Ukraine-Russia war latest – Putin's fanatical troops open fire on protesters as Mariupol declared 'massive war crime'

PUTIN'S fanatical soldiers today opened fire on innocent protesters demonstrating in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson.

The latest war crime committed in Putin's illegal invasion of the country reportedly took place when Kremlin-backed forces opened fire and threw stun grenades at crowds.

Social media video footage showed civilians running from the city’s Freedom Square.

Several people are reported to have been injured as witnesses reported hearing the sound of automatic gunfire.

Meanwhile, EU chiefs have condemned Russia’s attack on Mariupol “a massive war crime”.

It comes as a string of member states continue to push for sanctions on Moscow’s key energy sector.

Speaking at the start of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, Josep Borrell said .“What’s happening now in Mariupol is a massive war crime, destroying everything, bombarding and killing everybody,”

Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…

  • Joseph Gamp

    Mayor of Kyiv imposes new, longer curfew

    The mayor of Kyiv said on Monday a new, longer curfew was being introduced in the Ukrainian capital because the authorities expect further shelling by Russian forces.

    Mayor Vitali Klitschko had earlier on Monday announced a "reinforced curfew" in the Ukrainian capital from 8.00 p.m. (1800 GMT) until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Parts of the city have come under fire repeatedly from Russian forces.

    "The reason for the curfew is linked to the likelihood of new shelling," he said later on Monday on national television.

  • Joseph Gamp

    'Ridiculous' to prevent Chelsea fans attending FA Cup semi final

    The Government has been urged to allow Chelsea fans access to FA Cup semi-final tickets, provided any proceeds go to the people of Ukraine.

    Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, has called for changes to the special licence imposed upon the club after their owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British Government.

    The intention of the licence is to deny the club – and by extension Abramovich, who the Government says has ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin – the ability to generate new revenue, including from ticket sales.

    Chelsea fans were unable to buy any tickets for the FA Cup quarter-final win at Middlesbrough beyond those purchased prior to the imposition of sanctions, but Knight insists a solution must be in place ahead of the semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley next month.

    "It is ridiculous that we face the prospect of a half-full Wembley for the Chelsea vs Palace FA Cup semi-final," Knight said.

    "Chelsea is more than just its owner, it's a living organism with huge importance to its fans and community. It was understandable that, at short notice, last week's game against Middlesbrough went ahead without Chelsea fans but, with this much notice, the FA have no excuse for excluding them.

    "The FA must be allowed to sell tickets to Chelsea fans so long as all money goes to the people of Ukraine."

  • Joseph Gamp

    Ukraine refuses to surrender Mariupol

    The Russian military has offered Ukrainian troops defending the port of Mariupol to lay down arms and exit the city via humanitarian corridors – but the proposal was quickly rejected by the Ukrainian authorities.

    Russia's Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said yesterday that all Ukrainian soldiers could leave the Azov Sea port Monday using safe routes for evacuating civilians that had been previously agreed with Ukraine and head to areas controlled by the Ukrainian authorities.

    He said that all those who lay down arms will be guaranteed a safe exit from Mariupol.

    Mizintsev added that Russia will wait for a written response to the Russian proposal from Kyiv – but didnt pertain to what action Russia will take if the humanitarian offer is rejected.

    Ukrainian deputy PM Iryna Vereshchuk said that Kyiv has already told Russia that there can be no talk about surrender and laying down weapons, according to Ukrainska Pravda news outlet.

    Vereshchuk rejected the Russian statement as "manipulation".

  • Joseph Gamp

    Pictured: Hero survivor of FOUR Hitler concentration camps, 95, killed by shell 

    Boris Romanchenko, 95, survivor of Buchenwald concentration camp, died in shelling during Russia’s military campaign to "rid Ukraine of Nazis".

    War veteran Boris Romanchenko, 95, died in Kharkiv on Friday but his loss was only announced today.

    He had also been incarcerated in concentration camps during WWII, including the Bergen-Belsen, Peenemünde, and Mittelbau-Dora camps.

    A Russian strike hit his home in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city.

    NINTCHDBPICT000720637782Credit: East2West
    NINTCHDBPICT000720637788Credit: East2West
  • Joseph Gamp

    Ukraine's global wheat exports to dramatically drop

    Ukraine, a major global wheat exporter, is likely to export just 200,000 tonnes of wheat from March to June due to its Black Sea ports being blocked by the Russian invasion, analyst APK-Inform said on Monday.

    The consultancy said in a report that 2021/22 July-June wheat exports would not exceed 18.3 million tonnes, while ending stocks will reach 5.9 million tonnes.

    Ukraine exported 18.1 million tonnes of wheat from July 2021 to March 2022.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Arnold Schwarzenegger tells Russians 'the truth' about Ukraine

    Arnold Schwarzenegger last week released a heartfelt video pleading with Russian soldiers to stop the war in Ukraine.

