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

The cynicism and inadequacy of the Russian invaders know no limits! On March 13, in Vorzel in the Kyiv region, the occupiers shot an experimental physicist, Deputy Director of the V.E. Lashkarev Semiconductors Physics Institute under the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NAS), Vasyliy Kladko. This was reported on the website of the National Academy of Ukraine.

A 65-year old scientist left Kyiv for Vorzel to help evacuate his family. His wife and grandchildren managed to flee the settlement, but he got delayed and did not get a chance to leave as the Russian occupiers’ army has entered the town.

NAS reported Kladko to have been killed by the Russian invaders. The circumstances of the researcher’s death are still unclear.

Summing up the 19th day of war in Ukraine: the enemy continues the offensive operation and continues to use aircraft to support ground forces and destroy military and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, and attempt to strengthen the troops of the Armed Forces in the Kharkiv direction. This is reported in the daily report by the Armed Forces of Ukraine Headquarters.

Current situation in each direction of advancement:

In the Polissya direction, the occupying forces are fighting in the areas of the settlements of Poliske, Kropyvnya, Zakharivka, Olyva, Sloboda, Kukharska, Zhovtneve, Ozershchyna, Lypivka, Kopyliv, Motyzhyn, Buzova, Horenychi, Bucha, and Demydiv.

In the Severskiy Donets direction, the enemy is fighting in the areas of the settlements of Lyubech, Slavutych, Kovryta, Zolotynka, Mena, Branytsia, Kalita, Bogdanivka, Lukash, Romny, Nedrigailiv. The invaders are not advancing, they are regrouping their troops.

In the Slobozhansky direction, the enemy keeps attempting to surround Sumy and conducts hostilities in the areas of Svatove, Izyum, Hrushevakha, Petrovske, Husarivka, Balakliya, Lyman, Malynivka, Kochetok, Bezruky, Oleksandrivka, Velyka Pysarivka, Tarashivka, Nedrygailiv, Romny, Talalaivka. The enemy is not advancing, they have been regrouping and experiencing lack of food.

In the Donetsk and Tavriya directions, the occupiers are using certain grouped forces to fight in the areas of the settlements of Borova, Ternove, Novokrasnyanka, Luhanske, Horlivka, Panteleimonivka, Mykilske, Huliaipole, Orikhiv, and Kamyanske.

In the Avdiivka direction in the area of the Kamyanka settlement, during the reconnaissance battle, the occupiers suffered significant losses and were forced to withdraw.

In the Volnovakha direction, the enemy does not stop trying to break through in the direction of Vuhledar.

In the Mariupol direction, the enemy is trying to seize Mariupol. Ukrainian soldiers successfully repulsed the attacks of the invaders. The total losses of the enemy were about 150 people, 2 tanks, 7 infantry fighting vehicles and one armored personnel carrier. After the losses, the occupiers stopped the offensive and retreated. According to available information, 12 units of motor vehicles were destroyed as a result of the artillery fire. The battalion also suffered tactical groups from the 336th Separate Marine Brigade and the 11th Separate Assault Brigade.

In the South Bug direction, the enemy is trying to gain a foothold in the areas of Tomyna Balka, Nadezhdivka, Kiselivka, Pervomaiskе, Mykhailo-Larine, Ulyanovsk, Pisky, Dobre, Snihurivka, Arkhangelske, Zagradivka, Osokorovka, Beryslav, Kakhovka.

There have been no signs of preparation for a naval landing operation in the Black Sea and Azov operational zones.

Ukrainian Railways Ukrzaliznytsia reminded us how a week before the war, people were greeting the Unity Train at the railway station holding a sign “Mariupol is Ukraine!”.

“Stay strong, our brothers and sisters, soon we will get back on the railway to the Carpathians!”, the message says.

In Trostyanets (Sumy Region) the Russian occupiers are forcing locals into fake "green corridors", according to the head of the Sumy military administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyi.

Negotiations on the humanitarian corridor for civilians of Sumy region will continue on March 15. Zhyvytskyi emphasized the evacuation lines have not been approved. He urged citizens to wait for official announcements and then only leave.

High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell during his visit to North Macedonia commented on war in Ukraine:

"Barbaric attack by Putin, that is Putin’s war on the people of Ukraine. Not only the military, but the civilians. The Russian armed forces continue to carry out air missile and artillery strikes targeting civilians, peaceful neighbourhoods, assaulting food reserves, hospitals and schools".

