Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukrainian military intelligence on Tuesday (March 8) said that the forces have killed a Russian general near the besieged city of Kharkiv, Reuters reported citing a ministry statement. If the reports are to be believed, this is the second Russian senior commander to die in the invasion since President Vladimir Putin ordered a "military operation" in the Ukrainian cities. ALSO READ | UK's Queen meets Canada's PM in first in-person meeting since catching Covid; pays tribute to Ukraine Major General Vitaly Gerasimov, who is said to be the first deputy commander of Russia's 41st army, was reportedly killed on Monday (March 7), the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine's defence ministry said in a statement. Although, the report has not been verified by the Russian side. Previously, another Russian general, Andrei Sukhovetsky, also a deputy commander of the 41st army, was reported killed at the end of February. Ukraine says its forces have killed more than 11,000 Russian troops. Russia has confirmed about 500 losses. IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks Meanwhile, Russian news agencies reported that Moscow has proposed the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave five Ukrainian cities from 9 am local time (0700 GMT) on Tuesday (March 8) pending the Ukrainian agreement. But most of the corridors would travel through Russia or Belarus, something Ukrainian authorities have rejected in the past. Ukraine has been given until 3 am Moscow time (0000 GMT) to agree to the terms, Interfax said. WATCH | Here's a look at the military arsenal of Ukraine and Russia being used during the ongoing war × (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Second Russian general reportedly killed

From 'tank man' to snake island defenders: Brave stories of resistance by Ukrainians against Vladimir Putin

Civilians are coming under attack in Ukraine. Near Kyiv, a shell exploded near a group of civilians who were trying to flee. Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas | Watch: Ukrainian civilians hit by a missile near Kyiv

Oil prices have skyrocketed. Global markets have tanked. The chief of the World Bank has called the Ukraine invasion "an economic catastrophe". Molly Gambhir tells you how the war could impact you.

Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: Global investors lose billions

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed out at NATO over its refusal to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine. What does a no-fly zone mean? Why is NATO refusing to impose one? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Zelensky lashes out at NATO over no-fly zone

What military gains did Russia make over the weekend? What did Joe Biden and Zelensky discuss in their phone call? Why is Zelensky upset with NATO? Molly Gambhir decodes the developments with WION's correspondents.

Gravitas: Decoding Russia's military gains

Ukraine and Russia are fighting it out on social media. Memes have become the weapon of choice in this information warfare. The two sides have come up with some of the most creative and lethal memes.

Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war

An 'Iron Curtain' has descended upon Russia. Banks and multi-national companies are cutting ties with Moscow. Attempts are also being made to disconnect Russia from the global internet. Molly Gambhir gets you a report.

Gravitas: New 'Iron Curtain' descends upon Russia

US media reports say Russia is recruiting Syrian fighters to beat Ukrainians in urban warfare. What is the role of foreign mercenaries in this war? How many of them are deployed in Ukraine? Molly Gambhir tells you.

Gravitas: Putin using Syrian fighters to beat Ukraine?

In the opening hours of its military campaign in Ukraine, Russia had specifically targeted Ukraine's air defence.

In dogfight, can Ukraine Air Force resist Russian fighter jets?

UK's Queen Elizabeth II met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on Monday (March 7) in her first official in-person appearance since catching coronavirus (COVID-19), with a subtle tribute to Ukraine.&nbsp;

On February 20, the Royal Palace had informed that the 95-year-old had tested positive for Covid, sharpening concerns about the health of the world's longest-reigning monarch.&nbsp;

They said at the time she was suffering from mild cold-like symptoms and cancelled several engagements. Though, she did continue to carry out light duties.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-slams-russias-cynicism-and-propaganda-posts-video-from-his-office-watch-460068">Ukrainian President Zelensky slams Russia's 'cynicism and propaganda', posts video from his office - Watch</a>

On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II received Trudeau for an Audience at Windsor Castle. Photographs of the meeting showed Trudeau holding the Queen's hand in his, while also chatting and laughing.&nbsp;

They said at the time she was suffering from mild cold-like symptoms and cancelled several engagements. She did continue to carry out light duties.&nbsp;

During the meeting, the Queen also paid tribute to Ukraine amid ongoing Russia's "military operation" in the Ukrainian cities that has led to massive loss of life, property and fuelled the refugee crisis.&nbsp;

Royal watchers noted that the flowers behind her in official photographs were blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, which they said was a deliberate tribute as very little around the queen happens by accident.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-are-czech-hedgehogs-homemade-obstacles-that-can-destroy-russian-tanks-459254">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

The Canadian Prime Minister is in Britain to hold talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the international response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Johnson announced on Monday (March 7) that a further raft of measures to support Ukraine and said Russia's 'repugnant' attacks on cities must be stopped.&nbsp;

Johnson said his government was pledging another $230.28 million in aid for Ukraine to help it deal with a growing humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

Johnson also said Europe could not simply shut down the use of oil and gas overnight but that countries should move together quickly to look beyond Russia for its oil and gas supplies.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? Expert answers

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(With inputs from agencies)

UK's Queen Elizabeth II met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on Monday (March 7) in her first official in-person appearance since catching coronavirus (COVID-19), with a subtle tribute to Ukraine.

