Day Twelve of Ukraine Defending Against Russian Invasion (Live Updates)

Brief facts:

Sources:

• Verkhovna Rada: the parliament of Ukraine and its social media (Facebook, Telegram)
• Presidential Office: the Official website of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram), advisers to the Office: Oleksiy Arestovych and Mykhailo Podoliak.
• General Staff: the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• CinC AF of Ukraine: the official Facebook page of General Valerii Zaluzhnyi the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Ukrainian Land Forces: the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (Facebook)
• MIA of Ukraine: the official Facebook of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine; Anton Gerashchenko, the Advisor to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (Facebook, Telegram)
• State Emergency Service (SES): the State Emergency Service of Ukraine on Facebook
• NSDC of Ukraine: the National Security Defense Council of Ukraine website and social media (Facebook, Twitter); Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine (website, Facebook, Telegram)
• Ukraine NOW: ukraine.ua – the official website of Ukraine, administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Ukrainian Institute
• Stratcom Centre: Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security of Ukraine – an establishment under the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine – website and social media (Facebook, Twitter, Telegram)

Latest news:

22:24 MIA of Ukraine: Ukrainian forces destroyed Russian provision convoy in Chernihiv region, Anton Gerashchenko, the Advisor to the MIA reports.

Read more: The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russia’s combat losses in Ukraine exceed 11,000 persons

"Hungry enemy is a weak enemy!" he wrote on Telegram.

21:30 CinC AF of Ukraine: "air defense systems of the Air Force of Ukraine took down a jet of Russian Aerospace Forces above Kyiv at 20:30. At 21:30 in the adjacent areas, the second enemy jet was downed in air combat," General Valerii Zaluzhnyi wrote on Facebook.

21:28 Roman Semenukha, the Deputy head of Kharkiv regional state administration wrote on his Facebook page that the Russian occupants offered him to surrender and start negotiations: "Russians offered me to surrender. They are funny. Victory is near!"

21:10 Verkhovna Rada: Russians hold international students in captivity, said Iryna Vereshchuk, the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine. She stated that Russian occupiers block the evacuation of foreign students. Overall, 2046 international students from 27 countries. All of them are now stuck in Sumy city due to the heavy shelling.



21:00 Ukrainian Land Forces: Recruits from the USA, Great Britain, Sweden, Lithuania, Mexico, and India ar already defending Kyiv. Some of them have already taken up positions on the outskirts of Kyiv.

20:44 NSDC of Ukraine: the Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine informed about the demands of the Russian side during today's negotiations. Christo Grozev, the Executive Director at Bellingcat investigative journalism group named them on Twitter earlier today, on March 7:

• Zelensky remains pro forma president but Russia appoints Boiko as Premier Minister
• Ukraine recognizes L/DNR as independent states and Crimea as part of Russia
• Ukraine abandons its striving for joining NATO.

President Zelenskyy told them emphatically no, the investigator stressed. As he mentioned later, Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov had essentially confirmed this.

20:30 Ukraine NOW: The Committee of Permanent Representatives of the Member States requested the conclusion from the European Commission on Ukraine's readiness for EU membership.

20:20 Ivan Fedorov, the Mayor of Melitopol city: the TV tower, as well as radio broadcast towers in Melitopol (Southern Ukraine), were captured by Russian occupiers.

He also stated that 90 buildings were destroyed in Melitopol region due to the shelling. The fighting for the city still continues

19:58 Presidential Office: the third round of negotiations has ended, said Mykhailo Podoliak, the Adviser to the Head of the Ukrainian Presidential Office and the delegate from the Ukrainian side. He announced the results of the talks on his Twitter page.

"There are small positive subductions in improving the logistics of humanitarian corridors... Intensive consultations have continued on the basic political block of the regulations, along with a ceasefire and security guarantees," the delegate wrote.

