The fourth day of Russia’s massive, conventional military attack on Ukraine began with fighting in Kharkiv, the country’s second largest city.
These are the facts to know about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the current security crisis in Europe.
RUSSIA PUT NUCLEAR FORCES ON ALERT
In an astonishing move that exposed long-buried fears from Cold War era, Putin ordered Russian nukes to be prepared for greater readiness to launch on Sunday. ratcheting up tensions between Europe and the United States in the aftermath of the conflict.
Russian President ordered his defense minister to instruct the chief of the Military’s General Staff to place the nuclear deterrent forces under a “special regime” of combat duty.
He stated that NATO’s leading powers had made “aggressive remarks” to Russia, in addition to imposing economic sanctions and removing leading Russian banks from SWIFT.
CNN’s Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, stated that Putin’s invocations of Russia’s nuclear arsenal were “dangerous rhetoric.”
Putin’s order did not have a clear practical meaning. Russia and the United States have typically both submarine-based and land-based nuclear forces that are ready for combat, while other aircraft such as nuclear-capable bombers or fighter jets are not.
FIGHTING SPREADS in UKRAINE
Russian troops moved closer to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. This city is home to almost 3 million people. Street fighting broke out in Ukraine’s second-largest, Kharkiv. Attackers were putting pressure on strategic ports in the country’s south.
The invasion was slowed by the resistance of Ukrainian defenders. A U.S. official warned that Russia’s far more powerful forces will undoubtedly learn from their mistakes and adapt their tactics to the Russian assault.
As a 39-hour curfew kept everyone off the streets, only a few cars made it onto a deserted main street of Kyiv. Officials warned anyone who ventured out without a pass would face a Russian saboteur.
Instead, terrified residents hid in underground garages, subway stations and homes in fear of a Russian invasion.
Faina Bystritska (87), a Jewish survivor from World War II, said, “I wish that I hadn’t lived to see this.” She claimed sirens blare almost continuously in Chernihiv (about 150 km) away from Kyiv.
Ukrainians have joined forces to defend their country by distributing guns and setting firebombs. Authorities said that the Ukrainian government is also freeing military veterans who are willing to fight for their country.
According to Pentagon officials, Russian troops are being slowened by fuel shortages, resistance from Ukraine, and other logistical issues. However, Ukraine’s air defense systems are still operational, despite being weaken.
RUSSIA AND UKRAINE ARE SET TO HOLD TALKS
After refusing Putin’s offer of a meeting in Homel, Belarus, on the ground that Belarus was supporting the Russian attack on its soils, the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskyy agreed for a Ukrainian delegation and to meet with their counterparts from Russia at an unspecified location near the Belarusian border.
This announcement was made hours after Russia had announced that its delegation was in Belarus for talks. Initial Ukrainian officials rejected the idea, stating that any negotiations should be held elsewhere. Belarus allowed Russia to use its territory for the invasion.
Before accepting the Belarus border, Zelenskyy, who refused to leave the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv for any other reason, suggested Warsaw, Bratislava Istanbul, Budapest, Budapest, or Baku as alternate venues for negotiations.
Later, the Kremlin stated that Naftali Bennett, Israeli Prime Minister, had offered to broker an end of fighting during a call to Putin. It did not say whether the Russian leader accepted.
Many UKRAINIANS FLEE, SOME RETURN TO FIGHT
According to the United Nations refugee agency, 368,000 Ukrainians fled Europe’s most violent conflict since World War II. These were mostly children and women. This figure is more than twice the agency’s previous estimate.
The 14-kilometer long line of vehicles at Poland’s border with Ukraine was 8.7 miles long. Those fleeing had long waits and endured freezing temperatures over the night. According to Polish officials, more than 100,000 people have entered Poland. According to Hungarian officials, 66,000 more refugees entered Hungary. More than 23,000 people arrived on Saturday.
A few brave women and men fled the tanks and bombs in an attempt to flee the scene. Associated Press journalists met people at a border crossing in south Poland to discuss their concerns. They also included 20 Ukrainian truck drivers, who had worked in Europe and wanted combat.
