A bizarre image of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-military-raided-wagner-bases-in-syria-detained-fighters-and-leaders-reports-611461">Wagner</a> Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been making rounds of several Telegram channels and now on Twitter which shows the mercenary group’s boss half-naked sitting inside a tent. The undated image was reportedly first shared by a Wager-affiliated Telegram channel.&nbsp;

<h2>About the image</h2>

The image shows the Russian mercenary group’s boss in what appeared to be a field tent which shows Prigozhin waving to the camera while sitting upright and seemingly unfazed by his state of undress. The Wagner chief was also seen only wearing a beige T-shirt and his underwear.&nbsp; 
 
WION cannot verify the authenticity of the image.

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Russian media publish a reportedly recent photo of Prigozhin in a field tent in (allegedly) Belarus. <a href="https://t.co/MNXSBhffui">pic.twitter.com/MNXSBhffui</a>
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1679783921939087360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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This is the first image of the Wagner chief seen since his June 24 announcement of a coup against the Kremlin amid growing discontent with the top Russian defence officials.

<h2>Is Wagner chief in Belarus?</h2>

It was not immediately clear who or why the image was shared but reports speculate it is part of an apparent campaign to undermine and embarrass the once-feared mercenary group’s chief.&nbsp;

A Belarusian Gayun Monitoring Group speculates that the photograph may have been taken, earlier this week, in Osipovichi, Belarus, where Prigozhin was exiled after his aborted mutiny in Moscow.&nbsp;

A report by The Mirror, citing the group, also said that the image might have been taken on July 12, a day after Gayun reported that a plane belonging to Prigozhin flew to Belarus for the third time. Subsequently, two helicopters flew to Osipovichi, reported the monitoring group, according to the British media report.&nbsp;

However, the next day, Wagner chief’s plane flew back to St. Petersburg in Russia which suggests. that Prigozhin was there to check the new camp.&nbsp;

It was around the time that image was first posted, a report by Financial Times, on Friday, citing analysts and people close to Prigozhin suggested that he might have been granted some time to wrap up his business in Russia before settling in Belarus.&nbsp;

It was also on July 14, that the Kremlin said it will review the legal status of Wagner and similar groups after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the aborted mutiny by the Russian mercenary group last month <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagners-legal-status-to-be-reviewed-says-kremlin-mercenaries-train-troops-in-belarus-615770">does not legally “exist”</a> since there is no Russian law about private military companies.

During the interview with Kommersant newspaper, the Russian president also confirmed that he had met Prigozhin, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-met-wagner-chief-yevgeny-prigozhin-five-days-after-failed-coup-attempt-kremlin-613881">on June 29</a> and then named the “real” Wagner leader as “Grey Hair,” the military callsign for Andrei Troshev, a former Russian army colonel.&nbsp;

<h2>Prigozhin’s many disguises</h2>

The latest image also comes after six photos of the Wagner chief were leaked to the media, last week, where Prigozhin was seen in a series of bizarre disguises and ill-fitting wigs and beards.&nbsp; 
 
WION cannot verify the authenticity of the image.

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Prigozhin's "absurd disguises" are just incredible <a href="https://t.co/ojd8RKa3Kf">pic.twitter.com/ojd8RKa3Kf</a>
— Kevin Klyman (@kevin_klyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/kevin_klyman/status/1677050597541924864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Russian media outlets also showed images of Prigozhin’s home in St Petersburg being raided where officials reportedly found a number of wigs and photographs of Prigozhin dressed in several disguises. 
 
 
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A bizarre image of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been making rounds of several Telegram channels and now on Twitter which shows the mercenary group’s boss half-naked sitting inside a tent.

A bizarre image of Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has been making rounds of several Telegram channels and now on Twitter which shows the mercenary group’s boss half-naked sitting inside a tent. The undated image was reportedly first shared by a Wager-affiliated Telegram channel. About the image The image shows the Russian mercenary group’s boss in what appeared to be a field tent which shows Prigozhin waving to the camera while sitting upright and seemingly unfazed by his state of undress. The Wagner chief was also seen only wearing a beige T-shirt and his underwear. WION cannot verify the authenticity of the image. Russian media publish a reportedly recent photo of Prigozhin in a field tent in (allegedly) Belarus. pic.twitter.com/MNXSBhffui — Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) July 14, 2023 × This is the first image of the Wagner chief seen since his June 24 announcement of a coup against the Kremlin amid growing discontent with the top Russian defence officials. Is Wagner chief in Belarus? It was not immediately clear who or why the image was shared but reports speculate it is part of an apparent campaign to undermine and embarrass the once-feared mercenary group’s chief. A Belarusian Gayun Monitoring Group speculates that the photograph may have been taken, earlier this week, in Osipovichi, Belarus, where Prigozhin was exiled after his aborted mutiny in Moscow. A report by The Mirror, citing the group, also said that the image might have been taken on July 12, a day after Gayun reported that a plane belonging to Prigozhin flew to Belarus for the third time. Subsequently, two helicopters flew to Osipovichi, reported the monitoring group, according to the British media report. However, the next day, Wagner chief’s plane flew back to St. Petersburg in Russia which suggests. that Prigozhin was there to check the new camp. It was around the time that image was first posted, a report by Financial Times, on Friday, citing analysts and people close to Prigozhin suggested that he might have been granted some time to wrap up his business in Russia before settling in Belarus. It was also on July 14, that the Kremlin said it will review the legal status of Wagner and similar groups after Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the aborted mutiny by the Russian mercenary group last month does not legally “exist” since there is no Russian law about private military companies. During the interview with Kommersant newspaper, the Russian president also confirmed that he had met Prigozhin, on June 29 and then named the “real” Wagner leader as “Grey Hair,” the military callsign for Andrei Troshev, a former Russian army colonel. Prigozhin’s many disguises The latest image also comes after six photos of the Wagner chief were leaked to the media, last week, where Prigozhin was seen in a series of bizarre disguises and ill-fitting wigs and beards. WION cannot verify the authenticity of the image. Prigozhin's "absurd disguises" are just incredible pic.twitter.com/ojd8RKa3Kf — Kevin Klyman (@kevin_klyman) July 6, 2023 × Russian media outlets also showed images of Prigozhin’s home in St Petersburg being raided where officials reportedly found a number of wigs and photographs of Prigozhin dressed in several disguises. 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.

Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin appears ‘half-naked’ in bizarre photo since aborted mutiny: Reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit China in October this year, Russian media has reported citing a top Russian envoy. Russian news agency Tass reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the issue of the proposed visit during a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko on Monday, chairwoman of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament.&nbsp;

The report was based on comments made by Andrey Denisov, a former Russian envoy to China who is currently deputy chairman of the council’s foreign affairs committee.&nbsp;

Denisov served as Russia’s envoy to Beijing from 2013 to 2022 and helped arrange several meetings of Putin with Chinese leaders.

<h2>Putin may attend the BRI summit</h2>

China neither denied nor confirmed the report; however, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing was maintaining communication with its partner nations on relevant issues. “The third Belt and Road Summit for International Cooperation will be held later this year. China is maintaining communication with our belt and road partners on relevant issues,” said Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for the ministry, on Wednesday.

Andrey Denisov also hinted that the biggest agenda on the table for the upcoming Putin-Xi meeting is likely to be the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Watch:&nbsp;UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in return for SWIFT access

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“During the meeting with Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko, Chairman Xi Jinping said that the Chinese side was getting ready for a visit by the Russian president in October in order to participate in the third Belt and Road forum,” Denisov was quoted as saying by Tass.

<h2>Putin’s earlier visit to China</h2>

In February of last year, Putin visited China and participated in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Shortly after, Russia invaded Ukraine. During the visit, Putin secured significant energy agreements with China. The two countries also declared their bilateral relations to be more than just a traditional alliance, emphasising an unrestricted partnership.

Since March, Putin has refrained from travelling extensively due to an International Criminal Court warrant issued against him for unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/be-careful-biden-warned-xi-jinping-on-wests-investment-after-putin-meeting-613311">Also read:&nbsp;`Be careful...` Biden warned Xi Jinping on West`s investments after meeting Putin</a>

Four months ago, Xi Jinping visited Moscow and extended an invitation to Putin for a future visit at his convenience later in the year. If Putin accepts and visits in October, it would mark the&nbsp;third meeting of the two leaders this year. Both are also expected to attend the BRICS group summit in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22 to 24.&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit China in October this year, Russian media has reported citing a top Russian envoy. Russian news agency Tass reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the issue of the proposed visit during a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko on Monday, chairwoman of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament.

Russian President Vladimir Putin may visit China in October this year, Russian media has reported citing a top Russian envoy. Russian news agency Tass reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the issue of the proposed visit during a meeting with Valentina Matviyenko on Monday, chairwoman of the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament. The report was based on comments made by Andrey Denisov, a former Russian envoy to China who is currently deputy chairman of the council’s foreign affairs committee. Denisov served as Russia’s envoy to Beijing from 2013 to 2022 and helped arrange several meetings of Putin with Chinese leaders. Putin may attend the BRI summit China neither denied nor confirmed the report; however, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said Beijing was maintaining communication with its partner nations on relevant issues. “The third Belt and Road Summit for International Cooperation will be held later this year. China is maintaining communication with our belt and road partners on relevant issues,” said Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for the ministry, on Wednesday. Andrey Denisov also hinted that the biggest agenda on the table for the upcoming Putin-Xi meeting is likely to be the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Watch: UN asks Putin to extend Black Sea grain deal in return for SWIFT access × “During the meeting with Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko, Chairman Xi Jinping said that the Chinese side was getting ready for a visit by the Russian president in October in order to participate in the third Belt and Road forum,” Denisov was quoted as saying by Tass. Putin’s earlier visit to China In February of last year, Putin visited China and participated in the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics. Shortly after, Russia invaded Ukraine. During the visit, Putin secured significant energy agreements with China. The two countries also declared their bilateral relations to be more than just a traditional alliance, emphasising an unrestricted partnership. Since March, Putin has refrained from travelling extensively due to an International Criminal Court warrant issued against him for unlawfully deporting Ukrainian children. Also read: `Be careful...` Biden warned Xi Jinping on West`s investments after meeting Putin Four months ago, Xi Jinping visited Moscow and extended an invitation to Putin for a future visit at his convenience later in the year. If Putin accepts and visits in October, it would mark the third meeting of the two leaders this year. Both are also expected to attend the BRICS group summit in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 22 to 24. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Vladimir Putin likely to visit China in October to attend BRI Summit

A report has emerged suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin fled Moscow during the mutiny orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former Russian oil executive in self-exile, disclosed that he closely monitored Putin's movements during the rebellion on June 24, as per a Newsweek report that quoted&nbsp;Mikhail Khodorkovsky.&nbsp;

<h2>Allegations of panic, hidden bunkers surround Putin's absence</h2>

According to Khodorkovsky, Putin boarded a plane and departed Moscow, likely seeking refuge in his Valdai residence.

Khodorkovsky, who headed the energy company Yukos before serving a decade in prison on politically motivated charges, commented, "We were monitoring Putin at that moment. And it looks like indeed, he did leave Moscow and most likely went to Valdai to his residence."

He highlighted the departure of a plane exclusively used by Putin on June 24, which vanished from flight trackers in the vicinity of Valdai, as per undisclosed sources.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wagner-chiefs-palatial-home-raided-wigs-guns-and-gold-bars-found-by-russian-security-services-612711">Wagner chief's palatial home raided: Wigs, guns and gold bars found by Russian security services</a>

During the mutiny, Putin's absence did not go unnoticed, as numerous leaders and department heads reportedly left Moscow. Khodorkovsky initially believed that the opposition had a chance to succeed, given the movements of key figures. However, the rebellion led by Prigozhin quickly lost momentum.

Echoing Khodorkovsky's claims, Leonid Nevzlin, a Russian-Israeli businessman and Putin critic, tweeted on June 24 that Putin had taken shelter in the bunker of his Valdai residence.

Nevzlin further alleged that Putin's close associates also flocked to the location, suggesting the president was in a state of panic. Ukrainian intelligence sources shared similar information, stating that Putin had left Moscow and was transported to Valdai.

WATCH |&nbsp;US drones 'harassed': Russian fighter jets drop parachute flares in front of MQ-9 UAVs over Syria

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Journalist Boris Grozovski, in a post for the Wilson Centre&nbsp;think tank, noted that Putin fled Moscow as the mutiny unfolded, spending the subsequent 24 hours at his Valdai estate.

These revelations have sparked intense speculation and analysis regarding the events surrounding the mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. As more details emerge about the movements and actions of key individuals during this tumultuous period, the story continues to captivate and intrigue observers worldwide.

&nbsp;

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A report has emerged suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin fled Moscow during the mutiny orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group.

A report has emerged suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin fled Moscow during the mutiny orchestrated by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner Group. Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former Russian oil executive in self-exile, disclosed that he closely monitored Putin's movements during the rebellion on June 24, as per a Newsweek report that quoted Mikhail Khodorkovsky. Allegations of panic, hidden bunkers surround Putin's absence According to Khodorkovsky, Putin boarded a plane and departed Moscow, likely seeking refuge in his Valdai residence. Khodorkovsky, who headed the energy company Yukos before serving a decade in prison on politically motivated charges, commented, "We were monitoring Putin at that moment. And it looks like indeed, he did leave Moscow and most likely went to Valdai to his residence." He highlighted the departure of a plane exclusively used by Putin on June 24, which vanished from flight trackers in the vicinity of Valdai, as per undisclosed sources. Also read | Wagner chief's palatial home raided: Wigs, guns and gold bars found by Russian security services During the mutiny, Putin's absence did not go unnoticed, as numerous leaders and department heads reportedly left Moscow. Khodorkovsky initially believed that the opposition had a chance to succeed, given the movements of key figures. However, the rebellion led by Prigozhin quickly lost momentum. Echoing Khodorkovsky's claims, Leonid Nevzlin, a Russian-Israeli businessman and Putin critic, tweeted on June 24 that Putin had taken shelter in the bunker of his Valdai residence. Nevzlin further alleged that Putin's close associates also flocked to the location, suggesting the president was in a state of panic. Ukrainian intelligence sources shared similar information, stating that Putin had left Moscow and was transported to Valdai. WATCH | US drones 'harassed': Russian fighter jets drop parachute flares in front of MQ-9 UAVs over Syria Journalist Boris Grozovski, in a post for the Wilson Centre think tank, noted that Putin fled Moscow as the mutiny unfolded, spending the subsequent 24 hours at his Valdai estate. These revelations have sparked intense speculation and analysis regarding the events surrounding the mutiny led by Yevgeny Prigozhin. As more details emerge about the movements and actions of key individuals during this tumultuous period, the story continues to captivate and intrigue observers worldwide. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Putin's alleged escape: Report suggests Russian president 'fled Moscow' during Wagner's mutiny

The efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Wagner group's coup may have made it easier for him to be prosecuted by an international court and the Russian state for war crimes which were committed by the mercenary fighters, stated the experts in international law. 
 
After the mutiny headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin stated that the mercenaries had been “fully funded” by the government authorities in Russia. More than 86 billion&nbsp;roubles were paid to Wagner fighters in 2023 till the month of May, he stated. 
 
“Those words potentially have very significant consequences in terms of exposing the Russian state to responsibility for the acts of Wagner, and Putin, personally and individually as the leader of the Russian state,” stated Philippe Sands KC, professor of law at UCL and the author of East West Street, while speaking to The Observer.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-lauds-modi-for-make-in-india-initiative-says-no-harm-in-emulating-similar-exercise-in-russia-610334">Putin lauds PM Modi for 'Make in India' initiative, says no harm if Russia adopts ‘friend's’ template</a>

The Russian leader had distanced himself from the Wagner group for years as war crime accusations against the fighters mounted internationally, which included an investigation by the United Nations into their presence in the Central African Republic. 
 
Paying the Wagner group does not make Putin or Russia legally responsible for its war crimes, stated Dapo Akande, professor of public international law at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford.&nbsp; 
 
“It’s a significant admission. Funding is, in and of itself, not sufficient to say that somebody’s responsible for an international crime … [but] it makes it more difficult to say ‘these things have nothing to do with us',” he said while speaking to The Observer. 
 
“You said that you were actually funding this group, so that means that in one sense, you were contributing to what this group is doing. Now, the prosecution might need to show more, or a court might need to find more, but at least the first element is present,” he added.

<h2>How Putin's acceptance affects international tribunal</h2>

Paramilitaries have been found guilty of war crimes by the court, but not the linked state. In an international tribunal, Serbian militiamen were found guilty of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of Bosnian Muslims, however, Serbia was only accused of not preventing genocide. 
 
“(The court) could not establish that the paramilitaries were under the direct control of the Serbian authorities. That distinction was seized upon in Belgrade the next day, and the government-supportive or government-run newspapers ran with headlines that said things like ‘We are innocent’,” Sands said while speaking to The Observer.

WATCH |&nbsp;BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg: Will Vladimir Putin attend the 15th Summit?

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“That makes Putin’s comments potentially key to a different outcome in future trials. Given the increasing fragmentation of states and the use of private military companies, this is going to be a bigger and bigger issue for courts, as time progresses,” he said. 
 
“Putting aside the rather large question about whether courts should be playing this sort of role in the midst of a very delicate political and military situation, it is clear that it’s going to be important and difficult for courts to work out who is responsible for particular acts that take place in a fog of war which has just got a lot foggier,” Simpson stated.&nbsp;

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The efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Wagner group's coup may have made it easier for him to be prosecuted by an international court and the Russian state for war crimes which were committed by the mercenary fighters, stated the experts in international law.

The efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Wagner group's coup may have made it easier for him to be prosecuted by an international court and the Russian state for war crimes which were committed by the mercenary fighters, stated the experts in international law. After the mutiny headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, Putin stated that the mercenaries had been “fully funded” by the government authorities in Russia. More than 86 billion roubles were paid to Wagner fighters in 2023 till the month of May, he stated. “Those words potentially have very significant consequences in terms of exposing the Russian state to responsibility for the acts of Wagner, and Putin, personally and individually as the leader of the Russian state,” stated Philippe Sands KC, professor of law at UCL and the author of East West Street, while speaking to The Observer. ALSO READ | Putin lauds PM Modi for 'Make in India' initiative, says no harm if Russia adopts ‘friend's’ template The Russian leader had distanced himself from the Wagner group for years as war crime accusations against the fighters mounted internationally, which included an investigation by the United Nations into their presence in the Central African Republic. Paying the Wagner group does not make Putin or Russia legally responsible for its war crimes, stated Dapo Akande, professor of public international law at the Blavatnik School of Government, Oxford. “It’s a significant admission. Funding is, in and of itself, not sufficient to say that somebody’s responsible for an international crime … [but] it makes it more difficult to say ‘these things have nothing to do with us',” he said while speaking to The Observer. “You said that you were actually funding this group, so that means that in one sense, you were contributing to what this group is doing. Now, the prosecution might need to show more, or a court might need to find more, but at least the first element is present,” he added. How Putin's acceptance affects international tribunal Paramilitaries have been found guilty of war crimes by the court, but not the linked state. In an international tribunal, Serbian militiamen were found guilty of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre of Bosnian Muslims, however, Serbia was only accused of not preventing genocide. “(The court) could not establish that the paramilitaries were under the direct control of the Serbian authorities. That distinction was seized upon in Belgrade the next day, and the government-supportive or government-run newspapers ran with headlines that said things like ‘We are innocent’,” Sands said while speaking to The Observer. WATCH | BRICS summit to be held in Johannesburg: Will Vladimir Putin attend the 15th Summit? “That makes Putin’s comments potentially key to a different outcome in future trials. Given the increasing fragmentation of states and the use of private military companies, this is going to be a bigger and bigger issue for courts, as time progresses,” he said. “Putting aside the rather large question about whether courts should be playing this sort of role in the midst of a very delicate political and military situation, it is clear that it’s going to be important and difficult for courts to work out who is responsible for particular acts that take place in a fog of war which has just got a lot foggier,” Simpson stated. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Putin's claims of funding Wagner group likely makes it easier to try him for war crimes: Experts

Opposition leaders in Russia are failing to unite against President Vladimir Putin. According to a report by the Financial Times on Saturday (June 10), opposition leaders gathered in Brussels to plot a path back to democracy, with Putin's main rivals in jail or exiled and squabbling about how to move forward.

Opposition leaders in Russia are failing to unite against President Vladimir Putin. According to a report by the Financial Times on Saturday (June 10), opposition leaders gathered in Brussels to plot a path back to democracy, with Putin's main rivals in jail or exiled and squabbling about how to move forward. But rather than uniting Russia’s liberals, Moscow's invasion of Ukraine deepened existing rifts and added new controversies. Andrius Kubilius, a Lithuanian politician and a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), who invited Russian opposition leaders to the European Parliament, said, "They have these infights, and maybe it will take some time. It would be good if they were able to show more unity around some kind of strategy." The report said that though the European Union (EU) hoped to bring the Russian opposition together, the splits were yet again on display when followers of jailed anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, refused to take part in parliament's event. Leonid Volkov, Navalny’s longtime chief of staff, said that Navalny's anti-corruption foundation declined invitations to the event for fear of being “in the same boat” with rival opposition activists who did not share their views. Senior officials of the EU who were part of the event sought to cajole the opposition into crafting a cogent plan for democracy and rallying Russians against the Ukraine war. “We want to work with Russia, but a different Russia,” said Michael Siebert, Eastern Europe and Central Asia director for the EU diplomatic service. However, the opposition remains divided on how to achieve that different Russia and who would lead it. Navalny's group blamed for perpetuating conflict situations Exiled Russian businessman and opposition activist Mikhail Khodorkovsky blamed Navalny's foundation for perpetuating conflict situations, the Financial Times report said. "In their minds, there can only be the leader. It doesn’t fit [in] their worldview that you can have lots of leaders — that this room is full of them," Khodorkovsky said, adding the war in Ukraine put Navalny’s team on an equal footing with the rest of the opposition. “I have nothing against impotency. Wanting to work with people who are in Russia is great. But we can see from [the small pro-Navalny rally] that they can’t do it under a totalitarian regime either,” the opposition activist added. Navalny has been in jail since 2021, and anyone who associates with his group against the war faces potential arrest. This has made it difficult for his group to stage rallies. Vladimir Milov, who informally advises Navalny but is not part of the foundation, said that “they have this huge, political capital, developed with blood, sweat, and tears” and the prospect of being just one of many opposition groups was simply not appealing to them, the report also said. Meanwhile, Oleksiy Arestovich, a former senior Ukrainian official implored the parliament event's attendees to patch up their differences. Arestovich said that he talks a lot to the Russian opposition, adding every second sentence starts with a complaint about other members (of the opposition). “If you have a common goal, like an open, democratic Russia, that should be enough of a basis to work together,” Arestovich said. 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.

Russian opposition leaders meet in Brussels, fail to unite against Putin. Here's why

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has "urgently" been taken to a hospital in Moscow and now is in critical condition after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the Belarus opposition leader, Valery Tsepkalo. According to Tsepkalo, Lukashenko was taken to Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital after his meeting with Putin.&nbsp;

<h2>What do we know?</h2>

"According to preliminary information, subject to further confirmation, Lukashenko was urgently transported to Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital after his closed-door meeting with Putin. Currently, he remains under medical care there," said Tsepkalo on Twitter.&nbsp;

He also said that the Belarus president remains under the care of leading specialists to "address his critical condition," adding that blood purification procedures have been conducted and Lukashenko's condition has been deemed "non-transportable".

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According to preliminary information, subject to further confirmation, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Lukashenko?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Lukashenko</a> was urgently transported to Moscow's Central Clinical Hospital after his closed-door meeting with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Putin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Putin</a>. Currently, he remains under medical care there. Leading specialists have been mobilized to… <a href="https://t.co/xTQ1O7Yp2W">pic.twitter.com/xTQ1O7Yp2W</a>
— Valery Tsepkalo (@ValeryTsepkalo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ValeryTsepkalo/status/1662397252411830272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 27, 2023</a></blockquote>
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“The orchestrated efforts to save the Belarusian dictator are aimed to dispel speculations regarding Kremlin's alleged involvement in his poisoning,” said the former presidential candidate and ex-ambassador to the United States.

<h2>Rumours about Belarus leader’s health</h2>

Rumours centred around Lukashenko’s health have been doing the rounds for some time now. &nbsp;

Earlier on May 9, Lukashenko left Russia soon after the Victory Day parade in Moscow. He skipped lunch with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Media reports say that during his Russia visit, Lukashenko looked visibly tired and that his right hand was in a bandage.

Lukashenko's last public appearance was when he laid flowers in Belarus's capital Minsk during the country's own Victory Day celebrations (May 9), which he had attended hours after returning from Moscow.

He later appeared in public and dismissed the rumours saying, "I'm not going to die, guys. You'll have to struggle with me for a very long time to come."

The 68-year-old is among Putin's closest allies. According to media reports, Lukashenko, sounding hoarse, told a meeting on health issues that he had been suffering from an adenovirus, a common cold virus, earlier this month.&nbsp;

"If someone thinks I am going to die, calm down," said Lukashenko, adding that he only took three days to recover and had been too busy to take time off immediately.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is Valery Tsepkalo?</h2>

Tsepkalo, a former head of Belarus’ Silicon Valley, the High Technology Park and a former presidential candidate who intended to run in 2020, but was barred from registering. Notably, this wife, Veronika Tsepkalo, is one of three women who led historic opposition protests ahead of the Belarus presidential election in 2020.&nbsp;

In April, Tsepkalo was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security prison, as per the state-run news agency Belta. He also fled Belarus three years ago and is currently based in Latvia, where reportedly helps Belarusian refugees and female victims of political repression.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has "urgently" been taken to a hospital in Moscow and now is in critical condition after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the Belarus opposition leader, Valery Tsepkalo.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has "urgently" been taken to a hospital in Moscow and now is in critical condition after meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, said the Belarus opposition leader, Valery Tsepkalo. According to Tsepkalo, Lukashenko was taken to Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital after his meeting with Putin. What do we know? "According to preliminary information, subject to further confirmation, Lukashenko was urgently transported to Moscow’s Central Clinical Hospital after his closed-door meeting with Putin. Currently, he remains under medical care there," said Tsepkalo on Twitter. He also said that the Belarus president remains under the care of leading specialists to "address his critical condition," adding that blood purification procedures have been conducted and Lukashenko's condition has been deemed "non-transportable". According to preliminary information, subject to further confirmation, #Lukashenko was urgently transported to Moscow's Central Clinical Hospital after his closed-door meeting with #Putin. Currently, he remains under medical care there. Leading specialists have been mobilized to… pic.twitter.com/xTQ1O7Yp2W — Valery Tsepkalo (@ValeryTsepkalo) May 27, 2023 × “The orchestrated efforts to save the Belarusian dictator are aimed to dispel speculations regarding Kremlin's alleged involvement in his poisoning,” said the former presidential candidate and ex-ambassador to the United States. Rumours about Belarus leader’s health Rumours centred around Lukashenko’s health have been doing the rounds for some time now. Earlier on May 9, Lukashenko left Russia soon after the Victory Day parade in Moscow. He skipped lunch with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Media reports say that during his Russia visit, Lukashenko looked visibly tired and that his right hand was in a bandage. Lukashenko's last public appearance was when he laid flowers in Belarus's capital Minsk during the country's own Victory Day celebrations (May 9), which he had attended hours after returning from Moscow. He later appeared in public and dismissed the rumours saying, "I'm not going to die, guys. You'll have to struggle with me for a very long time to come." The 68-year-old is among Putin's closest allies. According to media reports, Lukashenko, sounding hoarse, told a meeting on health issues that he had been suffering from an adenovirus, a common cold virus, earlier this month. "If someone thinks I am going to die, calm down," said Lukashenko, adding that he only took three days to recover and had been too busy to take time off immediately. Who is Valery Tsepkalo? Tsepkalo, a former head of Belarus’ Silicon Valley, the High Technology Park and a former presidential candidate who intended to run in 2020, but was barred from registering. Notably, this wife, Veronika Tsepkalo, is one of three women who led historic opposition protests ahead of the Belarus presidential election in 2020. In April, Tsepkalo was sentenced to 17 years in a high-security prison, as per the state-run news agency Belta. He also fled Belarus three years ago and is currently based in Latvia, where reportedly helps Belarusian refugees and female victims of political repression. (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.

Belarus President Lukashenko rushed to hospital after meeting with Putin: Report

In order to secure 'fast' Russian military and civilian movement into Ukrainian territories already under Moscow's control, President Vladimir Putin issued stricter border security orders on Sunday.

Putin said the duty of the border service was to "reliably cover" the lines close to the conflict zone. He made these remarks on Border Guard Day in a message to the border personnel, a division of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia. &nbsp;

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Attacks within Russia have increased in the recent weeks. Most of these attacks are drone strikes on border regions. However, the&nbsp;territory inside Russian borders is not left untouched. For instance, on Saturday, an oil pipeline came under attack in northwest Moscow.

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In a post on the Kremlin's Telegram handle, Putin said, "It is necessary to ensure the fast movement of both military and civilian vehicles and cargo, including food, humanitarian aid building materials sent to the new subjects of the (Russian) Federation."&nbsp;

<h2>Belgorod shellings&nbsp;</h2>

As per reports, three people had been hurt by Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod on Saturday.&nbsp;Attacks have destroyed the military, rail, and electricity infrastructure and targeted the Russian borderlands of Kursk and Belgorod. Local local authorities have been blaming Ukraine for these incidents.

<h2>Kyiv denies claims</h2>

Kyiv has never officially accepted blame for assaults within Russia and on Ukrainian territory under Russian control. In fact, Ukraine claimed that destroying infrastructure serves as a prelude to Russia for its intended ground offensive on Kyiv.&nbsp;

<h2>Russian-occupied territories&nbsp;</h2>

The four Ukrainian provinces of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk were annexed by Putin last September. Kyiv at the time alleged that the referendums were nothing short of a sham. Notably, the four territories are only partially under Russian authority.

<h2>Russia's fresh drone strikes on Kyiv &nbsp;</h2>

Local authorities have reported that a fresh drone strike was launched by Russia on Kyiv, overnight.

According to Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, a man died when drone debris hit a gas station nearby while another woman suffered injuries. Before a "new drone wave" struck the capital, he claimed that air defences had shot down more than 20 drones that were headed for Kyiv.

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Later, using early data, Kyiv's military administration claimed that more than 40 drones had been shot down. Air raid alarms were set out earlier on Sunday in 12 Ukrainian areas, from Dnipropetrovsk in the south-east to Volyn in the north-west.

Klitschko advised Kyiv residents to "stay in shelters" in a social media post, noting that the night would be "difficult". He said that at least two high-rise buildings&nbsp;in various parts of the capital were on fire as a result of being struck by drone shards that were falling to the ground.

<h2>Ukraine's counteroffensive</h2>

On Saturday, Ukraine said it was prepared to begin a long-promised counteroffensive to retake land lost to Russia during the war that has now been going on for over a year.&nbsp;The conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties, displacement of people, and humanitarian challenges. There have been periods of relative calm and ceasefire agreements, but occasional flare-ups of violence have continued. Also, many Ukrainian cities have been brought to ruins due to Russia's war.

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&nbsp;

In order to secure 'fast' Russian military and civilian movement into Ukrainian territories already under Moscow's control, President Vladimir Putin issued stricter border security orders on Sunday.

In order to secure 'fast' Russian military and civilian movement into Ukrainian territories already under Moscow's control, President Vladimir Putin issued stricter border security orders on Sunday. Putin said the duty of the border service was to "reliably cover" the lines close to the conflict zone. He made these remarks on Border Guard Day in a message to the border personnel, a division of the Federal Security Service (FSB) of Russia. Also Read | Netherlands: Over 1,500 arrested in protests by Extinction Rebellion climate group Attacks within Russia have increased in the recent weeks. Most of these attacks are drone strikes on border regions. However, the territory inside Russian borders is not left untouched. For instance, on Saturday, an oil pipeline came under attack in northwest Moscow. Also Read | China's first homegrown passenger jet C919 embarks on maiden commercial flight In a post on the Kremlin's Telegram handle, Putin said, "It is necessary to ensure the fast movement of both military and civilian vehicles and cargo, including food, humanitarian aid building materials sent to the new subjects of the (Russian) Federation." Belgorod shellings As per reports, three people had been hurt by Ukrainian shelling in Belgorod on Saturday. Attacks have destroyed the military, rail, and electricity infrastructure and targeted the Russian borderlands of Kursk and Belgorod. Local local authorities have been blaming Ukraine for these incidents. Kyiv denies claims Kyiv has never officially accepted blame for assaults within Russia and on Ukrainian territory under Russian control. In fact, Ukraine claimed that destroying infrastructure serves as a prelude to Russia for its intended ground offensive on Kyiv. Russian-occupied territories The four Ukrainian provinces of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk were annexed by Putin last September. Kyiv at the time alleged that the referendums were nothing short of a sham. Notably, the four territories are only partially under Russian authority. Russia's fresh drone strikes on Kyiv Local authorities have reported that a fresh drone strike was launched by Russia on Kyiv, overnight. According to Vitaliy Klitschko, the mayor of Kyiv, a man died when drone debris hit a gas station nearby while another woman suffered injuries. Before a "new drone wave" struck the capital, he claimed that air defences had shot down more than 20 drones that were headed for Kyiv. Watch | India's new Parliament: PM Modi to inaugurate new Parliament on Sunday | Details × Later, using early data, Kyiv's military administration claimed that more than 40 drones had been shot down. Air raid alarms were set out earlier on Sunday in 12 Ukrainian areas, from Dnipropetrovsk in the south-east to Volyn in the north-west. Klitschko advised Kyiv residents to "stay in shelters" in a social media post, noting that the night would be "difficult". He said that at least two high-rise buildings in various parts of the capital were on fire as a result of being struck by drone shards that were falling to the ground. Ukraine's counteroffensive On Saturday, Ukraine said it was prepared to begin a long-promised counteroffensive to retake land lost to Russia during the war that has now been going on for over a year. The conflict has resulted in a significant number of casualties, displacement of people, and humanitarian challenges. There have been periods of relative calm and ceasefire agreements, but occasional flare-ups of violence have continued. Also, many Ukrainian cities have been brought to ruins due to Russia's war. 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. ×

Putin orders heightened border security as Kyiv faces massive Russian drone attack

Devastated villages, separated families and hardened soldiers -- stories of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are being taken to the stage in a play performed by actors who have fled their homeland.

Special Operation, named after Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine, opened in Denmark's second-largest city Aarhus on Saturday evening.

The hour-long performance was written by Ukrainian Anatoli Zinovenko, a well-known actor back in his homeland. He and his wife Tetyana -- who also stars in the play -- were forced to flee Ukraine ten days into Russia's invasion, after seeing "rockets and helicopters swirling" above their Kyiv home.

"It was impossible to understand, no one believed that there would be a war, but it happened," said 62-year-old Zinovenko, who has starred in several Ukrainian films, series and performances.

The actor had not written a play before, but when he and his family found safety in Denmark, he said that "everything that was in my heart, it all came out on paper".

"Everything I heard, saw and understood. I wanted to put it all on paper," he said.

The play tells the story of two Ukrainian women who become the sole survivors of a Russian attack on their village. A Russian soldier, injured and abandoned by his platoon, breaks into their home, forcing the women to decide whether to offer him help or exact revenge.

Zinovenko, who plays the Russian soldier, calls it a tale of "heroism, humanity and spirituality". "The women, who have switched places with this occupier, have the opportunity to kill him, but they do not kill him. Why? Because they are not capable of it," he said.