Podoliak noted, that there is still no significant improvements towards the ceasefire and reconciliation. The official stressed that the consultations will continue

19:00 General Staff: operational information as of 18:00, 07.03.2022 regarding the Russian invasion. Key points:

The occupiers plan to intensify aviation in order to launch missile and bomb strikes on major cities of Ukraine and industrial infrastructure. To fulfill this goal, the aviation units of the Central and Eastern Military Districts [of Russia] are being transferred to the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

A unit of Kadyrov mercenaries shells civilians in the village of Myla, Kyiv region.

Enemy groups operating in certain areas of Konotop and Okhtyrka lost up to 50% of their personnel. To continue the offensive, they need to regroup and replenish supplies.

The occupiers use the tactics of terror against the civilian population, they shell humanitarian convoys organized by the Ukrainian authorities, organize propaganda convoys, and attempt to legalize their authorities in some occupied territories.

The morale and psychological state of Russian forces remains extremely low and tends to deteriorate. In some areas, the occupiers throw out their own documents and try to return to Russia.

Full report is available on the Facebook page of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

16:34 The Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Russian helicopter shot down over Vyshgorod

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed an enemy helicopter near the city of Vyshhorod, Kyiv Region.

The relevant statement was made by the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook.

“Vyshhorod. Minus one enemy helicopter. Together to victory!” the report states.



15:46 Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak: Russian invaders destroy and damage more than 1,500 residential houses

The Russian military have destroyed and damaged more than 200 schools, 1.5 thousand residential houses, more than 30 hospitals and left 900 settlements without electricity, water and heating services in Ukraine.

The relevant statement was made by Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Mykhailo Podoliak on Twitter.

“Barbarians of the 21st century. Russia damaged/destroyed 202 schools, 34 hospitals, 1500+ residential buildings. 900+ our settlements are completely deprived of light, water, heat. The Russian army doesn’t know how to fight against other armies. But it’s good at killing civilians,” Podoliak wrote.

14:53 Ukrainian Armed Forces regain control of Mykolaiv airport

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have regained control of the airport in Mykolaiv.

Head of the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration Vitaly Kim announced on Telegram, Ukrinform reports.

“The airport is ours! The horde was defeated. Planes cannot fly yet, but nevertheless that is an important thing!” Kim wrote.



14:22 Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine: Russian invaders shell Olvia sea port

The Russian invaders opened fire upon the sea port of Olvia. Casualties have not been reported. The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry wrote on Facebook.

It is noted that the affected area belongs to the Qatari company QTerminals Olvia.

It is noted that since the beginning of the full-scale phase of the war against Ukraine, Russia has also committed a number of aggressive actions against ships in the Black Sea, including foreign merchant ships.

The ministry reminded that since the beginning of a large-scale phase of the war against Ukraine, Russia has also committed a number of aggressive actions against ships in the Black Sea, including foreign merchant vessels.

14:19 The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Invaders focusing efforts on encircling Kyiv and five other cities

As of 12:00 on March 7, the Russian invaders continue the offensive operation against Ukraine, stepping up main efforts on encircling Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Mariupol, and Mykolaiv.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote this on Facebook.

“The twelfth day of the heroic resistance of the Ukrainian people to the Russian military invasion continues. The enemy continues the offensive operation against Ukraine, concentrating its main efforts on the encirclement of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Mariupol, and Mykolaiv. The enemy does not stop trying to reach the administrative borders of Luhansk and Donetsk regions,” the report says.

In the Polissya direction, the Russian occupiers are concentrating main efforts on the encirclement of Kyiv.

In the occupied territories, the enemy immediately tries to establish an administrative-police regime with the help of undisguised terror directed at the local population.

According to the General Staff, the occupiers are preparing to attack Vyshhorod.

Also, the enemy is preparing to resume the offensive in the following directions: on settlements Hostomel, Irpin and Stoyanka.

In the Siversky direction, the enemy focused its efforts on the following areas – Brovary, Semenivka, Mena, Bobrovytsia and Boryspil.

The Russian invaders are trying to provide a tactical advantage in Brovary and Boryspil districts.

In addition, they are trying to prepare for the attack on Sumy.

In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy is trying to continue the offensive in the direction of Dnipro.

The main efforts are focused on the directions of Kaniv, Dnipro and Severodonetsk.

