Here's what you need to know from day ten of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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It's now the 10th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which was launched by President Vladimir Putin on February 24.
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The key points to know from Saturday
- Ukraine's statehood is in jeopardy and sanctions on Russia akin to declaring war, says Putin.
- NATO's failure to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine is a "sign of weakness", says Ukraine's foreign minister.
- NATO says such a move would risk a wider war in Europe.
- Ukraine's president makes a 'desperate plea' to US lawmakers for planes and drones.
- Russian forces advance on a third nuclear site. Radiation levels at Zaporizhzhya, Europe's largest, are normal, says IAEA.
- The next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will take place on Monday.
- On Saturday, Russia said it would allow the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha. But evacuations were postponed in Donetsk Oblast amid claims Russian troops had violated the ceasefire.
- Battles have continued northwest of Kyiv and heavy strikes have hit Kharkiv and Okhtyrka. Ukrainian forces were said to be still holding Chernihiv in the north.
- The UN Human Rights Office said that 351 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the beginning of the invasion.
- More than 1.3 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion began 10 days ago.
- Facebook and Twitter are blocked in Russia. Other independent media have also been forced off-air.
Thanks and goodbye
More than 1.3 million have now fled Ukraine
More than 1.3 million Ukrainians have fled their homeland in just over a week, the latest figures from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reveal.
In the 10 days since Russia's invasion, 1.37 million people have left Ukraine.
Of those that left between 24 February and 4 March, more than half went to Poland. Hungary and Moldova were the second most popular choices.
Russian soldier fires weapon at Kherson protest
Further verified footage shows a Russian soldier firing his weapon in the air when confronted by a crowd at the same location.
Люди в Херсоне проводят митинг под пулями #Украина #UkraineWar pic.twitter.com/siU2BsHJ5F
— Алексей Кириленко (@Kirilenko_a) March 5, 2022
Ukraine's statehood 'in jeopardy'
“If they continue to do what they are doing, they are calling into question the future of Ukrainian statehood,” he said. “And if this happens, it will be entirely on their conscience.”
He also hit out at Western sanctions that have crippled Russia's economy and sent the value of its currency tumbling.
“These sanctions that are being imposed, they are akin to declaring war,” he said during a televised meeting with flight attendants from Russian airline Aeroflot. “But thank God, we haven’t got there yet.”
Russian forces 'advancing' on third nuclear reactor
Russian forces have now seized two Ukrainian nuclear power plants and are advancing toward a third, Ukraine’s president said during a call with US senators Saturday.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the third plant currently under threat is the Yuzhnoukrainsk nuclear power plant, located 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Mykolaiv, one of several cities the Russians were trying to keep encircled Saturday.
One of the plants under the Russians' control is the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in the southeastern city of Enerhodar, the biggest nuclear power plant in Europe. The other is Chernobyl, which is not active but is still staffed and maintained. Previous Russian shelling sparked a fire at the Zaporizhzhia plant that was extinguished without a release of radiation.
Technical safety systems are intact and radiation levels are still normal at the Zaporizhzhia plant, according to the country’s nuclear regulator, the International Atomic Energy Agency said Saturday.
Next round of Russia-Ukraine talks on Monday
Lack of no-fly zone 'a sign of weakness'
Protests held in cities worldwide against the war
Residents of Kherson, the southern Ukrainian city currently under Russian control, took to the streets to demonstrate against the presence of the Russian troops.
Russian soldiers fired warning shots but the protest continued.
Several thousand people also gathered in Paris at the Place de la République, to show their support for Ukraine and to demonstrate their opposition to the Russian invasion.
Similar scenes were also observed in Lisbon, London, Zurich and Tokyo.
UK response to Ukrainian refugee crisis shows 'lack of humanity': French Minister
Gérald Darmanin went on to criticise this "totally inappropriate response" and a "lack of humanity" towards refugees in "distress", "often women with young children, the elderly or disabled".
In total, "more than 400 Ukrainian nationals" have arrived in Calais since the beginning of the war, according to the Interior Minister.
For several days, their situation has been a source of friction between London and Paris, whose relations are already strained by the issue of illegal migrant crossings.
The French government announced on Thursday that the UK would install "a sort of consulate" in Calais to issue visas directly to Ukrainians.
"It is becoming imperative that your consular representation, exceptionally and for the time of the crisis, be able to issue visas for family reunification directly in Calais," said Gérald Darmanin.
"It would be incomprehensible if consular reinforcements were deployed for this purpose throughout Europe, and even in Ukraine, and if the same could not be done at the closest point to your border," he said.
"Our coasts have been the scene of too many human tragedies", he concluded, referring to the shipwreck that cost the lives of 27 migrants at the end of November, "let's not add to that the loss of these Ukrainian families.
Russia and Belarus suspended from participation in the International Union of Railways
Russia likely 'shifting responsibility for future civilian casualties': UK
Moldova reaching 'breaking point' over refugees
Zelenskyy appeals to US lawmakers for more planes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea” to US senators on Saturday to send more planes to help the country fight the Russian invasion.
