Moscow’s forces hampered in efforts to resume their offensive towards Kyiv, says Ministry of Defence
Putin spokesman refuses to rule out use of nuclear weapons
Russian troops bogged down and unable to make advances on the outskirts of Kyiv are facing “successful counter attacks” by Ukrainian forces and may even become encircled in the coming days, a British military intelligence update claims.
The Ministry of Defence said in an assessment published on Wednesday evening that Kyiv was “increasing pressure on Russian forces” north-east of the capital, and that Vladimir Putin’s battalions were now “facing considerable supply and morale issues”.
The intelligence note said: “Ukrainian forces are carrying out successful counter attacks against Russian positions in towns on the outskirts of the capital, and have probably retaken Makariv and Moschun.
“There is a realistic possibility that Ukrainian forces are now able to encircle Russian units in Bucha and Irpin.
“It is likely that successful counter attacks by Ukraine will disrupt the ability of Russian forces to reorganise and resume their own offensive towards Kyiv.”
Chernobyl fires: Most blazes contained, minister confirms
Most of the fires that broke out in the Chernobyl exclusion zone have been contained, the Ukrainian minister of ecology and natural resources Ruslan Strelets said.
Wildfires, common occurrences in the spring and summer time, broke out in the sensitive area last week.
The minister said that more than 30 fires were recorded in the area over the past two weeks.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 05:14
UNGA to vote on resolution blaming Russia for Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis
The United Nations General Assembly will vote today on a resolution blaming Russia for the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, which has been backed by over 90 countries.
This will also seek an immediate stop to hostilities, especially attacks on civilians and their homes, schools and hospitals.
This comes a day after the UN Security Council voted down a Russia-proposed resolution on Ukraine’s growing humanitarian needs that did not mention the Moscow-led invasion.
The assembly will also consider a rival South African resolution, which doesn’t mention Russia and is similar to the Russian resolution rejected by the Security Council.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 05:04
Britain to send 6,000 more missiles to Ukraine
Boris Johnson’s visit to Brussels will set out the details of the UK’s new support package for the Ukrainian forces, including 6,000 more missiles comprising anti-tank and high-explosive weaponry.
The British PM is joining his Nato counterparts in Brussels today for an emergency summit to discuss the latest situation as the Russian invasion marks a full month in Ukraine.
Mr Johnson will urge western allies to help “keep the flame of freedom alive” in Ukraine as he pledged the UK will supply thousands more missiles to the military in Kyiv, reports Gordon Cavin.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 04:55
Zelensky seeks Nato’s ‘unrestricted’ support, including weapons
Volodymyr Zelensky has sought Nato’s “effective and unrestricted” support to Ukraine, including any weapons it needs to fight the Russian invasion.
“We ask that the alliance declare that it will fully assist Ukraine to win this war, clear our territory of the invaders and restore peace in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian president said in a video released late on Wednesday.
His remarks come on the eve of a Nato summit slated to be held later today, where he will be addressing the leaders virtually.
Mr Zelensky has also asked western powers to stay united amid what he called Russia’s efforts to “lobby its interests” with “some partners” to bring them over to its side.
“We will see who is a friend, who is a partner and who has sold out and betrayed us. Together we should not allow Russia to break anyone in Nato, the EU or G7, to break them and drag them to the side of war,” he said.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 04:08
Russian troops pushed back to the east of Kyiv, says US official
Russian forces that had advanced towards Kyiv in the last few days have been pushed back on the frontlines east of the capital, a US official said.
The troops sent in by Moscow are now about 55km (about 34 miles) away from Kyiv to the east, compared to their position recorded yesterday between 25-35km from the capital.
“To the northwest of Kyiv’s city centre, Russian forces are digging in, and they are establishing defensive positions,” the US official said, reported CNN.
Russian forces have struggled to advance along this line and remain 15-20km (9-12 miles) away from Kyiv’s city centre to the northwest, the official said.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 03:42
US readies contingency plan if Russia uses deadliest weapons – report
The White House has put together a team of national security officials for charting out the US and its allies’ response if Russia uses the deadliest weapons it has — chemical, biological and nuclear — against Ukraine.
Known as the Tiger Team, the battery of national security officials are also preparing the US’s response if Russia attacks convoys in Nato territory carrying weapons and aid to Ukraine, reported The New York Times, citing the officials present in the process.
All the contingencies being assessed by the team will be key to an upcoming Nato meeting today where leaders of all members states of the alliance will be present.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 03:12
Russia has lost 7,000 to 15,000 troops in Ukraine, says Nato
Between 7,000 and 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in four weeks of war in Ukraine, Nato said in fresh estimates released on Wednesday.
Russia started its invasion exactly a month ago on Wednesday and may have already lost as many soldiers as it did in the entire 10 years of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Nato estimate suggests.
The Nato estimate was based on information received from Ukrainian authorities, as well as whatever information Russia has shared — purposefully or not — and from intelligence inputs collected from open sources, an official from the alliance said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Casualties on Ukraine’s end also remain unclear as the Zelensky administration has released little information about its own military losses.
No confirmed figure has been shared by the US and its allies monitoring the war.
Nearly two weeks ago, Mr Zelensky had said that about 1,300 Ukrainian servicemen had been killed in the war.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 02:41
Prominent theatre director taken hostage by Russia – officials
One of Ukraine’s best-known theatre directors Oleksandr Kniga has been taken hostage “in a fascist manner” by Russian troops early on Wednesday, the country’s culture minister Oleksandr Tkachenko said.
Mr Kniga has been taken to an unknown location, the culture minister said on Facebook.
According to witnesses, nine Russian military vehicles pulled up to the director’s home and led him out.
They warned neighbours that if they stepped out of their homes they would be killed, the witnesses said. “The whole world should know about this!” Mr Tkachenko said.
The 62-year-old theatre director founded the international theatre festival Melpomene of Tavria.
He had also protested against the presence of Russian troops in Kherson.
Arpan Rai24 March 2022 02:19
Up to 40,000 Russian casualties in Ukraine, senior Nato official estimates
ICYMI: Earlier today, an unnamed Nato military officer estimated that Russia may have suffered as many as 40,000 casualties.
See here for more details about how this total was calculated:
Graeme Massie24 March 2022 01:58
US arms to be flown to Ukraine
ICYMI: The first shipment from a new, $800 million arms package for Ukraine that US President Joe Biden authorised last week will start flying out of the United States in the next day or so, and will not take long to reach Ukraine, a senior defence official said.
The official did not specify which systems would be included in the first shipments but said priority would be given to the kinds of defensive weapons already being used by Ukrainian troops.
“We are already aggregating stocks in the United States and we’re getting ready to ship them over there,” the official said.
Graeme Massie24 March 2022 01:28
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
Already have an account? sign in