In the Donetsk direction, the enemy continues offensive operations in the directions of the cities of Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia.

14:11 Anadolu Agency: Foreign Ministers of Turkey, Ukraine, Russia to hold trilateral meeting in Antalya.

On Thursday, March 10, a trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of Turkey (Mevlut Cavusoglu), Ukraine (Dmytro Kuleba) and Russia (Sergey Lavrov) will take place in Antalya, Anadolu Agency reports.



"Lavrov and Kuleba will arrive in Antalya. The meeting will take place with my participation. We have made great efforts to organize it," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Anadolu reported on Monday.

The minister said that the meeting will be held within the framework of the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, in which Sergey Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba agreed to participate.

Cavusoglu expressed hope that the upcoming meeting will contribute to peace and stability in the region. The absolute priority is the cessation of hostilities, Cavusoglu said. The Turkish Foreign Minister also said that since the beginning of hostilities, more than 12,000 Turkish citizens have been evacuated from Ukraine.

13:44 An adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President’s Office Mykhailo Podoliak: Third round of Ukraine-Russia talks to begin today at 16:00

The third round of talks between Ukraine and aggressor country Russia will begin today at 16.00 Kyiv time.



Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to the head of the Ukrainian President’s office, announced on Twitter, according to Ukrinform.

“Negotiations with the Russian Federation. Third round. Beginning at 16.00 Kyiv time. Delegation unchanged,” he wrote.

13.33 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: Ukraine calls on UN International Court of Justice to order Russia to end war in Ukraine

Ukraine calls on the UN International Court of Justice to impose precautionary measures and order the Russian Federation to immediately cease hostilities in Ukraine.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine posted the relevant statement on Facebook.

According to the ministry, the hearings under Ukraine’s lawsuit against Russia in genocide case have been commenced at the UN International Court of Justice.

“The Ukrainian delegation appeals to the UN International Court of Justice to impose the following precautionary measures in this case, in order to stop the bloodshed: the Russian Federation must immediately stop the hostilities which have been started on the territory of Ukraine dated February 24, 2022 and make sure immediately that every military and any other armed formations under its authority, supervision or influence stopped to engage the hostilities,” the report says.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba stated that the Ukrainian diplomacy continues to defend not only the freedom and independence of Ukraine, but also the entire international legal order.

“The UN International Court of Justice must stand with Ukraine and immediately impost precautionary measures: order to the Russian Federation to stop hostilities immediately,” Kuleba said.

12:44 Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov: Russian leaders on the path to committing military crimes, crimes against humanity

“Russian leaders have taken the path of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity,” - Oleksiy Danilov has said said on his Telegram channel.

"The Armed Forces of Ukraine, Territorial Defense, the National Guard, the police, the Security Service of Ukraine, intelligence, border guards, the State Emergency Service, our heroic doctors, volunteers and tens of thousands of others involved in the resistance organization have done and are doing everything possible so that we greet this morning and continue our just fight.



Unfortunately, the morning confirmed what the Ukrainians understood from the first days of the war. Russian leaders have deliberately planned the 'scorched earth tactics,' acting with complete disregard for international law. They have embarked on the path of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity," Danilov said.

He recalled that the Russian occupation troops used the Smerch multiple rocket system against civilians in Mykolaiv, and also launched a cruise missile attack on a civilian airfield in Vinnytsa, fired at defenseless people who were evacuated from Bucha and Irpin and bombed the cities of Malin, Ovruch and Korosten.

"And that's just during one day. I am convinced that the upcoming trial of Russian criminals will be indicative both for the whole world and for Russia itself, since the war with Ukraine, among other things, launched the process of eliminating the Putin regime itself," he added.

12:29 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky calls on West to close sky over Ukraine or send weapons and demands tougher international sanctions against Russia

President of Ukraine has called on the countries of the world to close the skies over Ukraine or to provide weapons, thus helping not only Ukraine, but also themselves.

The Ukrainian President said this in his video address.

