Russia-Ukraine War Highlights: Day 23, Live Update

Bhubaneswar: The Russia Ukraine conflict has entered the 23rd day and there seems to be little respite after more than three weeks of fighting. The humanitarian crisis continues to soar in Ukraine. Attacks on the besieged city of Mariupol have continued.

Watch this space for the latest development on the crisis:

1. The body of Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudarm, a final-year medical student of Kharkiv Medical University who died in a shelling attack in Ukraine, will arrive at the Bengaluru airport on Sunday, March 20: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai;
2. India at UNSC backs convention prohibiting biological weapons;
3. India remains concerned about progressively deteriorating situation in Ukraine. We welcome latest round of diplomatic talks b/w Russia & Ukraine. We believe immediate cessation of hostilities & diligently pursuing path of dialogue & diplomacy is the only way forward: India at UNSC;
4. It’s important to ensure full and effective implementation of the BTWC in letter and spirit. We also believe that any matter relating to obligations under the BTWC should be addressed as per the provisions of the Convention and through consultations and cooperation: India at UNSC;
5. India attaches high importance to the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) as a key global and non-discriminatory disarmament Convention, prohibiting an entire category of weapons of mass destruction: R Ravindra, DPR at UNSC briefing;
6. Ukraine does not have a biological weapons program, there are no such labs, not near Russia’s quarters, not anywhere. There are only public health facilities… It’s Russia that has long maintained biological weapons program in violation of int’l law: US representative, at UNSC;
7. As permanent members of the UNSC and the world’s two leading economies, we must not only guide the China-U.S. relations forward along the right track but also shoulder our share of international responsibilities and work for world peace and tranquility: Chinese President Xi Jinping;
8. The events again show that countries should not come to the point of meeting on the battlefield. Conflict and confrontation are not in anyone’s interest, and peace and security are what the international community should treasure the most: Xi tells Biden;
9. China’s President Xi tells Biden during video call, conflicts between states ‘in no-one’s interest’: state TV;
10. President Xi says China-US should ‘shoulder international responsibilities’ for peace: state TV;
11. China’s President Xi Jinping on Friday said conflicts between states are “in no-one’s interest” during a video call with his US counterpart Joe Biden, Chinese state TV reported;
12. Biden, Xi talk on US push to get China lined up against Russia;
13. Ukrainian military strengthens defenses around Kyiv;
14. Ukraine’s human rights ombudswoman said on Friday 130 people had been rescued so far from a bombed theatre in Mariupol but that there was still no information on more than 1,000 other people officials believe were sheltering there when the bomb fell;
15. Russian missiles struck an aircraft repair plant in Lviv: Mayor Sadovyi;
16. Russian strikes did not hit Lviv’s airport: Mayor Andriy Sadovy confirmed;
17. Little activity in the Russian invasion in last 24 hours, US official says;
18. Japan imposes new sanctions on Russian oligarchs, entities;
19. Burger King and Marks & Spencer unable to close Russian branches due to franchising;
20. Explosions heard in the city of Lviv as Russian attack continues;
21. Over 3,800 people have been evacuated from across Ukraine;
22. 30 people from the basement of Mariupol theatre rescued;
23. Biden labels Putin as ‘a murderous dictator’ amidst Russia’s invasion of Ukraine;
24. Russia has attacked medical institutions 43 times since beginning of war: WHO;
25. US intelligence provided to Ukraine is helping its resistance against invaders: Pentagon;
26. Ukraine reiterates call to retrieve bodies of dead soldiers;
27. Canada to provide 3-year resident permit to Ukrainian refugees;
28. Biden, Jinping to hold talks at 9:00 am (EST), will discuss Russia-Ukraine war: White House;
29. Russia is using Syrian soldiers and Hezbollah in its military operations: Ukraine Defence Ministry;
30. ‘Working more in silence than on television, Facebook’: Zelenskyy;
31. Italy passes proposal to rebuilt bombed theatre in Ukraine, Zelenskyy offers thanks;
32. ‘This is our defence’: Zelenskyy refrains from revealing details of US military aid;
33. US will punish China if it supports Russian agression, warns US Secretary of State Antony Blinken;
34. Mayor of Velykoburlutska captured by Russian forces: Ukraine;
35. Ukraine demands Russia be designated on FATF’s black list;
36. Ukrainian actress Oksana Shvets killed in a Russian rocket attack;
37. China bears responsibility for any actions supporting Russia: Blinken;
38. Russian General resigns amid claims of leaking info;
39. Ukrainian Air Defence Forces hit 14 Russian air targets;
40. Russia puts UNSC Ukraine Resolution on hold;
41. 12 killed as Russia attacks health care facilities in Ukraine: WHO Chief;
42. India appeals to world to not politicise Humanitarian action in Ukraine.