly denied ruling out the possibility of a nuclear attack in order to achieve Russia’s military goals.

“If it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be,” Mr Peskov told CNN’s chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour.

Mr Peskov doubled down on Russia’s goals to demilitarise Ukraine and accused the government of being “nationalist battalions”.

When asked about how Russia was progressing in the conflict, Mr Peskov vaguely hinted Mr Putin “hasn’t achieved” his goals to date but said it was “going on strictly in accordance with the plans and the purposes that were established beforehand”.

There are fears Russia could employ nuclear weapons.

Footage captures cruise missiles headed for Ukraine

Footage has been shared of several cruise missiles being launched off the coast of Russia-occupied waters.

CNN confirmed the geolocation of the footage, which shows projectiles headed towards Ukraine from Sevastopol, the largest city in Crimea.

Speaking in Russian, a man’s voice can be heard saying: “It’s clear there’s a ship standing out there in the distance. It’s firing something, but where, you can’t see.”

Located at the bottom of Ukraine, Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukrainian rule in 2014. However, the territory is still internationally recognised as being a part of Ukraine.

Crimea missile

Zelensky continues negotiations with Putin

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky and his government have continued attempts at peace talks with Russia.

He also thanked Pope Francis and the international community for denouncing Russia’s military aggressions.

“We continue working on different levels to make sure that Russia is convinced that this atrocious war has to be stopped. We continue our difficult negotiations. This is challenging. Sometimes scandalous,” he wrote via his government’s Facebook page.

“I am grateful to all of the international intermediators who work with us and bring the true picture to Russia and convince them to see the reality of combat actions. And that the world is not going to stop the truth, our truth.”

“We will fight until the end bravely and openly,” he added.

Mr Zelensky called the negotiations ‘difficult and challenging’. Picture: Handout/ AFP/ Ukrainian Presidential Press Service.

On Wednesday morning, a statement from Elysée Palace confirmed talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and Mr Putin have also continued.

Mr Macron has publicly spoken about his support for Ukraine and have attempted to arrange a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

“There is currently no agreement but President Macron remains convinced of the need to continue his efforts. There is no other way out than a ceasefire and Russia’s good faith negotiations with Ukraine,” it read.

While peacetalks between Mr Zelensky and Mr Putin have yet to be slated, the Ukranian President said the failure of these talks could lead to “third World War”.

“I’m ready for negotiations with him. I was ready for the last two years. And I think that without negotiations we cannot end this war,” he told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria.

Forest fires spotted around Chernobyl

Satellite imagery from the European Space Agency has revealed at least seven forest fires near the Chernobyl nuclear site, stoking radiation fears.

The Ukrainian parliament (RADA) said 62 personnel were evacuated from the station and blamed the fires on the “armed aggression of the Russian Federation, namely the shelling or arson”.

A statement from RADA said that the fires within a 10km radius of “radioactive waste management infrastructure” and areas with “significant levels of radionuclide contamination”.

At least seven forest fires have been reported near the Chernobyl nuclear site. Picture: Sergei Supinsky/ AFP.

‘Has form:’ Biden says Russia considering chemical weapons

US President, Joe Biden said there are now “clear” signs Russia is considering the use of chemical and biological weapons against Ukraine.

Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Biden claimed Russia “has form here – it’s used them before” but also warned that it would lead to “severe consequences” from the “united NATO front”. He said this was due to Russia falsely accusing the Ukrainian government of being in possession of similar weapons.

US President Joe Biden said there were clear signs Russia could resort to chemical and biological weapons against Ukraine. Picture: Jim Watson/ AFP.

Since Mr Biden’s quotes emerge, there has been criticism over whether Russia has historically used chemical weapons. According to the BBC, his claims likely date back to 2018 when it was alleged two Russian nationals attempted to murder former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter using a military-grade Novichok nerve agent.

The Kremlin have repeatedly denied the accusations.

Previously, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also predicted that Russia could resort to chemical or biological weapons use in Ukraine. She also made claims that Russia could use the weapons in a “false flag operation,” in which a group orchestrates an attack and puts the blame on another party.

This can also occur when a country attacks itself but instead attempts to pin the blame on another organisation or government.

Now that Russia has made these false claims, and China has seemingly endorsed this propaganda, we should all be on the lookout for Russia to possibly use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, or to create a false flag operation using them. It’s a clear pattern.

— Jen Psaki (@PressSec) March 9, 2022

‘Dangerous new period’ in Russian war

Military analysts fear Russia’s could change tactics in its war on Ukraine as the nation’s military struggle to make inroads on the ground.

An assessment from the US-based Institute for the Study of War shared fears Russian forces may resort to bombings and bombardments, which could result in higher civilian casualties.

“If the war in Ukraine settles into a stalemate condition, Russian forces will continue to bomb and bombard Ukrainian cities, devastating them and killing civilians, even as Ukrainian forces impose losses on Russian attackers and conduct counter-attacks of their own,” the assessment from March 19 read.

Military analysts have feared Russia could resort to more aggressive attacks as their on-ground military struggle to make progress. Picture: Aris Messinis/AFP

“The Russians could hope to break Ukrainians’ will to continue fighting under such circumstances by demonstrating Kyiv’s inability to expel Russian forces or stop their attacks even if the Russians are demonstrably unable to take Ukraine’s cities.

“Ukraine’s defeat of the initial Russian campaign may therefore set conditions for a devastating protraction of the conflict and a dangerous new period testing the resolve of Ukraine and the West.”

Examples of this more aggressive strategy has already been seen in Mariupol, where Russian forces have begun shelling the city from the sea, a senior Pentagon official said.

Up to seven Russian warships have been seen in the Sea of Azov, The Washington Post reported.

Key Russian ally ‘likely’ to join war

One of Russia’s key allies – Belarus – could “soon” join the invasion of Ukraine, in claims made by US and NATO officials.

It’s believed Belarus has already begun “preparing the environment to justify” the offensive.

“(Russian President Vladimir) Putin needs support. Anything would help,” a NATO official told CNN.

While Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko is an established ally of Vladimir Putin, the country has served as a geographical staging ground for Russia’s attack.

New: The US and NATO believe that Belarus could “soon” join Russia in its war against Ukraine, US and NATO officials tell CNN, and that the country is already taking steps to do so, officials tell me, @VascoCNN@jimsciutto@jmhanslerhttps://t.co/53fyi5DPWT

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) March 22, 2022

Russian forces partially entered Ukraine from Belarus which sits to its north, with

Mr Putin also attempting to offer the country as a potential safehaven for Ukrainian refugees, in a move that was admonished by the Ukrainian and international governments.

Controversially, Mr Lukashenko also accused Western nations, i.e. NATO countries, into pushing Russia into the war. This links back to Mr Putin’s initial justification of the invasion for the purposes of the “demilitarisation” of Ukraine. For reference he also called for the “denazification” of the country too, despite the Ukrainian President being Jewish himself.

“Now there is a lot of talk against the banking sector, gas, oil, SWIFT,” he said.

“It’s worse than war. This is pushing Russia into a Third World War.

“We need to be restrained here so as not to get into trouble. Because nuclear war is the end of everything.”