The Russian attack on Ukraine continues with undiminished intensity for a third 24 hours, with President Zelensky sending a new dramatic message to the citizens.
Russian forces continue to besiege Kievwhere artillery shells were heard earlier on the outskirts of the capital.
Russian troops have launched a repulsed attack on a Ukrainian military base in Kiev, Reuters reported, citing Interfax.
The Russian military has targeted a power plant in the northeast of the capital, while the Ukrainian army said it shot down a Russian military plane carrying paratroopers.
Shots were also reported near a Kiev metro station
Sirens for air raid on Kharkovsounded a few minutes before 5.30 in the morning.
According to Reuters, satellite images released by the US company Maxar Technologies show the new development of ground forces and about 150 transport helicopters in southern Belarus, about 32 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
The new dramatic message of the Ukrainian president
Late last night, the Ukrainian president and other high-ranking Ukrainian officials said in a videotaped message that they had not left Kiev.
Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of a difficult night, estimating that the Russians will try to occupy Kiev in the next few hours.
Earlier, his spokesman, Alexei Arestovich, said that Kiev was ready to discuss a ceasefire, stressing that this morning he would clarify when and where the talks would take place.
He added that it was still unclear whether the Israeli prime minister would agree to become a mediator.
Washington Post: US ready to oust Zelensky
The United States is ready to help Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky leave Kiev, according to the Washington Post.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials told the paper that the United States wanted to help Zelensky escape capture or assassination by Russian military forces.
NATO is sending aid to Eastern Europe
In the development of significant additional defense forces in the eastern part of the Alliance – probably “a few thousand”, as the secretary general said. Jens Stoltenberg – NATO is moving forward with the activation of the rapid reaction force, which numbers a total of 40,000 men, as broadcast by SKAI’s correspondent in Brussels, Giannis Paleologos. As it is underlined, all the necessary forces will be sent to “ensure the strong and reliable deterrence and defense throughout the territory of the Alliance, now and in the future”. It also notes that the Allies’ commitment to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty (on common defense against external threats) is “unshakable”.
“The people will hold Russia accountable, but also Belarus, for their actions,” the joint statement said. There is also a reference to a “blatant violation” of the principles of the NATO-Russia founding act (a possible prelude to its abolition and restrictions on the development of troops and equipment on the east wing of the Alliance). The attack on Ukraine is described as a “terrible strategic mistake”.
EU sanctions on Putin and Lavrov
The United States has imposed sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, including Secretary of State Sergei Lavrov, Secretary of Defense Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerashio.
“If necessary, we are ready to impose further sanctions on Russia,” said Finance Minister Janet Yellen.
The US Treasury Department will also impose “full foreclosure sanctions” on Russia’s state-owned Direct Investment Fund, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a Twitter post.
Sakharov: There will be no return to Russia-West relations any time soon
Russia-West relations are approaching the point of no return, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement amid a tense climate over the invasion of Ukraine.
Japan is also preparing sanctions
Following the US, Japan is considering – according to Reuters – the imposition of financial sanctions on Belarus, in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. The Japanese Foreign Ministry declined to comment.
Russian veto on Security Council resolution
Russia has vetoed a US-backed Security Council resolution condemning Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The vote was: 11 in favor, one against and three abstentions, including China.
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