"How many more deaths and losses are needed to close the skies over Ukraine? How do civilians in Kharkiv or Mykolaiv differ from those in Hamburg or Vienna? We are waiting for a decision on closing the skies or providing the forces you have, or you can send to us combat aircraft and air defense systems, which will give us the strength we need. This is the help that the world must provide not just to Ukraine but also to themselves to prove that humanity will win," Zelensky said.



He reminded that at night the Russian invaders launched air strikes on residential areas in Mykolaiv, shelled peaceful Kharkiv, and fired upon peaceful Ukrainian cities.

In addition, Zelensky reminded that the enemy is holding hostage the residents of Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel and many other towns and cities, villages that the occupier managed to seize. However, this is temporary until they receive punishment, the Head of State stressed.

"And they will get it. Our Armed Forces know what to do. The enemy is tired and demoralized. They came to our land to look for something that we have never had – cowardice and consent to slavery," the president said.

President of Ukraine also has called for the introduction of a new package of sanctions against Russia, a boycott of Russian oil exports and imports to Russia.



"If the invasion continues and Russia does not abandon its plans against Ukraine, then a new sanctions package is needed. New sanctions, new sanctions steps against the war and for the sake of peace. A boycott of Russian exports. In particular, the refusal of oil and oil products from Russia," Zelensky said.

According to him, "this can be called an embargo, or this can be called just morality, when you refuse to give money to a terrorist."

The head of state also stressed the importance of boycotting imports to Russia.

"If they do not want to follow civilized rules, they should not receive goods and services from civilization. Let the war feed them," Zelensky said.

He said he was convinced that the international community must act even more decisively.

"When someone loses their mind, they have to lose their fear and forget about commerce. We need to defend ourselves. Both states and companies must be moral. We must fight against the inhuman force that wants to destroy humanity. The success of the Ukrainian army, the will of the Ukrainian people, the principles of international sanctions - this is the way to peace," Zelensky said.

12:00 Ukraine-Russia talks to start in Belovezhskaya Pushcha Monday afternoon

Negotiations between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations may begin in the next few hours, at 14:00 Kyiv time, but may be postponed "due to issues with the logistics of the Ukrainian delegation." – Ukrinform reports citing Interfax.

At the same time, it is specified that the Russian delegation has already departed to Belarus.

The negotiations will take place in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, where the previous round was held.

11:30 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine: Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed over 11,000 enemy personnel, 290 tanks, 46 aircraft, 68 helicopters

The Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed 11,000 Russian troops, 290 tanks, 46 aircraft and 68 helicopters as of March 7.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported this on Facebook.



"The total approximate combat losses of the enemy between February 24 and March 7: personnel - more than 11,000 people, tanks - 290, armored fighting vehicles - 999, artillery systems - 117, MLRS - 50, air defense systems - 23, aircraft - 46, helicopters - 68, vehicles - 454, ships/boats - 3, fuel tanks - 60, UAVs of the operational and tactical level – 7," the statement said.

The data are currently being specified, because the calculation is complicated by the high intensity of hostilities, the report said.



10:25 Minister of Defense of Ukraine: Oleksiy Reznikov: Russian troops attempting to reconsolidate forces, equip for new wave of attacks

Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov has said Russian troops are trying to concentrate forces and resources for a new wave of attacks.

"Eleven days of heroic resistance have passed. Due to the huge losses suffered by the enemy, the intensity of hostilities has temporarily decreased. However, the Russian occupiers are trying to concentrate forces and resources for a new wave of attacks. First - Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mykolaiv," Reznikov said on Facebook.

The minister noted that the leadership of the state is doing everything possible to provide humanitarian corridors.

"It's not easy. After all, Russian terrorists do not keep their word. There is no pity even for children and women, for the wounded. They fire on residential areas. They shoot at civilians during the evacuation. Even jackals do not behave like that," he said.

Reznikov also said that more than 140,000 Ukrainians, mostly men, had returned from Europe, and tens of thousands had joined the Territorial Defense Forces.

"Of course, there are refugees. But the whole world sees the Ukrainian people fighting for their country," the minister added.

