What are war crimes? What are the rules of war?

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he can discuss the future of Crimea and Donbas with Russia as he made crucial comments on the membership of NATO.&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24, before that, Putin signed a decree to recognise the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbas as independent states.&nbsp;

In an exclusive chat with ABC News that aired Monday night, Zelensky said, "The people who elected me are not ready to surrender. We are not ready for ultimatums. But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/icon-of-post-soviet-russia-mcdonalds-closure-in-russia-is-of-huge-significance-heres-why-460479">Icon of post-Soviet Russia: Significance of McDonald's closure in Russia is huge, here's why</a>

One of the demands by Putin stated that Ukraine would not join NATO. In that context, Zelensky said, "Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, pointing out the death and destruction, Zelensky said on Wednesday (March 9) the international community would be responsible for a mass "humanitarian catastrophe" if it did not agree to a no-fly zone.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tank-man-to-snake-island-defenders-brave-stories-of-resistance-by-ukrainians-against-vladimir-putin-460353">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

He said, "Russia is using missiles, aviation, helicopters against us. Against civilians. Against our cities. Against our infrastructure. It is the humanitarian responsibility of the world - to respond. But... there is no decision."&nbsp;

Ukraine has pleaded with Western nations to provide it with fighter jets to counter a Russian invasion that has forced more than two million refugees to flee the country.&nbsp;

The US lawmakers have responded by pushing President Joe Biden's administration to facilitate the transfer of aircraft.&nbsp;

WATCH | US rejects Poland's offer on MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

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(With inputs from agencies)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he can discuss the future of Crimea and Donbas with Russia as he made crucial comments on the membership of NATO.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he can discuss the future of Crimea and Donbas with Russia as he made crucial comments on the membership of NATO. Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24, before that, Putin signed a decree to recognise the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbas as independent states. In an exclusive chat with ABC News that aired Monday night, Zelensky said, "The people who elected me are not ready to surrender. We are not ready for ultimatums. But we can discuss with Russia the future of Crimea and Donbas." ALSO READ | Icon of post-Soviet Russia: Significance of McDonald's closure in Russia is huge, here's why One of the demands by Putin stated that Ukraine would not join NATO. In that context, Zelensky said, "Regarding NATO, I have cooled down regarding this question long ago after we understood that NATO is not prepared to accept Ukraine." Meanwhile, pointing out the death and destruction, Zelensky said on Wednesday (March 9) the international community would be responsible for a mass "humanitarian catastrophe" if it did not agree to a no-fly zone. IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks He said, "Russia is using missiles, aviation, helicopters against us. Against civilians. Against our cities. Against our infrastructure. It is the humanitarian responsibility of the world - to respond. But... there is no decision." Ukraine has pleaded with Western nations to provide it with fighter jets to counter a Russian invasion that has forced more than two million refugees to flee the country. The US lawmakers have responded by pushing President Joe Biden's administration to facilitate the transfer of aircraft. WATCH | US rejects Poland's offer on MIG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine × (With inputs from agencies)

Volodymyr Zelensky says 'can discuss the future of Crimea and Donbas with Russia'

Ukraine crisis: Chilling images of devastation in Sumy, from where Indian nationals were evacuated

About 328 million years ago, Fergus County, Montana, was no stranger to monsoons. Back then, the region was a marine bay, much like the Bay of Bengal in South Asia. The tropical storms regularly flushed the bay with freshwater and fine sediments, feeding algal blooms and depleting the water of oxygen in certain spots. Anything that died in these spots could have the rare posthumous luck of being preserved, undisturbed.

When an ancient octopus died in these waters, its soft, squishy body was buried and pristinely fossilized. The fossil was originally donated to the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada in 1988 but sat in a drawer for decades until Christopher Whalen, a paleontologist from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, pulled it out of a drawer and noticed its preserved arms. When he looked under a microscope, he saw small suckers dimpling the rock.

“That’s incredibly rare,” Whalen said.

Thomas Clements, a paleobiologist at the University of Birmingham in England, said, “The probability of these tiny little bags of water turning into fossils is just astronomically low.”

Intrigued, Whalen studied the fossil, expecting it would resemble other cephalopods found in the Montana limestone. But it turned out to be something quite different. Whalen and colleagues say the fossil represents the oldest known ancestor of vampyropods, a group that includes vampire squids and octopuses, pushing back the earliest evidence of the group by 82 million years. Whalen and Neil Landman, a curator emeritus at the museum, describe the new species in a paper published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

They named it Syllipsimopodi bideni, as in President Joe Biden, to commemorate the start of his presidency and because they “were encouraged by his plans to address climate change and to fund scientific research,” Whalen said in an email. Biden is not the first president to have a species named after him. A wormlike caecilian and a moth with a yellow crown of scales were named after former President Donald Trump. Nine species were named after former President Barack Obama, including several fish and a lichen.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

But there’s a lot more to the discovery — including some dispute — than its presidential name.

The new fossil, which has 10 arms, is the oldest known cephalopod to have suckers on its arms. Modern squids and cuttlefish have 10 arms and octopuses have eight. Vampire squids (which are not squids but close relatives of octopuses) have eight arms and two stringy filaments, thought to be vestigial arms. So the 10-armed S. bideni shows that all cephalopods once had 10 arms, before they were reduced to filaments and ultimately lost.

Christian Klug, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich in Switzerland who was not involved with the research, expressed reservations about the new paper. He says the fossil most likely represents a specimen of a known species of ancient cephalopods, Gordoniconus beargulchensis. In 2019, Klug published a paper on the anatomy of G. beargulchensis with Landman.