Borrell also reminded about the humanitarian catastrophe in Mariupol. "They have trapped civilians, who are being bombed, starved and dehydrated as Russia has cut off water. You could live without heating, but you cannot live without water. They have cut food and gas at temperatures below zero. More than 2 400 civilians have died in Mariupol since 24 February"

A group of doctors arrived in Ukraine from Israel, the head of the President's Office Andriy Yermak posted on Twitter:

We are very grateful to the citizens of various countries for their help. For steps to save many Ukrainian lives. At this difficult time, it is especially important to keep humane.

— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) March 14, 2022

In France police detained men who broke into Putin's daughter's villa, changed locks and wanted to hand it over to Ukrainian refugees, The Guardian informs.

French activist Pierre Afner and Belarusian political refugee Sergei Savelyev, who broke into the villa, wanted to change its name from Alta Merana to Villa Ukraine. They have already asked acquaintances to buy bedding and basic necessities to accommodate refugees from Ukraine in eight bedrooms.

Joe Biden promised military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. He wrote about this on Twitter.

We will make sure Ukraine has weapons to defend against the invading Russian force.

We will send money and food and aid to save Ukrainian lives.

We will welcome Ukrainian refugees with open arms.

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 14, 2022

Volodymyr Zelenskyy have signed a decree on awarding state awards of Ukraine to 234 servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who showed personal courage and heroism in the fight for our land. 59 of them posthumously.

"May the memory of everyone who gave life for our state live forever!", said Zelenskyy.

In his address on March 14, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced the start of tax reform:

"The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has agreed on a package of decisions to support our economy.

So that business works. So that people have jobs. Where security allows. Where people are ready for it.

First, we are starting tax reform. Instead of VAT and income tax we give a rate of 2 percent of turnover and simplified accounting. For small businesses - this is the first and second group of sole proprietors - we set a voluntary payment of a single tax. That is, if you can - pay. You can't - no questions asked.

The second is maximum business deregulation. We cancel all inspections for all businesses. So that everyone works normally. So that the cities come to life. So that life continues wherever there is no hostilities.

The only condition is that you ensure the normal operation of your business in the framework of Ukrainian law.

These are just the first two steps of our tax reform. To be continued."

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address regarding the 19th day of confrontation with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Full text in English is here.

Russia is asking China for food and financial aid for soldiers to supply its occupying army in Ukraine, CNN has reported, citing two sources.

It is specified that the Kremlin regime, among other things, is asking for packaged non-perishable military food kits "ready to eat".

According to the agency, the Russian army faces logistical problems, which show the preparation of the Russian armed forces for war. Russian soldiers have already broken into grocery shops for food in Ukraine's occupied territories.

British intelligence has summed up the war in Ukraine as of 14 March. This was reported on Twitter.

Britain's intelligence agencies found no evidence that Ukraine intends to use chemical or biological weapons - as Russia had previously claimed.

According to the intelligence, Russia may use chemical or biological weapons on behalf of other states in order to stage an attack on itself and blame Ukraine. The attack would be accompanied by disinformation.

Intelligence officials believe that Russia may probably use "false flag" operations to justify the initial invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.

The Russian occupiers continue striking at Ukraine's civil infrastructure, including destroying agricultural equipment. The Foreign Ministry wrote this on Twitter.

The ministry stressed that the food supply of countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa was under threat. Protecting Ukraine means protecting many countries of the world from hunger, the Foreign Ministry added.

Ukraine resumes provision of administrative services in the non-occupied territories - Ukrainians will be able to apply for passports or get driving licences. This was announced by Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyy.

"Starting today, the work of the service centres of the Interior Ministry resumes, where Ukrainians will be able to renew their driving licences. In addition, to help the frontline, drivers will take a C-category test," he stressed.

According to the minister, the Migration Service will start operating on 15 March, making it possible to obtain passports. For travelling abroad, parents will be able to insert their children's photos into the passport.

On 14 March, Ukrainian air forces destroyed:

→ 4 helicopters;

→ 1 occupier’s aircraft;

→ one cruise missile shot down.

According to the AFU Air Force command, a Russian UAV crossed the border of the NATO country Poland, then returned to Ukrainian territory and was shot down. It happened near the Yavoriv training ground in Lviv Region. There is also information about the downing of the Russian Orlan-10 UAV in Romania.

The attacks of the Russian troops against Ukrainian civilians, schools, and hospitals are considered to be state-sponsored terrorism, OSCE chairman and Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau has said today.

Independent LEGO retailer Citizen Brick raised $16,540 to help Ukraine by selling Volodymyr Zelensky minifigures and tiny Molotov cocktails.

The fundraiser began on March 4, with limited edition Zelensky figures selling for $100 apiece and Molotov cocktails for $10.

