For 22 days, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been dominating headlines. This war has not just changed the lives of Ukrainians it has far reaching implications. World leaders tried to play peacemakers and among them was the French president Emmanuel Macron, however this war changed the narrative altogether for Macron.

Ukraine war dominates electoral agenda in France, Macron to be benefitted?

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity has gone down drastically on the global stage following his invasion of Ukraine. <o:p></o:p>

A number of countries imposing sanctions on him and his cabinet members and now a Ukrainian government department has come up with an idea to build a rocket capable of launching him to Jupiter because 'it is a gas giant and the largest planet in the solar system'.<o:p></o:p>

The Ministry of Digital Transformation has launched a fundraiser campaign for this endeavour and it has already reached more than $2mn in donations.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/villas-in-miami-putin-lashes-out-scum-and-traitors-amid-ukraine-war-463167">'Villas in Miami': Putin lashes out at 'scum' and 'traitors' amid Ukraine war</a>

The website has the picture of Putin on a rocket and it says - "Donate to help us build a rocket that will send a bloody dictator far far away."<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;The goal of the government department is to raise $100mn and the donators are asked to send a minimum of $2.99 (£2.29) to 'purchase a rocket'. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-condemns-us-president-biden-for-calling-putin-war-criminal-463022">Russia condemns US President Biden for calling Putin 'war criminal'</a>

<o:p></o:p>

In reality, Ukraine’s vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that all the donations will go towards the armed forces and city restorations.<o:p></o:p>

'Everyone wants Putin to die. Until this happens, we give Ukrainians and the whole world a unique opportunity: Send Putin to Jupiter. Donate $2.99 for a rocket. All funds will be directed to the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure!,' Fedorov wrote on Twitter.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-to-get-us-stingers-javelin-anti-armour-systems-is-it-a-gamechanger-463142" hreflang="en">Ukraine to get US Stingers, Javelin, anti-armour systems; is it a gamechanger?</a>

<o:p></o:p>

The idea of the fundraiser campaign came from Ukrainian-owner State Enterprise Diia and was later endorsed by the official Ministry of Digital Transformation. <o:p></o:p>

With donations coming in from all around the world, it aims to reach 100 million citizens to help 'send the one Evil to Jupiter'.

<o:p>Watch |&nbsp;</o:p>United States to provide military assistance to Kyiv<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-to-provide-military-assistance-to-kyiv-463143/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity has gone down drastically on the global stage following his invasion of Ukraine. A number of countries imposing sanctions on him and his cabinet members and now a Ukrainian government department has come up with an idea to build a rocket capable of launching him to Jupiter because 'it is a gas giant and the largest planet in the solar system'.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s popularity has gone down drastically on the global stage following his invasion of Ukraine. A number of countries imposing sanctions on him and his cabinet members and now a Ukrainian government department has come up with an idea to build a rocket capable of launching him to Jupiter because 'it is a gas giant and the largest planet in the solar system'. The Ministry of Digital Transformation has launched a fundraiser campaign for this endeavour and it has already reached more than $2mn in donations. Also read | 'Villas in Miami': Putin lashes out at 'scum' and 'traitors' amid Ukraine war The website has the picture of Putin on a rocket and it says - "Donate to help us build a rocket that will send a bloody dictator far far away." The goal of the government department is to raise $100mn and the donators are asked to send a minimum of $2.99 (£2.29) to 'purchase a rocket'. Also read | Russia condemns US President Biden for calling Putin 'war criminal' In reality, Ukraine’s vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that all the donations will go towards the armed forces and city restorations. 'Everyone wants Putin to die. Until this happens, we give Ukrainians and the whole world a unique opportunity: Send Putin to Jupiter. Donate $2.99 for a rocket. All funds will be directed to the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure!,' Fedorov wrote on Twitter. Also read | Ukraine to get US Stingers, Javelin, anti-armour systems; is it a gamechanger? The idea of the fundraiser campaign came from Ukrainian-owner State Enterprise Diia and was later endorsed by the official Ministry of Digital Transformation. With donations coming in from all around the world, it aims to reach 100 million citizens to help 'send the one Evil to Jupiter'. Watch | United States to provide military assistance to Kyiv

Fundraiser campaign to send Vladimir Putin to Jupiter reaches $2million

As Russian artillery and rockets land on Ukrainian hospitals and apartment blocks, devastating residential districts with no military value, the world is watching with horror what is, for Russia, an increasingly standard practice.

Its forces conducted similar attacks in Syria, bombing hospitals and other civilian structures as part of Russia’s intervention to prop up that country’s government.

Moscow went even further in Chechnya, a border region that had sought independence in the Soviet Union’s 1991 breakup. During two formative wars there, Russia’s artillery and air forces turned city blocks to rubble, and its ground troops massacred civilians in what was widely seen as a deliberate campaign to terrorize the population into submission.

Now Vladimir Putin, whose rise to Russia’s presidency paralleled and was in some ways cemented by the Chechen wars, appears to be deploying a similar playbook in Ukraine, albeit so far only by increments.

These tactics reflect something more specific than simple ruthlessness alone. They emerged from Russia’s experiences in a string of wars that led its leaders to conclude, for reasons both strategic and ideological, that bombarding whole populations was not only acceptable but militarily sound.

They also reflect the circumstances of an authoritarian state with few allies, enabling the Kremlin to ignore and even embrace revulsion at its military conduct — or so Russian leaders seem to believe.

“​​Massive devastation and collateral fatalities among the civilian population are acceptable in order to limit one’s own casualties,” Alexei Arbatov, a prominent Russian military strategist and at the time a federal legislator, wrote in 2000, during Russia’s second war in Chechnya.

“The use of force is the most efficient problem solver, if applied decisively and massively,” Arbatov wrote, adding that international horror at Russian actions should be “discounted.”

But the shocking human toll that champions of this approach dismiss as irrelevant may be part of why it has so far failed in Ukraine.

Global outrage did not turn back Russian advances in Chechnya or Syria. But it is now driving the sanctions and military support that are devastating Russia’s economy and miring its invasion in quagmire — underscoring that Moscow’s way of war may not be as ruthlessly pragmatic as it believes.

The United States, of course, also frequently kills civilians in war, in drone and other airstrikes whose toll the U.S. treats as a regrettable but acceptable cost. Although the intention behind this strategy differs from Russia’s, the distinction may be of little significance for the dead.

A Russian Way of War

The Soviet military emerged from World War II with a mission to never again allow a foreign invasion of the homeland, growing formidable enough to stand toe-to-toe with the combined forces of NATO.

But in 1979 it faced a threat for which it was poorly suited: an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan, where Soviet forces intervened that year.