    He described how his father Gustav Schwarzenegger, a member of the Nazi party who served in the Second World War, told him to take down a poster of a Russian weightlifting hero that was in his room.

    He also drew comparison between his father's actions and those of Russiab soldiers, asking them: "Can you live with the guilt?"

    The megastar tweeted: "I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share."

  • Joseph Gamp

    UN confirms 952 civilians killed 1,469 injured during Ukraine invasion

    The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has released it's most up to date of civilian casualties in ukraine.

    As of midnight on March 20,, the country has recorded 2,421 civilian casualties.

    The figure includes 925 people killed and a further1,496 injured.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Home Office: More than 10,000 visas have now been issued to Ukrainian refugees

    The Home Office has announced 10,200 visas have now been issued to Ukrainian refugees under the government's Ukraine family scheme.

    Under the scheme, those fleeing the conflict can join relatives already living in Britain.

    Meanwhile the homes for Ukraine scheme, which more than 130,000 Britons have registered their interest in, allows people and organisations to sponsor Ukrainians and match them with a family.

    The above figures are reflect total numbers as of 5pm on Sunday evening.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Graph: Russian military losses in Ukraine

    This infographic details the amount of Russian personel and military losses during the month long conflict so far.

    The estimates, from the Ukrainian ministry of defence, show over 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.

    A further 1,535 armoured vehicles have also been destroyed, as well as 121 helicopters and 498 tanks.

  • Joseph Gamp

    Russia-Ukraine invasion: Latest developments

    • Putin has been compared to Hitler after reports of "mass deportations of Ukrainians to work camps in Russia"
    • Ukraine has refused to surrender Mariupol to Putin's forces after a chilling Russian ultimatum
    • Captured crying Russian soldiers claim their comrades have been thrown into mass graves as they call for an uprising against Putin
    • Ukrainian intelligence claims Russian officials plan to poison Putin and have already chosen his successor
    • Russian tanks 'opened fire' on an elderly care home in eastern Ukraine killing 56 and taking 15 hostage
    • Dramatic Call Of Duty-style footage captures the moment Ukrainian forces blast a Russian Z-tank

    Boris Johnson denies comparing Brexit to Ukraine invasion, says spokesman

    Boris Johnson did not directly compare the war in Ukraine with Brexit and will not retract comments made during a speech on Saturday that drew criticism, his spokesman said on Monday.

    The PM said it was the instinct of British people, like Ukrainians, to choose freedom every time, citing the vote to leave the European Union as an example of that.

    "There was not a direct comparison made between fighting in Ukraine (and Brexit) … they're not directly analogous.

    "He was making observations about people's desire for freedom," the spokesman said.

    The spokesman said Johnson did not regret his phrasing and wouldn't retract the comment.

    No.10: Hoax calls an attempt to distract from military problems in UK

    No10 said the hoax video calls last week were an attempt by Putin to distract from military problems in Ukraine.

    The PM's Official spokesman said: "We are seeing a string of distraction stories and outright lies from the Kremlin, reflecting Putin's desperation as he seeks to hide the scale of the conflict and Russia's failings on the battlefield."

    Russia and Ukraine hold more peace talks

    Russian and Ukrainian peace negotiators held a 90-minute video call on Monday and working groups will continue to meet throughout the day, a member of the Ukrainian delegation said.

    "Today we are working the whole day," Ukrainian delegate and lawmaker David Arakhamia was quoted as saying by Ukrainian media.

    BREAKING: Downing Street publicly blames Russia for hoax calls

    Downing Street has publicly blamed Russia for being behind a series of hoax calls.

    The calls targeted Home Secretary Priti Patel, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.

    Oil price could reach $300 a barrel if west shuns Russian crude, says deputy PM

    Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday that oil prices could reach $300 a barrel if Russian crude was shunned by the West, although he said that was unlikely, TASS news agency reported.

    Novak also said it was impossible for Europe to refuse Russian oil and gas for now.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Sajid says UK could welcome hundreds and thousands of Ukrainian refugees

      Britain could welcome hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing the fighting in Ukraine in the coming weeks, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said.

      After the Government's Homes for Ukraine scheme opened at the weekend, Mr Javid said those arriving in the UK would get all the support they needed.

      His assurance came as the latest intelligence assessment by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) warned that Russian forces were seeking to encircle the capital, Kyiv.

      Mr Javid defended comments by Home Secretary Priti Patel who insisted security checks were needed on refugees from the war to prevent Russian spies infiltrating the country.

      Speaking at the Conservative Spring Forum in Blackpool at the weekend, Ms Patel said it was "naive" to assume that just because most people arriving in the UK were women and children there could not be Kremlin agents among them.

      Mr Javid said that while any checks should be "proportionate" the Salisbury nerve agent attack in 2018 underlined the need to be vigilant.

      "We saw in our country Russian agents came here with a deadly nerve agent, a chemical weapon, and they used it in Salisbury. We know it killed people and Russia was directly responsible for that," he told Sky News.

