Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region intensified on Wednesday (April 10) afternoon, hitting a clinic and a pharmacy, and killing at least three people, according to a local official.&nbsp;

Kharkiv and the surrounding areas have been under consistent Russian attack, but the recent weeks have seen a surge in strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure.

A 14-year-old girl, and two women were killed in the village of Lyptsi, where a pharmacy came under attack, regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram.

Two more people were injured, and rescuers continued searching through the rubble for victims.

Two guided bombs destroyed a clinic in Vovchansk, injuring one person, Synehubov said. Separately, Russian troops dropped an explosive on a bus, wounding a man, according to the interior ministry.

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, though the war that began with its full-scale invasion in 2022 has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, the uprooting of millions and the destruction of Ukrainian towns and cities.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region intensified on Wednesday (April 10) afternoon, hitting a clinic and a pharmacy, and killing at least three people, according to a local official.

Russian airstrikes on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region intensified on Wednesday (April 10) afternoon, hitting a clinic and a pharmacy, and killing at least three people, according to a local official. Kharkiv and the surrounding areas have been under consistent Russian attack, but the recent weeks have seen a surge in strikes targeting civilian and energy infrastructure. A 14-year-old girl, and two women were killed in the village of Lyptsi, where a pharmacy came under attack, regional governor Oleh Synehubov said on Telegram. Two more people were injured, and rescuers continued searching through the rubble for victims. Two guided bombs destroyed a clinic in Vovchansk, injuring one person, Synehubov said. Separately, Russian troops dropped an explosive on a bus, wounding a man, according to the interior ministry. Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, though the war that began with its full-scale invasion in 2022 has resulted in the deaths of thousands of people, the uprooting of millions and the destruction of Ukrainian towns and cities. (With inputs from agencies) Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos

Russian airstrikes hit Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, killing 3

United States President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz&nbsp;held talks at the White House on Friday and pledged to&nbsp;support Ukraine as long as it takes and punish Russia over its invasion of Kyiv. In a briefing, President Biden said that he last met Scholz when, "Russia was amassing its troops," on the border, adding the West had&nbsp;vowed to respond and "together we made good on that promise."

This comes hours after a warning from Russia to western countries over&nbsp;providing tanks and other military weapons to Ukraine, pointing towards Germany.

Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Kremlin said it is obvious that&nbsp;this will prolong the conflict and have "sad consequences for Ukrainians."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-likely-to-run-out-of-money-next-year-claims-oligarch-oleg-deripaska-567969">Also read |&nbsp;Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska</a>

It was Scholz's first trip to the US since Feb 2022, and&nbsp;the two leaders highlighted their approach to support Kyiv, said an AFP report.&nbsp;

In reply to Russia's warning, Scholz said that it is important to send a message to Ukraine that "we will continue to support Kyiv as long it takes."

Watch |&nbsp;Scholz meets Biden in order to keep Ukraine strategies aligned

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The chancellor's visit came after a period of rocky ties, mainly over the delivery of military tanks long sought by officials in Kyiv, which they agreed on at the end of January.&nbsp;

The diplomatic relationship between the United States and Germany is extremely sensitive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-raisina-dialogue-russias-lavrov-says-ukraine-cancelled-everything-including-minsk-agreements-568248">Also read |&nbsp;Russia's Lavrov says Ukraine cancelled everything including Minsk agreements</a>

This is because&nbsp;Biden's predecessor&nbsp;Donald Trump put pressure on Berlin to drop the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany.&nbsp;

The two leaders also discussed issues related to China.&nbsp;

Former US diplomat Jeffery Rathke said that the meeting sends a clear and persuasive signal to China over its relationship with Moscow, with both sides warning against sending military arms to Russia.

(With inputs from agencies) 
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United States President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks at the White House on Friday and pledged to support Ukraine as long as it takes and punish Russia over its invasion of Kyiv.

United States President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held talks at the White House on Friday and pledged to support Ukraine as long as it takes and punish Russia over its invasion of Kyiv. In a briefing, President Biden said that he last met Scholz when, "Russia was amassing its troops," on the border, adding the West had vowed to respond and "together we made good on that promise." This comes hours after a warning from Russia to western countries over providing tanks and other military weapons to Ukraine, pointing towards Germany. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for Kremlin said it is obvious that this will prolong the conflict and have "sad consequences for Ukrainians." Also read | Russia likely to run out of money next year, claims oligarch Oleg Deripaska It was Scholz's first trip to the US since Feb 2022, and the two leaders highlighted their approach to support Kyiv, said an AFP report. In reply to Russia's warning, Scholz said that it is important to send a message to Ukraine that "we will continue to support Kyiv as long it takes." Watch | Scholz meets Biden in order to keep Ukraine strategies aligned The chancellor's visit came after a period of rocky ties, mainly over the delivery of military tanks long sought by officials in Kyiv, which they agreed on at the end of January. The diplomatic relationship between the United States and Germany is extremely sensitive. Also read | Russia's Lavrov says Ukraine cancelled everything including Minsk agreements This is because Biden's predecessor Donald Trump put pressure on Berlin to drop the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from Russia to Germany. The two leaders also discussed issues related to China. Former US diplomat Jeffery Rathke said that the meeting sends a clear and persuasive signal to China over its relationship with Moscow, with both sides warning against sending military arms to Russia. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

President Joe Biden, German Chancellor Scholz vow to support support Kyiv for ‘as long as it takes’

As the Christmas festivities come to an end, Russia is all set to mark a new Calendar year. However, people in Moscow have confessed to not feeling upbeat despite the bustling streets and ice statues at Gorky Park.&nbsp;

Due to President Vladimir Putin's 'special military operations' in Ukraine, people in Moscow have also felt the absence of less expensive Western goods in the market while shopping. Letters adopted by the Russian military, Z, V and O, dazzled at the entrance of the famous park named after Maxim Gorky, reported Reuters.

New Year's is the most crucial holiday season in Russia. However, Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-40-per-cent-of-kyiv-population-left-without-power-after-russian-strikes-547670">Russia’s barrage of missiles leaves 40 per cent of Kyiv population without power</a>

New Year fir tree rates have surged due to the high delivery rates and shortage in stock, according to the market's owner, Vladislav Pukharev. He also mentioned that even though people still buy natural trees, they have switched to shorter ones.

However, there has been an annual increase in the sale of jewellery, informed Evgeniya, a jewellery maker from Russia's capital city.&nbsp;

On her evening walk to Gorky Park, Maria, a resident, said that the 10-month-old war between Russia and Ukraine has directly influenced her festive spirit. "It is difficult to be cheerful when you understand that people out there are going through such awful times," she told Reuters.

Watch|&nbsp;Gravitas: Russia steps up offensive In Kherson, Kyiv

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Another resident, Ivan, had a different opinion on celebrating holidays amid a war. He said, "A holiday remains a holiday. It (New Year) is still a holiday for children and grandparents. And it should remain so."

Matvey, a student, said he missed his friend, currently deployed in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula under Russia since 2014. While Natalia, a young woman, missed her favourite Portuguese wine and the variety of cheeses, her father interrupted her saying that 'there's a lot of Crimean wine.'

"Even though I'm not ready to celebrate it, as usual, it still needs to be celebrated. We need to give gifts etc. We need to fight this feeling of uncertainty," said Ekaterina, a researcher. Many people interviewed agree with her and will choose to celebrate New Year despite the 'complex feeling.'

People have also set up a pavilion for the donation of gifts and humanitarian aid to troops on Red Square in Moscow. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

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As the Christmas festivities come to an end, Russia is all set to mark a new Calendar year. However, people in Moscow have confessed to not feeling upbeat despite the bustling streets and ice statues at Gorky Park.

As the Christmas festivities come to an end, Russia is all set to mark a new Calendar year. However, people in Moscow have confessed to not feeling upbeat despite the bustling streets and ice statues at Gorky Park. Due to President Vladimir Putin's 'special military operations' in Ukraine, people in Moscow have also felt the absence of less expensive Western goods in the market while shopping. Letters adopted by the Russian military, Z, V and O, dazzled at the entrance of the famous park named after Maxim Gorky, reported Reuters. New Year's is the most crucial holiday season in Russia. However, Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7. Also read| Russia’s barrage of missiles leaves 40 per cent of Kyiv population without power New Year fir tree rates have surged due to the high delivery rates and shortage in stock, according to the market's owner, Vladislav Pukharev. He also mentioned that even though people still buy natural trees, they have switched to shorter ones. However, there has been an annual increase in the sale of jewellery, informed Evgeniya, a jewellery maker from Russia's capital city. On her evening walk to Gorky Park, Maria, a resident, said that the 10-month-old war between Russia and Ukraine has directly influenced her festive spirit. "It is difficult to be cheerful when you understand that people out there are going through such awful times," she told Reuters. Watch| Gravitas: Russia steps up offensive In Kherson, Kyiv Another resident, Ivan, had a different opinion on celebrating holidays amid a war. He said, "A holiday remains a holiday. It (New Year) is still a holiday for children and grandparents. And it should remain so." Matvey, a student, said he missed his friend, currently deployed in Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula under Russia since 2014. While Natalia, a young woman, missed her favourite Portuguese wine and the variety of cheeses, her father interrupted her saying that 'there's a lot of Crimean wine.' "Even though I'm not ready to celebrate it, as usual, it still needs to be celebrated. We need to give gifts etc. We need to fight this feeling of uncertainty," said Ekaterina, a researcher. Many people interviewed agree with her and will choose to celebrate New Year despite the 'complex feeling.' People have also set up a pavilion for the donation of gifts and humanitarian aid to troops on Red Square in Moscow. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russians to celebrate sombre New Year amid Ukraine crisis

The Bulgarian Prime Minister on Thursday (Dec 29) criticised Russia for putting Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev, who investigated Russian dissident Alexei Navalny's poisoning, in 2020 on a "wanted" list.&nbsp;According to the information published by the Russian interior ministry, Grozev the chief investigative journalist for Bellingcact news outlet is "wanted under an article of the Criminal Code."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/christo-grozev-journalist-who-reported-on-navalny-poisoning-now-wanted-by-russia-546971">Also read |&nbsp;Christo Grozev, journalist who reported on Navalny poisoning, now 'wanted' by Russia</a>

Prime Minister Galab Donev claimed this move was an intimidatory tactic designed to muzzle free speech.&nbsp;He added that Bulgaria will demand full information from Russia on why the journalist has been put on the list, Reuters reported

It is believed that Grozev's investigations into the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and the downing of the MH17 passenger plane over eastern Ukraine have angered Moscow.&nbsp;His recent reports have been focusing on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

In response to this, the journalist said that adding him to the list might be a way of keeping journalists away from looking into what is happening in Russia.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-40-per-cent-of-kyiv-population-left-without-power-after-russian-strikes-547670">Also read |&nbsp;Russia’s barrage of missiles leaves 40 per cent of Kyiv population without power</a>

Taking to Twitter, he said, "For years they've made it clear they are scared of our work and would stop at nothing to make it go away."

On Wednesday, he told the Bulgarian NOVA TV channel that he is afraid for his life and that someone who might want to do Kremlin a favour an attempt to eliminate or abduct him

Ambassador Mitrofanova said Bulgaria should ask Russia's interior ministry why the journalist was put on the list. He also said that now since he is no longer welcome in Russia, it "does not mean that someone will search for him around the world."

(With inputs from agencies)

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The Bulgarian Prime Minister on Thursday (Dec 29) criticised Russia for putting Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev, who investigated Russian dissident Alexei Navalny's poisoning, in 2020 on a "wanted" list.