The Soviets suffered heavy casualties at the Afghan rebels’ hands before limping home in humiliating defeat a decade later.

Over the war’s course, Soviet officers came to favor air power as well as large-scale shows of violence.

“In the valleys around Kabul, the Russians undertook a series of large operations engaging hundreds of tanks, mobilizing significant means, using bombs, rockets, napalm, and even, once, gas, destroying all in their path,” a 1984 chronicle of the war recounted.

Then, in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, and with it much of what had been the Soviet military. That year, leaders in Chechnya began asserting the region’s independence. In 1994, Moscow ordered a major assault to retake control.

Russian troops again faced heavy losses against insurgents. A monthslong siege of Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, obliterated much of the city and killed thousands of civilians. Still, Russian troops withdrew in a 1996 defeat that further loosened the Kremlin’s weakening hold on power.

But when Moscow launched a second invasion, in 1999, its top general said that, if Russia had erred, it was in having “sinned by being too kindhearted,” pledging even greater violence.

Human rights groups chronicled spates of massacres throughout the war. In some cases, Russian officers declared certain villages to be “safe zones,” then blanketed them in so-called fuel-air bombs banned under the Geneva Conventions, killing scores at a time.

“All those remaining in Grozny will be considered terrorists and will be wiped out by artillery and aviation,” an official military edict warned. Although the statement was rescinded, Russian forces shelled the city indiscriminately, blockading its exits to prevent residents from fleeing.

Putin, whom President Boris Yeltsin promoted from virtual anonymity to prime minister around the war’s outset, asserted himself as the face of the conflict, visiting front lines and pushing for escalation.

When Yeltsin resigned, Putin became acting president, a position he formally won in an election dominated by the war. He built his presidency around the conflict, asserting presidential powers and curbing political rights as wartime necessities, championing it ever since as a great triumph.

That conflict, along with the Russian military’s adaptations for a new Europe in which NATO forces now vastly outmatched their own, led to new sort of doctrine.

“Assault by troops, which previously predetermined the outcome of the battles, will be used today, and even more so in the future, only to complete the defeat of the enemy,” A.A. Korabelnikov, a Russian officer, wrote in a 2019 white paper.

Instead, artillery and air power would do much of the work, inflicting devastating damage from afar. But because much of this technology remained Soviet-era, strikes were often indiscriminate — which Moscow had anyway embraced in Chechnya.

When Russian forces entered the Syrian war in 2015, that country’s Moscow-allied military was already massacring civilians at scale. Seeking to avoid an Afghanistan-style quagmire, Russian air power pulverized Syrian cities from above, cementing the Chechnya model.

Valery Gerasimov, now Russia’s top general, wrote in 2016 that the country’s forces were “acquiring priceless combat experience in Syria,” drawing lessons that Moscow extrapolated into formal policies the next year.

Russian forces did not immediately repeat this approach in Ukraine. But as the invasion has ground down, they have increasingly targeted civilian areas, especially in cities like Mariupol and Kharkiv that they have struggled to capture.

Audience Costs

Strongman leaders like Putin, because they face less accountability from citizens and fewer checks on their power than even other kinds of dictators, tend be more aggressive and take more risks in war, research has found.

This also makes them more able to shrug off public disgust over civilian casualties, which surveys have found can lead citizens in democracies to revoke support for foreign wars.

Russia also has few real allies, normally a restraint on military conduct toward foreign civilians. Putin has even repeated a famous saying by Alexander III, a 19th-century Russian emperor, that Russia’s only true allies were its army and its navy.

This does not mean that widely allied democracies like the United States necessarily kill fewer civilians in war.

U.S. air campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed large numbers of civilians. Under an Obama administration policy, the U.S. launched drone strikes on groups of people merely because they fit certain profiles, sometimes mistakenly striking weddings or funerals.

The U.S. has sometimes used indiscriminate tools of war — for example, dropping 1,200 cluster bombs, which much of the world has banned for their danger to civilians — in its 2001 invasion of Afghanistan.

U.S. strikes on the Syrian city of Raqqa, then held by the Islamic State group, killed scores, with a single errant bomb claiming 70 civilians.

U.S. officials stress that they strain to avoid civilian casualties, which they know anger local populations they hope to win over. Still, the U.S. has long maintained a strategy, centering on air power and drone strikes, that it knows brings a significant likelihood of killing civilians, even covering up embarrassing incidents.

Questions of how to parse the relative morality of these two approaches — deliberately killing civilians versus choosing a strategy that is known to bring it about — may ultimately matter more to the perpetrators of these strategies than to their victims.

According to top-level estimates by Airwars, a nonprofit group, the Russian air campaign in Syria killed 6,398 civilians, whereas that by the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq killed 13,244.

A Horrifying Kind of War

For all of Moscow’s embrace of brutality in war, much of the toll of Russia’s wars may come down to a simple matter of the location of the fighting: often in large, opposition-held cities.

Throughout the modern era, urban sieges have consistently been among the bloodiest forms of warfare.

They are often defined by horrifying violence against civilians as invaders seek to root out strongholds of resistance from areas where perhaps millions of innocents still live. Mass homelessness and starvation are common.

As armed resistance grinds on, occupiers will often come to see whole populations as threats to be suppressed.

In World War II, both the U.S. and Soviet Union laid waste to German cities. U.S.-led firebombing of German and Japanese cities killed hundreds of thousands.

It is a lesson that is hardly alien to Russians, who endured, in that war, some of the deadliest sieges in modern history.

“Where is mankind heading?” one survivor wrote in his diary amid Leningrad’s two-year encirclement by Nazi forces in which 800,000 civilians died. “How will this most brutal carnage end? Dreadful questions!” 
&nbsp;

As Russian artillery and rockets land on Ukrainian hospitals and apartment blocks, devastating residential districts with no military value, the world is watching with horror what is, for Russia, an increasingly standard practice.

