Table of Contents
Editor’s be aware: This web page recaps the information from Ukraine on Thursday, March. 3. Observe right here for the newest updates and information from Friday, March 4, as Russia’s invasion continues within the area.
Authorities in Ukraine stated Friday {that a} fireplace at Europe’s largest nuclear plant after enduring heavy shelling from Russian forces within the southern of Enerhodar has been extinguished.
In an announcement, Ukraine’s regional navy administration stated there was harm to the compartment of reactor No. 1 on the Zaporizhzhia plant within the metropolis of Enerhodar, but it surely doesn’t have an effect on the security of the ability unit, including that operational personnel are making certain its security.
No info was instantly out there about casualties. Ukrainian officers stated that radiation ranges within the space weren’t at harmful ranges.
U.S. Power Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated late Thursday that she had spoken to her counterpart in Ukraine, and stated the “plant’s reactors are protected by strong containment buildings and reactors are being safely shut down.”
A White Home official stated President Joe Biden spoke with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday in regards to the scenario on the nuclear plant. The most recent info exhibits no indications of elevated ranges of radiation, however officers are monitoring the scenario intently, the official stated.
In an emotional speech in the midst of the night time, Zelenskyy stated he feared an explosion that may be “the tip for everybody. The top for Europe. The evacuation of Europe.”
“Solely pressing motion by Europe can cease the Russian troops,” he stated. “Don’t enable the loss of life of Europe from a disaster at a nuclear energy station.”
The assault renewed fears that the invasion might harm certainly one of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear reactors and set off one other emergency just like the 1986 Chernobyl accident, the world’s worst nuclear catastrophe, which occurred about 65 miles north of the capital.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson known as for an emergency assembly of the U.N. Safety Council in “coming hours” to boost the problem of Russia’s assault on the nuclear energy plant, in keeping with an announcement from his workplace.
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ON THE BORDER:Ukrainian refugees describe harrowing journey to Poland
MAPPING AND TRACKING RUSSIA’S INVASION:See the newest on troop actions
Newest developments:
►On Thursday, Ukraine stated it has agreed with Russia to create protected corridors backed by cease-fires to evacuate civilians and ship help because the events engaged in a second spherical of negotiations amid Russia’s ferocious assault on its neighbor.
►The Pentagon stated it established a direct communication line Tuesday with the Russian ministry of protection “for the aim of stopping miscalculation, navy incidents, and escalation.”
►French President Emmanuel Macron spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin for 90 minutes and now believes “the worst is but to return,” a Macron aide advised France24. Putin reportedly vowed to conduct an “uncompromising combat” in Ukraine.
►Acclaimed soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from her upcoming New York performances after not complying with the Metropolitan Opera’s situation that she repudiate her public assist for Putin, the Met stated on Twitter.
►President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan conferred by way of phone, agreeing to a “channel for communication” as they deal with and reply to the disaster.
A CLOSER LOOK AT SANCTIONS:The place US, allies have focused the handfuls of sanctions in opposition to Russia
Fireplace at nuclear energy plant sparks fears of ‘Fukushima-style meltdown’
Fears of an unprecedented nuclear catastrophe unfold quickly in a single day when part of Europe’s largest nuclear plant caught on fire as Russian forces shelled the area.
Amid a stream of confusing, alarming, and, at times, conflicting information about the incident, The International Atomic Energy Agency soon said the “serious situation” had not affected essential equipment at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and that there had been no change in radiation ranges.
Jon B. Wolfsthal, former senior director for arms management and nonproliferation on the Nationwide Safety Council, tweeted that the Zaporizhzhia energy plant was “inherently extra protected and guarded than the Chernobyl.”
James M. Acton, co-director of the Nuclear Coverage Program on the Carnegie Endowment for Worldwide Peace. echoed Jennex’s evaluation of the hazard posed by the Russian assault, saying the hearth might lead to a “Fukushima-style meltdown.”
In that nuclear incident in Japan, an enormous earthquake and tsunami in 2011 destroyed the Fukushima plant’s cooling programs, triggering the meltdown of three reactors and the discharge of huge quantities of radiation, and inflicting greater than 160,000 folks to evacuate.
The Chernobyl catastrophe, whereas geographically shut, was attributable to a unique course of, Acton advised USA TODAY. It was attributable to operator error and led to a unique stage of hazard — a scenario the place the nuclear gas explodes. Learn extra right here.
— Joel Shannon
White Home sanctions Russian oligarchs, freezes their property
The Biden administration on Thursday introduced a brand new spherical of sanctions on a number of Russian oligarchs and their households because the U.S. and allies proceed to stress Russia to cease its assault on Ukraine.
