As Russia continues to wage war against Ukraine for the ninth day, a fire broke out at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on Friday, 4 March, after the invading military directed its strikes at what is the largest nuclear facility in Europe.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting over the crisis in New York.
The BBC on Friday, announced that it is halting the work of all its journalists in Russia after Moscow passed a legislation criminalising the spread of "fake” information about its military.
As per the Ukrainian state nuclear company, at least 3 Ukrainian troops were killed and 2 were wounded amidst the assault on Friday, AP reported.
This comes after a second round of negotiations on Thursday, where the parties reached a tentative agreement to organise safe corridors for civilians to be evacuated and for humanitarian supplies to be delivered.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying it was "the only way to stop this war"
Putin told his French counterpart that war will continue till Ukraine's demilitarisation and neutral status is achieved
Ukraine on Thursday confirmed that Russia had captured the southern city of Kherson
At least 33 civilians were killed in a Russian airstrike in Chernihiv on Thursday, Ukrainian authorities said
BBC Temporarily Suspends Ops in Russia
The BBC announced that it is halting its operations in Russia after Moscow passed a legislation criminalising the spread of "fake” information.
On Friday, the Russian parliament passed a law imposing a jail term of up to 15 years for circulating intentionally “fake” news involving the military.
UNSC Meeting on Ukraine Crisis Underway
The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency meeting over the crisis in New York.
The meeting comes in in response to the attack on the Zaporizhzhia by Russian troops and will include speeches from an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) official and a UN official.
Over 1.2 Mn Ukrainian People Have Fled War: UN
As per the UN, over 1.2m people have fled Ukraine, seeking refuge in neighbouring countries since Russia invaded the nation.
Further, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has projected that more than four million Ukrainian refugees may eventually need protection and assistance, The Guardian reported.
Ukraine Plans to Hold 3rd Round of Talks With Russia
Ukraine is looking to hold third round of talks with Russian officials this weekend, news agency AFP reported an advisory to the President as saying.