As Russian artillery and rockets land on Ukrainian hospitals and apartment blocks, devastating residential districts with no military value, the world is watching with horror what is, for Russia, an increasingly standard practice. Its forces conducted similar attacks in Syria, bombing hospitals and other civilian structures as part of Russia’s intervention to prop up that country’s government. Moscow went even further in Chechnya, a border region that had sought independence in the Soviet Union’s 1991 breakup. During two formative wars there, Russia’s artillery and air forces turned city blocks to rubble, and its ground troops massacred civilians in what was widely seen as a deliberate campaign to terrorize the population into submission. Now Vladimir Putin, whose rise to Russia’s presidency paralleled and was in some ways cemented by the Chechen wars, appears to be deploying a similar playbook in Ukraine, albeit so far only by increments. These tactics reflect something more specific than simple ruthlessness alone. They emerged from Russia’s experiences in a string of wars that led its leaders to conclude, for reasons both strategic and ideological, that bombarding whole populations was not only acceptable but militarily sound. They also reflect the circumstances of an authoritarian state with few allies, enabling the Kremlin to ignore and even embrace revulsion at its military conduct — or so Russian leaders seem to believe. “Massive devastation and collateral fatalities among the civilian population are acceptable in order to limit one’s own casualties,” Alexei Arbatov, a prominent Russian military strategist and at the time a federal legislator, wrote in 2000, during Russia’s second war in Chechnya. “The use of force is the most efficient problem solver, if applied decisively and massively,” Arbatov wrote, adding that international horror at Russian actions should be “discounted.” But the shocking human toll that champions of this approach dismiss as irrelevant may be part of why it has so far failed in Ukraine. Global outrage did not turn back Russian advances in Chechnya or Syria. But it is now driving the sanctions and military support that are devastating Russia’s economy and miring its invasion in quagmire — underscoring that Moscow’s way of war may not be as ruthlessly pragmatic as it believes. The United States, of course, also frequently kills civilians in war, in drone and other airstrikes whose toll the U.S. treats as a regrettable but acceptable cost. Although the intention behind this strategy differs from Russia’s, the distinction may be of little significance for the dead. A Russian Way of War The Soviet military emerged from World War II with a mission to never again allow a foreign invasion of the homeland, growing formidable enough to stand toe-to-toe with the combined forces of NATO. But in 1979 it faced a threat for which it was poorly suited: an insurgency in neighboring Afghanistan, where Soviet forces intervened that year. The Soviets suffered heavy casualties at the Afghan rebels’ hands before limping home in humiliating defeat a decade later. Over the war’s course, Soviet officers came to favor air power as well as large-scale shows of violence. “In the valleys around Kabul, the Russians undertook a series of large operations engaging hundreds of tanks, mobilizing significant means, using bombs, rockets, napalm, and even, once, gas, destroying all in their path,” a 1984 chronicle of the war recounted. Then, in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, and with it much of what had been the Soviet military. That year, leaders in Chechnya began asserting the region’s independence. In 1994, Moscow ordered a major assault to retake control. Russian troops again faced heavy losses against insurgents. A monthslong siege of Grozny, Chechnya’s capital, obliterated much of the city and killed thousands of civilians. Still, Russian troops withdrew in a 1996 defeat that further loosened the Kremlin’s weakening hold on power. But when Moscow launched a second invasion, in 1999, its top general said that, if Russia had erred, it was in having “sinned by being too kindhearted,” pledging even greater violence. Human rights groups chronicled spates of massacres throughout the war. In some cases, Russian officers declared certain villages to be “safe zones,” then blanketed them in so-called fuel-air bombs banned under the Geneva Conventions, killing scores at a time. “All those remaining in Grozny will be considered terrorists and will be wiped out by artillery and aviation,” an official military edict warned. Although the statement was rescinded, Russian forces shelled the city indiscriminately, blockading its exits to prevent residents from fleeing. Putin, whom President Boris Yeltsin promoted from virtual anonymity to prime minister around the war’s outset, asserted himself as the face of the conflict, visiting front lines and pushing for escalation. When Yeltsin resigned, Putin became acting president, a position he formally won in an election dominated by the war. He built his presidency around the conflict, asserting presidential powers and curbing political rights as wartime necessities, championing it ever since as a great triumph. That conflict, along with the Russian military’s adaptations for a new Europe in which NATO forces now vastly outmatched their own, led to new sort of doctrine. “Assault by troops, which previously predetermined the outcome of the battles, will be used today, and even more so in the future, only to complete the defeat of the enemy,” A.A. Korabelnikov, a Russian officer, wrote in a 2019 white paper. Instead, artillery and air power would do much of the work, inflicting devastating damage from afar. But because much of this technology remained Soviet-era, strikes were often indiscriminate — which Moscow had anyway embraced in Chechnya. When Russian forces entered the Syrian war in 2015, that country’s Moscow-allied military was already massacring civilians at scale. Seeking to avoid an Afghanistan-style quagmire, Russian air power pulverized Syrian cities from above, cementing the Chechnya model. Valery Gerasimov, now Russia’s top general, wrote in 2016 that the country’s forces were “acquiring priceless combat experience in Syria,” drawing lessons that Moscow extrapolated into formal policies the next year. Russian forces did not immediately repeat this approach in Ukraine. But as the invasion has ground down, they have increasingly targeted civilian areas, especially in cities like Mariupol and Kharkiv that they have struggled to capture. Audience Costs Strongman leaders like Putin, because they face less accountability from citizens and fewer checks on their power than even other kinds of dictators, tend be more aggressive and take more risks in war, research has found. This also makes them more able to shrug off public disgust over civilian casualties, which surveys have found can lead citizens in democracies to revoke support for foreign wars. Russia also has few real allies, normally a restraint on military conduct toward foreign civilians. Putin has even repeated a famous saying by Alexander III, a 19th-century Russian emperor, that Russia’s only true allies were its army and its navy. This does not mean that widely allied democracies like the United States necessarily kill fewer civilians in war. U.S. air campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan have killed large numbers of civilians. Under an Obama administration policy, the U.S. launched drone strikes on groups of people merely because they fit certain profiles, sometimes mistakenly striking weddings or funerals. The U.S. has sometimes used indiscriminate tools of war — for example, dropping 1,200 cluster bombs, which much of the world has banned for their danger to civilians — in its 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. U.S. strikes on the Syrian city of Raqqa, then held by the Islamic State group, killed scores, with a single errant bomb claiming 70 civilians. U.S. officials stress that they strain to avoid civilian casualties, which they know anger local populations they hope to win over. Still, the U.S. has long maintained a strategy, centering on air power and drone strikes, that it knows brings a significant likelihood of killing civilians, even covering up embarrassing incidents. Questions of how to parse the relative morality of these two approaches — deliberately killing civilians versus choosing a strategy that is known to bring it about — may ultimately matter more to the perpetrators of these strategies than to their victims. According to top-level estimates by Airwars, a nonprofit group, the Russian air campaign in Syria killed 6,398 civilians, whereas that by the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq killed 13,244. A Horrifying Kind of War For all of Moscow’s embrace of brutality in war, much of the toll of Russia’s wars may come down to a simple matter of the location of the fighting: often in large, opposition-held cities. Throughout the modern era, urban sieges have consistently been among the bloodiest forms of warfare. They are often defined by horrifying violence against civilians as invaders seek to root out strongholds of resistance from areas where perhaps millions of innocents still live. Mass homelessness and starvation are common. As armed resistance grinds on, occupiers will often come to see whole populations as threats to be suppressed. In World War II, both the U.S. and Soviet Union laid waste to German cities. U.S.-led firebombing of German and Japanese cities killed hundreds of thousands. It is a lesson that is hardly alien to Russians, who endured, in that war, some of the deadliest sieges in modern history. “Where is mankind heading?” one survivor wrote in his diary amid Leningrad’s two-year encirclement by Nazi forces in which 800,000 civilians died. “How will this most brutal carnage end? Dreadful questions!”

