Russia has stepped up attacks in key Ukrainian cities, while Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has called for more international aid and called on NATO to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine.
It’s 3 o’clock in the morning ET in the Ukrainian capital. If you’re just reading now, here’s where things stand:
Nuclear power plant forests: Minutes ago, an official said that the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporozhye is burning.
So far, firefighters have not been able to reach the fire, according to Dmitry Orlov, mayor of the nearby town of Enerhodar.
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia end without a breakthrough: A Ukrainian negotiator said on Thursday that the second round of talks with Russia has not yielded any of the results Ukraine needs.
“Unfortunately, the results that Ukraine needs have not yet been achieved. There is a solution only for the organization of humanitarian corridors,” said a senior Ukrainian official, Mikhail Podoliak. in the tweet after the end of the negotiations.
However, humanitarian corridors for civilians were agreed during the talks.
Key cities under attack: Russia besieges key Ukrainian city of Mariupol. Mariupol Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov told CNN that the southeastern city was “surrounded” by Russian forces and desperately needed military and humanitarian assistance.
“Our Ukrainian army and national guard are very brave, they stand and fight for Ukraine, for Mariupol. But the situation is quite critical,” Orlov said on Thursday.
In northeastern Ukraine, 34 civilians were killed in Russian attacks on the Kharkiv region within 24 hours, emergency services said Thursday morning.
Russian troops are advancing on Odessa, a strategically important city on the country’s southern coast.
Growing humanitarian crisis: Russia’s invasion has caused the need for humanitarian aid. Food and supplies in the country are becoming increasingly scarce. Organizations are on site in Ukraine and neighboring countries to help with shelter, food, water and additional assistance.
The United Nations estimates that more than 10 million people may flee their homes in Ukraine, including four million who may cross the border into neighboring countries, according to a statement.
International response: US President Joe Biden announced additional sanctions against Russian oligarchs on Thursday.
The new list of individuals described as “Putin’s friends and family members” will be cut from the US financial system, their US assets will be frozen and their assets will be blocked from use, according to a White House report.
There will be full blocking sanctions against eight Russian elites, plus members of their families and associates.
The European Union will provide temporary protection to all refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to the bloc’s interior commissioner, Ilva Johansson.
Germany must immediately freeze the assets of Russian oligarchs as part of sanctions against Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck urged on Thursday.