“It’s the exact same size, the exact same age, the exact same locality, the exact same proportions and it’s just preserved a little bit differently,” Klug said.

The new paper relies heavily on visual methods of analysis, and these questions could be resolved with chemical analyses, said Clements, who was not involved with the research. “With a full suite of techniques, we would definitely have more clues or a lot more answers,” he said noting that these techniques can be expensive.

When Whalen first examined the fossil, he looked for the phragmocone, a chambered shell characteristic of most fossil cephalopods that helps them control buoyancy. A nautilus’ phragmocone is its coiled shell; a cuttlefish’s is its cuttlebone. The fossilized chambers of a phragmocone are divided by mineralized sheets, which are very distinctive and generally well-preserved, Whalen said.

The fossil of G. beargulchensis, which is held at the American Museum of Natural History, preserves these distinct sheets, Whalen said. Because that fossil and S. bideni were preserved at the same site and in the same environment, both should have preserved lines, the authors argue. But S. bideni had no trace of these lines, suggesting the creature never had an inner chambered shell.

Whalen also expected to see evidence of a primordial rostrum, a mineralized counterweight to ensure early cephalopods could swim horizontally. But the fossil of S. bideni had no rostrum, suggesting “it was never there to begin with,” Whalen said.

Instead, the researchers’ analysis found that S. bideni’s inner shell is a gladius, a triangular shell-like remnant found in squids and vampire squids. “It’s really not something that anyone expected to see in an animal this old,” Whalen said. “We knew we were looking at an early vampyropod.”

Klug disputed this conclusion, suggesting the shell is instead a deformed phragmocone and body chamber of G. beargulchensis, the known cephalopod.

Whalen disagreed. He said the measurements of the new fossil are distinct enough to mark a new species, “even if you disagree with our interpretation that we’re looking at gladius and not a phragmocone and looking at a vampyropod and not something else.”

Clements hopes a future chemical analysis can confirm the presence of the suckers, which he said were hard to discern from the images included in the study.

The suckers may be a small part of S. bideni’s story, but Whalen is indebted to them. “This was sitting in a museum since the ’80s, and no one realized it was important,” he said. “We chanced on that importance because I happened to notice the arm suckers.”

About 328 million years ago, Fergus County, Montana, was no stranger to monsoons. Back then, the region was a marine bay, much like the Bay of Bengal in South Asia.

About 328 million years ago, Fergus County, Montana, was no stranger to monsoons. Back then, the region was a marine bay, much like the Bay of Bengal in South Asia. The tropical storms regularly flushed the bay with freshwater and fine sediments, feeding algal blooms and depleting the water of oxygen in certain spots. Anything that died in these spots could have the rare posthumous luck of being preserved, undisturbed. When an ancient octopus died in these waters, its soft, squishy body was buried and pristinely fossilized. The fossil was originally donated to the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada in 1988 but sat in a drawer for decades until Christopher Whalen, a paleontologist from the American Museum of Natural History in New York, pulled it out of a drawer and noticed its preserved arms. When he looked under a microscope, he saw small suckers dimpling the rock. “That’s incredibly rare,” Whalen said. Thomas Clements, a paleobiologist at the University of Birmingham in England, said, “The probability of these tiny little bags of water turning into fossils is just astronomically low.” Intrigued, Whalen studied the fossil, expecting it would resemble other cephalopods found in the Montana limestone. But it turned out to be something quite different. Whalen and colleagues say the fossil represents the oldest known ancestor of vampyropods, a group that includes vampire squids and octopuses, pushing back the earliest evidence of the group by 82 million years. Whalen and Neil Landman, a curator emeritus at the museum, describe the new species in a paper published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications. They named it Syllipsimopodi bideni, as in President Joe Biden, to commemorate the start of his presidency and because they “were encouraged by his plans to address climate change and to fund scientific research,” Whalen said in an email. Biden is not the first president to have a species named after him. A wormlike caecilian and a moth with a yellow crown of scales were named after former President Donald Trump. Nine species were named after former President Barack Obama, including several fish and a lichen. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. But there’s a lot more to the discovery — including some dispute — than its presidential name. The new fossil, which has 10 arms, is the oldest known cephalopod to have suckers on its arms. Modern squids and cuttlefish have 10 arms and octopuses have eight. Vampire squids (which are not squids but close relatives of octopuses) have eight arms and two stringy filaments, thought to be vestigial arms. So the 10-armed S. bideni shows that all cephalopods once had 10 arms, before they were reduced to filaments and ultimately lost. Christian Klug, a paleontologist at the University of Zurich in Switzerland who was not involved with the research, expressed reservations about the new paper. He says the fossil most likely represents a specimen of a known species of ancient cephalopods, Gordoniconus beargulchensis. In 2019, Klug published a paper on the anatomy of G. beargulchensis with Landman. “It’s the exact same size, the exact same age, the exact same locality, the exact same proportions and it’s just preserved a little bit differently,” Klug said. The new paper relies heavily on visual methods of analysis, and these questions could be resolved with chemical analyses, said Clements, who was not involved with the research. “With a full suite of techniques, we would definitely have more clues or a lot more answers,” he said noting that these techniques can be expensive. When Whalen first examined the fossil, he looked for the phragmocone, a chambered shell characteristic of most fossil cephalopods that helps them control buoyancy. A nautilus’ phragmocone is its coiled shell; a cuttlefish’s is its cuttlebone. The fossilized chambers of a phragmocone are divided by mineralized sheets, which are very distinctive and generally well-preserved, Whalen said. The fossil of G. beargulchensis, which is held at the American Museum of Natural History, preserves these distinct sheets, Whalen said. Because that fossil and S. bideni were preserved at the same site and in the same environment, both should have preserved lines, the authors argue. But S. bideni had no trace of these lines, suggesting the creature never had an inner chambered shell. Whalen also expected to see evidence of a primordial rostrum, a mineralized counterweight to ensure early cephalopods could swim horizontally. But the fossil of S. bideni had no rostrum, suggesting “it was never there to begin with,” Whalen said. Instead, the researchers’ analysis found that S. bideni’s inner shell is a gladius, a triangular shell-like remnant found in squids and vampire squids. “It’s really not something that anyone expected to see in an animal this old,” Whalen said. “We knew we were looking at an early vampyropod.” Klug disputed this conclusion, suggesting the shell is instead a deformed phragmocone and body chamber of G. beargulchensis, the known cephalopod. Whalen disagreed. He said the measurements of the new fossil are distinct enough to mark a new species, “even if you disagree with our interpretation that we’re looking at gladius and not a phragmocone and looking at a vampyropod and not something else.” Clements hopes a future chemical analysis can confirm the presence of the suckers, which he said were hard to discern from the images included in the study. The suckers may be a small part of S. bideni’s story, but Whalen is indebted to them. “This was sitting in a museum since the ’80s, and no one realized it was important,” he said. “We chanced on that importance because I happened to notice the arm suckers.”

