War in Ukraine: Latest developments

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

– ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’, Zelensky tells Congress – 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky likens the invasion of his country to the attack on Pearl Harbor that drew the US into World War II.

“Our country experienced the same every day,” he tells the US Congress in a video address, calling again for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Ukraine. US lawmakers give him a standing ovation.

– Invasion going to plan: Putin –

Russian President Vladimir Putin says the West’s “economic blitzkrieg” against Moscow has failed, while admitting the situation is “not easy” for Russians. 

In a televised meeting he says the invasion is going to plan and announces an increase in all social payments.

– Ten killed in bread queue –

Ukraine says 10 people were killed after coming under fire while queueing for bread in the northern city of Chernigiv.

– Mariupol theatre hit –

Authorities in Ukraine’s besieged port city of Mariupol say that Russian forces hit a theatre where “hundreds” of civilians were taking shelter.

– Explosions in central Kyiv –

Dull booms echo across central Kyiv, which is under a 35-hour curfew due to what its mayor called a “difficult and dangerous moment”.

– Ukraine rejects neutrality –

Ukraine rejects proposals put forward by Russia during peace talks for it to become a neutral country, like Austria or Sweden. 

– ‘Unprecedented’ US weapons aid –

US President Joe Biden announces $1 billion in new security help and the deployment of longer-range weapons to Ukraine.

– No NATO forces for Ukraine –

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is not planning to send forces to Ukraine, after Poland called for it to deploy a peacekeeping mission there.

– UN court orders invasion suspension –

The UN’s top court orders Russia to suspend its invasion of Ukraine, saying it is “profoundly concerned” by Moscow’s use of force “which raises very serious issues in international law”.

– US-Russia call –

The US and Russia engage in their first high-level contact since the invasion began. 

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan tells General Nikolay Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council that “if Russia is serious about diplomacy” it should “stop attacking Ukrainian cities and towns”.

– News sites blocked –

Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor blocks access to at least 32 media websites, ramping up a crackdown on the media launched after the start of the war. 

Media affected include the BBC, the award-winning investigative website Bellingcat and regional site Permdaily.ru.

– Payment day for Russia –

Russia is due to make an interest payment on its foreign debt as Western sanctions over the Ukraine conflict have raised concerns that Moscow could default.

Moscow is due to pay $117 million (107 million euros) on two dollar-denominated bonds. It says it will service its debt in rubles.

– Out of Council of Europe –

Russia ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe after over a quarter of a century of membership in the pan-European rights body.

– Refugees top 3 million –

More than three million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the invasion, the UN migration agency IOM says. 

Around half are minors, says the UN children’s agency.

The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says 1.8 million people have fled to Poland.

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