The Bulgarian Prime Minister on Thursday (Dec 29) criticised Russia for putting Bulgarian journalist Christo Grozev, who investigated Russian dissident Alexei Navalny's poisoning, in 2020 on a "wanted" list. According to the information published by the Russian interior ministry, Grozev the chief investigative journalist for Bellingcact news outlet is "wanted under an article of the Criminal Code." Also read | Christo Grozev, journalist who reported on Navalny poisoning, now 'wanted' by Russia Prime Minister Galab Donev claimed this move was an intimidatory tactic designed to muzzle free speech. He added that Bulgaria will demand full information from Russia on why the journalist has been put on the list, Reuters reported It is believed that Grozev's investigations into the poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and the downing of the MH17 passenger plane over eastern Ukraine have angered Moscow. His recent reports have been focusing on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In response to this, the journalist said that adding him to the list might be a way of keeping journalists away from looking into what is happening in Russia. Also read | Russia’s barrage of missiles leaves 40 per cent of Kyiv population without power Taking to Twitter, he said, "For years they've made it clear they are scared of our work and would stop at nothing to make it go away." On Wednesday, he told the Bulgarian NOVA TV channel that he is afraid for his life and that someone who might want to do Kremlin a favour an attempt to eliminate or abduct him Ambassador Mitrofanova said Bulgaria should ask Russia's interior ministry why the journalist was put on the list. He also said that now since he is no longer welcome in Russia, it "does not mean that someone will search for him around the world." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE Live TV

'Will ask for full information': Bulgarian PM criticises Russia for putting journalist Grozev on wanted list

The US is finalising plans to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday (Dec 13) citing three officials familiar with the discussions.&nbsp;

The plans are currently up for formal approvals from US President Joe Biden and Defence Secretary Llyod Austin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-forces-damage-key-bridge-near-melitopol-russian-authorities-claim-542778">Also read |&nbsp;Ukrainian forces damage key bridge near Melitopol, Russian authorities claim</a>

Raytheon Technology Corp's Patriot is a ground-air defence system, built to intercept incoming missiles. It is one of the most demanded and advanced US air defence systems in the world.&nbsp;

It is usually used against advanced missile threats such as cruise missiles or ballistic missiles that typically include radars.&nbsp;

Ukraine has been asking its western allies for air defence systems to protect its energy infrastructure from Russia's attacks.

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Despite Russia's warning the US and other allies continue to send air defences amid surge Russia's recent surge in missiles in Ukraine.&nbsp;Not just Patriot, the US is providing Ukraine with every defence equipment.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-announces-fresh-sanctions-against-senior-russian-and-iranian-officials-542761">Also read |&nbsp;UK government announces fresh sanctions against senior Russian and Iranian officials</a>

No details such as Patriot's range or use have been confirmed by Washington. However, the US has restricted the use of High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) launchers in Ukraine.&nbsp;

According to Ukrainian officials, troops will be sent to Germany for training which could last for months.

Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine began on February 24. The US till now has provided Ukraine with nearly $19.3 billion of military aid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The US is finalising plans to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday (Dec 13) citing three officials familiar with the discussions.

The US is finalising plans to send Patriot missile defence system to Ukraine, Reuters news agency reported on Tuesday (Dec 13) citing three officials familiar with the discussions. The plans are currently up for formal approvals from US President Joe Biden and Defence Secretary Llyod Austin. Also read | Ukrainian forces damage key bridge near Melitopol, Russian authorities claim Raytheon Technology Corp's Patriot is a ground-air defence system, built to intercept incoming missiles. It is one of the most demanded and advanced US air defence systems in the world. It is usually used against advanced missile threats such as cruise missiles or ballistic missiles that typically include radars. Ukraine has been asking its western allies for air defence systems to protect its energy infrastructure from Russia's attacks. × Despite Russia's warning the US and other allies continue to send air defences amid surge Russia's recent surge in missiles in Ukraine. Not just Patriot, the US is providing Ukraine with every defence equipment. Also read | UK government announces fresh sanctions against senior Russian and Iranian officials No details such as Patriot's range or use have been confirmed by Washington. However, the US has restricted the use of High Mobility Artillery Rocket (HIMARS) launchers in Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, troops will be sent to Germany for training which could last for months. Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine began on February 24. The US till now has provided Ukraine with nearly $19.3 billion of military aid. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

US set to give Ukraine its most advanced 'Patriot' missile defence system: Report

An eight-year-old grey dog named Bice, an American pitbull in Ukraine is helping kids traumatised by the Russian war.&nbsp;

This is known as canine therapy, where patients interact with a dog while undergoing therapeutic treatment. This aims to provide patients with comfort, motivation and emotional support. &nbsp;

Bice arrived at the Centre for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, located in Boyarka, waiting for the kids, the Associated Press said in a report. There were 15 kids, ranging two-year-old to 18 years old. Each kid had his/her own story. Some witnessed Russian soldiers invading their hometowns and some saw soldiers beating their loved ones.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-is-jailing-beating-up-own-soldiers-who-refuse-to-fight-in-ukraine-report-542465">Also read |&nbsp;Russia is jailing, beating up own soldiers who refuse to fight in Ukraine: Report</a>

The centre has been providing regular psychological therapies for individuals who have been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February.&nbsp;

Oksana Sliepora, a psychologist, for the first time used canine therapy to treat her patients. "I read a lot of literature that working with dogs, with four-legged rehabilitators, helps children reduce stress, increase stress resistance, and reduce anxiety," AP quoted her as saying.

With the kids gathered, their faces glowed as they saw Bice. For 30 minutes, the dog let everybody touch and hug him. The kids enjoyed Bice doing his tricks.&nbsp;

Soon the kids didn't seem stressed but the fear was still there. The psychologist observed that the kids were scared of loud noises, like the sounds of jets passing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-needs-gas-and-more-weapons-zelensky-tells-g7-nations-542481">Also read |&nbsp;Ukraine needs gas and more weapons, Zelensky tells G7 nations</a>

Sliepora said, "Each child is psychologically traumatized in different ways."

Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine began in February. Millions of Ukraine were forced to flee their homes. Some were forced to fight for their country.&nbsp;

Many regions in Ukraine&nbsp;are currently facing dark and cold winters with no power after Russian attacks on energy infrastructures.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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An eight-year-old grey dog named Bice, an American pitbull in Ukraine is helping kids traumatised by the Russian war. This is known as canine therapy, where patients interact with a dog while undergoing therapeutic treatment.

An eight-year-old grey dog named Bice, an American pitbull in Ukraine is helping kids traumatised by the Russian war. This is known as canine therapy, where patients interact with a dog while undergoing therapeutic treatment. This aims to provide patients with comfort, motivation and emotional support. Bice arrived at the Centre for Social and Psychological Rehabilitation, located in Boyarka, waiting for the kids, the Associated Press said in a report. There were 15 kids, ranging two-year-old to 18 years old. Each kid had his/her own story. Some witnessed Russian soldiers invading their hometowns and some saw soldiers beating their loved ones. Also read | Russia is jailing, beating up own soldiers who refuse to fight in Ukraine: Report The centre has been providing regular psychological therapies for individuals who have been affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February. Oksana Sliepora, a psychologist, for the first time used canine therapy to treat her patients. "I read a lot of literature that working with dogs, with four-legged rehabilitators, helps children reduce stress, increase stress resistance, and reduce anxiety," AP quoted her as saying. With the kids gathered, their faces glowed as they saw Bice. For 30 minutes, the dog let everybody touch and hug him. The kids enjoyed Bice doing his tricks. Soon the kids didn't seem stressed but the fear was still there. The psychologist observed that the kids were scared of loud noises, like the sounds of jets passing. Also read | Ukraine needs gas and more weapons, Zelensky tells G7 nations Sliepora said, "Each child is psychologically traumatized in different ways." Moscow's "special military operation" in Ukraine began in February. Millions of Ukraine were forced to flee their homes. Some were forced to fight for their country. Many regions in Ukraine are currently facing dark and cold winters with no power after Russian attacks on energy infrastructures. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Canine therapy: How 'four-legged rehabilitator' is helping Ukrainian children traumatised by war

Soon after Russia's withdrawal from Kherson was announced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Russian troops had destroyed infrastructure in the city's southern region.

On Friday, after Russia formally announced the completion of the retreat, Zelensky said, "Kherson is ours." After this, Several photos and videos of celebrations were circulated.&nbsp;

In a video address, the president said that the occupants damaged all the key infrastructures before retreating from Kherson: communication, water, heat, and electricity.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-backs-fundraising-campaign-to-help-ukraine-buy-naval-drones-to-counter-russian-strikes-533551">Also read |&nbsp;Zelensky backs fundraising campaign to help Ukraine buy naval drones to counter Russian strikes</a>

The Ukrainian government is currently trying to stabilise the situation in Kherson. However, pro-Moscow forces are fighting back much harder elsewhere, Zelensky claimed&nbsp;that the fights in eastern Donetsk&nbsp;were "hell." He said, "There it is just hell — there are extremely fierce battles there every day."

He continued, "(Russians) everywhere have the same goal: to humiliate people as much as possible. But we will restore everything, believe me." Zelensky claimed that over 60 Ukrainian troops and communities had claimed control in Kherson. The policy has begun efforts to stabilize. In addition, the president stated that with Kherson's stabilization, over 2,000 miles of tripwires and a few unexplored shells have been removed, Reuters reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kherson-is-ours-says-ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-after-russias-retreat-533444">Also read |&nbsp;'Kherson is ours,' says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Russia's retreat</a>

Defending the efforts made by the Ukrainian troops, Zelensky said that one reason Ukraine was able to carry out effective operations in Kherson was Donetsk's defence against Russian attacks.

Moscow's military operation in Ukraine began months ago on February 24&nbsp;and claimed lives of thousands of people and forced millions to flee the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Soon after Russia's withdrawal from Kherson was announced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Russian troops had destroyed infrastructure in the city's southern region.

Soon after Russia's withdrawal from Kherson was announced, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Saturday that Russian troops had destroyed infrastructure in the city's southern region. On Friday, after Russia formally announced the completion of the retreat, Zelensky said, "Kherson is ours." After this, Several photos and videos of celebrations were circulated. In a video address, the president said that the occupants damaged all the key infrastructures before retreating from Kherson: communication, water, heat, and electricity. Also read | Zelensky backs fundraising campaign to help Ukraine buy naval drones to counter Russian strikes The Ukrainian government is currently trying to stabilise the situation in Kherson. However, pro-Moscow forces are fighting back much harder elsewhere, Zelensky claimed that the fights in eastern Donetsk were "hell." He said, "There it is just hell — there are extremely fierce battles there every day." He continued, "(Russians) everywhere have the same goal: to humiliate people as much as possible. But we will restore everything, believe me." Zelensky claimed that over 60 Ukrainian troops and communities had claimed control in Kherson. The policy has begun efforts to stabilize. In addition, the president stated that with Kherson's stabilization, over 2,000 miles of tripwires and a few unexplored shells have been removed, Reuters reported. Also read | 'Kherson is ours,' says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after Russia's retreat Defending the efforts made by the Ukrainian troops, Zelensky said that one reason Ukraine was able to carry out effective operations in Kherson was Donetsk's defence against Russian attacks. Moscow's military operation in Ukraine began months ago on February 24 and claimed lives of thousands of people and forced millions to flee the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine's President Zelensky claims Russia destroyed Kherson’s infrastructure, says Donetsk battles are ‘hell’

A day after Russia agreed to resume exports from the Black Sea, six grain ships left Ukraine’s ports, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.

" After the resumption of the grain initiative, six ships left Ukrainian ports. Thus, the number of ships leaving the ports exceeded 426 and the amount of grain transported surpassed 9.7 million tons," Akar was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency.

On Wednesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that Russia had agreed to resume grain exports after the latter announced to temporarily suspend the deal, which was signed on July 22 and brokered by the UN and Turkey.

Currently, negotiations are going on for a possible extension of the November 19 deadline for the grain deal. Earlier, the Turkish president said that Ankara is determined to transfer Russian grain and fertilizers to less developed countries.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia pulls out of UN-brokered grain deal. How will it impact global food prices?

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"Now, we will intensify our efforts within the framework determined by our president regarding the extension of the grain initiative, which will expire on November 19th," Akar said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-says-there-were-no-ships-in-grain-corridor-when-russia-alleged-attack-530026">UN says there were no ships in grain corridor when Russia alleged attack</a>

The Turkish minister hoped that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia ends through peaceful means.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-military-officials-discussed-using-nuclear-weapons-in-ukraine-war-report-530727" hreflang="en">Russian military officials discussed using nuclear weapons in Ukraine war: Report</a>

Russia had threatened to pull out of the deal, claiming that Ukraine was using the maritime corridor to carry out attacks on the Russian navy.

On October 29, Russia’s Black Sea fleet and its home port were attacked by drones on the Crimean port of Sevastopol.

Moscow had blamed Ukraine for the attacks, but Kyiv has so far not claimed responsibility.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A day after Russia agreed to resume exports from the Black Sea, six grain ships left Ukraine’s ports, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday. " After the resumption of the grain initiative, six ships left Ukrainian ports.

