Russian invasion of Ukraine: tanks and rocket attacks on the cities. Breaking news

NATO will increase military assistance to Ukraine and transfer additional weapons systems, including air defence systems, Biden has said.

The US has imposed sanctions on the head of Sberbank, Gref, 328 State Duma deputies and several dozen Russian military-industrial complex enterprises.

Akhtyrka mayor Pavlo Kuzmenko: The occupiers fired rockets at the most densely populated neighbourhood of the city.

Zelenskyy on the risk of invasion by the Belarusian army: The Ukrainian Armed Forces are ready for any scenario, because it is not a matter of faith, forecasts and so on, it is a matter of a probable threat and our readiness for it.

But, according to our data, numerous Belarusian military personnel are refusing en masse the prospect of fighting in Ukraine. They understand that they will die here. Whether the leadership of Belarus fully understands it and whether it will cross the line that is called the state border, time will tell us.

UNICEF: 4.3 million children in Ukraine left their homes in a month of war. This is more than half of all children in the country (7.5 million). Of these, 1.8 million have left for other countries.

Residents of Maruipole flee the town under shelling.

"80% of the city of Irpin has already been liberated, the police are working there," Vadym Denysenko, an adviser to the Ukrainian interior minister, said during the nationwide TV marathon.

Operational command "North": At least two Tigers, a tank and a KamAZ of orcs were "lost" somewhere in the forests of Chernihiv today.

There is no adequate recommendation for "baking soda to treat wounds" if one has been struck by phosphorus.

A doctor explained what to do in case of an attack with phosphorus bombs.

Head of Chernihiv regional military administration Vyacheslav Chaus: Russia regularly drops 250-500-kilogram bombs on Chernihiv. Most locals have left to flee the shelling. Those who remain often hide chaotically in basements unknown to the local authorities. The occupiers shell exclusively residential houses and social facilities.

Learn more about the situation in Chernihiv in our interview with Vyacheslav Chaus.

Zelenskyy addressed politicians and the people of Sweden: The blue and yellow flag is probably the most popular flag in the world right now. These are the colours associated with freedom. It is so - for different people on different continents. And certainly in Europe.

The blue and yellow colours of the national flag are not just about Ukraine. It's also about you, Sweden. And obviously, it's not a coincidence. It is destiny. Because we stand equally for freedom. We stand equally for peaceful life. We're all the same for respect for every human being. We are the same for justice and the same for the care of the natural world in which we live. So it makes sense that Sweden is now among those who support Ukraine the most.

The mortar troops of the Azov Regiment continue to destroy the enemy.

Summary from the Ministry of Defence as of March 24, 12:00:

- russian headquarters withdraw from storage and send to the army obsolete equipment to restore combat capability of the bases performing serious loses; the russians send forces to Belarus and Autonomous Republic of Crimea, purpose being the encirclement of Kyiv;

- the enemy is forced to retract from offensive actions in Volyn, Podillya and Siversk directions; the enemy tries to block Chernihiv and capture the city of Slavutych, fails to achive the goal; the enemy did not succeed in Izyum direction; suffered losses and retreated;

- the enemy do not retreat from offensive actions in Donetzk direction, purpose being to get to the administrative borders of Donetzk and Luhansk regions;

- the enemy takes defense in Pivdennyi Buh direction, takes measures to restore combat capability;

- the AFU strikes at large enemy landing ships in the port of Berdyask. As a result a fire broke out on the ship of 1171 project with the following detonation of ammunition (enemy losses are being clarified);

- more than 20 enterprises of military-industrial complex of russia are forced to halt their process completely or partially due to the lack of parts and components.

NATO amplifies their presence on the east borders of Alliance in response for russian aggression in Ukraine.

We face a new reality for our security due to #Russia’s illegal invasion of #Ukraine.

In response, #NATO has reinforced its defensive presence in the eastern part of the Alliance with more troops, planes & ships.#NATOSummit pic.twitter.com/sCvBp4E0Uz

— NATO (@NATO) March 24, 2022

The Russians are trying to put the war into a partially "protracted" phase, entrenching themselves on occupied frontiers and wanting to " clear out" the "disloyal elements" (i.e. civilians who oppose the occupation) in the rear, said Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to the head of the presidential office.

Border guards want to reward russian propagandist working for TV channel “Zvezda” with border award “Smarahdova Lira” (“Emerald Lyre”) for best propagandist. It was him who told that landing craft “Orsk” – the one Ukrainian army has destroyed today – was located in the port of Berdyansk.

Russian Mi-35 shot down by Ukrainian air defence.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the NATO summit:

Greetings from Kyiv, our capital that fights for over a month now. As well as our whole country. Yes, it is true, we are not a member of the Alliance. We are not a member of the most powerful defence union of the world. We are not one of the 30 states under the umbrella of joint protection. It feels like we are stazing in the grey zone. Between West – and Russia. But we protect all of the common values – ours and yours. We are the people of light! We protect these values for a month now!

