Russian police have detained two women and five children who wanted to lay flowers at the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow.

The children who are between the ages of 7 and 11 were held in a van with their mothers until they were taken to a police station.&nbsp;Alexandra Arkhipova, an anthropologist, says they were released hours later.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/silence-the-gunsnow-world-is-rejecting-russias-lies-heres-how-world-leaders-reacted-to-unga-vote-458355" hreflang="en">'Silence the guns...now', 'world is rejecting Russia’s lies': Here's how world leaders reacted to UNGA vote</a>

She identified the two women detained as Ekaterina Zavizion and Olga Alter. The kids accompanying the two women are Sofya Gladkova, 7 years old, Lisa Gladkova 11 years old, Gosha Petrov 11 years old, Matvey Petrov 9 years old and David Petrov 7 years old.

The anthropologist, who works at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, wrote on Facebook: “Everything that has happened is not stuck in my head.” (Translated from Russian)

Arkhipova has also shared video footage on social media that shows one of the children crying and a woman comforting her.&nbsp;Watch the video here:

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The police, according to Arkhipova, threatened to take away the children's custody from the two women. A trial and a fine await them on unspecified charges, she added.

&nbsp;“The parents are in fear.”

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A Russian website that tracks protests and arrests, OVD-Info, says children up to 14 years of age cannot be legally held for more than three hours.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-staggering-humanitarian-cost-of-russias-cruellest-day-of-attack-on-ukraine-458341" hreflang="en">The 'staggering' humanitarian cost of Russia's 'cruellest' day of attack on Ukraine</a>

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, shared images of the children and said it was another sign of the toll that the war between Russia and Ukraine is taking on children.

He wrote on Twitter: “Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters.

“This is how scared the man is.”

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Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters. This is how scared the man is. <a href="https://t.co/eSenU1D5Ut">pic.twitter.com/eSenU1D5Ut</a>
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) <a href="https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1498912341060165635?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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In cities across Russia, thousands of people have defied police threats and protested against the invasion of Ukraine. The authorities have a low tolerance for protests and marches, and those who attend them can suffer serious consequences such as fines, arrests and even incarceration.

More than 320 anti-war protesters have been arrested across 33 Russian cities, according to OVD-Info. Since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, a total of 6,840 people have been detained.

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Russian police have detained two women and five children who wanted to lay flowers at the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow. The children who are between the ages of 7 and 11 were held in a van with their mothers until they were taken to a police station.

Russian police have detained two women and five children who wanted to lay flowers at the Ukrainian embassy in Moscow. The children who are between the ages of 7 and 11 were held in a van with their mothers until they were taken to a police station. Alexandra Arkhipova, an anthropologist, says they were released hours later. Also read | 'Silence the guns...now', 'world is rejecting Russia’s lies': Here's how world leaders reacted to UNGA vote She identified the two women detained as Ekaterina Zavizion and Olga Alter. The kids accompanying the two women are Sofya Gladkova, 7 years old, Lisa Gladkova 11 years old, Gosha Petrov 11 years old, Matvey Petrov 9 years old and David Petrov 7 years old. The anthropologist, who works at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, wrote on Facebook: “Everything that has happened is not stuck in my head.” (Translated from Russian) Arkhipova has also shared video footage on social media that shows one of the children crying and a woman comforting her. Watch the video here: × The police, according to Arkhipova, threatened to take away the children's custody from the two women. A trial and a fine await them on unspecified charges, she added. “The parents are in fear.” A Russian website that tracks protests and arrests, OVD-Info, says children up to 14 years of age cannot be legally held for more than three hours. Also read | The 'staggering' humanitarian cost of Russia's 'cruellest' day of attack on Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, Ukrainian foreign minister, shared images of the children and said it was another sign of the toll that the war between Russia and Ukraine is taking on children. He wrote on Twitter: “Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters. “This is how scared the man is.” Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters. This is how scared the man is. pic.twitter.com/eSenU1D5Ut — Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 2, 2022 × In cities across Russia, thousands of people have defied police threats and protested against the invasion of Ukraine. The authorities have a low tolerance for protests and marches, and those who attend them can suffer serious consequences such as fines, arrests and even incarceration. More than 320 anti-war protesters have been arrested across 33 Russian cities, according to OVD-Info. Since Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, a total of 6,840 people have been detained.