A day after Russia agreed to resume exports from the Black Sea, six grain ships left Ukraine’s ports, Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday. " After the resumption of the grain initiative, six ships left Ukrainian ports. Thus, the number of ships leaving the ports exceeded 426 and the amount of grain transported surpassed 9.7 million tons," Akar was quoted as saying by the Anadolu news agency. On Wednesday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announced that Russia had agreed to resume grain exports after the latter announced to temporarily suspend the deal, which was signed on July 22 and brokered by the UN and Turkey. Currently, negotiations are going on for a possible extension of the November 19 deadline for the grain deal. Earlier, the Turkish president said that Ankara is determined to transfer Russian grain and fertilizers to less developed countries. Watch | Russia pulls out of UN-brokered grain deal. How will it impact global food prices? "Now, we will intensify our efforts within the framework determined by our president regarding the extension of the grain initiative, which will expire on November 19th," Akar said. Also read | UN says there were no ships in grain corridor when Russia alleged attack The Turkish minister hoped that the conflict between Ukraine and Russia ends through peaceful means. Also read | Russian military officials discussed using nuclear weapons in Ukraine war: Report Russia had threatened to pull out of the deal, claiming that Ukraine was using the maritime corridor to carry out attacks on the Russian navy. On October 29, Russia’s Black Sea fleet and its home port were attacked by drones on the Crimean port of Sevastopol. Moscow had blamed Ukraine for the attacks, but Kyiv has so far not claimed responsibility. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Six grain ships leave Ukrainian port, day after Russia resumes trade deal

Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia.&nbsp;

Sobchak is&nbsp;the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor. She is reportedly Putins' goddaughter. Her father, the late Saint Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's boss.&nbsp;

Sobchak is a popular media personality who even stood in opposition to Putin in the 2018 elections.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putins-mobilisation-chief-found-dead-in-suspicious-circumstances-525836">Also read | Putin's mobilisation chief found dead under 'suspicious circumstances'</a>

A Lithuanian official in conversation with AFP confirmed Sobchak's arrival.&nbsp;Lithuania had earlier barred Russians from entering the borders amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia's news agency TASS reported that the 40-year-old journalist departed from Moscow at night, and flew to Lithuania via Belarus.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-way-flight-tickets-from-russia-increase-by-27-amid-putins-mobilisation-call-522317">Also read |&nbsp;One-way flight tickets from Russia increase by 27% amid Putin's mobilisation call&nbsp;</a>

Her media group, Attention Media has been under constant pressure from the government. The commercial director of the group, Kirill Sukhanov was earlier arrested by the government during an investigation. Sobchak's villa&nbsp;was also searched thoroughly during the investigation.&nbsp;

This is not the first time any Russian has fled the country. Ever since the invasion of Ukraine and the announcement of mobilisation a few weeks back, thousands of Russians have fled the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia. Sobchak is the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor.

Border officials in Vilnius, Lithuania, reported that Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak has fled to the country from Russia. Sobchak is the daughter of Russian President Vladimir Putin's mentor. She is reportedly Putins' goddaughter. Her father, the late Saint Petersburg mayor Anatoly Sobchak was Putin's boss. Sobchak is a popular media personality who even stood in opposition to Putin in the 2018 elections. Also read | Putin's mobilisation chief found dead under 'suspicious circumstances' A Lithuanian official in conversation with AFP confirmed Sobchak's arrival. Lithuania had earlier barred Russians from entering the borders amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, Russia's news agency TASS reported that the 40-year-old journalist departed from Moscow at night, and flew to Lithuania via Belarus. Also read | One-way flight tickets from Russia increase by 27% amid Putin's mobilisation call Her media group, Attention Media has been under constant pressure from the government. The commercial director of the group, Kirill Sukhanov was earlier arrested by the government during an investigation. Sobchak's villa was also searched thoroughly during the investigation. This is not the first time any Russian has fled the country. Ever since the invasion of Ukraine and the announcement of mobilisation a few weeks back, thousands of Russians have fled the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Putin's goddaughter and renowned Russian media figure Ksenia Sobchak flees to Lithuania 

India has voted against Russia's demand for a secret ballot on a draft resolution to condemn Moscow's annexation of four regions in Ukraine.&nbsp;On Monday (October 10), the 193-UNGA members took up a&nbsp;motion by Albania to draft a resolution condemning Russia for its illegal annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine to be taken by vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-russian-strikes-kill-14-in-ukraine-over-84-missiles-were-launched-524252">Also read |&nbsp;LIVE | Russian strikes kill 14 in Ukraine | Kyiv calls Russia a 'terrorist state'</a>

India's EAM Jaishankar during a joint press conference on Sunday refused to disclose India's stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he said that India has never supported the idea of 'war.'

Russia in UNGA demanded a secret ballot. Amongst the present members, 107 members voted against Russia's demand for a secret ballot including India. 13 nations voted in favor of Russia's demand, while the remaining &nbsp;39 members abstained. Russia and China were amongst the countries that did not vote.

Watch |&nbsp;UN publicly reject Russia’s demand for secret ballot on draft resolution on Ukraine

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After getting its demand rejected, Russia sought reconsideration of the decision in motion by Albania. However, the UNGA did not reconsider the motion with 100 nations including India voting against the 'reconsideration.' 16 countries voted in favor and 34 abstained.&nbsp;

Russia's permanent membership of the UNGA said that the UN membership has become a witness to fraud in which the UNGA president played a key role. Vassily Nebenzia said, "We were not given the floor to make a point of order (the indicator light at our seat is still on), our statement was distorted, and now UN member states are being robbed of their right to express their opinion freely." He continued, "This is an unprecedented manipulation undermining the authority of the general assembly and the United Nations as a whole. Of course, in such circumstances we opted to not take part in the vote," PTI reported.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/eam-jaishankar-refuses-to-disclose-indias-upcoming-un-vote-on-russia-523959">Also read |&nbsp;EAM Jaishankar refuses to disclose India's upcoming UN vote on Russia</a>

Following the meeting, Ukraine denounced Russia as a 'terrorist state.' UN's ambassador to the UN &nbsp;said, "Russia has proven once again that this is a terrorist state that must be deterred in the strongest possible ways." He further added, "Unfortunately, you can hardly call for a stable and sane peace as long as an unstable and insane dictatorship exists in your vicinity," AFP reported.&nbsp;

However, India till now has not yet condemned the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow's invasion of Ukraine enters its seventh month. Will it come to an end?&nbsp;

(With inputs from agenices) 
&nbsp;

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India has voted against Russia's demand for a secret ballot on a draft resolution to condemn Moscow's annexation of four regions in Ukraine. On Monday (October 10), the 193-UNGA members took up a motion by Albania to draft a resolution condemning Russia for its illegal annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine to be taken by vote.

India has voted against Russia's demand for a secret ballot on a draft resolution to condemn Moscow's annexation of four regions in Ukraine. On Monday (October 10), the 193-UNGA members took up a motion by Albania to draft a resolution condemning Russia for its illegal annexation of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions in Ukraine to be taken by vote. Also read | LIVE | Russian strikes kill 14 in Ukraine | Kyiv calls Russia a 'terrorist state' India's EAM Jaishankar during a joint press conference on Sunday refused to disclose India's stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, he said that India has never supported the idea of 'war.' Russia in UNGA demanded a secret ballot. Amongst the present members, 107 members voted against Russia's demand for a secret ballot including India. 13 nations voted in favor of Russia's demand, while the remaining 39 members abstained. Russia and China were amongst the countries that did not vote. Watch | UN publicly reject Russia’s demand for secret ballot on draft resolution on Ukraine After getting its demand rejected, Russia sought reconsideration of the decision in motion by Albania. However, the UNGA did not reconsider the motion with 100 nations including India voting against the 'reconsideration.' 16 countries voted in favor and 34 abstained. Russia's permanent membership of the UNGA said that the UN membership has become a witness to fraud in which the UNGA president played a key role. Vassily Nebenzia said, "We were not given the floor to make a point of order (the indicator light at our seat is still on), our statement was distorted, and now UN member states are being robbed of their right to express their opinion freely." He continued, "This is an unprecedented manipulation undermining the authority of the general assembly and the United Nations as a whole. Of course, in such circumstances we opted to not take part in the vote," PTI reported. Also read | EAM Jaishankar refuses to disclose India's upcoming UN vote on Russia Following the meeting, Ukraine denounced Russia as a 'terrorist state.' UN's ambassador to the UN said, "Russia has proven once again that this is a terrorist state that must be deterred in the strongest possible ways." He further added, "Unfortunately, you can hardly call for a stable and sane peace as long as an unstable and insane dictatorship exists in your vicinity," AFP reported. However, India till now has not yet condemned the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Moscow's invasion of Ukraine enters its seventh month. Will it come to an end? (With inputs from agenices) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India votes to reject Russia's demand for secret ballot on Ukraine at UN

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

There have been many attempts to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, a contentious political figure, if claims are to be believed.&nbsp;

Several people have been baying for the Russian strongman's blood, but Putin has always managed to escape unhurt.

So far, there have been five assassination attempts on the Russian strongman, excluding the one that took place this week.

Here are some of the instances when some came close to ending Putin's life.

Start of the Ukraine war

Earlier in May, Ukraine’s Chief of Defence Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov revealed said there had been an “unsuccessful attempt” on Putin’s life at the start of the Russian-Ukraine war,&nbsp;reports The Sun

Speaking to Ukrainian Pravda, Major-General Budanov said, "Putin was attacked."

“He was even attacked in the line of, as they say, representatives of the Caucasus not so long ago. This is non-public information. Absolutely unsuccessful attempt, but it really took place … It was about two months ago,” he added.

It was not clear who was behind the alleged attack or where it took place.

Azerbaijan

In 2002 during Putin's visit to Azerbaijan, an Iraqi man was held after plotting to kill the Russian leader.

The man was identified as an Iraqi citizen who was said to have links with Afghanistan and Chechen rebel forces.

He was set to deliver explosives to a co-conspirator. But by the time he could execute his plan, the security forces learned of the plot and arrested the man and his supposed accomplice.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-putin-survives-assassination-attempt-report-516404" hreflang="en">Russian President Vladimir Putin survives assassination attempt: Report&nbsp;</a>

Both were sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Bombing Putin's motorway

In the same year in November, the authorities were tipped off about a plot to kill Putin.

According to local reports, they found 40kg of explosives waiting to be detonated along the motorway used by the 69-year-old Russian leader.

It was claimed that a group of people disguised as repairmen placed the bomb there. But an hour later, the devices mysteriously disappeared and Putin’s car was rerouted.

To this day, authorities refuse to reveal the matter and even deny that it ever took place.

UK Police thwart conspiracy

An anti-terror squad from British police reportedly foiled a plot to kill Putin in October 2003.

According to the Sunday Times, which quoted a source, two men suspected to be assassins were arrested for hatching a plot to kill Putin&nbsp;

One of the men was claimed to be a former Russian secret service hitman.

According to the report, these men had defected to Britain three years ago and were hired by a contract killer to assassinate Putin.

But the cops later released two men, aged 40 and 36after questioning and added that no further action would be taken against them.

Chechen rebel hatches a ‘plot’

In 2012, Rusian special forces captured a Chechen rebel, Adam Osmayev, who is said to have had links to the UK. He was caught in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa.

State TV later showed that he was paraded in public with visible injuries, supposedly making a confession.

“Our goal was to go to Moscow and try to kill Prime Minister Putin … Our deadline was after the Russian presidential election,” he was quoted as saying.