And the price is thousands of lives. The price is demolished cities. The price is almost 10 millions of migrants. 3,5 millions of these people are now on your territories. On the territory of NATO states. I am grateful for the support of these people.

Ukraine turned to you for aircrafts so the number of the dead would not be that high. And you have thousands of military aircrafts! And still you gave us none.

Ukraine asked a percent. One percent of all of your tanks! Give us or sell to us. And we still didn't get a clear answer.

Yes, we are not a member of the Alliance. I do not make claims for that matter. But Ukrainians have never thought that the Alliance and its states are two different things. That in matters of life and death separate states can become the great force and cannot become the same but united one. That NATO also can be afraid of Russia's actions.

And please, I ask you, never say to us that our army doesn't fit NATO standards. We have already shown what our standards are and what they are capable of.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged EU countries not to agree with Russia's demands to pay for gas in rubles. 

"If any EU country is bowing to Putin's humiliating demands to pay for oil and gas in rubles, it would be like helping Ukraine with one hand and helping the Russians kill Ukrainians with the other," he stressed.

Intelligence: Russians continue to forcibly remove Ukrainians from occupied territories. After passing through filtration camps, Ukrainians are sent to economically depressed areas of the Russian Federation. A number of northern regions, in particular Sakhalin, are mentioned as the final destination.

Information about the establishment of a Russian filtration camp in Dokuchayivsk, Donetsk region, has been confirmed. Civilians are being transported there en masse and their documents are being confiscated. Members of the Russian Federal Security Service are "working" with the people. Their goal is to find citizens who participated in the ATO/JFO, Ukrainian military and law enforcers. Then, people are transferred to the Russian Federation, particularly to Taganrog (Rostov Region) and Krasnodar Territory.

There is indisputable evidence of inhumane treatment of Ukrainians and the failure to provide medical care. There are problems with the provision of food.

The Russians shelled Lysychansk in the first half of the day, there are wounded. The aircraft of the enemy is seen in the sky. The buildings were damaged, the information about killed people is being clarified - the head of Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai.

The Russians shelled Lysychansk in the first half of the day, there are wounded. The aircraft of the enemy is seen in the sky. The buildings were damaged, the information about killed people is being clarified - the head of Luhansk Regional State Administration Serhiy Haidai.

The situation in Kyiv region on March 24:

- The military continues to hold the defence. The enemy failed to succeed in any of the directions of the Kyiv region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine improved their positions in Irpin, Makariv and the village Moshchun.

- Last day, more than 30 attacks by Russian troops on residential areas and civilian infrastructure were recorded.

- The biggest damage due to shelling is in the districts of Bucha, Brovary, Vyshgorod and Fastiv.

The situation in Kyiv region on March 24:

- The military continues to hold the defence. The enemy failed to succeed in any of the directions of the Kyiv region. The Armed Forces of Ukraine improved their positions in Irpin, Makariv and the village Moshchun.

- Last day, more than 30 attacks by Russian troops on residential areas and civilian infrastructure were recorded.

- The biggest damage due to shelling is in the districts of Bucha, Brovary, Vyshgorod and Fastiv.

Morning report from Serhiy Haidai, the Head of Luhansk RMA:

- Military will provide evidences of russia using phosphorus bombs in Rubizhne.

- Occupants partially entered Rubizhne and Popasna.

- Regrouping and reinforcement allows AFU to hunt occupants to russian border.

Seven buses, one sprinter and two pickups left Zaporizhia for Melitopil carrying humanitarian help. They will come back with people.

10th Mountain Assault Brigade: "A little more russian scrap metal. Understand at last, nothing good is waiting for you here".

The SSU (the SBU) intercepted conversations of occupants and looters: they see the siege of Kyiv as an opportunity to secure a “cushioned” life. Evidences of this can be found in almost all of intercepted conversations between invaders locating in Kyiv region.

Summary by the Donetsk police on March 24:

- During the day, Russian troops fired on eight localities. At least six civilian objects were damaged, including houses and stores. There are dead and wounded civilians.

- Mariupol, Avdiivka, Vuhledar, Marinka, Novomykhailivka, Ocheretyne, Olhinka and Bakhmut were under fire from the invaders during past 24 hours.

- The enemy fired on civilians from aircraft, missiles, heavy artillery, jet artillery and small arms.

5 regions of Kyiv open mini markets today from 10:30 to 13:00, – KCSA.

15 300 births have been registered in Ukraine since February 24, 2022 - the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine.

Ukraine hopes to return the captured defenders of Snake Island in the nearest future, exchanging them for Russian sailors who were rescued when they were drowning - the head of the Ministry of Reintegration Iryna Vereshchuk.