The White Home stated officers are working with governments throughout the globe to determine and freeze the property of Russian elites and their relations – together with yachts, luxurious residences and cash – in every nation’s respective jurisdictions.
These being sanctioned embrace, Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, in addition to Alisher Usmanov, proprietor of one of many world’s largest yachts and Russia’s largest privately owned plane. The yacht was lately seized by Germany. The White Home known as Usmanov “a close ally of Putin.’‘
The Biden administration can be imposing journey restrictions on 19 Russian oligarchs and their 47 relations and shut associates. In accordance with the White Home, these oligarchs are identified for steering, authorizing, funding or supporting Russia’s overseas coverage. The administration has taken steps to put visa restrictions on the group.
President Joe Biden stated the sanctions are reducing off Russia’s entry to know-how and the worldwide monetary system, and that they’re having a deep impression.
“The purpose is to maximise the impression on Putin and Russia and decrease the hurt and loss to our allies and mates all over the world,” Biden stated. “Our curiosity is in sustaining the strongest unified financial impression marketing campaign on Putin in all historical past.”
– Rebecca Morin
Former Fox producer charged with violating sanctions in opposition to Russia for its 2014 takeover of Crimea
Former Fox Information producer Jack Hanick was charged with sanctions violations and mendacity to the FBI within the first such indictment arising from sanctions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, the Justice Division stated Thursday.
In accordance with court docket paperwork unsealed in federal court docket in Manhattan, the 71-year-old Hanick labored for years for Konstantin Malofeyev even after the Russian oligarch was sanctioned for financing Russians selling separatism in Crimea and elsewhere in Ukraine.
The indictment stated Hanick, a U.S. citizen, “knowingly selected to assist Malofeyev unfold his destabilizing messages by establishing, or trying to determine, TV networks in Russia, Bulgaria and Greece, in violation of these sanctions.”
The indictment comes a day after Lawyer Normal Merrick Garland introduced the launch of a job pressure devoted to implementing the sweeping sanctions and restrictions the U.S. and its allies have imposed for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
— Josh Meyer
Ukrainians in U.S. granted non permanent safety from deportation
The Division of Homeland Safety on Thursday introduced non permanent protected standing for Ukrainians dwelling in the USA, which can protect them from deportation for the following 18 months, as Ukraine continues to face ongoing assaults from Russia.
“Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked assault on Ukraine has resulted in an ongoing warfare, mindless violence, and Ukrainians compelled to hunt refuge in different international locations,” Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated in an announcement. “In these extraordinary occasions, we are going to proceed to supply our assist and safety to Ukrainian nationals in the USA.”
People should have constantly lived within the U.S. since March 1 to be eligible for TPS, DHS stated. That may apply to roughly 30,000 Ukrainian nationals. Those that try and journey to the U.S. after March 1 don’t qualify for TPS.
— Rebecca Morin
Russia hammering Ukraine’s southern cities
Ukraine’s main cities have come underneath heavy bombardment, a senior Protection Division official stated. About 90% of the 150,000 fight forces Putin deployed to Ukraine’s borders at the moment are contained in the nation, stated the official, who described navy actions on situation of anonymity.
Closely populated southern cities alongside the Black Sea and Sea of Azov had been amongst main targets as Russia’s marketing campaign threatened to chop off delivery. Hennadiy Lahuta, governor of Kherson Oblast, stated the federal government constructing within the Black Sea port metropolis of Kherson, with a inhabitants of virtually 280,000, was seized by Russian troops. Models had been additionally bearing down on Mykolaiv, 40 miles to the northwest and residential to nearly half one million Ukrainians, The New York Occasions reported. U.S. officers stated Russia had fired 480 missiles at Ukraine.
Russian forces did not seize Mariupol, a metropolis of 450,000 on the Azov Sea, and had “resorted to a blockade, making a humanitarian catastrophe,” the Ukrainian navy stated. Meals, water and even electrical energy have been lower off, girls and youngsters halted from evacuating. Within the very important energy-producing southern metropolis of Enerhodar, a hub on the Dnieper River, Ukrainian forces had been battling Russian troops on the town’s outskirts, Mayor Dmytro Orlov stated.
The Ukraine navy stated 4 massive touchdown ships and three missile boats had been shifting via the Black Sea within the route of the Odesa and its 1 million residents. Russian sailors had been firing on civilian ships and taking prisoners, in keeping with the navy.
Russia has acknowledged that almost 500 of its troops have been killed within the warfare and about 1,600 wounded. Ukraine, which has not launched casualty figures for its personal armed forces, has estimated Russian troop losses at as much as 9,000.