According to the Russian security services, Osmayev was “a graduate of a prestigious institution of higher learning in Great Britain”, and was from a prominent Chechen family opposed to Putin.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. There have been many attempts to assassinate Russian President Vladimir Putin, a contentious political figure, if claims are to be believed. Several people have been baying for the Russian strongman's blood, but Putin has always managed to escape unhurt. So far, there have been five assassination attempts on the Russian strongman, excluding the one that took place this week. Here are some of the instances when some came close to ending Putin's life. Start of the Ukraine war Earlier in May, Ukraine’s Chief of Defence Intelligence Kyrylo Budanov revealed said there had been an “unsuccessful attempt” on Putin’s life at the start of the Russian-Ukraine war, reports The Sun Speaking to Ukrainian Pravda, Major-General Budanov said, "Putin was attacked." “He was even attacked in the line of, as they say, representatives of the Caucasus not so long ago. This is non-public information. Absolutely unsuccessful attempt, but it really took place … It was about two months ago,” he added. It was not clear who was behind the alleged attack or where it took place. Azerbaijan In 2002 during Putin's visit to Azerbaijan, an Iraqi man was held after plotting to kill the Russian leader. The man was identified as an Iraqi citizen who was said to have links with Afghanistan and Chechen rebel forces. He was set to deliver explosives to a co-conspirator. But by the time he could execute his plan, the security forces learned of the plot and arrested the man and his supposed accomplice. Also read | Russian President Vladimir Putin survives assassination attempt: Report Both were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Bombing Putin's motorway In the same year in November, the authorities were tipped off about a plot to kill Putin. According to local reports, they found 40kg of explosives waiting to be detonated along the motorway used by the 69-year-old Russian leader. It was claimed that a group of people disguised as repairmen placed the bomb there. But an hour later, the devices mysteriously disappeared and Putin’s car was rerouted. To this day, authorities refuse to reveal the matter and even deny that it ever took place. UK Police thwart conspiracy An anti-terror squad from British police reportedly foiled a plot to kill Putin in October 2003. According to the Sunday Times, which quoted a source, two men suspected to be assassins were arrested for hatching a plot to kill Putin One of the men was claimed to be a former Russian secret service hitman. According to the report, these men had defected to Britain three years ago and were hired by a contract killer to assassinate Putin. But the cops later released two men, aged 40 and 36after questioning and added that no further action would be taken against them. Chechen rebel hatches a ‘plot’ In 2012, Rusian special forces captured a Chechen rebel, Adam Osmayev, who is said to have had links to the UK. He was caught in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa. State TV later showed that he was paraded in public with visible injuries, supposedly making a confession. “Our goal was to go to Moscow and try to kill Prime Minister Putin … Our deadline was after the Russian presidential election,” he was quoted as saying. According to the Russian security services, Osmayev was “a graduate of a prestigious institution of higher learning in Great Britain”, and was from a prominent Chechen family opposed to Putin. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

How Russia's President Putin escaped five assassination attempts

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Russian President Vladimir Putin survived an assassination attempt after his car was allegedly attacked while travelling to his official residence in a decoy motorcade, according to media reports.

The Mirror, a UK daily, reported that Putin was in his limousine when a "loud bang" was heard from the left front wheel of the car followed by heavy smoke.

Putin managed to escape unhurt following which he was quickly taken to safety by his personal security guards.

It is unconfirmed when the incident took place, but reports suggest that the attack happened this week amid the Russia-Ukraine war. The information on his assassination was released on the General GVR Telegram channel on Wednesday.

It said that multiple arrests have been made from Putin's security services, as some of his bodyguards reportedly vanished amid speculations that secret information about the 69-year-old leader’s movements was leaked.

According to reports, Putin was travelling in the third armoured car among the five that were used as decoys.

"On the way to the residence, a few kilometres away, the first escort car was blocked by an ambulance, the second escort car drove around without stopping (due to the) sudden obstacle," according to an update posted on the channel, as reported by the outlet.

GVR General reported that “despite the problems with control” Putin's car escaped the attack scene and safely reached his residence.

“Subsequently, the body of a man was found driving [the] ambulance, which blocked the first car from the motorcade,” said SVR General.

The channel said that the details of the attack are "classified", and did not provide details of the supposed attack on Putin's life.&nbsp;

This is not the first time that someone had tried to take Putin's life. In 2017,&nbsp;&nbsp;the Russian leader publicly disclosed that he has survived at least five assassination attempts.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Russian President Vladimir Putin survived an assassination attempt after his car was allegedly attacked while travelling to his official residence in a decoy motorcade, according to media reports. The Mirror, a UK daily, reported that Putin was in his limousine when a "loud bang" was heard from the left front wheel of the car followed by heavy smoke. Putin managed to escape unhurt following which he was quickly taken to safety by his personal security guards. It is unconfirmed when the incident took place, but reports suggest that the attack happened this week amid the Russia-Ukraine war. The information on his assassination was released on the General GVR Telegram channel on Wednesday. It said that multiple arrests have been made from Putin's security services, as some of his bodyguards reportedly vanished amid speculations that secret information about the 69-year-old leader’s movements was leaked. According to reports, Putin was travelling in the third armoured car among the five that were used as decoys. "On the way to the residence, a few kilometres away, the first escort car was blocked by an ambulance, the second escort car drove around without stopping (due to the) sudden obstacle," according to an update posted on the channel, as reported by the outlet. GVR General reported that “despite the problems with control” Putin's car escaped the attack scene and safely reached his residence. “Subsequently, the body of a man was found driving [the] ambulance, which blocked the first car from the motorcade,” said SVR General. The channel said that the details of the attack are "classified", and did not provide details of the supposed attack on Putin's life. This is not the first time that someone had tried to take Putin's life. In 2017, the Russian leader publicly disclosed that he has survived at least five assassination attempts. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Russian President Vladimir Putin survives assassination attempt: Report 

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai CooperationOrgansiation (SCO). In other news, Ukraine is aiming to liberate all of the land held by Russian forces after quickly defeating them in the northeast. Finally, US President Joe Biden threw an "inflation reduction" party while the CPI report showed inflation hitting 8.3 per cent, lower than what was predicted.&nbsp;

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/narendra-modi-to-meet-vladimir-putin-at-sco-summit-focus-on-trade-and-energy-ties-515924">Narendra Modi to meet Vladimir Putin at SCO summit, focus on trade and energy ties</a>

“There are plans to discuss issues of ‘saturation’ of the Indian market with Russian fertiliser and bilateral food supplies. First of all, moves, aimed at boosting bilateral trade flows, will be looked at. The trade turnover reached $11.5bn in the first half of 2022, up almost 120 per cent year-on-year.” &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-aims-to-free-all-russian-occupied-areas-after-recapturing-8000-sq-km-515931">Ukraine aims to free all Russian-occupied areas after recapturing 8,000 sq km</a>

In a Tuesday evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 8,000 square km (3,100 square miles) have been liberated by Ukrainian forces so far this month. The victories have apparently all been in the northeastern region of Kharkiv.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-parties-as-stock-market-tumbles-inflation-worsens-and-fed-indicates-rate-hike-515921">Biden parties as stock market tumbles, inflation worsens and Fed indicates rate hike</a>

"Exactly four weeks ago, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. So today, we're celebrating. Tune in at 3 PM ET as I deliver remarks and welcome the leaders and advocates who made it happen to the People's House." tweeted President Biden from his official Twitter account.

Watch |&nbsp;49 Armenian soldiers killed as clashes erupt between Armenia, Azerbaijan

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Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Another mystery death in Russia

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai CooperationOrgansiation (SCO).

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding bilateral talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai CooperationOrgansiation (SCO). In other news, Ukraine is aiming to liberate all of the land held by Russian forces after quickly defeating them in the northeast. Finally, US President Joe Biden threw an "inflation reduction" party while the CPI report showed inflation hitting 8.3 per cent, lower than what was predicted. Click on the headlines to read more: Narendra Modi to meet Vladimir Putin at SCO summit, focus on trade and energy ties “There are plans to discuss issues of ‘saturation’ of the Indian market with Russian fertiliser and bilateral food supplies. First of all, moves, aimed at boosting bilateral trade flows, will be looked at. The trade turnover reached $11.5bn in the first half of 2022, up almost 120 per cent year-on-year.” Ukraine aims to free all Russian-occupied areas after recapturing 8,000 sq km In a Tuesday evening address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 8,000 square km (3,100 square miles) have been liberated by Ukrainian forces so far this month. The victories have apparently all been in the northeastern region of Kharkiv. Biden parties as stock market tumbles, inflation worsens and Fed indicates rate hike "Exactly four weeks ago, I signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. So today, we're celebrating. Tune in at 3 PM ET as I deliver remarks and welcome the leaders and advocates who made it happen to the People's House." tweeted President Biden from his official Twitter account. Watch | 49 Armenian soldiers killed as clashes erupt between Armenia, Azerbaijan Watch | Gravitas: Another mystery death in Russia

Morning news brief: Modi-Putin to meet at SCO summit, Ukraine aims to free Russian-occupied areas, & more

US President Joe Biden has formally accepted an invitation to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, scheduled for September 19. In other news, the most recent flashpoint in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine is the region near Kharkiv. Russia attacked several infrastructural services in eastern Ukraine. In other news, due to Afghanistan's financial turmoil, major online retailers have gone out of business. Recently, Click.af and Baqal announced their closures. Finally, Carlos Alcaraz, 19, won his first US Open championship, defeating Casper Ruud in the final.

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-formally-accepts-invitation-to-attend-queen-elizabeth-iis-funeral-will-not-travel-with-delegation-515264">Joe Biden formally accepts invitation to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, will not travel with delegation</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/12/294961-joe-biden.png" />

Biden's visit to the UK for the funeral service will lead to a major security operation.&nbsp;

The United Kingdom plans to say goodbye to the longest-serving British monarch, who passed away at age 96 on Thursday.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-targets-power-grids-in-kharkiv-after-losing-ground-to-ukrainian-forces-515271">Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking power grid after losing ground in Kharkiv</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/12/294964-00032hr2ba.jpg" />

The attacks on Kharkiv continued for a long time and it ended up damaging the power and water supply for most parts of the city.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/amid-economic-crisis-in-afghanistan-online-shopping-services-to-shut-after-taliban-takeover-515260">Amid economic crisis in Afghanistan, online shopping services to shut after Taliban takeover&nbsp;</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/12/294959-000del509831.jpg" />Click.af, a well-known online shopping app, announced its closure on Saturday (September 10). The firm posted a message on its Facebook page stating its closure due to financial issues.

Baqal on Sunday (September 11), a three-year-old company, declared its collapse owing to financial difficulties.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/carlos-alcaraz-the-newly-crowned-world-no-1-who-took-us-open-by-storm-515262">Carlos Alcaraz: The newly crowned world No 1 who took US Open by storm</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/09/12/294960-0631422936764.jpg" />

The youngster from Spain maintained his calm at his first ever Grand Slam final and as a result of the victory, became the youngest World No 1 in history.

Watch |&nbsp;'We will never forget': US President Joe Biden honours 9/11 victims at Pentagon

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US President Joe Biden has formally accepted an invitation to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, scheduled for September 19. In other news, the most recent flashpoint in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine is the region near Kharkiv.

US President Joe Biden has formally accepted an invitation to attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II, scheduled for September 19. In other news, the most recent flashpoint in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine is the region near Kharkiv. Russia attacked several infrastructural services in eastern Ukraine. In other news, due to Afghanistan's financial turmoil, major online retailers have gone out of business. Recently, Click.af and Baqal announced their closures. Finally, Carlos Alcaraz, 19, won his first US Open championship, defeating Casper Ruud in the final. Click on the headlines to read more: Joe Biden formally accepts invitation to attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, will not travel with delegation Biden's visit to the UK for the funeral service will lead to a major security operation. The United Kingdom plans to say goodbye to the longest-serving British monarch, who passed away at age 96 on Thursday. Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking power grid after losing ground in Kharkiv The attacks on Kharkiv continued for a long time and it ended up damaging the power and water supply for most parts of the city. Amid economic crisis in Afghanistan, online shopping services to shut after Taliban takeover Click.af, a well-known online shopping app, announced its closure on Saturday (September 10). The firm posted a message on its Facebook page stating its closure due to financial issues. Baqal on Sunday (September 11), a three-year-old company, declared its collapse owing to financial difficulties. Carlos Alcaraz: The newly crowned world No 1 who took US Open by storm The youngster from Spain maintained his calm at his first ever Grand Slam final and as a result of the victory, became the youngest World No 1 in history. Watch | 'We will never forget': US President Joe Biden honours 9/11 victims at Pentagon

Morning news brief: Ukraine accuses Russia of attacking power grid, Alcaraz becomes World No 1, & more

Wednesday (August 24) marks Ukraine’s 31 years of independence from Soviet rule and also six months since the Russian invasion often referred to as Moscow's 'special military operation.’

The US state department, in a security advisory, stated that Russia is speeding up its attempts to undertake strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government sites in the coming days.

The US embassy in Kyiv asked all US citizens who are still in Ukraine to leave the nation immediately.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/released-ukrainian-soldiers-accuse-russians-of-atrocities-in-prison-509299">Also read |&nbsp;Released Ukrainian soldiers accuse Russians of atrocities in prison</a>

The state department in its alert said, "If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover." It further continued, "If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings."

