Russia-Ukraine live updates Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert; E.U. to restrict airspace
But tensions continued to escalate, with Russian President Vladimir Putin stating Sunday that he had put his nuclear deterrence forces into high alert, attributing the move to “aggressive statements” from the West against Russia. The White House called the order an example of “manufacturing threats that don’t exist.”
The European Union, meanwhile, announced it will shut down airspace to Russian planes and finance weapons purchases to Ukraine as several nations, including the United States, vow to block the Kremlin’s access to its sizable foreign currency reserves in the West and to cut off some Russian banks from the SWIFT financial messaging system. Those sanctions, The Washington Post reports, followed an emotional call from Zelensky, in which he pleaded for help.
Earlier Sunday, Russian forces pushed into Kharkiv, sparking a battle for control in Ukraine’s second-largest city. By afternoon local time, the city was quieter, with the sounds of bombardment fading from downtown and Kharkiv’s governor announcing that the city remained under government control.
Here’s what to know
Ukrainian fencers refuse to compete against Russians at world championships
Return to menuPutting down their foils in favor of antiwar signs, a fencing team representing Ukraine at the world championships in Egypt on Sunday refused to participate in a scheduled match against Russia.
“We cannot fight today against them while our families are in danger,” a member of the team said after both sides assembled on the floor of Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex.
Lo sport e la guerra
— Lia Capizzi (@LiaCapizzi) February 27, 2022
L'Ucraina di fioretto maschile rifiuta di affrontare la Russia nella prova di Coppa del Mondo di scherma al Cairo.
Negli ottavi di finale (fioretto a squadre) gli ucraini decidono di non gareggiare contro i russi e si ritirano:"Stop the war"#RussiaUkraine pic.twitter.com/PO9lQtG187
In the world of sports as in a host of other sectors, Russia has faced boycotts and other measures aimed at punishing the country for its invasion of Ukraine. After a number of competitors reportedly pulled out, a World Cup women’s epee event being held in Sochi, Russia, this weekend was called off shortly before the semifinal round.
“Stop Russia! Stop the war!” read the signs held by the Ukrainian team, according to Agence France-Presse. “Save Ukraine! Save Europe.”
Satellite images show long convoy of Russian troops a few dozen miles from Kyiv
Return to menuNew satellite images taken Sunday show a large convoy of Russian ground troops approaching Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, where forces over the weekend were engaged in a fierce battle for control of the city.
The images, captured by the U.S. firm Maxar Technologies, show a line of Russian military vehicles — stretching for more than three miles — traveling in the direction of Kyiv. At the time the photographs were taken, on Sunday morning, the convoy was northeast of the Ukrainian city of Ivankiv, about 40 miles from the capital.
The convoy includes fuel, logistics and armored vehicles, such as tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled artillery, Maxar reported. Separate video circulating on social media Sunday also appeared to show a number of Russian vehicles traveling through Ukraine, though it was unclear whether it was the same convoy as the one seen in the Maxar images.
Hundreds in D.C. demonstrate in support of Ukraine
Return to menuIn D.C., several enthusiastic rallies have been held at the White House and the Ukrainian and Russian embassies over the past several days. On Sunday, there was another, larger gathering at Farragut Square, where at least 100 people waved the Ukrainian flag and sang patriotic songs, according to social media posts.
In live footage from Reuters, one person held a sign that read “STOP NEW HITLER,” and others were holding placards calling for peace and “No War.” During one song, people knelt, held each other’s hands and bowed their heads. “President Biden, the world is watching you!” chanted the crowd at the end of the song.
At one point, Damon Wilson, the president and CEO of the National Endowment for Democracy — which describes itself as an independent foundation dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions around the world — addressed the crowd, urging the “free world” to rally for Ukraine and for a stop to Putin’s aggressions.
“Their success is crucial to democracy’s future. It is crucial to defeating Putinism,” Wilson said. “Only when Putin is out of Ukraine, only when Putin is out of the Kremlin, will our freedom be safe and secure.”
Russian Internet provider takes steps to protect key government sites from cyberattack
Return to menuRussia’s largest Internet provider, state-owned Rostelecom, has made key government websites more difficult to access — or hack — from the outside world.
