Russia could use bio-chemical weapons on Ukraine: NATO

Russian forces have almost suffered thousands of casualties during their invasion of Ukraine, says UK ministry of Defence. Russia is likely now looking to mobilise its reservist and conscript manpower, as well as private military companies and foreign mercenaries, to replace these considerable losses. It is unclear how these groups will integrate into the Russian ground forces in Ukraine and the impact this will have on combat effectiveness.

President Biden and world leaders convene first of trio of emergency summits in Brussels focusing on Russia’s month-long war in Ukraine, AP reports

China on Thursday accused the NATO chief of "spreading disinformation" with claims that China has backed Russia's war against Ukraine, amid growing international pressure to distance itself from Moscow, reports Reuters

Over half of Ukraine's children displaced after month of war, reports AFP citing United Nations

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweets statement of Olena Zelenska,"I want to bow to all of you - whether you are currently carrying a weapon or a child. Because you are the ones saving Ukraine and the whole World: this war is on the edge of Europe."

Four people have been killed by Russian shelling in Luhansk, Kyiv Independent reported. According to the local governor Serhiy Haidai, Russian forces attacked towns in Luhansk Oblast with missiles and phosphorus bombs that are banned to use against civilians by the Geneva Conventions.

“If any EU country bows to Putin’s humiliating demands to pay for oil and gas in rubles, it will be like helping Ukraine with one hand and helping Russians kill Ukrainians with the other. I urge relevant countries to make a wise and responsible choice,” Ukraine's Foreign Minister wrote on Twitter.

87 residential buildings damaged in Kyiv since Feb 24. As per Kyiv City State Admin, Russian attacks have also damaged 10 private houses, 12 schools, & 6 kindergartens in the Ukrainian capital since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, The Kyiv Independent reported.

Ukraine’s navy on Thursday reported destroying Russia’s large landing ship, Orsk, near the port city of Berdyansk, AP reported.

A short Facebook statement about the ship was accompanied with photos and videos of fire and thick plumes of smoke in the port.

The Russian military has not commented on what happened to the ship.

Berdyansk has been under Russian control since Feb 27.

Russia’s highly regarded central bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina sought to resign after Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, only to be told by the president to stay, Bloomberg reported citing four people with knowledge of the discussions. Read more

Alphabet Inc's Google confirmed on Tuesday that it had removed Russian state-funded publishers such as RT from its news-related features, including the Google News search tool, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and various sanctions against Russia.

Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor restricted Google News on Wednesday for providing reader access to stories that contain “false publicly important information” about the war in Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the war last month, Russia has shut down TV Rain independent channel and Ekho Moskvy radio and restricted access to other news websites, as well as banning access to Facebook and Instagram, in a sweeping curb on the remaining sources of independent information.

Ukrainian Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Ruslan Strelets said that that more than 30 fires have been recorded in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone over the past two weeks, The Kyiv Independent reported.

“Most fires in Chornobyl Exclusion Zone contained,” he added.

The Japanese government is considering extending additional humanitarian aid of $100 million to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, on top of the $100 million in assistance Japan has already announced, public broadcaster NHK said on Thursday.

Russia's foreign ministry says it is expelling US diplomats in retaliation for Washington's step to remove 12 of Moscow's representatives at the United Nations in New York.

"The US side has been given firm notice that any hostile action by the United States against Russia will be met with a resolute and appropriate response," the ministry says in a statement. Read more

Oil extended gains as investors weighed threats to supplies from the war in Ukraine, with President Joe Biden set to address the crisis on a trip to Brussels that may see more sanctions on Russia, Bloomberg reported.

Global benchmark Brent advanced above $123 a barrel, after rallying more than 5% on Wednesday as U.S. stockpiles dropped and a Black Sea export terminal halted loadings following bad weather. The White House and European Union are close to a deal aimed at slashing the region’s dependence on Russian energy, although that drive may focus primarily on flows of natural gas.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ against Ukraine in a televised address. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine with the aim of ‘demilitarisation and denazification’ in the early hours of February 24, sparking the biggest war on a European state since World War II. Here are the top 10 latest developments as war completes one month

"From March 24, come with Ukrainian symbols to support Ukraine, to support freedom & life, come to your squares, to your streets, make yourselves visible & heard," Zelenskyy said in a video address.

Britain will provide Ukraine with about 6,000 new defensive missiles and almost 30 million pounds ($40 million) to support the fight against Russian aggression. "The United Kingdom will work with our allies to step up military and economic support to Ukraine, strengthening their defences as they turn the tide in this fight," Johnson said. Read more

US President Joe Biden arrived in Brussels for a series of summit meetings on the war while NATO's chief said the alliance was bolstering battle groups in Eastern Europe.