The besieged Ukrainian city of Mariupol resists the Russian invasion
The besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol withstands constant bombardment by Russian forces. Ukrainian troops are fighting fiercely with the superior Russian firepower in the once bustling city where about a quarter of its pre-war population remains. Fighting and resistance from Ukraine helped link Russian forces and delay a planned offensive in eastern Ukraine. “As long as the fighting continues, Russia can not withdraw troops from Mariupol and deploy them to other areas, including Donbass,” Oleh Zhdanov, an independent military expert, told the Associated Press. The Russians see Mariupol as a key target since the invasion began on February 24, as taking over could help Russia build a land corridor to Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula. The Associated Press contributed to this report
Zelensky on repeated demands for weapons: “It’s pig day”
Spokesman Michael Waltz discusses Zelenskyy’s frustrated comments about his numerous Western gun requests on Fox News @ Night.
Zelensky says between 2,500 and 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in the war with Russia
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday that between 2,500 and 3,000 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed in the war with Russia so far. He made the remarks on CNN on Friday, noting that 10,000 have been injured. Zelensky added that 19,000 to 20,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the war, which ends in the eighth week. His comments came as Russian forces continued preparations for a new offensive in eastern Ukraine. Reuters contributed to this report
The Ukrainian is getting married to a Russian in Mexico after the war stopped the marriage plans
A Ukrainian woman married a Russian man in the border town of Tijuana to Mexico this week. After the war thwarted their plan to get married in Kyiv, they hoped to travel to the US to get married. While the bride, Daria Sakhniuk, was allowed to enter the United States as a Ukrainian refugee, her partner, Semen Bobrovski, a Russian citizen, was unable to travel due to restrictions due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bobrovsky told El Sol de Tijuana that he felt the marriage could help his chances of entering the United States with his wife – as Russian nationals with family members in the state are the only ones allowed to enter the country. “Without it, we will not be able to pass because, for the official US government, we are strangers to each other,” Bobrovsky said. The Associated Press contributed to this report
Zelensky urges “democratic world” to ban Russian oil, says sanctions are “painful” but not enough
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday called on the “democratic world” to ban Russian oil. “In general, the democratic world must accept that Russia’s money for energy resources is in fact money for the destruction of democracy,” Zelensky said in a night speech in Ukraine. He said sanctions on Russia were “painful” but not enough, as Europe relied more on Russian energy supplies. “The sooner the democratic world recognizes that the oil embargo against Russia and the complete closure of its banking sector are necessary steps towards peace, the sooner the war will end,” he added. The Associated Press contributed to this report
Moscow warns US to stop equipping Ukraine after sinking of Russian warship
National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin has the latest from Kyiv, Ukraine in “America Reports”.
Ukraine: More than 900 civilian bodies were found in the Kiev region, police said
The bodies of more than 900 civilians were found in the area around the Ukrainian capital after Russia withdrew – most of them were shot dead, police said on Friday, indicating that many people had “simply been executed”. The alarming number came shortly after the Russian Defense Ministry promised to intensify the missile attacks in Kyiv in response to the alleged Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory. Around Kyiv, Andriy Nebytov, head of the capital’s regional police force, said the bodies had been abandoned on the streets or temporarily buried. He cited police figures showing that 95% had died from gunfire. For more on this story: Ukraine: More than 900 civilian bodies found in Kiev region, police say
Ukrainian Prime Minister and economic officials to visit Washington next week
Ukraine is sending its prime minister and financial officials to next spring’s meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, where the focus will be on the Russian invasion and its impact on the world economy. Among those attending the rally were Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Smikhal, Finance Minister Sergiy Martchenko and Central Bank Governor Kirill Shevchenko, a World Bank official said on condition of anonymity. It will be the first opportunity for key Ukrainian officials to meet in person with a number of economic officials following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. The Associated Press contributed to this report