Russia’s brutality in Ukraine has roots in earlier conflicts

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, US President Joe Biden is all set to hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The US is pressing China against providing military aid to Russia.

US President Biden to speak with China's Xi Jinping to warn against helping Russia

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia.

"Today, the invaders destroyed the Drama Theatre. A place, where more than a thousand people found refuge. We will never forgive this," Mariupol local council said after the incident.<o:p></o:p>

The theatre was one of the oldest buildings in the city and at the time of bombing, Ukraine said that it was housing a number of civilians. According to the official report from Kyiv, around 50 people were declared dead and many more were injured as the building collapsed due to the bombing.<o:p></o:p>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/european-leaders-want-volodmir-zelensky-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-463521" hreflang="en">European leaders want Volodmir Zelensky nominated for Nobel Peace Prize</a>

However, Italy has offered to help Ukraine in the renovation and rebuilding of the famous theatre.<o:p></o:p>

In a tweet, Italy's culture minister Dario Franceschini said on Thursday that they want to help Ukraine in the rebuilding process.

“Italy is ready to rebuild the Theatre of Mariupol. The cabinet of Ministers has approved my proposal to offer Ukraine the resources and means to rebuild it as soon as possible. Theaters of all countries belong to the whole of humanity (sic)," he said.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/war-crimes-amid-ukraine-war-baltic-states-expel-russian-diplomats-463524">'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats</a>

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Franceschini for the offer and vowed to rebuild the country to the last brick with the help of their allies. “Thanks Dario Franceschini. You set a good example to follow. Together we will rebuild the country to the last brick,” he said.<o:p></o:p>

The Ukrainian President also awarded the Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, with the Order For Courage, III degree. He was captured by Russian forces on March 11 amid the ongoing conflict.

<o:p>Watch |</o:p>&nbsp;'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions' <o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/state-emergency-service-firefighters-in-kyiv-working-in-volatile-conditions-463511/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia.

The iconic Drama Theatre in the port city of Mariupol was a major source of pride for both Ukraine and Europe. However, according to Ukraine, the structure was destroyed due to heavy shelling from Russia. "Today, the invaders destroyed the Drama Theatre. A place, where more than a thousand people found refuge. We will never forgive this," Mariupol local council said after the incident. The theatre was one of the oldest buildings in the city and at the time of bombing, Ukraine said that it was housing a number of civilians. According to the official report from Kyiv, around 50 people were declared dead and many more were injured as the building collapsed due to the bombing. Also read | European leaders want Volodmir Zelensky nominated for Nobel Peace Prize However, Italy has offered to help Ukraine in the renovation and rebuilding of the famous theatre. In a tweet, Italy's culture minister Dario Franceschini said on Thursday that they want to help Ukraine in the rebuilding process. “Italy is ready to rebuild the Theatre of Mariupol. The cabinet of Ministers has approved my proposal to offer Ukraine the resources and means to rebuild it as soon as possible. Theaters of all countries belong to the whole of humanity (sic)," he said. Also read | 'War crimes': Amid Ukraine war, Baltic states expel Russian diplomats Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Franceschini for the offer and vowed to rebuild the country to the last brick with the help of their allies. “Thanks Dario Franceschini. You set a good example to follow. Together we will rebuild the country to the last brick,” he said. The Ukrainian President also awarded the Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, with the Order For Courage, III degree. He was captured by Russian forces on March 11 amid the ongoing conflict. Watch | 'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions' (With inputs from agencies)

Italy offers to help Ukraine in rebuilding iconic theatre in Mariupol

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called Ukraine the Pentagons biggest project. Raising concerns about bio-labs built by the United States of the country. Moscow has accused the US using millions to fund biolabs in Ukraine. With Russia claiming that they are infact being used to make bioweapons.

Russia's Foreign Minister: 'Ukraine is Pentagon’s biggest project'

A rocket damaged a residential building in the Ukrainian Capital of Kyiv with the several floors of the building still ablaze hours after the attack. WION Correspondent Anas Mallick visited the district of Kyiv where this building was attacked and this is how the area looks right now. Take a look.

WION Ground Report: Kyiv on edge after Russian strikes, building turned into a deserted site

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, war crime accusations are mounting on Russia. In the latest, Blinken echoes 'war crime' rhetoric.

War crime accusations on Russia mounts as Blinken echoes 'war crime' rhetoric

It has been several weeks since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Now, Ukraine's territorial defence forces are training civilians in combat.

Ukraine's territorial defence forces train civilians in combat training amid Russian invasion

A video purportedly showing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy capitulating to Russian demands drew criticism online. Facebook has reportedly removed the video from its platform. There are warnings from experts that more sophisticated attempts to spread fake news may be made as the Ukraine conflict goes on.

Deepfake video of Ukraine President Zelenskyy surfaces, is it a propaganda war?

US President Joe Biden announced $800 million in new security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against the Russian invasion, in addition to the $200 million he allocated last week. This followed an address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the US Congress earlier Wednesday. White House Bureau Chief Patsy Widakuswara has this report.

Day 23 of Russia's invasion of Ukraine | WION-VOA CO-Production

As Russia faces intense pressure in battlefield, President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors" on Wednesday. &nbsp;

The leader said that the West may try to use them as a fifth column to destroy Russia. &nbsp;

Not just this, Putin said that&nbsp;Russians would be able to differentiate the "patriots from the scum".

In Moscow, warnings in the form of graffiti have come up on the doors of activists. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/targeting-civilians-is-a-war-crime-antony-blinken-believes-russia-guilty-of-committing-war-crimes-463292">Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes</a>

In just hours of the speech, a Moscow-based activist Dmitry Ivanov, said that his mother witnessed a graffiti message on the door to their apartment landing, saying "Don't betray the motherland Dima". &nbsp;

In comments to government ministers on Wednesday, Putin said that Russians would spit out traitors "like gnats". He also said that society would be better for it. &nbsp;

"I am convinced that this natural and necessary self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to meet any challenge," Putin said. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russias-advance-halts-in-ukraine-us-warns-china-over-backing-putin-463300" hreflang="en">As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin</a>

On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, said many people were showing themselves to be traitors. &nbsp;

"They are vanishing from our lives themselves. Some people are leaving their posts, some are leaving their active work life, some leave the country and move to other countries. That is how this cleansing happens," Peskov said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As Russia faces intense pressure in battlefield, President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors" on Wednesday. The leader said that the West may try to use them as a fifth column to destroy Russia.

