President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to increase the size of Russia’s armed forces from 1.9 million to 2.04 million, as the war in Ukraine enters its seventh month.

WION Fineprint | Putin Orders Expansion of Russia’s Hard-Hit Armed Forces

India voted against Russia during a procedural vote at the UN Security Council. Why did India side with Ukraine? Does it signal a change in India's neutral position? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India votes against Russia at UN Security Council

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky claimed that the world was pushed to the brink of a Chernobyl-style radiation disaster when a Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant was disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid.

World narrowly avoided a nuclear disaster at the Zaporizhzhia power plant, says Zelensky

Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, held by Russian forces, was disconnected from the power grid for the first time in its history on Thursday, according to the country's nuclear operator. US has urged Russia to demilitarize nuclear plant.

Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant: World narrowly avoided radiation accident, says Zelensky

It's an opening night like no other at Mykolaiv's theatre, with the audience ushered down into an underground shelter this week for the first performance since war broke out.

"We need this place to fight on the cultural front too," says artistic director Artiom Svytsoun.

The tiny underground stage and the minimalist set provides "a form of 'art therapy'" for the people who have stayed in Mykolaiv and need something other than the grinding fear of war.

Welcoming audience members, giving tours of the subterranean theatre and taking care of the myriad technical details, 41-year-old Svytsoun is the beating heart of the operation. He is the one who worked to get the theatre reopened in the relative safety of an underground bunker.

With the help of a European aid fund, his team took two months to transform a shelter four metres below ground into the 35-seat venue, its irregular white walls covered with a fresco reminiscent of classical theatres.

The strategic port city of Mykolaiv had a population of half a million souls before Russia invaded on February 24.

Now it bears the scars of the many bombardments it has endured almost daily for the past six months.

Three hundred metres (yards) from the elegant neo-classical building that houses the theatre stands the twisted concrete shell of the regional administration, which was hit by a missile on March 29 that killed 37 people.

- Name change -

According to the local town hall, the city has enjoyed just 25 attack-free days since February 24.&nbsp;

President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that, along with Kharkiv in the north and the eastern Donbas region, Mykolaiv is the most heavily bombed city in Ukraine, despite the fact that the front line is about 20 kilometres away.

The destruction has not been limited to military targets. Three universities were recently bombed and, according to regional authorities, 123 cultural institutions have been destroyed in the region since the fighting began.

Another effect of the invasion on the Mykolaiv theatre has been a name change.

The former Mykolaiv Russian Drama Theatre is now the Mykolaiv Theatre of Dramatic Arts.

In the tiny dressing room, its walls covered with photos of Soviet, Ukrainian and Hollywood actors, Kateryna Chernolishenko, 43, receives the final touches to her stage make-up and is in a good mood.

"I'm very happy to be back on our stage, back home, and I think it's important that art can be a support for people," says the actress, who like her fellow thespians volunteered to take part in this premiere.

Her colleague Marina Vassyleva, who is about to don a wedding dress, adds emphatically: "Actors, in these circumstances, are the doctors of the human soul."

"I see my mission and the meaning of my life right now. I am needed here in Mykolaiv," she says.&nbsp;

- 'Makes our lives easier' -

Since the start of the war, three of the theatre's &nbsp;actors have joined the army and another 20 percent of the troupe have taken refuge elsewhere in Ukraine, or abroad - a modest proportion in a town that has lost more than half its population, according to the town hall.

The company is used to playing in a 450-seater theatre.

Now the plays are being adapted and squeezed into the "stage in the shelter", as it is called.&nbsp;

But despite the war, it is not just about performing patriotic works. After a curtain-raiser paying tribute to Ukraine, the first play of the new season, by a contemporary national author, is an absurdist play about "the realisation of our desires", says Svytsoun.

The bunker theatre will put on two shows a day, from Thursday to Sunday, much to the delight of theatregoer Olga Kroutchok.&nbsp; "I hope to come back every weekend. Theatre brings emotions to people in these times of war, and it makes our lives easier," said &nbsp;the 55-year-old.

