Ukraine, live coverage – Slovakia delivered its first 4 MiG-29s to Ukraine. Russia: “Continuous escalation of NATO and the European Union”

Von der Leyen: Moscow kidnapped 16,000 Ukrainian children

We had an extensive discussion on Ukraine, as well as with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. One of the points dear to me is that of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia, which reminds us of the dark moments in our dark past: as many as 16,200 children have been kidnapped. It is a war crime and fully justifies the arrest warrant issued by The Hague.” This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the end of the first day of the European Council.

Kiev admits: “The Russians are still in Nova Kakhovka”

“The occupiers are temporarily still in Nova Kakhovka. Information about the alleged withdrawal of the enemy from this settlement was made public due to the incorrect use of available data. .

Zelensky to the European Union: “Organize a summit on our peace plan”

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, in his address to the European Council, expressed his intention to organize a summit around his proposed peace plan. This was stated by European diplomatic sources, adding that the Ukrainian head of state would have liked to hold it in Kiev, but for security reasons, he requested that the summit be held in one of the European capitals.

Velorosi: “No withdrawal from Nova Kakhovka”

Russian forces are still in Nova Kakhovka. And the pro-Russian authorities in the Kherson region say, denying what the General Staff in Kiev said, which announced Russia’s withdrawal from the city. “I solemnly declare that all Russian soldiers in Nova Kakhovka, as well as other places of deployment on the left bank of the Dnieper, remain in their places,” said the pro-Russian governor of Kherson Vladimir Saldo. “Ukrainian propagandists launched another disinformation” about the withdrawal from Nova Kakhovka. Of course, this is a lie, said Vladimir Leontyev, the pro-Russian head of the city district.

Moscow condemns Finland’s choice to join NATO: “It is counterproductive”

The Russian Foreign Ministry once again condemned Finland’s choice to join NATO, calling it “unbalanced” and “counterproductive”.
“Regarding Finland’s decision to join NATO, it is difficult to consider it balanced,” Russian ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying. “It was adopted without wide public discussion, under the influence of an unprecedented anti-Russian campaign in the media,” he added, backed by the West. “I emphasize once again that this only aggravates the military and political situation in Europe, contributes to the militarization of the Baltic region and the growth of tension in the Arctic,” the spokeswoman said, noting that “Russian-Finnish relations are already seriously endangered by Helsinki’s decision to join NATO, Also in the economic field.

Kiev: “Returned deported children say they were threatened and beaten”

“Deported children sent back to Ukraine say they were threatened with solitary confinement” and sent to “orphanages, beaten with sticks and taken to an unknown destination simply for saying “Glory to Ukraine.” They were told they had been abandoned by their parents and were now “children of Russia.” What is it If not genocide? Ukrainian presidential advisor Mikhail Podolak wrote on Twitter.

Return of the deported children They say they were threatened with isolation and orphanages, beaten with sticks and taken to an unknown destination for saying “Glory to Ukraine”. They were told that they had been abandoned by their fathers and were now “children of Russia”. What is it if not genocide?

– ихайло Подоляк (Podolyak_M) March 23, 2023

Kiev: “The Russians lost Nova Kakhovka in the Kherson region”

Since March 22, all units of the Russian army, “stationed in the settlement of Nova Kakhovka, Kherson Region”, left the city. The region is located in the eastern part of the Dnipro River. This was written by the General Staff of the Armed Forces in Kiev on Facebook. Before leaving, Russian forces confiscated large amounts of household and electronic equipment, jewelry, clothing, and mobile phones from the civilian population. The General Staff added that the enemy is now conducting defensive operations in the Kherson and Zaporizhia directions.

Council of the European Union: “Now support Moldova”

“The EU will continue to provide all relevant support to Moldova, including strengthening the country’s resilience, security, stability, economy and energy supply in the face of destabilizing activities from external actors, as well as to support its path to EU accession. The European Council calls on the Commission to present a support package before its next meeting “. This can be read in the conclusions adopted by the European Council after the discussions devoted to Ukraine.

Council of the European Union: “The plan to send ammunition to Kiev is good”

The European Union and its Member States are stepping up their efforts to help meet Ukraine’s urgent military and defense needs. Taking into account the security and defense interests of all Member States, the European Council welcomes the agreement reached in the Council for the urgent delivery of surface-to-surface ammunition, artillery and, if requested, missiles to Ukraine. ” This can be read in the conclusions that refer to Ukraine.

Kiev: “We are ready to fight against Bakhmut”

The Ukrainian army is ready for an imminent counterattack on Bakhmut. This was stated by the commander of the ground forces in Kiev, Oleksandr Sersky, adding that the Russian forces near the city, which witnessed the longest and bloodiest battle since the beginning of the invasion, are “exhausted”. “The aggressor did not lose hope of capturing Bakhmut at any cost, despite the losses of men and equipment, we will very soon take advantage of this opportunity, as we did near Kiev, Kharkiv, Balaklia and Kubyansk,” Sersky said, referring to successful Ukrainian counter-offensives last year.