Ukraine
Important to capture Artyomovsk to expand operations: Russian Defence Minister Shoigu
"Taking (Artyomovsk) under control will allow further offensive actions deep into the defence of the armed forces of Ukraine," he said, RT reported. As well as being a stronghold for Ukraine's forces, Artyomovsk is part of a 70-km-long line of defence created by Kiev since fighting began in Donbass in 2014.
Operations to defend Bakhmut will continue: Zelensky
"I told the Chief of Staff to find the appropriate forces to help the guys in Bakhmut. There is no part of Ukraine about which one can say that it can be abandoned," Zelensky said on Monday during his evening address to the nation. Moscow has been trying to take Bakhmut for months, as both sides suffer heavy losses in a grinding war of attrition, the BBC reported. However, Deputy Mayor Oleksandr Marchenko has said that Russia had not yet gained control of the city.
Russian reservists fighting with shovels, says UK intelligence
In late February, reservists described being ordered to assault a Ukrainian position "armed with only 'firearms and shovels'," the ministry said in its intelligence update, the BBC reported. It mentioned a shovel known as 'MPL-50'. The tool was designed in 1869 and had changed little, the ministry said. "The lethality of the standard-issue MPL-50 entrenching tool is particularly mythologised in Russia," the ministry said, the BBC reported.
West was arming Ukraine since many years, says Russia's Sergey Lavrov
Addressing a press conference after the G20 Foreign Ministers' summit, Lavrov said: "This invasion (of Ukraine as per the West) reflects the reaction to the war the West was preparing for many years and that is why it was arming the Ukrainian regime." Attacking the West, Lavrov said that the Western nations were conquering lands and exploiting the people.
Ahead of Blinken visit, US contrasts its G20 goals and Russia's
The US will engage with G20 members and other international partners to address the humanitarian crisis emanating from the "full-scale" Russian invasion of Ukraine and will call upon the G20 countries to hold Russia accountable for resisting UN efforts to reopen sea-routes to allow movement of grain shipments.
Ukraine to fulfill EU's additional requirements for membership talks: Official
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, said that Ukraine has already completed the necessary work on seven recommendations needed for closer integration with the European Union, Xinhua news agency reported, citing Ukrinform news agency. In particular, Ukraine made progress in fighting corruption and reforming the mass media, Stefanishyna said.
Bangladesh 'constrained' to abstain from vote on UNGA resolution on Ukraine
"Bangladesh continues to remain concerned over the loss of civilian lives, deteriorating humanitarian situation in conflict zone, and consequential socio-economic fallout around the globe and calls for cessation of hostilities," the Dhaka Tribune quoted Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seheli Sabrin as saying.
Dueling moments of silence in UNSC illustrate intractable nature of year-long Ukraine war
As the Council met on Friday, the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Kiev's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for a moment of silence to honour the victims of Moscow. Russia's Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia reluctantly joined in while appearing to object. He next asked for another moment of silence for all victims of what has happened.
Sweden to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine
"On Germany's initiative and after discussions in what we refer to as the 'leopard family,' we have decided to deliver Swedish Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in close coordination, in particular, with Germany," Swedish Television (SVT) quoted Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson as saying at a press conference, Xinhua news agency reported.
Canada to send four more battle tanks to Ukraine
Trudeau said on Friday that Canada will also donate an armoured recovery vehicle and over 5,000 rounds of ammunition, and impose new sanctions on nearly 200 more individuals and entities including members of Russia's lower house of parliament and ministers, Xinhua news agency reported. Also on Friday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly announced a contribution.
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