'Putin is at war with children': Russian police detain 5 children for laying flowers at Ukrainian embassy

The EU's official journal said on Wednesday that seven Russian banks will no longer be part of the SWIFT network. The move is the result of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

SWIFT has also notified that they will be complying with the EU's instructions.

"To this end, in compliance with the legal instruction in &nbsp;EU Council Regulation (EU) 2022/345 of 1 March 2022, we will disconnect seven designated Russian entities (and their designated Russia based subsidiaries) from the SWIFT network. This Regulation requires us to disconnect the identified entities on 12 March 2022, and we will do so accordingly."&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-invasion-united-states-treasury-bans-transactions-with-russias-central-bank-457505">Ukraine invasion: United States Treasury bans transactions with Russia’s Central Bank</a>

The banks, which have been given 10 days to discontinue SWIFT services, include Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, as well as Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Bank Rossiya, Sovcombank and VEB.

As a senior EU official explained, the banks on the list were selected based on their connections to the Russian state, with public banks already subject to sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014.

"All these banks that we have listed under SWIFT... they are all based on their connection to the state and the implicit connection to the war effort. We have not gone for a blanket ban across the whole banking system," the official said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swift-has-the-power-to-put-russia-on-back-foot-but-what-is-it-actually-456396">‘SWIFT’ has the power to put Russia on back foot. But what is it actually?</a>

The list does not include Sberbank, Russia's largest lender, and Gazprombank. This is because these companies handle most of the payments for Russian oil and gas, which EU countries are still buying despite the conflict.

The EU official said it was not possible simply to allow energy-related transactions and exclude others as SWIFT was unable to differentiate between types of payments. The official added that these two banks were nevertheless subject to other measures.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Moscow trying to install puppet regime in Ukraine?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-moscow-trying-to-install-puppet-regime-in-ukraine-458384/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Saturday, the European Union, the United States, Britain, and Canada blocked certain Russian banks from SWIFT, although they did not say which banks would be affected.

There is no clear global rival to SWIFT, a global payments network with over 11,000 members. EU officials said China has established a system, but it remains small, whereas SWIFT is still used for 70 per cent of transfers within Russia despite the existence of a Russian system.

If such systems existed, banks could still transfer funds via workarounds such as faxes and bilateral messaging systems.

(With inputs from agencies)

The EU's official journal said on Wednesday that seven Russian banks will no longer be part of the SWIFT network. The move is the result of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The EU's official journal said on Wednesday that seven Russian banks will no longer be part of the SWIFT network. The move is the result of sanctions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. SWIFT has also notified that they will be complying with the EU's instructions. "To this end, in compliance with the legal instruction in EU Council Regulation (EU) 2022/345 of 1 March 2022, we will disconnect seven designated Russian entities (and their designated Russia based subsidiaries) from the SWIFT network. This Regulation requires us to disconnect the identified entities on 12 March 2022, and we will do so accordingly." Also read | Ukraine invasion: United States Treasury bans transactions with Russia’s Central Bank The banks, which have been given 10 days to discontinue SWIFT services, include Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, as well as Bank Otkritie, Novikombank, Promsvyazbank, Bank Rossiya, Sovcombank and VEB. As a senior EU official explained, the banks on the list were selected based on their connections to the Russian state, with public banks already subject to sanctions following Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014. "All these banks that we have listed under SWIFT... they are all based on their connection to the state and the implicit connection to the war effort. We have not gone for a blanket ban across the whole banking system," the official said. Also read | ‘SWIFT’ has the power to put Russia on back foot. But what is it actually? The list does not include Sberbank, Russia's largest lender, and Gazprombank. This is because these companies handle most of the payments for Russian oil and gas, which EU countries are still buying despite the conflict. The EU official said it was not possible simply to allow energy-related transactions and exclude others as SWIFT was unable to differentiate between types of payments. The official added that these two banks were nevertheless subject to other measures. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Moscow trying to install puppet regime in Ukraine? On Saturday, the European Union, the United States, Britain, and Canada blocked certain Russian banks from SWIFT, although they did not say which banks would be affected. There is no clear global rival to SWIFT, a global payments network with over 11,000 members. EU officials said China has established a system, but it remains small, whereas SWIFT is still used for 70 per cent of transfers within Russia despite the existence of a Russian system. If such systems existed, banks could still transfer funds via workarounds such as faxes and bilateral messaging systems. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine Crisis Day 8: SWIFT says will comply with EU instructions, disconnect 7 Russian banks

An overwhelming majority of nations at the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;General Assembly&nbsp;voted on Wednesday to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine by "demanding" Russia "immediately" withdraw from it.