Fellow audience member Oleksander Skotnikov, 42, agrees. "When we are under the bombs, as we are now, the theatre gives us a big smile and inspires people to keep on living".

It's an opening night like no other at Mykolaiv's theatre, with the audience ushered down into an underground shelter this week for the first performance since war broke out.

It's an opening night like no other at Mykolaiv's theatre, with the audience ushered down into an underground shelter this week for the first performance since war broke out. "We need this place to fight on the cultural front too," says artistic director Artiom Svytsoun. The tiny underground stage and the minimalist set provides "a form of 'art therapy'" for the people who have stayed in Mykolaiv and need something other than the grinding fear of war. Welcoming audience members, giving tours of the subterranean theatre and taking care of the myriad technical details, 41-year-old Svytsoun is the beating heart of the operation. He is the one who worked to get the theatre reopened in the relative safety of an underground bunker. With the help of a European aid fund, his team took two months to transform a shelter four metres below ground into the 35-seat venue, its irregular white walls covered with a fresco reminiscent of classical theatres. The strategic port city of Mykolaiv had a population of half a million souls before Russia invaded on February 24. Now it bears the scars of the many bombardments it has endured almost daily for the past six months. Three hundred metres (yards) from the elegant neo-classical building that houses the theatre stands the twisted concrete shell of the regional administration, which was hit by a missile on March 29 that killed 37 people. - Name change - According to the local town hall, the city has enjoyed just 25 attack-free days since February 24. President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that, along with Kharkiv in the north and the eastern Donbas region, Mykolaiv is the most heavily bombed city in Ukraine, despite the fact that the front line is about 20 kilometres away. The destruction has not been limited to military targets. Three universities were recently bombed and, according to regional authorities, 123 cultural institutions have been destroyed in the region since the fighting began. Another effect of the invasion on the Mykolaiv theatre has been a name change. The former Mykolaiv Russian Drama Theatre is now the Mykolaiv Theatre of Dramatic Arts. In the tiny dressing room, its walls covered with photos of Soviet, Ukrainian and Hollywood actors, Kateryna Chernolishenko, 43, receives the final touches to her stage make-up and is in a good mood. "I'm very happy to be back on our stage, back home, and I think it's important that art can be a support for people," says the actress, who like her fellow thespians volunteered to take part in this premiere. Her colleague Marina Vassyleva, who is about to don a wedding dress, adds emphatically: "Actors, in these circumstances, are the doctors of the human soul." "I see my mission and the meaning of my life right now. I am needed here in Mykolaiv," she says. - 'Makes our lives easier' - Since the start of the war, three of the theatre's actors have joined the army and another 20 percent of the troupe have taken refuge elsewhere in Ukraine, or abroad - a modest proportion in a town that has lost more than half its population, according to the town hall. The company is used to playing in a 450-seater theatre. Now the plays are being adapted and squeezed into the "stage in the shelter", as it is called. But despite the war, it is not just about performing patriotic works. After a curtain-raiser paying tribute to Ukraine, the first play of the new season, by a contemporary national author, is an absurdist play about "the realisation of our desires", says Svytsoun. The bunker theatre will put on two shows a day, from Thursday to Sunday, much to the delight of theatregoer Olga Kroutchok. "I hope to come back every weekend. Theatre brings emotions to people in these times of war, and it makes our lives easier," said the 55-year-old. Fellow audience member Oleksander Skotnikov, 42, agrees. "When we are under the bombs, as we are now, the theatre gives us a big smile and inspires people to keep on living".

'The cultural front': Ukraine theatre goes underground

A Russian strike on a Ukrainian railway station has killed at least 22 people and wounded 15 others. The attack took place as Ukraine marks six months since Moscow's invasion on the muted Independence day that was overshadowed by warnings of further brutal attacks.

Russian rocket attack on Ukraine's Independence Day kills at least 22

Russian state media reports safety systems at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the south of Ukraine have been activated. The systems were activated after power cuts were reported.