UK's Queen Elizabeth II met Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Windsor Castle on Monday (March 7) in her first official in-person appearance since catching coronavirus (COVID-19), with a subtle tribute to Ukraine. On February 20, the Royal Palace had informed that the 95-year-old had tested positive for Covid, sharpening concerns about the health of the world's longest-reigning monarch. They said at the time she was suffering from mild cold-like symptoms and cancelled several engagements. Though, she did continue to carry out light duties. ALSO READ | Ukrainian President Zelensky slams Russia's 'cynicism and propaganda', posts video from his office - Watch On Monday, Queen Elizabeth II received Trudeau for an Audience at Windsor Castle. Photographs of the meeting showed Trudeau holding the Queen's hand in his, while also chatting and laughing. They said at the time she was suffering from mild cold-like symptoms and cancelled several engagements. She did continue to carry out light duties. During the meeting, the Queen also paid tribute to Ukraine amid ongoing Russia's "military operation" in the Ukrainian cities that has led to massive loss of life, property and fuelled the refugee crisis. Royal watchers noted that the flowers behind her in official photographs were blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag, which they said was a deliberate tribute as very little around the queen happens by accident. IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks The Canadian Prime Minister is in Britain to hold talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the international response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Johnson announced on Monday (March 7) that a further raft of measures to support Ukraine and said Russia's 'repugnant' attacks on cities must be stopped. Johnson said his government was pledging another $230.28 million in aid for Ukraine to help it deal with a growing humanitarian crisis. Johnson also said Europe could not simply shut down the use of oil and gas overnight but that countries should move together quickly to look beyond Russia for its oil and gas supplies. WATCH | What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? Expert answers × (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Queen meets Canada's PM in first in-person meeting since catching Covid; pays tribute to Ukraine

India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that it had evacuated all Indian students from Ukraine's Sumy.

"Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy. They are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. Flights under #OperationGanga are being prepared to bring them home," tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi

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Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy. 
 
They are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. 
 
Flights under <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OperationGanga?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OperationGanga</a> are being prepared to bring them home. <a href="https://t.co/s60dyYt9U6">pic.twitter.com/s60dyYt9U6</a>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1501180680184627203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Under `Operation Ganga` to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine`s neighbouring countries, about 18 thousand Indians have been brought back by special flights so far.

410 Indians were brought back on Tuesday by special Civilian flights from Ukraine`s neighbouring countries by 2 special civilian flights from Suceava, said the Ministery of Civil Aviation press release.

With this, about 18,000 Indians have been brought back through the special flights which began on February 22, 2022.The number of Indians airlifted by 75 special civilian flights goes up to 15521.&nbsp;

IAF had flown 12 missions to bring back 2467 passengers, as part of Operation Ganga, and carried over 32-tonne relief material, read the release.The humanitarian toll has increased amid Russian military operations in Ukraine that was launched on February 24. As per the UN, around 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that it had evacuated all Indian students from Ukraine's Sumy. "Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that it had evacuated all Indian students from Ukraine's Sumy. "Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy. They are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. Flights under #OperationGanga are being prepared to bring them home," tweeted MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi Happy to inform that we have been able to move out all Indian students from Sumy. They are currently en route to Poltava, from where they will board trains to western Ukraine. Flights under #OperationGanga are being prepared to bring them home. pic.twitter.com/s60dyYt9U6 — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) March 8, 2022 × Under `Operation Ganga` to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine`s neighbouring countries, about 18 thousand Indians have been brought back by special flights so far. 410 Indians were brought back on Tuesday by special Civilian flights from Ukraine`s neighbouring countries by 2 special civilian flights from Suceava, said the Ministery of Civil Aviation press release. With this, about 18,000 Indians have been brought back through the special flights which began on February 22, 2022.The number of Indians airlifted by 75 special civilian flights goes up to 15521. IAF had flown 12 missions to bring back 2467 passengers, as part of Operation Ganga, and carried over 32-tonne relief material, read the release.The humanitarian toll has increased amid Russian military operations in Ukraine that was launched on February 24. As per the UN, around 1.5 million refugees have fled Ukraine. (With inputs from agencies)

All Indian students moved out from Ukraine's Sumy, says India

It is day 13 of 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, Residents prepare for war in Kyiv.

