Russian forces waged war on Ukraine Thursday, while they shelled a nuclear power plantwhile the sides worked out safe corridors for citizens to evacuate.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, addressed the nation in a video address. He urged Ukrainians to continue their resistance while the war raged for eight days.
Here are some key facts about the conflict.
THE NUCLEAR POWER STATION
According to plant spokesperson Andriy Tuz, Russian troops have started shelling Enerhodar’s nuclear power station. The plant is currently on fire, but there are no details about radioactivity.
Officials from Ukraine claimed that smoke can be seen coming from the nuclear power plant and that elevated radiation levels are being detected close to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility.
To discuss information not yet publicly available, the official spoke under anonymity. The differing accounts of radioactivity’s presence could not be reconciled immediately.
In a Telegram video, Tuz stated that “We demand they stop the heavy weapon fire.” “There is a real danger of nuclear danger at the largest atomic energy station Europe.”
The Dnieper River’s southern city, Enerhodar, is a major energy hub. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which provides 25% of Ukraine’s electricity generation, is the largest in Europe.
WHAT GOES NEGOTIATIONS?
According to a member of Ukraine’s delegation, who was sent to talk with Russia, both sides have agreed that civilians can safely flee combat zones through corridors. According to Mykhailo Polyak, a Zelenskyy adviser, the corridors will include ceasefires along the route.
The corridors could deliver humanitarian supplies, which was the main demand of the Ukrainians heading into Thursday’s second round in negotiations in Belarus. They are located in the Brest region, which borders Poland.
The safe zones were also announced by Vladimir Putin, the Russian President. Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, told reporters that Russia would continue its military actions until it achieves its goals, namely the “demilitarization” of Ukraine. However, he added that it was up to the Ukrainians to decide what government to have.
Podolyak stated that Ukraine had also requested an armistice during the negotiations.
He said that the third round of talks is planned for next week.
Leonid Slutsky (a senior Russian lawmaker) said that the next round of negotiations could result in agreements. Some of these would need to be approved by the Russian and Ukrainian parliaments.
During this time, Zelenskyy challenged Putin for talks.
Zelenskyy stated that “any words are more important than shots.”
FIGHTING FOR ELSEWHERE
On the outskirts Mariupol, a strategically important port city on the Azov sea, heavy fighting continues. Pavlo Kyrylenko (the city’s regional governor) stated Thursday night that power and water supplies to Mariupol were cut. The Russian siege was described by Pavlo Kyrylenko as “exemplary punishment” for his city.
According to the Russian military, Kherson is under its control. Local Ukrainian officials confirmed that Russian forces had taken over the Black Sea port of 280,000 inhabitants. This was the first major city to fall since World War II.
Further shelling was reported in Chernihiv’s northern city. Officials said that at least 33 civilians were killed and 18 others were injured in a Russian attack on a residential neighborhood. Because of the renewed shelling, rescue crews had to stop searching for wreckage.
According to the mayor of the city, the overnight explosions that were heard by Associated Press reporters in Kyiv were caused by missiles being destroyed by Ukraine’s air defence systems. The convoy of Russian vehicles, measuring 40 miles (64 kilometers) long, is still stalled in Kyiv after it was hit by heavy shelling.
Russian forces also bombarded Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city.
Zelenskyy’s aide has asked his compatriots for guerrilla tactics against Russian forces. He suggested that they cut down trees, and dismantle the rear columns of Russian troops.
HOW MANY REFUGEES ARE AVAILABLE?
According to the United Nations, 1,000,000 people fled Ukraine after the attack began. Although this is more than 2%, some people fleeing Ukraine are citizens from other countries.
According to the U.N. refugee agency, up to 4,000,000 people could leave Ukraine (a country that has a population of 44million).
According to the EU Commission, it will issue temporary residence permits to refugees fleeing violence. They can also study and work in the 27 member states. This move will require the approval of all member states, who have supported it.
WAR’S DEATH TOLL
Russia has confirmed that nearly 500 Russian soldiers have been killed and another 1,600 were wounded. Ukraine has not yet released comparable casualty numbers for its armed forces.
According to the U.N. Human Rights Office, at least 227 civilians were killed and 525 injured in Ukraine since February 24, when the invasion began. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine claims that more than 2000 civilians have been killed, but it is impossible to verify this claim.
RUSSIAN GENERAL KILLED
Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky was the commanding general for the Russian 7th Airborne Division. He was killed during fighting in Ukraine this week.
A local officer’s organization from the Krasnodar region of southern Russia confirmed his death. His death circumstances were not immediately known.
Sukhovetsky was 47 years old and took part in Russia’s military campaign against Syria. Novorossiisk will host a funeral, although no further details were available.
COULD SWEDEN AND FINLAND JOIN NATO?
The support for NATO membership has risen to new heightsin Nordic neutrals Finland, and Sweden.
Finnish broadcaster YLE conducted a poll this week that showed more than half of Finns supported joining the Western military alliance. Similar results were found in neighboring Sweden where the majority of those who support NATO membership outnumbered those who opposed it.
Moscow warned that it would have to take retaliatory actions if Finland or Sweden joined the alliance.
RUSSIA SANCTIONS
The White House has announced new sanctionsThursday that are targeted at members of Putin’s inner circle. The U.S. had earlier this week announced sanctions against Russia, Belarus and Canada, which included export restrictions aimed at Russia’s oil industry. The U.S. joined Canada and Europe to close its airspace for Russian airlines.
An increasing number of world-famous brands, including Apple, Mercedes-Benz, and BP are planning to leave Russia. German Volkswagen Group has decided to stop its Russian business activities, including Skoda Auto’s subsidiary. This is stopping all Russian exports and halting Russian car production at its two Russian plants.
Ikea, the Swedish furniture retailer, has announced that it is closing down its Russian operations. This will mean that all import and export from Russia and Belarus will be stopped.
WHAT ABOUT THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE?
Russians with high-end properties in Europe are at risk of sanctions. They also have to send their children to elite European schools. Some people have started to speak up, though only tentatively.
French authorities claimed they took a yacht belonging to Igor Sechin (a Putin ally who runs Rosneft Russian oil giant Rosneft) as part of EU sanctions against Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Britain placed sanctions on two Russians it believes are connected to the Kremlin. This effectively cut them off from any property or interest in the U.K. According to the government, Alisher Usmanov (and Igor Shuvalov) are worth $19 billion each.
The U.S. State Department announced Thursday that it would impose visa bans on 19 Russian Oligarchs as well as dozens of their relatives and associates. The Justice Department had previously announced a new initiative in an effort to pursue Russian oligarchs.
Roman Abramovich, a Russian billionaire, confirmed Wednesday that he is trying to sell Premier League Chelsea soccer team at a cost of at least $2.5billion. He stated that net proceeds of the sale would be donated to the war victims.
The sanctions are also affecting ordinary Russians , from payment systems that won’t work and cash withdrawal problems to being unable to buy certain items.
Russian and Belarusian Paralympics Games athletes have been banned from participating in the Games because of their roles in the conflict in Ukraine. The Games will open Friday.
