Chinese president Xi Jinping has called for 'maximum restraint' in Ukraine and said China is "pained to see the flames of war reignited in Europe," in his strongest statement to date on the conflict. China, which has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine or to call them an invasion, has repeatedly expressed its opposition to what it describes as illegal sanctions on Russia.

Xi Jinping delivers his strongest statement on Russia-Ukraine conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he does not want to be the leader of a country which is begging for something on its knees. Zelensky also said that he is no longer pressing for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), membership for his country.

"Don't want to beg for NATO membership", says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday agreed a day-long ceasefire around a series of evacuation corridors to allow civilians to escape the fighting. WION's Anas Mallick brings you more insights.

Russia-Ukraine agree to day long evacuation corridors

Russia announced a new ceasefire in Ukraine on Wednesday to let civilians flee besieged cities, after days of mostly failed promises that have left hundreds of thousands trapped without access to medicine or fresh water.

After air-raid sirens rang out again in Kyiv overnight, the plan was to open safe routes out of five Ukrainian areas including two suburbs of the capital that have been devastated by Russian shelling.

But previous ceasefire efforts have been bedevilled by violations, with Moscow apparently determined to push forward a 14-day-old invasion of its neighbour that has shocked the world.

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The greatest alarm has been sounded over Mariupol, a southern port totally surrounded by Russian troops for more than a week, where the Red Cross has described the situation faced by civilians as "apocalyptic".

Residents there have been sheltering underground from relentless bombardment, unable to evacuate their wounded, and with no access to food, water, power or heat.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-rocket-launchers-target-ukraines-cities-460535" hreflang="en">Russia's rocket launchers target Ukraine's cities</a>

In Kyiv, back-to-back air alerts Wednesday morning urged residents to get to bomb shelters as quickly as possible over fears of incoming Russian missiles. An all-clear was given for each alert soon afterward.

Such alerts are intermittent, keeping people on edge. Kyiv has been relatively quiet in recent days, though Russian artillery has pounded the outskirts.

Kyiv regional administration head Oleksiy Kuleba said the crisis for civilians was growing in the capital, with the situation particularly critical in the city’s suburbs.

“Russia is artificially creating a humanitarian crisis in the Kyiv region, frustrating the evacuation of people and continuing shelling and bombing small communities,” he said.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-does-aftermath-of-russian-invasion-look-like-for-ukraine-459414">What does aftermath of Russian invasion look like for Ukraine?</a>

The UN&nbsp;estimates that more than 2 million people have fled the country. Many more have become trapped inside cities bombarded and encircled by Russian forces, who have seen their advance slowed by fiercer than expected Ukrainian resistance.

Moscow calls its action a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour and dislodge leaders it calls "neo-Nazis."&nbsp;

Kyiv and its Western allies dismiss that as a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war against a democratic country of 44 million people.

Talks aimed at ending the fighting have so far yielded little, but the foreign ministers from Russia and Ukraine are expected to meet in Turkey on Thursday, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

As Russian forces press their offensive in the south, Ukrainians fear the next big target will be Odessa, Ukraine's main Black Sea port. Residents are preparing to defend the historic city of 1 million, a polyglot centre of culture with wide resonance for Ukrainians and Russians alike.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia announced a new ceasefire in Ukraine on Wednesday to let civilians flee besieged cities, after days of mostly failed promises that have left hundreds of thousands trapped without access to medicine or fresh water.

Russia announced a new ceasefire in Ukraine on Wednesday to let civilians flee besieged cities, after days of mostly failed promises that have left hundreds of thousands trapped without access to medicine or fresh water. After air-raid sirens rang out again in Kyiv overnight, the plan was to open safe routes out of five Ukrainian areas including two suburbs of the capital that have been devastated by Russian shelling. But previous ceasefire efforts have been bedevilled by violations, with Moscow apparently determined to push forward a 14-day-old invasion of its neighbour that has shocked the world. The greatest alarm has been sounded over Mariupol, a southern port totally surrounded by Russian troops for more than a week, where the Red Cross has described the situation faced by civilians as "apocalyptic". Residents there have been sheltering underground from relentless bombardment, unable to evacuate their wounded, and with no access to food, water, power or heat. Also see | Russia's rocket launchers target Ukraine's cities In Kyiv, back-to-back air alerts Wednesday morning urged residents to get to bomb shelters as quickly as possible over fears of incoming Russian missiles. An all-clear was given for each alert soon afterward. Such alerts are intermittent, keeping people on edge. Kyiv has been relatively quiet in recent days, though Russian artillery has pounded the outskirts. Kyiv regional administration head Oleksiy Kuleba said the crisis for civilians was growing in the capital, with the situation particularly critical in the city’s suburbs. “Russia is artificially creating a humanitarian crisis in the Kyiv region, frustrating the evacuation of people and continuing shelling and bombing small communities,” he said. Also see | What does aftermath of Russian invasion look like for Ukraine? The UN estimates that more than 2 million people have fled the country. Many more have become trapped inside cities bombarded and encircled by Russian forces, who have seen their advance slowed by fiercer than expected Ukrainian resistance. Moscow calls its action a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour and dislodge leaders it calls "neo-Nazis." Kyiv and its Western allies dismiss that as a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war against a democratic country of 44 million people. Talks aimed at ending the fighting have so far yielded little, but the foreign ministers from Russia and Ukraine are expected to meet in Turkey on Thursday, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. As Russian forces press their offensive in the south, Ukrainians fear the next big target will be Odessa, Ukraine's main Black Sea port. Residents are preparing to defend the historic city of 1 million, a polyglot centre of culture with wide resonance for Ukrainians and Russians alike. (With inputs from agencies)

From intermittent alerts to blaring air raid sirens: Russian pressure keeps Kyiv on edge

Ukraine has begun evacuating civilians from the town of Irpin near the capital Kyiv after days of heavy aerial bombardment by Russian forces. WION's Anas Mallick brings you this report from the ground zero.

