HEAVY shelling was reported in Kyiv last night -hours after Russia said it would "dramatically reduce" its military operations in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.
The US warned allies not to be "fooled" by Russia after the Kremlin announced yesterday it was scaling back its military efforts in the captial city.
Late into the night, air raid sirens could be heard ringing out, with residents ordered to proceed to shelters.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said peace talks with Russian negotiators have been positive.
However, he has also warned that the Kremlin can't be trusted, saying: “Of course, we see all the risks. Of course, we don’t have a reason to trust the words of representatives of a country that wages war against us. Ukrainians are not naive."
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
- Milica Cosic
City of Lysychansk shelled by heavy artillery
Reports are emerging that residential areas in Ukraine's eastern city of Lysychansk were shelled by heavy artillery this morning.
Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Gaidai wrote on Telegram: "A number of high-rise buildings have been damaged. Information on casualties is being confirmed.
"Many buildings have collapsed. Rescuers are trying to save those still alive."
- Milica Cosic
Heavy shelling reported in Kyiv last night
HEAVY shelling was reported in Kyiv last night -hours after Russia said it would "dramatically reduce" its military operations in Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.
The US warned allies not to be "fooled" by Russia after the Kremlin announced yesterday it was scaling back its military efforts in the captial city.
Late into the night, air raid sirens could be heard ringing out, with residents ordered to proceed to shelters.
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said peace talks with Russian negotiators have been positive.
However, he has also warned that the Kremlin can't be trusted, saying: “Of course, we see all the risks. Of course, we don’t have a reason to trust the words of representatives of a country that wages war against us. Ukrainians are not naive."
- Milica Cosic
Good morning. Milica Cosic logging on. I'll be bringing you the latest news and updates on the Russia – Ukraine war today.
- Joseph Gamp
PM says there has been 'reduction' in Russian forces around Kyiv
Boris Johnson's spokesman says there has been a "reduction" in Russia's bombardment around Kyiv.
The spokesman said: "Fighting continues. There's heavy bombardment in Mariupol and other areas.
"So we don't want to see anything less than a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory."
- Joseph Gamp
Russia’s slain commanders
Putin’s top brass killed since the invasion of Ukraine:
- Major Dmitry Toptun
- Major Alexey Osokin
- Lieutenant General Andrei Mordvichev
- Major General Vitaly Gerasimov
- Major General Andrei Kolesnikov
- Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky
- Colonel Nikolay Ovcharenko
- Colonel Sergei Porokhyna
- Colonel Sergei Sukharev
- Colonel Andrei Zakharov
- Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky
- Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Agarkov
- Lieutenant Colonel Denis Glebov
- Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Safronov
- Major Viktor Maksimchuk
- General Magomed Tushaev
- Colonel Alexei Sharov
Ben Wallace says Kyiv withdrawal 'a face saving exercise'
Defence secretary Ben Wallace believes the Ukraine war looks set to continue with Russia goal being “still the systematic occupation and control of Ukraine”.
Speaking from the Bardufoss military base in Norway, he said: “I'm not sure I really believe the sense that it was a ‘phase’ at all. I think it was a face saving exercise.
“They are still carrying on indiscriminately bombing civilian areas, striking targets way outside the Donbass, so their actions, as ever, don't match their words.
“That's the advice to everyone: judge Russia on its actions, not words, because there's a big gulf between the two."
US says Russia repeatedly fired Hypersonic missiles at military taregts
Russia has repeatedly fired hypersonic missiles at Ukrainian military targets, the top U.S. military commander in Europe, Air Force General Tod Wolters, told a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
"Most of those strikes have been designated at specific military targets," Wolters said.
Russia announced on March 19 that it used hypersonic Kinzhal (Dagger) missiles to destroy a large weapons depot in Ukraine's western Ivano-Frankivsk region.
Ukraine says more than 17,000 Russian soldiers killed
Ukraine has given an update on the number of losses Russia has suffered since the start of the war.
The country's defence ministry claims 17,200 Russian troops have been killed and 1,710 armoured personnel vehicles have been destroyed.
A further 127 aircraft, 129 helicopters, 597 tanks and 1,178 vehicles have also been wiped out, according to the Ukrainian government figures.
PM spokesman: We will judge Putin by actions, not words
Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters: "We will judge Putin and his regime by his actions and not by his words.
"We don't want to see anything less than a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory."
- Joseph Gamp
Russia to drastically cut military actions in Kyiv & Chernihiv
Russia has decided to drastically cut its military activity focused on Kyiv and Chernihiv, its deputy defence minister has said after talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams in Istanbul.
