Russia Ukraine War Updates: Next few days of war crucial, says Zelenskyy
If Russian casualties in Ukraine are as high as has been reported — 15,000 or more dead and three times that wounded in the space of six weeks — those results eventually will begin filtering through the society in spite of official censorship.
With the Russian military in retreat from around Kyiv and facing condemnation for brutal tactics, harsh political repression at home and the economy buffeted by Western sanctions, adversaries and allies alike are raising the same question about President Vladimir Putin: Can he hold onto power? The answer: For now, but maybe not forever. Tens of thousands of affluent citizens, intellectuals and political critics have abandoned Russia rather than remain under the tight controls Putin has imposed, finding escape in Istanbul, Tbilisi or cities in the West. This brain drain no doubt will hurt Russia in the future. But at the moment, their departure removes a possible nexus of opposition from the society. Meanwhile, the mayor of Kyiv and his brother said the visit of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to their capital shows who Ukraine’s real friends are at this critical time. But they understand if security concerns keep U.S. President Joe Biden from visiting for now.
Over 4.5mn people flee Ukraine since starting of war: UNHCR
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said that more than 4.5 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia launched its ongoing war on February 24.
As of Sunday, the UNHCR said there were 4,503,954 Ukrainian refugees, 62,291 more than the previous day, the BBC reported.
According to the UN agency, this is the first time for Europe to witness such a large number of refugees since the Second World War.
The UNHCR said that 90 per cent of those who have fled are women and children, as most men aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave Ukraine as they must stay and join the country’s forces.
Death toll in Ukraine train station attack rises to 57
The number of civilians killed in the Russian missile strike on a train station in Ukraine’s Kramatorsk has increased to 57, with 109 people injured, a top official announced.
Addressing the media on Sunday, Pavlo Kyrylenko, the military head in Donetsk region where Kramatorsk is located, confirmed the new toll and said that “people with light injuries were sent home. All the seriously wounded are already in a safe region, and necessary assistance is being provided”, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.
World Bank expects Ukrainian, Russian economies to shrink drastically in 2022: Report
The World Bank expects the Ukrainian economy to shrink by 45.1 per cent this year as a result of the Russian military operation, while Russia will see its economy contract by 11.2 per cent in the same period.
Zelenskyy: Next few days of war are crucial
Ukraine’s president warned his nation Sunday night that the coming week would be as crucial as any in the war.
“Russian troops will move to even larger operations in the east of our state,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in his nightly address.
He accused Russia of trying to evade responsibility for war crimes.
“When people lack the courage to admit their mistakes, apologize, adapt to reality and learn, they turn into monsters. And when the world ignores it, the monsters decide that it is the world that has to adapt to them. Ukraine will stop all this,” Zelenskyy said.
Trudeau says providing investigative support to Ukraine
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is providing investigative support to efforts to document war crimes in Ukraine, and he said Russian President Vladimir Putin is responsible
Ukrainian defenders dig in as Russia boosts firepower
As Ukrainian forces dug in, Russia lined up more firepower and tapped a decorated general to take centralized control of the war ahead of a potentially decisive showdown in eastern Ukraine that could start within days.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned Sunday in his nightly address to the nation that the coming week would be as crucial as any in the war, saying “Russian troops will move to even larger operations in the east of our state.”
He also accused Russia of trying to evade responsibility for war crimes in Ukraine.
US doubts new Russian war chief can end Moscow’s floundering
Russia has tapped a new Ukraine war commander to take centralized control of the next phase of battle after its costly failures in the opening campaign and carnage for Ukrainian civilians. US officials don’t see one man making a difference in Moscow’s prospects.
Russia turned to Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, 60, one of Russia’s most experienced military officers and — according to US officials — a general with a record of brutality against civilians in Syria and other war theaters. Up to now, Russia had no central war commander on the ground.
The general’s appointment was confirmed by a senior US official who not authorised to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity.
But the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, said, “no appointment of any general can erase the fact that Russia has already faced a strategic failure in Ukraine.”
