Rockets hit an apartment building in the Ukrainian port city of Odessa
Vladimir Zelensky is meeting with senior US diplomats in Kyiv, a Ukrainian official said.
This is the highest visit to Ukraine by an American delegation since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February. Councilor Alexei Arestovich said in an interview with Ukrainian television late Sunday that talks are under way “right now”.
Zelensky’s meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin came as Ukraine pressed the West for more powerful weapons in its fight against the Russian invasion, which began 60 days ago.
Viktor Lobush of Kyiv said Ukraine needed more weapons and financial support, and Western countries “should not buy even a drop of Russian oil.”
“Action is needed, not words,” he said in Independence Square.
On Saturday, eight people, including a three-month-old baby, were killed after a Russian rocket attack in Odessa.
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Police are investigating pro-Russian graffiti at the Game of Thrones site.
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating the removal of pro-Russian graffiti on the site of Game of Thrones.
The graffiti – “Glory to Russia” – written in large words and referring to the Z symbol painted on Russian tanks during the invasion of Ukraine, appeared on the road to Dark Hedges in Co Antrim.
The tree route became world famous when it was featured in the HBO fantasy series and now attracts a significant number of tourists.
The Northern Ireland Police Department confirmed that it had received a report that graffiti had been applied to a tunnel in the Dark Hedges in the area of Bregagh Road in Armö.
A spokesman said: “Investigations are ongoing.”
The incident comes when a number of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of their country began arriving in Northern Ireland.
DUP North Antrim candidate Mervin Story said the mood of the graffiti was completely at odds with the greeting the arriving Ukrainian refugees had received in the area.
“This is a senseless act of vandalism in one of the most iconic places in Northern Ireland,” he said.
“This is in stark contrast to the warm welcome that our local community provides to tourists from all over the world who come to see what the Dark Hedges and the North Coast have to offer.
Mr Story said he had recently been able to receive refugees from Ukraine into his church community.
“It is disgusting that they have to face this type of behavior, glorifying the oppressive campaign of terror of Russia in their homeland.
“Our support must be with the people of Ukraine,” he said.
“I will work closely with local authorities and PSNI to ensure that these graffiti are removed immediately and those responsible are held accountable.
Sam Rkayna April 24, 2022 11:00 p.m.
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Boris Johnson calls Russian aggression “disgusting”
Boris Johnson called Russia’s aggression against Ukraine “nasty” during a conversation with the UN secretary general before traveling to Moscow.
The prime minister, in a telephone conversation with Antonio Guterres on Sunday afternoon, “clarified the importance of global solidarity with Ukraine” in the face of “apparent aggression” by the Kremlin.
The UN chief has faced criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for choosing to visit Russia before traveling to Kyiv.
Mr Guterres was due to travel to Turkey on Monday and then to Moscow and Kyiv, but Zelenski said it was a mistake for the Portuguese diplomat to arrange his trip in that order.
“Why? Should we transmit signals from Russia? What should we look for? ”Zelenski said on Saturday.
“There are no corpses scattered on Kutuzov Avenue,” he said, referring to one of Moscow’s main streets.
Offering a reading of Mr Johnson’s talks with the Secretary-General, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister described Putin’s actions in Ukraine as a nasty and outright aggression that has devastating consequences for the people of Ukraine.
Thomas Kingsley April 24, 2022 22:17
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Blinken arrives in Ukraine to meet
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have arrived in Ukraine.
The two are in Kyiv and are holding talks with Vladimir Zelensky, presidential adviser Alexei Arestovich said in a video on social media late Sunday.
Mr Blinken and Mr Austin will discuss the types of weapons Ukraine needs to fight Russia’s renewed aggression in the east and south, Zelensky told a news conference on Saturday.
The visit will mark the highest level of US officials to visit since the start of the Russian invasion on February 24.
Sam Raina April 24, 2022 9:40 p.m.
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The Russian consulate in New York is introducing strict measures
Russia’s consulate general in New York had to use the reserve of money at its disposal and resorted to austerity measures after its Bank of America account was blocked in March, the state news agency TASS reported.
Since then, the consulate has been fully operational, said Acting Consul General Vyacheslav Slavkin.
“Above all, we have created a certain cash reserve in anticipation of some unpleasant things that may happen. The money we have allows us, subject to austerity, to pay to some extent the bills for electricity and utilities and motor fuel, although we have limited the use of motor transport. In addition, we can pay the salaries of our staff, “he said.
Earlier today, Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said that Bank of America had closed the accounts of Russia’s consulates general in Houston and New York and that the embassy was in fact “blocked by US government agencies.”
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 21:06
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Ukraine wants a large amount of equipment for its nuclear power plants
Ukraine has asked the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for a “comprehensive list of equipment” it needs to work with nuclear power plants during the war with Russia, Reuters reports.
“We will coordinate the implementation of the assistance that the IAEA and its member states will provide, including by delivering the necessary equipment directly to Ukraine’s nuclear facilities,” said IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi.
“The needs are great and I am very grateful for the significant support that our Member States have already indicated that they will provide.”
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 20:55
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Five Russian missiles hit infrastructure in the Poltava region
Governor Dmitry Lunin said the number of victims and the damage caused by the evening strike was being checked, The Kyiv Independent reported.
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 20:18
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The Russian Orthodox Church is helping to resettle illegally deported Ukrainians
According to Slidstvo.info, the Russian Orthodox Church has helped deport and resettle Ukrainians.
After the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations sent reports to the church about the occupied territories and deported Ukrainians.
The Ministry of Emergency Situations informs the clergy daily about the changes in the occupied territories and the number of forcibly deported Ukrainians – routes and time of delivery of people from Ukraine to Russia.
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 19:28
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Watch: How the Azovstal steel plant became the last stand of Mariupol
How the Azovstal steel plant became the last stand of Mariupol
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 6:50 p.m.
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Ukraine’s disobedience to Russia will shape history, Kim Sengupta said
Our defense editor and diplomat, Kim Sengupta, reports on how Ukraine’s ongoing resistance to Russia will shape modern history forever.
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 6:37 p.m.
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Russian forces fail to advance in the Kharkiv region
According to the latest update from the Ukrainian armed forces, Russian troops have stepped up their offensive in the Kharkiv region, trying to advance, but suffered losses and were forced to withdraw to the occupied territories, writes The Kyiv Independent.
Aisha Rimi April 24, 2022 18:12
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