Fossil of vampire squid’s oldest ancestor is named for Biden

Amid multiple economic sanctions and closures of famous brands in&nbsp;Russia, President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (March 8) has been branded an 'angry and isolated' leader by the United States intelligence officials, who also warned that Putin may intensify the assault on Ukraine.&nbsp;

The officials from the intelligence agency stated that Putin is craving global clout, frustrated about how his Ukraine invasion has not gone to plan, and lobbing provocative nuclear threats at the West.&nbsp;

CIA Director William Burns told US lawmakers that the long-standing president in Moscow has been "stewing in a combustible combination of grievance and ambition for many years".&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tank-man-to-snake-island-defenders-brave-stories-of-resistance-by-ukrainians-against-vladimir-putin-460353">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

He called the invasion of Ukraine a matter of "deep personal conviction" for Putin, his latest defiant clash with Europe and the United States.&nbsp;

Burns said at a congressional hearing on global threats, "I think Putin is angry and frustrated right now. He's likely to double down and try to grind down the Ukrainian military with no regard for civilian casualties."&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in a fair warning, there are possibilities that Putin may intensify the assault on Ukraine despite military setbacks and economic hardships.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tank-man-to-snake-island-defenders-brave-stories-of-resistance-by-ukrainians-against-vladimir-putin-460353">From 'tank man' to snake island defenders: Brave stories of resistance by Ukrainians against Vladimir Putin</a>

Although there's no official statement over the total casualties, but the officials estimated that 2,000 to 4,000 Russian troops had died and said Russia was feeling the effects of sanctions.&nbsp;

The situation could become much worse for Ukrainians, with food and water supplies in Kyiv possibly running out within two weeks.&nbsp;

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the annual House of Representatives Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats that "our analysts assess that Putin is unlikely to be deterred by such setbacks and instead may escalate" in the coming days, where she testified with other intelligence agency directors.

WATCH |&nbsp;Amid Russian offensive, Ukraine backs away from NATO bid?

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(With inputs from agencies)

Amid multiple economic sanctions and closures of famous brands in Russia, President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (March 8) has been branded an 'angry and isolated' leader by the United States intelligence officials, who also warned that Putin may intensify the assault on Ukraine.

Amid multiple economic sanctions and closures of famous brands in Russia, President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday (March 8) has been branded an 'angry and isolated' leader by the United States intelligence officials, who also warned that Putin may intensify the assault on Ukraine. The officials from the intelligence agency stated that Putin is craving global clout, frustrated about how his Ukraine invasion has not gone to plan, and lobbing provocative nuclear threats at the West. CIA Director William Burns told US lawmakers that the long-standing president in Moscow has been "stewing in a combustible combination of grievance and ambition for many years". IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks He called the invasion of Ukraine a matter of "deep personal conviction" for Putin, his latest defiant clash with Europe and the United States. Burns said at a congressional hearing on global threats, "I think Putin is angry and frustrated right now. He's likely to double down and try to grind down the Ukrainian military with no regard for civilian casualties." Meanwhile, in a fair warning, there are possibilities that Putin may intensify the assault on Ukraine despite military setbacks and economic hardships. IN PICS | From 'tank man' to snake island defenders: Brave stories of resistance by Ukrainians against Vladimir Putin Although there's no official statement over the total casualties, but the officials estimated that 2,000 to 4,000 Russian troops had died and said Russia was feeling the effects of sanctions. The situation could become much worse for Ukrainians, with food and water supplies in Kyiv possibly running out within two weeks. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told the annual House of Representatives Intelligence Committee hearing on worldwide threats that "our analysts assess that Putin is unlikely to be deterred by such setbacks and instead may escalate" in the coming days, where she testified with other intelligence agency directors. WATCH | Amid Russian offensive, Ukraine backs away from NATO bid? × (With inputs from agencies)

US intel says Russia may escalate invasion despite Ukraine setbacks, brands Vladimir Putin 'angry, frustrated'

A Texas man who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump was found guilty for his role in the attack on Tuesday (March 8), a milestone victory for federal prosecutors in the first such case to go before a jury.

