3 years ago
Kyiv:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged the United Nations to "act immediately" or "dissolve yourself altogether" during a blistering address in which he showed a harrowing video of dead bodies -- including children -- he said were victims of Russian atrocities.
Likening Russia's actions in Ukrainian cities such as Bucha to violence carried out by "terrorists" such as the Islamic State group, Zelensky called on the 15-member council -- which aims to ensure international peace and security -- to expel Russia "so it cannot block decisions about its own aggression, its own war."
Russia, as one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, has a veto, which it has repeatedly wielded to block resolutions and negotiations on the global stage.
"If there is no alternative and no option, then the next option would be dissolve yourself altogether," Zelensky continued.
The United Nations could be "simply closed," he said. "Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to close the UN? And the time of international law is gone? If your answer is no, then you need to act immediately."
Bearded and dressed in his now trademark military green T-shirt, Zelensky gave a chilling rendition of the atrocities he said were carried out by Russian troops against civilians in Bucha, a town outside the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, and aired the graphic video showing dead bodies, including several children.
"They were killed in their apartments, houses, blowing up grenades, civilians were crushed by tanks while sitting in their cars in the middle of the road, just for their pleasure. They cut off limbs... slashed their throats," he said.
"Women were raped and killed in front of their children, their tongues were pulled out only because the aggressors did not hear what they wanted to hear from them.
"So this is no different from other terrorists such as Daesh who occupied some territory, and here it is done by a member of the United Nations Security Council," he said, using another acronym for the Islamic State group.
"Accountability must be inevitable," he said, adding that "hundreds of thousands" of Ukrainians had also been deported to Russia.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting by warning of the global fallout from the conflict, with soaring food, energy and fertilizer prices affecting up to 1.2 billion people in 74 countries.
Here are the Highlights on the Russia-Ukraine War:
Zelensky demands 'accountability' for Russia 'crimes'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded "accountability" at the UN Security Council on Tuesday for Russian "crimes" carried out during Moscow's invasion of his country.
People "were killed in their apartments, houses... civilians were crushed by tanks while sitting in their cars in the middle of the road, just for their pleasure," Zelensky told the Council, including Moscow's envoy, describing alleged atrocities in Ukraine's Bucha.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded "accountability" at the UN Security Council on Tuesday for Russian "crimes" carried out during Moscow's invasion of his country.
People "were killed in their apartments, houses... civilians were crushed by tanks while sitting in their cars in the middle of the road, just for their pleasure," Zelensky told the Council, including Moscow's envoy, describing alleged atrocities in Ukraine's Bucha.
Ukraine says people can still only flee Mariupol by car or on foot
People are still only able to flee the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol on foot or by private car as efforts to organise mass evacuations by bus to safer parts of Ukraine have failed, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.
Efforts to evacuate civilians - some with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - have repeatedly broken down, with both sides blaming each other.
People are still only able to flee the besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol on foot or by private car as efforts to organise mass evacuations by bus to safer parts of Ukraine have failed, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk said.
Efforts to evacuate civilians - some with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - have repeatedly broken down, with both sides blaming each other.
Russia's Lavrov says Bucha claims aim to 'torpedo' Ukraine talks
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday said the discovery of bodies in the Ukrainian town of Bucha was a "provocation" aimed at scuppering talks between Moscow and Kyiv.
"A question arises: What purpose does this blatantly untruthful provocation serve? We are led to believe it is to find a pretext to torpedo the ongoing negotiations," Lavrov said in a video message broadcast on Russian television.
US to ban 'all new investment' in Russia on Wednesday: source
The United States, in coordination with the G7 and European Union, will ban "all" new investments in Russia on Wednesday in its latest round of sanctions, a source said.
The joint measures, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and alleged carrying out of atrocities, "will include a ban on all new investment in Russia, increased sanctions on financial institutions and state owned enterprises in Russia, and sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members," the source familiar with the sanctions told AFP Tuesday.
The United States, in coordination with the G7 and European Union, will ban "all" new investments in Russia on Wednesday in its latest round of sanctions, a source said.
The joint measures, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and alleged carrying out of atrocities, "will include a ban on all new investment in Russia, increased sanctions on financial institutions and state owned enterprises in Russia, and sanctions on Russian government officials and their family members," the source familiar with the sanctions told AFP Tuesday.