<h2>'Cultural bridge'</h2>

Organisers described the play as building a "cultural bridge" between Ukraine and Denmark, which has welcomed some 30,000 Ukrainian refugees since the war began in February 2022.

The Aarhus show marks the sixteenth performance of "Special Operation" in Denmark.&nbsp;Profits will be donated to humanitarian organisations working in Ukraine.

"We in Denmark only know about this war from the media, from high electricity prices or high food prices," said the head of the Katapult Theatre, Torben Dahl.&nbsp;"What we can do is make people in Denmark aware of this situation on a more human level."&nbsp;

According to the UN cultural agency UNESCO, over 250 cultural sites have been damaged in the war including the Mariupol Theatre, destroyed by an airstrike while sheltering civilians.&nbsp;

"A lot of people of art are now at the front. Many of my acquaintances are fighting," said Zinovenko, whose younger brother is also on the front lines.&nbsp; "I hope that we will perform the play not only in Denmark, of course in Ukraine as well."

Devastated villages, separated families and hardened soldiers -- stories of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are being taken to the stage in a play performed by actors who have fled their homeland.

Devastated villages, separated families and hardened soldiers -- stories of Russia's invasion of Ukraine are being taken to the stage in a play performed by actors who have fled their homeland. Special Operation, named after Russian President Vladimir Putin's so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine, opened in Denmark's second-largest city Aarhus on Saturday evening. The hour-long performance was written by Ukrainian Anatoli Zinovenko, a well-known actor back in his homeland. He and his wife Tetyana -- who also stars in the play -- were forced to flee Ukraine ten days into Russia's invasion, after seeing "rockets and helicopters swirling" above their Kyiv home. "It was impossible to understand, no one believed that there would be a war, but it happened," said 62-year-old Zinovenko, who has starred in several Ukrainian films, series and performances. The actor had not written a play before, but when he and his family found safety in Denmark, he said that "everything that was in my heart, it all came out on paper". "Everything I heard, saw and understood. I wanted to put it all on paper," he said. The play tells the story of two Ukrainian women who become the sole survivors of a Russian attack on their village. A Russian soldier, injured and abandoned by his platoon, breaks into their home, forcing the women to decide whether to offer him help or exact revenge. Zinovenko, who plays the Russian soldier, calls it a tale of "heroism, humanity and spirituality". "The women, who have switched places with this occupier, have the opportunity to kill him, but they do not kill him. Why? Because they are not capable of it," he said. 'Cultural bridge' Organisers described the play as building a "cultural bridge" between Ukraine and Denmark, which has welcomed some 30,000 Ukrainian refugees since the war began in February 2022. The Aarhus show marks the sixteenth performance of "Special Operation" in Denmark. Profits will be donated to humanitarian organisations working in Ukraine. "We in Denmark only know about this war from the media, from high electricity prices or high food prices," said the head of the Katapult Theatre, Torben Dahl. "What we can do is make people in Denmark aware of this situation on a more human level." According to the UN cultural agency UNESCO, over 250 cultural sites have been damaged in the war including the Mariupol Theatre, destroyed by an airstrike while sheltering civilians. "A lot of people of art are now at the front. Many of my acquaintances are fighting," said Zinovenko, whose younger brother is also on the front lines. "I hope that we will perform the play not only in Denmark, of course in Ukraine as well."

Ukrainian actors tell tales of war on stage

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that forbids renaming Ukrainian geographic locations after Russian individuals or historical occasions connected to Russian aggression, reported Kyiv Independent.&nbsp;The legislation which was signed on 21 April&nbsp;is a part of bigger "de-Russification" initiatives in response to Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine that is continuing to wage on for over a year now.&nbsp;The law which is titled "On Geographical Names," seeks to tackle the "decolonization of toponymy."

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According to the legislation, it is forbidden to give locations names that "glorify, perpetuate, promote, or symbolise" Russia or its "prominent, memorable, historical and cultural places, cities, dates, events, and figures who carried out military aggression against Ukraine and other sovereign countries." &nbsp;

Additionally, it prohibits the use of geographic indicators that were connected to "state totalitarian policies and practises related to the persecution of opposition figures, dissidents, and other persons" who opposed "totalitarian Soviet and totalitarian Russian regimes."

<h2>Euromaidan Revolution</h2>

This movement of changing Russian place names gathered steam during the Euromaidan Revolution in 2014. Streets named after Russians or Soviet history have been renamed. Monuments of historical Russian individuals have been demolished.&nbsp;

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Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Kremlin president, assumed office in 2010. He declined to ratify the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013.&nbsp;His reluctance to ratify the accord provoked demonstrations across Ukraine. The biggest demonstrations were held in Kyiv on Independence Square, also known as Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Ukrainian.

Yanukovych fled to Russia when the protests turned into a revolution that lasted until February 2014. By overthrowing the pro-Kremlin government, Ukrainians got to decide how they wanted their country to develop in the future, including changing place names from Russian to Ukrainian.&nbsp;

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Over 100,000 Kyiv citizens voted in January of this year to change the names of two metro stations in the city. One was from "Friendship of Peoples" (Druzhby Narodiv in Ukrainian) to "Zvirynetska," the area's historical name, and from "Lva Tolstoho," which was named after the Russian author Lev Tolstoi, to "Ukrainian Heroes Square."

Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin's memorials were demolished in the spring of 2017 from places including Mykolaiv port city, Ternopil, and the western Zakarpattia Oblast.

Similar to this, a monument commemorating the Russian Empress Catherine II was demolished in Odesa on December 28. This was done following an online vote by locals.

The statue was built in 1900 when Odessa was a part of the Russian Empire. For years, activists have petitioned to have it taken down.&nbsp;

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that forbids renaming Ukrainian geographic locations after Russian individuals or historical occasions connected to Russian aggression, reported Kyiv Independent.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law that forbids renaming Ukrainian geographic locations after Russian individuals or historical occasions connected to Russian aggression, reported Kyiv Independent. The legislation which was signed on 21 April is a part of bigger "de-Russification" initiatives in response to Russia's full-blown invasion of Ukraine that is continuing to wage on for over a year now. The law which is titled "On Geographical Names," seeks to tackle the "decolonization of toponymy." Also Read | US diplomats, families evacuated from Sudan: RSF According to the legislation, it is forbidden to give locations names that "glorify, perpetuate, promote, or symbolise" Russia or its "prominent, memorable, historical and cultural places, cities, dates, events, and figures who carried out military aggression against Ukraine and other sovereign countries." Additionally, it prohibits the use of geographic indicators that were connected to "state totalitarian policies and practises related to the persecution of opposition figures, dissidents, and other persons" who opposed "totalitarian Soviet and totalitarian Russian regimes." Euromaidan Revolution This movement of changing Russian place names gathered steam during the Euromaidan Revolution in 2014. Streets named after Russians or Soviet history have been renamed. Monuments of historical Russian individuals have been demolished. Also Read | Japan puts military on alert fearing North Korean missile Viktor Yanukovych, a pro-Kremlin president, assumed office in 2010. He declined to ratify the Association Agreement with the European Union in November 2013. His reluctance to ratify the accord provoked demonstrations across Ukraine. The biggest demonstrations were held in Kyiv on Independence Square, also known as Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Ukrainian. Yanukovych fled to Russia when the protests turned into a revolution that lasted until February 2014. By overthrowing the pro-Kremlin government, Ukrainians got to decide how they wanted their country to develop in the future, including changing place names from Russian to Ukrainian. Watch | 'India's high population not a problem,' says Manish Sabharwal, VC Teamlease Services | India Story × Over 100,000 Kyiv citizens voted in January of this year to change the names of two metro stations in the city. One was from "Friendship of Peoples" (Druzhby Narodiv in Ukrainian) to "Zvirynetska," the area's historical name, and from "Lva Tolstoho," which was named after the Russian author Lev Tolstoi, to "Ukrainian Heroes Square." Russian Poet Alexander Pushkin's memorials were demolished in the spring of 2017 from places including Mykolaiv port city, Ternopil, and the western Zakarpattia Oblast. Similar to this, a monument commemorating the Russian Empress Catherine II was demolished in Odesa on December 28. This was done following an online vote by locals. The statue was built in 1900 when Odessa was a part of the Russian Empire. For years, activists have petitioned to have it taken down. 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.

Zelensky signs law banning Russian place names in Ukraine, aims to restore national identity

Russian opposition leader and President Vladimir Putin critic, Alexei Navalny who is currently in prison, is in failing health and “critical” condition over suspected poisoning, a close ally told the United Kingdom-based newspaper The Guardian, on Friday (April 14). This comes after a spokeswoman for Navalny told the Associated Press that the 46-year-old fell sick last week when he was let out of the punishment cell and put in a conventional cell.

Navalny in ‘critical’ situation

Ruslan Shaveddinov, an ally of the Russian opposition leader, in a telephonic interview with Guardian, said, “His situation is critical, we are all very concerned.” This comes after he told the media outlet that Navalny had been grappling with severe stomach pain and an ambulance was called last week to the maximum security IK-6 penal colony at Melekhovo where he is currently imprisoned.&nbsp;

“We understand that the situation must have been very bad if an ambulance was called,” said Shaveddinov, adding that the prison authorities refused to have Navalny admitted to the hospital and there has been no update on his health since the ambulance arrived, as per the British daily newspaper. He also spoke about how “the prison authorities are doing everything possible to isolate him”.&nbsp;

What happened before he was taken to the hospital?

In a separate interview, Anna Veduta, a Washington-based vice president of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, told&nbsp;AP,&nbsp;that the 46-year-old fell ill when he was released from the punishment cell. Veduta also claimed that he had lost around 18 pounds (eight kilograms) over the past 15 days.&nbsp;

She added, “We believe he is slowly being administered low doses of poison” in pills he is given without identification, as per AP. This also came after Navalny had taken to Twitter, on Monday and said that he is being put back in solitary confinement&nbsp;for 15 days and forced to endure “extremely hellish” conditions. The ambulance arrived early Saturday because of acute stomach pains.&nbsp;However, Navalny received no diagnosis, said his lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, on Twitter after visiting him in the prison.

“He doesn’t eat anything because he is prohibited from receiving parcels with food or to buy food in the prison store and the food that is provided by the prison to him actually worsens his stomach pain,” Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, told Reuters, on Thursday.&nbsp;

Navalny is currently serving combined sentences of 11 and a half years, for fraud and contempt of court, charges he has previously said were trumped up to silence him.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Russian opposition leader and President Vladimir Putin critic, Alexei Navalny who is currently in prison, is in failing health and “critical” condition over suspected poisoning, a close ally told the United Kingdom-based newspaper The Guardian, on Friday (April 14).

Russian opposition leader and President Vladimir Putin critic, Alexei Navalny who is currently in prison, is in failing health and “critical” condition over suspected poisoning, a close ally told the United Kingdom-based newspaper The Guardian, on Friday (April 14). This comes after a spokeswoman for Navalny told the Associated Press that the 46-year-old fell sick last week when he was let out of the punishment cell and put in a conventional cell. Navalny in ‘critical’ situation Ruslan Shaveddinov, an ally of the Russian opposition leader, in a telephonic interview with Guardian, said, “His situation is critical, we are all very concerned.” This comes after he told the media outlet that Navalny had been grappling with severe stomach pain and an ambulance was called last week to the maximum security IK-6 penal colony at Melekhovo where he is currently imprisoned. “We understand that the situation must have been very bad if an ambulance was called,” said Shaveddinov, adding that the prison authorities refused to have Navalny admitted to the hospital and there has been no update on his health since the ambulance arrived, as per the British daily newspaper. He also spoke about how “the prison authorities are doing everything possible to isolate him”. What happened before he was taken to the hospital? In a separate interview, Anna Veduta, a Washington-based vice president of Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation, told AP, that the 46-year-old fell ill when he was released from the punishment cell. Veduta also claimed that he had lost around 18 pounds (eight kilograms) over the past 15 days. She added, “We believe he is slowly being administered low doses of poison” in pills he is given without identification, as per AP. This also came after Navalny had taken to Twitter, on Monday and said that he is being put back in solitary confinement for 15 days and forced to endure “extremely hellish” conditions. The ambulance arrived early Saturday because of acute stomach pains. However, Navalny received no diagnosis, said his lawyer, Vadim Kobzev, on Twitter after visiting him in the prison. “He doesn’t eat anything because he is prohibited from receiving parcels with food or to buy food in the prison store and the food that is provided by the prison to him actually worsens his stomach pain,” Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, told Reuters, on Thursday. Navalny is currently serving combined sentences of 11 and a half years, for fraud and contempt of court, charges he has previously said were trumped up to silence him. (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.

Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny possibly poisoned, in ‘critical’ situation: Spokespeople

Chechnya's battle-hardened leader, assumed to be "terminally ill" after an alleged poisoning, shocked the world by surfacing in Moscow. Ramzan Kadyrov recently had an unexpected meeting with his overseer Russian President Vladimir Putin and vows to fight till the end in Ukraine.

Chechnya's battle-hardened leader, assumed to be "terminally ill" after an alleged poisoning, shocked the world by surfacing in Moscow. Ramzan Kadyrov recently had an unexpected meeting with his overseer Russian President Vladimir Putin and vows to fight till the end in Ukraine. Ramzan Kadyrov: a pro-war zealot? He is a 46-years-old and is the leader of the Chechen Republic in the North Caucasus of Russia and he is one of Putin's closest allies. He has fought in conflicts all his life. He joined the Islamic separatists in the 1990s for Chechen independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Soon he became the chief of security in Chechnya in 2003. He was then promoted to prime minister, but once he reached the required minimum age of 30 in 2007, Putin nominated Kadyrov as Chechen president. Known to rule Chechnya with an iron fist, many call him a pro-war zealot. He is reportedly a father of 14 with three current wives. Watch this video: × Chechen Militia's war-print Kadyrov is often referred to as Putin's "foot soldier" owing to his allegiance to the Kremlin. Kadyrov has a militia in Chechnya which is ready to fight at Putin’s command. They're extremely feared and have been accused of torture, kidnappings and assassinations by various human rights, but the Chechen president has routinely denied the claims. Kadyrov has deployed his militia in Ukraine since the beginning of the war and has now vowed to Putin that he will fight until victory in Ukraine. Kadyrov, allegedly even sent his own teenage sons to Putin’s war. Soon after Russia’s invasion, he published a video of his sons, aged 14, 15 and 16, firing missiles in a shooting range. Kadyrov has even advocated the use of nuclear weapons against Ukraine. For him, winning this war for Putin is everything. His emergence in Moscow surely hints at an even uglier turn in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 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. 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.

Putin's 'poisoned' Chechen ally surfaces in Moscow vowing to finish Ukraine

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (Feb 21) began his remarks in Poland by declaring that "Kyiv stands proud, Kyiv stands strong, it stands tall most importantly it stands free," nearly one year after Russia's invasion. His address at the Royal Castle in Warsaw comes a day after his first visit to Ukraine.&nbsp;

"A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never be able to ease the people's love of liberty, brutality will never grind down the will of the free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia -- never," said the US president, seemingly referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also asserted that freedom is at stake in the war.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hours-after-putins-suspension-announcement-russia-says-will-comply-with-new-start-treaty-564497">Also read |&nbsp;Hours after Putin’s suspension announcement, Russia says will comply with New START treaty</a>

Biden, reiterating his strong support for Ukraine, said that "there should be no doubt: our&nbsp;support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided and we will not tire." He added that when Russia invaded it was just not Kyiv being tested, but the whole world.&nbsp;

During his speech, the US president said, Putin thought that NATO would fracture and divide but it is more united than ever before. "He thought he could weaponise energy, crack Europe's resolve, and instead we are working to end Europe's dependence from Russia's fossil fuels."

Watch |&nbsp;Biden’s five hours in Kyiv&nbsp;could spell disaster for Ukraine | WION Game Plan

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Biden also listed some of the actions allegedly taken by Russia since the beginning of the conflict and accused Moscow of targetting civilians with death and destruction, as per CNN. He added, they used rape as a weapon of war and bombed train stations, maternity hospitals, schools and orphanages.&nbsp;

"No one, no one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities that Russia is committing. It is abhorrent. It is abhorrent. But extraordinarily, as well, has been the response of the Ukrainian people and the world," said the US president.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-poland-visit-live-updates-us-prez-kicks-off-two-day-visit-meets-polish-counterpart-andrzej-duda-564406">Also read |&nbsp;Joe Biden: US and allies to announce more sanctions against Russia</a>

He also dismissed remarks made by his Russian counterpart, earlier in the day, who alleged that the West is plotting an attack on Moscow and said, "millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbours are not the enemy."&nbsp;He added, "This war is never a necessity. It's a tragedy. President Putin chose this war."&nbsp;

The address in Warsaw came hours after the Russian president addressed a joint session of parliament where accused the West of escalating the war in Ukraine. Following Biden's speech, Polish President Andrzej Duda gave thanks to his American counterpart for his support for Kyiv and said, "We stand in solidarity with Ukraine, and we will stand in solidarity&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ukraine."

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (Feb 21) began his remarks in Poland by declaring that "Kyiv stands proud, Kyiv stands strong, it stands tall most importantly it stands free," nearly one year after Russia's invasion.