The defendant,&nbsp;Guy&nbsp;Reffitt, was found guilty on all five of the felony charges he faced, including bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and obstructing an official proceeding.

Reffitt's trial was seen as an important test case as the U.S. Justice Department attempts to secure convictions from the hundreds of defendants who have not taken plea deals.

The federal jury in Washington returned the unanimous verdict after just two hours of deliberation.

Reffitt, who is currently in custody, will learn the length of his prison sentence at a court hearing scheduled for June 8.&nbsp;Reffitt&nbsp;faces up to 20 years in prison, although defendants rarely get the maximum sentence.

Reffitt&nbsp;never entered the Capitol, but the video showed him egging on the crowd and leading other rioters up a set of stairs outside the building.

Reffitt, who wore a bulletproof vest and a helmet, persisted up the staircase even as police officers pelted him with pepper balls and doused him with chemical spray.

Some 200 defendants have already pleaded guilty to charges relating to the attack, which sent lawmakers running for their lives.&nbsp;Reffitt's trial was seen as an important test case as the U.S. Justice Department attempts to secure convictions from the hundreds of defendants who have not taken plea deals.

A Texas man who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump was found guilty for his role in the attack on Tuesday (March 8), a milestone victory for federal prosecutors in the first such case to go before a jury.

A Texas man who joined the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump was found guilty for his role in the attack on Tuesday (March 8), a milestone victory for federal prosecutors in the first such case to go before a jury. The defendant, Guy Reffitt, was found guilty on all five of the felony charges he faced, including bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and obstructing an official proceeding. Reffitt's trial was seen as an important test case as the U.S. Justice Department attempts to secure convictions from the hundreds of defendants who have not taken plea deals. The federal jury in Washington returned the unanimous verdict after just two hours of deliberation. Reffitt, who is currently in custody, will learn the length of his prison sentence at a court hearing scheduled for June 8. Reffitt faces up to 20 years in prison, although defendants rarely get the maximum sentence. Reffitt never entered the Capitol, but the video showed him egging on the crowd and leading other rioters up a set of stairs outside the building. Reffitt, who wore a bulletproof vest and a helmet, persisted up the staircase even as police officers pelted him with pepper balls and doused him with chemical spray. Some 200 defendants have already pleaded guilty to charges relating to the attack, which sent lawmakers running for their lives. Reffitt's trial was seen as an important test case as the U.S. Justice Department attempts to secure convictions from the hundreds of defendants who have not taken plea deals.

Texas man guilty for role in assault on US Capitol in landmark win for prosecutors

A US&nbsp;judge on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit accusing Britain's Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was underage, as Britain's finance ministry confirmed that no public funds were used in their settlement.

The dismissal by US&nbsp;District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan federal court had been requested by Giuffre and&nbsp;Andrew, and was expected following the settlement announced on Feb. 15 between Giuffre and Queen Elizabeth's second son.

That accord included an undisclosed payment, with&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;making a "substantial donation" to Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights.

Andrew, the Duke of York, did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle the civil lawsuit. He has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.

The finance ministry issued its comment after The Sun, a British tabloid, said&nbsp;Andrew's older brother Prince Charles was bankrolling most of the settlement, with the queen chipping in.

Giuffre's case had focused on&nbsp;Andrew's friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex offender who the 38-year-old Giuffre said also sexually abused her.

Andrew, 62, denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex when she was 17 at the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's mansion in Manhattan, and Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The allegations and&nbsp;Andrew's relationship with Epstein severely damaged the&nbsp;prince's reputation, forcing him to give up his royal patronages and no longer be known as "His Royal Highness."

In a statement announcing the settlement,&nbsp;Andrew&nbsp;said he regretted his association with Epstein, and accepted that Giuffre had suffered as an abuse victim.

Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is seeking a new trial after being convicted in December of recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse.

A US judge on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit accusing Britain's Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was underage, as Britain's finance ministry confirmed that no public funds were used in their settlement.

A US judge on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of Virginia Giuffre's lawsuit accusing Britain's Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was underage, as Britain's finance ministry confirmed that no public funds were used in their settlement. The dismissal by US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan federal court had been requested by Giuffre and Andrew, and was expected following the settlement announced on Feb. 15 between Giuffre and Queen Elizabeth's second son. That accord included an undisclosed payment, with Andrew making a "substantial donation" to Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights. Andrew, the Duke of York, did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle the civil lawsuit. He has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. The finance ministry issued its comment after The Sun, a British tabloid, said Andrew's older brother Prince Charles was bankrolling most of the settlement, with the queen chipping in. Giuffre's case had focused on Andrew's friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the financier and sex offender who the 38-year-old Giuffre said also sexually abused her. Andrew, 62, denied Giuffre's accusations that he forced her to have sex when she was 17 at the London home of Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's mansion in Manhattan, and Epstein's private island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The allegations and Andrew's relationship with Epstein severely damaged the prince's reputation, forcing him to give up his royal patronages and no longer be known as "His Royal Highness." In a statement announcing the settlement, Andrew said he regretted his association with Epstein, and accepted that Giuffre had suffered as an abuse victim. Epstein killed himself at age 66 in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell is seeking a new trial after being convicted in December of recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse.

