Day 18 of the Russian-Ukraine war witnessed a barbaric attack on a military training base in the western city of Yavoriv, Ukraine
The following are the significant events that occurred during the Russian-Ukraine War up to Sunday, March 13.
Military base in Western Ukraine bombarded by the Russian forces
- Yesterday, Russian Airstrikes attacked a military training base in Yavoriv, 30 miles west of Lviv. The attack has killed 35 people and injured 134.
- Reports suggest, the attack was about 10 miles away from the border of NATO’s member Poland. Further, Kremlin states that it has hit the targets where ‘Foreign Mercenaries’ were trying to send help to Ukraine. Russian Defence Ministry said that it will attack all the foreign perpetrators who had joined Ukrainian army.
- UN fears that Russian president Vladimir Putin is attacking more brutally. “Just 20 km. away, he could have hit Poland, which is a NATO country. This reflects a very dangerous and I think a very desperate state of mind”, UN stated.
- On the other hand, White House National Security advisor, Jake Sullivan said that Russian will pay a heavy price if it attacks any of the NATO members.
US filmmaker shot dead by Russians in Irpin, Ukraine
- Brent Renaud, a US journalist and filmmaker was shot dead by the Russian army in the town of Irpin, outside Kyiv. According to the reports, it is the first reported foreign journalist’s death during the Russian-Ukraine War.
- One of his companion, Juan Arredondo was with him when the Russians started firing. Juan is currently injured and admitted to a hospital. In a video shared on twitter, he said, “We were across one of the first bridges in Irpin, going to film the other refugees leaving, and we got into a car when somebody offered us to take us to the other bridge. We crossed a checkpoint, and they started shooting at us. So the driver turned around, and they kept shooting us; there is two of us. My friend Brent Renaud has been shot and left behind. I saw him being shot in the neck.”
Zelenskyy’s warning to all the supporters of the invasion
- Yesterday, in a video message, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy threatened all the possible supporters of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. He said, “Those tempted by offers from the Russian occupiers are signing their own verdict.”
Russian approaching closer to Kyiv
- From the North, West and North-eastern areas, Russians are nearing the capital city, Kyiv. The decreasing proximity is intensifying the brutality of the Russian forces. Yesterday, they destroyed an airport in the town of Vasylkiv, south of the city.
- Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak states that the city is completely protected as the army and volunteers create a fortress around the capital. They have prepared themselves to defend the city, street by street.
Shortage of food supply in Mariupol and Kyiv
(Video Source: Aljazeera)
- Ukraine is witnessing the worst of all its disasters currently. The port city of Mariupol will soon run out of its last reserves of food and water supply. President Zelenskyy said that earlier on Sunday, a food supply convoy was just 2 hours away from the city. The Russian forces have held captive around 400,000 people in the city.
Also, the capital city Kyiv is surrounded by the Russian military where it is difficult for the authorities to send food supply help to the civilians. Authorities said that if the Russians try and siege the entire capital, Kyiv has just a 2-week food supply left.
Damage to Ukrainian troops
- President Zelenskyy in video message disclosed the death toll of Ukrainian forces, for the first time since the beginning of war. He said, “Around 1300 soldiers have died since the invasion started”. Further, Zelenskyy rectified the death toll given by the Russian side on March 2. Russia said, it had lost 498 of its soldiers in this war, whereas, Zelenskyy states that the number is close to 12000.
- https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1502357027934416897?t=rXEUYI0klxFyLAZdghZP3g&s=19
- On the other hand, the death toll of Ukrainian civilians has risen up to 579 yesterday. However, UN says, that the reported toll is probably much lower than the reality.
NATO and US lend support toward Ukraine
- US President Joe Biden has assured a $200 million for the additional military equipment for Ukraine. Earlier, US issued $350 million military equipment aid, which is the largest military aid given in US history.
- Further, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that US expects the clash and humanitarian crisis to rise in the coming days. He said, “Coming days are likely to bring even greater distress.”
- United States suspect Russia of using a chemical attack on Ukraine. The White House National Security Advisor has warned Russia. In a statement he said that Russia will pay a “Heavy Price” if it instigates a chemical war on Ukraine. “The use of weapons of mass destruction would be a shocking additional line that Putin is crossing in terms of his assault on international law and international norms,” he said.
- He has also warned China and that huge consequences will follow if Beijing tries to help Russia escape any of the sanctions imposed by the rest of the world. “We are communicating directly, privately to Beijing, that there will absolutely be consequences,” Sullivan said in an interview with CNN. “We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world.”
Ukraine to held bilateral talks with Russia today
- Both Russian and Ukrainian sides have agreed on the bilateral talks to place today through video conferencing. A twitter statement of Presidential advisor, Mykhailo Podolyak confirmed the statement from Russian counterpart.
Published by Iram Rizvi