Ukraine: Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in focus, safety systems activated after power outages

It has exactly been six months since Russia invaded Ukraine. While Russia's record employment signals a surprisingly smooth decoupling from the west signaling that business as usual is ongoing in the country however the on-ground situation narrates a completely different story.

Western sanctions hit Russia's biggest car maker

At least 25 people including children have been killed in Russia's strike in Ukraine. The attack took place at Chaplyne railway station in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region.

War in Ukraine: Zelensky details the Chaplyne strike in UNSC

Is China taking lessons from Russia's invasion of Ukraine? As the war continues, Beijing has ordered 5 more warships. What are Beijing's plans? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: China is quietly boosting its firepower

As the war in Ukraine crosses 6 months, Palki Sharma looks back at how WION covered the Russian invasion. From ground reports to detailed analysis, here's a round-up of our best Ukraine reportage.

Gravitas: How WION covered 6 months of the war in Ukraine

The war in Ukraine is nowhere near an end. What are the big takeaways from the past six months? And what lies ahead for Ukraine and the world? Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: How the war in Ukraine could pan out

Officials reported that dozens of people were injured and at least 22 people died on Wednesday when Russian rocket attacks struck a Ukrainian town and ignited a passenger train. The incident occurred as the country celebrated 31 years since gaining independence from Moscow-dominated Soviet rule.

Watch: The aftermath of Russian attack on Ukraine's Chaplyne

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States has heard "that Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin preparing to hold sham referenda" in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and "particularly" Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.&nbsp;

"These referenda could begin in a matter of days or weeks. In fact, we could see a Russian announcement of the first one or ones before the end of this week," he added.&nbsp;

"Since they obviously are having trouble achieving geographic gains inside Ukraine, they are trying to gain that through false political means," he said.

Kirby asserted that there is little support among Ukrainians in such regions for Russian annexation.

"We expect Russia to try to manipulate the results of these referenda, to falsely claim that the Ukrainian people want to join Russia," he said.

"It will be critical to call out and counter this disinformation in real-time," he said.

In 2014, weeks after capturing control of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine, Moscow sponsored a referendum that allegedly revealed the region's residents preferred to join Russia.&nbsp;

According to the US intelligence, Russian authorities in the occupied territories are concerned that the local population won't show up to vote, Kirby said.&nbsp;He&nbsp;further stated without going into further detail that the Russians are preparing "workarounds" to show success in order to cope with it.

"The Russian officials themselves know that what they're doing will lack legitimacy, and it will not reflect the will of the people," he said.

"The United States and the international community have been very clear that any attempts at controlling Ukraine's sovereign territory will not be considered legitimate," he said.

(with inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week.

A senior White House official indicated on Wednesday that Russia could start referenda intended to formally establish its rule over the Ukrainian territory it captured this week. White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the United States has heard "that Russian leadership has instructed officials to begin preparing to hold sham referenda" in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and "particularly" Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine. "These referenda could begin in a matter of days or weeks. In fact, we could see a Russian announcement of the first one or ones before the end of this week," he added. "Since they obviously are having trouble achieving geographic gains inside Ukraine, they are trying to gain that through false political means," he said. Kirby asserted that there is little support among Ukrainians in such regions for Russian annexation. "We expect Russia to try to manipulate the results of these referenda, to falsely claim that the Ukrainian people want to join Russia," he said. "It will be critical to call out and counter this disinformation in real-time," he said. In 2014, weeks after capturing control of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine, Moscow sponsored a referendum that allegedly revealed the region's residents preferred to join Russia. According to the US intelligence, Russian authorities in the occupied territories are concerned that the local population won't show up to vote, Kirby said. He further stated without going into further detail that the Russians are preparing "workarounds" to show success in order to cope with it. "The Russian officials themselves know that what they're doing will lack legitimacy, and it will not reflect the will of the people," he said. "The United States and the international community have been very clear that any attempts at controlling Ukraine's sovereign territory will not be considered legitimate," he said. (with inputs from agencies)

Russia may announce 'sham' referenda to formalise control of captured territories in Ukraine: US

At least&nbsp;22 people were killed and&nbsp;50 wounded after Russian missile strikes hit a Ukraine railway station on Wednesday, the 31st Independence Day of the war-ravaged country.&nbsp;

The strikes came as Ukraine&nbsp;marked its independence and incidentally also the six months of its war with Russia.

