Vladimir Putin
Putin demands loyalty from oligarchs after prominent figures speak out against conflict
Speaking in the Kremlin, he said that Russia had been 'forced' to take action over Ukraine and had 'no other choice' but to attack, saying the country remains 'part of the global economy' and that he 'will not hurt the system we belong to'. "I want you to show solidarity with the government," he told them, the report said.
Concern over safety of Chernobyl nuclear power plant
Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said: "After the absolutely senseless attack of the Russians in this direction, it is impossible to say that the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe." It comes after Russian forces seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after a 'fierce' battle, with the condition of nuclear storage facilities 'unknown', sparking fears of a radiation leak that could cause fallout in Europe, the report said.
Putin plans to encircle Ukrainian forces in Kyiv and force them to either surrender or be destroyed
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Putin plans to encircle Ukrainian forces in Kyiv and force them to either surrender or be destroyed, and the leadership of Ukraine could then fall in a week, the report said. A former senior US intelligence officer told Newsweek: 'After air and artillery end and the ground war really starts, I think Kyiv falls in just a few days. 'The military may last slightly longer but this isn't going to last long.'
Ukraine's capital may be seized this weekend
Ukraine's deputy defense minister said that one missile was shot out of the sky by their anti-missile defense systems. Another missile struck a residential building in the city, the government said. A Ukrainian jet, a SU-27, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in a separate incident, the Ukrainian government said, Daily Mail reported.
Over 150 Russian officials sign open letter condemning Putin
The deputies said they were 'convinced' Russian citizens do not back the war and blamed Putin 'personally' for ordering troops into Ukraine in an attack 'for which there is no and cannot be any justification', the report said. The letter urged Russians 'not to participate in the aggression' and called on citizens to speak out against the invasion because 'only massive popular condemnation can stop the war'.
Putin discusses Ukraine issue with state leaders
Putin had a telephone conversation with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, explaining how the situation around Ukraine is evolving. Raisi expressed understanding with respect to Russia's security concerns caused by the destabilising actions of the US and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, Xinhua news agency reported. Issues relating to the diplomatic efforts to preserve and fully implement the JCPOA were reviewed.
A 'new iron curtain' falling and closing Russia off from 'civilised world': Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine's task was "for that curtain not to fall" on its territory. He made the remarks as Russian forces attacked on several fronts, launching missile strikes and advancing towards the capital Kyiv, the report said. Exact casualty numbers are unclear, but include Ukrainian civilians.
Putin had 'put himself on the wrong side of history': G7 countries
In a joint statement following a virtual meeting, the leaders of France, Germany, Japan, Italy, the UK, the US, Canada as well as the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, the European Council President, Charles Michel, and the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the report said.
How online disinformation campaign aided new war narrative for Putin
A report in France24 has detailed how days after the Kremlin slammed Western "hysteria" over the Russian military buildup around Ukraine, the messaging from Moscow changed, following Putin's decision to recognise the pro-Russian, self-declared republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Eastern Ukraine.
Heavy fighting underway in Kharkiv: Ukrainian Armed Forces
Around 50 Russian troops were killed in Ukraine's "retaliation" to Moscow's military operations, Ukrainian forces said on Thursday in a post on the General Staff's verified Facebook page, claiming that they have shot down six Russian Air Force planes, and two choppers as well as destroying two tanks. The forces, in a statement, said they regained full control on Mariupol in eastern Ukraine.
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