Residents prepare for war in Kyiv as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on for the 13th day

It is day 13 of 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. Despite efforts and global condemnation, there is still no deal on escape routes yet.

No deal yet on escape routes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters day 13

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

UNSC holds emergency meeting on humanitarian crisis unfolding Ukraine amid Russian invasion

In what is said to be a ripple effect of Ukraine war, Russia has demanded guarantees from the United States as Vienna talks reach a critical stage.

Russia demands guarantee from the US as Vienna talks reach a critical stage

What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? How to cope with war-related anxiety? Watch this report to know from the expert.

What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? Expert answers

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted the latest video from his office as he refuted the claims and reports that he has left the country amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also promised to stay in the Ukrainian capital until the war was won.&nbsp;

Zelensky appeared in his office in Kyiv on Monday night (March 7) in his address to the public. He said, "I stay here, in Kyiv, not hiding. And I am not afraid of anyone. As long as needed to win this war, our national war."&nbsp;

Mentioning the current state of the country, the Ukrainian leader said, "We used to say: Monday is a hard day. There is a war in the country so every day is Monday, and now we are used to the fact that every day and every night are like that."&nbsp;

IN PICS | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-are-czech-hedgehogs-homemade-obstacles-that-can-destroy-russian-tanks-459254">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

In his address, he told the Ukrainians, "You do not back down. We do not back down". He further added that "heroic" resistance against the Russian troops was making the conflict "like a nightmare" for Moscow.&nbsp;

Slamming Russia's 'plain cynicism, plain propaganda', Zelensky also rejected Kremlin's proposals to evacuate Ukrainian citizens into what he has described as "occupied territory" in Russia and Belarus.&nbsp;

"They open a tiny corridor leading to the occupied territory, for a couple of dozen of people. Not so much to Russia as to their propaganda, their TV cameras saying 'look who is saving people.' Plain cynicism, plain propaganda," he said.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-russian-advance-throttled-as-ukraine-destroys-rocket-launchers-military-vehicles-459981">Russian advance throttled as Ukraine destroys rocket launchers, military vehicles</a>

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Russian news agencies reported that Moscow has proposed the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave five Ukrainian cities from 9 am local time (0700 GMT) on Tuesday (March 8) pending the Ukrainian agreement.&nbsp;

But most of the corridors would travel through Russia or Belarus, something Ukrainian authorities have rejected in the past. Ukraine has been given until 3 am Moscow time (0000 GMT) to agree to the terms, Interfax said.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Decoding Russia's military gains

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&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted the latest video from his office as he refuted the claims and reports that he has left the country amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted the latest video from his office as he refuted the claims and reports that he has left the country amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He also promised to stay in the Ukrainian capital until the war was won. Zelensky appeared in his office in Kyiv on Monday night (March 7) in his address to the public. He said, "I stay here, in Kyiv, not hiding. And I am not afraid of anyone. As long as needed to win this war, our national war." Mentioning the current state of the country, the Ukrainian leader said, "We used to say: Monday is a hard day. There is a war in the country so every day is Monday, and now we are used to the fact that every day and every night are like that." IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks In his address, he told the Ukrainians, "You do not back down. We do not back down". He further added that "heroic" resistance against the Russian troops was making the conflict "like a nightmare" for Moscow. Slamming Russia's 'plain cynicism, plain propaganda', Zelensky also rejected Kremlin's proposals to evacuate Ukrainian citizens into what he has described as "occupied territory" in Russia and Belarus. "They open a tiny corridor leading to the occupied territory, for a couple of dozen of people. Not so much to Russia as to their propaganda, their TV cameras saying 'look who is saving people.' Plain cynicism, plain propaganda," he said. IN PICS | Russian advance throttled as Ukraine destroys rocket launchers, military vehicles × Russian news agencies reported that Moscow has proposed the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave five Ukrainian cities from 9 am local time (0700 GMT) on Tuesday (March 8) pending the Ukrainian agreement. But most of the corridors would travel through Russia or Belarus, something Ukrainian authorities have rejected in the past. Ukraine has been given until 3 am Moscow time (0000 GMT) to agree to the terms, Interfax said. WATCH | Gravitas: Decoding Russia's military gains ×

Ukrainian President Zelensky slams Russia's 'cynicism and propaganda', posts video from his office - Watch

At a time when Russia's military operation is causing a fast-growing refugee crisis in Europe, a handful of Ukrainian citizens have found a safe refuge on an Indian cruise ship. WION tells you more in this report.

20 Ukrainians find safe refuge in an Indian cruise ship

The World Bank said its executive board on Monday approved a $723 million package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing desperately needed government budget support as the country battles a Russian invasion. 
 
The package includes a $350 million loan supplement to a prior World Bank loan, augmented by about $139 million through guarantees from the Netherlands and Sweden, the bank said in a statement. 
 