United States President Joe Biden on Tuesday (Feb 21) began his remarks in Poland by declaring that "Kyiv stands proud, Kyiv stands strong, it stands tall most importantly it stands free," nearly one year after Russia's invasion. His address at the Royal Castle in Warsaw comes a day after his first visit to Ukraine. "A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never be able to ease the people's love of liberty, brutality will never grind down the will of the free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia -- never," said the US president, seemingly referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also asserted that freedom is at stake in the war. Also read | Hours after Putin’s suspension announcement, Russia says will comply with New START treaty Biden, reiterating his strong support for Ukraine, said that "there should be no doubt: our support for Ukraine will not waver, NATO will not be divided and we will not tire." He added that when Russia invaded it was just not Kyiv being tested, but the whole world. During his speech, the US president said, Putin thought that NATO would fracture and divide but it is more united than ever before. "He thought he could weaponise energy, crack Europe's resolve, and instead we are working to end Europe's dependence from Russia's fossil fuels." Watch | Biden’s five hours in Kyiv could spell disaster for Ukraine | WION Game Plan Biden also listed some of the actions allegedly taken by Russia since the beginning of the conflict and accused Moscow of targetting civilians with death and destruction, as per CNN. He added, they used rape as a weapon of war and bombed train stations, maternity hospitals, schools and orphanages. "No one, no one can turn away their eyes from the atrocities that Russia is committing. It is abhorrent. It is abhorrent. But extraordinarily, as well, has been the response of the Ukrainian people and the world," said the US president. Also read | Joe Biden: US and allies to announce more sanctions against Russia He also dismissed remarks made by his Russian counterpart, earlier in the day, who alleged that the West is plotting an attack on Moscow and said, "millions of Russian citizens who only want to live in peace with their neighbours are not the enemy." He added, "This war is never a necessity. It's a tragedy. President Putin chose this war." The address in Warsaw came hours after the Russian president addressed a joint session of parliament where accused the West of escalating the war in Ukraine. Following Biden's speech, Polish President Andrzej Duda gave thanks to his American counterpart for his support for Kyiv and said, "We stand in solidarity with Ukraine, and we will stand in solidarity with Ukraine." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

'Our support for Ukraine is unwavering,' says US President Joe Biden during his speech in Poland

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.&nbsp; 
 
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/putin-to-address-russian-duma-world-news-wion-564164">joint houses of parliament</a> and called it a “watershed moment” for the country. During the speech on Tuesday (February 21), he also said that Moscow is suspending participation in the New START treaty, a bilateral agreement on nuclear arms control with the United States. However, the foreign ministry later said that it will comply with certain portions of the treaty.

A “difficult, watershed moment”&nbsp;

The nearly two-hour speech began with the Russian president saying, “I am making this address at a time which we all know is a difficult, watershed moment for our country, a time of cardinal, irreversible changes around the world, the most important historic events that shape the future of our country and our people, when each of us bears a colossal responsibility,” as per Reuters.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vladimir-putin-speech-live-updates-all-eyes-on-russian-president-564206">As it happened | Vladimir Putin speech: Russia suspending participation in New START nuclear treaty</a>

Referring to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the eastern Donbas region, Putin said that since 2014 the people of Donbas “had been fighting, defending their right to live on their own land, to speak their native language”. Reports suggest that Moscow has intensified attacks on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-capture-of-village-near-eastern-ukrainian-region-kharkiv-563430">eastern front</a> in Ukraine and controls parts of the aforementioned region.&nbsp;

Speaking about the eastern Ukrainian region, the Russian president also said how the residents of Donbas have not given up “in the conditions of blockade and constant shelling, undisguised hatred on the part of the Kyiv regime. They believed and expected that Russia would come to their rescue.” Meanwhile, it has also been reported that despite Russian troops witnessing at least three significant battlefield reversals, Moscow continues to control approximately one-fifth of Ukraine.

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russias-putin-blames-west-and-ukraine-for-provoking-conflict-564437">Russia's Putin blames West and Ukraine for provoking conflict</a>

Putin’s statement also comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an address on Sunday claimed that Kyiv’s troops are inflicting “extraordinarily significant” losses on the Russian forces in several towns in Donbas, where the fight is said to be focused on, in&nbsp;the past couple of months. “The more losses Russia suffers there, in Donbas - in Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Marinka, Kreminna - the faster we will be able to end this war with Ukraine's victory”, said Zelensky.&nbsp;

“They started the war”: Putin accuses the West for the conflict with Ukraine

The ongoing conflict has also been called the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West in decades. “I have already said many times that the people of Ukraine have become the hostage of the Kyiv regime and its Western overlords, who have effectively occupied this country in the political, military and economic sense”, said Putin, in his state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-says-west-completely-responsible-for-escalation-of-ukraine-conflict-564278">West 'completely' responsible for fueling the Ukraine conflict, says Putin</a>

He added that the West has “not achieved its goals anywhere and it will not”. The Russian president also accused the West and the “current regime in Kyiv” of not only escalating the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-major-battles-of-the-russia-ukraine-war-564401">ongoing conflict</a> but also starting it as well as “increasing (the) number of victims”. According to the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR), over 8,000 civilians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict while over 13,000 have been wounded.&nbsp;

Additionally, nearly 18 million are in “dire” need of humanitarian assistance and 14 million are said to have been displaced in Ukraine, as per the UN report. However, the data has been called “only the tip of the iceberg” by the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk. He added, “The toll on civilians is unbearable. Amid electricity and water shortages during the cold winter months”.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-putin-not-a-war-with-people-of-ukraine-564438">Russia-Ukraine war | Putin: Not a war with people of Ukraine</a>

Addressing Russia’s lawmakers and military elite, Putin went on to allege that the West was threatening Moscow’s very existence with the Ukraine conflict. “The Western elites do not conceal their goals…It is a direct quote – to bring Russia a strategic defeat. What does it mean? What is it for us? It means to end us, once and for all. It means they plan to turn a local conflict into a global confrontation. We understand it exactly like that. And we will react to it accordingly,” said Putin, as per Reuters.

Russian economy

The Russian president also spoke about how the West has not succeeded in defeating the country’s economy since “those who initiated the sanctions (against Russia) have punished themselves, caused price increases, job losses, business closures and an energy crisis in their countries.”

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-announces-suspension-of-nuke-arms-control-treaty-with-us-564382">Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US</a>

&nbsp;He added, “And they tell their own citizens, and we hear that: that the Russians are to blame for everything. Which means did they use against us in this aggression of sanctions?” As per a report by Statista published on Tuesday, territories and organisations across the world have imposed 10,608 restrictions on Russian individuals, 3,431 list-based sanctions, and 492 sanctions against institutions. The data was calculated starting from February 22, 2022, which is two days prior to the beginning of the invasion to February 10, 2023.&nbsp;

During his address, the Russian president also went on to say that the “anti-Russian sanctions are only a tool, but the goal - as they themselves declare…is to make our citizens suffer.” In 2022, the Russian economy contracted by 2.1 per cent, reported the government-run statistics agency Rosstat, on Monday (February 20). While many have questioned the authenticity of the figures which were published a day before Putin was due to deliver the state-of-the-nation address, Moscow's economy was also called resilient in the face of Western sanctions and prior estimates which projected bigger contractions.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italian-pm-giorgia-meloni-arrives-in-kyiv-by-train-from-poland-564369">Italian PM Giorgia Meloni arrives in Kyiv by train from Poland</a>

Putin announced suspension of New START treaty

During his speech, on Tuesday, the Russian president announced the suspension of the New START treaty with the US which limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that Washington and Moscow can deploy. The treaty in question also caps the delivery of the deployment of land and submarine-based missiles and bombers by the two countries.&nbsp;

“In the beginning of February this year there was a statement from the North Atlantic alliance demanding that Russia ‘returns to the Strategic Arms Treaty’ as they call it, including allowing inspections of our nuclear defence facilities. I don’t even know what to call it (the request for inspections). It’s a theatre of the absurd,” said Putin, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

However, hours later, Moscow on Tuesday clarified that it will continue observing restrictions on nuclear warheads under the New START treaty. "Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it (New START) within the life cycle of the treaty," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-top-diplomat-to-visit-russia-amid-beijings-call-to-end-ukraine-war-564123">China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war</a>

Putin said, their repeated requests to inspect some US objects have been declined on “formal grounds. We can't properly inspect anything on that side,” he added. Furthermore, the Russian president also acknowledged that Russia-US relations have “deteriorated” and that Washington is fully responsible for this.&nbsp;

He also accused the West of wanting to “inflict a strategic defeat on us and sneak into our nuclear facilities.” “In this regard, I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty,” said Putin towards the end of his speech to the lawmakers present at the joint session of the parliament.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russian-president-putin-blames-the-west-for-escalation-in-ukraine-564424">Russian president Putin blames the West for escalation in Ukraine</a>

Furthermore, he said that in the current situation, Russia’s ministry of defence and&nbsp;State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (ROSATOM) should make sure that Moscow is “ready to test its nuclear weapons”. However, he said that they will not do it first but if the US conducts its test then Moscow will too, adding that “no one should be under dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed.”

On the other hand, the US has previously accused Russia of violating the treaty by not allowing inspections on its territory. This has sparked fears of a nuclear conflict as Moscow has supposedly made veiled threats since the beginning of the conflict. Notably, the two nuclear-armed nations account for about 90 per cent of the world’s nuclear heads, as per Reuters.&nbsp;

What is the New START treaty?

As mentioned earlier, the treaty limits Russia and the US’ nuclear arsenal while&nbsp;the countries have also committed to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and a maximum of 700 long-range missiles and bombers. Additionally, every year, each side is allowed to conduct up to 18 inspections of strategic nuclear weapons sites, in order to ensure that the other side has not breached the terms of the treaty.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-to-halt-participation-in-new-start-nuclear-arms-treaty-564435">Russia to halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty</a>

The treaty was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and came into effect a year later. In 2021, it was extended for five more years when incumbent President Joe Biden took office. Notably, the aforementioned inspections had been halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and while the talks of resuming them were to take place in Egypt last year Moscow postponed them. Since then neither side has decided on a new date.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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. Ahead of the one-year anniversary of what Moscow refers to as its “special military operation” in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to the joint houses of parliament and called it a “watershed moment” for the country. During the speech on Tuesday (February 21), he also said that Moscow is suspending participation in the New START treaty, a bilateral agreement on nuclear arms control with the United States. However, the foreign ministry later said that it will comply with certain portions of the treaty. A “difficult, watershed moment” The nearly two-hour speech began with the Russian president saying, “I am making this address at a time which we all know is a difficult, watershed moment for our country, a time of cardinal, irreversible changes around the world, the most important historic events that shape the future of our country and our people, when each of us bears a colossal responsibility,” as per Reuters. ALSO READ | As it happened | Vladimir Putin speech: Russia suspending participation in New START nuclear treaty Referring to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the eastern Donbas region, Putin said that since 2014 the people of Donbas “had been fighting, defending their right to live on their own land, to speak their native language”. Reports suggest that Moscow has intensified attacks on the eastern front in Ukraine and controls parts of the aforementioned region. Speaking about the eastern Ukrainian region, the Russian president also said how the residents of Donbas have not given up “in the conditions of blockade and constant shelling, undisguised hatred on the part of the Kyiv regime. They believed and expected that Russia would come to their rescue.” Meanwhile, it has also been reported that despite Russian troops witnessing at least three significant battlefield reversals, Moscow continues to control approximately one-fifth of Ukraine. ALSO WATCH | Russia's Putin blames West and Ukraine for provoking conflict Putin’s statement also comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in an address on Sunday claimed that Kyiv’s troops are inflicting “extraordinarily significant” losses on the Russian forces in several towns in Donbas, where the fight is said to be focused on, in the past couple of months. “The more losses Russia suffers there, in Donbas - in Bakhmut, Vuhledar, Marinka, Kreminna - the faster we will be able to end this war with Ukraine's victory”, said Zelensky. “They started the war”: Putin accuses the West for the conflict with Ukraine The ongoing conflict has also been called the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West in decades. “I have already said many times that the people of Ukraine have become the hostage of the Kyiv regime and its Western overlords, who have effectively occupied this country in the political, military and economic sense”, said Putin, in his state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday. ALSO READ | West 'completely' responsible for fueling the Ukraine conflict, says Putin He added that the West has “not achieved its goals anywhere and it will not”. The Russian president also accused the West and the “current regime in Kyiv” of not only escalating the ongoing conflict but also starting it as well as “increasing (the) number of victims”. According to the United Nations Office for Human Rights (OHCHR), over 8,000 civilians have been killed since the beginning of the conflict while over 13,000 have been wounded. Additionally, nearly 18 million are in “dire” need of humanitarian assistance and 14 million are said to have been displaced in Ukraine, as per the UN report. However, the data has been called “only the tip of the iceberg” by the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk. He added, “The toll on civilians is unbearable. Amid electricity and water shortages during the cold winter months”. ALSO WATCH | Russia-Ukraine war | Putin: Not a war with people of Ukraine Addressing Russia’s lawmakers and military elite, Putin went on to allege that the West was threatening Moscow’s very existence with the Ukraine conflict. “The Western elites do not conceal their goals…It is a direct quote – to bring Russia a strategic defeat. What does it mean? What is it for us? It means to end us, once and for all. It means they plan to turn a local conflict into a global confrontation. We understand it exactly like that. And we will react to it accordingly,” said Putin, as per Reuters. Russian economy The Russian president also spoke about how the West has not succeeded in defeating the country’s economy since “those who initiated the sanctions (against Russia) have punished themselves, caused price increases, job losses, business closures and an energy crisis in their countries.” ALSO READ | Russian President Vladimir Putin announces suspension of nuke arms control treaty with US He added, “And they tell their own citizens, and we hear that: that the Russians are to blame for everything. Which means did they use against us in this aggression of sanctions?” As per a report by Statista published on Tuesday, territories and organisations across the world have imposed 10,608 restrictions on Russian individuals, 3,431 list-based sanctions, and 492 sanctions against institutions. The data was calculated starting from February 22, 2022, which is two days prior to the beginning of the invasion to February 10, 2023. During his address, the Russian president also went on to say that the “anti-Russian sanctions are only a tool, but the goal - as they themselves declare…is to make our citizens suffer.” In 2022, the Russian economy contracted by 2.1 per cent, reported the government-run statistics agency Rosstat, on Monday (February 20). While many have questioned the authenticity of the figures which were published a day before Putin was due to deliver the state-of-the-nation address, Moscow's economy was also called resilient in the face of Western sanctions and prior estimates which projected bigger contractions. ALSO READ | Italian PM Giorgia Meloni arrives in Kyiv by train from Poland Putin announced suspension of New START treaty During his speech, on Tuesday, the Russian president announced the suspension of the New START treaty with the US which limits the number of strategic nuclear warheads that Washington and Moscow can deploy. The treaty in question also caps the delivery of the deployment of land and submarine-based missiles and bombers by the two countries. “In the beginning of February this year there was a statement from the North Atlantic alliance demanding that Russia ‘returns to the Strategic Arms Treaty’ as they call it, including allowing inspections of our nuclear defence facilities. I don’t even know what to call it (the request for inspections). It’s a theatre of the absurd,” said Putin, as per Reuters. However, hours later, Moscow on Tuesday clarified that it will continue observing restrictions on nuclear warheads under the New START treaty. "Russia intends to adhere to a responsible approach and will continue to strictly comply with the quantitative restrictions on strategic offensive arms stipulated by it (New START) within the life cycle of the treaty," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. ALSO READ | China's top diplomat to visit Russia amid Beijing's call to end Ukraine war Putin said, their repeated requests to inspect some US objects have been declined on “formal grounds. We can't properly inspect anything on that side,” he added. Furthermore, the Russian president also acknowledged that Russia-US relations have “deteriorated” and that Washington is fully responsible for this. He also accused the West of wanting to “inflict a strategic defeat on us and sneak into our nuclear facilities.” “In this regard, I am forced to announce today that Russia is suspending its participation in the strategic offensive arms treaty,” said Putin towards the end of his speech to the lawmakers present at the joint session of the parliament. ALSO WATCH | Russian president Putin blames the West for escalation in Ukraine Furthermore, he said that in the current situation, Russia’s ministry of defence and State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (ROSATOM) should make sure that Moscow is “ready to test its nuclear weapons”. However, he said that they will not do it first but if the US conducts its test then Moscow will too, adding that “no one should be under dangerous illusions that global strategic parity can be destroyed.” On the other hand, the US has previously accused Russia of violating the treaty by not allowing inspections on its territory. This has sparked fears of a nuclear conflict as Moscow has supposedly made veiled threats since the beginning of the conflict. Notably, the two nuclear-armed nations account for about 90 per cent of the world’s nuclear heads, as per Reuters. What is the New START treaty? As mentioned earlier, the treaty limits Russia and the US’ nuclear arsenal while the countries have also committed to deploying no more than 1,550 strategic nuclear warheads and a maximum of 700 long-range missiles and bombers. Additionally, every year, each side is allowed to conduct up to 18 inspections of strategic nuclear weapons sites, in order to ensure that the other side has not breached the terms of the treaty. ALSO WATCH | Russia to halt participation in New Start nuclear arms treaty The treaty was signed in 2010 by former US President Barack Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev and came into effect a year later. In 2021, it was extended for five more years when incumbent President Joe Biden took office. Notably, the aforementioned inspections had been halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and while the talks of resuming them were to take place in Egypt last year Moscow postponed them. Since then neither side has decided on a new date. (With inputs from agencies)

Explained | Putin accuses West of stoking Ukraine war

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.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian presidential office, on Monday (February 13), said that the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is witnessing fierce battle as Russian forces continue heavy shelling and infantry attacks. At least five civilians have been killed while several others have been wounded in the last 24 hours across Ukraine, they added. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Brussels, the NATO chief while urging Kyiv’s allies in the West to ramp up military support for the conflict-torn country said that Russia’s so-called spring offensive might already have begun.&nbsp;

According to Ukrainian military officials, positions in Bakhmut have been fortified with only those with a military role being allowed inside the city in eastern Ukraine, reported Reuters, and any civilians who still want to leave the city would have to brave the incoming fire. They have also reported Russian shelling along the frontlines and bombardment of at least 16 settlements near Bakhmut.&nbsp;

Additionally, the deputy commander of Ukraine's Svoboda battalion, told Reuters that “the city, the city's suburbs, the entire perimeter, and essentially the entire Bakhmut direction and Kostyantynivka are under crazy, chaotic shelling”. He added that while there is no fighting in the city centre, the forces are prepared for any assault.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-clears-final-military-hurdle-to-set-up-a-naval-base-on-red-sea-561368">Russia clears final 'military' hurdle to set up a naval base on Red Sea</a> &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian presidential office has also called the situation in the city’s northern suburb of Paraskoviivka “difficult” as it endures intense shelling, while the nearby town of Vuhledar is also under heavy bombardment. This comes as the eastern Ukrainian city is said to be an important objective for Russian President Vladimir Putin as its capture would allow Moscow to establish a strong hold over the Donetsk region after facing months of setbacks.&nbsp;

In the past 24 hours, Russia has shelled dozens of cities and villages in Donetsk which also includes Druzhkivka where a missile hit a hospital and Pokrovsk where constant shelling damaged at least seven houses and a kindergarten, said a report by the Associated Press. Additionally, Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said that the Russian shelling has intensified as they “accumulate more forces for an attack on peaceful cities”.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-chief-stoltenberg-plans-to-step-down-in-october-spokesperson-561190">NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg plans to step down in October, not keen for fourth term: Spokesperson</a>

On the other hand, Ukrainian region Luhansk’s Governor Serhii Haidai, in a TV interview said that while Moscow’s troops have pulled back after days of intense fighting near the key city of Kreminna they are not “running out of steam”. The Dnipropetrovsk region also witnessed shelling where one person was killed and two others were injured in the city of Nikopol, as per media reports.&nbsp;

NATO chief’s address in Brussels 
 
Addressing reporters, on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “The reality is we have seen the start (of a Russian offensive) already”. This comes as many have feared a massive offensive by Moscow as it nears the one-year anniversary of its “special military operation” in Ukraine.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/f-16-fighter-jets-should-be-given-to-ukraine-only-after-consensus-poland-561225">F-16 fighter jets should be given to Ukraine only after consensus: Poland</a>

The NATO chief also said how this “highlights the importance of timing. It’s urgent to provide Ukraine with more weapons” and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown “no sign whatsoever” of “preparing for peace”. He added, “President Putin does now - is to send thousands and thousands more troops, accepting a very high rate of casualty.” Therefore, he believes that arming Ukraine more quickly could save lives and bring a quicker end to the conflict.

