Russia-Ukraine news and live updates

Russian troops are shifting nearer to Kyiv and vital destruction is being seen in cities and cities as Moscow continues with its bombardment of Ukraine. A number of explosions had been heard by CNN groups on the bottom shortly earlier than 6 a.m. on the outskirts of the northwestern metropolis Lviv.

Russia may goal international weapons: Russia has threatened to fireplace on weapons shipments to Ukraine, saying convoys with international weapons may very well be thought of “professional targets.” The warning, issued by Russian Deputy International Minister Sergei Ryabkov, raises the danger of direct confrontation between Moscow and a NATO nation.

US rushes via navy support: The warning got here as america approved directed $200 million in “rapid” protection support and providers, together with navy training and coaching, for Ukraine. A US official mentioned the help will embrace “anti-armor, anti-aircraft methods, and small arms in help of Ukraine’s front-line defenders going through down Russia’s unprovoked assault.”

Russian troops inch nearer to Kyiv: The majority of Russian floor forces are about 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) from the middle of the Ukrainian capital, the UK’s Ministry of Protection mentioned Saturday in its newest intelligence evaluation. Russian strikes proceed to hit civilian areas: A big swath of Makariv, a village 30 miles west of Kyiv, has sustained vital injury from obvious Russian airstrikes. Photographs posted to social media, geolocated and verified by CNN, present main injury to residential condominium complexes, colleges and a medical facility.

Chernobyl operating on turbines: Repairs to the nuclear energy plant’s electrical system, broken throughout a Russian assault on March 9, are ongoing, because the plant is now depending on exterior diesel turbines to maintain its reactors working, the Worldwide Atomic Vitality Company (IAEA) mentioned. Russian officers have additionally arrived to Ukraine’s largest nuclear energy plant, demanding to take management of the power, based on an announcement from Energoatom, Ukraine’s state-operated nuclear vitality firm.

Vital destruction: The cities of Kharkhiv, Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Chernihiv and Sumy are below a sustained Russian onslaught and Russian forces have been increasing their offensive in Ukraine to the west. Within the besieged metropolis of Mariupol, satellite tv for pc imagery confirmed injury and fires in condominium buildings and fuel stations. An emergency coordinator for Docs With out Borders informed CNN that the town is in “the catastrophe part now.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned “just a few small cities simply don’t exist anymore. … They’re simply gone.”

Evacuations: Seven civilians, together with ladies and a baby had been killed by Russian troops whereas making an attempt to flee the village of Peremoga, within the Kyiv area, based on the Ukrainian Protection Ministry. Zelensky mentioned 12,729 Ukrainians had been efficiently evacuated Saturday.

Ukraine united: Zelensky mentioned his nation is extra united than ever because it faces Russian violence however sees a “lack of braveness from the members of NATO to come back collectively for Ukraine. it’s an enormous downside. A philosophical downside of the alliance.” Zelensky mentioned Ukraine has misplaced roughly 1,300 troops as of Saturday and that all the nation is “a entrance line.”