The move comes after days of cyberattacks that have sought to take down Russian government sites, including those for the Russian military. Government spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Saturday that “attacks are ongoing” on the Kremlin site, causing frequent glitches, according to Russian news service Tass.
The action by Rostelecom makes the section of the Russian Internet that includes government sites harder to access unless a user is inside the country. This adds at least some protection against hacks by outsiders or efforts to shut down sites by overwhelming them with Internet traffic.
“There is no doubt these are defensive moves,” said Doug Madory, director of Internet Analysis for Kentik, which tracks online data flows globally, who tweeted about the action on Sunday.
Rostelecom stopped announcing the BGP routes of Russia's e-government platform (AS196747) outside the country at 16:45 UTC (7:45pm local) 26-Feb.
— Doug Madory (@DougMadory) February 27, 2022
It hosts https://t.co/5SGGC5VSYi, a purported target of the #Anonymous hacking group. #UkraineRussiaWarhttps://t.co/ef5LpUDAMq pic.twitter.com/mumShxijOH
Russian companies also have used a technology called “geofencing” to protect its government sites from outside users. But these and other measures are far from impossible to defeat. Anyone with a VPN that masks their location could connect with a server in Russia, allowing them to connect to the government sites, Madory said.
We are creating an IT army. We need digital talents. All operational tasks will be given here: https://t.co/Ie4ESfxoSn. There will be tasks for everyone. We continue to fight on the cyber front. The first task is on the channel for cyber specialists.
— Mykhailo Fedorov (@FedorovMykhailo) February 26, 2022
On Saturday, Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister and minister of digital transformation, announced on Twitter that he was creating an “IT Army” to attack major Russian government and business websites, directing viewers to a channel on Telegram that by evening local time had more than 90,000 subscribers.
A list of targets posted to the channel included key Russian government and military sites.
U.N. Security Council votes to convene emergency special session of General Assembly
Return to menuThe U.N. Security Council passed a procedural resolution Sunday to call a rare emergency special session of the General Assembly. The 193-member body will meet Monday morning to discuss the Russian invasion.
The draft resolution passed with 11 in favor, Russia against and three abstentions — China, India and the United Arab Emirates.
Ten such emergency special sessions have been convened in the past — including for sessions on Afghanistan in 1980, Congo in 1960 and the Israel-Palestinian conflict in 1997.
Because the vote was procedural in nature, the five permanent members — Russia, France, China, Britain and the United States — could not veto the resolution.
“Russia vetoed Friday’s resolution, but, as I have said before, Russia cannot veto our voices, Russia cannot veto the Ukrainian people and Russia cannot veto the U.N. Charter. Russia cannot and will not veto accountability,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Emergency sessions can be considered within 24 hours “if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in any case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression,” according to the United Nations.
Two days ago, Russia “single-handedly blocked the adoption” of a Security Council resolution that would have demanded that Moscow end its attacks on Ukraine, said Nicolas de Rivière, permanent representative of France to the United Nations, before the Sunday meeting. China, India and the United Arab Emirates had also abstained Friday.
“This Special Session is a necessary new step intended to defend the U.N. charter and international law, and put an end to the aggressions against Ukraine,” de Rivière said before the vote.
More than 350 civilians killed, including 14 children, Ukraine says
Return to menuMore than 350 civilians have been killed in Russia’s invasion, including 14 children, Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs said Sunday.
The ministry also tweeted that 1,684 civilians have been wounded, 116 of them children, as of Sunday. It put the total dead at 352.
Those numbers are a significant increase from totals given Saturday, when Ukrainian Health Minister Viktor Liashko said on social media that a total of 198 Ukrainians had been killed, including three children.
Observers have struggled to independently verify the number of people killed and injured in the fighting. Russia did not acknowledge casualties among its troops until Sunday and even then did not provide specific numbers.
Speaking on the condition of anonymity Sunday to discuss the situation in Ukraine, a U.S. defense official told reporters that Russia’s apparent adoption of “siege” tactics and mounting rocket attacks would increase the chances of harming civilians.