“The current rate of Ukraine’s ammunition expenditure is many times higher than our current rate of production”, said Stoltenberg adding that it will increase targets for stockpiling ammunition. This also comes as Ukraine has sought fighter jets and long-range missiles from its western allies to counter-offensive, which the NATO chief said would be discussed but that Kyiv needs support on the ground.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

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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. The Ukrainian presidential office, on Monday (February 13), said that the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is witnessing fierce battle as Russian forces continue heavy shelling and infantry attacks. At least five civilians have been killed while several others have been wounded in the last 24 hours across Ukraine, they added. Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Brussels, the NATO chief while urging Kyiv’s allies in the West to ramp up military support for the conflict-torn country said that Russia’s so-called spring offensive might already have begun. According to Ukrainian military officials, positions in Bakhmut have been fortified with only those with a military role being allowed inside the city in eastern Ukraine, reported Reuters, and any civilians who still want to leave the city would have to brave the incoming fire. They have also reported Russian shelling along the frontlines and bombardment of at least 16 settlements near Bakhmut. Additionally, the deputy commander of Ukraine's Svoboda battalion, told Reuters that “the city, the city's suburbs, the entire perimeter, and essentially the entire Bakhmut direction and Kostyantynivka are under crazy, chaotic shelling”. He added that while there is no fighting in the city centre, the forces are prepared for any assault. ALSO READ | Russia clears final 'military' hurdle to set up a naval base on Red Sea Meanwhile, the Ukrainian presidential office has also called the situation in the city’s northern suburb of Paraskoviivka “difficult” as it endures intense shelling, while the nearby town of Vuhledar is also under heavy bombardment. This comes as the eastern Ukrainian city is said to be an important objective for Russian President Vladimir Putin as its capture would allow Moscow to establish a strong hold over the Donetsk region after facing months of setbacks. In the past 24 hours, Russia has shelled dozens of cities and villages in Donetsk which also includes Druzhkivka where a missile hit a hospital and Pokrovsk where constant shelling damaged at least seven houses and a kindergarten, said a report by the Associated Press. Additionally, Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said that the Russian shelling has intensified as they “accumulate more forces for an attack on peaceful cities”. ALSO READ | NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg plans to step down in October, not keen for fourth term: Spokesperson On the other hand, Ukrainian region Luhansk’s Governor Serhii Haidai, in a TV interview said that while Moscow’s troops have pulled back after days of intense fighting near the key city of Kreminna they are not “running out of steam”. The Dnipropetrovsk region also witnessed shelling where one person was killed and two others were injured in the city of Nikopol, as per media reports. NATO chief’s address in Brussels Addressing reporters, on Monday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said, “The reality is we have seen the start (of a Russian offensive) already”. This comes as many have feared a massive offensive by Moscow as it nears the one-year anniversary of its “special military operation” in Ukraine. ALSO READ | F-16 fighter jets should be given to Ukraine only after consensus: Poland The NATO chief also said how this “highlights the importance of timing. It’s urgent to provide Ukraine with more weapons” and that Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown “no sign whatsoever” of “preparing for peace”. He added, “President Putin does now - is to send thousands and thousands more troops, accepting a very high rate of casualty.” Therefore, he believes that arming Ukraine more quickly could save lives and bring a quicker end to the conflict. “The current rate of Ukraine’s ammunition expenditure is many times higher than our current rate of production”, said Stoltenberg adding that it will increase targets for stockpiling ammunition. This also comes as Ukraine has sought fighter jets and long-range missiles from its western allies to counter-offensive, which the NATO chief said would be discussed but that Kyiv needs support on the ground. (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.

Russia launches attack on Ukraine’s Bakhmut; signs of new offensive by Moscow, says NATO chief

The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet senior defence officials on Wednesday to set the nation's military objectives for the year 2023, the news agency AFP reported. Putin will also assess the conflict in Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Kremlin said, "On December 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold an expanded meeting of the Collegium of the Russian Defence Ministry... the work of Russia's Armed Forces in 2022 will be summed up and tasks for next year will be set."&nbsp;

Putin also admitted that the situation in Russian-occupied Ukraine is "complicated". Putin's rare admission came during a video message addressed to Russia's security services.&nbsp;

He said, "The situation in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is extremely difficult." He even urged the security agencies to identify "traitors, spies and diversionists".&nbsp;

In September, Putin announced the annexation of four regions in the east and south of Ukraine. It happened after referendums were held there.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US calls India an ‘ally’. Is it a good thing or bad?&nbsp;

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On Tuesday, Putin also gave awards to the Russia-installed leaders of annexed Ukrainian territories. The Russian authorities didn't provide a specific reason why the leaders of the Donetsk region Denis Pushilin and Luhansk region Leonid Pasechnik were awarded First class order "For Merit to the Fatherland".&nbsp;

Yevgeny Balitsky and Vladimir Saldo, the leaders of the Zaporizhzhia region and Kherson region respectively received the Third class order "For Merit to the Fatherland".&nbsp;

Apart from that, he also gave the award to the members of the military taking part in the ongoing Ukraine war, what Russia calls a "special military operation" in its neighbouring nation. Renowned scientists and "hero-mothers" - mothers of many children were also awarded.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in a telephone conversation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to use his influence on Russia and ask Putin to end the war.&nbsp;

Steinmeier's office said in a statement: "The president underlined the common interest of China and Europe in an end to the war (in Ukraine) as well as respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and the required withdrawal of Russian troops."&nbsp;

"He asked Xi to use his influence on Russia and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to this end," it added.&nbsp;

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The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet senior defence officials on Wednesday to set the nation's military objectives for the year 2023, the news agency AFP reported.

The Kremlin announced on Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet senior defence officials on Wednesday to set the nation's military objectives for the year 2023, the news agency AFP reported. Putin will also assess the conflict in Ukraine. The Kremlin said, "On December 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold an expanded meeting of the Collegium of the Russian Defence Ministry... the work of Russia's Armed Forces in 2022 will be summed up and tasks for next year will be set." Putin also admitted that the situation in Russian-occupied Ukraine is "complicated". Putin's rare admission came during a video message addressed to Russia's security services. He said, "The situation in the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions is extremely difficult." He even urged the security agencies to identify "traitors, spies and diversionists". In September, Putin announced the annexation of four regions in the east and south of Ukraine. It happened after referendums were held there. WATCH | US calls India an ‘ally’. Is it a good thing or bad? × On Tuesday, Putin also gave awards to the Russia-installed leaders of annexed Ukrainian territories. The Russian authorities didn't provide a specific reason why the leaders of the Donetsk region Denis Pushilin and Luhansk region Leonid Pasechnik were awarded First class order "For Merit to the Fatherland". Yevgeny Balitsky and Vladimir Saldo, the leaders of the Zaporizhzhia region and Kherson region respectively received the Third class order "For Merit to the Fatherland". Apart from that, he also gave the award to the members of the military taking part in the ongoing Ukraine war, what Russia calls a "special military operation" in its neighbouring nation. Renowned scientists and "hero-mothers" - mothers of many children were also awarded. Meanwhile, in a telephone conversation, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to use his influence on Russia and ask Putin to end the war. Steinmeier's office said in a statement: "The president underlined the common interest of China and Europe in an end to the war (in Ukraine) as well as respect for Ukrainian sovereignty and the required withdrawal of Russian troops." "He asked Xi to use his influence on Russia and (Russian President Vladimir) Putin to this end," it added. 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.

Putin to assess Ukraine conflict; will set Russia's military aims for next year

Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the Federal Security Service to step up surveillance of Russians and borders. Watch this video to know more.

Vladimir Putin orders FSB to step up surveillance of Russians and borders

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. The United Kingdom defence ministry claimed that the Crimea bridge will not be fully operational until September 2023, despite the accelerated repair work by Russia. Releasing its latest intelligence update, the British defence ministry said that the Russian efforts to repair the Crimean bridge continue but it is "unlikely to be fully operational until at least September 2023". The latest intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine as published on November 9, mentioned that the road bridge was closed yesterday to allow the movement and installation of a replacement 64-metre span. ALSO READ | Ukrainian President Zelensky ready to extend olive branch to Putin, but with conditions It added that three more spans will be required to replace the damaged sections. "Although Crimean officials have claimed these additional spans will be in place by 20 December, a briefing provided to President Putin added that works to the other carriageway would cause disruption to road traffic until March 2023," it said. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 09 November 2022 Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/FT7t3N6kyr 🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/0qMw4Erx9t — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) November 9, 2022 × ALSO READ | Some Ukrainians are 'recycling' a downed Russian jet by turning them into luggage tags: Report Last month, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reported that repairs to the bridge were underway. The bridge, which is crucial for Russia, was damaged in an explosion on October 8. The Russian government's website said earlier said that the repair work is scheduled to be finished by July 2023, but the UK defence intel suggests a two-month delay. The Crimea bridge was damaged in a blast that Russia has blamed on Ukraine and some Ukrainian officials celebrated the incident but Kyiv has not claimed responsibility. The bridge is a showcase project of Russian President Vladimir Putin's rule. 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.

UK defence ministry says Crimea bridge will not be fully operational until September 2023

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (November 4) said that all the civilians should be taken out of Moscow-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine, stating that the civilian population "should not suffer" from the shelling. Meanwhile, the Russian army has said that more than 5,000 civilians have been evacuated from the Kherson region of southern Ukraine each day.&nbsp;

The southern region of Kherson was occupied by Moscow in February, but the Ukrainian forces are piling pressure on Russian troops with counterattacks.The Russian troops have been leading evacuations since mid-October.&nbsp;

The fighting in Kherson has become strategically important in the current course of Russia‘s war in Ukraine and losing control of the region would be a big setback for the Russian president.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russia signals retreat in southern Ukraine but Kyiv fears trap&nbsp;

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Putin’s comments came as he marked Russia’s Day of National Unity in Red Square in central Moscow. He said: “Now, of course, those living in Kherson should be removed from the zone where the most dangerous (military) action is on.”&nbsp;

He said that the ongoing actions might impact the common people and they should not suffer from the shelling, from the "offensives, counter-offensives" or any other actions connected to the military activities that are underway.&nbsp;

Kirill Stremousov, who is the Russian-appointed deputy governor of Kherson, appealed to civilians to leave the part of the province on the west bank of the Dnipro river. In video messages, he said that Russian forces would likely soon give up the west bank of the Dnipro to Ukraine.&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (November 4) said that all the civilians should be taken out of Moscow-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine, stating that the civilian population "should not suffer" from the shelling.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday (November 4) said that all the civilians should be taken out of Moscow-occupied Kherson region in southern Ukraine, stating that the civilian population "should not suffer" from the shelling. Meanwhile, the Russian army has said that more than 5,000 civilians have been evacuated from the Kherson region of southern Ukraine each day. The southern region of Kherson was occupied by Moscow in February, but the Ukrainian forces are piling pressure on Russian troops with counterattacks.The Russian troops have been leading evacuations since mid-October. The fighting in Kherson has become strategically important in the current course of Russia‘s war in Ukraine and losing control of the region would be a big setback for the Russian president. WATCH | Russia signals retreat in southern Ukraine but Kyiv fears trap × Putin’s comments came as he marked Russia’s Day of National Unity in Red Square in central Moscow. He said: “Now, of course, those living in Kherson should be removed from the zone where the most dangerous (military) action is on.” He said that the ongoing actions might impact the common people and they should not suffer from the shelling, from the "offensives, counter-offensives" or any other actions connected to the military activities that are underway. Kirill Stremousov, who is the Russian-appointed deputy governor of Kherson, appealed to civilians to leave the part of the province on the west bank of the Dnipro river. In video messages, he said that Russian forces would likely soon give up the west bank of the Dnipro to Ukraine. 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.

Russia-Ukraine war: Putin says civilians 'should be removed' from Moscow-occupied Kherson

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognised the independence of two Ukraine regions, the presidential decrees revealed which were issued late Thursday on the eve of Russia finalising their annexation. &nbsp;

As per the decree, Putin recognised the independence of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions.&nbsp;

Putin said in the decrees that "I order the recognition of the state sovereignty and independence" of the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, located in southern Ukraine.&nbsp;

Russia prepares to formalise the annexation of the two regions, along with Donetsk and Lugansk on Friday. Moscow will annex all the regions at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-president-vladimir-putin-says-mistakes-of-military-mobilisation-should-be-corrected-521020">Putin says 'mistakes' of military mobilisation should be corrected</a>&nbsp;

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the annexation of the areas would be formalised at the ceremony and that Putin would deliver a major speech.&nbsp;

The Russian president also has threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend the territories. The threats have not stopped a sweeping Ukrainian counter-offensive.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;US President Joe Biden gets confused on stage, looks for dead lawmaker in crowd&nbsp;

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ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-formalise-annexation-of-ukraine-territory-on-friday-520903">Putin to formalise post-vote annexation of Ukraine territory, UN warns against ‘illegal’ move</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the past few days, Ukraine said it has been pushing back Russian troops in the east and is on the doorstep of the Donetsk region town of Lyman, which Moscow's forces pummelled for weeks before capturing it this summer.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General said on Thursday that if Russia moves ahead with its plans to annex four Ukrainian regions, it would mark a "dangerous escalation".&nbsp;

It would also jeopardise the prospects for peace in the region.&nbsp;

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Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognised the independence of two Ukraine regions, the presidential decrees revealed which were issued late Thursday on the eve of Russia finalising their annexation.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recognised the independence of two Ukraine regions, the presidential decrees revealed which were issued late Thursday on the eve of Russia finalising their annexation. As per the decree, Putin recognised the independence of the Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions. Putin said in the decrees that "I order the recognition of the state sovereignty and independence" of the regions of Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, located in southern Ukraine. Russia prepares to formalise the annexation of the two regions, along with Donetsk and Lugansk on Friday. Moscow will annex all the regions at a grand ceremony in the Kremlin on Friday. ALSO READ | Putin says 'mistakes' of military mobilisation should be corrected Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the annexation of the areas would be formalised at the ceremony and that Putin would deliver a major speech. The Russian president also has threatened to use nuclear weapons to defend the territories. The threats have not stopped a sweeping Ukrainian counter-offensive. WATCH | US President Joe Biden gets confused on stage, looks for dead lawmaker in crowd × ALSO READ | Putin to formalise post-vote annexation of Ukraine territory, UN warns against ‘illegal’ move In the past few days, Ukraine said it has been pushing back Russian troops in the east and is on the doorstep of the Donetsk region town of Lyman, which Moscow's forces pummelled for weeks before capturing it this summer. Meanwhile, the United Nations Secretary-General said on Thursday that if Russia moves ahead with its plans to annex four Ukrainian regions, it would mark a "dangerous escalation". It would also jeopardise the prospects for peace in the region. 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.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recognises independence of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions

'The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty'. 