As Russia faces intense pressure in battlefield, President Vladimir Putin has issued a warning to "traitors" on Wednesday. The leader said that the West may try to use them as a fifth column to destroy Russia. Not just this, Putin said that Russians would be able to differentiate the "patriots from the scum". In Moscow, warnings in the form of graffiti have come up on the doors of activists. Also Read: Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes In just hours of the speech, a Moscow-based activist Dmitry Ivanov, said that his mother witnessed a graffiti message on the door to their apartment landing, saying "Don't betray the motherland Dima". In comments to government ministers on Wednesday, Putin said that Russians would spit out traitors "like gnats". He also said that society would be better for it. "I am convinced that this natural and necessary self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to meet any challenge," Putin said. Also Read: As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin On Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, said many people were showing themselves to be traitors. "They are vanishing from our lives themselves. Some people are leaving their posts, some are leaving their active work life, some leave the country and move to other countries. That is how this cleansing happens," Peskov said. (With inputs from agencies)

As Ukraine conflict intensifies, Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors'

For days now, residents in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv have had sleepless nights, they have been living in constant fear- the fear of losing their loved ones, the fear of losing their house, the fear of being attacked by the Russian shelling and Moscow does not seem to have any plans to scale down its offensive.

Russian bombardments sparks blaze as fire rages in western Kyiv

Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers.&nbsp;

Around 400 bulletproof vests, that were supposed to help Ukraine against the ongoing invasion by Russia, have been stolen in Manhattan.&nbsp;

NY Police Department spokeswoman Lieutenant Jessica McRorie said that the theft occurred at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA).&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/targeting-civilians-is-a-war-crime-antony-blinken-believes-russia-guilty-of-committing-war-crimes-463292">'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes</a>

McRorie said that when police arrived at the site on Wednesday, they learned that "approximately 400 bulletproof vests were removed from the location."&nbsp;

She added that "there are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UCCA said a smaller number of vests, about 300, were missing from the group's Manhattan location. "We don't know... why, how" the robbery occurred, or who would have committed it, the spokesperson told AFP.&nbsp;

The group said, the vests were donated by the police on Long Island, New York and were to be sent to aid workers who would deliver them by truck throughout Ukraine.&nbsp;

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with each day passing, with reports of civilians dying due to bombings and shellings.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-makes-debt-interest-payment-amid-sanctions-463249">Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions</a>

Journalists, who are risking their lives to bring reports from ground zero, are also facing the same issue. In the attacks, some of the journalists have also died.&nbsp;

Recently, the United Nations' cultural agency said on Thursday (March 17) it would provide bulletproof vests and helmets to journalists working in Ukraine after the deaths of several reporters covering Russia's invasion.&nbsp;

UNESCO will also organise online training courses for working in combat zones and first aid. It is also trying to provide in-person training soon for journalists in Lviv, the western city where many media organisations have moved as the capital Kyiv is besieged.

"Journalists and media workers are risking their lives in Ukraine to provide life-saving information to local populations and inform the world of the reality of this war," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

WATCH |&nbsp;30,000 evacuated from the city of Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/30000-evacuated-from-the-city-of-mariupol-amid-the-ongoing-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-463295/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers.

Hundreds of bulletproof vests, destined for war-torn Ukraine, were stolen in New York, police and the organisation said Thursday (March 17). The vests were donated by officers. Around 400 bulletproof vests, that were supposed to help Ukraine against the ongoing invasion by Russia, have been stolen in Manhattan. NY Police Department spokeswoman Lieutenant Jessica McRorie said that the theft occurred at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA). ALSO READ | 'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes McRorie said that when police arrived at the site on Wednesday, they learned that "approximately 400 bulletproof vests were removed from the location." She added that "there are no arrests and the investigation is ongoing." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for UCCA said a smaller number of vests, about 300, were missing from the group's Manhattan location. "We don't know... why, how" the robbery occurred, or who would have committed it, the spokesperson told AFP. The group said, the vests were donated by the police on Long Island, New York and were to be sent to aid workers who would deliver them by truck throughout Ukraine. The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with each day passing, with reports of civilians dying due to bombings and shellings. ALSO READ | Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions Journalists, who are risking their lives to bring reports from ground zero, are also facing the same issue. In the attacks, some of the journalists have also died. Recently, the United Nations' cultural agency said on Thursday (March 17) it would provide bulletproof vests and helmets to journalists working in Ukraine after the deaths of several reporters covering Russia's invasion. UNESCO will also organise online training courses for working in combat zones and first aid. It is also trying to provide in-person training soon for journalists in Lviv, the western city where many media organisations have moved as the capital Kyiv is besieged. "Journalists and media workers are risking their lives in Ukraine to provide life-saving information to local populations and inform the world of the reality of this war," UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said in a statement. WATCH | 30,000 evacuated from the city of Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine ×

Ukraine under attack: Hundreds of bulletproof vests destined for Ukraine, stolen in Manhattan

The United States has voiced its concern on Thursday as China may help Russia with military equipment. &nbsp;

This comes as the advance of Russian troops seems to have been halted at several locations in Ukraine. &nbsp;

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its fourth week. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/targeting-civilians-is-a-war-crime-antony-blinken-believes-russia-guilty-of-committing-war-crimes-463292">Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes</a>

The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, is witnessing Russian shelling as rescuers in the port of Mariupol dug survivors from the rubble. &nbsp;&nbsp;

For peace talks, the officials of the two countries met again but to no avail. They said that their positions remained far apart. &nbsp;

Russia's assault has faltered since invasion began, said Western sources and Ukrainian officials. &nbsp;

Despite sanctions and setbacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not shown any sign of relenting. Russia seems to have been counting on China to help it fight off blows to its economy. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deepfake-video-of-ukraine-president-zelensky-shared-online-463184" hreflang="en">Deepfake video of Ukraine President Zelensky shared online</a>

The United States is also concerned that China is "considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment to use in Ukraine," US secretary of state Antony Blinken said. &nbsp;

In a call on Friday, President Joe Biden will tell China's President Xi Jinping that Beijing "will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia's aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs," Blinken added. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The United States has voiced its concern on Thursday as China may help Russia with military equipment. This comes as the advance of Russian troops seems to have been halted at several locations in Ukraine.

