Ukraine
Putin preparing terrorist attack on Chernobyl nuclear plant: Ukraine
Ukraine's Ministry of Defence officials said, "According to information available, Vladimir Putin has ordered the preparation of a terrorist attack on the Chernobyl nuclear power plant". The Russian-controlled Chornobyl nuclear power plant plans to create a man-made catastrophe, for which the occupiers will try to shift responsibility on Ukraine, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.
Captured Russian soldiers fear facing firing squad if they return home
Speaking at a press conference in Kiev, a soldier from the 2nd Motor Rifle Division said he fears being killed when he is returned to Russia, reported the Daily Telegraph. "In Russia, we are already considered dead," said one of the captured soldiers, adding: "I was given the opportunity to call my parents and they told me that a funeral for me had already been arranged. If we are exchanged, then we will be shot by our own people."
Large Russian convoy near Kiev redeployed
The convoy was last seen near Antonov Airport, north-west of Kiev, and its movement could signal a renewed push towards the city. The firm that took the photos -- Maxar Technologies -- said parts of the convoy were in position in the surrounding towns. Other parts are further north, with artillery now in firing positions, BBC reported.
Opinion divided as Russians close on Kyiv
Opinion is divided among western military experts as to whether Kyiv, capital of Ukraine, will fall to Russian forces over the next few days. Retired American Lieutenant General Ben Hodges now a security analyst, who visited the city four weeks ago, speaking from Frankfurt in Germany, expressed doubts to BBC about Russia's ability to capture Kyiv. Most others though are apprehensive that this was inevitable.
India, US defence partnership has an “incredible momentum”: Pentagon
Further signaling the depth of this relationship, the next edition 2+2 dialogue between the US and India will be held in April, Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defence for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, told members of the House Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing. The relationship has been described as “manageable” and is moving rapidly ahead.
EU leaders to focus on Russia-Ukraine crisis at informal summit
Discussions at the informal European Council meeting in Versailles, France, will focus on Europe's approach to the Russia-Ukraine crisis, French President Emmanuel Macron said. The goal of the two-day summit, the first during France's six-month presidency of the European Union (EU), is to "show, and continue to construct and reinforce the unity of Europe", Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying.
No chemical weapons were developed in Ukraine: Zelensky
Reacting to Russia's allegations that biological weapons were made in Ukrainian laboratories, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that "no chemical or any other weapons of mass destruction were developed" in his country. In his latest video address posted on Facebook on Friday morning, Zelensky said: "I am the President of an adequate country, an adequate nation. And the father of two children. And no chemical or any other weapons of mass destruction were developed on my land.
60,000 evacuated from Sumy; 20,000 from Kiev: Ukraine govt
The Ukrainian government has said that in the last two days, 60,000 people were evacuated from the besieged region of Sumy and 20,000 others from Kiev amid the ongoing war. In a video address on Thursday, Iryna Vereschuk, Minister of the Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, said: "We have evacuated more than 60,000 people from Sumy, Trostyanets, and Krasnopillya to Poltava over the last two days.
Google to send air raid alerts to Android users in Ukraine
Google has initiated air raid alerts for Android users in Ukraine directly on their phones before expected attacks happen near them. At the request, and with the help, of the government of Ukraine, Google has started rolling out a rapid Air Raid Alerts system for Android phones in Ukraine. "This work is supplemental to the country's existing air raid alert systems, and based on alerts already being delivered by the Ukrainian government," said Kent Walker, President, Global Affairs at Google.
FB, Insta allow posts asking for Putin's death in specific countries
In a rare exception amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Meta is allowing posts with violent speech toward Russian soldiers on Facebook and Instagram in specific countries, including calls for harm or even death of Russian President Vladimir Putin or Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.
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