It also includes $134 million in grants from Britain, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland as part of a trust fund that will continue to take in grant contributions on Ukraine`s behalf. Japan is providing parallel financing of $100 million. 
 
A World Bank spokesperson said the funds are expected to be transferred to Ukraine`s government in the next few days. 
 
The World Bank`s budget support loans typically do not carry restrictions on how the funds can be spent, but the bank said the "fast-disbursing" support will help Ukraine`s government provide critical services, pay hospital workers, fund pensions and continue social programs. 
 
"The World Bank Group is taking quick action to support Ukraine and its people in the face of the violence and extreme disruption caused by the Russian invasion," World Bank President David Malpass said in a statement. "The World Bank Group stands with the people of Ukraine and the region. This is the first of many steps we are taking to help address the far-reaching human and economic impacts of this crisis." 
 
The bank said it was continuing to work on another $3 billion package of support for Ukraine in coming months and additional support for neighboring countries that are taking in Ukrainian refugees, now exceeding 1.7 million, mostly women, children and the elderly.

The World Bank said its executive board on Monday approved a $723 million package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing desperately needed government budget support as the country battles a Russian invasion.

The World Bank said its executive board on Monday approved a $723 million package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing desperately needed government budget support as the country battles a Russian invasion. The package includes a $350 million loan supplement to a prior World Bank loan, augmented by about $139 million through guarantees from the Netherlands and Sweden, the bank said in a statement. It also includes $134 million in grants from Britain, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania and Iceland as part of a trust fund that will continue to take in grant contributions on Ukraine`s behalf. Japan is providing parallel financing of $100 million. A World Bank spokesperson said the funds are expected to be transferred to Ukraine`s government in the next few days. The World Bank`s budget support loans typically do not carry restrictions on how the funds can be spent, but the bank said the "fast-disbursing" support will help Ukraine`s government provide critical services, pay hospital workers, fund pensions and continue social programs. "The World Bank Group is taking quick action to support Ukraine and its people in the face of the violence and extreme disruption caused by the Russian invasion," World Bank President David Malpass said in a statement. "The World Bank Group stands with the people of Ukraine and the region. This is the first of many steps we are taking to help address the far-reaching human and economic impacts of this crisis." The bank said it was continuing to work on another $3 billion package of support for Ukraine in coming months and additional support for neighboring countries that are taking in Ukrainian refugees, now exceeding 1.7 million, mostly women, children and the elderly.

World Bank approves $723 million in loans, grants for Ukraine

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Monday evening that all Indian students who were in Sumy had been successfully evacuated, and are now in Poltava.

Ukraine starts evacuation of civilians from Sumy to Poltava

Wang Yi, the Chinese foreign minister, used an annual press conference to laud Russia as his country’s “most important strategic partner”, while condemning the West’s “double standards” on its territorial claims towards Taiwan.

China hails Russia friendship and condemns the west for double standards on Ukraine

Putin's war on Ukraine will take a toll on you. Today, Brent Crude neared $140/barrel. Prices of wheat, corn and sunflower oil are soaring too. Soon, air tickets will become expensive, so will other essential commodities. Listen in to Palki Sharma.

Gravitas Plus | Crude oil skyrockets: How Ukraine war will hit your household budget

Scotland's FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine, scheduled for March 24, has been postponed.

FIFA, world football's governing body, had a call with the chief executives of the Scotland, Ukraine, Wales and Austria Football Associations on Monday where they were verbally told that the game will be moved to June.

Earlier, Ukriane had asked FIFA to postpone their March 24 World Cup play-off match against Scotland.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fifa-to-suspend-contracts-of-foreign-players-currently-tied-to-ukrainian-russian-clubs-460172">FIFA to suspend contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian, Russian clubs</a>

The play-off semi-final was due to be played at Hampden Park on March 24, with the winner going on to face Austria or Wales in Cardiff for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar.

But now the clash has been postponed owing to the ongoing military operation of Ukraine by Russia.

Russia was thrown out of the tournament by FIFA as a sanction for their military operation.

They had been due to face Poland in their semi-final.World football's governing body had earlier released a joint statement with UEFA on Monday announcing Russia's national teams and its clubs were banned from all competitions.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-harry-kanes-brace-helps-tottenham-hotspur-crush-everton-5-0-460196">Premier League: Harry Kane's brace helps Tottenham Hotspur crush Everton 5-0</a>

Earlier, the Russian football federation on Thursday said that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian national teams from international competitions over the country's military operation of Ukraine.

The Russian football federation said in a statement it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies to demand that Russian men's and women's national teams be allowed to compete, including in qualifying for this year`s World Cup in Qatar.