“I have just received information about a Russian missile strike on a railway station in the (central) Dnipropetrovsk region," Zelensky informed in a speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

The Ukrainian leader added that the strike was "right on the wagons at Chaplino station. Four passenger cars are on fire", reported&nbsp;AFP.

Zelensky said he expects the number of casualties to increase. "Rescuers are working on the spot, but the death toll may rise, unfortunately. This is our daily life," Zelensky said.

The images of destruction were shared by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Terrorist Russia keeps killing Ukrainian civilians. At least 15 killed in a Russian missile strike on a train station in Chaplyne, Dnipropetrovsk region. As <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ZelenskyyUa</a> stressed at UNSC: terrorist Russia must be stopped now before it kills more people in Ukraine and beyond. <a href="https://t.co/GSbMbrYEc2">pic.twitter.com/GSbMbrYEc2</a>
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) <a href="https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1562516375356076033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The photos purportedly show a number of smouldering rail carriages which seem to have suffered fire damage, as well as burned-out road vehicles and fallen masonry.

The minister said civilians had been killed in the attack, and blamed Russia for the missile strike.

Meanwhile, several missile strikes took place across Ukrainian territory on Wednesday, according to Yuriy Sak, adviser to the Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov.

“The aggressor … proved the expectations that we had and is conducting today missile strikes across the Ukrainian territory,” Sak told CNN.

Sak said that Ukraine had “been receiving warnings about the possibility of massive missile strikes” on Ukraine’s Independence Day for nearly a week.

(With inputs from agencies)

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At least 22 people were killed and 50 wounded after Russian missile strikes hit a Ukraine railway station on Wednesday, the 31st Independence Day of the war-ravaged country.

At least 22 people were killed and 50 wounded after Russian missile strikes hit a Ukraine railway station on Wednesday, the 31st Independence Day of the war-ravaged country. The strikes came as Ukraine marked its independence and incidentally also the six months of its war with Russia. “I have just received information about a Russian missile strike on a railway station in the (central) Dnipropetrovsk region," Zelensky informed in a speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday. The Ukrainian leader added that the strike was "right on the wagons at Chaplino station. Four passenger cars are on fire", reported AFP. Zelensky said he expects the number of casualties to increase. "Rescuers are working on the spot, but the death toll may rise, unfortunately. This is our daily life," Zelensky said. The images of destruction were shared by Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter. Terrorist Russia keeps killing Ukrainian civilians. At least 15 killed in a Russian missile strike on a train station in Chaplyne, Dnipropetrovsk region. As @ZelenskyyUa stressed at UNSC: terrorist Russia must be stopped now before it kills more people in Ukraine and beyond. pic.twitter.com/GSbMbrYEc2 — Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) August 24, 2022 × The photos purportedly show a number of smouldering rail carriages which seem to have suffered fire damage, as well as burned-out road vehicles and fallen masonry. The minister said civilians had been killed in the attack, and blamed Russia for the missile strike. Meanwhile, several missile strikes took place across Ukrainian territory on Wednesday, according to Yuriy Sak, adviser to the Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov. “The aggressor … proved the expectations that we had and is conducting today missile strikes across the Ukrainian territory,” Sak told CNN. Sak said that Ukraine had “been receiving warnings about the possibility of massive missile strikes” on Ukraine’s Independence Day for nearly a week. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

At least 22 killed, 50 hurt in Russian missile strikes at Ukraine railway station

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant which is at the center of the Ukraine conflict continues to worry over a possible nuclear disaster. Reports now suggest that a detailed plan has been drawn up by Russia to disconnect Europe's largest nuclear plant from Ukraine's grid, citing concerns ahead of Ukraine's atomic energy.