Virginia joins other states in banning Russian alcohol from state-owned retailers
Return to menuIn response to the war in Ukraine, Virginia has joined states across the country in banning Russian-made liquor from state-owned ABC stores — the sole retailer of distilled spirits in the commonwealth.
“We need to take strong actions to support Ukraine, so I am calling on @GovernorVA to order the removal of all Russian Vodka and any other Russian products from our ABC stores immediately,” state Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) tweeted Saturday morning, adding minutes later that she had been “overwhelmed with texts from my colleagues in support of this idea from both sides of the aisle.”
With the support of Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R), the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority soon announced that it was removing seven Russian-sourced vodka brands from its shelves while offering a number of spirits with “Russian-themed monikers,” including Stolichnaya and Smirnoff, that are produced elsewhere.
In Maryland, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) announced Sunday that the county would join the boycott of Russian-made liquor “in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Here’s how Americans can donate to help people in Ukraine
Return to menuAcross the country, many Americans are desperate to support Ukraine as its people try to fend off a Russian invasion that has left hundreds dead, thousands homeless and millions fearful of what could become of their country in the weeks ahead.
Here’s how you can help.
Russia confirms casualties on its side but offers few details
Return to menuA Russian defense official confirmed Sunday that Russia has suffered casualties in the fighting in Ukraine.
“Unfortunately, some of our comrades have been killed or injured,” Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a news briefing, according to Interfax, an independent news agency in Russia. Konashenkov had said late last week that no Russian troops were killed in the attack, the Associated Press reported, contradicting statements from authorities in Ukraine.
Konashenkov did not specify how many Russian troops were hurt but said “our losses are many times less than eliminated nationalists, as well as the losses among servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces,” according to Interfax. He also accused Ukrainian forces of torturing Russian soldiers but did not provide evidence.
International observers have struggled to verify government numbers and get a grasp on the fighting’s toll, even as harrowing images and stories flood social media.
“We don’t have any idea of the full scale of the consequences right now,” Mirella Hodeib, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kyiv, told The Post. “Only that they’re rising exponentially.”
Robyn Dixon contributed to this report.
U.S. Embassy in Russia says Americans should leave ‘immediately’ as airlines cancel flights
Return to menuThe U.S. Embassy in Moscow on Sunday advised Americans to leave Russia “immediately,” citing the potential for U.S. citizens to be stuck there as more airlines cancel flights into and out of the country.
“An increasing number of airlines are canceling flights into and out of Russia, and numerous countries have closed their airspace to Russian airlines,” the embassy advised in a security bulletin. “U.S. citizens should consider departing Russia immediately via commercial options still available.”
On Friday, the State Department urged Americans to “avoid the areas of Russia along its border with Ukraine.”
Last month, the State Department issued its highest-level travel advisory for Russia — “Level 4: Do Not Travel” — pointing to “ongoing tension along the border with Ukraine, the potential for harassment against U.S. citizens, the embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia” and the coronavirus pandemic, among other concerns.
U.S. officials have also been telling Americans to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. The state department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said in a tweet that U.S. citizens should “consider routes & risk” when seeking a way out of the country.
“Many Polish land border crossings & main Moldavian crossings have long waits,” the agency said. “We recommend Hungary, Romania & Slovakia border crossings. Waits may be hours.”
Northeastern Ukrainian city surrenders under threat of bombardment, pro-Russia mayor says
Return to menuKHARKIV, Ukraine — In a video message posted on the Kupyansk City Council’s Facebook page, pro-Russia Mayor Gennady Matsegora said he chose to surrender and that the city is now under Russian control.
Kupyansk, which has a population of about 28,000, is about 70 miles southeast of Kharkiv, where a Russian advance was rebuffed Sunday afternoon, according to the governor.
Matsegora said the Russians assured him that schools, hospitals and grocery stores would be open Monday. He claimed that Ukrainian military agencies had left the city to fend for itself.
“We must come together and get back to normal life,” Matsegora said in the video. “You can come out of the basements and the bunkers.”
FIFA condemns Ukraine invasion, announces penalties against Russia
Return to menuThe largest international governing body of soccer announced on Sunday afternoon that Russia must play in neutral venues without spectators for its home games. FIFA also announced that a member association representing Russia can operate under the name “Football Union of Russia” and not “Russia,” and no flag or anthem can be shown in matches moving forward.