Situation on the western border as of March 23 from SBGS:

- Ukraine's western borders with the EU and Moldova were crossed by more than 63 000 people, more than 13 000 vehicles;

- More than 43 000 people left Ukraine. 28 000 of them crossed the border on the Ukrainian-Polish section.

- More than 19 000 people came to Ukraine in the last 24 hours. More than 16 000 of them are Ukrainians.

- More than 386 000 of our fellow citizens came back since the beginning of open armed aggression against Ukraine.

- More than 760 vehicles with humanitarian cargo were registered at the western borders.
All checkpoints of the western border are active 24/7 (except “Dzvinkove” checkpoit).

It is no longer possible to add new “Mir” cards to Apple Pay, as well as use earlier added ones for payment, Minister of Digital Transformation Fedorov says.

KCSA publishes rout list for land transport operating in Kyiv.

Russian soldiers in Melitopil demands to start the educational process in russian language starting April 1, informs Ivan Fedorov, mayor of Melitopil.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba calls on to Europe to not pay for oils and gas in rubels: “If any EU country bows to humiliating demands of putin to pay for oils and gas in rubels, it will be equal to helping Ukraine with one hand and helping russia to kill Ukraine with another”.

Ministry of Digital Transformation informs: a number of organizations and companies have left russia over the past 24 hours.
The list is given below:

• Credit Agricole, one of the largest world banks, suspends operations in russia.
• American IT-company Hewlett Packard Enterprise stops their business in russia.
• The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) stops transmissions of meteorological information to russia.
• International Labour Organization terminates cooperation with russia.
• American writer Stephen King has officially suspended all new contracts in russia.
• russian and belarusian athelets were excluded from participation in World Aquatics Championships.

As to the morning of March 24, situation in Kherson and Donetsk regions remains complicated and tense. Fighting continues in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Luhansk and Sumy regions – summary of regional state administrations.

Plans of work of 7 humanitarian corridors March 24, 2022:

Donetsk region

▪ from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhia

Berdiansjk – Zaporizhzhia

The place of gathering: the portcomlex at 27, Melitopoljsjke Highway

Zaporizhzhia region

▪ from Pology town to Zaporizhzhia

The place of gathering – Town Council.

▪ from Melitopolj to Zaporizhzhia

The place of gathering – fire station #9.

Kyiv region

▪ from the village of Velyka Dymerka to Brobary

The place of gathering – House of the Village Council at 1, Bobrytsjka Str.

▪ from the village Bogdanivka to Brovary

The place of gathering – Village Council at 219, Bohdana Khemljnytsjkogo Str.  f

▪ rom Makariv town to Zhytomyr

The place of gathering – the Village Council at 30, Rostovsjkogo Str.

▪ from the village of Bervytsya to Brovary town

The place of gathering – from the village of Bervytsya people must cross to the bridge between the village of Mokretsj and Zavorychi by themselves, it is where they cross the Trubezh River in the direction of Radgospna Str.

In Kyiv, 87 living buildings, 10 private houses, 12 schools, and 6 kindergarten have been damaged since the beginning of full scale invasion – Kyiv City State Administration.

As of 8 a.m. on March 24, air quality in Kyiv is unsatisfactory on both shores. There is a high content of fine dust. At the same time, no excess of the maximum allowed concentration is detected so far - Kyiv City State Administration.

Summary of the Emergency Service of Ukraine as of 9:00 a.m. March 24:

- During last 24 hours, 1703 call departures have been made, including 411 to liquidate the consequences of russian militants shelling of the towns and civil infrastructure objects.

- 16 people have been saved, more than 1140 fires have been extinguished, including 145 fires that appeared because of military actions.

- Pyrotechnicians of State Emergency Service of Ukraine have participated 129 times, 447 explosive objects have been deactivated, including 1 aviation bomb, 270 hectares have been investigated.

- 1302 towns and villages remain without electricity, among the 33 – partially. State Emergency Service of Ukraine have been using 6 generators to provide emergency electricity for social sphere objects, among them 3 pcs to provide electricity for hospitals.

- 83 tents have been deployed to heat and accept citizens at western borders, where 2000 people received support during last 24 hours.
- 860 000 people have been evacuated.

In the north of Ukraine, a provision column of the russian occupiers is destroyed partially and captured partially. – The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The general national minute of silence in memory of those who died because of the aggression of russian occupiers.

In Latvia, a man accused of spying for Russia was found guilty and sentenced to five years in prison.

“This period of the war that started with russia’s attack Crimea more than 8 years ago, will be a part of history as “”the month of inviolability”, - the Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov.

In the occupied by russian federation Berdiansjk port, a large  landing ship “Orsk” of the Black sea fleet of the occupier is destroyed. – Ukrainian Naval Forces inform.