The United States on Monday condemned the targeted killing of civilians, saying it stands against such practices, whether they occur in Ukraine or Russia.

The reason behind the targeted killing by Russia is the killing of Darya Dugina, daughter of a close adviser to the Russian president, in a car bomb blast on Saturday night.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-rejects-volodymyr-zelenskys-request-to-impose-a-blanket-visa-ban-on-russians-509310">Also read |&nbsp;US rejects Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to impose a blanket visa ban on Russians</a>

Russia claimed that the assassination was carried out by Ukraine’s secret services. According to the Federal Service of Russia (FSB), Natalya Vovk, a Ukrainian citizen, committed the crime before escaping to Estonia. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement.

The US has so far imposed sanctions on nearly 5,000 individuals since the beginning of the invasion on February 24, the State Department said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Wednesday (August 24) marks Ukraine’s 31 years of independence from Soviet rule and also six months since the Russian invasion often referred to as Moscow's 'special military operation.

Wednesday (August 24) marks Ukraine’s 31 years of independence from Soviet rule and also six months since the Russian invasion often referred to as Moscow's 'special military operation.’ The US state department, in a security advisory, stated that Russia is speeding up its attempts to undertake strikes against Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure and government sites in the coming days. The US embassy in Kyiv asked all US citizens who are still in Ukraine to leave the nation immediately. Also read | Released Ukrainian soldiers accuse Russians of atrocities in prison The state department in its alert said, "If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover." It further continued, "If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings." The United States on Monday condemned the targeted killing of civilians, saying it stands against such practices, whether they occur in Ukraine or Russia. The reason behind the targeted killing by Russia is the killing of Darya Dugina, daughter of a close adviser to the Russian president, in a car bomb blast on Saturday night. Also read | US rejects Volodymyr Zelensky’s request to impose a blanket visa ban on Russians Russia claimed that the assassination was carried out by Ukraine’s secret services. According to the Federal Service of Russia (FSB), Natalya Vovk, a Ukrainian citizen, committed the crime before escaping to Estonia. However, Ukraine has denied any involvement. The US has so far imposed sanctions on nearly 5,000 individuals since the beginning of the invasion on February 24, the State Department said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US condemns Russia on targeting civilians, warns Moscow plans to hit govt buildings

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his night video address warned that Russia might try to do something ugly, as the country prepares to mark its 31st Independence Day from Soviet rule. In other news, Pakistan’s media regulating body has banned live broadcasts of former PM and PTI leader Imran Khans’ speeches after being accused of threatening a police officer and a female magistrate. Finally, Albania has detained three foreign nationals: one Ukrainian and two Russians trying to enter the Gramsh military facility.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-ukrainian-independence-day-zelensky-warns-russia-might-try-to-do-something-particularly-ugly-508756">Ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day, Zelensky warns Russia might try to do something 'particularly ugly'</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/21/289301-new-wion-49.png" />

&nbsp;

As Ukraine prepares to mark the 31st anniversary of its independence from Soviet rule, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia might try to do something "particularly ugly".

Speaking during his nightly video address Zelensky said that Ukrainians must not allow Moscow to "spread despondency and fear" among them.

"We must all be aware that this week Russia could try to do something particularly ugly, something particularly vicious." Zelensky.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-media-regulating-body-prohibits-live-telecast-of-ex-pm-imran-khans-speeches-508758">Pakistan's media regulating body prohibits live telecast of ex-PM Imran Khan's speeches</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/21/289302-new-wion-50.png" />

Imran's recorded speeches now would only be allowed to air if an adequate delay mechanism was in place to provide effective monitoring and editorial control, said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/two-russians-and-one-ukrainian-spies-detained-in-albania-for-trying-to-break-into-a-military-facility-508752">Russian and Ukrainian spies detained while trying to break into a military facility in Albania</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/21/289299-new-wion-47.png" />

“Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports have tried to enter the factory,” said the Albanian Defense ministry.

Reuters reports that&nbsp;in a statement on Saturday, the Defense Ministry stated that two of its soldiers were injured while trying to stop the foreign nationals.&nbsp;

Watch | Battleground Taiwan: Beijing escalates its campaign | China extends drills around Taiwan

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Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Cold War 2.0: Who will shape the new world order?

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&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his night video address warned that Russia might try to do something ugly, as the country prepares to mark its 31st Independence Day from Soviet rule.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his night video address warned that Russia might try to do something ugly, as the country prepares to mark its 31st Independence Day from Soviet rule. In other news, Pakistan’s media regulating body has banned live broadcasts of former PM and PTI leader Imran Khans’ speeches after being accused of threatening a police officer and a female magistrate. Finally, Albania has detained three foreign nationals: one Ukrainian and two Russians trying to enter the Gramsh military facility. Click on the headlines to read more: Ahead of Ukrainian Independence Day, Zelensky warns Russia might try to do something 'particularly ugly' As Ukraine prepares to mark the 31st anniversary of its independence from Soviet rule, President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia might try to do something "particularly ugly". Speaking during his nightly video address Zelensky said that Ukrainians must not allow Moscow to "spread despondency and fear" among them. "We must all be aware that this week Russia could try to do something particularly ugly, something particularly vicious." Zelensky. Pakistan's media regulating body prohibits live telecast of ex-PM Imran Khan's speeches Imran's recorded speeches now would only be allowed to air if an adequate delay mechanism was in place to provide effective monitoring and editorial control, said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). Russian and Ukrainian spies detained while trying to break into a military facility in Albania “Three citizens with Russian and Ukrainian passports have tried to enter the factory,” said the Albanian Defense ministry. Reuters reports that in a statement on Saturday, the Defense Ministry stated that two of its soldiers were injured while trying to stop the foreign nationals. Watch | Battleground Taiwan: Beijing escalates its campaign | China extends drills around Taiwan Watch | Gravitas Plus: Cold War 2.0: Who will shape the new world order?

Morning news brief: Zelensky warns Russia might do something ugly, Albania detains spies, and more

Russia claimed&nbsp;that it had seized control of Ukraine’s second-largest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region during the battle there. In other news, over a period of two years, as the epidemic spread around the world, Wuhan served as the virus’s epicenter. Recently, one district in Wuhan has been placed under lockdown by Chinese authorities after four COVID-19 cases were reported. Health officials in Jiangxia district issued an order for residents to stay at home while mass testing is being conducted. Finally, the UNSC demanded a halt to all acts of violence after four detainees were executed by Myanmar. A democratic nationalist, a former NLP politician, and two other men were accused of killing a woman who they believed to be a military informant.

Click on headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-power-station-captured-in-ukraine-amid-movement-in-grain-exports-501311">Russia claims power station captured in Ukraine amid movement in grain exports</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/28/282542-uk1.jpg" />

Russia has deployed its forces in the southern region even as President Zelensky's government claimed grain export is set to restart soon. Ukraine claimed it had bombed a key bridge in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wuhan-puts-one-district-under-lockdown-after-detecting-four-covid-19-cases-501300">Wuhan puts one district under lockdown after detecting four COVID-19 cases</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/28/282533-nan1.jpg" />

Wuhan's Jiangxia district had announced three days of control measures while closing cafes, bars and restaurants. Officials also closed places of worship including public transport as lockdown orders were put in force.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unsc-condemns-myanmars-execution-of-four-detainees-and-demands-an-end-to-all-forms-of-violence-501308">UNSC condemns Myanmar’s execution of four detainees and demands an end to all forms of violence</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/28/282540-untitled-design-2022-07-28t082129428.png" />

The United Nations Security Council condemned Myanmar’s execution of four political detainees and demanded an end to all forms of violence and full respect for the law and human rights. The statement received unanimous support from 15 council members and underlined that Myanmar had hanged the men after ASEAN and others in the 10-nation bloc requested for the judgments to be overturned.

Watch |&nbsp;Protesters storm Iraq's parliament amid protests against 'corrupt government'

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Drowning cities &amp; rising vulnerabilities | Flooding exposes poor infrastructure</div>

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Russia claimed that it had seized control of Ukraine’s second-largest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region during the battle there. In other news, over a period of two years, as the epidemic spread around the world, Wuhan served as the virus’s epicenter.

Russia claimed that it had seized control of Ukraine’s second-largest power plant in the eastern Donetsk region during the battle there. In other news, over a period of two years, as the epidemic spread around the world, Wuhan served as the virus’s epicenter. Recently, one district in Wuhan has been placed under lockdown by Chinese authorities after four COVID-19 cases were reported. Health officials in Jiangxia district issued an order for residents to stay at home while mass testing is being conducted. Finally, the UNSC demanded a halt to all acts of violence after four detainees were executed by Myanmar. A democratic nationalist, a former NLP politician, and two other men were accused of killing a woman who they believed to be a military informant. Click on headlines to read more: Russia claims power station captured in Ukraine amid movement in grain exports Russia has deployed its forces in the southern region even as President Zelensky's government claimed grain export is set to restart soon. Ukraine claimed it had bombed a key bridge in southern Ukraine controlled by Russian forces. Wuhan puts one district under lockdown after detecting four COVID-19 cases Wuhan's Jiangxia district had announced three days of control measures while closing cafes, bars and restaurants. Officials also closed places of worship including public transport as lockdown orders were put in force. UNSC condemns Myanmar’s execution of four detainees and demands an end to all forms of violence The United Nations Security Council condemned Myanmar’s execution of four political detainees and demanded an end to all forms of violence and full respect for the law and human rights. The statement received unanimous support from 15 council members and underlined that Myanmar had hanged the men after ASEAN and others in the 10-nation bloc requested for the judgments to be overturned. Watch | Protesters storm Iraq's parliament amid protests against 'corrupt government' Watch | WION Climate Tracker | Drowning cities & rising vulnerabilities | Flooding exposes poor infrastructure

Morning news brief: Russia claims it has seized Ukraine’s power plant, UNSC condemns Myanmar execution, & more

Contender for the post of&nbsp;United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has vowed a tough stance against China whom he said was the "number one threat" to domestic and global security. Reportedly, this comes after his rival Liz Truss accused him of being weak on China and Russia. In the United States too, there were mentions of China and its aggressiveness.&nbsp;Chinese military activity in the Pacific is "noticeably more aggressive," said US General Mark Milley, who also reported a considerable rise in the frequency of Chinese interceptions of US aircraft and ships, including "unsafe interactions".

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-military-in-the-air-and-at-sea-has-become-significantly-more-aggressive-us-general-mark-milley-500356">Chinese military in the air and at sea has become significantly more aggressive: US General Mark Milley</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/04/26/257624-mark-milley.jpg" />US General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the Chinese military in the air and at sea has become "noticeably more aggressive" in the Pacific.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/underdog-rishi-sunak-vows-to-get-tough-on-china-if-he-becomes-the-next-uk-pm-500361">'Underdog' Rishi Sunak vows to get tough on China if he becomes the next UK PM</a>&nbsp;

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/25/281751-new-wion-3.png" />

On Sunday, Rishi Sunak promised that if he is chosen to replace Boris Johnson he will get tough on China. He called the country the "number one threat" to domestic and global security.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russian FM Sergei Lavrov is on Africa tour, offers reassurances over Russia's grain supplies

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-fm-sergei-lavrov-is-on-africa-tour-offers-reassurances-over-russias-grain-supplies-500357/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-junta-executes-prominent-democracy-campaigner-3-others-in-countrys-1st-execution-since-1988-500355">Myanmar Junta executes prominent democracy campaigner &amp; 3 others in country's 1st execution since 1988</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/25/281748-new-wion-2.png" />According to state media, Myanmar's Junta recently executed four prisoners, in the country's first use of capital punishment in decades. AFP reports that a former lawmaker for the unseated Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party was among those executed.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Pope in Canada to apologise for abuse of indigenous children

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Contender for the post of United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has vowed a tough stance against China whom he said was the "number one threat" to domestic and global security.

