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

Mikhail Mizintsev, a Russian General-Colonel and the Head of the National Defense Management Center of the Russian Federation, who is responsible for destroying Mariupol and killing citizens of Mariupol, calls upon killing his own soldiers. He calls them "scum", "bastard", and "jerk".

Briefing session by Oleksiy Arestovych, the Advisor to the Head of the President Administration: The Ukrainian army destroyed six enemy aircraft, one helicopter, five UCAVs and five cruise missiles. At the moment, the total of 105 enemy aircraft are considered destroyed.

Maria Zakharova from the Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs that two episodes of prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia took place. In the meantime, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk claims that the information from the Russian side is not true. "As of now, we didn't conduct any prisoner exchanges", – Vereshchuk.

Security Service of Ukraine initiated an investigation against Russian propagandists, Dmitry Kiselyov and Olga Skabeyeva. They are suspected of infringement upon Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Specifically, both Skabeyeva and Kiselyov have publicly called for changing Ukrainian borders.

Luhansk Region Administration: Nearly 650 civilians have been evacuated from the Luhansk region to Western regions.

The Head of the Zakarpattia Region Administration calls upon local politicians to get over with populism during wartime. The police arrested 19 people who were aiming to provoke a conflict in the Mukachevo council.

The UK provided 15800 free visas for Ukrainian refugees. They will be able to live, work, study and access state financial support.

Germany's Olaf Scholz: "Russia only begins to feel the most severe consequences of the sanctions. Soon, there will be new measures against the invader."

Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba calls upon to introduce sanctions against propaganda workers:

"Russian TV propagandists are worse than even Russian pilots. Pilots at least risk being shot down. Talking heads sleep in safety, then go on air and call for nuclear strikes or invading NATO members. Sanction each one of them. Block all toxic Russian propaganda and its enablers."

State Emergency Service of Ukraine: Three people have been killed in Rubizhne, including two children. Enemy bomb hit the multistoried building. When experts from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine arrived to the spot, the three victims have been already dead. There were nothing rescue workers could do.

The Head of Mykolaiv Region Administration Vitaly Kim: "This Saturday and Sunday, we will allow selling and buying alcohol. Gradually over time, we will keep eliminating the restrictions."

Ukraine's Mykhailo Podolyak, the advisor to the Head of the President Administration, in his commentary for LIGA.net: "I'll speak briefly. The online negotiations never stop. The process is going slowly because both sides have principled positions. Our key provisions have been repeatedly pointed out by president Zelensky."

Another logistics convoy has been destroyed. "Now someone will eat less, sleep less and fight worse" – Land Forces of Ukraine.

Bloomberg: EU will now be able to share with Ukraine classified information, including satellite images. The agreement with Ukraine will last one year, and it can be extended.

China's spokesperson of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wang Wenbin: China doesn't support the initiative to exclude Russia from G20.

Meet Lucky from Kharkiv. Several days ago, this bunny used to be a domestic animal, but the war changed his life. He could have died in a blink of an eye if it wasn't for rescue workers.

State Emergency Service of Ukraine: "Even in the darkest times, there's always room for compassion. This is what makes us different from our 'liberators'."

At night of March 22nd, Russian invaders have deployed phosphorous weapons over Hostomel and Irpin. Using such weapons against civilians is considered a war crime against humanity, it violates the 1949 Geneva Convention. Footage by ITV News.

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, pyrotechnical experts from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have conducted 2485 site visits. They have defused 9434 explosive devices and 224.9 kilograms of explosives including 393 air bombs. The total area they managed to investigate is around 932.8 hectares.

The Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denys Monastyrsky explained what actions one needs to take when discovering an explosive device: "Briefly, do not touch or approach such devices and call 101 or 102 to inform our services. Also, be sure to warn everyone around of the danger."

How Kyiv functions during the war.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has addressed the Japanese Parliament for the first time, urging it to maintain pressure on Russia and work on the new international security guarantees. In his speech, the President thanked Japan for its leading positions in Asia in supporting Ukraine amid the war launched by Russia.

An updated report from the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 12 AM, March 23rd:

- Volyn: Enemy activity is very low. Certain parts of the Belarus' army are reportedly returning to their points of permanent deployment. However, a sizeable grouping of troops is remaining near the border.

- Polissisa: The invaders are trying to hold current positions and regroup after the losses they took. They conduct aerial reconnaissance, increase presence of air defense systems and mine neighboring areas.

- Sivershcina: The invaders are trying to restore their forces after an unsuccessful attempt to block Chernihiv.

- Brovary: The invaders are conducting engineering works. They are mining the area, including civil infrastructure.