The move is seen as a powerful rebuke to Moscow's invasion.

US President Joe Biden in a statement later Wednesday said that "the world is rejecting Russia’s lies,". "Russia is responsible for the devastating abuses of human rights and the international humanitarian crisis that we are watching unfold in Ukraine in real time."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-general-assembly-votes-to-demand-russian-withdrawal-from-ukraine-india-china-abstain-458333">UN General Assembly votes to demand Russian withdrawal from Ukraine; India, China abstain</a>

The resolution "deplores"&nbsp;the invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;and President Vladimir Putin's decision to place nuclear weapons on alert&nbsp;"in the strongest terms".

"They have come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist," Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the Assembly ahead of the vote.

"It's already clear that the goal of Russia is not an occupation only. It is genocide."

The text of the resolution has undergone numerous changes over the past couple of days.&nbsp;It no longer&nbsp;"condemns"&nbsp;the invasion as anticipated, but instead&nbsp;"deplores in the strongest terms the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-staggering-humanitarian-cost-of-russias-cruellest-day-of-attack-on-ukraine-458341" hreflang="en">The 'staggering' humanitarian cost of Russia's 'cruellest' day of attack on Ukraine</a>

The vote, which came as Putin's forces bore down on Kyiv while terrified Ukrainians fled, was touted by diplomats as a bellwether of democracy in an autocratic world.

Olof Skoog, the EU's ambassador to the UN, said the vote was "not just about Ukraine."

"It is about defending an international order based on rules we all have signed up to," he said in a statement.

Watch |&nbsp;UNGA votes on resolution on Russia's invasion of Ukraine &amp; demands Russia to withdraw troops

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unga-votes-on-resolution-on-russias-invasion-of-ukraine-demands-russia-to-withdraw-troops-458339/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

UN&nbsp;Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the General Assembly's message was "loud and clear."

"End hostilities in Ukraine -- now.&nbsp;Silence the guns -- now," he said in a statement.&nbsp;

"As bad as the situation is for the people in Ukraine right now, it threatens to get much, much worse.&nbsp;The ticking clock is a time bomb."

During the session, some delegations chose to place stuffed animals on their tables - a stark reminder of the conflict's devastating impact on children.

141 out of 193 member states voted for the non-binding resolution after more than two days of extraordinary debate during which the Ukrainian ambassador accused Russia of genocide.&nbsp;

A total of 35 countries, including&nbsp;China, India and Pakistan&nbsp;abstained from voting, and only five opposed it -- Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and of course Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

An overwhelming majority of nations at the UN General Assembly voted on Wednesday to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine by "demanding" Russia "immediately" withdraw from it.

An overwhelming majority of nations at the UN General Assembly voted on Wednesday to condemn Moscow's invasion of Ukraine by "demanding" Russia "immediately" withdraw from it. The move is seen as a powerful rebuke to Moscow's invasion. US President Joe Biden in a statement later Wednesday said that "the world is rejecting Russia’s lies,". "Russia is responsible for the devastating abuses of human rights and the international humanitarian crisis that we are watching unfold in Ukraine in real time." Also read | UN General Assembly votes to demand Russian withdrawal from Ukraine; India, China abstain The resolution "deplores" the invasion of Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin's decision to place nuclear weapons on alert "in the strongest terms". "They have come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist," Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the Assembly ahead of the vote. "It's already clear that the goal of Russia is not an occupation only. It is genocide." The text of the resolution has undergone numerous changes over the past couple of days. It no longer "condemns" the invasion as anticipated, but instead "deplores in the strongest terms the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine." Also read | The 'staggering' humanitarian cost of Russia's 'cruellest' day of attack on Ukraine The vote, which came as Putin's forces bore down on Kyiv while terrified Ukrainians fled, was touted by diplomats as a bellwether of democracy in an autocratic world. Olof Skoog, the EU's ambassador to the UN, said the vote was "not just about Ukraine." "It is about defending an international order based on rules we all have signed up to," he said in a statement. Watch | UNGA votes on resolution on Russia's invasion of Ukraine & demands Russia to withdraw troops UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarked that the General Assembly's message was "loud and clear." "End hostilities in Ukraine -- now. Silence the guns -- now," he said in a statement. "As bad as the situation is for the people in Ukraine right now, it threatens to get much, much worse. The ticking clock is a time bomb." During the session, some delegations chose to place stuffed animals on their tables - a stark reminder of the conflict's devastating impact on children. 141 out of 193 member states voted for the non-binding resolution after more than two days of extraordinary debate during which the Ukrainian ambassador accused Russia of genocide. A total of 35 countries, including China, India and Pakistan abstained from voting, and only five opposed it -- Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and of course Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

'Silence the guns...now', 'world is rejecting Russia’s lies': Here's how world leaders reacted to UNGA vote

US officials warned Wednesday of the "staggering" human toll of Moscow's incursion into Ukraine following the apparent use of cluster bombs and other treaty violating weapons that threaten to escalate further the conflict.