Scotland's FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine, scheduled for March 24, has been postponed. FIFA, world football's governing body, had a call with the chief executives of the Scotland, Ukraine, Wales and Austria Football Associations on Monday where they were verbally told that the game will be moved to June.

Scotland's FIFA World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine, scheduled for March 24, has been postponed. FIFA, world football's governing body, had a call with the chief executives of the Scotland, Ukraine, Wales and Austria Football Associations on Monday where they were verbally told that the game will be moved to June. Earlier, Ukriane had asked FIFA to postpone their March 24 World Cup play-off match against Scotland. ALSO READ: FIFA to suspend contracts of foreign players currently tied to Ukrainian, Russian clubs The play-off semi-final was due to be played at Hampden Park on March 24, with the winner going on to face Austria or Wales in Cardiff for a place in this year's World Cup in Qatar. But now the clash has been postponed owing to the ongoing military operation of Ukraine by Russia. Russia was thrown out of the tournament by FIFA as a sanction for their military operation. They had been due to face Poland in their semi-final.World football's governing body had earlier released a joint statement with UEFA on Monday announcing Russia's national teams and its clubs were banned from all competitions. ALSO READ: Premier League: Harry Kane's brace helps Tottenham Hotspur crush Everton 5-0 Earlier, the Russian football federation on Thursday said that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian national teams from international competitions over the country's military operation of Ukraine. The Russian football federation said in a statement it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies to demand that Russian men's and women's national teams be allowed to compete, including in qualifying for this year`s World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA postpone Scotland's World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine amid war crisis

After Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the foreigners to show support for his country and fight side by side with the Ukrainians against the Russian war, a total of 16,000 foreigners have volunteered to fight untethered against the Russian assault.

Ukraine Under Attack: 16,000 foreigners volunteer to fight for Ukraine against Russia

People in Ukraine are unable to flee with their pets amid the Russian invasion, they're finding it difficult to leave their pets behind. Ukrainians are being forced to leave their pets due to conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

The dilemma of pet owners amid Russia invasion

Russia has opened safe corridors for civilians from 5 Ukrainian cities. However, assault on cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, and Mariupol continues. WION's Anas Mallick brings you more insights.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia opens humanitarian corridor for 5 Ukrainian cities

Russia threatened to cut natural gas supplies to Europe via the Nord Stream 1 pipeline as part of its response to sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia threatens to cut gas supplies to Europe via Nord stream 1

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches.

All had come to pray at the tomb of St. Nicholas, revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the former Soviet bloc, in the basilica named for him in the port city of Bari, on Italy’s southern coast. Though more than 1,000 miles from the conflict in Ukraine, and united in their veneration for the saint, the congregation of mostly women in long winter coats made for a strangely out-of-place diorama of all that binds and that is tearing apart their ancestral homelands.

A woman wearing the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine’s flag said she asked the saint for a miracle: to stop Russia’s invasion of her home country. A Belarusian woman nearby defended Russian President Vladimir Putin. So did the Serbian monk assisting the bishop in the prayers. The Russian faithful by the choir refused to assign blame for the war.

“It’s a sin what Putin is doing,” said Lali Bubashvili, 50, a woman from Georgia, a former Soviet republic, who sat on a back pew, recalling Russia’s invasion there. “Years ago, we suffered the war. We know it’s a barbarous thing.”

The relics believed to be of St. Nicholas were brought from present-day Turkey by sailors 1,000 years ago, and his bones have been entombed in Bari ever since. Although the basilica that houses them is Roman Catholic, once a week it invites the Orthodox faithful to hold their own service using the crypt.

The presence of the relics has long made Bari an unusual linchpin in relations between Italy and Russia and between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.

In 2007, Putin himself came to Bari and knelt in front of St. Nicholas’ tomb, just as the faithful did during the prayer for peace. In 2009, Italy returned ownership to Russia of an Orthodox church named after St. Nicholas to fortify ties with Moscow.

Years earlier, Putin donated a statue of the saint that stands in the square in front of the basilica, along with a signed plaque honoring “friendship and cooperation” that is dedicated to “the citizens of Bari.”

But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has now made the ancient crypt, and the city around it, an unexpected satellite for the pain and bitterness of the conflict. On the streets of Bari, the war has caused tensions between Ukrainian and Russian residents and headaches for local politicians.

Local people recently petitioned for the removal of the plaque bearing Putin’s dedication. Although Bari’s mayor, Antonio Decaro, brought yellow and blue flowers last month to the foot of the statue of St. Nicholas in sympathy with Ukraine, he has opposed removing the dedication, saying that to do so would cancel a piece of history.

“They won’t take the Putin sign down,” said Inna Honcharenko, 38, who is from Vinnytsia, near Kyiv, as she directed volunteers collecting donations for Ukraine in another part of town. “There’s too much the hand of Russia here.”