- Slobozhanshchyna: The invaders are focusing their forces to block Kharkiv and Sumy as well as restore their personnel. In the Izum region, the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed up to 60% of the enemy personnel and equipment.

- Donetsk: The invaders are still aiming to control Rubizhne, Siverskodonetsk, Popasna, Verkhnotoretske, Mariinka, and Mariupol. All the enemy attempts are unsuccessful.

- Tavriisk: No significant changes. In Dzhankoi, Crimea, enemy personnel and equipment is reportedly accummulating.

- Southern Bug: Enemy activity is very low, only engineering works take place.

- The enemy is demoralized, it has severe casualties and significant issues with logistics and restoring personnel.

- In certain regions, the Armed forces of Ukraine conduct stabilization operations, impede enemy movement and make the enemy retrieve.

- Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine keep covering ground troops and important infrastructure. They also keep repelling air and missile strikes from the enemy.

The aggressor country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergey Lavrov said the issue of moving UN headquarters from the USA “needs to be tackled”.

40,000 soldiers from the whole world are already in. The International Legion of Ukraine to fight Russia: how to join.

On 23 March morning, a relief convoy set off from Zaporizhzhia in three directions: Polohy, Huliaipole, and Berdiansk. “We are sending humanitarian aid and petrol and will be taking people to Zaporizhzhia on our way back,” Head of Zaporizhzhia Regional State Administration Oleksandr Starukh said.

In the Novhorod-Siversky direction, Ukrainian resistance forces and local patriots destroyed a Russian Tigr infantry mobility vehicle. The enemy’s losses are being specified, North Operative Command reports.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko gave an online speech in front of the full city council assembly of Munich, Kyiv’s sister city.

Klitschko thanked Munich for the 15 rail cars of humanitarian aid provided to Kyiv and emphasized the need for rescue equipment, ambulances, and medications. Also, he called on the Germans to ramp up economic and political pressure on Russia.

National Police informs about the evacuations from of Brovary District on 23 March. In Velyka Dymerka, the assembly point is at 1, Bobrytska St (Village Council), and in Bohdanivka at 219, Bohdan Khmelnytskyi St (Village Council).

Diesel fuel prices have exceeded petrol prices in most EU countries because of the ban on Russian fuel.

Emergency response teams are clearing the rubble after the Russians attacked Kyiv on 23 March morning.

Kyiv: all clear.

Japanese consumer electronics producer Sharp has suspended deliveries to Russia because of war in Ukraine.

Metallurgical plans of Mariupol will not work under the Russian occupation, Rinat Akhmetov said in an interview for The Wall Street Journal.

Vitali Klitschko urges Munich City Council to provide fire-fighting and rescue vehicles and equipment, ambulances, and personal protection for civilians (masks, respirators, and medicines) for Kyiv. Also, the city needs protective equipment for medics and emergency response teams working to remedy the consequences of the shelling of the Ukrainian capital.

The first-ever address of the President of Ukraine to the Parliament of Japan. The key points of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech:

- Without peace in Ukraine, nobody in the world will be able to feel secure about their future.
- Chornobyl NPP has been captured by force of arms. Russia has turned this installation into the site of hostilities.
- One of the main topics discussed by politicians globally is how to react if Russia resorts to the use of nuclear weaponry.
- Any confidence anybody could feel globally, in any country, has been eliminated.
For 28 days already, our military has been valiantly protecting Ukraine from one of the world’s largest countries by territory. However, it is not the largest in terms of potential. Not the largest in terms of influence. Also, it has little mark when it comes to morality.
- In many cities and villages occupied by Russians, Ukrainian people can’t even bury their dead family members, friends, and neighbours.
- You see that international institutions are not working. Even the UN and the Security Council... Can they do anything now? They need to be reformed. They need a shot of honesty.
- The war Russia launched on Ukraine has destabilized the world. The world is on the verge of new crises.
- I urge all Asian countries—your partners—to join forces and stabilize the situation.
- Russia must seek peace. And stop the tsunami of its violent invasion of Ukraine.
- We need to start thinking now about rebuilding Ukraine. About returning life to the cities that Russia has destroyed and the territories it has devastated.
- We need to create new instruments. New guarantees. Japanese leadership can play an indispensable role in their development. For Ukraine, for peace.
- I know what brilliant a history of development you have. I know that you can build and protect harmony, stick to your principles, and value life. That you protect the environment. It is all rooted in your culture, which the Ukrainians sincerely love.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has created a map of the Administrative Service Centres that remain operational despite the war.

Kharkiv and Kharkiv Region: all clear.