Contender for the post of United Kingdom's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has vowed a tough stance against China whom he said was the "number one threat" to domestic and global security. Reportedly, this comes after his rival Liz Truss accused him of being weak on China and Russia. In the United States too, there were mentions of China and its aggressiveness. Chinese military activity in the Pacific is "noticeably more aggressive," said US General Mark Milley, who also reported a considerable rise in the frequency of Chinese interceptions of US aircraft and ships, including "unsafe interactions". Click on the headlines to read more: Chinese military in the air and at sea has become significantly more aggressive: US General Mark Milley US General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the Chinese military in the air and at sea has become "noticeably more aggressive" in the Pacific. 'Underdog' Rishi Sunak vows to get tough on China if he becomes the next UK PM On Sunday, Rishi Sunak promised that if he is chosen to replace Boris Johnson he will get tough on China. He called the country the "number one threat" to domestic and global security. Watch | Russian FM Sergei Lavrov is on Africa tour, offers reassurances over Russia's grain supplies Myanmar Junta executes prominent democracy campaigner & 3 others in country's 1st execution since 1988 According to state media, Myanmar's Junta recently executed four prisoners, in the country's first use of capital punishment in decades. AFP reports that a former lawmaker for the unseated Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party was among those executed. Watch | Pope in Canada to apologise for abuse of indigenous children

Morning news brief: China's aggressiveness in the Pacific, Myanmar Junta executes democracy advocate, & more

US Secretary Antony Blinken said that the Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa casts severe doubt on the reliability of Russia’s commitment to the grain deal and weakens the work of the UN, Turkey, and Ukraine to transport crucial supplies to the world markets. In other news, as per recent reports, to prevent the companies from being delisted by American regulators, Chinese officials are planning to put together a system of complex compliance with procedures. Finally, the Taliban’s foreign ministry spokesman Qahar Balkhi said that the ban on girls’ schools after the sixth grade is a temporary ban and not a permanent ban as the government is trying to find a mutual solution.&nbsp;

Click on headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attack-casts-serious-doubt-on-russias-commitment-to-grain-deal-us-500130">Attack casts serious doubt on Russia's commitment to grain deal: US</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/24/281528-odessa1.jpg" />

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa "casts serious doubt on the credibility of Russia's commitment to the&nbsp;deal and undermines the work of the UN, Turkey and Ukraine to get critical food to world markets."

Ukraine said it had shot down two Russian cruise missiles but two more hit the Odessa port putting the grain deal with Russia at risk. Ukraine's foreign ministry shot back at Russia's strike calling it a "spit in the face" even as President Zelenksy blamed Russia for not keeping its promises.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-planning-new-strategy-to-avoid-us-delistings-report-500142">China planning new strategy to avoid US delistings: Report</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/08/15/106390-untitled-design-3.jpg" />

According to reports, Chinese authorities are preparing a system of intricate compliance methods to ensure&nbsp;their companies are&nbsp;not delisted by American regulators.

The Financial Times reported the move will allow US regulators to audit Chinese companies after the US insisted on transparency from Chinese and Hong Kong firms listed in the United States.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/closure-of-girls-school-in-afghanistan-temporary-not-permanent-says-talibans-spokesman-500136">Closure of girl’s school in Afghanistan temporary not permanent, says Taliban’s spokesman</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/24/281532-untitled-design-2022-07-24t083809642.png" />

But on Saturday (June 23), a foreign ministry spokesman, Qahar Balkhi during an interview with CGTN said, “this suspension is a temporary suspension, and it is not a permanent ban, it has never been called a ban.” As per Tolo News, in defense of the Taliban, the speaker claimed that the closure of schools for girls was due to the conservative attitudes of the majority of Afghans towards women and education.

Watch |&nbsp;Ryanair employees strike in Brussels, around 80 flights cancelled

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

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US Secretary Antony Blinken said that the Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa casts severe doubt on the reliability of Russia’s commitment to the grain deal and weakens the work of the UN, Turkey, and Ukraine to transport crucial supplies to the world markets.

US Secretary Antony Blinken said that the Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa casts severe doubt on the reliability of Russia’s commitment to the grain deal and weakens the work of the UN, Turkey, and Ukraine to transport crucial supplies to the world markets. In other news, as per recent reports, to prevent the companies from being delisted by American regulators, Chinese officials are planning to put together a system of complex compliance with procedures. Finally, the Taliban’s foreign ministry spokesman Qahar Balkhi said that the ban on girls’ schools after the sixth grade is a temporary ban and not a permanent ban as the government is trying to find a mutual solution. Click on headlines to read more: Attack casts serious doubt on Russia's commitment to grain deal: US US secretary of state Antony Blinken said the Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odessa "casts serious doubt on the credibility of Russia's commitment to the deal and undermines the work of the UN, Turkey and Ukraine to get critical food to world markets." Ukraine said it had shot down two Russian cruise missiles but two more hit the Odessa port putting the grain deal with Russia at risk. Ukraine's foreign ministry shot back at Russia's strike calling it a "spit in the face" even as President Zelenksy blamed Russia for not keeping its promises. China planning new strategy to avoid US delistings: Report According to reports, Chinese authorities are preparing a system of intricate compliance methods to ensure their companies are not delisted by American regulators. The Financial Times reported the move will allow US regulators to audit Chinese companies after the US insisted on transparency from Chinese and Hong Kong firms listed in the United States. Closure of girl’s school in Afghanistan temporary not permanent, says Taliban’s spokesman But on Saturday (June 23), a foreign ministry spokesman, Qahar Balkhi during an interview with CGTN said, “this suspension is a temporary suspension, and it is not a permanent ban, it has never been called a ban.” As per Tolo News, in defense of the Taliban, the speaker claimed that the closure of schools for girls was due to the conservative attitudes of the majority of Afghans towards women and education. Watch | Ryanair employees strike in Brussels, around 80 flights cancelled Watch | The Good Life: Indian fashion on a global stage

Morning news brief: US doubts Russia’s commitment, China planning to avoid US regulators and more

Nearly five million people in India were internally displaced due to climate change and disasters in 2021, the United Nations has said in a report.

The annual Global Trends Report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlighted that globally 100 million people were forced to flee their homes last year due to violence, human rights abuses, food insecurity, the climate crisis, war in Ukraine and other emergencies from Africa to Afghanistan.

According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), in 2021, there were 23.7 million new internal displacements globally due to disasters (these are in addition to those internally displaced due to conflict and violence). This represented a decrease of seven million, or 23 per cent, compared to the previous year, the report said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-fires-heat-waves-cause-climate-anxiety-in-youth-488683">Report: Fires, heat waves cause 'climate anxiety' in youth</a>

"The largest displacements in the context of disasters in 2021 occurred in China (6.0 million), the Philippines (5.7 million) and India (4.9 million). Most disaster displacements during the year were temporary," it said.

The majority of the internally displaced persons returned to their home areas, but 5.9 million people worldwide remained displaced at the end of the year due to disasters, the report added.

The UN agency said that the number of people forced to flee their homes has increased every year over the past decade and stands at the highest level since records began, a trend that can be only reversed by a new, concerted push towards peacemaking.

By the end of 2021, those displaced by war, violence, persecution, and human rights abuses stood at 89.3 million, up eight per cent on a year earlier and well over double the figure of 10 years ago, the report said.

While the latest global trends report reflects the period of January 2021 to December 2021, the UN agency said it is impossible to ignore the developments that have happened in early 2022, including the Russian war against Ukraine.

"Since then, the Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;'causing the fastest and one of the largest forced displacement crises since World War II'&nbsp;and other emergencies, from Africa to Afghanistan and beyond, pushed the figure over the dramatic milestone of 100 million," the report said.

Watch | Gravitas: India asks rich countries to pay for climate damage

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The report said that at the end of 2021, 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, including 27.1 million refugees, 21.3 million refugees under UNHCR's mandate, 5.8 million Palestine refugees under United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) mandate, 53.2 million internally displaced people, 4.6 million asylum seekers and 4.4 million Venezuelans displaced abroad.

Asylum seekers submitted 1.4 million new claims. The United States of America was the world's largest recipient of new individual applications (188,900), followed by Germany (148,200), Mexico (132,700), Costa Rica (108,500) and France (90,200).

By May 2022, more than 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.

"Every year of the last decade, the numbers have climbed," said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

"Either the international community comes together to take action to address this human tragedy, resolve conflicts and find lasting solutions, or this terrible trend will continue."

Last year was notable for the number of conflicts that escalated and new ones that flared; 23 countries, with a combined population of 850 million, faced medium- or high-intensity conflicts, according to the World Bank.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-biggest-methane-gas-leak-occurred-at-russian-coalmine">Climate change: Biggest methane gas leak occurred at Russian coalmine, say reports</a>

The UN agency said that food scarcity, inflation and the climate crisis are adding to people's hardship. The number of refugees rose in 2021 to 27.1 million. Arrivals climbed in Uganda, Chad and Sudan among others, it added.

"Most refugees were, once again, hosted by neighbouring countries with few resources. The number of asylum seekers reached 4.6 million, up 11 per cent," the report said.

Last year also saw the 15th straight annual rise in people displaced within their countries by conflict, to 53.2 million. The increase was driven by mounting violence or conflict in some places, for example Myanmar.

The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray and other regions has spurred the flight of millions within the country. Insurgencies in the Sahel drove fresh internal displacement, particularly in Burkina Faso and Chad.

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Nearly five million people in India were internally displaced due to climate change and disasters in 2021, the United Nations has said in a report. The annual Global Trends Report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlighted that globally 100 million people were forced to flee their homes last year due to violence, human rights abuses, food insecurity, the climate crisis, war in Ukraine and other emergencies from Africa to Afghanistan.

Nearly five million people in India were internally displaced due to climate change and disasters in 2021, the United Nations has said in a report. The annual Global Trends Report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlighted that globally 100 million people were forced to flee their homes last year due to violence, human rights abuses, food insecurity, the climate crisis, war in Ukraine and other emergencies from Africa to Afghanistan. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), in 2021, there were 23.7 million new internal displacements globally due to disasters (these are in addition to those internally displaced due to conflict and violence). This represented a decrease of seven million, or 23 per cent, compared to the previous year, the report said. Also read | Report: Fires, heat waves cause 'climate anxiety' in youth "The largest displacements in the context of disasters in 2021 occurred in China (6.0 million), the Philippines (5.7 million) and India (4.9 million). Most disaster displacements during the year were temporary," it said. The majority of the internally displaced persons returned to their home areas, but 5.9 million people worldwide remained displaced at the end of the year due to disasters, the report added. The UN agency said that the number of people forced to flee their homes has increased every year over the past decade and stands at the highest level since records began, a trend that can be only reversed by a new, concerted push towards peacemaking. By the end of 2021, those displaced by war, violence, persecution, and human rights abuses stood at 89.3 million, up eight per cent on a year earlier and well over double the figure of 10 years ago, the report said. While the latest global trends report reflects the period of January 2021 to December 2021, the UN agency said it is impossible to ignore the developments that have happened in early 2022, including the Russian war against Ukraine. "Since then, the Russian invasion of Ukraine 'causing the fastest and one of the largest forced displacement crises since World War II' and other emergencies, from Africa to Afghanistan and beyond, pushed the figure over the dramatic milestone of 100 million," the report said. Watch | Gravitas: India asks rich countries to pay for climate damage The report said that at the end of 2021, 89.3 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, including 27.1 million refugees, 21.3 million refugees under UNHCR's mandate, 5.8 million Palestine refugees under United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's (UNRWA) mandate, 53.2 million internally displaced people, 4.6 million asylum seekers and 4.4 million Venezuelans displaced abroad. Asylum seekers submitted 1.4 million new claims. The United States of America was the world's largest recipient of new individual applications (188,900), followed by Germany (148,200), Mexico (132,700), Costa Rica (108,500) and France (90,200). By May 2022, more than 100 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order. "Every year of the last decade, the numbers have climbed," said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. "Either the international community comes together to take action to address this human tragedy, resolve conflicts and find lasting solutions, or this terrible trend will continue." Last year was notable for the number of conflicts that escalated and new ones that flared; 23 countries, with a combined population of 850 million, faced medium- or high-intensity conflicts, according to the World Bank. Also read | Climate change: Biggest methane gas leak occurred at Russian coalmine, say reports The UN agency said that food scarcity, inflation and the climate crisis are adding to people's hardship. The number of refugees rose in 2021 to 27.1 million. Arrivals climbed in Uganda, Chad and Sudan among others, it added. "Most refugees were, once again, hosted by neighbouring countries with few resources. The number of asylum seekers reached 4.6 million, up 11 per cent," the report said. Last year also saw the 15th straight annual rise in people displaced within their countries by conflict, to 53.2 million. The increase was driven by mounting violence or conflict in some places, for example Myanmar. The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray and other regions has spurred the flight of millions within the country. Insurgencies in the Sahel drove fresh internal displacement, particularly in Burkina Faso and Chad. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Nearly 5 million people in India internally displaced due to climate change, disasters in 2021: UN

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful.