Where the world is facing some serious consequences of the war between Russia and Ukraine; on the other side of the picture world is suffering from catastrophic hunger which is a threat to the wider section of society not only to the deprived sanction of the society but for those who like to see the wholesome grain on their breakfast table, which doesn't create a threat to the malnourishment but to the hunger death too, basically for the African countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Tunisia, Madagascar, and sub-Saharan Africa and West African countries too. Well but no one thinking about stopping the unforeseen conditions of the ongoing war which could be a long sprint for both the nation as no sign of stopping the war as said by the NATO chief, the reason behind this could be that Russia never declared it as a full-fledged war but instead of that Russian administration said it as a Special Military Operation, which can be of a long run like America did in Afghanistan.&nbsp;

Well, the situation is not only grim for African countries but for the European countries too who are dependent on Russia's oil and gas and wheat for too as Russia and Ukraine account for 30 per cent&nbsp;of the world's wheat production and supplies to Europe and some of the Asian countries like Bangladesh and central Asian countries who used to be the part of integrated Soviet Union before 1991. If we talk specifically about Ukraine, then under the United Nations World Food Programme, Ukraine supplies 50 per cent of wheat to the African nation viz. Tunisia, Somalia, Mali, etc which&nbsp;malnourished countries where more than 40-45 per cent&nbsp;of the population either malnourished or undernourished leaving them no option just to rely on only one of the sessions food in a day. According to United Nations&nbsp;Conference On Trade and Development report says the 25 African nations including many of the least developed countries import more than one-third of their wheat from Ukraine and Russia.&nbsp;

A report from World Economic Forum on global food crisis about 180 million people across the 40 countries will have to face dire&nbsp;consequences of inescapable food insecurity, which can also lead to malnutrition, mass hunger, and famine viz. grimmer in African countries who are part if their dependency on global import of food grains. If we could turn to the Russian side then you could find the affection of power ,where Russia blocked the Black sea area on the southern side of Ukraine where Mariupole port been a important dock to export the grains to the nations and chain of landmines spread across the coast of Black sea from Mariupole side leaving no option for the Ukrainian farmer to store their wheat and unnecessarily in their storage house and seeing them rotten.&nbsp;

Let's give a look to ethical side of the groaning situation. European union hurting everyday as EU imports 40% of its gas supply from Russia through Nord Stream 1, while stopping the further process of laying the Nord Stream 2 to import more gas from Russia now seems burdening the financial discourse of the EU , while Russia threatened that may be last of this year ,they will cut 2/3rd of the gas supply to the European Union ,which will leave EU in complete despair. Although European Union said that from August of this year thry will cut the Russian coal import and within 6 months most of the oil supply from Russia ,as recently EU pact a deal with Israel and Egypt to import gas supply to further down the shooting price of gases. While on the other side of this childish activities inflation rises daily ,global crises of oil and gases , threat to food security but no has a word to say abouy to stop the war to provide relief to the scarced humans.&nbsp;

Everyone directly or indirectly supporting the war , Americans fueling the fire by providing the arms to Ukraine by passing bills and basically American's seen a well benefit in between as Russia and Ukraine locked by providing the food to the EU and most of the African countries , Americans are pursuing the EU members to buy their wheat viz. becomes costlier due to long route from USA to EU. Vladimir Putin recently made an statement saying that , they can think of food export to cut short the global food crises ,only if USA and EU lift sanctions from them. While Russian oil export firm Gazprom earning daily benefit by finding new consumer like India as India replaced Saudi Arabia and becomes second oil importing nation and raised import from marely 2&nbsp;to 18 per cent,&nbsp;making India also a benefit holder of this. If things goes on like this without thinking of millions of people who are relying on the food and on energy resources of this nation the conspirators might get benefited but who's gonna left apart can't be answered.&nbsp;

This will also collapse the phased development in many of the countries that took a long run to come at this stage, surely facing the threat of their fiscal deficit cause not everyone has holding capacity in currencies. And what about the United Nations' sustainable development goals, which include poverty, hunger, health, and global cooperation?&nbsp;The human development index of many of the least developed countries or developing countries will come down by leaving the larger section of the society vulnerable to many of humanitarian crisis. Time for the nations to come out of the disrupted mindset of trade benefits than to morality and rationality.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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'The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty'. Where the world is facing some serious consequences of the war between Russia and Ukraine; on the other side of the picture world is suffering from catastrophic hunger which is a threat to the wider section of society not only to the deprived sanction of the society but for those who like to see the wholesome grain on their breakfast table, which doesn't create a threat to the malnourishment but to the hunger death too, basically for the African countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Tunisia, Madagascar, and sub-Saharan Africa and West African countries too.

'The will to power exists, but it can be tamed and be guided by rationality and principles of moral duty'. Where the world is facing some serious consequences of the war between Russia and Ukraine; on the other side of the picture world is suffering from catastrophic hunger which is a threat to the wider section of society not only to the deprived sanction of the society but for those who like to see the wholesome grain on their breakfast table, which doesn't create a threat to the malnourishment but to the hunger death too, basically for the African countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Tunisia, Madagascar, and sub-Saharan Africa and West African countries too. Well but no one thinking about stopping the unforeseen conditions of the ongoing war which could be a long sprint for both the nation as no sign of stopping the war as said by the NATO chief, the reason behind this could be that Russia never declared it as a full-fledged war but instead of that Russian administration said it as a Special Military Operation, which can be of a long run like America did in Afghanistan. Well, the situation is not only grim for African countries but for the European countries too who are dependent on Russia's oil and gas and wheat for too as Russia and Ukraine account for 30 per cent of the world's wheat production and supplies to Europe and some of the Asian countries like Bangladesh and central Asian countries who used to be the part of integrated Soviet Union before 1991. If we talk specifically about Ukraine, then under the United Nations World Food Programme, Ukraine supplies 50 per cent of wheat to the African nation viz. Tunisia, Somalia, Mali, etc which malnourished countries where more than 40-45 per cent of the population either malnourished or undernourished leaving them no option just to rely on only one of the sessions food in a day. According to United Nations Conference On Trade and Development report says the 25 African nations including many of the least developed countries import more than one-third of their wheat from Ukraine and Russia. A report from World Economic Forum on global food crisis about 180 million people across the 40 countries will have to face dire consequences of inescapable food insecurity, which can also lead to malnutrition, mass hunger, and famine viz. grimmer in African countries who are part if their dependency on global import of food grains. If we could turn to the Russian side then you could find the affection of power ,where Russia blocked the Black sea area on the southern side of Ukraine where Mariupole port been a important dock to export the grains to the nations and chain of landmines spread across the coast of Black sea from Mariupole side leaving no option for the Ukrainian farmer to store their wheat and unnecessarily in their storage house and seeing them rotten. Let's give a look to ethical side of the groaning situation. European union hurting everyday as EU imports 40% of its gas supply from Russia through Nord Stream 1, while stopping the further process of laying the Nord Stream 2 to import more gas from Russia now seems burdening the financial discourse of the EU , while Russia threatened that may be last of this year ,they will cut 2/3rd of the gas supply to the European Union ,which will leave EU in complete despair. Although European Union said that from August of this year thry will cut the Russian coal import and within 6 months most of the oil supply from Russia ,as recently EU pact a deal with Israel and Egypt to import gas supply to further down the shooting price of gases. While on the other side of this childish activities inflation rises daily ,global crises of oil and gases , threat to food security but no has a word to say abouy to stop the war to provide relief to the scarced humans. Everyone directly or indirectly supporting the war , Americans fueling the fire by providing the arms to Ukraine by passing bills and basically American's seen a well benefit in between as Russia and Ukraine locked by providing the food to the EU and most of the African countries , Americans are pursuing the EU members to buy their wheat viz. becomes costlier due to long route from USA to EU. Vladimir Putin recently made an statement saying that , they can think of food export to cut short the global food crises ,only if USA and EU lift sanctions from them. While Russian oil export firm Gazprom earning daily benefit by finding new consumer like India as India replaced Saudi Arabia and becomes second oil importing nation and raised import from marely 2 to 18 per cent, making India also a benefit holder of this. If things goes on like this without thinking of millions of people who are relying on the food and on energy resources of this nation the conspirators might get benefited but who's gonna left apart can't be answered. This will also collapse the phased development in many of the countries that took a long run to come at this stage, surely facing the threat of their fiscal deficit cause not everyone has holding capacity in currencies. And what about the United Nations' sustainable development goals, which include poverty, hunger, health, and global cooperation? The human development index of many of the least developed countries or developing countries will come down by leaving the larger section of the society vulnerable to many of humanitarian crisis. Time for the nations to come out of the disrupted mindset of trade benefits than to morality and rationality. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Bone of contention : Rationality dies,  benefit takes over

To ban Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering the country, a bill has been introduced in the Senate of Canada on Tuesday, media reports said. The lawmakers of the country are also looking to stop around 1,000 other members of Russian government and military from passing its borders. This comes as Russia seems to have taken over the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In a statement, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said, "Banning close associates and key supporters of Putin's regime, including those responsible for this unprovoked aggression, from entering our country is one of the many ways in which we`re holding Russia accountable for its crimes." &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-finland-sweden-decides-to-join-nato-putin-says-expect-a-response-479666" hreflang="en">After Finland, Sweden decides to join NATO; Putin says expect a 'response'</a>

Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, a number of sanctions has been imposed against Russia by Canada and other Western allies. Canada has also been sending weapons to Ukraine. &nbsp;

As a retaliation, Russia has also banned Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and over 600 Canadians from entering its country. &nbsp;

Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Finnish President speaks to Russian Prez Vladimir Putin

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Without amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Canada may not be able to ban entry to individuals, which are covered under sanctions, said a spokesman for the ministry. &nbsp;

"Once in force, these amendments to IRPA will apply to all foreign nationals subject to sanctions by Canada, and any accompanying family members," the statement said. &nbsp;

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To ban Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering the country, a bill has been introduced in the Senate of Canada on Tuesday, media reports said. The lawmakers of the country are also looking to stop around 1,000 other members of Russian government and military from passing its borders.

To ban Russian President Vladimir Putin from entering the country, a bill has been introduced in the Senate of Canada on Tuesday, media reports said. The lawmakers of the country are also looking to stop around 1,000 other members of Russian government and military from passing its borders. This comes as Russia seems to have taken over the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol. In a statement, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said, "Banning close associates and key supporters of Putin's regime, including those responsible for this unprovoked aggression, from entering our country is one of the many ways in which we`re holding Russia accountable for its crimes." Also Read: After Finland, Sweden decides to join NATO; Putin says expect a 'response' Since the beginning of the Ukraine war, a number of sanctions has been imposed against Russia by Canada and other Western allies. Canada has also been sending weapons to Ukraine. As a retaliation, Russia has also banned Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and over 600 Canadians from entering its country. Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Finnish President speaks to Russian Prez Vladimir Putin × Without amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Canada may not be able to ban entry to individuals, which are covered under sanctions, said a spokesman for the ministry. "Once in force, these amendments to IRPA will apply to all foreign nationals subject to sanctions by Canada, and any accompanying family members," the statement said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Tit-for-tat move? Canada looks to ban Russian President Vladimir Putin, others from entering nation

To get your day started, here are some stories:

Today, France faces the final showdown in its Presidential elections, voting is slated to begin on the French mainland in a few hours. In other news,&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin’s rumoured girlfriend Alina Kabaeva made her first public appearance since the Ukrainian invasion. Meanwhile&nbsp;on the occasion of World Book Day, Chinese President Xi pushed people to read more books.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/french-presidential-run-off-election-what-you-should-know-473329#macron-vs-le-pen-473326">French presidential run-off election: What you should know</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/2022/04/24/256881-gallery-2.jpg" />

After a turbulent campaign that saw the French far-right come close to winning power, France will vote in presidential elections on Sunday, with a stark choice between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and far-right opponent Marine Le Pen. Catch all the updates here.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/putins-rumored-girlfriend-appears-in-public-for-first-time-since-ukraine-invasion-473332">Putin's rumored girlfriend appears in public for first time since Ukraine invasion</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/04/24/256885-alina1.jpg" />

Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumoured girlfriend Alina Kabaeva was seen in public for the first time since the Ukrainian invasion at Moscow's VTB Arena, reports claimed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/president-xis-booklist-tagore-shakespeare-russian-writers-473319">President Xi's booklist: Tagore, Shakespeare &amp; Russian writers</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/04/24/256874-prez1.jpg" />

Chinese President Xi urged people to read more on the occasion of World Book Day as his book recommendations began trending on Chinese social media.

The Chinese president also asked Communist Party leaders to "take the lead in reading" and encouraged children to develop reading habits.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-is-here-to-stay-and-it-affects-women-worse-than-men-says-study-473318">Covid is here to stay and it affects women worse than men, says study</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/04/21/256170-covid-19.jpg" />

Even after a year of infection and subsequent hospitalisation, not even one in four people can report a full recovery. This indicates that the virus is here to stay and it is on its way to becoming a common condition.

Watch |&nbsp;Israel-Palestine clashes: Israel says two rockets fired from Gaza, UN expresses concern

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&nbsp;

To get your day started, here are some stories: Today, France faces the final showdown in its Presidential elections, voting is slated to begin on the French mainland in a few hours.

To get your day started, here are some stories: Today, France faces the final showdown in its Presidential elections, voting is slated to begin on the French mainland in a few hours. In other news, President Vladimir Putin’s rumoured girlfriend Alina Kabaeva made her first public appearance since the Ukrainian invasion. Meanwhile on the occasion of World Book Day, Chinese President Xi pushed people to read more books. French presidential run-off election: What you should know After a turbulent campaign that saw the French far-right come close to winning power, France will vote in presidential elections on Sunday, with a stark choice between centrist President Emmanuel Macron and far-right opponent Marine Le Pen. Catch all the updates here. Putin's rumored girlfriend appears in public for first time since Ukraine invasion Russian President Vladimir Putin's rumoured girlfriend Alina Kabaeva was seen in public for the first time since the Ukrainian invasion at Moscow's VTB Arena, reports claimed. President Xi's booklist: Tagore, Shakespeare & Russian writers Chinese President Xi urged people to read more on the occasion of World Book Day as his book recommendations began trending on Chinese social media. The Chinese president also asked Communist Party leaders to "take the lead in reading" and encouraged children to develop reading habits. Covid is here to stay and it affects women worse than men, says study Even after a year of infection and subsequent hospitalisation, not even one in four people can report a full recovery. This indicates that the virus is here to stay and it is on its way to becoming a common condition. Watch | Israel-Palestine clashes: Israel says two rockets fired from Gaza, UN expresses concern

Morning news brief: French presidential elections updates, Putin’s rumoured girlfriend appearance, and more

Pope&nbsp;Francis has said he has dropped plans to meet in&nbsp;June&nbsp;with&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;Orthodox&nbsp;Patriarch Kirill, an ally of&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin who has backed Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Francis, who has several times implicitly criticised Russia and Putin over the war, told Argentine newspaper La Nacion in an interview that he regretted that the plan had to be "suspended" because Vatican diplomats advised that such a&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;"could lend itself to much confusion at this moment".

In Moscow, the RIA news agency quoted Metropolitan Hilarion, a senior&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;Orthodox&nbsp;Church&nbsp;official, as saying the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was postponed because "the events of the last two months" would have created many difficulties in its preparation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-10-world-news-pope-calls-to-observe-easter-of-war-pak-military-airstrikes-in-afg-and-more-471708">Top 10 world news: Pope calls to observe 'Easter of war', Pak military airstrikes in Afg, and more</a>

Reuters reported on April 11 that the Vatican was considering extending the&nbsp;pope's trip to Lebanon on&nbsp;June&nbsp;12-13 by a day so that he could meet with Kirill on&nbsp;June&nbsp;14 in Jerusalem.

Kirill, 75, has given his full-throated blessing for Russia's invasion of Ukraine since it began on Feb. 24, a position that has splintered the worldwide&nbsp;Orthodox&nbsp;Church and unleashed an internal rebellion that theologians and academics say is unprecedented.

Francis, 85, has used terms such as unjustified aggression and invasion in his public comments on the war, and has lamented atrocities against civilians.

Asked in the interview why he has never named Russia or Putin specifically, Francis was quoted as saying: "A&nbsp;pope&nbsp;never names a head of state, much less a country, which is superior to its head of state".

Watch |&nbsp;Landmark reform by Pope Francis: Women and Lay Catholics to head departments

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Putin, a member of the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;Orthodox&nbsp;Church, has described Moscow's actions as a "special military operation" in Ukraine aimed at demilitarising and "denazifying" the country. Moscow has denied targetting civilians

Francis has specifically rejected Russia's terminology, calling it a war that has caused "rivers of blood".

A Vatican source familiar with the planning for the Jerusalem stop said on Friday that it had been at an advanced stage, with even the location for the&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;with Kirill chosen.

It would have been only their second&nbsp;meeting. Their first, in Cuba in 2016, was the first between a&nbsp;pope&nbsp;and a&nbsp;leader&nbsp;of the&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;Orthodox&nbsp;Church since the Great Schism that split Christianity into Eastern and Western branches in 1054.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-war-pope-holding-ukrainian-flag-condemns-the-massacre-of-bucha-468798">Russia-Ukraine war: Pope, holding Ukrainian flag, condemns Bucha killing</a>

Francis said earlier this month that he was considering a trip to Kyiv, telling reporters on a flight to Malta on April 2 that it was "on the table". He has been invited by Ukrainian political and religious&nbsp;leaders.

Asked in the Argentine interview why he has not yet made the trip, he said:

"I cannot do anything that would jeopardize higher objectives, which are an end to the war, a truce or at least a humanitarian corridor. What good would it do for the&nbsp;pope&nbsp;to go to Kyiv if the war continues the next day?"

Pope Francis has said he has dropped plans to meet in June with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has backed Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Pope Francis has said he has dropped plans to meet in June with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who has backed Moscow's war in Ukraine. Francis, who has several times implicitly criticised Russia and Putin over the war, told Argentine newspaper La Nacion in an interview that he regretted that the plan had to be "suspended" because Vatican diplomats advised that such a meeting "could lend itself to much confusion at this moment". In Moscow, the RIA news agency quoted Metropolitan Hilarion, a senior Russian Orthodox Church official, as saying the meeting was postponed because "the events of the last two months" would have created many difficulties in its preparation. Also read | Top 10 world news: Pope calls to observe 'Easter of war', Pak military airstrikes in Afg, and more Reuters reported on April 11 that the Vatican was considering extending the pope's trip to Lebanon on June 12-13 by a day so that he could meet with Kirill on June 14 in Jerusalem. Kirill, 75, has given his full-throated blessing for Russia's invasion of Ukraine since it began on Feb. 24, a position that has splintered the worldwide Orthodox Church and unleashed an internal rebellion that theologians and academics say is unprecedented. Francis, 85, has used terms such as unjustified aggression and invasion in his public comments on the war, and has lamented atrocities against civilians. Asked in the interview why he has never named Russia or Putin specifically, Francis was quoted as saying: "A pope never names a head of state, much less a country, which is superior to its head of state". Watch | Landmark reform by Pope Francis: Women and Lay Catholics to head departments Putin, a member of the Russian Orthodox Church, has described Moscow's actions as a "special military operation" in Ukraine aimed at demilitarising and "denazifying" the country. Moscow has denied targetting civilians Francis has specifically rejected Russia's terminology, calling it a war that has caused "rivers of blood". A Vatican source familiar with the planning for the Jerusalem stop said on Friday that it had been at an advanced stage, with even the location for the meeting with Kirill chosen. It would have been only their second meeting. Their first, in Cuba in 2016, was the first between a pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Great Schism that split Christianity into Eastern and Western branches in 1054. Also read | Russia-Ukraine war: Pope, holding Ukrainian flag, condemns Bucha killing Francis said earlier this month that he was considering a trip to Kyiv, telling reporters on a flight to Malta on April 2 that it was "on the table". He has been invited by Ukrainian political and religious leaders. Asked in the Argentine interview why he has not yet made the trip, he said: "I cannot do anything that would jeopardize higher objectives, which are an end to the war, a truce or at least a humanitarian corridor. What good would it do for the pope to go to Kyiv if the war continues the next day?"

