Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that his country “has no time to wait” as he insists on an oil embargo on Russia in his latest national address. He also said he was committed to pushing for peace despite Russian attacks on civilians that have stunned the world, and reiterated his call for the countries to send more weapons before the expected escalation of fighting in the east.
Zelenski said his country was ready for a tough battle with Russian forces gathering in the eastern part of the country. “It will be a tough battle; we believe in this battle and our victory. We are ready to fight at the same time and look for diplomatic ways to end this war.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised a major new infusion of British weapons and financial aid during a surprise trip to Kyiv on Saturday. Johnson said the United Kingdom and its partners and allies would support so that “Ukraine will never be attacked again.” The United Kingdom has confirmed that it will send 120 armored vehicles and new anti-ship missile systems.
Johnson praised Zelensky’s “resolute leadership and invincible heroism.” “Putin’s monstrous goals have been thwarted,” Johnson said. The reputation of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his government is “constantly tainted” by war crimes against civilians in Ukraine, he added.
Russia’s withdrawal from northern Ukraine has left evidence of “disproportionate targeting” of civilian, mass graves and the use of hostages as human shields, according to the latest British intelligence report. The report also claims that Russian forces continue to use improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to inflict casualties, lower Ukrainian morale and restrict freedom of movement.
Five people have been killed in shelling in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk governor said. Four were killed in the town of Vugledar and one in the town of Novomikhaylovka.
In the town of Borodyanka, northwest of Kyiv, rescue teams searched the ruins of houses destroyed by Russian bombing, searching for the missing. Heavy Russian bombing has destroyed residential buildings, and Ukrainian authorities are trying to search for, clear and, hopefully, rescue operations.
Ukraine exchanged prisoners with Russia on Saturday, the third such exchange since the start of the war, and it has been confirmed that 12 soldiers are returning home, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Irina Vereshchuk wrote online.
A total of 4,553 people were evacuated from Ukrainian cities along humanitarian corridors on Saturday, less than 6,665 who fled on Friday, Vereshchuk said. Ten humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of people from conflict areas across the country were agreed on Saturday.
The European Commission has pledged 1 billion euros to support Ukraine and host countries fleeing the war since Russia’s invasion, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The Czech Republic has delivered tanks, multiple rocket launchers, howitzers and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine amid military shipments that have reached hundreds of millions of dollars and will continue, two Czech defense sources told Reuters.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nechamer met with Zelensky earlier Saturday after visiting the city of Bucha in northwestern Kyiv, where massive civilian graves and street killings by Russian forces were discovered last week.
Russia has reorganized command of its combat operations in Ukraine by appointing a new general with extensive experience in Russian operations in Syria, according to a Western official. The commander of Russia’s Southern Military District, General Alexander Dvornikov, is now leading the invasion, the source told the BBC, adding: “We would expect overall command and control to improve.
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