Invoking Guernica bombing, Ukraine's Zelenskiy urges Spain to force Russia out
Likening the Russian bombing of his country to the bloody air raid on the Spanish town of Guernica by Nazi Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Spain's parliament on Tuesday the West must do more to force Moscow to abandon its invasion.
Shortly after addressing the United Nations Security Council, Zelenskiy told Spanish lawmakers to contemplate the current situation where hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are living in fear without water, food or medicine, and he called on Spanish companies still operating in Russia to leave.
Ukraine Civilian Killings Disturbing, Need Independent Probe: India At UN
India today expressed concern at the reports of civilian killings in Ukraine's Bucha and supported the call for an independent investigation. In the strongest statement in the UN Security Council so far, India's ambassador TS Tirumurti said, "The recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha deeply disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these killings and support call for an independent investigation". India also reiterated its call for immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities.
India today expressed concern at the reports of civilian killings in Ukraine's Bucha and supported the call for an independent investigation. In the strongest statement in the UN Security Council so far, India's ambassador TS Tirumurti said, "The recent reports of civilian killings in Bucha deeply disturbing. We unequivocally condemn these killings and support call for an independent investigation". India also reiterated its call for immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities.
US To Send Drones With Anti-Armor Warhead To Ukraine: Pentagon Chief
The United States will send a variant of the Switchblade drone that has an anti-armor warhead to Ukraine as quickly as possible, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.
"The Switchblade 600 and 300 will move as quickly as they possibly can," Austin said during a House Armed Services Committee hearing.
The 600 variant has the anti-armor warhead and can loiter over a target for more than 40 minutes, according to AeroVironment, which makes the drones.
Zelensky says Ukraine situation like razing of Guernica
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday compared Russia's devastating assault on his country to the Nazis' 1937 bombing of the northern Spanish town of Guernica in an address to Spain's parliament.
"It's April 2022 but it seems like April 1937 when the whole world heard about one of your cities, Guernica," he told lawmakers, referencing the carpet-bombing of the town by aircraft from Hitler's "Condor Legion" during Spain's 1936-1939 civil war in support of Francisco Franco's nationalist forces.
Hundreds of people were killed, many of whom were at a weekly market in the town centre, in an atrocity that shocked the world and was immortalised in Picasso's haunting anti-war painting.
Historians give an estimated death toll of between 150 and 300 people, while the Basque authorities give a much higher figure of 1,654.
Russia UN envoy says 600,000 'evacuated' from Ukraine, denies 'coercion'
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations said Tuesday 600,000 people had been brought voluntarily into the country during the conflict in Ukraine, denying Kyiv's claim of mass deportations.
"Now overall, since the beginning of the special military operation, over 600,000 people have been evacuated to Russia, including over 119,000 children," Vassily Nebenzia told the UN Security Council.
"And we're not talking about any kind of coercion or abduction, as our Western partners like to present this, but rather the voluntary decision by these people as testified by many of these videos that are accessible in social media."
Zelenskiy urges UN to reform its system to strip Russia of its veto
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the United Nations on Tuesday to act and reform its system which gives Security Council permanent member Russia a veto, saying everything must be done to ensure the international body works effectively.
In a passionate address to the United Nations Security Council, Zelenskiy described in detail grim scenes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha, saying Moscow wanted to turn Ukraine into 'silent slaves'.
JustIn | Ukraine's Zelensky calls for Russia's expulsion from UN Security Council
JustIn | War-torn Ukraine's Zelensky urges UN Security Council to 'act immediately'
JustIn | At Security Council, Ukraine President says 'hundreds of thousands' of Ukrainians deported to Russia
JustIn | At Security Council, Ukraine President demands 'accountability' for Russia 'crimes'
Zelensky goes to UN to urge response to Russian 'war crimes'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will on Tuesday address the UN Security Council, seeking tougher measures against Moscow over alleged killings of civilians, as his country braces for further Russian bombardments in the east and south.
The speech, Zelensky's first to the body since Russia's invasion, comes after he made an emotional trip to Bucha, where dozens of bodies were discovered after the withdrawal of Russian troops.
US President Joe Biden has called for a "war crimes trial" over the alleged atrocities and Western officials have vowed new economic sanctions this week in response to the harrowing discoveries in Bucha and other towns near Kyiv.