The United States has voiced its concern on Thursday as China may help Russia with military equipment. This comes as the advance of Russian troops seems to have been halted at several locations in Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has entered its fourth week. Also Read: Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes The capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, is witnessing Russian shelling as rescuers in the port of Mariupol dug survivors from the rubble. For peace talks, the officials of the two countries met again but to no avail. They said that their positions remained far apart. Russia's assault has faltered since invasion began, said Western sources and Ukrainian officials. Despite sanctions and setbacks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not shown any sign of relenting. Russia seems to have been counting on China to help it fight off blows to its economy. Also Read: Deepfake video of Ukraine President Zelensky shared online The United States is also concerned that China is "considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment to use in Ukraine," US secretary of state Antony Blinken said. In a call on Friday, President Joe Biden will tell China's President Xi Jinping that Beijing "will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia's aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs," Blinken added. (With inputs from agencies)

As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict.&nbsp;

Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians.&nbsp;

Blinken told reporters at the State Department, "Yesterday, President Biden said that in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-makes-debt-interest-payment-amid-sanctions-463249">Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions</a>

"Personally, I agree. Intentionally targetting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past few weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise," he said.&nbsp;

Blinken further said that the United States President Joe Biden was preparing to issue a warning to China not to send arms to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. &nbsp;

The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition to warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-ukraine-war-uk-to-deploy-sky-sabre-missile-system-in-poland-463265">Amid Ukraine war, UK to deploy Sky Sabre missile system in Poland</a>

Blinken gave reference to the recent bombing of a theatre in Mariupol in southern Ukraine where many people had taken refuge, including children to save themselves from shellings. He also cited allegations that Russians opened fire on 10 civilians in line to buy bread in Chernihiv.&nbsp;

"With every day that passes the number of civilians, including children, killed and wounded, continues to climb. Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including this week alone, a hospital, three schools (and) a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine," he said.&nbsp;

He said US experts were now documenting and evaluating reports of attacks on civilians to determine if formal war crimes cases can be made.&nbsp;

"We need to go through this process of compiling the evidence, collecting the evidence, understanding the evidence. We'll share that, and our allies and partners I'm sure will do the same, with all of the investigations that are ongoing, to support accountability using every tool that we have available," he said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: What is Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy?

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-what-is-volodymyr-zelenskys-strategy-463268/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict. Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Thursday (March 17) said that Russia is not making enough efforts in peace talks with Ukraine to end the conflict. Blinken also said that he believes Moscow is guilty of committing war crimes as recent attacks in Ukrainian cities targetted civilians. Blinken told reporters at the State Department, "Yesterday, President Biden said that in his opinion, war crimes have been committed in Ukraine." ALSO READ | Russia makes debt interest payment amid sanctions "Personally, I agree. Intentionally targetting civilians is a war crime. After all the destruction of the past few weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise," he said. Blinken further said that the United States President Joe Biden was preparing to issue a warning to China not to send arms to Russia in support of its invasion of Ukraine. As per United Nations, the concept of war crimes developed particularly at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. During that time, the international humanitarian law, which is also known as the law of armed conflict, was codified. The Hague Conventions was adopted in 1899 and 1907 focus on the prohibition to warring parties to use certain means and methods of warfare. ALSO READ | Amid Ukraine war, UK to deploy Sky Sabre missile system in Poland Blinken gave reference to the recent bombing of a theatre in Mariupol in southern Ukraine where many people had taken refuge, including children to save themselves from shellings. He also cited allegations that Russians opened fire on 10 civilians in line to buy bread in Chernihiv. "With every day that passes the number of civilians, including children, killed and wounded, continues to climb. Russia continues to attack civilian sites, including this week alone, a hospital, three schools (and) a boarding school for visually impaired kids in the Luhansk region of Ukraine," he said. He said US experts were now documenting and evaluating reports of attacks on civilians to determine if formal war crimes cases can be made. "We need to go through this process of compiling the evidence, collecting the evidence, understanding the evidence. We'll share that, and our allies and partners I'm sure will do the same, with all of the investigations that are ongoing, to support accountability using every tool that we have available," he said. WATCH | Gravitas: What is Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy? ×

'Targetting civilians is a war crime': Antony Blinken believes Russia guilty of committing war crimes

It has been weeks now since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine. Now, 30,000 have been evacuated from the city of Mariupol.

30,000 evacuated from the city of Mariupol amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Russia to immediately suspend its military action in Ukraine, saying it is profoundly concerned by Moscow’s use of force.

Indian judge at ICJ votes against Russia

Babies are now stuck in a war zone as war in Ukraine has prevented biological parents from claiming their babies.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine jolts surrogacy market: Citizenship of newborn babies unclear

Kyiv: 16-storey building hit by a missile, 1 killed, 4 injured in the attack

Fire ranged at a warehouse of Western part of capital after the Russian bombardments sparked a blaze. WION correspondent Anas Mallick speaks with the spokesperson of the state emergency service of the situation on the ground.

State emergency service: 'Firefighters in Kyiv working in volatile conditions'

Iran has released 2 British nationals. This comes after London "settled a long-overdue debt" of over $500 million to Tehran. Did a 40-year-old claim hold back the release of two British detainees? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: 40-year-old debt held back release of British detainees?

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky continues to appeal for a no-fly zone despite repeated denials by NATO. Is Zelensky's political inexperience fueling this unrealistic demand? Or is the Ukrainian President more astute than we think? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: What is Volodymyr Zelensky's strategy?

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all latest news, top headlines and international breakings from all across the globe, stay tuned with Gravitas for more!

Gravitas: Global Headlines: Ukraine refugee crisis, Fresh strike in Kyiv and more

Russia's invasion of Ukraine entered day 22. Kyiv has drawn the red lines for Russian negotiators. Meanwhile, at the ICJ - Indian judge Justice Dalveer Bhandari voted in Ukraine's favour. ICJ called on Russia to suspend its offensive. Palki Sharma brings you the updates.

Gravitas: Ukraine Invasion: Russia intensifies aerial attacks

Since last November, Russia has been gathering troops near Ukraine border. There were months of speculations, back-to back diplomatic talks, calculations, assessments but no one imagined that it would lead to this. WION's Anas Mallick has been reporting from the war-ravaged nation, bringing you exclusive ground zero reports.

Ukraine under attack: WION's Anas Mallick on ground zero tracking all sides of Russian invasion

A number of Western brands have decided to stop their operations in Russia in the aftermath of their attack on Ukraine but there are some who are still not able to leave the country due to complex franchise deals.