The warning came as Russia reported that 498 of its troops were killed in the assault on ex-Soviet Ukraine, the first official death toll it has released but one that Kyiv says is considerably undercounted.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/320-missiles-in-a-day-russia-targets-short-range-ballistic-missiles-at-ukraine-what-is-the-result-458123" hreflang="en">320 missiles in a day: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result?</a>

Despite determined resistance in Ukraine, Russia appears to be stepping up the offensive initiated by President Vladimir Putin seven days earlier -- in defiance of almost all of the international community.

"Today was the hardest, cruellest of the seven days of this war," said Vadym Boychenko, the mayor of the key southeastern port of Mariupol who said Russian forces pummelled the city for hours and were attempting to block civilians from leaving.

"Today they just wanted to destroy us all," he said in a video on Telegram, accusing Russian forces of attacking residential buildings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-bank-prepares-3-billion-emergency-aid-package-for-war-torn-ukraine-458087" hreflang="en">World Bank prepares $3 billion emergency aid package for war-torn Ukraine</a>

Boychenko said the assault damaged more of the city's vital infrastructure, leaving residents without light, water, or heat.

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken warned that the human toll was already "staggering," and that Russia has been attacking places that "aren't military targets."

"Hundreds if not thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded," said the Secretary of State, who will be travelling to eastern Europe next week to rally support for Ukraine and to secure a ceasefire.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Tracking the Ukraine Conflict

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-tracking-the-ukraine-conflict-458325/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to Ukraine's government, at least 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed in the conflict, and hundreds of thousands have fled the country since it began.&nbsp;

The UN's office for human rights, OHCHR, said it registered 752 civilian casualties, including 227 deaths, but believes that the number is "considerably higher."

"The humanitarian consequences will only grow in the days ahead," Blinken warned.

(With inputs from agency)

US officials warned Wednesday of the "staggering" human toll of Moscow's incursion into Ukraine following the apparent use of cluster bombs and other treaty violating weapons that threaten to escalate further the conflict.

US officials warned Wednesday of the "staggering" human toll of Moscow's incursion into Ukraine following the apparent use of cluster bombs and other treaty violating weapons that threaten to escalate further the conflict. The warning came as Russia reported that 498 of its troops were killed in the assault on ex-Soviet Ukraine, the first official death toll it has released but one that Kyiv says is considerably undercounted. Also read | 320 missiles in a day: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result? Despite determined resistance in Ukraine, Russia appears to be stepping up the offensive initiated by President Vladimir Putin seven days earlier -- in defiance of almost all of the international community. "Today was the hardest, cruellest of the seven days of this war," said Vadym Boychenko, the mayor of the key southeastern port of Mariupol who said Russian forces pummelled the city for hours and were attempting to block civilians from leaving. "Today they just wanted to destroy us all," he said in a video on Telegram, accusing Russian forces of attacking residential buildings. Also read | World Bank prepares $3 billion emergency aid package for war-torn Ukraine Boychenko said the assault damaged more of the city's vital infrastructure, leaving residents without light, water, or heat. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken warned that the human toll was already "staggering," and that Russia has been attacking places that "aren't military targets." "Hundreds if not thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded," said the Secretary of State, who will be travelling to eastern Europe next week to rally support for Ukraine and to secure a ceasefire. Watch | Gravitas: Tracking the Ukraine Conflict According to Ukraine's government, at least 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed in the conflict, and hundreds of thousands have fled the country since it began. The UN's office for human rights, OHCHR, said it registered 752 civilian casualties, including 227 deaths, but believes that the number is "considerably higher." "The humanitarian consequences will only grow in the days ahead," Blinken warned. (With inputs from agency)

The 'staggering' humanitarian cost of Russia's 'cruellest' day of attack on Ukraine

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