On March 3, eight days after the full-scale invasion began, Russian forces swept into Yahidne, a village on the main road north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. For nearly a month, until March 31, when Ukrainian troops liberated the town, more than 300 people, 77 of them children, were imprisoned in several rooms in the dank basement of the village school — a human shield for the Russian troops based there. Ten of the captives died. Among those held inside were a baby and a 93-year-old, Ukrainian prosecutors said.

“This is our concentration camp,” said Oleh Turash, 54, one of those imprisoned, who helped bury the people who perished there. For most of the time there was virtually no light. Despite the freezing winter weather, he said, people were packed in so tightly their body warmth was all the heat they needed.

But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations. “They would start babbling about the need to plant potatoes, and other things that they could not do,” said Ivan Petrovich, the school’s janitor.

Turash, 54, slept in the largest room. It had the only source of air, a tiny hole the people made themselves, Petrovich said. A bucket sat at the far side of the room, a makeshift toilet for children and others who could not wait until morning, when there was hope that the Russian soldiers would let people out to use the regular toilets.

A tally on the door of the largest room noted that 136 people had stayed there, nine of them children. Originally, the number had been 139, but that had been scratched out to reflect three deaths, Turash said.

“Three people died around me,” said his 73-year-old mother, Valentyna. She had broken her right arm going down the stairs to the basement, but received no medical treatment. Her wrist is still swollen three months later.

“I am still in a lot of pain, and I can’t use my fingers as well as I used to,” she said.

She said the room she was in was so crowded there was no space for her to move.

“I spent 30 days just like this, hardly moving,” she said, squatting down low to the ground. “Twice, I lost consciousness because of the lack of oxygen, but my son banged on the door to get me out. Thank God I survived.”

Petrovich and Turash brought crayons for the children to draw. Inside, they drew a mural on the wall composed of Ukrainian flags, hearts, suns and butterflies. At the top, a child had written, “No War!!!”

In a smaller room, about 25 by 10 feet, there was another amended body count: 22 people, including five children, had been written in pencil. Someone writing in navy blue crayon had changed the number to 18.

On one wall was a tally of the dead and the date they had died. One man, Anatoly Shevchenko, had a question mark next to his name. His fate is still a mystery.

Every few days, if the captives were lucky, the Russians would give them permission to take the bodies into the school’s boiler room, usually several at a time.

That was also where they got their drinking water.

The men would go through an opening and climb down a ladder to a sewer line, where they would fetch water used in normal times for the school’s heating system.

Once they got the water, they would boil it over the open flame that they used to cook, when they were allowed to.

“Imagine, there were dead bodies here on this table,” Turash said. “And just next to the corpses, we were boiling the water that we drank.”

At one point the Russian soldiers conscripted Turash and others to dig a pit at least 10 feet deep next to the boiler room.

“I thought I was digging my own grave,” he said.

Instead, the Russians eventually installed a generator there.

Every week or so, after some negotiating, the soldiers would grant Turash permission to bury the deceased outside in a communal grave. They accompanied him, as they did all villagers who got permission to leave the basement, with their Kalashnikovs raised. The residents were able to get intermittent, and inconsistent, food supplies under soldiers’ watch.

Outside, the school was surrounded by Russian tank positions. The soldiers had felled trees from the forest behind the school and dug foxholes for themselves, stealing rugs from people’s homes to put inside the mud dwellings. Turash recognized his own boots on a soldier’s feet.

The occupiers told some of the residents there were plans to bring them to Russia. “They told us, ‘The men will go to Tyumen to work in wood production and the women will be sent to another part of Russia to work cleaning fish,’” said Ekaterina Balanovych, referring to a city in western Siberia.

On March 30, when the Russian forces began retreating from the north, the soldiers locked everyone inside, bolted the door and ordered them not to leave.

That night the villagers broke down the door and quickly realized the Russians had left. But they could hear heavy fighting nearby, and most remained inside, waiting to be rescued.

But they found an old phone, Balanovych said, and someone was able to reach one of the Ukrainian troops.

“When our boys arrived, we were so happy, we hugged them, and we cried,” she said. “They brought bread. We hadn’t seen a crumb of bread for a month.”

More than two months later, however, Yahidne is far from back to normal. The school is badly damaged, perhaps beyond repair. The wrecked tanks and armored vehicles have been towed away but the evidence of the occupation — underground dwellings, recently extinguished fires and the scattered belongings of those forced to live in the basement — remain.

Some, like Petrovich, appear to be suffering depression or some form of PTSD. “After two months, we are still in shock,” he said. “There is so much work to do at home still, but you can’t lift your hand. It is scary.”

There is still a lot of cleaning up to do. “There is not a single house here where there was no tank or armored personnel carrier standing,” said Valentyna Sezonenko, 75, who found partly unexploded ordnance on the road in front of her house. Houses across the street and next door had been razed.

On a street next to the village's destroyed events hall, volunteers from the capital were putting new roofs on apartment buildings. A shell from a cluster munition lay nearby.

“My soul hurts,” said Nina Shish, who managed to flee Yahidne hours before it was occupied only to be trapped in a basement by Russians in a neighboring village.

As soon as she returned to Yahidne, she went to see the local school, where she had worked and where her granddaughter had been in kindergarten.

“I have no words for my grief, the school was so beautiful before,” she said. “Now, students won’t learn there any more.”

She took a plant stand with a spider plant home and put it in her building’s hallway as a memento.

On Wednesday, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced eight new war crimes cases, including one against nine Russian soldiers accused of terrorizing Yahidne.

“Unfortunately, these people are not located here physically, and we are going for an in absentia trial, but it is very important for us, for Ukrainian justice, for the victims and their relatives to have this legal process,” the prosecutor general, Irina Venediktova, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

While Russia denies that its soldiers have committed war crimes, Ukraine has already sentenced three soldiers for related offenses. Most of the soldiers named by Venediktova come from Tuva, a remote province in southeastern Siberia.

On the road locals call Fourth Street, Ludmila Shevchenko was tending her garden. She had already buried one son, Vitaliy, 53, who was shot by the Russians in the early days of the occupation.

And she was worried about her other son, Anatoly, the man with the question mark next to his name on the list in the basement.

“I don’t know if he is alive or dead,” she said, resting against the pockmarks of the damaged house.

“I don’t know if the commander will be tried,” she said. “But I want to ask him, ‘Where is my son, Anatoly Shevchenko?’”

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful.

More than two months after the residents of Yahidne kicked down the bolted basement door where the Russian army had held them hostage, the village is being rebuilt but the memories remain fresh — and deeply painful. On March 3, eight days after the full-scale invasion began, Russian forces swept into Yahidne, a village on the main road north of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. For nearly a month, until March 31, when Ukrainian troops liberated the town, more than 300 people, 77 of them children, were imprisoned in several rooms in the dank basement of the village school — a human shield for the Russian troops based there. Ten of the captives died. Among those held inside were a baby and a 93-year-old, Ukrainian prosecutors said. “This is our concentration camp,” said Oleh Turash, 54, one of those imprisoned, who helped bury the people who perished there. For most of the time there was virtually no light. Despite the freezing winter weather, he said, people were packed in so tightly their body warmth was all the heat they needed. But there was never enough oxygen to breathe normally, causing some people to black out and others, mainly older, to suffer hallucinations. “They would start babbling about the need to plant potatoes, and other things that they could not do,” said Ivan Petrovich, the school’s janitor. Turash, 54, slept in the largest room. It had the only source of air, a tiny hole the people made themselves, Petrovich said. A bucket sat at the far side of the room, a makeshift toilet for children and others who could not wait until morning, when there was hope that the Russian soldiers would let people out to use the regular toilets. A tally on the door of the largest room noted that 136 people had stayed there, nine of them children. Originally, the number had been 139, but that had been scratched out to reflect three deaths, Turash said. “Three people died around me,” said his 73-year-old mother, Valentyna. She had broken her right arm going down the stairs to the basement, but received no medical treatment. Her wrist is still swollen three months later. “I am still in a lot of pain, and I can’t use my fingers as well as I used to,” she said. She said the room she was in was so crowded there was no space for her to move. “I spent 30 days just like this, hardly moving,” she said, squatting down low to the ground. “Twice, I lost consciousness because of the lack of oxygen, but my son banged on the door to get me out. Thank God I survived.” Petrovich and Turash brought crayons for the children to draw. Inside, they drew a mural on the wall composed of Ukrainian flags, hearts, suns and butterflies. At the top, a child had written, “No War!!!” In a smaller room, about 25 by 10 feet, there was another amended body count: 22 people, including five children, had been written in pencil. Someone writing in navy blue crayon had changed the number to 18. On one wall was a tally of the dead and the date they had died. One man, Anatoly Shevchenko, had a question mark next to his name. His fate is still a mystery. Every few days, if the captives were lucky, the Russians would give them permission to take the bodies into the school’s boiler room, usually several at a time. That was also where they got their drinking water. The men would go through an opening and climb down a ladder to a sewer line, where they would fetch water used in normal times for the school’s heating system. Once they got the water, they would boil it over the open flame that they used to cook, when they were allowed to. “Imagine, there were dead bodies here on this table,” Turash said. “And just next to the corpses, we were boiling the water that we drank.” At one point the Russian soldiers conscripted Turash and others to dig a pit at least 10 feet deep next to the boiler room. “I thought I was digging my own grave,” he said. Instead, the Russians eventually installed a generator there. Every week or so, after some negotiating, the soldiers would grant Turash permission to bury the deceased outside in a communal grave. They accompanied him, as they did all villagers who got permission to leave the basement, with their Kalashnikovs raised. The residents were able to get intermittent, and inconsistent, food supplies under soldiers’ watch. Outside, the school was surrounded by Russian tank positions. The soldiers had felled trees from the forest behind the school and dug foxholes for themselves, stealing rugs from people’s homes to put inside the mud dwellings. Turash recognized his own boots on a soldier’s feet. The occupiers told some of the residents there were plans to bring them to Russia. “They told us, ‘The men will go to Tyumen to work in wood production and the women will be sent to another part of Russia to work cleaning fish,’” said Ekaterina Balanovych, referring to a city in western Siberia. On March 30, when the Russian forces began retreating from the north, the soldiers locked everyone inside, bolted the door and ordered them not to leave. That night the villagers broke down the door and quickly realized the Russians had left. But they could hear heavy fighting nearby, and most remained inside, waiting to be rescued. But they found an old phone, Balanovych said, and someone was able to reach one of the Ukrainian troops. “When our boys arrived, we were so happy, we hugged them, and we cried,” she said. “They brought bread. We hadn’t seen a crumb of bread for a month.” More than two months later, however, Yahidne is far from back to normal. The school is badly damaged, perhaps beyond repair. The wrecked tanks and armored vehicles have been towed away but the evidence of the occupation — underground dwellings, recently extinguished fires and the scattered belongings of those forced to live in the basement — remain. Some, like Petrovich, appear to be suffering depression or some form of PTSD. “After two months, we are still in shock,” he said. “There is so much work to do at home still, but you can’t lift your hand. It is scary.” There is still a lot of cleaning up to do. “There is not a single house here where there was no tank or armored personnel carrier standing,” said Valentyna Sezonenko, 75, who found partly unexploded ordnance on the road in front of her house. Houses across the street and next door had been razed. On a street next to the village's destroyed events hall, volunteers from the capital were putting new roofs on apartment buildings. A shell from a cluster munition lay nearby. “My soul hurts,” said Nina Shish, who managed to flee Yahidne hours before it was occupied only to be trapped in a basement by Russians in a neighboring village. As soon as she returned to Yahidne, she went to see the local school, where she had worked and where her granddaughter had been in kindergarten. “I have no words for my grief, the school was so beautiful before,” she said. “Now, students won’t learn there any more.” She took a plant stand with a spider plant home and put it in her building’s hallway as a memento. On Wednesday, Ukraine’s chief prosecutor announced eight new war crimes cases, including one against nine Russian soldiers accused of terrorizing Yahidne. “Unfortunately, these people are not located here physically, and we are going for an in absentia trial, but it is very important for us, for Ukrainian justice, for the victims and their relatives to have this legal process,” the prosecutor general, Irina Venediktova, wrote on Facebook on Wednesday. While Russia denies that its soldiers have committed war crimes, Ukraine has already sentenced three soldiers for related offenses. Most of the soldiers named by Venediktova come from Tuva, a remote province in southeastern Siberia. On the road locals call Fourth Street, Ludmila Shevchenko was tending her garden. She had already buried one son, Vitaliy, 53, who was shot by the Russians in the early days of the occupation. And she was worried about her other son, Anatoly, the man with the question mark next to his name on the list in the basement. “I don’t know if he is alive or dead,” she said, resting against the pockmarks of the damaged house. “I don’t know if the commander will be tried,” she said. “But I want to ask him, ‘Where is my son, Anatoly Shevchenko?’”