All proceeds from the sale of the figures were donated by the company to Direct Relief, a charitable organization, for medical aid to Ukrainian refugees.

The NSDC's Centre for Countering Disinformation has reported a new type of information threat.

Bot users or "live" accounts send chat messages to find out the extent of bombing damage and the exact location to correct fire.

They write in the chats of cities that have just been shelled. You can spot them by the same generic messages (note the photo).

"Under no circumstances should you tell anyone the exact location of a shell hit or post a video at the time of impact. Your "exclusivity" could cost someone's life. This information especially applies to opinion leaders and owners of thousands of telegram channels," the centre warns.

According to available information, the abducted mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, is in occupied Luhansk, where he is charged with a case of "terrorism."

The mayor of Dniprorudne, Yevhen Matveyev, is also a prisoner of the invaders, but his fate is not known. This was reported in the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration.

An investigative journalist from the Bellingcat team, Hristo Groziev, believes that the latest developments in Russia's war against Ukraine suggest that plan A of the Russian leadership has failed and that it has no plan B or C. And now Russian dictator Putin, according to the journalist, is likely to be forced to make compromises during negotiations.

President Zelenskyy has submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada to extend martial law for 30 days from 05:30 on 26 March.

The servicemen of the 37th separate motor rifle brigade of the Eastern Command of the Russian Armed Forces have been killed in the Kyiv area.
Photo credit: AFU Air Assault Forces Command

The invaders' advance in Ukraine has stopped in almost all areas, mainly due to the resistance of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Such conclusions have been reported by a senior US defence official.

US intelligence has so far seen no signs that Russia is building up its forces by deploying ammunition or troops from Russia.

Valeriy Zaluzhnyy, Commander-in-Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, has announced that the air defence systems of the Ukrainian Ground Forces have destroyed 45 air targets since the beginning of Russia’s all-out war against Ukraine:

19 aircraft

20 helicopters

5 UAVs

1 cruise missile

Marina Ovsiannikova, a former editor of Channel One Russia (Piervy Kanal), who came out with a placard calling not to trust Russian propaganda and stop the war against Ukraine during a live broadcast, recorded a video address before her act.

Seven out of 10 humanitarian corridors have worked today and about 4,000 people have been rescued from hot spots, the deputy prime minister and minister for reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories, Iryna Vereshchuk, has said.

She noted that the humanitarian cargo for Mariupol was blocked by the Russian occupants in Berdyansk, but about 150 vehicles were able to remove Mariupol residents today.

The enemy shelled a convoy of civilians evacuated from Gostomel, the National Police has said.

The evacuation from Gostomel took place in two stages. The first convoy of 10 buses, mostly carrying mothers with children, the elderly and people with disabilities, successfully reached its destination.

The second convoy of four buses was shelled by Russian troops with mortars.

The driver of one of the buses was injured as a result of the shelling. A Volkswagen car was also hit by gunfire in the convoy, with the wounded couple wounded. The woman died at the scene.

All other citizens travelling in the convoy that came under fire continued on their way and subsequently reached safety.

Estonia Parliament, the country is a NATO member, called out The NATO countries-members do “immediate actions for measures creating a no-fly zone to prevent mass victims of Ukrainian civilians”. This is stated at The Riigikogu website (Estonia Parliament). “Pro” approval of the application to the parliaments of The NATO countries-members and other countries due to the aggression of russia against Ukraine was voted by 90 deputies.

Hague International Court will take a decision on a case Ukraine against Russia on March 16.

During a live broadcast on Pervyi Channel by Russian propagandists, a Russian woman came out with a placard saying "NO WAR" and "don't believe the propaganda".

The EU approved the fourth package of sanctions against Russian Federation: “The package directed against physical persons and legal entities connected to the aggression against Ukraine, also some russian economy sectors, approved by COREPER II consulted with our international partners”, it is said in the official Twitter of the French representative office at EU.

The US informed the allies in Europe and Asia that China “showed readiness” to provide russia with the military support for its invasion of Ukraine.

There is no specification in the notices sent by the State Department either China intends to provide the support to Russia in future or it is already providing it, Axios writes. The State Department refused to comment this to the media.

Several more Russian occupier tanks sunk in Ukrainian land. Photo: AFU General Staff.

An automobile column with humanitarian help that exited Zaporizhzhya and approached to Mariupol stays in Berdiansk district. This is because russian troops violate the silence regime, - Mariupol local authority informs.

Preliminary, if a green corridor opens and a silence regime kept tomorrow, the humanitarian caravan will continue moving to Mariupol where 400 000 citizens need help.