Lawsuit against Prince Andrew is dismissed, Britain says no public funds in settlement

To take a stance against the Russian "military operation" in Ukraine, global fast-food giant McDonald's Corp on Tuesday (March 8) announced that it would temporarily close all 847 of its restaurants in Russia.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, western countries have been imposing sanctions on Russia to cripple the economy. To increase the pressure, other global brands have also pursued the same as they have paused operations in the country.&nbsp;

While announcing the decision, McDonald's said it would continue to pay salaries to its 62,000 employees in Russia. The company's CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that "our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-heres-why-us-rejected-polands-plan-to-offer-mig-29-fighter-jets-to-ukraine-460416">Ukraine under attack: Here's why US rejected Poland's plan to offer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine</a>

McDonald's closure is in particular of huge significance because of its large size and global reach. Whenever it takes a stance on an issue or makes a major operational change, it is often copied by other companies around the world.&nbsp;

The announcement is also will also carry symbolic importance in Russia, where the first location to open, in central Moscow in 1990, became an iconic symbol of flourishing American capitalism as the Soviet Union fell.&nbsp;

McDonald's had, in a way, opened Russia to the Western culture after the Cold War as the&nbsp;company opened its first location in Moscow&nbsp;three months after the fall of the Berlin Wall.&nbsp;

Paul Musgrave, assistant professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst said, "When McDonald's moved into the Soviet Union, it was part of a message of opening up and building trust and cooperation between Russia and the West."&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tank-man-to-snake-island-defenders-brave-stories-of-resistance-by-ukrainians-against-vladimir-putin-460353">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

"And now those avenues have all been closed off. And so Russia's having McDonald's exit that market really brings a bookend or close to that era. And we're kind of standing in, symbolically at least, a new era of division between Russia and much of the rest of the world," Musgrave added.&nbsp;

"I think there is going to be a little bit of a noticeable hit to McDonald's bottom line. In their 2020 annual report, they had $500 million of assets denominated in rubles that they had to look out for. International business accounts for more than half of McDonald's corporate revenue. Russia is a smaller part of that, but it is a real part of it. So there is a real hit," Musgrave said.&nbsp;

Apart from McDonald's, Coca-Cola and coffee chain Starbucks become the latest firms to suspend operations in Russia. Previously, brands like Visa, MasterCard, Nike, Netflix, Alphabet, Apple suspended sales or operations in Russia.&nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)

To take a stance against the Russian "military operation" in Ukraine, global fast-food giant McDonald's Corp on Tuesday (March 8) announced that it would temporarily close all 847 of its restaurants in Russia.

To take a stance against the Russian "military operation" in Ukraine, global fast-food giant McDonald's Corp on Tuesday (March 8) announced that it would temporarily close all 847 of its restaurants in Russia. In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, western countries have been imposing sanctions on Russia to cripple the economy. To increase the pressure, other global brands have also pursued the same as they have paused operations in the country. While announcing the decision, McDonald's said it would continue to pay salaries to its 62,000 employees in Russia. The company's CEO Chris Kempczinski stated that "our values mean we cannot ignore the needless human suffering unfolding in Ukraine." ALSO READ | Ukraine under attack: Here's why US rejected Poland's plan to offer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine McDonald's closure is in particular of huge significance because of its large size and global reach. Whenever it takes a stance on an issue or makes a major operational change, it is often copied by other companies around the world. The announcement is also will also carry symbolic importance in Russia, where the first location to open, in central Moscow in 1990, became an iconic symbol of flourishing American capitalism as the Soviet Union fell. McDonald's had, in a way, opened Russia to the Western culture after the Cold War as the company opened its first location in Moscow three months after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Paul Musgrave, assistant professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst said, "When McDonald's moved into the Soviet Union, it was part of a message of opening up and building trust and cooperation between Russia and the West." IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks "And now those avenues have all been closed off. And so Russia's having McDonald's exit that market really brings a bookend or close to that era. And we're kind of standing in, symbolically at least, a new era of division between Russia and much of the rest of the world," Musgrave added. "I think there is going to be a little bit of a noticeable hit to McDonald's bottom line. In their 2020 annual report, they had $500 million of assets denominated in rubles that they had to look out for. International business accounts for more than half of McDonald's corporate revenue. Russia is a smaller part of that, but it is a real part of it. So there is a real hit," Musgrave said. Apart from McDonald's, Coca-Cola and coffee chain Starbucks become the latest firms to suspend operations in Russia. Previously, brands like Visa, MasterCard, Nike, Netflix, Alphabet, Apple suspended sales or operations in Russia. × (With inputs from agencies)

Icon of post-Soviet Russia: Significance of McDonald's closure in Russia is huge, here's why

The United States on Tuesday (March 8) rejected Poland's offer to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a US airbase, saying it was "not tenable" as the proposal raised "serious concerns" for the entire NATO alliance.&nbsp;

"Poland... is ready to deliver its Mig-29 planes to Ramstein airbase (in Germany) and make them available to the US for free and without delay," Warsaw said earlier.&nbsp;

Zbigniew Rau, Poland's foreign minister, had said that his government was "ready to deploy – immediately and free of charge – all their MiG-29 jets to the Ramstein airbase and place them at the disposal of the government of the United States of America".&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-says-russia-may-escalate-invasion-despite-ukraine-setbacks-brands-vladimir-putin-angry-frustrated-460401">US intel says Russia may escalate invasion despite Ukraine setbacks, brands Vladimir Putin 'angry, frustrated'</a>