Pope says June meeting with Russian Orthodox leader is off

Britain added Vladimir Putin's daughters to its&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;list on Friday, mirroring moves by the United States, in what it said was an effort to target the lifestyles of those in the Russian president's inner circle.

Following the Russian invasion of&nbsp;Ukraine, Britain and other Western allies have announced several waves of&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;targetting Moscow's wealthy elites, key industries and its access to the international financial system.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rocket-strike-by-russians-on-station-in-ukraine-kills-30-injures-100-says-report-469355">Russian rocket strike on Ukraine train station kills 30, injures 100, say reports&nbsp;</a>

An update to Britain's&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;list announced asset freezes on Putin's adult daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, and Sergeyevna Vinokurova, the daughter of foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. All three were sanctioned by the United States earlier this week.

"Our unprecedented package of&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;is hitting the elite and their families, while degrading the Russian economy on a scale Russia hasn’t seen since the fall of the Soviet Union," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-conflict-borodyanka-destruction-more-horrific-than-bucha-says-zelensky-469254">Ukraine-Russia conflict: Borodyanka destruction 'more horrific' than Bucha, says Zelensky</a>

Britain also said its analysis showed Russia is heading for the deepest recession since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Britain estimates that 60 per cent&nbsp;of Russian foreign currency reserves have been frozen as a result of international&nbsp;sanctions.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine asks for more weapons from NATO

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On Thursday, the Kremlin, which says its actions are a "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify"&nbsp;Ukraine, described the move against Putin's daughters as part of a broader Western frenzy against Russia.

Britain added Vladimir Putin's daughters to its sanctions list on Friday, mirroring moves by the United States, in what it said was an effort to target the lifestyles of those in the Russian president's inner circle.

Britain added Vladimir Putin's daughters to its sanctions list on Friday, mirroring moves by the United States, in what it said was an effort to target the lifestyles of those in the Russian president's inner circle. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Britain and other Western allies have announced several waves of sanctions targetting Moscow's wealthy elites, key industries and its access to the international financial system. Also read | Russian rocket strike on Ukraine train station kills 30, injures 100, say reports An update to Britain's sanctions list announced asset freezes on Putin's adult daughters Katerina Tikhonova and Maria Vorontsova, and Sergeyevna Vinokurova, the daughter of foreign minister Sergei Lavrov. All three were sanctioned by the United States earlier this week. "Our unprecedented package of sanctions is hitting the elite and their families, while degrading the Russian economy on a scale Russia hasn’t seen since the fall of the Soviet Union," Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: Borodyanka destruction 'more horrific' than Bucha, says Zelensky Britain also said its analysis showed Russia is heading for the deepest recession since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Britain estimates that 60 per cent of Russian foreign currency reserves have been frozen as a result of international sanctions. Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: Ukraine asks for more weapons from NATO On Thursday, the Kremlin, which says its actions are a "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify" Ukraine, described the move against Putin's daughters as part of a broader Western frenzy against Russia.

UK sanctions Russian President Vladimir Putin's daughters

Russia-Ukraine war: Antonov AN-225, world's largest plane, in tatters. See pics

Nearly&nbsp;4.2&nbsp;million&nbsp;Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia's invasion began on February 24, with almost 40,000 pouring into neighbouring countries in the past 24 hours, UN numbers show.

The United Nations&nbsp;refugee&nbsp;agency, UNHCR, said Sunday that 4,176,401 Ukrainians had fled in just over five weeks, up 38,559 from the figure given a day earlier.

Women and children account for 90 percent of those who have left Ukraine, with men aged 18 to 60 eligible for military call-up and unable to leave.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irpin-bucha-gostomel-and-the-whole-kyiv-region-liberated-ukraine-467833">Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region liberated: Ukraine</a>

The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that in addition to&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;refugees,&nbsp;nearly&nbsp;205,500 non-Ukrainians living, studying or working in the country have also left.&nbsp;

Nearly&nbsp;6.48&nbsp;million&nbsp;people were meanwhile estimated to be internally displaced within Ukraine as of mid-March, according IOM.

That puts the total number of people displaced by the conflict at well over 10&nbsp;million, or around a quarter of Ukraine's total population.

Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had a population of 37&nbsp;million&nbsp;in the regions under government control, excluding Russia-annexed Crimea and the pro-Russian separatist regions in the east.&nbsp;

Children have been disproportionately affected.

The UN children's agency UNICEF said in late March that more than half of the country's estimated 7.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;children had been displaced -- 2.5&nbsp;million&nbsp;internally and two&nbsp;million&nbsp;abroad.

Watch |&nbsp;UN: Over 4.1 million Ukrainians have fled country and 6.83 million displaced since Russia invaded

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Here is a breakdown of how many&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;have fled to neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR:

Poland

Nearly&nbsp;six out of 10&nbsp;Ukrainian&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;-- 2,429,265 so far -- have crossed into Poland, according to the UN tally.&nbsp;

Polish border guards put the number even higher, saying Sunday that 2,461,000 people had entered from Ukraine since February 24.&nbsp;

The small border city of Przemysl alone has seen some 800,000&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;arrive, according to its mayor, with up to 55,000 people arriving each day at the peak --&nbsp;nearly&nbsp;equivalent to the city's total population.

Many people who go to Ukraine's immediate western neighbours travel on to other states in Europe's Schengen open-borders zone.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/why-putin-went-straight-for-the-nuclear-threat-467809">Why Putin went straight for the nuclear threat</a>

Romania

A total of 635,816 Ukrainians have entered the EU member state, including a large number who crossed over from Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine.&nbsp;

The vast majority are thought to have gone on to other countries.&nbsp;

Moldova

The Moldovan border is the closest to the major port city of Odessa, which was hit by air strikes Sunday morning.&nbsp;Some 392,933 Ukrainians have crossed into the non-EU state, one of the poorest in Europe.

Most of those who have entered the former Soviet republic of 2.6&nbsp;million&nbsp;people, sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, have moved on.

But around 93,000 have stayed, with the UN Development Programme saying that some 80 percent are being housed by private individuals.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mykolaivs-governor-says-at-least-35-killed-from-russian-strike-on-government-building-467790">Mykolaiv's governor says at least 35 killed from Russian strike on government building</a>

Hungary

A total of 385,783 Ukrainians have entered Hungary.&nbsp;

Russia

Some 350,632&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;had sought shelter in Russia as of last Tuesday.

In addition, 113,000 people crossed into Russia from the separatist-held pro-Russian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine between February 21 and 23.&nbsp;

Slovakia

A total of 298,183 people have crossed Ukraine's shortest border into Slovakia.&nbsp;

Belarus

Another 12,746&nbsp;refugees&nbsp;had made it north to Russia's close ally Belarus as of last Thursday.

Nearly 4.2 million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia's invasion began on February 24, with almost 40,000 pouring into neighbouring countries in the past 24 hours, UN numbers show.

Nearly 4.2 million Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia's invasion began on February 24, with almost 40,000 pouring into neighbouring countries in the past 24 hours, UN numbers show. The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said Sunday that 4,176,401 Ukrainians had fled in just over five weeks, up 38,559 from the figure given a day earlier. Women and children account for 90 percent of those who have left Ukraine, with men aged 18 to 60 eligible for military call-up and unable to leave. Also read | Irpin, Bucha, Gostomel and the whole Kyiv region liberated: Ukraine The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that in addition to Ukrainian refugees, nearly 205,500 non-Ukrainians living, studying or working in the country have also left. Nearly 6.48 million people were meanwhile estimated to be internally displaced within Ukraine as of mid-March, according IOM. That puts the total number of people displaced by the conflict at well over 10 million, or around a quarter of Ukraine's total population. Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had a population of 37 million in the regions under government control, excluding Russia-annexed Crimea and the pro-Russian separatist regions in the east. Children have been disproportionately affected. The UN children's agency UNICEF said in late March that more than half of the country's estimated 7.5 million children had been displaced -- 2.5 million internally and two million abroad. Watch | UN: Over 4.1 million Ukrainians have fled country and 6.83 million displaced since Russia invaded Here is a breakdown of how many Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighbouring countries, according to UNHCR: Poland Nearly six out of 10 Ukrainian refugees -- 2,429,265 so far -- have crossed into Poland, according to the UN tally. Polish border guards put the number even higher, saying Sunday that 2,461,000 people had entered from Ukraine since February 24. The small border city of Przemysl alone has seen some 800,000 refugees arrive, according to its mayor, with up to 55,000 people arriving each day at the peak -- nearly equivalent to the city's total population. Many people who go to Ukraine's immediate western neighbours travel on to other states in Europe's Schengen open-borders zone. Also read | Why Putin went straight for the nuclear threat Romania A total of 635,816 Ukrainians have entered the EU member state, including a large number who crossed over from Moldova, wedged between Romania and Ukraine. The vast majority are thought to have gone on to other countries. Moldova The Moldovan border is the closest to the major port city of Odessa, which was hit by air strikes Sunday morning. Some 392,933 Ukrainians have crossed into the non-EU state, one of the poorest in Europe. Most of those who have entered the former Soviet republic of 2.6 million people, sandwiched between Ukraine and Romania, have moved on. But around 93,000 have stayed, with the UN Development Programme saying that some 80 percent are being housed by private individuals. Also read | Mykolaiv's governor says at least 35 killed from Russian strike on government building Hungary A total of 385,783 Ukrainians have entered Hungary. Russia Some 350,632 refugees had sought shelter in Russia as of last Tuesday. In addition, 113,000 people crossed into Russia from the separatist-held pro-Russian regions of Donetsk and Lugansk in eastern Ukraine between February 21 and 23. Slovakia A total of 298,183 people have crossed Ukraine's shortest border into Slovakia. Belarus Another 12,746 refugees had made it north to Russia's close ally Belarus as of last Thursday.

Russia Ukraine crisis: Nearly 4.2 million Ukrainian refugees flee war

&nbsp;The euro edged lower on Thursday on caution about developments in Ukraine and limited progress in peace talks, while the Norwegian crown fell sharply after the central bank decided to buy foreign currency. Russian forces prepared for new attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, while no quick resolution is expected from peace talks that will resume on Friday. The euro dropped 0.3 per cent&nbsp;to $1.1118 after hitting its highest since March 1 at $1.1184. "The single currency is always around $1.11, with investors still cautious about future developments in Ukraine," Roberto Mialich, forex analyst at Unicredit, said. "The market wants to believe in a peace deal or at least in a truce in Ukraine. This is why rouble remains not far from its pre-war levels against the dollar, and the greenback is struggling to appreciate," he added.The dollar index, which tracks the U.S. currency against six peers, rose 0.2 per cent&nbsp;to 98.074.

The rouble was down 3 per cent&nbsp;versus the greenback at 78.55.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-forces-leaving-chernobyl-nuclear-site-have-been-infected-with-radiation-sickness-reports-467130">Russian forces leaving Chernobyl nuclear site hit by radiation sickness: Reports</a>

Investors also focused on the next European Central Bank's moves after robust inflation data. ECB chief economist Philip Lane said on Thursday euro zone inflation was increasingly likely to stabilise around 2 per cent&nbsp;but the ECB should be ready to change course if the outlook deteriorates due to Russia's war in Ukraine.&nbsp;

“Until the risk of an energy crisis and considerable economic effects resulting from the Ukraine war have been banished, the ECB is likely to hesitate to make a clear commitment,” Antje Praefcke, forex analyst at Commerzbank, said in a note to clients.

“And as a result, it will also be a while before the euro can appreciate on a sustainable basis,” she added.

Money markets are currently pricing in an around 85 per cent chance of 20 basis points (bps) of ECB rate hikes by July 2022 and 60 bps by year-end.&nbsp;

The Norwegian crown plunged after oil prices dived and the central bank said it would buy foreign currency for its sovereign wealth fund in April.

Norges Bank plans to exchange 2 billion crowns ($231.9 million) per day into foreign currency, which will in turn be invested abroad by the wealth fund, already the world's largest with assets of $1.3 trillion.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-does-the-russia-ukraine-war-impact-indias-wheat-export-strategy-467097">How does the Russia-Ukraine war impact India's wheat export strategy?</a>

The Norwegian currency fell 1.6 per cent&nbsp;against the euro hitting its lowest level since March 18 of 9.7111, and 1.9 per cent&nbsp;versus the dollar at 8.7255.

However, it is not far from its highest since October 2018 against the euro at 9.4424 and its highest since November 2021 versus the dollar at 8.5675, which it hit last week on the back of a rally in Brent crude oil futures.

"The central bank move might curb the currency, but we think the Norwegian crown still has room for further appreciation, thanks to expectations of more rises in energy prices," Unicredit's Mialich argued.

Other commodity currencies, such as the Australian and New Zealand dollar, dropped by around 0.5 per cent.

The Swedish crown was slightly lower against the euro, just off its highest since January of 10.3059 hit on Wednesday as the central bank said it would have to tighten monetary policy this year.

Bitcoin was down 0.2 per cent&nbsp;at $47,191, while Ether, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency, was up 0.45 per cent&nbsp;at $3,402.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia: Complete focus on liberating Ukraine's Donbas region

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The euro edged lower on Thursday on caution about developments in Ukraine and limited progress in peace talks, while the Norwegian crown fell sharply after the central bank decided to buy foreign currency.

The euro edged lower on Thursday on caution about developments in Ukraine and limited progress in peace talks, while the Norwegian crown fell sharply after the central bank decided to buy foreign currency. Russian forces prepared for new attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, while no quick resolution is expected from peace talks that will resume on Friday. The euro dropped 0.3 per cent to $1.1118 after hitting its highest since March 1 at $1.1184. "The single currency is always around $1.11, with investors still cautious about future developments in Ukraine," Roberto Mialich, forex analyst at Unicredit, said. "The market wants to believe in a peace deal or at least in a truce in Ukraine. This is why rouble remains not far from its pre-war levels against the dollar, and the greenback is struggling to appreciate," he added.The dollar index, which tracks the U.S. currency against six peers, rose 0.2 per cent to 98.074. The rouble was down 3 per cent versus the greenback at 78.55. Also read | Russian forces leaving Chernobyl nuclear site hit by radiation sickness: Reports Investors also focused on the next European Central Bank's moves after robust inflation data. ECB chief economist Philip Lane said on Thursday euro zone inflation was increasingly likely to stabilise around 2 per cent but the ECB should be ready to change course if the outlook deteriorates due to Russia's war in Ukraine. “Until the risk of an energy crisis and considerable economic effects resulting from the Ukraine war have been banished, the ECB is likely to hesitate to make a clear commitment,” Antje Praefcke, forex analyst at Commerzbank, said in a note to clients. “And as a result, it will also be a while before the euro can appreciate on a sustainable basis,” she added. Money markets are currently pricing in an around 85 per cent chance of 20 basis points (bps) of ECB rate hikes by July 2022 and 60 bps by year-end. The Norwegian crown plunged after oil prices dived and the central bank said it would buy foreign currency for its sovereign wealth fund in April. Norges Bank plans to exchange 2 billion crowns ($231.9 million) per day into foreign currency, which will in turn be invested abroad by the wealth fund, already the world's largest with assets of $1.3 trillion. Also read | How does the Russia-Ukraine war impact India's wheat export strategy? The Norwegian currency fell 1.6 per cent against the euro hitting its lowest level since March 18 of 9.7111, and 1.9 per cent versus the dollar at 8.7255. However, it is not far from its highest since October 2018 against the euro at 9.4424 and its highest since November 2021 versus the dollar at 8.5675, which it hit last week on the back of a rally in Brent crude oil futures. "The central bank move might curb the currency, but we think the Norwegian crown still has room for further appreciation, thanks to expectations of more rises in energy prices," Unicredit's Mialich argued. Other commodity currencies, such as the Australian and New Zealand dollar, dropped by around 0.5 per cent. The Swedish crown was slightly lower against the euro, just off its highest since January of 10.3059 hit on Wednesday as the central bank said it would have to tighten monetary policy this year. Bitcoin was down 0.2 per cent at $47,191, while Ether, the world's second-largest cryptocurrency, was up 0.45 per cent at $3,402. Watch | Russia: Complete focus on liberating Ukraine's Donbas region

Euro dips amid caution over Ukraine, Norwegian crown plunges

A Russian&nbsp;rocket&nbsp;hit the&nbsp;regional&nbsp;administration building in the southern Ukrainian port&nbsp;city&nbsp;of&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least&nbsp;three&nbsp;people and wounding 22, local authorities said.

Surveillance footage said to be filmed from the&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;regional&nbsp;state administration building showed a large plume of smoke after the missile impact. The footage matched landmarks seen from publicly-available satellite imagery of the local shipyard and a local bridge, as well as third-party drone images taken from before the war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/international-accord-needed-to-guarantee-security-say-ukrainian-negotiators-466674">International accord needed to guarantee security, say Ukrainian negotiators</a>

Eighteen of the wounded were pulled from the rubble by rescue workers, who continue to work at the scene, the emergencies service said in an online post.