She said the war had exposed ugly tensions among Eastern European neighbors in the city. Russians had walked by the collection center and said the Ukrainian flag hanging out front was good only for cleaning their shoes. She said that vandals had smashed its window and that some Russian friends in Bari had stopped talking to her.

But the outpouring of help from Italians bringing pasta, rice, diapers, baby food, canned beans and much else encouraged her. “From Italy, we are helping our boys who are fighting for our people,” she said by a poster of Putin that read “Killer” with a bloody handprint on his face.

At the Russian Orthodox church with an emerald onion dome, a woman behind the closed gates explained that the church, despite its usual operating hours, was now closed to visitors. “This is Russian Federation territory,” she said.

The church’s priest, Viacheslav Bachin, declined to respond when asked about the war. He has referred to the position of Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has often been aligned with Putin and who has shifted from avoiding casting blame for the war in Ukraine to blaming the West.

In 2017, as a gesture in improving relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, Pope Francis lent Patriarch Kirill some of the relics of St. Nicholas, which left the church for the first time in about 1,000 years. On the day the lent relic — believed to be the left rib closest to the heart of St. Nicholas — arrived in Moscow, Putin kissed the glass case containing it.

Last week in the basilica’s crypt, Bachin swung incense around the tomb, hung with lanterns and icons, and Bishop Gedeon, a prominent Orthodox bishop from Kyiv whose given name is Yuriy Kharon, led the prayer. It seemed to send a message of reconciliation. But the bishop is a member of the Russian Patriarchate’s Orthodox church in Ukraine.

In 2019, amid increased tensions with Russia, Ukraine established its own, autonomous Orthodox Church, altering a centuries-old religious tradition under which the Kyiv church answered to Moscow. That year, Ukraine’s government deported Gedeon and revoked his citizenship for actively supporting Russia’s armed aggression in the country.

Part of Putin’s rationale for the war has been to accuse the Ukrainians, without evidence, of planning the “destruction” of the Moscow Patriarchate’s church in Kyiv. The breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church has vehemently denounced the Russian invasion as fratricide.

“We say peace to all, do not judge one another,” Gedeon, whose Ukrainian citizenship was subsequently restored by a court, said in an appeal at the end of the service. As the faithful trickled out, he said it was critical “not to look for fault” and to pray and push for dialogue.

But some worshippers in the crypt had a clear sense of who was to blame.

Larisa Dimetruk, 62, who is from Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, said she came to beseech St. Nicholas to make the Russians “stop their president.”

“Only the people can stop him,” she said. “We didn’t come here to pray together. We came here for a miracle.”

But some supported Putin. Larysa Makarava, 50, a Belarusian who lives in Bari, said that before the service, she had taken her daughter, who stood by her side, to the eye doctor, who said he thought Putin was crazy. “I told him absolutely no. I opened his eyes,” she said, adding that Putin “is forced to do this. He is not against the people.”

Others simply felt torn and had no interest in talking politics.

“We’ve all run out of tears,” said Olga Sebekina, from St. Petersburg, Russia, who said her grandmother was Ukrainian and that she still had family there. “Which side of my heart should break more?”

Heartbreak was in abundance throughout Bari over the war.

As volunteers in the collection center furiously cut masking tape and sealed care packages, a wail erupted from the back of the room, freezing everyone in place. Tatiana Shyrokykh, 58, sobbed as she looked at her phone and a video sent by a relative showing an attack on Chernihiv in Ukraine’s north.

“My mother’s building,” she said, showing a gaping hole in an apartment building, fire smoldering on streets and ambulances navigating through rubble. The women put their arms around her and consoled her, with tears dampening their own eyes. A Ukrainian teenager in an Italia sweatshirt sat silent at a table, distractedly picking tape off scissors.

After Shyrokykh made some calls home and caught her breath, she said her grown children still lived in Chernihiv, although she had urged them to flee, and that they had taken refuge underground.

Her daughter had instructed her disabled mother to climb into the bathtub and keep her head low, which she said was how she survived when the attack came and blew out the apartment’s glass.

“All of Europe is scared of Putin and don’t want to do anything,” Shyrokykh said, starting to cry again. “He goes against the whole world, like a god.”

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches.