Especially given other signals coming from Moscow this morning and in recent days, this could represent a major development.
- Joseph Gamp
Boris ‘not off partygate hook’ says Labour
Labour’s deputy leader has said the war in Ukraine does not get Boris Johnson off the hook over the partygate saga.
Angela Rayner told Sky News: “The situation with Ukraine – the whole of Parliament, the whole of the House, the fact that MPs are all united in support to ensure that we do everything we can in national security to protect our country and to work with our Nato allies – that doesn’t negate the Prime Minister from lying to the British public and not following his own rules. If he’s found to have broken them then I don’t believe his position is tenable.
“I think it’s disgraceful and I don’t see how he can continue in his role when he’s been so… when he’s not told the truth to the British public.”
Ms Rayner said Chancellor Rishi Sunak should also resign if fined.
“There’s plenty (of) other MPs out there that are willing to do the job and do it in the public interest,” she said.
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine war: Latest developments
- Putin’s Prada-wearing Chechen warlord has been brought in to lead the invasion of Ukraine.
- Russia has “significantly increased” its military presence in the Arctic Circle since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
- Putin is a threat to everybody but he is losing the war badly and is humiliated – a swift peace deal is in his interests
- A female Russian sniper with 40 kills to her name was captured after being abandoned on the battlefield.
- A kickboxing world champion has been killed while fighting in the besieged city of Mariupol.
Russia says it will cut military activity around Kyiv & Chernihiv
Russia has decided to drastically cut military activity around Kyiv and Chernihiv in Ukraine, its deputy defence minister said on Tuesday, after talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiating teams in Istanbul.
The official, Alexander Fomin, said the decision was taken in the interest of creating mutual trust and the necessary conditions for further talks to take place.
The General Staff would reveal in more detail the decisions that had been taken after the Russian delegation returned to Moscow, Fomin said.
No.10 defends Government response to Ukraine crisis
No 10 defended the speed at which the Government responded to the crisis in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "I think whilst looking back now it's important to remember that a large number of commentators, arguably the majority, were not predicting (the) full-scale invasion of Ukraine that we have seen."
He said: "We have taken the action once it became clear of Putin's significant intentions."
Asked why, therefore, the UK had bolstered its troops on the border in the period of time prior to the invasion, the spokesman said "no one knew what the size and scale" of the humanitarian crisis would be.
"It's obviously entirely right that we provided that support on standby," he said.
Johnson & Johnson to suspend supply of personal care products in Russia
Johnson & Johnson said on Tuesday it would suspend the supply of its personal care products in Russia, adding it would continue to supply medicines and medical devices in the region.
The company, along with several other drugmakers such as Eli Lilly and Co and Pfizer, said earlier this month it would stop enrollment in clinical trials in Russia.
J&J had said it was stopping enrollment in Ukraine and Belarus as well as new site openings, but was committed to providing essential health products.
- Joseph Gamp
Ceasefire agreement won't be enough for Uk to withdraw sanctions
Agreeing on a ceasefire would not be enough for the UK to withdraw sanctions on Russia, Downing Street said.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said Boris Johnson told his Cabinet that "a ceasefire alone would not be cause for UK sanctions to be removed in Russia".
"He said the pressure on Putin must be increased both through further economic measures and providing military aid to ensure Russia changes course completely," the spokesman said.
The spokesman suggested a full withdrawal would be a good start but a ceasefire was only the first step towards that.
"But it cannot be a ceasefire alone," he said. "That would not be the significant step we'd need to remove the pressure."
He said: "I think as ever, we will judge Putin by his actions."
- Joseph Gamp
UK orders detention of superyacht in British waters – report
The British government has ordered its first detention of a superyacht in British waters, the BBC reported.
The BBC said the 38 million pound yacht, named Phi, is owned by an unnamed Russian businessman.
- Joseph Gamp
Emirates will continue flying to Russia – until owners tell them not to
Emirates airlines will continue to fly to Russia until its owners tell them not to, President Tim Clark said on Tuesday.
"As long as the state, our owner, requires us to fly there, we will continue," he said.
"There are lots of reasons why we fly, we carry humanitarian goods in our holds.
"We've got NGOs travelling in and out of Russia.
"We've got the diplomatic community going in and out of Russia…so all we're doing is being an enabler, facilitator, without taking a political position on this for the time being," Clark added.