Ukraine Nuclear Chief warns over Russian activity at nuclear site

Since the war began the 37-year-old biologist, who works as a gardener to make ends meet has added another notch to his CV, as a key-keeper.

6 months of Ukraine war: Meet Kyiv's biologist turned key keeper

Unsure of what the future might bring, two young soldier couples tie the knot in front of a closed registry office in Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.

6 months of Ukraine war: Stories of love during war-time

When Putin invaded Ukraine on February 24, many expected a quick victory. Six months later, the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II has turned into a grinding war of attrition. Molly Gambhir tells you what lies next for both Russia and Ukraine.

WION Fineprint | Explained: Where the Ukraine war stands after 6 months

Volodymyr Zelensky has told Ukrainians in an emotional speech to mark 31 years of independence that the country was reborn when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.

Ukraine marks Independence day six months after start of war

Russia readies emergency blue print, plan risks failure of nuclear plant's cooling system

After half a year of war in Ukraine, a slim majority of Americans agrees that the United States should continue to support Kyiv until Russia withdraws all its forces, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Wednesday.

The polling suggests continued support for President Joe Biden's policy of backing Ukraine, despite economic worries and domestic political developments grabbing Americans' attention in recent months.

The Biden administration has provided weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's bid to repel Russian forces and is expected to announce a new security assistance package of about $3 billion, a U.S. official said, as Ukraine's marks its Independence Day on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to recapture territory seized after the February&nbsp;24 invasion and in earlier incursions beginning in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.

Out of 1,005 people in the United States who took part in an online poll last week, 53% expressed support for backing Ukraine "until all Russian forces are withdrawn from territory claimed by Ukraine." Only 18% said they opposed.

That support came from both sides of the political divide, although Democratic voters were more likely to back the position, with 66% of Democrats in support compared to 51% of Republicans.

A slim majority, 51%, also supported providing arms such as guns and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine's military, compared with 22% who opposed.

In previous polls, higher numbers of Americans have backed providing arms to Ukraine but directly comparable polling was not available.

In line with past polling, there was little support among Americans from across the political spectrum for sending U.S. troops to Ukraine. Only 26% said they supported such an intervention, but 43% agreed with sending U.S. troops to NATO allies neighboring Ukraine who are not at war with Russia.

The poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. 
&nbsp;

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You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

After half a year of war in Ukraine, a slim majority of Americans agrees that the United States should continue to support Kyiv until Russia withdraws all its forces, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Wednesday.

After half a year of war in Ukraine, a slim majority of Americans agrees that the United States should continue to support Kyiv until Russia withdraws all its forces, according to a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll released on Wednesday. The polling suggests continued support for President Joe Biden's policy of backing Ukraine, despite economic worries and domestic political developments grabbing Americans' attention in recent months. The Biden administration has provided weapons and ammunition for Ukraine's bid to repel Russian forces and is expected to announce a new security assistance package of about $3 billion, a U.S. official said, as Ukraine's marks its Independence Day on Wednesday. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to recapture territory seized after the February 24 invasion and in earlier incursions beginning in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea. Out of 1,005 people in the United States who took part in an online poll last week, 53% expressed support for backing Ukraine "until all Russian forces are withdrawn from territory claimed by Ukraine." Only 18% said they opposed. That support came from both sides of the political divide, although Democratic voters were more likely to back the position, with 66% of Democrats in support compared to 51% of Republicans. A slim majority, 51%, also supported providing arms such as guns and anti-tank weapons to Ukraine's military, compared with 22% who opposed. In previous polls, higher numbers of Americans have backed providing arms to Ukraine but directly comparable polling was not available. In line with past polling, there was little support among Americans from across the political spectrum for sending U.S. troops to Ukraine. Only 26% said they supported such an intervention, but 43% agreed with sending U.S. troops to NATO allies neighboring Ukraine who are not at war with Russia. The poll has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. 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.