Ground Report: Irpin faces heat as Russian troops advance towards Kyiv

Ukrainian military has a tough job at hand to close all channels entering Kyiv to keep the Russian troops out but at the same time to keep the humanitarian routes open to help its civilians evacuate. WION's Anas Mallick brings you this report from a bridge Bucha region and Irpin.

Ukraine destroys bridge of Bucha to keep Russians out of Kyiv

Moscow threatens to close a major gas pipeline to Germany after the US pushed its European allies to consider banning Russian oil imports over its invasion of Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine war puts oil market in turmoil

Civilians are coming under attack in Ukraine. Near Kyiv, a shell exploded near a group of civilians who were trying to flee. Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas | Watch: Ukrainian civilians hit by a missile near Kyiv

Oil prices have skyrocketed. Global markets have tanked. The chief of the World Bank has called the Ukraine invasion "an economic catastrophe". Molly Gambhir tells you how the war could impact you.

Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: Global investors lose billions

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed out at NATO over its refusal to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine. What does a no-fly zone mean? Why is NATO refusing to impose one? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Zelensky lashes out at NATO over no-fly zone

What military gains did Russia make over the weekend? What did Joe Biden and Zelensky discuss in their phone call? Why is Zelensky upset with NATO? Molly Gambhir decodes the developments with WION's correspondents.

Gravitas: Decoding Russia's military gains

An 'Iron Curtain' has descended upon Russia. Banks and multi-national companies are cutting ties with Moscow. Attempts are also being made to disconnect Russia from the global internet. Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: New 'Iron Curtain' descends upon Russia

US media reports say Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to beat Ukrainians in urban warfare. What is the role of foreign mercenaries in this war? How many of them are deployed in Ukraine? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Putin using Syrian fighters to beat Ukraine?

At a time when Russia's military operation is causing a fast-growing refugee crisis in Europe, a handful of Ukrainian citizens have found a safe refuge on an Indian cruise ship. WION tells you more in this report.

20 Ukrainians find safe refuge in an Indian cruise ship

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Monday evening that all Indian students who were in Sumy had been successfully evacuated, and are now in Poltava.

Ukraine starts evacuation of civilians from Sumy to Poltava

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, used an annual press conference to laud Russia as his country’s “most important strategic partner”, while condemning the West’s “double standards” on its territorial claims towards Taiwan.

China hails Russia friendship and condemns the west for double standards on Ukraine

After Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the foreigners to show support for his country and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war, a total of 16,000 foreigners have volunteered to fight untethered against the Russian assault.

Ukraine Under Attack: 16,000 foreigners volunteer to fight for Ukraine against Russia

People in Ukraine are unable to flee with their pets amid the Russian invasion, they're finding it difficult to leave their pets behind. Ukrainians are being forced to leave their pets due to conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The dilemma of pet owners amid Russia invasion

Russia has opened safe corridors for civilians from 5 Ukrainian cities. However, assault on cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Mariupol continues. WION's Anas Mallick brings you more insights.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia opens humanitarian corridor for 5 Ukrainian cities

Russia threatened to cut natural gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline as part of its response to sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia threatens to cut gas supplies to Europe via Nord stream 1

Russia has claimed that US is running around 30 biolabs in Ukraine, possibly creating biological weapons. Russian ministry also accused that the United States has spent around $200 million on these biolabs.

Ukraine under attack: Russian military claims US running 30 biolabs in Ukraine

From chef to IT expert, Ukrainian men began to take crash courses in fighting, fearing that Russia might launch an assault on their beloved country anytime. WION tells you more.

Ukrainian men take crash courses in fighting

In the latest Russia has threatened to close its main gas pipeline to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline as part of its response to sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine, a move that could heighten the turmoil in energy markets and drive consumer prices even higher.

Russia threatens Europe's gas supplies, oil prices hit 14-year high

WION is reporting from the frontlines of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Our correspondent Anas Mallick is on ground zero and has documented his train journey as he made his way from the West Ukrainian city of Lviv to the capital Kyiv.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Trains make their way cautiously as Russia advances in Ukraine

The Vinnytsia airport was “completely destroyed” when Russian missiles struck Ukraine’s central-western city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the missile strike as "brutal and cynical".

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: 8 Russian rockets destroys Havryshovka airport in Vinnytsia

Russia boycotted hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Monday during which Ukraine is seeking an emergency order to halt hostilities, arguing that Moscow has falsely applied genocide law in justifying its invasion.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukraine slams Russia for no-show at ICJ hearing

Russian troops have made significant advances in the last one and a half weeks, the major cities still remain under Ukrainian control. The main battle is of course going to be for the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.

Can Kyiv resist the Russian Assault?

On day 12 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Russian troops have made significant advances over the last one and a half weeks. But major cities still remain under the control of the Ukrainian government. WION's Anas Mallick brings you more insights.

Mapping the Russian invasion of Ukraine; towns of Irpin and Chernihiv bombarded

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and the President of Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urging the two sides of ceasefire and to ensure the safe evacuation of all the Indians from the region.

PM Modi speaks with Putin, Zelensky, conveys concern for safety of Indians

According to US officials, Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters experienced in urban combat as it ramps up its assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has claimed around 20,000 foreign volunteers have traveled to the country to join Kyiv's forces.

US says Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to fight in Ukraine

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba plan to meet on the sidelines of a diplomatic forum in Turkey.

Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers to meet in Turkey on March 12

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