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches. All had come to pray at the tomb of St. Nicholas, revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the former Soviet bloc, in the basilica named for him in the port city of Bari, on Italy’s southern coast. Though more than 1,000 miles from the conflict in Ukraine, and united in their veneration for the saint, the congregation of mostly women in long winter coats made for a strangely out-of-place diorama of all that binds and that is tearing apart their ancestral homelands. A woman wearing the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine’s flag said she asked the saint for a miracle: to stop Russia’s invasion of her home country. A Belarusian woman nearby defended Russian President Vladimir Putin. So did the Serbian monk assisting the bishop in the prayers. The Russian faithful by the choir refused to assign blame for the war. “It’s a sin what Putin is doing,” said Lali Bubashvili, 50, a woman from Georgia, a former Soviet republic, who sat on a back pew, recalling Russia’s invasion there. “Years ago, we suffered the war. We know it’s a barbarous thing.” The relics believed to be of St. Nicholas were brought from present-day Turkey by sailors 1,000 years ago, and his bones have been entombed in Bari ever since. Although the basilica that houses them is Roman Catholic, once a week it invites the Orthodox faithful to hold their own service using the crypt. The presence of the relics has long made Bari an unusual linchpin in relations between Italy and Russia and between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. In 2007, Putin himself came to Bari and knelt in front of St. Nicholas’ tomb, just as the faithful did during the prayer for peace. In 2009, Italy returned ownership to Russia of an Orthodox church named after St. Nicholas to fortify ties with Moscow. Years earlier, Putin donated a statue of the saint that stands in the square in front of the basilica, along with a signed plaque honoring “friendship and cooperation” that is dedicated to “the citizens of Bari.” But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has now made the ancient crypt, and the city around it, an unexpected satellite for the pain and bitterness of the conflict. On the streets of Bari, the war has caused tensions between Ukrainian and Russian residents and headaches for local politicians. Local people recently petitioned for the removal of the plaque bearing Putin’s dedication. Although Bari’s mayor, Antonio Decaro, brought yellow and blue flowers last month to the foot of the statue of St. Nicholas in sympathy with Ukraine, he has opposed removing the dedication, saying that to do so would cancel a piece of history. “They won’t take the Putin sign down,” said Inna Honcharenko, 38, who is from Vinnytsia, near Kyiv, as she directed volunteers collecting donations for Ukraine in another part of town. “There’s too much the hand of Russia here.” She said the war had exposed ugly tensions among Eastern European neighbors in the city. Russians had walked by the collection center and said the Ukrainian flag hanging out front was good only for cleaning their shoes. She said that vandals had smashed its window and that some Russian friends in Bari had stopped talking to her. But the outpouring of help from Italians bringing pasta, rice, diapers, baby food, canned beans and much else encouraged her. “From Italy, we are helping our boys who are fighting for our people,” she said by a poster of Putin that read “Killer” with a bloody handprint on his face. At the Russian Orthodox church with an emerald onion dome, a woman behind the closed gates explained that the church, despite its usual operating hours, was now closed to visitors. “This is Russian Federation territory,” she said. The church’s priest, Viacheslav Bachin, declined to respond when asked about the war. He has referred to the position of Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has often been aligned with Putin and who has shifted from avoiding casting blame for the war in Ukraine to blaming the West. In 2017, as a gesture in improving relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, Pope Francis lent Patriarch Kirill some of the relics of St. Nicholas, which left the church for the first time in about 1,000 years. On the day the lent relic — believed to be the left rib closest to the heart of St. Nicholas — arrived in Moscow, Putin kissed the glass case containing it. Last week in the basilica’s crypt, Bachin swung incense around the tomb, hung with lanterns and icons, and Bishop Gedeon, a prominent Orthodox bishop from Kyiv whose given name is Yuriy Kharon, led the prayer. It seemed to send a message of reconciliation. But the bishop is a member of the Russian Patriarchate’s Orthodox church in Ukraine. In 2019, amid increased tensions with Russia, Ukraine established its own, autonomous Orthodox Church, altering a centuries-old religious tradition under which the Kyiv church answered to Moscow. That year, Ukraine’s government deported Gedeon and revoked his citizenship for actively supporting Russia’s armed aggression in the country. Part of Putin’s rationale for the war has been to accuse the Ukrainians, without evidence, of planning the “destruction” of the Moscow Patriarchate’s church in Kyiv. The breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church has vehemently denounced the Russian invasion as fratricide. “We say peace to all, do not judge one another,” Gedeon, whose Ukrainian citizenship was subsequently restored by a court, said in an appeal at the end of the service. As the faithful trickled out, he said it was critical “not to look for fault” and to pray and push for dialogue. But some worshippers in the crypt had a clear sense of who was to blame. Larisa Dimetruk, 62, who is from Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, said she came to beseech St. Nicholas to make the Russians “stop their president.” “Only the people can stop him,” she said. “We didn’t come here to pray together. We came here for a miracle.” But some supported Putin. Larysa Makarava, 50, a Belarusian who lives in Bari, said that before the service, she had taken her daughter, who stood by her side, to the eye doctor, who said he thought Putin was crazy. “I told him absolutely no. I opened his eyes,” she said, adding that Putin “is forced to do this. He is not against the people.” Others simply felt torn and had no interest in talking politics. “We’ve all run out of tears,” said Olga Sebekina, from St. Petersburg, Russia, who said her grandmother was Ukrainian and that she still had family there. “Which side of my heart should break more?” Heartbreak was in abundance throughout Bari over the war. As volunteers in the collection center furiously cut masking tape and sealed care packages, a wail erupted from the back of the room, freezing everyone in place. Tatiana Shyrokykh, 58, sobbed as she looked at her phone and a video sent by a relative showing an attack on Chernihiv in Ukraine’s north. “My mother’s building,” she said, showing a gaping hole in an apartment building, fire smoldering on streets and ambulances navigating through rubble. The women put their arms around her and consoled her, with tears dampening their own eyes. A Ukrainian teenager in an Italia sweatshirt sat silent at a table, distractedly picking tape off scissors. After Shyrokykh made some calls home and caught her breath, she said her grown children still lived in Chernihiv, although she had urged them to flee, and that they had taken refuge underground. Her daughter had instructed her disabled mother to climb into the bathtub and keep her head low, which she said was how she survived when the attack came and blew out the apartment’s glass. “All of Europe is scared of Putin and don’t want to do anything,” Shyrokykh said, starting to cry again. “He goes against the whole world, like a god.”