THE WORLD MOVES TO PUNISH RUSSIA EVEN MORE
After massive economic sanctions, the European Union closed its airspace to Russian airlines and funded weapons supplies to Ukraine. It also targeted pro-Kremlin media outlets spreading misinformation about the invasion.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, stated Sunday that “we are closing down the EU’s airspace for Russians.”
She stated that the commission is seeking to finance “for the first ever” the purchase and delivery weapons to an under-attack third-party country. The plan was expected to be supported by the foreign ministers from EU countries.
Japan joined the U.S., European countries in cutting Russian top banks from the SWIFT international financial messaging network. Japan will also send $100 millions in emergency humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Sunday’s announcement by BP, the petroleum giant, was that it would end its ties to Rosneft (a state-owned Russian oil company and gas company). This means that BP has sold its Rosneft stake and that BP officials have resigned from the Russian company’s board.
RUSSIA: SIGNS OF IMPRINTIBLE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
Early signs indicated that Russia’s economy suffered significant economic damage. Russia’s aggression and retaliatory sanctions by much of the rest were extended into their fourth day.
Official Russian ruble quotes remained unchanged at 84 rubles per dollar on Sunday. However, Tinkoff, an online Russian bank, offered an unofficial exchange rate for 163 rubles during the weekend.
Russian videos showed long lines of Russians trying withdraw cash from ATMs. The Russian Central Bank issued an appeal for calm in an attempt to prevent bank runs. Also, reports indicated that Visa and Mastercard are no longer being accepted by international bank accounts.
Analysts believe Russia could have to temporarily close some branches of its banks or declare a holiday at its national bank to protect its financial system.
Adam Tooze, a Columbia University history professor and Director of The European Institute, said that a banking panic can lead to a crisis. “A rush to dollars by the Russian general population moves things into a new realm of financial warfare.”
GERMANY ANNOUNCES SIGNIFICANT MILITARY SHIFT
The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that his government would increase its defense spending in order to rearm, just a day after Germany, Europe’s economic engine, had announced it would send military assistance to Ukraine. This was a clear indication of how Russia’s invasion in Ukraine challenged decades of European security policies and defense policies.
Scholz’s promise to contribute 100 billion euros ($113 million) to a special fund to support its armed forces will increase Germany’s defense spending to above 2% of GDP. This fulfills a long-standing demand by NATO allies to make more contributions to Europe’s security.
Germany announced Saturday it will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons to Ukraine and 500 Stinger surface–to-air missiles. These weapons will be added to the 400 German-made anti tank weapons Germany approved to ship from the Netherlands.
The U.S. also pledged $350 million more in military aid to Ukraine for anti-tank weapons and body armor.
RUSSIANS AGAINST WAR
Demonstrators marched through cities from Moscow to Siberia, defying police crackdowns and chanting “No war!”
Police in full riot gear grabbed protesters in St. Petersburg and began to drag them into their vans. Moscow footage showed that police threw several women protestors to the ground and then dragged them away.
According to OVD-Info, a rights group that tracks political arrests and records them, police in 45 cities had detained at most 1,474 Russians on Sunday evening in relation to antiwar demonstrations. This brings the total number of detained over the past few days to more than 5,000.
Dmitry Maltsev (48), who was part of the St. Petersburg rally, said to The Associated Press, “I have two boys and I don’t want to give them away to that bloody monster.” “War is a tragedy that affects all of us.”
RUSSIA ACKNOWLEDGES CASUALTIES
While the Russian military admitted that it had suffered casualties in Ukraine’s civil war, they did not give a specific number. “There are killed and wounded among our comprades,” stated Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov, Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson.
Although each side has claimed that it suffered military injuries and casualties, the numbers they claim have not been confirmed. Russian military officials were the first to admit troop losses in Konashenkov’s declaration.
Ukraine admitted to having suffered casualties from the beginning. The estimates of the number of casualties made by Ukraine have not yet been verified.
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MEETING OF UNITED NATIONS
The U.N. Security Council voted to allow the General Assembly, which includes 193 members, to hold an emergency session about the invasion. It will be held on Monday.
On Sunday, Russia voted against the session with 11 votes. China, India, and the United Arab Emirates abstained. A procedural vote does not have a veto, and it was therefore approved. The vote of 11-1-3 was the same as that on Friday’s resolution demanding Moscow cease its attacks. In that instance, Russia used its veto to defeat the resolution.