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service has stated greater than 2,000 civilians have died, although it was unattainable to confirm the declare. The U.N. human rights workplace stated it had recorded 227 deaths, together with 15 underneath age 18, and 525 injured, for the reason that begin of the invasion on Feb. 24.
Zelenskyy says 16,000 overseas volunteers have answered name to combat for Ukraine
Ukraine has despatched out a name for overseas volunteers to hitch its combat in opposition to the Russian invaders, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated there was a robust response.
Whereas many governments are limiting their involvement within the warfare to sending weapons and different types of help, which Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for, others have gone a step additional.
The Czech Republic stated Thursday it gained’t get in the way in which of its residents who determine to hitch worldwide brigades to assist Ukraine. Serving in a overseas military is punishable by a jail time period within the Czech Republic, however Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated those that combat for Ukraine on this warfare can be pardoned by President Milos Zeman, with him co-signing it.
Congressmen need oligarchs’ property ‘repurposed’ to profit Ukraine
Reps. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) launched a bipartisan invoice on Thursday to grab any property from oligarchs whose wealth is linked to the corruption of Vladimir Putin’s repressive regime and “repurpose” them to assist Ukraine.
The laws authorizes the Biden administration to confiscate any property – together with luxurious villas, yachts and airplanes – valued over $5 million from Russian oligarchs beforehand sanctioned by the U.S. authorities for his or her involvement within the Kremlin’s invasion and human rights violations in Ukraine.
Any funds gained from asset gross sales should then be used to profit the Ukrainian folks via the supply of navy and humanitarian help, post-conflict reconstruction and know-how to make sure the free circulation of knowledge in Ukraine, the 2 lawmakers stated.
— Josh Meyer
White Home seeks $10 billion for Ukraine
The White Home on Thursday requested $10 billion from Congress to help Ukraine. A lot of the help to Ukraine can be used to assist the nation’s navy in its combat in opposition to the Russian invasion, although a good portion would additionally go towards humanitarian help for Ukrainians fleeing violence or who’ve been made meals insecure by the assault.
“To proceed this vital work and additional assist the Ukrainian folks, we’re requesting $10 billion to ship extra humanitarian, safety, and financial help in Ukraine and the neighboring area within the coming days and weeks,” Shalanda Younger, director of the White Home Workplace of Administration and Price range, wrote in a weblog submit.
– Matthew Brown
1 million have fled in ‘swiftest exodus this century’
Greater than 1 million folks have fled the preventing. The mass evacuation may very well be seen in Kharkiv, the place residents determined to flee falling shells and bombs crowded the town’s practice station and pressed onto trains, not at all times realizing the place they had been headed. The Ukrainian authorities stated at the least 34 folks had been killed and 285 injured, together with 10 kids, through the shelling of Kharkiv.
In a single week, greater than 2% of Ukraine’s inhabitants has been compelled overseas, in keeping with a tally from the United Nations, which known as the mass flight one of many “swiftest refugee exodus this century.”
Putin siege ways might deliver mass destruction, loss of life to Ukraine
“A siege is probably going and should final so long as a number of weeks,” stated Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., a member of the Armed Providers Committee. “He’ll attempt to put on down resistance in Kyiv and Kharkiv and different main cities, hitting civilian facilities with huge explosives, airstrikes and missiles.” Learn extra right here.
– Tom Vanden Brook
Putin nuclear discuss sparks run on iodine drugs
Preventing within the neighborhood of the previous Chernobyl nuclear reactor in Ukraine adopted by information Sunday that Russian President Vladimir Putin had put his nuclear arsenal on alert has prompted a rush on iodine in some European international locations. In Belgium, Pharmacists’ Union’s Michael Storme advised the press company Belga that druggists there had given away 30,000 packs of iodine tablets Monday alone. Some pharmacies in Finland had been operating out of iodine tablets, which might shield the thyroid gland from the consequences of radiation.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Fee notes that it’s a “very specialised safety” and says evacuation is the best measure as a result of it “protects the entire physique from all radionuclides and all publicity pathways.”
Zelenskyy: Russian troopers are ‘confused kids’
In a video deal with to the nation early Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy known as on Ukrainians to maintain up their resistance however didn’t touch upon whether or not the Russians have seized any cities.
“They are going to don’t have any peace right here,” Zelenskyy stated, calling on the Russian troopers to “go house” and describing them as “confused kids who’ve been used.” He stated that for Ukrainians this was a patriotic warfare that will not finish till the Russians have been pushed out.
“Wherever they go they are going to be destroyed,” Zerenskyy stated. “They won’t have one quiet second. The occupiers will obtain just one factor from Ukrainians – resistance. Fierce resistance.”