‘We are still in shock’: A month trapped by Russian forces in a basement

The world's political and business elite will hobnob in&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;next week after a two-year break caused by Covid, with the Ukraine war set to dominate the exclusive Swiss mountain summit.

The world has changed drastically since the last time the World&nbsp;Economic&nbsp;Forum&nbsp;took place in person at the ski resort in January 2020.

At the time, US President Donald Trump and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg headlined the show and the coronavirus had yet to spread widely outside China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-not-attend-davos-for-defence-conference-this-year-453250">Russia to not attend 'Davos for defence' conference this year</a>

Since then, the outbreak in China turned into a pandemic that rocked the global economy, Trump lost the US election to Joe Biden, countries have endured climate change-driven weather disasters, inflation has surged and Russia invaded Ukraine.

After a virtual&nbsp;forum&nbsp;in 2021 and the postponement of this year's in-person event due to the Omicron variant, the WEF returns to its&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;den on Monday under the theme "History at a Turning Point".

But the hub of cheerleaders of capitalism and globalisation will lack its usual scenic snowy backdrop -- and the usual Russian contingent.

President Vladimir Putin spoke at the online meeting last year, but organisers decided to exclude Russians this time as Western powers have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict.

Instead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video link while around a dozen officials from his country will attend in person.

WEF founder Klaus Schwab said it would be "the most timely and consequential" meeting since the creation of the&nbsp;forum&nbsp;more than 50 years ago.

"Russia's aggression on the country will be seen in future history books as the breakdown of the post-World War II and post-Cold War order," Schwab said in a pre-summit briefing, adding that&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;will do what it can to support Ukraine and its recovery.

Watch |&nbsp;WEF's online Davos summit begins today; World leaders to deliver key address

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wefs-online-davos-summit-begins-today-world-leaders-to-deliver-key-address-445311/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

WEF president Borge Brende said that excluding the Russians from the&nbsp;forum&nbsp;was "the right decision".

"We do hope, though, that Russia will follow a different path ... in the years to come to start to stick to the UN charter and to their international obligations," Brende said.

Few stars

More than 50 heads of state or government will be among the 2,500 delegates ranging from business leaders to academics and civil society figures attending the four-day gathering.

Some of the biggest names include Germany's new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg and US climate envoy John Kerry.

While war will overshadow the meeting, the&nbsp;forum&nbsp;will also have panels on everything from climate change to rising energy prices, global supply chain problems, gender inequality, poverty, football and the metaverse.

This year's meeting, though, lacks some of the star power of the past. Some, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, spoke in a virtual version in January.

"I am sure that this is kind of a disappointment," said Adrienne Sorbom, co-author of "Discreet Power", a book on the World&nbsp;Economic&nbsp;Forum.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/make-us-pay-more-tax-say-patriotic-millionaires-at-davos-virtual-summit-445879">Make us pay more tax, say 'patriotic millionaires' at Davos virtual summit</a>

"I think that the discreet diplomacy that the...&nbsp;forum&nbsp;arranges for is one of the things that is truly to the heart of the&nbsp;forum&nbsp;and what Klaus Schwab sees as his greatest achievement," said Sorbom, a sociology professor at Stockholm University.

While the&nbsp;forum's relevance is questioned every year, it keeps attracting titans of industry and government leaders -- as well as some of its biggest critics.

When Sorbom attended&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;in 2014, "business leaders were saying, 'if you're not here you do not exist".

"Everyone that wants to be someone needs to go there," she said.

Festival of wealth

The&nbsp;forum&nbsp;has produced some consequential moments.

It hosted the first ministerial meetings between North and South Korea in 1989 as well as talks between South Africa's apartheid-era president F. W. de Klerk and then dissident Nelson Mandela in 1992.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/davos-agenda-2022-at-wef-un-chief-urges-businesses-to-help-low-income-nations-amid-covid-and-climate-crises-445567">&nbsp;Davos Agenda 2022: At WEF, UN chief urges businesses to help low-income nations amid Covid and climate crises</a>

The&nbsp;forum, however, regularly faces criticism as evidence of the cozy relationship between the political and corporate elite.

"At this&nbsp;Davos, at this festival of wealth, I think we're going to see just how profoundly unequal our world has become," said Nabil Ahmed, head of strategy at global charity Oxfam.

But Oxfam, which is pushing for taxes on the rich, is also among&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;regulars.

"I think it's important to go to&nbsp;Davos&nbsp;to challenge power, to put forward hard facts, to talk directly to these governments and corporations and amplify the voices they're not listening to," Ahmed said.

The world's political and business elite will hobnob in Davos next week after a two-year break caused by Covid, with the Ukraine war set to dominate the exclusive Swiss mountain summit.

The world's political and business elite will hobnob in Davos next week after a two-year break caused by Covid, with the Ukraine war set to dominate the exclusive Swiss mountain summit. The world has changed drastically since the last time the World Economic Forum took place in person at the ski resort in January 2020. At the time, US President Donald Trump and climate campaigner Greta Thunberg headlined the show and the coronavirus had yet to spread widely outside China. Also read | Russia to not attend 'Davos for defence' conference this year Since then, the outbreak in China turned into a pandemic that rocked the global economy, Trump lost the US election to Joe Biden, countries have endured climate change-driven weather disasters, inflation has surged and Russia invaded Ukraine. After a virtual forum in 2021 and the postponement of this year's in-person event due to the Omicron variant, the WEF returns to its Davos den on Monday under the theme "History at a Turning Point". But the hub of cheerleaders of capitalism and globalisation will lack its usual scenic snowy backdrop -- and the usual Russian contingent. President Vladimir Putin spoke at the online meeting last year, but organisers decided to exclude Russians this time as Western powers have imposed sanctions on Moscow over the Ukraine conflict. Instead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the summit via video link while around a dozen officials from his country will attend in person. WEF founder Klaus Schwab said it would be "the most timely and consequential" meeting since the creation of the forum more than 50 years ago. "Russia's aggression on the country will be seen in future history books as the breakdown of the post-World War II and post-Cold War order," Schwab said in a pre-summit briefing, adding that Davos will do what it can to support Ukraine and its recovery. Watch | WEF's online Davos summit begins today; World leaders to deliver key address WEF president Borge Brende said that excluding the Russians from the forum was "the right decision". "We do hope, though, that Russia will follow a different path ... in the years to come to start to stick to the UN charter and to their international obligations," Brende said. Few stars More than 50 heads of state or government will be among the 2,500 delegates ranging from business leaders to academics and civil society figures attending the four-day gathering. Some of the biggest names include Germany's new chancellor, Olaf Scholz, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg and US climate envoy John Kerry. While war will overshadow the meeting, the forum will also have panels on everything from climate change to rising energy prices, global supply chain problems, gender inequality, poverty, football and the metaverse. This year's meeting, though, lacks some of the star power of the past. Some, such as Chinese President Xi Jinping, spoke in a virtual version in January. "I am sure that this is kind of a disappointment," said Adrienne Sorbom, co-author of "Discreet Power", a book on the World Economic Forum. Also read | Make us pay more tax, say 'patriotic millionaires' at Davos virtual summit "I think that the discreet diplomacy that the... forum arranges for is one of the things that is truly to the heart of the forum and what Klaus Schwab sees as his greatest achievement," said Sorbom, a sociology professor at Stockholm University. While the forum's relevance is questioned every year, it keeps attracting titans of industry and government leaders -- as well as some of its biggest critics. When Sorbom attended Davos in 2014, "business leaders were saying, 'if you're not here you do not exist". "Everyone that wants to be someone needs to go there," she said. Festival of wealth The forum has produced some consequential moments. It hosted the first ministerial meetings between North and South Korea in 1989 as well as talks between South Africa's apartheid-era president F. W. de Klerk and then dissident Nelson Mandela in 1992. Also read | Davos Agenda 2022: At WEF, UN chief urges businesses to help low-income nations amid Covid and climate crises The forum, however, regularly faces criticism as evidence of the cozy relationship between the political and corporate elite. "At this Davos, at this festival of wealth, I think we're going to see just how profoundly unequal our world has become," said Nabil Ahmed, head of strategy at global charity Oxfam. But Oxfam, which is pushing for taxes on the rich, is also among Davos regulars. "I think it's important to go to Davos to challenge power, to put forward hard facts, to talk directly to these governments and corporations and amplify the voices they're not listening to," Ahmed said.

Davos returns under Ukraine cloud after Covid break

'It is hell there': Zelensky says Donbas is 'completely destroyed' as Russia piles pressure - see pics

Meanwhile, pressure is growing on Europe to secure alternate gas supplies as the Russian gas flows to Europe continue to flow for a second straight day. The Russian gas flows to Europe which usually meet nearly about 40 percent of the European continent's needs reportedly have been observed to be constant since the beginning of the war in Ukraine but fears that Russia will stop its gas supplies enough becoming very real.

Europe's gas supply crisis: Pressure grows on Europe to secure alternative gas supply

The UK government said Friday it was deploying about 8,000&nbsp;troops&nbsp;for exercises across eastern&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;in a show of strength after&nbsp;Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The months-long drills in countries stretching from Finland to North Macedonia also involve allies including France and the United States, defence officials said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nearly-25-million-tonnes-of-grain-stuck-in-ukraine-un-food-agency-476870">Nearly 25 million tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine: UN food agency</a>

Britain&nbsp;is deploying 72 Challenger 2&nbsp;tanks&nbsp;and 120 armoured fighting vehicles along with artillery guns, helicopters and drones for the exercises, some of which are already underway.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: European Union states block sanctions on Russia oil

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"The security of&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;has never been more important," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, calling it "one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War".

The officer in command, Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse, said&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;was making "a significant contribution to the defence of&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;and the deterrence of Russian aggression".&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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"The British Army's series of exercises is fundamental to both."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-assures-it-wont-use-nuclear-weapons-in-ongoing-war-against-ukraine-476897">Russia assures it won’t use nuclear weapons in ongoing war against Ukraine</a>

Britain&nbsp;has been supplying missiles to Ukraine to fight back against&nbsp;Russia, and says it is ready to help with&nbsp;tanks&nbsp;and planes via partners such as Poland.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that "the whole of Ukraine" must be liberated, including Crimea, after the peninsula was seized by&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;in 2014.

The UK government said Friday it was deploying about 8,000 troops for exercises across eastern Europe in a show of strength after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The months-long drills in countries stretching from Finland to North Macedonia also involve allies including France and the United States, defence officials said in a statement.

The UK government said Friday it was deploying about 8,000 troops for exercises across eastern Europe in a show of strength after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The months-long drills in countries stretching from Finland to North Macedonia also involve allies including France and the United States, defence officials said in a statement. Also read | Nearly 25 million tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine: UN food agency Britain is deploying 72 Challenger 2 tanks and 120 armoured fighting vehicles along with artillery guns, helicopters and drones for the exercises, some of which are already underway. Watch | Gravitas: European Union states block sanctions on Russia oil "The security of Europe has never been more important," Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, calling it "one of the largest shared deployments since the Cold War". The officer in command, Lieutenant General Ralph Wooddisse, said Britain was making "a significant contribution to the defence of Europe and the deterrence of Russian aggression". WATCH WION LIVE HERE: "The British Army's series of exercises is fundamental to both." Also read | Russia assures it won’t use nuclear weapons in ongoing war against Ukraine Britain has been supplying missiles to Ukraine to fight back against Russia, and says it is ready to help with tanks and planes via partners such as Poland. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Wednesday that "the whole of Ukraine" must be liberated, including Crimea, after the peninsula was seized by Russia in 2014.

UK deploys 8,000 troops to Europe to deter 'Russian aggression'

On April 21, Russia declared victory over Mariupol but did not have complete control over the southern Ukrainian city. Ukrainian forces and civilians remained holed up in the sprawling Azovstal steel plant and two weeks on Russian forces continue to fight to capture the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in the city.

'Bloody battles' continue inside Azovstal steel plant, at least 200 civilians trapped