We have summarized the eighth day of the full-scale war that Russia started in Ukraine. Read about the main events of Thursday, March 3, in our review.
In Ukraine
According to an estimate from Philip Grandi, head of the U.N. Refugee Agency, one million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their country in the seven days since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.
The situation in the north and northwest of the Kyiv region is extremely difficult. Ukrainian authorities are witnessing the pulling back of Russian troops and repelling groups of saboteurs.
Several explosions occurred near the Central Railway Station in Kyiv.
Oleksiy Arestovich, adviser to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office, said that the Russian army is suffering “catastrophic losses in equipment and personnel” in the Kharkiv direction.
In Kharkiv itself, the Assumption Cathedral was damaged by the shelling. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Windows and stained-glass windows in the temple were broken, and church items were damaged. Also, the SSU building in the city was on fire. Several schools and the regional administration building were destroyed as a result of the latest bombardment.
Four adults and two children were killed in a private house in Izyum, Kharkiv Region, as a result of an air strike.
In Chernihiv, after the morning shelling by Russian troops, an oil depot on the territory of the state enterprise “Combine Astra” burned. Residential buildings in the city center were also shelled.
In Kherson, Russian soldiers seized a television tower. Chairman of the Kherson regional state administration Hennadiy Laguta warned that the Russians can now spread disinformation. Laguta also said that the building of the regional administration of Kherson was occupied by Russian troops.
Ukraine regained control of part of the border in the Sumy region. Oleksandr Danilov, secretary of the NBA Council, wrote about the withdrawal of Russian troops to the border with Ukraine on Facebook. He also said that Russia was carrying out mass shelling of dozens of Ukrainian cities: residential neighborhoods and infrastructure.
Bucha, a city of nearly 40,000 inhabitants, has returned under Ukrainian control. A Ukrainian flag is flying over the city, which is the administrative center of the Kyiv Oblast, and the power supply has been restored. The city is known for stubborn battles with Kadyrov’s troops.
In the port of Mykolaiv, a Russian missile hit a foreign ship and killed a sailor.
Mariupol remains under Ukrainian control. The Russian Defense Ministry, for its part, says it has narrowed the blockade ring around the city and has also announced the onset of a humanitarian disaster in the city.
In Russia
A decision has been made to liquidate the radio channel and website of Ekho of Moscow, part of the Gazprommedia holding company. In the history of its broadcasting, the only time the radio station faced a potential shutdown was during the 1991 coup d’état.
The Dozhd TV channel is temporarily suspending its work. The channel’s director-general, Natalya Sindeyeva, announced the news.
In Russia, mass detentions of protesters who took to the streets against the war in Ukraine continue.
In Belarus
The second stage of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia took place in Viskuli. According to Mikhail Podolyak, advisor to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the parties agreed to create humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians, with the possibility of a temporary cease-fire during the evacuation. It is also reported that a third meeting would be held soon.
The “rail war” in Belarus continues, with prosecutors threatening the organizers with life imprisonment or the death penalty. As a result of the hacker attack, the railroad website has been down for two days. Huge queues are forming at the stations and the railroad infrastructure is also damaged. The rail guerrillas claim that they conduct their activities “in solidarity with the Ukrainian people” and to stop the movement of Russian military equipment through our country. The Investigative Committee states that these “acts of terrorism” are committed with the purpose of causing catastrophe and loss of life. As a result, the Prosecutor General initiated a criminal case for “an act of terrorism committed by an organized group” under part 3 of article 289 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, the punishment under this article includes even life imprisonment or death penalty.
The women were detained after praying for peace in Ukraine in Minsk Cathedral. We know about three detainees.
Two resuscitation ambulances for Ukraine were bought with the money collected by Belarusians. This was reported by Andrey Stryzhak, head of the BYSOL relief fund. Two ambulances will be sent to the first voluntary mobile hospital named after Mikola Pirogov. The vehicles will save the lives of the defenders of Ukraine. BYSOL has plans to buy 10 more evacuation jeeps for medics.
In the world
Thirty-nine states have filed appeals to the International Criminal Court in The Hague demanding that the crimes committed by Russia during the war in Ukraine be exposed. This was announced by Karim A. A. Khan, chief prosecutor of the International Court of Justice.
Germany is unsealing weapons stockpiles in the former GDR. The Germans will transfer 2,700 Strela-2 portable anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine.
Athletes from Russia and Belarus were banned from competing in the Paralympic Games in China.
The Czech government decided to stop issuing visas to Belarusian citizens, with the exception of humanitarian cases.
The Estonian government banned its residents from fighting on the side of Russia and Belarus. Citizenship or a residence permit can be revoked for that. But it is allowed to fight on the side of Ukraine.
The Latvian Saeima adopted a decision allowing its residents to fight on the side of Ukraine as volunteers or to serve in the Armed Forces. Previously, Latvian citizens had been forbidden to serve in the armed forces of a foreign country.
The British Foreign Secretary said that she would approve the choice of Britons willing to be volunteers. Even though the site of the British Foreign Office reminded of the responsibility for participation in hostilities, at least 100 Britons have already gone to Ukraine.
Denmark will also allow its volunteers to participate in hostilities on the side of Ukraine.
It will also become easier for Polish citizens to join the Foreign Legion in Ukraine. According to the law, Polish citizens must obtain a permit from the Interior Ministry to serve in a foreign army.