Black and brown refugees are being turned away at European borders
As rising studies point out folks of shade fleeing Ukraine are dealing with discrimination on the border, the disaster has as soon as once more highlighted a double customary in the way in which nations deal with refugees based mostly on nation of origin, race, faith and extra, teachers and refugees say.
Most of the similar European nations that turned away refugees from the Center East, Africa and Asia previously at the moment are largely welcoming refugees from Ukraine.
“It is nice that Europe is being welcoming towards Ukrainian refugees. That ought to be the response,” stated Nell Gabiam, an affiliate professor at Iowa State College who research compelled migration. “However it might be even higher if that response was utilized throughout the board towards all refugees who’re fleeing persecution and warfare.”
Filippo Grandi, United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Refugees, counseled governments and residents for his or her “extraordinary acts of humanity and kindness” however acknowledged some refugees have confronted “a unique therapy” on the border. Learn extra right here.
– Grace Hauck
US schools denounce Russia, pull out of nation
Some American schools are becoming a member of the rising Western coalition of governments and companies taking motion in opposition to Russia – an uncommon place for academia, which usually tries to remain out of worldwide politics.
The response from U.S. universities has ranged from denouncements of Russia’s actions to shutting down educational partnerships and applications in Russia.
The Massachusetts Institute of Know-how has taken probably the most drastic, severing ties with a Russian college it helped to discovered. And on Monday, the Division of State urged all People to depart Russia, which might have an effect on some collegians learning overseas.
The developments are particularly hanging provided that universities have a good time their openness to cultural trade, even with controversial governments corresponding to China or Saudi Arabia. However Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is testing how far the dedication to mental range can go within the face of warfare. Learn extra right here.
– Chris Quintana
WHO: ‘More likely’ COVID will unfold in Ukraine now
The World Well being Group stated Wednesday that the ongoing invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine will enable COVID-19 to unfold simply throughout the nation, regarding well being officers that the scenario will lead to many circumstances going undetected as assaults are made on healthcare services.
“You disrupt society like this and actually thousands and thousands of individuals on the transfer, then infectious illnesses will exploit that,” Mike Ryan, director of the World Well being Group’s Well being Emergencies Program, stated throughout a information briefing. “(Persons are) extremely vulnerable to the impacts of, to begin with, of being contaminated themselves, and it is more likely that illness will unfold.”
Ukraine is coming off certainly one of its worst waves of COVID-19 for the reason that pandemic started, in keeping with WHO information.
On Feb. 4, there have been a document 43,778 optimistic circumstances reported, and though circumstances have constantly declined since then, the warfare might end result within the virus simply spreading with out assessments out there. Solely 34% of the nation’s inhabitants is absolutely vaccinated, in keeping with WHO information.
– Jordan Mendoza
Biden banned Russia from US airspace. This is what the realm covers.
President Joe Biden introduced the U.S. is closing off airspace to all Russian flights throughout his State of the Union deal with Tuesday, a choice with a sprawling geographic impression due to the quite a few territories within the Pacific Ocean.
The transfer is part of a worldwide effort aimed toward isolating Russia from the remainder of the world. Reducing off Russian flights to the U.S. will impression airspace over the decrease 48 states, Hawaii, Alaska and the American-controlled territories that broaden throughout a lot of the Pacific Ocean.
These territories embrace Palau and the Marshall Islands. And underneath the Compacts of Free Affiliation, a collection of treaties between the USA and people territories, the U.S. has entry to and controls a lot of the airspace surrounding the islands.
– Celina Tebor
Report: China requested Russia to delay Ukraine invasion after Olympics
Senior Chinese language officers advised Russian officers again in February to not invade Ukraine earlier than the tip of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, The New York Occasions reported Tuesday.
The Occasions, citing a Western intelligence report and quoting senior Biden administration officers and a European official, stated that the Chinese language officers had “some stage of direct data about Russia’s warfare plans or intentions” earlier than the invasion began final month.
Chinese language President Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing on Feb. 4 earlier than the Winter Video games kicked off in Beijing. In accordance with the Occasions, it isn’t clear if conversations in regards to the invasion befell within the assembly between Xi and Putin.
After their assembly final month, each leaders issued a joint assertion highlighting what they known as “interference within the inside affairs” of different states, as Xi and Putin confronted criticism from the USA over their overseas and home insurance policies.
The relationship between China and Russia has grown over the previous few a long time, and the 2 nations opposed an additional growth of NATO. When Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, China known as for peace between the 2 international locations and stated the U.S. and its allies had been worsening the battle.
– Charles Ventura, Asha C. Gilbert
Contributing: Related Press