The FIFA statement also condemned the use of force by Russia in Ukraine.
“FIFA calls again for the urgent restoration of peace and for constructive dialogue to commence immediately,” the statement says. “FIFA remains in close contact with the Ukrainian Association of Football and members of the Ukrainian football community who have been requesting support to leave the country for as long as the current conflict persists.”
The Czech Republic joined Poland and Sweden earlier Sunday in announcing that it would refuse to play Russia in World Cup qualifying matches because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier in the week, the countries said they would not play games in Russia. The four teams were scheduled to play in a four-team group in Moscow to earn one of Europe’s final three spots in the World Cup this year. Russia was set to meet Poland on March 24 in one semifinal game, with the Czech Republic and Sweden playing in the other to determine who would play in the final.
Although FIFA’s statement says that the games will not be played in Russia, the other three countries said they would not play Russia regardless of location.
UPS and FedEx halt shipments into Russia and Ukraine
Return to menuDelivery companies UPS and FedEx have suspended shipments into Russia, as well as shipping services to and from Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
UPS said international shipments addressed to destinations in Russia have been suspended effective Feb. 25. Shipping services to, from and within Ukraine have also been halted effective Feb. 24.
“Our focus is on the safety of our people, providing continued service and minimizing disruption to our customers,” the company said in a notice posted on its website, adding that it would “re-establish service as soon as it is practical and safe to do so.”
FedEx similarly announced that it would suspend inbound and outbound services to Ukraine, as well as inbound shipments to Russia “until further notice.”
“We are closely monitoring the situation and have contingency plans in place,” FedEx said in the statement posted to its website.
E.U. official warns member nations to ‘prepare for millions’ of refugees
Return to menuA European Union official warned that the bloc’s nations must prepare for millions to arrive from Ukraine.
More than 300,000 Ukrainians have traveled to member nations, said E.U. Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson, telling reporters that “we have to prepare for even bigger numbers, and we have to prepare for the support that we need to give to the Ukrainians fleeing.”
She added: “I think we need to prepare for millions.”
“I am proud of how European citizens at the 🇵🇱 🇸🇰 🇭🇺 🇷🇴 borders are showing solidarity with Ukrainians fleeing this terrible war”.
— Ylva Johansson (@YlvaJohansson) February 27, 2022
🎥 https://t.co/XxMjq5GNmv
After this #JHA I will departure for Romania 🇷🇴 then onto Slovakia 🇸🇰(28/2) to see the situation on the ground
🇪🇺🇺🇦
She said during a news conference that many of the individuals fleeing to E.U. nations have biometric passports that will enable them to “stay, visa-free, for 90 days.”
“We need to be prepared for Day 91, and we need to be prepared for much higher number of people trying to come — or wanting to come, and should be welcomed,” Johansson said.
Many are being helped by relatives and friends, she said, and some have applied for asylum.
Johansson said she is pushing for a “temporary protection directive” that would establish temporary protections “for all people coming from Ukraine with the same kind of rights in different member states — for example, the right to work.”
War in Ukraine: What you need to know
The latest: Ukraine announced talks with Russia as Putin puts nuclear forces on high alert. Russian forces continue to bombard Kyiv with some of the fiercest shelling since the start of the invasion. President Zelensky remains in Kyiv, walking the streets and urging his people to fight.
The fight: Photos and videos show what the situation on the ground looks. More than 350,000 refugees have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries.
Maps: Russia’s assault on Ukraine has been extensive with strikes and attacks across the entire country. We’re tracking the invasion here.
The response: The United States and key Western allies on Saturday announced severe new sanctions on Russian banks. SWIFT, a network that connects banks around the world, is at the center of the new sanctions.
How we got here: The conflict playing out between Russia and Ukraine is one marked by land borders and shaped by strategic influence. These four maps help explain the deep roots of the conflict and where things stand right now.
How you can help: As the war in Ukraine continues, here are ways those in the U.S. can help support the Ukrainian people.
Read our full coverage of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
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