An image shared by local governor Vitaliy Kim showed a large&nbsp;hole&nbsp;in the side of the building. On Tuesday, Reuters witnesses saw the destruction from a distance and ambulances and fire engines heading to the scene. The area was cordoned off.

Russian forces have attacked&nbsp;Ukraine's&nbsp;southern ports including Kherson, Odesa,&nbsp;Mykolaiv&nbsp;and Mariupol as they try to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea and establish a land corridor from Russia to Crimea, the peninsula Russia seized in 2014.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wiping-off-the-blood-to-oppose-ukraine-war-russians-adopt-new-national-flag-466517">Wiping off the blood: To oppose Ukraine war, Russians adopt new national flag&nbsp;</a>

Kim said there was an upside to the strike - it suggested Russia had given up trying to take over the&nbsp;city.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour. It denies targeting civilians and did not comment on the strike on&nbsp;Mykolaiv.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-zelensky-opens-the-door-for-neutrality-in-peace-talks-466500/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A Russian rocket hit the regional administration building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least three people and wounding 22, local authorities said.

A Russian rocket hit the regional administration building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv on Tuesday (March 29), killing at least three people and wounding 22, local authorities said. Surveillance footage said to be filmed from the Mykolaiv regional state administration building showed a large plume of smoke after the missile impact. The footage matched landmarks seen from publicly-available satellite imagery of the local shipyard and a local bridge, as well as third-party drone images taken from before the war. Also read | International accord needed to guarantee security, say Ukrainian negotiators Eighteen of the wounded were pulled from the rubble by rescue workers, who continue to work at the scene, the emergencies service said in an online post. An image shared by local governor Vitaliy Kim showed a large hole in the side of the building. On Tuesday, Reuters witnesses saw the destruction from a distance and ambulances and fire engines heading to the scene. The area was cordoned off. Russian forces have attacked Ukraine's southern ports including Kherson, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Mariupol as they try to cut Ukraine off from the Black Sea and establish a land corridor from Russia to Crimea, the peninsula Russia seized in 2014. Also read | Wiping off the blood: To oppose Ukraine war, Russians adopt new national flag Kim said there was an upside to the strike - it suggested Russia had given up trying to take over the city. Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a "special military operation" to disarm its neighbour. It denies targeting civilians and did not comment on the strike on Mykolaiv. Watch | Gravitas: Zelensky opens the door for neutrality in peace talks

Ukraine Crisis: Three killed in Mykolaiv as rocket blasts in regional headquaters

A blind psychic, Baba Vanga, predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would become 'Lord of the World'. &nbsp;&nbsp;

If you are wondering, why is it crucial? The right answer is that Vanga, in the past, had made many correct predictions. &nbsp;

She foresaw Russian war in Ukraine, 9/11, etc. Vanga also 'saw' natural disasters and warned the world about the conflicts before their occurrence. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/anything-possible-security-guards-turn-art-museum-curators-in-us-466239" hreflang="en">Anything possible? Security guards turn art museum curators in US</a>

Vanga died at the age of 85 and was known as 'Nostradamus of the Balkans'. In the latest development, it seems to have been suggested that she predicted Vladimir Putin and Russia will one day dominate the world. &nbsp;

“All will thaw, as if ice, only one remain untouched - Vladimir’s glory, glory of Russia. Too much, it is brought in a victim. Nobody can stop Russia. All will be removed by her from the way and not only will be kept, but also becomes the lord of the world,” Vanga in a meeting with writer Valentin Sidorov, said in 1979, BirminghamLive reported. &nbsp;

Vanga had predicted glorious future for Russia once more, the Daily Post reported. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Ukrainian ballerinas find a new shelter at Berlin’s top ballet company

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Russia will be the world’s only superpower, as per the clairvoyant. &nbsp;

Baba Vanga, who was born as Vangelia Gushterova, was blinded after getting caught up in a freak tornado in her childhood. &nbsp;

It was believed that she had the ability to foresee the future. She reportedly made hundreds of predictions in 50-year-long career. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A blind psychic, Baba Vanga, predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would become 'Lord of the World'. If you are wondering, why is it crucial? The right answer is that Vanga, in the past, had made many correct predictions.

A blind psychic, Baba Vanga, predicted Russian President Vladimir Putin would become 'Lord of the World'. If you are wondering, why is it crucial? The right answer is that Vanga, in the past, had made many correct predictions. She foresaw Russian war in Ukraine, 9/11, etc. Vanga also 'saw' natural disasters and warned the world about the conflicts before their occurrence. Also Read: Anything possible? Security guards turn art museum curators in US Vanga died at the age of 85 and was known as 'Nostradamus of the Balkans'. In the latest development, it seems to have been suggested that she predicted Vladimir Putin and Russia will one day dominate the world. “All will thaw, as if ice, only one remain untouched - Vladimir’s glory, glory of Russia. Too much, it is brought in a victim. Nobody can stop Russia. All will be removed by her from the way and not only will be kept, but also becomes the lord of the world,” Vanga in a meeting with writer Valentin Sidorov, said in 1979, BirminghamLive reported. Vanga had predicted glorious future for Russia once more, the Daily Post reported. Watch: Ukrainian ballerinas find a new shelter at Berlin’s top ballet company × Russia will be the world’s only superpower, as per the clairvoyant. Baba Vanga, who was born as Vangelia Gushterova, was blinded after getting caught up in a freak tornado in her childhood. It was believed that she had the ability to foresee the future. She reportedly made hundreds of predictions in 50-year-long career. (With inputs from agencies)

Known for 9/11 prediction, blind psychic Baba Vanga said Vladimir Putin would become 'Lord of the World'  

Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go&nbsp;fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine.

The 35-year-old Sao Paulo man quit his job as a military police officer to travel more than 11,000 kilometers (nearly 7,000 miles) and&nbsp;join&nbsp;Ukraine's&nbsp;fight&nbsp;against the Russian invasion.

"I identify with the cause, with the Ukrainian people who are suffering the injustice of a foreign aggressor," said Saulo, who asked that his last name not be used for security reasons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/refrain-from-publishing-russia-warns-media-says-dont-report-interview-with-zelensky-466209">'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky</a>

"And I want to help avoid World War III," he told AFP, laying the items on his short packing list out on his bed alongside his black duffel bag.

Picking up a small Brazilian flag, he added it to the pile.

Although President Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil will remain "neutral" over the conflict -- drawing criticism in some quarters -- hundreds of&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;have taken steps to go&nbsp;fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine.

They are looking to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries who have applied to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the International Legion of Defense of&nbsp;Ukraine, a corps launched to help fend off the invasion, according to figures from the Ukrainian foreign ministry.

Saulo said good-bye to his partner and two children and left Wednesday for Poland, where&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;already on the ground have promised to help him&nbsp;join&nbsp;the war.

He bought the one-way ticket with his own money.

Saulo said he made his decision after seeing images from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;of bombed-out residential buildings and hospitals. That convinced him to answer President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to&nbsp;join&nbsp;the new foreign legion and&nbsp;fight&nbsp;"elbow to elbow" with the Ukrainian army.

"There's a risk I won't come back. Anyone who goes over there knows that. We're not little kids," said Saulo, who sports a tattoo of a big black skull on his right arm, a knife clutched in its teeth.

His only fear, he said, is the conflict "erupting into nuclear war."

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&nbsp;Defending a foreign country&nbsp;

The Ukrainian foreign legion's only requirement to&nbsp;join&nbsp;is military or firearms experience, according to representatives of the website fightforua.org, which is helping organize the effort.

Other webpages set up for&nbsp;Brazilians&nbsp;rallying to the cause have hundreds of members, such as Portuguese-language Facebook group "Volunteers to&nbsp;Fight&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine," with 1,800.

The site is a forum for would-be volunteers to swap information -- though members told AFP they limited their interactions, fearing Russian spies could be watching.

One would-be volunteer, Guilherme -- his name was changed for safety reasons -- said he saw going to the front as a way to make a fresh start in life.

The 29-year-old formerly served in the Brazilian army and the French Foreign Legion, then worked as a private security guard in Rio de Janeiro, but is now unemployed.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-conflict-with-russia-intensifies-mourners-defy-missile-threats-to-attend-ukrainian-military-funerals-466200">&nbsp;As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals</a>

"Things are hard here in Brazil," he said.

"Helping in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;is an opportunity.... We have to think about what we can do to help others in this world, and not just say 'That's not my war,' because the world's ending."

Open arms

Ukraine's consul in Sao Paulo, Jorge Rybka, said would-be volunteers receive "no assistance of any kind" from the Ukrainian government.

Brazil's foreign ministry meanwhile said it "emphatically discourages" people from traveling to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;given the security situation.

That did not stop Brazilian military veteran Leandro Galvao, who is already on the ground in the suburbs of Kyiv, where he carries out patrol and civilian rescue operations alongside the Ukrainian army.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazil-police-probe-education-ministry-graft-allegations-source-says-465625">Brazil police probes education ministry's graft allegations</a>

Galvao, 49, came from Estonia, where he lives, to "defend democracy," he told AFP.

"Ever since I joined the Ukrainian army, I'm part of this nation, and I'll defend it to the end," said the Sao Paulo native, who has two children.

Foreign fighters, he said, "are welcomed here with open arms, with happiness and thanks."

Watch |&nbsp;'Ready to go for neutrality, non-nuclear status,' says Ukrainian president Zelensky

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ready-to-go-for-neutrality-non-nuclear-status-says-ukrainian-president-zelensky-466211/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go fight in Ukraine.

Wearing a camouflage T-shirt that clings to his biceps, Brazilian policeman Saulo packs his bag with combat boots, camping gear, gun holsters and a knife -- "just the essential" to go fight in Ukraine. The 35-year-old Sao Paulo man quit his job as a military police officer to travel more than 11,000 kilometers (nearly 7,000 miles) and join Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. "I identify with the cause, with the Ukrainian people who are suffering the injustice of a foreign aggressor," said Saulo, who asked that his last name not be used for security reasons. Also read | 'Refrain from publishing': Russia warns media, says don't report interview with Zelensky "And I want to help avoid World War III," he told AFP, laying the items on his short packing list out on his bed alongside his black duffel bag. Picking up a small Brazilian flag, he added it to the pile. Although President Jair Bolsonaro has said Brazil will remain "neutral" over the conflict -- drawing criticism in some quarters -- hundreds of Brazilians have taken steps to go fight in Ukraine. They are looking to join the 20,000 volunteers from more than 50 countries who have applied to join the International Legion of Defense of Ukraine, a corps launched to help fend off the invasion, according to figures from the Ukrainian foreign ministry. Saulo said good-bye to his partner and two children and left Wednesday for Poland, where Brazilians already on the ground have promised to help him join the war. He bought the one-way ticket with his own money. Saulo said he made his decision after seeing images from Ukraine of bombed-out residential buildings and hospitals. That convinced him to answer President Volodymyr Zelensky's appeal to join the new foreign legion and fight "elbow to elbow" with the Ukrainian army. "There's a risk I won't come back. Anyone who goes over there knows that. We're not little kids," said Saulo, who sports a tattoo of a big black skull on his right arm, a knife clutched in its teeth. His only fear, he said, is the conflict "erupting into nuclear war." Also read | Brazilian company using proceeds acquired by selling NFTs to preserve Amazon rainforest Defending a foreign country The Ukrainian foreign legion's only requirement to join is military or firearms experience, according to representatives of the website fightforua.org, which is helping organize the effort. Other webpages set up for Brazilians rallying to the cause have hundreds of members, such as Portuguese-language Facebook group "Volunteers to Fight in Ukraine," with 1,800. The site is a forum for would-be volunteers to swap information -- though members told AFP they limited their interactions, fearing Russian spies could be watching. One would-be volunteer, Guilherme -- his name was changed for safety reasons -- said he saw going to the front as a way to make a fresh start in life. The 29-year-old formerly served in the Brazilian army and the French Foreign Legion, then worked as a private security guard in Rio de Janeiro, but is now unemployed. Also read | As conflict with Russia intensifies, mourners defy missile threats to attend Ukrainian military funerals "Things are hard here in Brazil," he said. "Helping in Ukraine is an opportunity.... We have to think about what we can do to help others in this world, and not just say 'That's not my war,' because the world's ending." Open arms Ukraine's consul in Sao Paulo, Jorge Rybka, said would-be volunteers receive "no assistance of any kind" from the Ukrainian government. Brazil's foreign ministry meanwhile said it "emphatically discourages" people from traveling to Ukraine given the security situation. That did not stop Brazilian military veteran Leandro Galvao, who is already on the ground in the suburbs of Kyiv, where he carries out patrol and civilian rescue operations alongside the Ukrainian army. Also read | Brazil police probes education ministry's graft allegations Galvao, 49, came from Estonia, where he lives, to "defend democracy," he told AFP. "Ever since I joined the Ukrainian army, I'm part of this nation, and I'll defend it to the end," said the Sao Paulo native, who has two children. Foreign fighters, he said, "are welcomed here with open arms, with happiness and thanks." Watch | 'Ready to go for neutrality, non-nuclear status,' says Ukrainian president Zelensky

Brazilians join fight in far-away Ukraine

Dutch brewer&nbsp;Heineken&nbsp;on Monday joined the foreign business exodus from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;over the&nbsp;war&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine, saying it was "deeply saddened" to see the conflict intensify.

The beer company, which employs 1,800 people in&nbsp;Russia, had already halted the sale and production of its&nbsp;Heineken&nbsp;brand in&nbsp;Russia, and suspended new investments and exports to the country earlier this month.

Hundreds of Western firms have closed shops and offices in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;since the&nbsp;war&nbsp;started, a list that includes famous names such as Ikea, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and MacDonald's.

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"We are shocked and deeply saddened to watch the&nbsp;war&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;continue to unfold and intensify,"&nbsp;Heineken&nbsp;said in a statement.

"Following the previously announced strategic review of our operations, we have concluded that&nbsp;Heineken's ownership of the business in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;is no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment," the statement said.

"As a result, we have decided to leave&nbsp;Russia."

Heineken&nbsp;said it would aim for an "orderly transfer" of its business to a new owner in compliance with international and local laws and would not take any profit from the transaction, which will cost the company 400 million euros ($438 million) in exceptional charges.

Heineken&nbsp;is the third-biggest brewer in&nbsp;Russia, where it makes the Zhigulevskoe and Oxota brands for the local market

Guaranteeing salaries&nbsp;

The company said it would continue on reduced operations during a transition period to reduce the risk of nationalisation and "ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our employees".

"In all circumstances we guarantee the salaries of our 1,800 employees will be paid to the end of 2022 and will do our utmost to safeguard their future employment."

Upon completion of the transfer&nbsp;Heineken&nbsp;will no longer have a presence in&nbsp;Russia.

The country has been hit by an onslaught of economic sanctions but foreign companies have also faced public pressure, and calls from the Ukrainian government, to leave&nbsp;Russia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sinopec-suspends-talks-with-russian-companies-amid-sanctions-row-466372">China's Sinopec suspends talks with Russian companies amid sanctions row</a>

Some companies have remained in&nbsp;Russia, citing concerns about the fate of their employees or depriving ordinary Russians of vital goods.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used an address to France's parliament last week to call on French companies still working in&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;to "stop sponsoring" aggression against his country.

Car giant Renault subsequently announced an immediate suspension of operations at its Moscow factory.

But the chief executive of French retail giant Auchan, Yves Claude, defended the company's decision to remain in&nbsp;Russia, citing the need to keep staff employed.

Ukraine&nbsp;called for a global boycott of Auchan.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

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Dutch brewer Heineken on Monday joined the foreign business exodus from Russia over the war in Ukraine, saying it was "deeply saddened" to see the conflict intensify.

Dutch brewer Heineken on Monday joined the foreign business exodus from Russia over the war in Ukraine, saying it was "deeply saddened" to see the conflict intensify. The beer company, which employs 1,800 people in Russia, had already halted the sale and production of its Heineken brand in Russia, and suspended new investments and exports to the country earlier this month. Hundreds of Western firms have closed shops and offices in Russia since the war started, a list that includes famous names such as Ikea, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and MacDonald's. Also read | Russia seizes premium Swiss watches amid sanctions: Report "We are shocked and deeply saddened to watch the war in Ukraine continue to unfold and intensify," Heineken said in a statement. "Following the previously announced strategic review of our operations, we have concluded that Heineken's ownership of the business in Russia is no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment," the statement said. "As a result, we have decided to leave Russia." Heineken said it would aim for an "orderly transfer" of its business to a new owner in compliance with international and local laws and would not take any profit from the transaction, which will cost the company 400 million euros ($438 million) in exceptional charges. Heineken is the third-biggest brewer in Russia, where it makes the Zhigulevskoe and Oxota brands for the local market Guaranteeing salaries The company said it would continue on reduced operations during a transition period to reduce the risk of nationalisation and "ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of our employees". "In all circumstances we guarantee the salaries of our 1,800 employees will be paid to the end of 2022 and will do our utmost to safeguard their future employment." Upon completion of the transfer Heineken will no longer have a presence in Russia. The country has been hit by an onslaught of economic sanctions but foreign companies have also faced public pressure, and calls from the Ukrainian government, to leave Russia. Also read | China's Sinopec suspends talks with Russian companies amid sanctions row Some companies have remained in Russia, citing concerns about the fate of their employees or depriving ordinary Russians of vital goods. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used an address to France's parliament last week to call on French companies still working in Russia to "stop sponsoring" aggression against his country. Car giant Renault subsequently announced an immediate suspension of operations at its Moscow factory. But the chief executive of French retail giant Auchan, Yves Claude, defended the company's decision to remain in Russia, citing the need to keep staff employed. Ukraine called for a global boycott of Auchan. Watch | Gravitas Plus: The story of Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky

Heineken exits Russia in wake of Ukraine war

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