- Joseph Gamp
Funeral held for Irish journalist killed in Ukraine
A funeral is being held in Dublin for an Irish cameraman who was killed in Ukraine.
Pierre Zakrzewski was working for US network Fox News in Horenka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on March 14 when his vehicle was hit by Russian shelling.
His colleague, Ukrainian producer Oleksandra Kuvshynova, also died and British reporter Benjamin Hall was injured in the incident.
Mr Zakrzewski will be buried following a funeral Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Foxrock, south County Dublin.
The church wrote on Twitter: "We will celebrate the life of Pierre Zakrzewski in our Church on Tuesday morning at 10am. We ask our community to join with us online to celebrate a life lived with enormous courage in the pursuit of truth. As always, we stand together in solidarity with Pierre's family."
It added that large numbers are expected to attend.
As a war photographer, Mr Zakrzewski had covered conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria for Fox, according to a memo sent to employees by Suzanne Scott, chief executive of Fox News Media, after his death.
The 55-year-old journalist grew up in Leopardstown, south Dublin, and held both Irish and French citizenship.
- Joseph Gamp
Foreign Office 'very concerned' by suspected Roman Abramovich poisoning
Claims that Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich suffered suspected poisoning during attempts to aid peace talks in Ukraine are "very concerning", the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has said.
It said the UK will "continue to assist" by implementing tough sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime as well as by providing defensive and humanitarian support to put Ukraine "in the strongest possible negotiating position".
The suspected poisoning of the billionaire was not intended to kill him and the two Ukrainian representatives, the lead Russia investigator with investigative news outlet Bellingcat has said.
Christo Grozev told Times Radio the "most plausible" explanation for the alleged poisoning was that it was a warning to Mr Abramovich.
"The dosage was not high enough to kill any of the three, the most likely target would have been Abramovich. And it kind of makes sense. I mean, he volunteered to play… this role of (an) honest broker, but other oligarchs had… declared certain independence from the Kremlin position and criticise(d) the war," the journalist said.
"So it could well be seen as a warning sign to them to not join the ranks of those who dissent, and to not be too much of an honest broker."
- Joseph Gamp
Russia's slain commanders
Putin's top brass killed since the invasion of Ukraine:
- Major Dmitry Toptun
- Major Alexey Osokin
- Lieutenant General Andrei Mordvichev
- Major General Vitaly Gerasimov
- Major General Andrei Kolesnikov
- Major General Andrei Sukhovetsky
- Colonel Nikolay Ovcharenko
- Colonel Sergei Porokhyna
- Colonel Sergei Sukharev
- Colonel Andrei Zakharov
- Colonel Konstantin Zizevsky
- Lieutenant Colonel Yuri Agarkov
- Lieutenant Colonel Denis Glebov
- Lieutenant Colonel Dmitry Safronov
- Major Viktor Maksimchuk
- General Magomed Tushaev
- Colonel Alexei Sharov
- Joseph Gamp
Ukraine war: Latest developments
- Putin's Prada-wearing Chechen warlord has been brought in to lead the invasion of Ukraine.
- Russia has “significantly increased” its military presence in the Arctic Circle since Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine.
- Putin is a threat to everybody but he is losing the war badly and is humiliated – a swift peace deal is in his interests
- A female Russian sniper with 40 kills to her name was captured after being abandoned on the battlefield.
- A kickboxing world champion has been killed while fighting in the besieged city of Mariupol.
'A cold welcome and no handshake' kick off talks
Talks between Ukraine and Russia began in Turkey on Tuesday without a handshake, Ukrainian television reported.
"There was a cold welcome, no handshake," a Ukrainian reporter said, without making clear whether he had witnessed the delegations meeting or had been told this by officials.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a political adviser to President Volodymr Zelenskiy, said on Twitter the delegations were discussing "the fundamental provisions of the negotiation process. Delegations are working in parallel on the entire spectrum of contentious issues."
Roman Abramovich attending peace talks in Turkey today
Billionaire Roman Abramovich, one of the Russian oligarchs sanctioned by the West over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, is attending peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations in Istanbul on Tuesday, three sources said.
The Kremlin has said previously Abramovich played an early role in peace talks but the process was now in the hands of the two sides' negotiating teams.
Peace talks underway in Istanbul
Russian and Ukrainian negotiators began face-to-face talks in Istanbul on Tuesday shortly after 10:30 am (0730 GMT), the official Turkish news agency reported.
The two sides were welcomed by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who urged them to "put an end to this tragedy" sparked by Russia's February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
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