However, under a reported deal, Poland would receive F-16 fighters as replacements for the Soviet-era planes that Ukrainian pilots are trained on.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the prospect of the jets flying from a US-NATO base "into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance."&nbsp;

"We will continue to consult with Poland and our other NATO allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland's proposal is a tenable one," Kirby said in a statement.&nbsp;

"It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it," he added. &nbsp;

Kirby stressed that Washington's stance was that "the decision about whether to transfer Polish-owned planes to Ukraine is ultimately one for the Polish government."&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-tank-man-to-snake-island-defenders-brave-stories-of-resistance-by-ukrainians-against-vladimir-putin-460353">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

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It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it. We will continue to consult with Poland and our other NATO allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland’s proposal is a tenable one. (4/4)
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) <a href="https://twitter.com/PentagonPresSec/status/1501336451195277314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Previously, US officials, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had downplayed the possibility of any NATO country supplying besieged Ukraine.&nbsp;

While speaking in Moldova on Sunday, Blinken confirmed it was under active discussion&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Can't speak to a timeline, but I can just say we're looking at it very, very actively," he told reporters.&nbsp;

"We are looking actively now at the question of aeroplanes that Poland may provide to Ukraine and looking at how we might be able to backfill should Poland decide to supply those planes," he said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine crisis: Will West's arms supply to Ukraine make any difference?

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(With inputs from agencies)

The United States on Tuesday (March 8) rejected Poland's offer to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a US airbase, saying it was "not tenable" as the proposal raised "serious concerns" for the entire NATO alliance.

The United States on Tuesday (March 8) rejected Poland's offer to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine via a US airbase, saying it was "not tenable" as the proposal raised "serious concerns" for the entire NATO alliance. "Poland... is ready to deliver its Mig-29 planes to Ramstein airbase (in Germany) and make them available to the US for free and without delay," Warsaw said earlier. Zbigniew Rau, Poland's foreign minister, had said that his government was "ready to deploy – immediately and free of charge – all their MiG-29 jets to the Ramstein airbase and place them at the disposal of the government of the United States of America". ALSO READ | US intel says Russia may escalate invasion despite Ukraine setbacks, brands Vladimir Putin 'angry, frustrated' However, under a reported deal, Poland would receive F-16 fighters as replacements for the Soviet-era planes that Ukrainian pilots are trained on. Meanwhile, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the prospect of the jets flying from a US-NATO base "into airspace that is contested with Russia over Ukraine raises serious concerns for the entire NATO alliance." "We will continue to consult with Poland and our other NATO allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland's proposal is a tenable one," Kirby said in a statement. "It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it," he added. Kirby stressed that Washington's stance was that "the decision about whether to transfer Polish-owned planes to Ukraine is ultimately one for the Polish government." IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks It is simply not clear to us that there is a substantive rationale for it. We will continue to consult with Poland and our other NATO allies about this issue and the difficult logistical challenges it presents, but we do not believe Poland’s proposal is a tenable one. (4/4) — John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) March 8, 2022 × Previously, US officials, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, had downplayed the possibility of any NATO country supplying besieged Ukraine. While speaking in Moldova on Sunday, Blinken confirmed it was under active discussion "Can't speak to a timeline, but I can just say we're looking at it very, very actively," he told reporters. "We are looking actively now at the question of aeroplanes that Poland may provide to Ukraine and looking at how we might be able to backfill should Poland decide to supply those planes," he said. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine crisis: Will West's arms supply to Ukraine make any difference? × (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine under attack: Here's why US rejected Poland's plan to offer MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine

From not allowing saliva to shine the ball to allowing 'Mankad' method of dismissing batters, New Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced its new code of Laws for 2022, which will come into force from October 1.

From not allowing saliva to shine the ball to allowing 'Mankad' method of dismissing batters, New Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has announced its new code of Laws for 2022, which will come into force from October 1. The Lord's-based MCC has been the sole authority on the laws of cricket since it was founded in 1787. MCC said that the changes are intended to shape the game of cricket as it "should be played". Here are some significant changes announced by MCC: 'Mankad' Mankad' method of dismissing batters will not be listed under unfair play in new laws. The 'Mankad' method is one of the most controversial ways of dismissing a batter, with people debating over its usage considering the spirit of the game. It is used rarely but entirely permissible. The method involves the bowler stumping the batter who starts running from the bowler's end before the ball is fully thrown. ALSO READ | Body of Shane Warne remains in Thailand as Australia arranges to return home No saliva MCC has put a ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball. Apart from saliva, sweat has also been used by the cricketers for years to help bowlers generate more movement in the air as it travels towards batters. However, the new laws make permanent a ban on applying saliva to the ball due to health reasons. The ban was implemented when men's cricket resumed after a coronavirus (COVID-19) suspension in July 2020. "The new laws will not permit the use of saliva on the ball, which also removes any grey areas of fielders eating sugary sweets to alter their saliva to apply to the ball," the MCC said in a statement. "Using saliva will be treated the same way as any other unfair methods of changing the condition of the ball." Replacement players As per MCC, the replacements are to be treated as if they were the player they replaced, inheriting any sanctions or dismissals that the player has done in that match. ALSO READ | R Ashwin or Harbhajan Singh? Gautam Gambhir picks the more difficult off-spinner to face Batters returning when caught When a batter is out caught, the new batter shall come in at the end the striker was at, which means to face the next ball (unless it is the end of an over). Dead ball The delivery will be called a dead ball if either side is disadvantaged by a person, animal or another object within the field of play. MCC said, "From a pitch invader to a dog running onto the field, sometimes there is outside interference – if this is the case, and it has a material impact on the game, the umpires will call and signal Dead ball." Bowler throwing towards striker’s end before delivery As per the new laws, if a bowler throws the ball in an attempt to run-out the striker before entering their delivery stride, it will now be a dead ball. This is an extremely rare scenario, which has until now been called a no-ball. Wide ball MCC noted that a wide will apply to "where the batter is standing, where the striker has stood at any point since the bowler began their run-up, and which would also have passed wide of the striker in a normal batting position".