Just over half of Americans say US should back Ukraine until Russia withdraws: Poll

Life has been hell for most Ukrainians in the last six months. For those who have not been displaced by the war, bomb explosions have become a daily part of their life.

Russia-Ukraine war: 'In six months, peace has been broken'

Trauma that war brings cannot be explained and only those who have witnessed the tragedy first-hand can comprehend its implications. Here's one such report of a refugee who's currently residing in Poland.

Around 6.7 million Ukrainians displaced; refugees struggle to make ends meet

Boris Johnson has made a surprise visit to Kyiv to mark Ukraine's independence day. This is Johnson's third visit to Ukraine since Russia invaded six months ago.

Boris Johnson visits Kyiv as Ukraine marks Independence Day

After a rape video posted by Italy's Prime Minister hopeful&nbsp;Giorgia Meloni received widespread criticism, Twitter on Tuesday deleted the video. The post shared by Meloni was removed and replaced with a comment,&nbsp;"This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules."

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As reported by WION, the far-right leader on Monday posted&nbsp;a video which showed a Ukrainian refugee being sexually assaulted on the streets of Italy.&nbsp;

The video&nbsp;was reportedly shot by someone in a flat with a view of the street. The attacker was later taken into custody.

Read more<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/election-strategy-or-clickbait-voyeurism-italian-pm-hopeful-posts-rape-video-on-twitter-509391">:&nbsp;Election strategy or 'clickbait voyeurism'? Italian PM hopeful posts rape video on Twitter</a>

Along with the tweet, Meloni reportedly wrote, "One cannot remain silent in the face of this atrocious episode of sexual violence against a Ukrainian woman carried out in daytime in Piacenza by an asylum seeker."&nbsp;

“A hug to this woman. I will do everything I can to restore security to our cities," she added.

Enrico Letta, the head of the Democratic Party called Meloni's use of the video "indecent" and said that "respect of the victim comes first."

Meloni, however, claimed on Facebook that her competitors had used the rape to attack her while ignoring the victim to avoid dealing with what she called the immigration issue.

"I am honestly ashamed of political leaders who, while using rape to attack me, do not spend a word of solidarity for the victim, obviously for fear of having to face the issue of the security emergency aggravated by immigration illegal by the masses."

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-giorgia-meloni-italys-far-right-leader-tipped-to-become-first-female-prime-minister-500815">Who is Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader tipped to become first female Prime Minister?</a>

Meanwhile, the Italian police, along with state watchdog tasked with the protection of personal data is investigating the dissemination of the gruesome video.

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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&nbsp;

After a rape video posted by Italy's Prime Minister hopeful Giorgia Meloni received widespread criticism, Twitter on Tuesday deleted the video. The post shared by Meloni was removed and replaced with a comment, "This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules.

After a rape video posted by Italy's Prime Minister hopeful Giorgia Meloni received widespread criticism, Twitter on Tuesday deleted the video. The post shared by Meloni was removed and replaced with a comment, "This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules." As reported by WION, the far-right leader on Monday posted a video which showed a Ukrainian refugee being sexually assaulted on the streets of Italy. The video was reportedly shot by someone in a flat with a view of the street. The attacker was later taken into custody. Read more: Election strategy or 'clickbait voyeurism'? Italian PM hopeful posts rape video on Twitter Along with the tweet, Meloni reportedly wrote, "One cannot remain silent in the face of this atrocious episode of sexual violence against a Ukrainian woman carried out in daytime in Piacenza by an asylum seeker." “A hug to this woman. I will do everything I can to restore security to our cities," she added. Enrico Letta, the head of the Democratic Party called Meloni's use of the video "indecent" and said that "respect of the victim comes first." Meloni, however, claimed on Facebook that her competitors had used the rape to attack her while ignoring the victim to avoid dealing with what she called the immigration issue. "I am honestly ashamed of political leaders who, while using rape to attack me, do not spend a word of solidarity for the victim, obviously for fear of having to face the issue of the security emergency aggravated by immigration illegal by the masses." Read more: Who is Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s far-right leader tipped to become first female Prime Minister? Meanwhile, the Italian police, along with state watchdog tasked with the protection of personal data is investigating the dissemination of the gruesome video. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Rape video posted by Italian PM hopeful Giorgia Meloni deleted by Twitter

Ukraine marks Independence day: Zelensky says Ukraine was ‘reborn’ when Russia invaded on Feb 24

Destroyed Russian military vehicles and war machines have been on display in Kyiv as part of an exhibition linked to Independence Day celebrations.