According to him, more than 20,000 foreigner fighters are ready to come to Ukraine and defend the world from the Russian Nazis on the Ukrainian front.

"I will not comment on the supply of weapons and ammunition - this is a sensitive moment. Let the enemy be surprised. Know this: there is significant progress," said Reznikov.

The minister noted that the Ukrainian military in all areas of defense demonstrate high skill, destroying Russian invaders.

"Actions of our artillerymen near Mykolaiv will be the subject of textbooks. As well as counterattacks by the Ukrainian defenders in Kharkiv and Luhansk region," he said.

He said that Ukraine is working to obtain assistance in the field of air defense and anti-missile defense from partners.

"War is a grief that Russia has brought to us. It has brought to the homes of the whole world. We lose our people every day. We remember everyone and take revenge on everyone. Our greatest advantage over the enemy is the cohesion of Ukrainian society. Russia does not understand what it is self-organization and what is genuine trust between the government and the citizens. They have been destroying the freedom and dignity of people for decades to get a remorseless population. There are more of them, that's right. They predominate at sea and in the air. For now, that is," he said.

09:26 British intelligence: Russian troops have minimum gains on ground over

According to British intelligence, over the weekend, Russian troops made minimal progress on the ground and failed to achieve their goals.

This was reported by the British Ministry of Defense on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.



"Russian forces probably made minimum ground advances over the weekend. It is highly unlikely that Russia has successfully achieved its planned objectives to date," the statement said.

It is also noted that over the past 24 hours, a high level of Russian air and artillery strikes have continued to hit military and civilian sites in Ukrainian cities. Recent strikes have targeted Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Chernihiv, and been particularly heavy in Mariupol.

08:24 Special Communications Service citing General Staff: Chuhuiv city in Kharkiv region was liberated from Russian occupiers.

The commander for the 61st Separate Marines Brigade of Russian Armed Forces lieutenant colonel Dmitrii Safronov and the vice-commander for the 11th Separate Brigade of Airborne Assault Troops of Russian Armed Forces lieutenant colonel Denis Glebov were eliminated.

08:08 State Emergency Service: over the last 24 hours conducted shellings and air bombarding of residential areas and facilities in Kharkiv and settlements in the region. As a result of massive shelling at 19:45 high-rise residential buildings, as well as administrative, medical, and educational facilities were completely or partly destroyed. Large-scale fires started in 21 buildings in the center of Kharkiv city. The State emergency service had 60 departures over the 24 hours. 200 people were rescued and evacuated, 8 people were found dead.

07:25 Ukraine NOW: Mykolaiv city was shelled by Russian MLRS. According to the preliminary data, it was an attack with "Smerch" multiple rocket launchers.

Stratcom Centre citing SES: the shelling on the early morning of March 7 resulted in fires across Mykolaiv. No data regarding casualties. Regional utility company reports, that some areas of the city are cut off heat supply. 4 boiler houses maintaining 100 buildings have temporarily stopped working.





07:12 General Staff: Operational information on 06.00, 07.03.2022 regarding the Russian invasion (key points)

Acting insidiously, the occupiers violate the rules of international humanitarian law, shell civilians, "green corridors", take hostage women and children, place their equipment and ammunition in residential areas of cities, artificially create a humanitarian crisis in the occupied settlements. For instance, the city of Irpin remains deprived of light, water, and heat for more than three days, there is no supply of food and water, the occupiers forbade citizens to leave their homes.

There are numerous cases of staging reports for Russian TV channels purposed to show the humanity of the invaders' soldiers. Also, on social networks, the enemy continues to distribute the first-person content, which puts the activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in a negative light.

6:59 Radio Liberty media: the United States together with European allies are considering a decision to put an embargo on Russian oil import. US State Secretary Antony Blinken said on Sunday, March 6. The White House coordinates actions with key Congress committees, that are working on their own solutions regarding an oil embargo on Russia.

06:30 Special Communications Service: Russian invaders shelled Mykolaiv city with multiple rocket launchers

06:14 CNN: South Korea will suspend transactions with Russia's central bank, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday. Earlier, South Korea had banned financial transactions with seven major Russian banks and blocked Russian banks from the SWIFT global payments system.