The situation on the ground in the Kyiv Region:

• Ukrainian defenders gained footing in Irpin, Makariv, and the village of Moshchun.
• They are fortifying checkpoints, building defensive structures, and fighting saboteurs.
• Russians keep shelling critical infrastructure installations and residential neighbourhoods.
• Also, they destroy historical architectural landmarks, schools, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities.
• The enemy still has no success in traversing the city of Irpin.

Reportedly, Russian forces shelled residential neighbourhoods and public infrastructure over 20 times on March 22.

The largest damage was done in:

• Bucha District (Irpin, Bucha, Makariv, Borodianka, Dmytriv communities),
• Brovary District (Velyka Dymerka community),
• Vyshhorod District (Dymer, Ivankiv communities),
• Fastiv District (the village of Yasnohorodka).

Air Assault Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine show the photos of what they captured.

“The aggressor will pay in full for every Ukrainian tear, each orphan or widow, every shell, missile, and bomb, and every Ukrainian home destroyed,” the paratroopers wrote.

Air raid alarm in Kharkiv and Kharkiv Region.

Ukrainian intelligence: Putin prepares to block Russians from leaving the occupied Crimea.

“Putin is holding hostage 600,000 Russian citizens, who illegitimately remain in Crimea at the moment and start to realize the precariousness of their legal status,” the message reads.

Belarus' involvement in the war. Putin is looking for new methods of involving Belarusians in war, Ukrainian intelligence reports. 

Key points:

• The Russians are already studying the moral and psychological state of the Belarusians, conducting "individual talks".
• Belarusians are offered $1000-1500 per month for performing "special tasks". In addition, they are offered preferential education in Russian military schools.
• A very low level of motivation to take part in military operations is registered among the Belarusian military.
• Those who refuse are checked for links to the opposition. Disloyal commanders are replaced.
• Those who give their consent are excluded from the lists of their units to extend their service outside the Belarusian Armed Forces.

Two dead in Mykolayiv due to overnight shelling - head of regional state administration Vitaliy Kim.

Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Sloviansk, Zhytomyr region - air-raid alert. Everyone should be in the shelter.

Ukrainian police resume work in Irpin, Ihor Klymenko, head of the National Police, has said.

"Saboteurs are being cleared from the territory, but the main task now is to help and evacuate civilians still remaining in Irpin," Klymenko wrote.

15,600 occupants killed since start of full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine - AFU General Staff. 

The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02 to 23.03 were approximately:

• personnel - about 15600,
• tanks ‒ 517,
• APV ‒ 1578,
• artillery systems – 267,
• MLRS - 80,
• Anti-aircraft warfare systems - 47,
• aircraft – 101,
• helicopters – 124,
• vehicles - 1008,
• boats / cutters - 4,
• fuel tanks - 70,
• UAV operational-tactical level - 42,
• special equipment - 15.

Russians have killed 121 children in Ukraine since full-scale invasion - Office of the Prosecutor General stated.

167 children have been injured to varying degrees of severity.

Children suffered the most casualties in regions:

• Kyiv- 61,
• Kharkiv - 41,
• Donetsk - 40,
• Chernihiv - 32,
• Mykolayiv- 24,
• Kyiv - 16,
• Zhytomyr - 15,
• Kherson - 15
• Sumy - 14.

The OGPU said that these figures were not final because it was difficult to get into some parts of Ukraine to establish civilian casualties.

Consequences of shelling of Kyiv neighbourhoods by occupiers.

Ukrainian border guards' phrase from Zmiyinyy Island about sending a Russian ship has been allowed to be used by civil servants - it is no longer a violation of the code, the National Agency of Ukraine for Public Service said in a document.

Despite the bombed bridge to Chernihiv, humanitarian aid will be able to be delivered to the city, the head of the Chernihiv RMA, Chaus, has said.

Humanitarian corridors on 23 March. A total of nine have been agreed, says Iryna Vereshchuk:

• from Mariupol to Zaporizhzhya (Berdyansk - Zaporizhzhya), place of assembly - sports complex on Melitopol highway, 27, buses will be served at 10:00
• Polohy - Zaporizhzhya (place of the meeting in front of the city council)
• Gulyaypole - Zaporizhzhya (city council, 15/2 Shevchenko str.)
• Velyka Dymerka - Brovary (village council building, Bobrytska 1)
• Bogdanovka - Brovary (village council, Khmelnitskogo 219)
• Borodyanka - Bila Tserkva (331 Tsentralnaya St.)
• Svetilnik - Brovary (Marchenko square)
• Rubizhne - Bakhmut (11 Chekhova str.)
• Nizhnee - Bakhmur (13, Parkova str.)

Evacuation buses will make stops at the addresses:

• Lysychansk (40 Rokiv Peremohy, 324 Sosyury Street)
• Severodonetsk (28 Khimikov Ave.)
• Gornoe (13 Gagarina Street).