Zelensky has denounced "war crimes" and attempted "genocide" while appealing for new sanctions, and more Western defence aid, saying they could have helped save innocent lives.
It was not clear if his speech to the UN Security Council, to be delivered on the 41st day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, would be pre-recorded or live.
Europe's worst conflict in decades has killed as many as 20,000 people, according to Ukrainian estimates. It has seen more than 4.2 million flee the country and displaced another 6.5 million internally.
"The sanctions response to Russia's massacre of civilians must finally be powerful," Zelensky said in a Telegram video late Monday after touring the devastated streets of Bucha.
"Did hundreds of our people have to die in agony for some European leaders to finally understand that the Russian state deserves the most severe pressure?" he asked.
JustIn | UN says 'credible' claims of Russia cluster bombs in populated Ukraine areas
Putin says Russia will 'monitor' food exports to 'hostile' countries
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday Moscow would carefully "monitor" food exports to "hostile" nations as the West pummels the country with sanctions over its military action in Ukraine.
"Against the backdrop of global food shortages, this year we will have to be prudent with supplies abroad and carefully monitor such exports to countries that are clearly hostile towards us," Putin said at a meeting on agriculture.
The Russian leader also said that the country's food production "fully" covered domestic needs and urged officials to ramp up import substitution.
"We need to set clear targets for import substitution and persistently pursue them in the very near future," he said, referring to the country's "potential" in agriculture, industry and science.
UK urges G7 to ban Russian ships and set timetable for oil and gas exit
Britain will urge G7 nations on Tuesday to ban Russian ships from their ports, agree a timetable to phase out oil and gas imports from Russia, and further tighten sanctions on banks and key industries.
Speaking in Poland ahead of a meeting of G7 foreign ministers later this week, British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is expected to say:
"On Thursday, I will be urging our G7 partners to go further by joining us in banning Russian ships from our ports, cracking down on Russian banks, going after new industries filling Putin's war chest like gold, and agreeing a clear timetable to eliminate our imports of Russian oil and gas."
NATO chief fears 'more atrocities' to be found in Ukraine
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Tuesday he feared there were "more atrocities" to be discovered in areas of Ukraine that were occupied by Russian troops.
"When and if they withdraw the troops and Ukrainian troops take over, I'm afraid they will see more mass graves, more atrocities and more examples of war crimes," he told a media conference.
7.1 million internally displaced in Ukraine: UN
More than 7.1 million are estimated to have been internally displaced by Russia's war in Ukraine, having fled their homes but remained in the country, the United Nations said Tuesday.
The figure issued by the UN's International Organization for Migration is up from the 6.48 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) estimated in a first study by the IOM on March 16.
"People continue to flee their homes because of war, and the humanitarian needs on the ground continue to soar," said IOM director general Antonio Vitorino.
"Humanitarian corridors are urgently needed to allow the safe evacuation of civilians and ensure the safe transportation and delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid in order to rapidly assist those internally displaced."
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, causing millions to flee their homes -- including more than 4.2 million Ukrainians who have left the country entirely.
Bucha witness saw soldiers fire on man 'going to supermarket'
In Bucha, resident Olena told AFP she saw Russian soldiers shoot a man in cold blood as units of "brutal" older troops sowed fear in the town near Kyiv.
"Right in front of my eyes, they fired on a man who was going to get food at the supermarket," said Olena, 43, who did not wish to give her second name.
Located 30 kilometres (19 miles) to the northwest of Kyiv's city centre, the town of Bucha was occupied by Russian forces on February 27 in the opening days of the war and remained under their control for a month.
After the bombardments stopped, Ukrainian forces were able to retake the town on Thursday.
Large numbers of bodies in civilian clothing have since been found in the town.
Throughout March, Olena lived with her children, seven and nine years old, in a cellar with no electricity under a four-storey housing block, along with other residents.
UN says signs point to civilians being 'targeted' in Bucha
The United Nations said Tuesday that all the signs from Bucha pointed towards civilians having been directly targeted and killed in the town outside Kyiv.
The UN Human Rights Office said the images emerging from the Bucha were extremely disturbing, and underlined that international law prohibited deliberate attacks on civilians.
Western leaders have united in outrage after dozens of bodies were found on the streets and in mass graves when Russian troops retreated from the devastated town, laying bare the horrors of a 40-day war that has killed thousands.