Marks and Spencer, Burger King, and hotel groups Marriott and Accor have outsourced the Russian businesses to third parties and are unable to leave the country at present.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russias-advance-halts-in-ukraine-us-warns-china-over-backing-putin-463300">As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin</a>

Currently, Burger King has 800 restaurants all around Russia, M&amp;S has 48 shops while Marriot and Accor have 28 and 57 hotels operational in the country at present. According to the BBC, the brands are bound by legal franchise documents which are making it hard to close their outlets.

Marks and Spencer stores in Russia are operated by a Turkish company call FiBA which has the permission to sell their products in Eastern Europe since 1999. On the other hand, Burger King is also completely reliant on franchises when it comes to their Russia operations. The company has said that they will not be sending products to FiBA in response to the crisis but it will be difficult for the brand to close their outlets already present in Russia.

“These long-standing legal agreements are not easily changeable in the foreseeable future," Burger King's owner Restaurant Brands International said according to a report in Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-ukraine-conflict-intensifies-russian-president-vladimir-putin-issues-warning-to-traitors-463306">Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors'</a>

Both Marriot and Accor are also operating under similar deals currently in Russia.

According to the BBC, Marriott said that its hotels in Russia were owned by third parties but said it would "continue to evaluate the ability for these hotels to remain open", suggesting it was looking into its franchise agreements.

Watch |&nbsp;European Space Agency suspends joint space mission with Russia<o:p></o:p>

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/european-space-agency-suspends-joint-space-mission-with-russia-463384/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

A number of Western brands have decided to stop their operations in Russia in the aftermath of their attack on Ukraine but there are some who are still not able to leave the country due to complex franchise deals.

A number of Western brands have decided to stop their operations in Russia in the aftermath of their attack on Ukraine but there are some who are still not able to leave the country due to complex franchise deals. Marks and Spencer, Burger King, and hotel groups Marriott and Accor have outsourced the Russian businesses to third parties and are unable to leave the country at present. Also read | As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin Currently, Burger King has 800 restaurants all around Russia, M&S has 48 shops while Marriot and Accor have 28 and 57 hotels operational in the country at present. According to the BBC, the brands are bound by legal franchise documents which are making it hard to close their outlets. Marks and Spencer stores in Russia are operated by a Turkish company call FiBA which has the permission to sell their products in Eastern Europe since 1999. On the other hand, Burger King is also completely reliant on franchises when it comes to their Russia operations. The company has said that they will not be sending products to FiBA in response to the crisis but it will be difficult for the brand to close their outlets already present in Russia. “These long-standing legal agreements are not easily changeable in the foreseeable future," Burger King's owner Restaurant Brands International said according to a report in Reuters. Also read | Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors' Both Marriot and Accor are also operating under similar deals currently in Russia. According to the BBC, Marriott said that its hotels in Russia were owned by third parties but said it would "continue to evaluate the ability for these hotels to remain open", suggesting it was looking into its franchise agreements. Watch | European Space Agency suspends joint space mission with Russia (With inputs from agencies)

Why some Western brands are not finding it easy to leave Russia

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with reports of deaths and massive destruction coming in almost every day since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24.

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate with reports of deaths and massive destruction coming in almost every day since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukrainian cities on February 24. Amid the chaos, both facts and fake news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine are circulating on social media platforms with a number of people consuming the information and also sharing it. It is slightly difficult, but the world needs to differentiate between truth and propaganda. Here are a few incidents: Zelensky's Deepfake footage Recently, a poorly edited video purporting to show Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly capitulating to Russian demands was circulated on Wednesday (March 16). The video appeared to show Zelensky speaking from the presidential lectern and urging his countrymen to down their weapons in the face of Russian invaders. However, the users flagged the discrepancies between the skin tone on Zelensky's neck and face, the odd accent in the 68-second deepfake clip and the pixelation around his head. Later, a Facebook official said the company was removing the footage from its platform. IN PICS | Drone warfare in Ukraine: Switchblade 'buzzing bee' drones vs Russia's Orlan-10 Fake call from 'Ukrainian PM' On Thursday (March 17), British defence minister Ben Wallace ordered an inquiry as he claimed that he received a call from the Ukrainian prime minister. The apparent video call was set up after an email was sent to a government department, purportedly from an aide at the Ukrainian embassy, which was then passed on to the Ministry of Defence. "Today an attempt was made by an imposter claiming to be Ukrainian PM to speak with me. He posed several misleading questions and after becoming suspicious I terminated the call. No amount of Russian disinformation, distortion and dirty tricks can distract from Russia’s human rights abuses and illegal invasion of Ukraine. A desperate attempt," Wallace said on Twitter. IN PICS | Ukraine to get US Stingers, Javelin, anti-armour systems; is it a gamechanger? Hoax call to Britain's Home Secretary Just like Wallace, UK's Home Secretary Priti Patel said she had also been targeted. "This also happened to me earlier this week," the interior minister wrote on Twitter. "Pathetic attempt at such difficult times to divide us. We stand with Ukraine," she added. US soldiers alive The Tennessee National Guard said on Thursday (March 17) that three current and former members of the Tennessee National Guard falsely identified in a Russian media report as mercenaries who were killed in Ukraine are in fact alive and well. The report published in Russia's Pravda newspaper identified the Americans by name and gave military ranks for each of them, citing information from pro-Russian militia in Ukraine's Donetsk. The report even offered an intricate explanation for how the three were identified, using items from a backpack "near the remains of one of the militants" - including a Tennessee state flag. "The Tennessee Guard is aware of the fake news coming out of Russia," said Tracy O'Grady, a spokesperson for the larger US National Guard. The Tennessee Guard said in a statement: "They are accounted for, safe and not, as the article headline erroneously states, U.S. mercenaries killed in Donetsk People's Republic." WATCH | UK defence secy receives hoax call; caller posed as Ukrainian PM × (With inputs from agencies)

From Deepfakes to hoax calls: 'Fake news war' in Russia-Ukraine crisis

A fire broke out at a depot Ukrainian's capital of Kyiv after Russian shelling killing atleast one person. Fire ranged at a warehouse of Western part of capital after the Russian bombardments sparked a blaze.

Russia-Ukraine crisis: Fire rages in Western Kyiv, President Zelenskyy visits victims of attack

Financial commentator Peter Schiff faced heavy criticism after taking a jibe at Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s clothing during his virtual address to the US Congress.

Zelensky was praised for his emotional appeal to the Congress where he called on US&nbsp;lawmakers to take action against Russia for invading Ukraine. He also asked US President Joe Biden to increase the sanctions and to also implement a no-fly zone over&nbsp;Ukraine.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;</o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-condemns-us-president-biden-for-calling-putin-war-criminal-463022">Russia condemns US President Biden for calling Putin 'war criminal'</a>

However, Schiff, who is the CEO of Euro Pacific Capital Inc., a broker-dealer based in Connecticut, was not impressed with Zelensky’s speech and took to Twitter to talk about his attire.<o:p></o:p>

Schiff tweeted, "I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the US&nbsp;Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the United&nbsp;States."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States.
— Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1504082706598146058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The tweet quickly got trolled, with most users lashing out saying he is&nbsp;out of touch with&nbsp;reality&nbsp;while also criticising him for making such a statement in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

There were also a number of people who posted pictures of Ukrainian cities in the aftermath of conflict and tweeted that “he is wearing the right suit for the job.”