Zelenskyy made the request on a call joined by more than 300 people, including senators, some House lawmakers and aides.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement that Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine."
“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Schumer said.
Schumer told Zelenskyy the US lawmakers are inspired by him and by the strength and courage of the Ukrainian people, according to another person on the call who was granted anonymity to discuss it.
The U.S. Congress also is working on a $10 billion(€9.1 billion) package of military and humanitarian aide, and Schumer told Zelenskyy that lawmakers hope to send it quickly to Ukraine, the person said.
Zelenskyy told senators he needs planes and drones more than other security tools, according to a senior Senate aide granted anonymity to discuss the private meeting.
Inflicting losses on Rusia ' they could not see in their worst nightmare': Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces were holding key cities in the central and southeastern part of the country Saturday, while the Russians were trying to block and keep encircled Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Sumy.
“We’re inflicting losses on the occupants they could not see in their worst nightmare,” Zelenskyy said. He alleged that 10,000 Russian troops were killed in the 10 days of the war, a claim that could not be independently verified. The Russian military doesn't offer regular updates on their casualties. Only once, on Wednesday, they revealed a death toll of nearly 500.
“This is horrible,” Zelenskyy said. “Guys 18, 20 years old ... soldiers who weren’t even explained what they were going to fight for.”
World watching which nation stand up to Russia, US tells China
Italy's state broadcaster Rai suspends reporting in Russia
Rai's measure, effective Saturday, follows similar moves by some other foreign media. Rai said the measure is necessary to “safeguard the safety of its journalists in the place as well as the maximum freedom of information about the country."
Russia on Friday passed a law foreseeing prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading what is deemed to be fake information about its armed forces.
Ukraine claims Russian authorities ordering troops not to carry ID papers
Fashion and Protest: How Blue and Yellow might become the new black
In the midst of Milan Fashion Week, the most inspiring street style was not to be found outside the shows of the hottest Italian designers but gathering outside the world's parliamentary buildings.
In cities across the world from Tallinn to Tokyo, Tehran to Tbilisi, protesters gathered over the weekend brandishing the signature blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag to show support as Russia declared war on its neighbour. An image of an elderly woman dressed in a blue headscarf and yellow jacket, reportedly taken on the Moscow metro, went viral for the brave message of solidarity it sent.
Early signs of the fashion industry wishing to use its voice for the cause also emerged. Giorgio Armani hosted a silent fashion show to acknowledge the sombre mood. One showgoer was spotted outside the Prada catwalk carrying a white bag brandished with “No War In Ukraine” in red letters. At the SAG Awards in California, actress Greta Lee walked the red carpet in a blue and yellow Marc Jacobs ensemble that many took to be a show of support for Ukraine.
351 Ukrainian civilians killed since beginning of invasion: UN
Any country imposing no-fly zone would be 'participant' in conflict: Putin
"We will consider any such development as participation in the armed conflict of any country from whose territory a threat is created to our military," he said of a possible "no-fly zone over the territory of Ukraine."
Russia violating Geneva Conventions over ceasefire violation
German public broadcasters ARD and ZDF suspending reporting from their Moscow studios
The two broadcasters said it is in reaction to Russia passing a law foreseeing prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading what is deemed to be fake information about its armed forces.
The measure was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on Friday and already prompted some foreign media including the BBC and Bloomberg to say they were suspending operations within Russia.
ARD and ZDF said in a statement that they are examining the consequences of the new legislation and suspending reporting from the Moscow studios for now.
400 people successfully evacuated Volnovakha: Governor
Aeroflot suspends international flights
Italy seizes two superyachts
Italian financial police have seized two Russian-owned superyachts moored in a Ligurian port after Italy’s foreign minister announced plans to sequester €140 million from Russian billionaires in Italy.
Foreign Minister Luigio Di Maio told Italian state TV Friday evening that “this is the only way to convince” Putin “to reason.’’
Financial police in the port of Imperia immediately seized the 65-meter (215-foot) “Lady M,” with an estimated value of €65 million, owned by Alexei Mordashov, as well as the “Lena,” valued at €50 million and belonging to Gennady Timchenko. Other seizures were reportedly under way.
Moscow defends new law on 'false information' regarding invasion
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has defended Russia’s adoption of a law setting out prison sentences of up to 15 years for spreading what is deemed to be fake information about its armed forces.
The measure was signed into law by President Vladimir Putin on Friday and prompted some foreign media including the BBC and Bloomberg to say they were suspending operations within Russia.
Peskov told reporters the measure was justified on the grounds of an “information war which was unleashed against our country.” Asked how Russians could express opinions which don’t match the official government position, Peskov said “within the bounds of the law.”
The passing of the law comes amid a broader crackdown on media outlets and social media in Russia. Facebook and Twitter were both blocked Friday in Russia.