Also, South Korea banned its nationals from traveling to areas in Russia and Belarus and raised the travel alert for these areas to its highest level, Level 4 on Sunday.

Japan raised the travel alert for Russia, too. But this time around the ministry raised its risk warning for Russia to Level 3 out of four levels. Japan's Foreign Ministry urged that Japanese nationals should "consider leaving the country by commercial flights, keeping in mind that ways to leave the country will be further restricted in the future." The areas in Russia bordering with Ukraine have been on the highest 4th level alert specifically since last week.

05:59 Verkhovna Rada citing Reuters: Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen informed that Denmark would work towards becoming independent from Russian gas. It will also increase its defense spendings.

05:46 Fox News media: Ukraine suggests there are other ways to increase capabilities of air defense, not only the No-Fly Zone. This was mentioned in the interview David Arakhamia, the Chief Ukrainian negotiator and leader of President Zelenskyy’s party in the parliament gave to Fox News.

"It could be done in different ways – not only by providing the guarantees that NATO is afraid of, but also by providing Ukraine with air defense weapons, so that we can defend ourselves. We don't need NATO planes, give us air defense rockets and we will do the job ourselves," Arakhamia said.

04:49 General Staff: Operational information on 24:00, 06.03.2022 regarding the Russian invasion

The enemy continues the offensive operation against Ukraine, focusing on the encirclement of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Mykolayiv, reaching the administrative borders in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, creating a land corridor with the temporarily occupied territories of Crimea in the direction of Mariupol – Novoazovsk.

The invaders did not achieve the ultimate goal after eleven days of occupation.

The enemy group began to accumulate resources for the storming of Kyiv.

At the same time, the occupiers did not stop trying to prepare for the offensive in the Polissya, Siversky, Donetsk, and Tavriya directions.

Polissya direction: the enemy is trying to establish full control over the cities of Bucha and Irpin and get closer to the capital of Ukraine. In the area of the city of Irpin, the enemy is accumulating tanks and motorized infantry units. From the territory of the Republic of Belarus through the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone the supply of fuel and other material means for the occupying forces continues.

Northern direction: the occupiers are trying to provide a tactical advantage to reach the eastern outskirts of Kyiv through Brovarsky and Boryspil districts, as well as to establish control over the cities of Chernihiv and Sumy. The Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted fire damage on the places of accumulation of the enemy's weapons in the areas of Nova Basan and Skripali. The enemy suffered significant losses, redeployed additional forces to replenish manpower and equipment.

Tavriya direction: the occupiers are conducting an offensive with forces of up to three BTGs (battalion tactical groups) in the direction of Zaporizhia city. The enemy managed to restore the movement of trains on the Antonov railway bridge across the Dnieper.

Northeastern direction: the advance of enemy units along the Ingul river continues. BTGr forced the river and occupied Kashpero-Nikolaevka settlement.

The Defense Forces continues to conduct a defense operation in the South, East and North. In the course of hostilities, the city of Chuhuiv was liberated. The occupiers suffered heavy losses in personnel and equipment. Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Safronov, Commander of the 61st Separate Marine Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, and Lieutenant Colonel Denis Glebov, Deputy Commander of the 11th Separate Airborne Assault Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces, were killed.

04:27 The Wall Street Journal media: Moscow is recruiting Syrians skilled in urban combat to fight in Ukraine, according to U.S. officials. An American assessment indicates that Russia has in recent days been recruiting fighters from there, hoping their expertise in urban combat can help take Kyiv and deal a devastating blow to the Ukrainian government, according to four American officials. It is unclear how many fighters have been identified, but some are already in Russia preparing to enter the conflict.