"What we're talking about here appears to be the direct killing and targeting of civilians in Bucha," rights office spokeswoman Liz Throssell told reporters in Geneva.
She cited photographs of people with their hands bound and of partially naked women whose bodies had been burnt.
EU chief will travel to Kyiv 'this week'
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel "this week" to Kyiv, accompanied by EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell, her spokesman said on Tuesday.
The pair, two of the European Union's most senior figures, "will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky ahead of the #StandUpForUkraine event in Warsaw on Saturday," commission spokesman Eric Mamer said in a tweet.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will travel "this week" to Kyiv, accompanied by EU diplomatic chief Josep Borrell, her spokesman said on Tuesday.
The pair, two of the European Union's most senior figures, "will travel to Kyiv this week to meet with President (Volodymyr) Zelensky ahead of the #StandUpForUkraine event in Warsaw on Saturday," commission spokesman Eric Mamer said in a tweet.
Italy expels 30 Russian diplomats
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Tuesday that Rome has expelled 30 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"We have expelled 30 Russian diplomats for national security reasons," Di Miao told Italy's Rai television in Berlin, in news confirmed by the ministry in Rome.
Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Tuesday that Rome has expelled 30 Russian diplomats as part of a joint European action after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"We have expelled 30 Russian diplomats for national security reasons," Di Miao told Italy's Rai television in Berlin, in news confirmed by the ministry in Rome.
Russia threatens to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't delete 'false information'
Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Tuesday it wanted Wikipedia to remove "material with inaccurate information of public interest" about the situation in Ukraine.
The regulator accused Wikipedia of hosting false information on what Russia calls its "special operation" in Ukraine and on the actions of Russia's military too.
According to Russian law, the owner of an Internet resource that does not delete illegal information when asked to do so by Roskomnadzor can be fined up to 4 million roubles ($48,120.30), the regulator said.
Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, a move that has been met with fierce Ukrainian resistance and Western sanctions.
Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor said on Tuesday it wanted Wikipedia to remove "material with inaccurate information of public interest" about the situation in Ukraine.
The regulator accused Wikipedia of hosting false information on what Russia calls its "special operation" in Ukraine and on the actions of Russia's military too.
According to Russian law, the owner of an Internet resource that does not delete illegal information when asked to do so by Roskomnadzor can be fined up to 4 million roubles ($48,120.30), the regulator said.
Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, a move that has been met with fierce Ukrainian resistance and Western sanctions.
Ukraine's president Zelensky says military situation in Mariupol very difficult
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday said Ukraine's efforts to push back Russian troops from Mariupol were facing difficulties.
In a televised interview with local media, Zelenskiy said the military situation in the southern port city was "very difficult."
He also said Turkey had proposed a plan to help evacuate wounded people and dead bodies from the city, but cautioned that the initiative depended on the will of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday said Ukraine's efforts to push back Russian troops from Mariupol were facing difficulties.
In a televised interview with local media, Zelenskiy said the military situation in the southern port city was "very difficult."
He also said Turkey had proposed a plan to help evacuate wounded people and dead bodies from the city, but cautioned that the initiative depended on the will of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
After Germany And France, Denmark Expels 15 Russian Diplomats For "Spying"Denmark's foreign minister said Tuesday his country was expelling 15 Russian "intelligence officers" registered as diplomats in the country following similar moves by Germany and France. Read more here.
Kyiv mayor asks Europe to cut all commercial ties with Russia
The mayor of Kyiv asked European politicians to cut off all commercial ties with Moscow, saying all payments it gave to Russia was "bloody money" and fuelling its army.
"Every Euro, every cent that you receive from Russia or that you send to Russia has blood, it is bloody money and the blood of this money is Ukrainian blood, the blood of Ukrainian people," Vitali Klitschko said via video link to a mayors' conference in Geneva.
In the same speech, he described the "genocide of Ukrainians" following a visit to Kyiv's satellite towns like Bucha this week. He described seeing dead civilians, including an old woman, and a car with a white flag and the letters "children" on the outside that was shot up and had blood inside.
The mayor of Kyiv asked European politicians to cut off all commercial ties with Moscow, saying all payments it gave to Russia was "bloody money" and fuelling its army.
"Every Euro, every cent that you receive from Russia or that you send to Russia has blood, it is bloody money and the blood of this money is Ukrainian blood, the blood of Ukrainian people," Vitali Klitschko said via video link to a mayors' conference in Geneva.
