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- Russia bombards areas where it pledged to scale back
- This morning’s headlines at a glance
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Russia bombards areas where it pledged to scale back
Russian forces have bombarded areas around Kyiv and another city just hours after pledging to scale back operations in those zones to promote trust between the two sides, Ukrainian authorities say.
The shelling, and intensified Russian attacks on other parts of the country on Wednesday (European time), have tempered optimism about any progress in the talks ending the war.
Russia’s military announced earlier this week that it would de-escalate its presence near the Ukrainian capital and the northern city of Chernihiv to “increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations”. That sentiment was met with deep suspicion from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the West.
Soon after, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling hit homes, stores, libraries and other civilian sites in and around Chernihiv and on the outskirts of Kyiv. Russian troops also stepped up their attacks around the eastern city of Izyum and the eastern Donetsk region, after redeploying units from other areas, the Ukrainian side said.
Olexander Lomako, secretary of the Chernihiv city council, said the Russian announcement turned out to be “a complete lie”.
“At night they didn’t decrease, but vice versa increased the intensity of military action,” Lomako said.
Five weeks into Russia’s invasion, the number of Ukrainians fleeing their country has topped a staggering 4 million, half of them children, according to the United Nations.
“I do not know if we can still believe the Russians,” Nikolay Nazarov, a refugee from Ukraine, said as he pushed his father’s wheelchair at a border crossing into Poland. “I think more escalation will occur in eastern Ukraine. That is why we cannot go back to Kharkiv.”
You can read more about the war here.
AP
This morning’s headlines at a glance
Good morning and thanks for reading our live coverage on what’s been a very busy news weeks.
It’s Thursday, March 31. I’m Broede Carmody and I’ll bring you some of the biggest stories for the first half of the day.
Here’s what you need to know before we get started.
- Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will deliver his budget reply speech tonight. The Labor leader has accused the government of trying to bribe voters ahead of the upcoming election. He also says the Morrison government lacks a long-term vision for the future. However, Labor has not opposed the government’s cost-of-living measures (including cash payments for pensioners and tax cuts for low and middle income earners).
Federal Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese. Credit:Getty
- Elsewhere in federal politics, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address Parliament this afternoon via video link as part of a rare joint sitting. Meanwhile, the Coalition has abandoned its push to give Immigration Minister Alex Hawke greater powers under the “character test” to deport criminals. And the fallout from Liberal senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells’ “bully” speech, and recent preselections, continues.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will address Australian Parliament this afternoon. Credit:AP
- The Wilsons River in Lismore, in northern NSW, has peaked at 11.4 metres. However, water is still spilling over the town’s flood levee. Flood warnings remain in place for various parts of NSW. Yesterday, Byron Bay’s main street was underwater.
Johnson Street in Byron Bay yesterday. Credit:Craig Parry
- And Russian forces have bombarded the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv. That’s despite Russian officials promising to downgrade their country’s military presence in the region following face-to-face talks with Ukraine in Turkey.
A mother and her daughter examine a damaged neighbourhood in Kyiv earlier this month. Credit:AP
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