04:18 BBC media: Pentagon official shared US intelligence assessment regarding Russian invasion of Ukraine under the condition of anonymity:

• the Pentagon believes that approximately 95% of the Russian forces it had amassed near Ukraine’s border have now been committed to the offensive and deployed into Ukraine;
• the airspace over Ukraine remains contested despite aircraft losses on both sides;
• the US does not believe that a Russian amphibious operation aimed at taking the Black Sea city of Odesa is imminent, despite President Zelenskyy's warning that Russians were preparing to bombard Odesa

03:40 NSDC of Ukraine: the Center for Countering Disinformation at the NSDC of Ukraine shared a map illustrating the scale of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Center stressed:

"The occupiers do not control territories – they temporarily control the roads and some settlements."

The map is provided by Nathan Ruser of ASPI Cyber Policy, it represents the most relevant and correct information without manipulations regarding territories.



03:26 Ukraine NOW: Odesa region was attacked from the sea near Tuzly municipality, about 80 km to the southwest of Odesa. Speaker to the operational staff of the Odesa region administration Serhii Bratchuk said:

"Critical infrastructure facilities were struck. As we know, for now, there are no casualties."

03:13 President Zelenskyy awarded six cities an honorary award "Hero City" due to their heroic defense against the Russian invasion. These cities are Volnovakha, Hostomel, Mariupol, Kharkiv, Kherson, Chernihiv.

"Back in time, the "Hero City" honorary award was gained for heroic defense against Nazis. Now, for defense against Russia," Stratcom Centre noted.

03:06 OSCE: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission premises in Mariupol were damaged due to shelling. The evacuation of all Mission members is nearly complete. The last remaining group – the Chief Monitor and senior management team – will now leave Ukraine. "<...> relocation of those formerly stationed in Mariupol is still pending due to security concerns".

02:34 UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency: 1.5 million people have left Ukraine, creating the fastest-growing refugee crisis since World War II.

"More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed into neighboring countries in 10 days – the fastest growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War II," said Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner for UNHCR.

02:25 Anton Gerashchenko, the Advisor to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine: Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga said that Vladimir Zelenskyy is ready for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin

Reuters: earlier Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkish counterpart urged to end the conflict with diplomatic means. The Kremlin said Putin told Erdogan that Russia would only halt its military operation if Ukraine stopped fighting and if Moscow's demands were met, adding the "operation" was going to plan.

Turkey has said it wants to bring together foreign ministers from Ukraine and Russia for talks at a diplomacy forum next week (around March 11–13) in southern Turkey. Both countries have welcomed the offer, but Ankara says it is unclear whether they will be able to attend.



01:50 MIA via Verkhovna Rada: the family of four was killed during the evacuation from Irpin. During the evacuation in Irpin, Kyiv region, Russian troops opened fire on civilians. The family of two adults and two children died – the mayor of Irpin Oleksandr Markushin said.

In the statement, he said that the overall number of victims is approximately 8 people. The mayor also denied the information that Irpin is completely occupied: "Irpin is at war, part of the city is really captured, but part – is fighting and not surrendering position."

Despite the shelling, the police and military took 200 civilians out of the combat zone, including 50 children and one wounded, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said.

Background:

February, 24 – Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a "special military operation" against Ukraine, Reuters report. A number of cities of Ukraine suffered a missile attack. Missiles hit several military facilities in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro cities. "Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression," wrote Ukrainian MoF Dmytro Kuleba on Twitter.

"Today, on 24 of February, at 5.00 AM the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched an intensive shelling of our units on east, delivered missile/bomb strikes on airfields in Boryspil, Ozerne, Kulbakino, Chuhuiv, Kramatorsk, Chornobaivka, as well as on military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine wrote on Facebook: "At the same time the aggressor started artillery shelling of the areas and settlements along the state border and administrative boundary with the temporarily occupied territory of Crimea."

National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, headed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, imposed martial law across the country, the decision was approved by the Ukrainian government during an emergency session.

Earlier Putin recognized the Russia-backed regions of Eastern Ukraine as "independent" entities, the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics. The executive order on the recognition of those illegal formations included a point on military cooperation and "peacekeeping" functions of the Russian Army in those regions. The next day Putin ordered his military to enter Donbas and asked the government for permission to use Russian Forces outside the country – and received it shortly after.

