Russia Ukraine War Updates: Airstrike hits Ukraine maternity hospital; children trapped under debris

Two weeks into its war in Ukraine, Russia has achieved less and struggled more than anticipated at the outset of the biggest land conflict in Europe since World War II. But the invading force of more than 150,000 troops retains large and possibly decisive advantages in firepower as they bear down on key cities. Moscow’s main objective — toppling the Kyiv government and replacing it with Kremlin-friendly leadership — remains elusive, and its overall offensive has been slowed by an array of failings, including a lack of coordination between air and ground forces and an inability to fully dominate Ukraine’s skies. Two weeks of war have created a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine that has accelerated in recent days. The United Nations estimates that 2 million Ukrainians have fled their country, and the number is expected to grow. Russia likely has had between 2,000 and 4,000 troops killed thus far. With no sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin backing away, the war appears likely to drag on.

Russia wants more talks with Ukraine: Kremlin

Moscow is interested in holding the next rounds of peace talks with Kiev as soon as Ukrainian negotiators are ready, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.

Russia has conveyed its position clearly to the Ukrainian side during the previous three rounds of negotiations, Peskov told a daily briefing, Xinhua news agency reported.

“We urge the Ukrainian side to make every effort to ensure the safe evacuation of civilians. We expect a more significant step forward during the next rounds of negotiations,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a weekly press conference.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will fly to Turkey’s Antalya on Wednesday to attend a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday, she said.

Russia not abandoning plans to surround Kiev: Ukraine

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Thursday that Russia is not abandoning its plans to surround Kiev as Moscow’s military invasion continued for the 15th day.

In its latest update on Facebook, the military said that Ukrainian forces are repelling and holding back Moscow’s offensive operation in all directions despite attempts by Russian troops to advance towards the capital city.

It said the Russian troops have “lost their military capacity and are being introduced into the operation of reserves”.

“To increase combat capacity, the enemy is moving to the borders of Ukraine unions and military parts from other strategic directions.”

United House OKs $13.6B for Ukraine in huge spending bill

The House approved a massive spending bill Wednesday night that would rush USD 13.6 billion in US aid to battered Ukraine and its European allies, after top Democrats were forced to abruptly drop their plan to include fresh funds to battle COVID-19.

Passage of the Ukraine aid and the USD 1.5 trillion government-wide legislation that carried it let both parties lay claim to election-year victories for their priorities.

Democrats won treasured domestic initiatives, Republicans achieved defense boosts, and both got their imprint on funds to counter Russia’s brutal invasion of its western neighbour. Senate approval was assured by week’s end or perhaps slightly longer.

Hours earlier, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had to abandon the bill’s USD 15.6 billion for combating the pandemic, a decision she called “heartbreaking” and that spelled defeat for a top priority of President Joe Biden and party leaders.

Hospital in Ukraine hit by Russian shelling

Ukarine has said that Russian forces surrounding the southern port city of Mariupol have destroyed a maternity hospital.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said children were under the wreckage, and called on Western leaders to impose a no-fly zone, the BBC reported.

He also posted footage apparently from inside the hospital, which appears badly damaged.

There is no information yet on casualties, or on who was inside the hospital at the time.

The Mariupol city council said the strike had caused “colossal damage”, and published footage showing burned out buildings, destroyed cars and a huge crater outside the hospital.

Ukraine regains control of Derhachi, Kharkiv Oblast

Ukraine regains control of Derhachi, Kharkiv Oblast, reports the Kyiv Independent

Head of Kharkiv Regional State Administration Oleh Synegubov announced that Russian forces were attempting to encircle the city but were repelled by a Ukrainian counterattack.

Twitter launches Tor service bypassing Russia’s block

Twitter has launched a privacy-protected version of its site to bypass surveillance and censorship after Russia restricted access to its service in the country.

Russia has blocked access to Facebook and has limited Twitter in an attempt to try to restrict the flow of information about its war in Ukraine. Both companies have said they are working on restoring access to people inside Russia even as they restrict the country’s state media from their services.

Known as an “onion” service, users can access this version of Twitter if they download the Tor browser, which allows people to access sites on what is also referred to as the “dark web.” Instead of .com, onion sites have a .onion suffix.

35,000 civilians evacuated from Ukrainian cities

35,000 civilians evacuated from Ukrainian cities on Wednesday, says Zelenskyy

Last evacuation flight under Op Ganga likely to be on Thursday

India is set to wind up on Thursday its evacuation mission ‘Operation Ganga’ that was launched 12 days ago to bring back Indian nationals following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Over 17,000 Indians, mostly students, have been evacuated so far under the mission. The last flight is scheduled for Thursday evening, people familiar with the development said.

India is winding up Operation Ganga as the evacuation of almost all the stranded Indians in Ukraine would be completed by Thursday, the people said, adding the Indian mission will still continue to look for people who may have stayed back in some isolated pockets.

Pentagon rejects NATO nations providing jets to Ukraine

The Pentagon has slammed the door on any plans to provide MiG fighter jets to Ukraine, even through a second country, calling it a “high-risk” venture that would not significantly change the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Air Force. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Polish counterpart on Wednesday and told him the US assessment.

He said the US is pursuing other options that would provide more critical military needs to Ukraine such as air defense and anti-armor weapons systems.

Poland had said it was prepared to hand over MiG-29 planes to NATO that could then be delivered to Ukraine, but Kirby said US intelligence concluded that it could be considered escalatory and trigger a “significant” Russian reaction.

Alternative options to help Ukraine include working with other allies: John Kirby

“Alternative options to help Ukraine include working with other allies & partner nations around the world who may have additional air defence capabilities willing to provide them to Ukraine. We’re having discussions with many countries regarding this”: Pentagon Press Secy John Kirby.

News Credit: India TV News