Cricket is changing: New code covers 'Mankad', use of saliva, dogs invading pitch

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

“Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.”

Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed.

“Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday.

Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968.

“This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.”

In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated.

In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law.

As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure.

But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense.

“Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker.

The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence.

The Senate unanimously approved a bill that would make lynching a federal hate crime, explicitly criminalizing a heinous act that has become a symbol of the nation’s history of racial violence. It was a remarkable moment after more than a century of failed attempts. The historic bill carries the name of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old Black boy tortured and murdered in Mississippi in 1955. Under the measure, the crime is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. “Hallelujah — it is long overdue,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate majority leader, who oversaw the legislation’s passage in a sparsely filled chamber Monday evening. He added: “That it took so long is a stain, a bitter stain on America.” Without any senators showing up to object, the bill cleared the Senate without a formal vote. The measure now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk for his signature, having passed the House in late February with only three lawmakers opposed. “Although no legislation will reverse the pain and fear felt by those victims, their loved ones and Black communities, this legislation is a necessary step America must take to heal from the racialized violence that has permeated its history,” Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., a sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement Monday. Failure to pass such a measure before this year had become a glaring example of the nation’s inadequate response to a crime that has long terrorized Black Americans. The NAACP estimated, based on its records, that Black victims accounted for 72% of 4,743 lynchings that occurred between 1882 and 1968. “This is the year, now is the time, that we do the right thing,” Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., a longtime champion of the legislation, said in an impassioned speech on the Senate floor on Thursday. “Not for Republicans or Democrats, but for Americans who’ve watched, with bewildered eyes and confused hearts, their government fall short on issues of importance to them again and again and again. Let this year be the year we put politics to the side and we get it done.” In 1900, Rep. George Henry White of North Carolina first introduced legislation to make lynching a hate crime; he was the only Black lawmaker in Congress at the time. The bill never made it to the House floor for a vote. In the years since, more than 200 similar bills have been filed, lawmakers estimated. In 2005, the Senate formally apologized for its failure to act on the issue, including when Southern senators blocked similar legislation during the Jim Crow era. More than a decade later, three Black senators — Scott, Booker and Kamala Harris of California — began a renewed effort to see an anti-lynching measure signed into law. As racial justice protests swept through the country in the summer of 2020 after the killings of Black men and women by white police and civilians, the three senators renewed their efforts to pass the measure. But Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., objected to expedited passage at the time, saying the legislation was overly broad, and it failed to pass the Senate. In an opinion piece published this month, he described negotiating a revised version of the legislation, which notably specifies “death or serious bodily injury” resulting from the offense. “Our partnership worked because of a profound mutual respect for one another and a shared goal to right historic wrongs without inadvertently creating new victims,” Paul wrote, singling out Booker. The bipartisan passage, said Rep. Bobby L. Rush, D-Ill., a champion of the measure in the House, “sends a clear and emphatic message that our nation will no longer ignore this shameful chapter of our history.”

US Congress gives final approval to make lynching a hate crime

When Russia invaded Ukraine last week, some of the social media's youngest users experienced the conflict from the front lines on TikTok.

Videos of people huddling and crying in windowless bomb shelters, explosions blasting through urban settings and missiles streaking across Ukrainian cities took over the app from its usual offerings of fashion, fitness and dance videos.

Ukrainian social media influencers uploaded bleak scenes of themselves wrapped in blankets in underground bunkers and army tanks rolling down residential streets, juxtaposed against photos of blooming flowers and laughing friends at restaurants that honoured more peaceful memories of their hometowns.

They urged their followers to pray for Ukraine, donate to support the Ukrainian military and demanded Russian users in particular to join anti-war efforts.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which it has called a "special operation," is the latest example of the central role TikTok has played in bringing news and current events to the app's large Gen Z audience. Its famed algorithm is known for serving trending content even if users do not follow certain people, allowing topics to quickly go viral among its 1 billion monthly users.

The app has become so influential in this conflict that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to "TikTokers" as a group that could help end the war, in a speech directed at Russian citizens. Some TikTokers picked up where the politician left off.

A Ukrainian travel blogger named Alina Volik, who has over 36,000 followers on TikTok, took a break from posting highlights of her trips to Egypt, Spain and Turkey, to upload videos of life in the invasion, of emergency backpacks filled with first aid supplies and of sealed windows to protect against glass shards in a blast. In TikTok videos posted on Monday, Volik also urged her international followers to watch her Instagram Stories to "see the truth" about Ukraine.

In an email to Reuters, Volik said she wanted to combat misinformation in the Russian news that the country's actions were a "military operation" rather than a war that is hurting Ukrainians.

Montages of residential buildings destroyed by missiles, empty grocery store shelves and long lines of cars piled up outside gas stations could be seen on the TikTok pages of top Ukrainian influencers.

