Russia-Ukraine War: 1,351 Soldiers Killed in Ukraine, Says Russian Army
Catch all the updates on the Russian war on Ukraine here.
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The Russian army said on Friday, 25 March, that 1,351 soldiers have been killed in Ukraine. The army also said that 419,736 civilians have been evacuated from Ukraine, AFP reported.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has landed in Poland near the Ukraine border.
Earlier, Ukrainian authorities said that they feared there were around 300 dead in the bombing of a theatre in the port city of Mariupol.
With the Russian siege of Ukraine crossing the one-month mark, the G7 countries on Thursday backed the International Criminal Court’s (ICC's) investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine.
The G7 said in a statement, "We remain appalled by and condemn the devastating attacks on the Ukrainian population and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools."
Earlier, Joe Biden has said that Russia should be removed from the G20, an intergovernmental forum of 19 countries and the European Union that works on major global issues. However, Kremlin said that Russia's exclusion from G20 would not be 'fatal'.
UN General Assembly, on Thursday, approved the resolution blaming Russia for the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and called for an immediate ceasefire
Zelenskyy says that there is a "real" threat that Moscow would use chemical weapons in Ukraine, and has asked NATO to provide Kyiv with unrestricted military support
United States would be taking in up to 1,00,000 Ukrainian war refugees, the White House said on Thursday
Almost 3.7 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began on 24 February, according to the UN's refugee agency
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US President Joe Biden Warns China Against Providing Aid to Russia
US President Joe Biden reiterated his warnings to China against coming to Russia’s aid in Ukraine.
He said that he had made clear “the consequences” of such assistance to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a phone call last week.
Biden added that the Chinese president understands that China’s economic interests are with the West, and not Russia, Al Jazeera reported.
US to Welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian Refugees
The United States said on Thursday that it plans to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian citizens fleeing Russia's invasion and is pledging an additional $1 billion in humanitarian aid.
Sanctions Have Come a Little Late: Zelenskyy
In a video message posted on Facebook, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked European Council members for applying sanctions against Russia, but said it was “a little late.”
He added that if the sanctions had been preventative, there was a chance Russia would not have gone to war.
"You applied sanctions. We are grateful. These are powerful steps but it was a little late. If it had been preventative, Russia would not have gone to war," Zelenskyy said.
US Prez to Visit Polish Town 80 KM Away From Ukraine
US President Joe Biden will travel to a town near the Polish-Ukrainian border on Friday, in an attempt to signal cooperation among western countries against Russia.
Air Force One will land in the Polish town of Rzeszow, bringing Biden less than 80 kilometres from Ukraine, AP reported.
Former Russian President Says Sanctions Won't Sway Moscow
Dmitry Medvedev, Russian ex-president and deputy head of the country's security council, said on Friday that it was "foolish" to believe that western sanctions against Russian businesses would have any effect on Moscow.
Russia, Ukraine Undertake 'Soldier-For-Soldier' Exchange
Ukraine and Russia exchanged prisoners of war on Thursday, in what Kyiv said was the first soldier-for-soldier swap since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered military operations in February.
“Following an order from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the first full-fledged exchange of prisoners of war has taken place,” Ukrainian deputy prime minister Iryna Vereshchuk said on Facebook on Thursday.
Germany to Drastically Slash Energy Imports From Russia
Germany said on Friday that it was drastically slashing its energy purchases from Russia, with oil imports to be halved by June and coal deliveries to end by the autumn, AFP reported.
300 Feared Dead in Mariupol Theatre Bombing
Ukrainian authorities said on Friday, 25 March, that they feared there were around 300 dead in the bombing of a theatre in the port city of Mariupol.
A statement from a city council official spokesperson affirmed the tragedy saying “Unfortunately, we start this day with bad news. From eyewitnesses, information appears that about 300 people died in the Drama Theatre of Mariupol as a result of a bombardment by a Russian aircraft," The Guardian reported.
US President to Travel to Town Near Polish-Ukrainian Border
US President Joe Biden is scheduled to take a flight to Rzeszow, a town near the Polish-Ukrainian border Friday, underscoring the Western resolve to defend the NATO ally in light of Russia's invasion.
Ukraine Urges EU to Close Russia, Belarus Borders
Ukraine has urged the Europena Union to close Russia, Belarus borders to enforce sanctions, reports AFP.
Russia Denies Breaching Intl Law With Phosphorus Bombs
Russia on Friday denied breaching international law with phosphorus bombs. Kremlin said that US President Joe Biden was 'diverting attention' from US chemical and biological weapons programme.
Russia's Exclusion From G20 Won't be Fatal: Kremlin
Kremlin said on Friday that Russia's exclusion from G20 would not be 'fatal', AFP reported.
"When most of the participants in this format are in a state of economic war with us, nothing fatal will happen," Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Putin Compares Attacks on Russian culture to Nazi Book Burnings
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday compared attacks on Russian culture to burning of books by Nazi supporters in the 1930s.
"Today they are trying to cancel a thousand-year-old country -- I am talking about the progressive discrimination against everything connected with Russia," he said, as per AFP.
'No Intention' of Using Chemical Weapons: White House
The United States has no intention of using chemical weapons nder any circumstance even if Russia uses such weapons in Ukraine, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Friday.
1,351 Soldiers Killed in Ukraine: Russian Army
The Russian army said on Friday that 1,351 soldiers have been killed in Ukraine.
The army also said that 419,736 civilians have been evacuated from Ukraine, AFP reported.
Biden Lands in Poland
US President Joe Biden has landed in the city of Rzeszow in southeastern Poland, which is around 100 kilometres from the border with Ukraine, reported AFP.
'No Progress on Political Issues With Ukraine': Russia
A Russian negotiator said on Friday that no progress has been made on main political issues with Ukraine, reported AFP.
US, European Commission Announce Joint Task Force to Reduce Dependence on Russian Fossil Fuels
"Today, US President Joe Biden & European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a joint Task Force to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels & strengthen European energy security as President Putin wages his war of choice against Ukraine," The White House said.
'Will Focus on 'Liberation' of Ukraine's Donbas Region': Russian Army
The Russian army on Friday said it will focus on the 'liberation' of Ukraine's Donbas region, reported AFP. The army also said that the first phase of its military campaign in Ukraine was over.
Talks With Moscow Were Very Difficult: Ukraine
Ukraine said on Friday that talks with Moscow were "very difficult". The country also vowed not to back down on its demands, AFP reported.
"The Ukrainian delegration has taken a strong position and does not relinquish its demands. We insist, first of all, on a ceasefire, security guarantees, and territorial integrity of Ukraine," said Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba.
3.7 Mn People Have Fled Ukraine So Far: UN
Around 3.7 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia's invaded the country on 24 February, the UN said on Friday.