Russia-Ukraine War: Live Updates, Day 20

Bhubaneswar: The Russian invasion of Ukraine entered day 20 on Tuesday. Scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine.

Here are the latest developments from the ongoing conflict:

1. Joe Biden to attend EU summit in Brussels next week: EU official;
2. Russia has circulated a proposed U.N. Security Council resolution demanding protection for civilians “in vulnerable situations” in Ukraine and safe passage for humanitarian aid and people seeking to leave the country — but it makes no mention of Russia’s responsibility for the war against its smaller neighbor;
3. Pierre Zakrzewski, a news cameraman with Fox News has died in the outskirts of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv when he was working with the correspondent Benjamin Hall and an incoming fire hit their vehicle, says the network;
4. 3 Indians stranded in Ukraine’s Kherson evacuated: MEA;
5. Russia has imposed sanctions on US president Joe Biden, secretary of state Antony Blinken: Moscow foreign ministry;
6. Russian sanctions also apply to US defence minister, national security adviser, CIA chief, and others: Foreign ministry;
7. Their names, together with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, CIA chief William Burns, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and others, were included on a list of 13 individuals banned from Russia in response to sanctions imposed by Washington on Russian officials. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was also named. (Reuters);
8. Ukraine accuses Russia on Friday of staging “false flag” air attacks on Belarus from Ukraine to provide an excuse for Moscow’s close ally, which has served as a staging post for Russian forces entering Ukraine, to join the conflict itself;
9. President Alexander Lukashenko said on Tuesday that Belarus had intercepted a missile fired at it two days ago from Ukraine, but that it would resist what he called attempts to draw it into the conflict across the border;
10. Some 2,000 civilian cars have been able to drive out of the besieged southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol along a humanitarian evacuation route, the city authorities said Tuesday;
11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with embassy officials and community organisations involved in Ukraine evacuation;
    Union ministers Hardeep Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and V K Singh, who as “special envoys” of India had been sent to countries neighbouring Ukraine to facilitate the evacuation of Indians smoothly following Russia’s attack, also participated in the meeting;
12. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Tuesday all diplomatic channels should be kept open in the Ukraine crisis to press for an immediate ceasefire;
13. More than three million refugees flee Ukraine war: UN;
14. Russia said on Tuesday its armed forces had taken full control of Ukraine’s southern region of Kherson;
15. New curfew in Kyiv will last from 8 pm on March 15 until 7 am on March 17. Residents will only be allowed to go outside to head to bomb shelters;
16. At the direction of the PM, we launched #OperationGanga, thereby undertaking one of the most challenging evacuation exercises during an ongoing conflict situation. Our community was dispersed across Ukraine, posing its own logistical challenges: EAM Dr S Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha;
17. Pertinent to note that hostilities placed the Indian community of 20,000 plus in direct danger. Even while we were participating in global deliberations of this evolving situation in UNSC, pressing challenge was to safeguard our citizens and ensure that they weren’t in harm’s way: EAM;
18. Despite the challenges posed by the serious ongoing conflict, we have ensured that about 22,500 citizens have returned home safely: EAM Dr S Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha;
19. ‘Massive destruction’ at Dnipro airport after shelling: Ukraine authorities;
20. UN chief Antonio Guterres is urging global action to prevent a “hurricane of hunger and a meltdown of the global food system”, warning that less-wealthy nations stand to suffer greatly;
21. Ukrainian officials say more than 4,000 people have been evacuated from front-line cities. About 3 million people have fled Ukraine, nearly half of them children, according to the UN refugee agency. About 1.8 million are now in Poland and some 300,000 in Western Europe;
22. EU member states have agreed on a fourth package of sanctions against Russia. Diplomats say the punitive measures will target Russian steel and iron and include an export ban on luxury goods and a ban on investment in the energy sector;
23. Zelenskyy will address the US Congress by video link-up on Wednesday, House and Senate leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer announced. Congress last week approved nearly $14bn in aid to Ukraine;
24. A new round of talks between Ukraine and Russia will be held after discussions on Monday paused with no breakthrough. Ukraine says it wants “peace, an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops”;
25. Power has been restored to the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, according to a report by the Ukraine 24 television station;
26. Russian forces continue pounding cities throughout Ukraine. Two powerful explosions have rocked the capital, Kyiv, while air raid sirens were heard in several cities, including Odesa, Chernihiv, Cherkasy and Smila;
27. Ukraine’s president has told northern European leaders that they could “help yourself by helping us,” as he appealed for more weapons to counter Russia’s invasion of his country.