In the same speech, he described the "genocide of Ukrainians" following a visit to Kyiv's satellite towns like Bucha this week. He described seeing dead civilians, including an old woman, and a car with a white flag and the letters "children" on the outside that was shot up and had blood inside.
Ukrainian city Kramatorsk hit as Russia focuses on east Ukraine
The eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk was hit by Russian strikes early Tuesday, after Moscow's forces said they were shifting their military aims to target the east of the country
Kramatorsk has largely been spared destruction witnessed by other east Ukraine cities, like the country's second-largest settlement Kharkiv, since Russia invaded last month.
An AFP journalist in the city said one of the strikes at around 3:00 am local time (0000 GMT) had destroyed a school in the centre, located near a police station.
The strikes left a large smouldering crater about 10 metres wide next to the damaged school building, the journalist said, and many windows of the building were blown out in the attack.
The eastern Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk was hit by Russian strikes early Tuesday, after Moscow's forces said they were shifting their military aims to target the east of the country
Kramatorsk has largely been spared destruction witnessed by other east Ukraine cities, like the country's second-largest settlement Kharkiv, since Russia invaded last month.
An AFP journalist in the city said one of the strikes at around 3:00 am local time (0000 GMT) had destroyed a school in the centre, located near a police station.
The strikes left a large smouldering crater about 10 metres wide next to the damaged school building, the journalist said, and many windows of the building were blown out in the attack.
Zelensky to address UN Security Council today over Russian 'genocide'
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the UN Security Council on Tuesday, where he is expected to demand tough new sanctions on Moscow over killings in the town of Bucha that he has called "war crimes" and "genocide".
The speech, Zelensky's first to the body since Russia's invasion, comes after he made an emotional trip to Bucha, where dozens of bodies were discovered after the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Horrific images of corpses lying in the streets, some with their hands bound behind them, have drawn international condemnation of Russia.
Moscow has denied responsibility and suggested the images are fake or that the deaths occurred after Russian forces pulled out of the area.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky will address the UN Security Council on Tuesday, where he is expected to demand tough new sanctions on Moscow over killings in the town of Bucha that he has called "war crimes" and "genocide".
The speech, Zelensky's first to the body since Russia's invasion, comes after he made an emotional trip to Bucha, where dozens of bodies were discovered after the withdrawal of Russian troops.
Horrific images of corpses lying in the streets, some with their hands bound behind them, have drawn international condemnation of Russia.
Moscow has denied responsibility and suggested the images are fake or that the deaths occurred after Russian forces pulled out of the area.
Ukraine-Russia talks 'only option' but he may not hold talks with Putin, says Zelensky
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday holding negotiations with Russia was the only option for his country although the possibility of having talks was now a "challenge".
But in comments broadcast on national television, he said it was possible that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would not personally hold talks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday holding negotiations with Russia was the only option for his country although the possibility of having talks was now a "challenge".
But in comments broadcast on national television, he said it was possible that he and Russian President Vladimir Putin would not personally hold talks.
Putin ally says Bucha killings are fake propaganda
One of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's closest allies said on Tuesday that claims that Russian forces executed civilians in Bucha were fake products of Ukrainian and Western propaganda aimed at discrediting Russia.
"These are fakes that matured in the cynical imagination of Ukrainian propaganda," Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008 to 2012 and is now deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said.
"They were concocted for vast amounts of money," Medevedev said.
One of Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin's closest allies said on Tuesday that claims that Russian forces executed civilians in Bucha were fake products of Ukrainian and Western propaganda aimed at discrediting Russia.
"These are fakes that matured in the cynical imagination of Ukrainian propaganda," Dmitry Medvedev, who served as president from 2008 to 2012 and is now deputy secretary of Russia's Security Council, said.
"They were concocted for vast amounts of money," Medevedev said.
Red Cross team 'released' after being blocked on way to Mariupol, says Ukrainian deputy PM
A team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been released after being stopped during an attempt to reach the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol and held in nearby Manhush, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
"After negotiations, they were released during the night and sent to Zaporizhzhia," said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister
Iryna Vereshchuk, referring to a nearby city.
A team from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been released after being stopped during an attempt to reach the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol and held in nearby Manhush, a senior government official said on Tuesday.