Since the very first day of the invasion, Russia has been struggling to achieve any significant success. Ukrainian Army effectively repels attacks on the land, but Russia has an advantage in the sky. Because of that one of the acute issues is to make NATO shelter the Ukrainian sky from Russian missiles and aircraft.

The Presidential Office of Ukraine said, that Vladimir Putin's plan to quickly take control over the key objectives and take down the Ukrainian government is ruined. Ukrainian officials suggest that Kyiv, the capital, is the primary aim of the Russian invasion. It is being shelled daily.

Ukraine united and swiftly established defense. Thousands of people voluntarily joined Territorial Defense, servicemen were mobilized across the country. Curfew was imposed. National Police along with Territorial Defense hunt for Russian saboteur-reconnaissance groups.

Russia uses terroristic methods, targeting civilians and shelling non-military facilities of ecological significance. The aggressor has already caused an ecological disaster – a major oil processing and storage facility was hit by a Russian missile. The radioactive background is heightened due to Russian activities in Chornobyl. Later Russian troops capture the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant.

Fightings in Hostomel, where a strategically significant Antonov Airport is situated, were one of the toughest of the first days. Over 60 Russian helicopters and other aircraft were engaged in the attack, but Ukrainian Army managed to regain control of the area.

Due to the lack of concrete successes, Russian started on fourth and next days attacks on civilians. Kharkiv and Chernihiv were shelled by BM-21 "Grad" multiple rocket launchers. On March 1, the sixth day, a cruise missile hit the central square in Kharkiv. As a result, at least ten people were killed, more than 20 were injured. State Emergency Service is continuing to rescue people from the rubble. Kyiv TV Tower, a civilian object for broadcast was hit by a missile. Five people were killed, five Tower personnel were injured. A few hours before that happened, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense warned that Russia was preparing an info&psycho attack, and for that, they would try to cut off the information network.

The war crimes of Russia will be investigated by the International Criminal Court in Hague. The ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, has personally launched an investigation into the Situation in Ukraine.

Many Russian occupiers surrender, unwilling to fight. They claim to have been deceived by Russian authorities – they were had been deployed under the pretext of military drills but then forced to participate in war. The whole reconnaissance platoon of the Russian 34th Motorized Rifle Brigade surrendered to Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The whole world condemns Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions. 38 countries closed their skies to Russian aircraft. Even Switzerland deviated from its traditional neutrality to impose European sanctions on Russia.

The European Commission of the European Union has approved cutting off Russian banks from SWIFT – the global provider of secure financial messaging services. Private companies also show their support: SpaceX, Google, Meta, and many other giants have expressed their support and offered their help.

The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a proposal of negotiations. The first round of them resulted in no decisions yet. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian President has signed the Ukrainian Government's application for the membership of Ukraine in the European Union and urges for the special procedure of accepting Ukraine to the EU.

The next day the European Parliament held an extraordinary plenary session in Brussels to assess Russia’s military assault on Ukraine. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy held a speech, greeted with standing applause. After a vote by the EU Parliament Ukraine got a recommendation on being granted a candidate status for EU membership.

Numerous protests have happened across the world, and even more to happen. Even in the cities in the Russian blockade, Ukrainian citizens rally against occupiers. Russian troops shoot into the air and even on civilians, but rebels continue to force them away, even without weapons. Kherson, Mariupol, and many other cities rise against aggressors despite humanitarian catastrophes – power and water supply were cut off, there is a lack of food, many residential houses were damaged, impossible to live in. Ukraine is trying to establish humanitarian corridors to evacuate citizens but Russian forces repeatedly violate the ceasefire.

On Friday, March 4 Ukraine's president condemned NATO leaders over their refusal to implement a no-fly zone around the country. In a fiery speech, Volodymyr Zelensky said the West's reluctance to intervene had given Russia "a green light" to continue bombarding towns and villages. In his speech from Kyiv, Mr Zelensky said he disagreed that direct action could "provoke Russia's direct aggression against NATO".

Read more: Russian Invasion: Day Eleven (Live Updates)