Ukraine marks Independence day: Kyiv displays destroyed Russian tanks and war machines

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine is affecting the global economies. The war in Ukraine has caused the prices of all sorts of products to rise. Not just gas, oil and fuel, but also foodstuffs. The conflict is also pushing European countries towards recession.

Fallout of Russia-Ukraine war: How the conflict is impacting global economies

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a massive food shortage around the world due to the latter’s inability in exporting grains due to blockade of ports. Ukraine is one of the leading exporters of food grains in the world and the Russian blockage on the Black Sea led to a global crisis. The situation now&nbsp;is getting better and a United States official said that Ukraine&nbsp;is well on course to ship almost the same quantity of grains as it used to before the invasion after reaching an agreement with Russia.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-accused-of-neglecting-security-problems-everything-you-need-to-know-509670">Twitter accused of neglecting security problems: Everything you need to know</a>

"Thanks to intensive international cooperation, Ukraine is on track to export as much as four million metric tonnes of agricultural products in August," a senior US State Department official told AFP.&nbsp;

The Russian invasion has dealt a massive blow to the supply chain all around the world and with no exports from Ukraine, the United Nations believed that the world could experience one of the worst food shortages in history. However, the current levels have brought respite to global concerns.

Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-ukraine-celebrates-independence-day-zelensky-vows-to-retake-annexed-crimea-509630" hreflang="en">LIVE: Ukraine celebrates Independence Day, Zelensky vows to retake Crimea</a>

According to the US authorities, around 720,000 tonnes of grain were carried out of Ukraine in the past few weeks with the help of 33 ships. The European Union has also introduced "Solidarity Lanes" — a system of vehicles on road and water — to solidify the distribution process of the exports from Ukraine.

The US has also announced that it will be contributing $68 million to the World Food Programme which will be used to buy 150,000 metric tonNEs of Ukrainian wheat in a bid to battle the global food crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a massive food shortage around the world due to the latter’s inability in exporting grains due to blockade of ports.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine resulted in a massive food shortage around the world due to the latter’s inability in exporting grains due to blockade of ports. Ukraine is one of the leading exporters of food grains in the world and the Russian blockage on the Black Sea led to a global crisis. The situation now is getting better and a United States official said that Ukraine is well on course to ship almost the same quantity of grains as it used to before the invasion after reaching an agreement with Russia. Also read | Twitter accused of neglecting security problems: Everything you need to know "Thanks to intensive international cooperation, Ukraine is on track to export as much as four million metric tonnes of agricultural products in August," a senior US State Department official told AFP. The Russian invasion has dealt a massive blow to the supply chain all around the world and with no exports from Ukraine, the United Nations believed that the world could experience one of the worst food shortages in history. However, the current levels have brought respite to global concerns. Also read | LIVE: Ukraine celebrates Independence Day, Zelensky vows to retake Crimea According to the US authorities, around 720,000 tonnes of grain were carried out of Ukraine in the past few weeks with the help of 33 ships. The European Union has also introduced "Solidarity Lanes" — a system of vehicles on road and water — to solidify the distribution process of the exports from Ukraine. The US has also announced that it will be contributing $68 million to the World Food Programme which will be used to buy 150,000 metric tonNEs of Ukrainian wheat in a bid to battle the global food crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine grain exports are back to pre-war levels, says US official

Amidst a raging war with Russia, Ukraine has vowed to take back Crimea, a territory annexed by Moscow in 2014. Ukrainian President Zelensky on Tuesday said taking Crimea back would help re-establish world law and order.

Crimea summit aims at restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity

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