Russia- Ukraine war Highlights: Zelenskyy urges Australia to send more military aid

Russian Ukraine war Highlights: The war in Ukraine has entered the fifth week and Russia is bombarding cities where it pledged to scale back military operations.

A Ukrainian service member drives a captured Russian T-72 tank, as Russia's attack continues, in the recently liberated village of Lukianivka, in Kyiv region. (Reuters Photo)

The Ukrainian military is preparing for a new Russian offensive in the eastern region of the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday as the war in his country entered the fifth week. In a video address, Zelensky mentioned that Russian troop movements were away from Kyiv and Chernihiv and said that was not a withdrawal but rather "the consequence of our defenders' work." ...Read More

 

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• Mar 31, 2022 09:53 pm IST

  Russian forces leaving Chernobyl after radiation exposure

  Russian troops began leaving the Chernobyl nuclear plant after soldiers got “significant doses" of radiation from digging trenches at the highly contaminated site, Ukraine’s state power company said Thursday as heavy fighting raged on the outskirts of Kyiv and other fronts.

• Mar 31, 2022 09:18 pm IST

  Biden orders unprecedented use of oil stockpile to combat US fuel prices

  President Joe Biden will announce Thursday a record release from US strategic oil reserves in an attempt to curb a politically damaging surge in domestic fuel prices following Russia's attack on Ukraine, the White House said.

Mar 31, 2022 08:25 pm IST
Over 40 Indians still left in war-torn nation, Union minister tells Rajya Sabha
As many as 22,500 nationals have returned to India from Ukraine since February and around 40-50 Indians are still in the war-torn country, of which only a few are willing to return, Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Mar 31, 2022 08:04 pm IST
Ukraine refugees encouraged to find jobs as war exodus slows
As the number of people fleeing Ukraine slows, authorities in Poland and other neighboring nations are encouraging refugees from the war to find jobs, especially in health care and education.
Mar 31, 2022 06:17 pm IST
Russian forces strike military base in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
Russian forces on Thursday attacked a Ukrainian military base in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, ANI reported. 
Mar 31, 2022 06:07 pm IST
Russian troops not withdrawing but regrouping in Ukraine, NATO says
Russian forces in Ukraine are not withdrawing but regrouping, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday, commenting on Moscow's announcements about a scaling down of military operations around Kyiv, reported Reuters. Read more 
Mar 31, 2022 05:37 pm IST
Putin said not right time for Ukraine ceasefire- Draghi
Russian President Vladimir Putin told Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi that conditions were not yet in place for a ceasefire in Ukraine, Draghi told a news conference on Thursday when asked about a telephone call with Putin the previous day, reported Reuters.
Mar 31, 2022 04:44 pm IST
Two killed after rockets hit military unit and fuel depot, says Governor of Ukraine's Dnipro region
Two killed after rockets hit military unit and fuel depot, says Governor of Ukraine's Dnipro region.
Mar 31, 2022 03:55 pm IST
UK sanctions Russian 'propagandists and state media'
The UK announced Thursday new sanctions against "Russian propagandists and state media", targeting the Kremlin-funded owners of two television stations and a well-known presenter, over the invasion of Ukraine, reported AFP.
Mar 31, 2022 03:24 pm IST
Zelenskyy urges Dutch parliament to stop all trade with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked the Dutch parliament on Thursday for weapons, reconstruction aid and a halt to all business with Russia in response to the invasion of his country, Reuters reported.
Mar 31, 2022 02:48 pm IST
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says others may be emboldened if Russia not punished
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told Australia's parliament on Thursday that Russia must be held accountable for past wrongs, warning that a failure to punish Moscow may encourage other countries to wage war against their neighbours, reported Reuters.
Mar 31, 2022 01:56 pm IST
Zelenskyy urges Australia to send more military aid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday urged the Australian government to send more military aid to his country. 
On Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced an additional A$25 million in military support for Ukraine.
Mar 31, 2022 01:41 pm IST
Roman Abramovich sincerely working to end war, says Turkey
Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday that Russian oligarch and businessman Roman Abramovich is "sincerely" working to end the war. 
He has been liaising between Kyiv and Moscow since the invasion began on Feb. 24, Cavusoglu said. 
Mar 31, 2022 12:52 pm IST
Turkey says Russia, Ukraine foreign ministers meet in 2 weeks
The Turkish government said on Thursday that foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine could meet in two weeks. 
Mar 31, 2022 12:26 pm IST
Kyiv sends 45 buses for Mariupol evacuation
Kyiv has sent a total of 45 buses on Thursday to evacuate civilians from Mariupol, which has been worst hit by the Russian invasion. 
 