"After negotiations, they were released during the night and sent to Zaporizhzhia," said Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister
Iryna Vereshchuk, referring to a nearby city.
Russian parliament speaker says West staged Bucha to discredit Russia
Russia's top lawmaker said on Tuesday that civilian killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were part of a deceitful attempt by the West to discredit Russia.
"The situation in Bucha is a provocation aimed at discrediting Russia," Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, said.
"Washington and Brussels are the screenwriters and directors and Kyiv are the actors," Volodin said. "There are no facts - just lies."
Since Russian troops withdrew from towns and villages around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv last week, Ukrainian troops have been showing journalists corpses of what they say are civilians killed by Russian forces, destroyed houses and burnt-out cars. Russia denies all the claims.
Russia's top lawmaker said on Tuesday that civilian killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were part of a deceitful attempt by the West to discredit Russia.
"The situation in Bucha is a provocation aimed at discrediting Russia," Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of Russia's lower house of parliament, the Duma, said.
"Washington and Brussels are the screenwriters and directors and Kyiv are the actors," Volodin said. "There are no facts - just lies."
Since Russian troops withdrew from towns and villages around the Ukrainian capital Kyiv last week, Ukrainian troops have been showing journalists corpses of what they say are civilians killed by Russian forces, destroyed houses and burnt-out cars. Russia denies all the claims.
Britain says Ukraine forces have retaken the north
Ukrainian forces have retaken key northern terrain, forcing Russian forces to retreat from areas around the city of Chernihiv and north of the capital Kyiv, British military intelligence said on Tuesday.
Low-level fighting is likely to continue in some of the recaptured areas, but reduce this week as the remainder of the Russian forces withdraw, the defence ministry said in a regular bulletin on Twitter.
Many of the withdrawing Russian units are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before they redeploy for operations in the country's east, the ministry added.
Ukrainian forces have retaken key northern terrain, forcing Russian forces to retreat from areas around the city of Chernihiv and north of the capital Kyiv, British military intelligence said on Tuesday.
Low-level fighting is likely to continue in some of the recaptured areas, but reduce this week as the remainder of the Russian forces withdraw, the defence ministry said in a regular bulletin on Twitter.
Many of the withdrawing Russian units are likely to require significant re-equipping and refurbishment before they redeploy for operations in the country's east, the ministry added.
"Heartbreaking": Ukrainian Mother Writes Family Details On Toddler's BackThe Russia-Ukraine war has been going on for more than a month, which has led to a high number of civilian casualty.
Japan brings in 20 Ukrainian refugees on special flight
The Japanese government flew 20 Ukrainian refugees into Tokyo on Tuesday in a high-profile show of support for the international effort to help Ukraine by a country that has long been reluctant to take in foreigners.
The 20 - aged from 6 and 66 and including 15 women - are not the first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in Japan since Russia invaded their homeland on Feb. 24 - but they are the first to be flown in on a special government plane on a trip arranged by Japan's foreign minister.
"The government of Japan is committed to provide the maximum support to these 20 Ukrainians to help them live with a sense of peace in Japan, even though they are far away from their home county," Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Poland shortly before he and the refugees set off for Japan.
The Japanese government flew 20 Ukrainian refugees into Tokyo on Tuesday in a high-profile show of support for the international effort to help Ukraine by a country that has long been reluctant to take in foreigners.
The 20 - aged from 6 and 66 and including 15 women - are not the first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in Japan since Russia invaded their homeland on Feb. 24 - but they are the first to be flown in on a special government plane on a trip arranged by Japan's foreign minister.
"The government of Japan is committed to provide the maximum support to these 20 Ukrainians to help them live with a sense of peace in Japan, even though they are far away from their home county," Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Poland shortly before he and the refugees set off for Japan.
China's foreign minister speaks with Ukrainian counterpart
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in a phone call on Monday, with Beijing again calling on talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The call, which Beijing said was made at Ukraine's request, was the first reported high-level conversation between the countries since March 1, when Kuleba asked Beijing to use its ties with Moscow to stop Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said at the time.
"Wars end eventually. The key is how to reflect on the pain, to maintain lasting security in Europe and establish a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism," Wang said, according to the ministry.
"China stands ready to play a constructive role in this regard in an objective position."