      "They infiltrated our country with agents, with a chemical weapon, and used it and so it is right there are some level of security checks. We also know that extremists and extremist organisations operate in that region."

    • Joseph Gamp

      In pictures: Shopping centre bombing leaves eight dead in Kyiv

      The image below shows a lone man assessing the burning and destroyed Retroville shopping mall after a Russian attack on the northwest of the capital Kyiv.

      At least eight people were killed in the overnight bombing of a shopping centre in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, an AFP journalist said/.

      Rescuers are continuing to comb the wreckage for other victims.

      NINTCHDBPICT000720588985Credit: AFP
    • Joseph Gamp

      At least 8 dead after Kyiv shopping centre bombed

      At least six people were killed in an overnight bombing on a shopping centre in Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

      Eight bodies were laid out in front of the "Retroville" shopping mall in the northwest of Kyiv, according to an AFP journalist.

      The building had been hit by a powerful blast that pulverised vehicles in its car park and left a crater several metres wide.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Russia claims UK sanctions 'will have little impact'

      The refusal by the United States and Britain to purchase Russian oil would have little impact on Moscow because they only buy small amounts of Russian crude, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Monday, according to Interfax news agency.

      Novak said Russia was in the process of resolving logistical issues linked to its oil shipments abroad and that the country's oil and gas production was continuing as usual despite sanctions.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Good morning, Joe Gamp here bringing you the latest rolling news coverage of the Ukraine war.

      I'll be keeping you updated all the way until 10pm this evening.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Zelensky calls on Europe to cease all trade with Russia

      Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on European leaders on Monday to cease all trade with Russia in an effort to pressure Moscow to halt its nearly month-long military assault on his country.

      "Please do not sponsor the weapons of war of this country, of Russia. No euros for the occupiers. Close all of your ports to them.

      "Don't export them your goods. Deny energy resources. Push for Russia to leave Ukraine," Zelensky said in a video address.

    • Joseph Gamp

      Chelsea ‘face administration & point deduction’

      CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich could plunge his crisis-gripped club into administration – if he ‘refuses’ to flog it to a country that has sanctioned Russian oligarchs, it has been claimed.

      The billionaire could influence the club’s sale despite having had all his assets seized by the British Government, according to The Mail on Sunday.

      If Chelsea were forced into administration it would see them hit with a nine-point deduction, putting their top four and Champions League hopes in jeopardy.

      Abramovich – who has owned Chelsea since 2003 – has hired The Raine Group to flog the West London club.

      He reportedly has the power to veto bids from potential buyers in the United States and Britain, the sources claimed.

      The Sun Online have approached The Raine Group, the office of Mr Abramovich and Chelsea FC for comment.

    • Louis Allwood

      Devastating Russian airstrike leaves Kyiv scorched

      A shopping centre has been destroyed in Kyiv after a devastating Russian airstrike on Sunday evening.

      The capital was lit up by a wall of flames as the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned locals "several explosions" had taken place.

      The pro boxer and politician revealed several homes had also been torpedoed by the shelling in the Podilskyi district.

      He said at least one victim had been killed in the attack that occurred just after midnight local time.

      Harrowing images show firefighters battling to put out the ferocious flames while rescuers scoured the rubble for the injured.

      The Mayor of Kyiv wrote in a tweet: "Friends! Several explosions in the Podilskyi district of the capital.

      "In particular, according to information at the moment, some houses and in one of the shopping centers.

      "Rescuers, medics and police are already in place. Rescuers are extinguishing a large fire.

      "At this time – one victim. All services – rescue, medics, police – work on site. The information is being clarified."

    • Louis Allwood

      Ammonia leak update

      Russian shelling led to an ammonia leak at a chemical plant near the city of Sumy, according to officials.

      It is now understood that a 50-ton tank of the poison gas was damaged when the Sumykhimprom facility was hit by Russian shelling

      This is what created an ammonia cloud according to officials.

      The cloud affected an area of about 2.5km, the region's governor, Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, said.

    • Louis Allwood

      GMB viewers all saying the same thing after Brit fled home to fight in Ukraine

      Good Morning Britain viewers have slammed a 19-year-old Brit with no military experience who fled home to fight in Ukraine.

      'Alex', who appeared in the studio alongside his mum, returned home after just six days in the war-torn Eastern European country once he realised the horror of the situation.

      He is now warning others like him from making the journey to fight invading Russian forces.

      The former army cadet's mum 'Lisa' revealed she thought her son was joking when he told her he was travelling to Ukraine at 11pm the night before he disappeared.

      Explaining his reasoning, 'Alex', who described his journey as a 'suicide mission', said: "I was watching children walking with no family members and it just hit me that I needed to stand up and do something."

      Viewers had little sympathy for 'Alex', with many claiming he was playing out a Call of Duty fantasy.

      One wrote on Twitter: "This kid is a complete idiot, probably just played Call of Duty and thought he knew what he was doing."

      Source: Read Full Article

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