Mar 31, 2022 12:04 pm IST
You haven't done enough: Zelensky recalls Ukraine ambassadors to Georgia, Morocco
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled the country's ambassadors to Gerogia and Morocco for not doing enough to persuade the two countries to punish Russia for the invasion.
“With all due respect, if there won’t be weapons, won’t be sanctions, won’t be restrictions for Russian business, then please look for other work,” Zelensky said. 
“I am waiting for concrete results in the coming days from the work of our representatives in Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Africa,” he added. 
Mar 31, 2022 11:38 am IST
War poses awkward questions for China, says Singapore
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said  that the war in Ukraine raised awkward questions for China as it violated Beijing's closely-held principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and non-interference.
“I think it presents them (China) with awkward questions because on Ukraine, it violates the principles which the Chinese hold very dearly – territorial integrity, and sovereignty and non-interference,” Lee said during an event organized by the Washington-based Council on Foreign Relations on Wednesday.
Mar 31, 2022 11:17 am IST
Peace talks with Moscow may resume on Friday, says Kyiv
The Ukrainian government said on Thursday that talks with Russia may resume on Friday. However, there was no immediate confirmation from Moscow. 
Mar 31, 2022 10:42 am IST
Taiwan sets up working group to study Ukraine war
The Taiwanese defence ministry has set up a working group to study the ongoing war in Ukraine. The formation of the group comes amid government fearing an invasion from China. 
Mar 31, 2022 10:07 am IST
Putin's war a strategic blunder, says White House
The White House said on Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine is a strategic blunder which has increasingly isolated the country on the global stage. 
“We believe that Putin is being misinformed by his advisors about how badly the Russian military is performing and how the Russian economy is being crippled by sanctions because his senior advisors are too afraid to tell him the truth,” White House Press Secretary Kate Bedingfield said.
Mar 31, 2022 09:41 am IST
Ukraine's defence at turning point against Russian invasion, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that his country's defence against the intensifying Russian invasion is at a 'turning point' and further pressed the United States for more help. 
Mar 31, 2022 09:07 am IST
Russia starting to reposition under 20% of forces around Kyiv, says Pentagon
The Pentagon said on Wednesday Russia started to reposition 20% of its forces around Kyiv, hours after Ukraine's capital city was bombarded. "They are leaving Kyiv and heading more towards the north, away from the city," Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said. 
Mar 31, 2022 08:44 am IST
Nothing promising from peace talks with Ukraine: Kremlin
The Kremlin has downplayed prospects of breakthrough in the ongoing peace talks with Ukraine. "We cannot state that there was anything too promising or any breakthroughs," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, adding a lot of work has to be done. 
Mar 31, 2022 08:09 am IST
Ukrainian military recaptures key road outside Kharkiv
Mar 31, 2022 07:28 am IST
Over 100,000 people trapped in Chernihiv, says mayor
The mayor of Chernihiv said on Thursday that more than 100,000 people are trapped in the city, which has been hit by fresh Russian bombardments. 
Mar 31, 2022 06:48 am IST
EAM Jaishankar speaks to US state secy Blinken
External affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Thursday spoke to the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the Ukraine situation. 
"Just completed a useful conversation with @SecBlinken. Reviewed the progress on our bilateral cooperation. Discussed developments pertaining to the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine and the global economy," Jaishankar tweeted. 
Mar 31, 2022 06:39 am IST
Local ceasefire in Ukraine's Mariupol today
Russia has announced a local ceasefire in Ukraine's besieged port city of Mariupol on Thursday to evacuate civilians.
Mar 31, 2022 06:36 am IST
Vladimir Putin speaks to German chancellor Olaf Scholz over Ukraine war
Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke to German chancellor Olaf Scholz over the ongoing war in Ukraine and gas payment issues.