While Russia’s military operation in Ukraine shows no sign of ending soon, there’s still hope for both sides to return to the negotiating table. But sincerity is much needed for any meaningful talks in a difficult situation.
Wang Dewei- The Netherlands has promised it will send additional military support to Ukraine. The shipment includes 200 Stinger missiles and 50 Panzerfaust-3 anti-tank weapons with 400 missiles. BBC
Summary – CGTN
- Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the main Russian forces in Ukraine to resume their advance after Kremlin said Ukraine has refused to negotiate on Saturday.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted he was still in Kyiv amid claims by Russian media that he had fled the capital as heavy fighting continued.
- The Russian Armed Forces destroyed 821 Ukrainian military infrastructure objects, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson Igor Konashenkov said on Saturday.
- Ukraine’s health ministry said on Saturday that 198 Ukrainian civilians, including three children, were killed during the Russian military operation.
CGTN reporter says ‘no information’ Zelenskyy left Kyiv
Summary – BBC
- On the ground , Long queues of people willing to fight
- “paid tribute to the incredible heroism and bravery of President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people” Boris Johnson to Zelensky of Ukraine on a phone call late today.
- YouTube blocks RT, other Russian channels from generating revenue
- Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko imposes a curfew from Saturday evening until Monday morning
- He says anyone seen in the streets will be considered a Russian “saboteur”
- The Ukrainian capital is braced for another night of attacks after Russian forces failed to break through overnight on Friday
- Huge numbers of people are fleeing Ukraine, with a 27-hour long queue of women and children on the Moldovan border
- Germany says it supports “targeted” restrictions on Russia’s access to the Swift payments system – it had been the EU’s final hold-out
- Hungary’s PM Viktor Orban, who has had close relations with Vladimir Putin, tells the BBC he supports all EU sanctions on Russia
- The UK meanwhile says it and 25 other nations will send more weapons and aid to Ukraine
- The UN estimates that at least 120,000 people have escaped Ukraine in the past 48 hours
SUMMERY- RT
- Oil Depot Burns in Lugansk – Footage from the city of Rovenki in the Donbass Republic appears to show around 200 tons of diesel fuel ablaze. (Local info center reports) According to LPR officials, a number of victims have been reported.
- Germany to send 1,000 anti-tank guns and 500 Stinger missiles to Ukraine Previously Berlin had stated it was against supplying any weapons to Kiev.
- Threats, Attacks & Protests Aimed at Russian Diplomatic Missions In Poland the Russian embassy had its windows smashed, while facing multiple threats. In Estonia there have been incidents of vandalism, while in Ireland a diplomatic car was damaged. It comes as protests are staged in parts of Europe against Russia’s operation in Ukraine.
- Russian Defense Ministry releases footage of troops crossing in Ukraine, military hardware now having “V” signs painted. The MoD says the offensive continues with the forces of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, supported by the Russian army.
- Russian MoD Latest: Melitopol controlled by Russian forces
- Retreating nationalist battalions have blown up electrical substations and bridges behind them
- Russian Armed Forces have established full control over the city of Melitopol. Russian servicemen are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of civilians and exclude provocations from Ukraine
- Russian Armed Forces have hit 821 Ukrainian military facilities, firing only on military infrastructure
- 7 combat aircraft, 7 helicopters and 9 drones shot down, with 87 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 28 multiple rocket launchers, 118 units of military vehicles, as well as 8 military boats destroyed.
SUMMERY – Aljazeera
- Pope Francis has called Ukraine’s president and expressed his “most profound pain” for the country’s suffering, the Ukrainian Embassy to the Vatican says.
“The Holy Father expressed his most profound pain for the tragic events happening in our country,” the embassy said in a tweet.
The Vatican confirmed the call and in his own tweet, Zelenskyy said he thanked the pope “for praying for peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire” “The Ukrainian people feel the spiritual support of His Holiness,” he added.
- Kyiv’s mayor imposes a city-wide curfew lasting until Monday morning after fighting reaches the capital’s streets.
- The United States and its Western allies move to supply Kyiv with weapons as it faces down Russia’s invasion.
- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the country’s forces have “have withstood and successfully repelled enemy attacks”.
- Nearly 200 people have been killed so far, including civilians, three of whom were children, according to Ukraine’s health minister.
- More than 150,000 Ukrainians have fled the country since the beginning of Moscow’s assault, the UN says.
- Western countries have announced sweeping sanctions on Moscow, including measures targeting President Vladimir Putin himself.
Russian assault on the capital has stalled, adviser to Zelenskyy says as night falls in Kyiv
An adviser to Ukraine’s president has claimed that Russia’s assault on Kyiv is not advancing and that about 3,500 Russian soldiers have been killed or injured since Moscow launched its invasion.
“We are striking the enemy around Kyiv. The enemy is not moving for now,” Oleksiy Arestovych said.
There was no immediate response to the claim from Moscow, and Al Jazeera was unable to independently verify the figures provided.