"@zaluznik" who has 2 million followers, posted one such montage on Sunday with the caption "Russians open your eyes!"

Russian influencers have also taken to the app to share their reaction. Niki Proshin, who has over 763,000 TikTok followers, said in a video on Thursday that "normal people" in Russia do not support the war.

"None of my friends and none of the people I personally talk to supported today's events," he said, referring to the invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor demanded the app stop including military-related content in recommended posts to minors, saying much of the content was anti-Russian in character. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Online misinformation researchers warned that false information about the conflict were now mixed in with authentic ones and has spread widely on TikTok and other tech platforms including Meta Platforms's Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc's YouTube.

Footage of military simulator video game Arma 3, images of explosions from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, old footage of heavy firing and animations of flying aircraft have been shared on social media sites as if they depict the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation, with increased resources to respond to emerging trends and remove violative content, including harmful misinformation and promotion of violence," a TikTok spokesperson said, adding that it works with fact-checking organizations.

Some Ukrainian TikTok users have made it a mission to share information and spread awareness with Western audiences.

"I want people to understand this is not a joke, this is a serious situation that Ukrainians face," Marta Vasyuta, 20, said in an interview on Monday.

One of Vasyuta's TikTok videos showed what appeared to be a missile in the sky with the caption "Kyiv 4:23 am." It had over 131,000 comments by Monday as users flooded the video to offer their prayers and express disbelief.

"Never thought I would get WAR updates on TIKTOK," commented one user.

WATCH:&nbsp;Here's a look at the military arsenal of Ukraine and&nbsp;Russia being used during the ongoing war

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&nbsp;

When Russia invaded Ukraine last week, some of the social media's youngest users experienced the conflict from the front lines on TikTok. Videos of people huddling and crying in windowless bomb shelters, explosions blasting through urban settings and missiles streaking across Ukrainian cities took over the app from its usual offerings of fashion, fitness and dance videos.

When Russia invaded Ukraine last week, some of the social media's youngest users experienced the conflict from the front lines on TikTok. Videos of people huddling and crying in windowless bomb shelters, explosions blasting through urban settings and missiles streaking across Ukrainian cities took over the app from its usual offerings of fashion, fitness and dance videos. Ukrainian social media influencers uploaded bleak scenes of themselves wrapped in blankets in underground bunkers and army tanks rolling down residential streets, juxtaposed against photos of blooming flowers and laughing friends at restaurants that honoured more peaceful memories of their hometowns. They urged their followers to pray for Ukraine, donate to support the Ukrainian military and demanded Russian users in particular to join anti-war efforts. Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which it has called a "special operation," is the latest example of the central role TikTok has played in bringing news and current events to the app's large Gen Z audience. Its famed algorithm is known for serving trending content even if users do not follow certain people, allowing topics to quickly go viral among its 1 billion monthly users. The app has become so influential in this conflict that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to "TikTokers" as a group that could help end the war, in a speech directed at Russian citizens. Some TikTokers picked up where the politician left off. A Ukrainian travel blogger named Alina Volik, who has over 36,000 followers on TikTok, took a break from posting highlights of her trips to Egypt, Spain and Turkey, to upload videos of life in the invasion, of emergency backpacks filled with first aid supplies and of sealed windows to protect against glass shards in a blast. In TikTok videos posted on Monday, Volik also urged her international followers to watch her Instagram Stories to "see the truth" about Ukraine. In an email to Reuters, Volik said she wanted to combat misinformation in the Russian news that the country's actions were a "military operation" rather than a war that is hurting Ukrainians. Montages of residential buildings destroyed by missiles, empty grocery store shelves and long lines of cars piled up outside gas stations could be seen on the TikTok pages of top Ukrainian influencers. "@zaluznik" who has 2 million followers, posted one such montage on Sunday with the caption "Russians open your eyes!" Russian influencers have also taken to the app to share their reaction. Niki Proshin, who has over 763,000 TikTok followers, said in a video on Thursday that "normal people" in Russia do not support the war. "None of my friends and none of the people I personally talk to supported today's events," he said, referring to the invasion of Ukraine. On Monday, Russia's communications regulator Roskomnadzor demanded the app stop including military-related content in recommended posts to minors, saying much of the content was anti-Russian in character. TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Online misinformation researchers warned that false information about the conflict were now mixed in with authentic ones and has spread widely on TikTok and other tech platforms including Meta Platforms's Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc's YouTube. Footage of military simulator video game Arma 3, images of explosions from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip, old footage of heavy firing and animations of flying aircraft have been shared on social media sites as if they depict the Russian invasion of Ukraine last week. "We continue to closely monitor the situation, with increased resources to respond to emerging trends and remove violative content, including harmful misinformation and promotion of violence," a TikTok spokesperson said, adding that it works with fact-checking organizations. Some Ukrainian TikTok users have made it a mission to share information and spread awareness with Western audiences. "I want people to understand this is not a joke, this is a serious situation that Ukrainians face," Marta Vasyuta, 20, said in an interview on Monday. One of Vasyuta's TikTok videos showed what appeared to be a missile in the sky with the caption "Kyiv 4:23 am." It had over 131,000 comments by Monday as users flooded the video to offer their prayers and express disbelief. "Never thought I would get WAR updates on TIKTOK," commented one user. WATCH: Here's a look at the military arsenal of Ukraine and Russia being used during the ongoing war ×

TikTok war: How Russia's invasion of Ukraine played to social media's youngest audience

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