Russia and Ukraine failed to make a breakthrough Thursday in their first top-level talks since Moscow's invasion two weeks ago, as Russian advances sparked fears the Ukrainian capital Kyiv could soon be encircled.
Russian troops have launched a high-precision, long-range attack on two military airfields in the Ukrainian cities of Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk and taken them out of action.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said around 100,000 people had evacuated the country's cities in two days, but accused Russian forces of targeting a humanitarian corridor in the city of Mariupol.
Here are the Highlights on Ukraine-Russia War:
Mar 12, 2022 07:14 (IST)
Ukraine War: Mayor Of Ukraine City Kidnapped By Russian Forces
The mayor of southern Ukraine's Melitopol was kidnapped on Friday by Russian soldiers occupying the city, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian officials said.
"A group of 10 occupiers kidnapped the mayor of Melitopol Ivan Fedorov," Ukraine's parliament said on Twitter. (AFP)
Mar 12, 2022 05:52 (IST)
Ukraine War: Russia squeezes Kyiv as 'unimaginable' tragedy looms in Ukraine
Russian forces inched towards Kyiv and pounded civilian areas in other Ukrainian cities Friday, drawing warnings of "unimaginable tragedy" as the US and the EU moved to tighten the economic noose around the Kremlin.
Sixteen days after Moscow shocked the world by invading Ukraine, the United Nations and others said it may be committing war crimes in cities such as Mariupol, which for days now has been besieged by Vladimir Putin's forces. (Reuters)
Mar 12, 2022 04:36 (IST)
Ukraine War: US, allies to end normal trade relations with Russia
The United States and its allies moved Friday to end normal trade relations with Russia, as President Joe Biden vowed the West would make Vladimir Putin "pay the price" for his invasion of Ukraine.
Biden announced the new step, which would enable Western nations to inflict steep tariff hikes on Russian goods, in coordination with NATO allies, the Group of Seven and the European Union.
Mar 12, 2022 04:35 (IST)
Ukraine War: Deutsche Bank pulls out of Russia
Germany's biggest lender Deutsche Bank said Friday it was following other international companies in shutting down its operations in Russia in protest of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"Like some international peers and in line with our legal and regulatory obligations, we are in the process of winding down our remaining business in Russia while we help our non-Russian multinational clients in reducing their operations. There won't be any new business in Russia," the bank said in a statement. (AFP)
Mar 12, 2022 03:26 (IST)
Ukraine War: Zelensky hails Polish support since Russia invasion
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky Friday praised the support of neighbouring Poland since Russia invaded last month.
"When you have someone who hurts you, it is very important to have someone who offers their shoulder for you to lean on," he said in a message to his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda and the Polish people. (AFP)
Mar 12, 2022 01:48 (IST)
Ukraine War: US says no indication of Belarusian troops in Ukraine
The United States has not seen evidence that troops from close Russian ally Belarus are in Ukraine, the Pentagon said Friday.
"We haven't seen any indications that Belarusian troops or forces have moved inside Ukraine," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters. (AFP)