Today, the occupiers’ troops attempted to break through the defense in Donetsk direction. The enemy lost up to 100 personnel, 2 tanks, 3 IFV, and 1 APC. After this, the enemy retreated, - an operational tactical group “East” informs.

The enemy tried to attack in Volnovakha direction. 4 enemy’s IFV and up to 2 infantry platoons destroyed during the fight.

The artillery smashed a column of the occupier’s provision which is more than 12 of automobile vehicles.

Suffering losses, the battalion tactical groups of the 336th separate marines brigade and the 11th separate airborne assault brigade of the russian army retreated.

Prosecutor-General Irina Venediktova has reported that a British journalist was wounded in Ukraine with shrapnel fractures in both legs. According to Venediktova, the journalist is now in intensive care under medical supervision.

The tragedy has happened today around 16:00, she said. It was not reported where exactly.

Divisions of Joint Forces defend Mariupol: for 24 hours three armoured military vehicles, four armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles of the enemy were destroyed. Also, a lot of infantry were killed, including 17 specially appointed GRU of RF.

Thanks to the volunteers-developers, a chat-bot @stop_russian_war_bot has updated possibilities.

From now on it is possible to send information on the enemy’s placements even if there is no internet connection. A message, generated by you, will be sent once a signal is restored.

For this, it is necessary to download a special application Bachu.info to your phone. Here is the link for Android smartphones.

iOS version is under development and will be available very soon. Information sent to Bachu.info is automatically resent to @stop_russian_war_bot and is operatively provided to the Ukrainian military.
Also, the service is available at the web version bachu.info.

The command of the AFU Land Forces has shown how Ukrainian jet artillery works.

A fighting conducted by the units of the Joint Forces that continue defending Mariupol. The video provided by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Today, while patrolling the area of a possible landing of an enemy landing, border guards of the Kherson division discovered the bodies of three killed Russian servicemen left behind by the occupants.

Along with the bodies, the border guards found a grenade launcher, several RPG rounds and printed radio callsigns of the enemy army officials.

Photo, video: State Border Service.

The Prime Minister Denys Shmygal demands to exclude russia from the Council of Europe.

Shmygal said that “previous 18 days have opened up eyes of the world” on the real face of the kremlin regime, even for those who rejected to recognize russia’s aggressive intensions.

Session participants supported with cheers the address of Ukrainian Prime Minister, which is said by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly Tiny Kox to be not habitual.

Kox assured Shmygal that today and tomorrow PACE alleys will learn the possibility to apply a clause of CE Statute that allows to exclude a country from the Council of Europe.

Kox stressed that such a procedure may be applied for the first time in the history.

In Melitopol Zaporizhzhy region locals were not able to fulfill a daily protest action against russian occupation due to the opposition of russian militants.

The occupiers surrounded a square where protest actions took place and did not allow people to get there. Together with this they threatened and offended them. Two of the activists were kidnapped, according to the locals.

Summary of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 18:00 March 14

The occupying forces are increasingly being forced to turn to defence and surrender to the Ukrainian military as they are being rebuffed and suffering casualties.

The enemy encounters resistance from the Ukrainian Armed Forces and civilian resistance from the local population on most fronts as it attempts to advance.

The enemy continues air strikes against Ukrainian military and civilian infrastructure.

The occupiers have strengthened the protection of the Ukrainian-Belarusian border with units of the Belarusian Armed Forces.

The occupiers make attempts to capture settlements near Izyum.

The grouping of defence forces continues to conduct defensive operations within the southern, eastern and northern operational zones.

The AFU, in cooperation with other components of the defence forces, demonstrating mass heroism, courage and high professionalism, successfully destroy the enemy troops.

Russian occupants have launched a missile attack on a television tower in the village of Antopol, Rivne Region.

Rescuers have already found nine wounded and the bodies of nine dead.

There are still people under the rubble of the TV tower in Antopol. Works are still ongoing.

According to UNO at least 636 civilians died since the beginning of Russian invasion in Ukraine, at least 1125 people are injured. Real figures are likely to be much higher.

Russian occupiers blew part of the ammunition at the territory of captured by them Zaporizhzhy nuclear power plant next to the ruins of the educational and training center and the energy block #1. There is information that there are 11 Rosatom representatives at Zaporizhzhy nuclear power plant.

President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen informed that a microfinancial support package from European Union to Ukraine is 1,2 bln euro and humanitarian help for 500 mln euro.

Air Forces is a pride of Ukraine! Defenders’ of Ukrainian sky have 77 planes and 90 helicopters on their score.