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
He's wearing the right suit for the job. <a href="https://t.co/a79FgsHi27">pic.twitter.com/a79FgsHi27</a>
— Max Shields (@Max_Shields) <a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Shields/status/1504097176540090368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Schiff, however, stood by his opinion. While responding to a user’s post about how difficult it is to wear a suit in a war zone, he wrote - "He would not have had to press a suit. I'm sure he had a clean suit hanging in the same closet as his t-shirts. Plus even if there were not suits available, maybe a long-sleeved shirt with a collar."

<o:p></o:p>

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: President Zelensky calls on US to 'do more' to in his speech to Congress

<o:p></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-president-zelensky-calls-on-us-to-do-more-to-in-his-speech-to-congress-463024/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<o:p></o:p>

Financial commentator Peter Schiff faced heavy criticism after taking a jibe at Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s clothing during his virtual address to the US Congress.

Financial commentator Peter Schiff faced heavy criticism after taking a jibe at Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s clothing during his virtual address to the US Congress. Zelensky was praised for his emotional appeal to the Congress where he called on US lawmakers to take action against Russia for invading Ukraine. He also asked US President Joe Biden to increase the sanctions and to also implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Also read | Russia condemns US President Biden for calling Putin 'war criminal' However, Schiff, who is the CEO of Euro Pacific Capital Inc., a broker-dealer based in Connecticut, was not impressed with Zelensky’s speech and took to Twitter to talk about his attire. Schiff tweeted, "I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the US Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the United States." I understand times are hard, but doesn't the President of the #Ukraine own a suit? I don't have much respect for current members of the U.S. Congress either, but I still wouldn't address them wearing a t-shirt. I wouldn't want to disrespect the institution or the Unites States. — Peter Schiff (@PeterSchiff) March 16, 2022 × The tweet quickly got trolled, with most users lashing out saying he is out of touch with reality while also criticising him for making such a statement in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. There were also a number of people who posted pictures of Ukrainian cities in the aftermath of conflict and tweeted that “he is wearing the right suit for the job.” He's wearing the right suit for the job. pic.twitter.com/a79FgsHi27 — Max Shields (@Max_Shields) March 16, 2022 × Schiff, however, stood by his opinion. While responding to a user’s post about how difficult it is to wear a suit in a war zone, he wrote - "He would not have had to press a suit. I'm sure he had a clean suit hanging in the same closet as his t-shirts. Plus even if there were not suits available, maybe a long-sleeved shirt with a collar." Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: President Zelensky calls on US to 'do more' to in his speech to Congress

Economist Peter Schiff trolled for criticising Zelensky's attire during US Congress address

Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere believes that the country will receive around 30,000 Ukrainian refugees this year in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion. Addressing the parliament, Stoere said that the number of refugees can reach 100,000 with many of them fleeing Ukraine every day.<o:p></o:p>

He also said that if the number of refugees exceed their estimates, they will have to make special preparations to house them in warehouses, sports stadiums and even in tents.<o:p></o:p>

"That's not the most probable outcome but we must have plans and be prepared because it could happen," Stoere said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-russias-advance-halts-in-ukraine-us-warns-china-over-backing-putin-463300">As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin</a>

<o:p></o:p>

According to official data published by the United Nations, around 3.2 million people have fled Ukraine in last three weeks and most of them have gone to Poland and other neighbouring nations.<o:p></o:p>

When it comes to Norway, around 2000 refuges have arrived from Ukraine and the government announced that they will soon receive 5250 people soon – 2500 of them will be coming through Moldova and 550 of them are currently in need of urgent medical care.<o:p></o:p>

Norway shares a border with Russia and they have decided to boost their defence and security budget by around 3.5 billion Norwegian crowns ($398 million) due to the Ukraine war.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-ukraine-conflict-intensifies-russian-president-vladimir-putin-issues-warning-to-traitors-463306">Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors'</a>

<o:p></o:p>

Stoere said that the ongoing crisis in Ukraine has been a warning sign for Norway and many other nations in the region and he emphasised on the need of protecting their borders. <o:p></o:p>

According to Reuters, the boost in defence budget will be one of the first steps taken by the nation as they are also considering other steps and partnerships in order to bolster their strength.

<o:p>Watch |&nbsp;</o:p>Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Fire after shelling kills at least one in Kyiv

<o:p></o:p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-fire-after-shelling-kills-at-least-one-in-kyiv-463420/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere believes that the country will receive around 30,000 Ukrainian refugees this year in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion. Addressing the parliament, Stoere said that the number of refugees can reach 100,000 with many of them fleeing Ukraine every day.

Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere believes that the country will receive around 30,000 Ukrainian refugees this year in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion. Addressing the parliament, Stoere said that the number of refugees can reach 100,000 with many of them fleeing Ukraine every day. He also said that if the number of refugees exceed their estimates, they will have to make special preparations to house them in warehouses, sports stadiums and even in tents. "That's not the most probable outcome but we must have plans and be prepared because it could happen," Stoere said. Also read | As Russia's advance halts in Ukraine, US warns China over backing Putin According to official data published by the United Nations, around 3.2 million people have fled Ukraine in last three weeks and most of them have gone to Poland and other neighbouring nations. When it comes to Norway, around 2000 refuges have arrived from Ukraine and the government announced that they will soon receive 5250 people soon – 2500 of them will be coming through Moldova and 550 of them are currently in need of urgent medical care. Norway shares a border with Russia and they have decided to boost their defence and security budget by around 3.5 billion Norwegian crowns ($398 million) due to the Ukraine war. Also read | Russian President Vladimir Putin issues warning to 'traitors' Stoere said that the ongoing crisis in Ukraine has been a warning sign for Norway and many other nations in the region and he emphasised on the need of protecting their borders. According to Reuters, the boost in defence budget will be one of the first steps taken by the nation as they are also considering other steps and partnerships in order to bolster their strength. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Fire after shelling kills at least one in Kyiv

Norway prepared for up to 100,000 Ukraine refugees, says PM Jonas Gahr Stoere

ukraine

Ukraine, News on Ukraine, stories on Ukraine, articles on Ukraine, Ukraine stories at Wion, Ukraine news, Ukraine latest news