Italian city tied to Russia by a revered saint feels the sting of war in Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (March 7) said he will not send conscripts or reservists to fight in Ukraine and that "professional" soldiers fulfilling "fixed objectives" were leading the war.&nbsp;

In a televised address marking International Women's Day on March 8, Putin said, "Conscripted soldiers are not participating and will not participate in the fighting. There will not be additional conscription of reservists either."&nbsp;

Putin added, "The fixed objectives are only carried out by professional servicemen. I am sure they are guaranteeing security and peace for the Russian people in an effective manner."&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-zelensky-slams-russias-cynicism-and-propaganda-posts-video-from-his-office-watch-460068">Ukrainian President Zelensky slams Russia's 'cynicism and propaganda', posts video from his office - Watch</a>

In the latest development, Ukrainians boarded buses to flee the besieged eastern city of Sumy on Tuesday (March 8), the first evacuation from a Ukrainian city through a humanitarian corridor agreed with Russia.&nbsp;

Ukraine said a separate convoy of 30 buses was also headed to Mariupol to evacuate residents from that southern port, which has been encircled without food, water, power or heat and subjected to relentless bombardment for a week.&nbsp;

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-are-czech-hedgehogs-homemade-obstacles-that-can-destroy-russian-tanks-459254">What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks</a>

The United Nations said the number of refugees who have fled Ukraine had surged past two million, describing the flight as one of the fastest exoduses in modern times.&nbsp;

Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a tweet, "We have already started the evacuation of civilians from Sumy to Poltava, including foreign students. We call on Russia to uphold its ceasefire commitment, to refrain from activities that endanger the lives of people and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid."&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Russian invasion fuels refugee crisis: 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine

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Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (March 7) said he will not send conscripts or reservists to fight in Ukraine and that "professional" soldiers fulfilling "fixed objectives" were leading the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday (March 7) said he will not send conscripts or reservists to fight in Ukraine and that "professional" soldiers fulfilling "fixed objectives" were leading the war. In a televised address marking International Women's Day on March 8, Putin said, "Conscripted soldiers are not participating and will not participate in the fighting. There will not be additional conscription of reservists either." Putin added, "The fixed objectives are only carried out by professional servicemen. I am sure they are guaranteeing security and peace for the Russian people in an effective manner." ALSO READ | Ukrainian President Zelensky slams Russia's 'cynicism and propaganda', posts video from his office - Watch In the latest development, Ukrainians boarded buses to flee the besieged eastern city of Sumy on Tuesday (March 8), the first evacuation from a Ukrainian city through a humanitarian corridor agreed with Russia. Ukraine said a separate convoy of 30 buses was also headed to Mariupol to evacuate residents from that southern port, which has been encircled without food, water, power or heat and subjected to relentless bombardment for a week. IN PICS | What are Czech hedgehogs?: Homemade obstacles that can destroy Russian tanks The United Nations said the number of refugees who have fled Ukraine had surged past two million, describing the flight as one of the fastest exoduses in modern times. Ukraine's foreign ministry said in a tweet, "We have already started the evacuation of civilians from Sumy to Poltava, including foreign students. We call on Russia to uphold its ceasefire commitment, to refrain from activities that endanger the lives of people and to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid." WATCH | Russian invasion fuels refugee crisis: 1.7 million people have fled Ukraine ×

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Vladimir Putin says will not use conscript soldiers in Ukraine

Russia has claimed that US is running around 30 biolabs in Ukraine, possibly creating biological weapons. Russian ministry also accused that the United States has spent around $200 million on these biolabs.

Ukraine under attack: Russian military claims US running 30 biolabs in Ukraine

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