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in a phone call on Monday, with Beijing again calling on talks to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The call, which Beijing said was made at Ukraine's request, was the first reported high-level conversation between the countries since March 1, when Kuleba asked Beijing to use its ties with Moscow to stop Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian foreign ministry said at the time.
"Wars end eventually. The key is how to reflect on the pain, to maintain lasting security in Europe and establish a balanced, effective and sustainable European security mechanism," Wang said, according to the ministry.
"China stands ready to play a constructive role in this regard in an objective position."
Oil extends rally on Russia sanctions bets, stocks wobble
Oil prices extended gains Tuesday on the prospect of further sanctions on Russia for alleged "atrocities" in some occupied Ukraine cities, while equities struggled to build on a rally in New York and Europe.
European Union officials were discussing new measures against Moscow after reports -- denied by the Kremlin -- that troops had executed civilians.
Among the punishments could be a ban on imports of Russian crude, following a similar move by the United States and Britain.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also signalled more US sanctions were on the way this week.
Oil prices extended gains Tuesday on the prospect of further sanctions on Russia for alleged "atrocities" in some occupied Ukraine cities, while equities struggled to build on a rally in New York and Europe.
European Union officials were discussing new measures against Moscow after reports -- denied by the Kremlin -- that troops had executed civilians.
Among the punishments could be a ban on imports of Russian crude, following a similar move by the United States and Britain.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also signalled more US sanctions were on the way this week.
Russia-Ukraine War: Facebook, Instagram Briefly Block Hashtags On Ukraine's Civilian KillingsFacebook owner Meta Platforms briefly restricted hashtags related to civilian deaths in northern Ukraine, where bodies of people shot at close range were found in a town seized back from Russian forces, a company spokesman confirmed on Monday. Read more here.
Moscow warns of' symmetrical' response to Western countries' expulsion of Russian diplomats
Russia will respond proportionately to the expulsion of its diplomats from a number of Western countries, Russian ex-president and deputy head of security council Dmitry Medvedev said late on Monday.
"Everyone knows the answer: it will be symmetrical and destructive for bilateral relations," Medvedev said in a posting on his Telegram channel.
"Who have they punished? First of all, themselves."
On Monday, France said it would expel 35 Russian diplomats over Moscow's actions in Ukraine and Germany declared "significant number" of Russian diplomats as undesirable,.
Russia will respond proportionately to the expulsion of its diplomats from a number of Western countries, Russian ex-president and deputy head of security council Dmitry Medvedev said late on Monday.
"Everyone knows the answer: it will be symmetrical and destructive for bilateral relations," Medvedev said in a posting on his Telegram channel.
"Who have they punished? First of all, themselves."
On Monday, France said it would expel 35 Russian diplomats over Moscow's actions in Ukraine and Germany declared "significant number" of Russian diplomats as undesirable,.
US, Europe plan Russia sanctions as Ukraine warns of more civilian deaths
The United States and Europe were planning new sanctions on Tuesday to punish Moscow over civilian killings in Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned more deaths were likely to be uncovered in areas seized from Russian invaders.
Russian forces withdrew from towns north of the capital Kyiv last week as it turns its assault to Ukraine's south and east. Ukrainian troops recaptured towns devastated by nearly six weeks of war, including Bucha, where dead civilians lined the streets.
Searing images of a mass grave in Bucha and the bound bodies of people shot at close range drew an international outcry on Monday. U.S. President Joe Biden called for a war crimes trial against Russia's President Vladimir Putin, with Washington, Germany and France promising new sanctions against Moscow.
Russia denied any accusations related to the murder of civilians and said it would present "empirical evidence" to a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday proving its forces were not involved.
The United States and Europe were planning new sanctions on Tuesday to punish Moscow over civilian killings in Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned more deaths were likely to be uncovered in areas seized from Russian invaders.
Russian forces withdrew from towns north of the capital Kyiv last week as it turns its assault to Ukraine's south and east. Ukrainian troops recaptured towns devastated by nearly six weeks of war, including Bucha, where dead civilians lined the streets.
Searing images of a mass grave in Bucha and the bound bodies of people shot at close range drew an international outcry on Monday. U.S. President Joe Biden called for a war crimes trial against Russia's President Vladimir Putin, with Washington, Germany and France promising new sanctions against Moscow.
Russia denied any accusations related to the murder of civilians and said it would present "empirical evidence" to a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday proving its forces were not involved.
