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

Kherson Region. General Staff reports that soldiers of the Russian Armed Forces, wearing civilian clothes, were moving towards the city of Mykolayiv.

The Ukrainian Armed Forces' General Staff has said that due to numerous losses of personnel, the enemy continues to conduct covert mobilization under the guise of training camps in occupied Crimea, Krasnodar Region and the temporarily occupied territories.

There have also been recorded cases of young men of conscription age being expelled from Russian higher education institutions in order to replenish the reserves of the invading army. In addition, the occupants do not rule out the possibility of recruiting up to 800 servicemen from the unrecognized Transnistrian-Moldovan republic, but the moral and psychological condition of the said personnel remains at a low level. 

The leaders of Saudi Arabia and the Emirates refused to have phone conversations with Biden during Russia's war against Ukraine. The Persian Gulf made it clear that they would not help lower oil prices if Washington did not support them in Yemen and other places, the WSJ reported.

Flow of refugees from Ukraine to different countries (UN data): Poland 1 027 603, other European countries 183 688, Hungary 180 163, Slovakia 128 169, Moldova 82 762, Romania 78 977, Russia 53 300, Belarus 406.

The invaders' night shelling near Kharkiv. Post: Derhachi, Kharkiv region. Nightmare shelling.

Tonight, during air strikes on residential areas in Sumy, multiple champion of the Ukrainian championships in sambo Artem Pryimenko, born in 2006, was killed. This was reported by his coach. His father, mother, grandmother and two younger brothers Yehor and Kyrylo were killed together with Artem.

Stephen King on Twitter: "Ukraine might well be Putin's Vietnam".

Previously, King had already supported Ukraine by posting a photo in a T-shirt with the inscription I stand with Ukraine.

US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland said she believes the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, the construction of which had been suspended due to Russia's attack on Ukraine, is currently "dead". She is quoted by NDTV.

According to her, there is no hope for Russian pipeline to function in the future.

"It's a piece of metal resting on the seabed. I don't think anyone will ever bring it back to life", she said.

Foreigners who will come to Ukraine and join the International Legion to protect the country from the Russian aggressor will be able to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. This was announced by Yevhen Yenin, Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

According to him, all foreign servicemen will be registered in the State Border Guard Service, in the Migration Service and in the Ministry of Defense. They will sign a contract and get a military ID, which will temporarily replace their residence permit.

"In the future, if such foreign citizens are interested in obtaining Ukrainian citizenship, our legislation provides for such a possibility for them," Yenin said.

The schedule of evacuation trains approved for March 9, which go both on the territory of Ukraine and abroad. This is reported by Ukrzaliznytsia on Telegram.

→ Kharkiv:

9:40 - No. 229/230 Kharkiv - Uzhhorod;

10:40 - No. 239/240 Kharkiv - Lviv;

→ Dnipro:

8:00 - No. 907/908 Dnipro - Chełm;

10:30 - No. 911/912 Dnipro - Chełm;

11:00 - No. 203/204 Dnipro - Chop;

15:00 - No. 213/212 Dnipro - Truskavets

→ Zaporizhzhia:

11:00 - No. 902/901 Zaporizhzhia - Chełm;

12:20 - No. 223/224 Zaporizhzhia - Lviv;

16:05 No. 227/228 Zaporizhzhia - Kovel

→ Kryvyi Rih:

10:30 - No. 916/915 Kryvyi Rih - Chełm.

→ From Liman - train to Lviv at 13:00

→ From Odesa - train to Uzhhorod at 22:32.

The list of international evacuation trains for March 9:

• No. 954 Lviv - Hrubieszów at 00:01;
  
• No. 7603/7604 Lviv - Przemyśl at 00:40;
• No. 7605/7606 Lviv - Przemyśl at 05:27;
• No. 956 Lviv - Hrubieszów at 07:10;
• No. 35/36 Lviv - Przemyśl at 07:10;
• No. 7607/7608 Lviv -Przemyśl  at 08:52;
• No. 907/908 Dnipro - Chełm at 10:30;
• No. 7609/7610 Lviv - Przemyśl at 12:12;
• No. 7616/7617 Lviv - Chełm at 14:00;
• No. 7611/7612 Lviv - Przemyśl at 15:40;
• No. 67/68 Kyiv - Warsaw at 19:13 (with a group of carriages to Chełm);
• No 7601/7602 Lviv - Przemyśl at 19:55;
• No. 7618/7619 Lviv - Chełm at 20:30.

Taiwan is studying Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion in order to create its own military strategy in case of Chinese invasion. This was reported by Reuters. Taiwan is watching Ukraine's resistance tactics as it successfully confronts a country which has far more people and weapons.

Taiwan's army is significantly inferior to China's, so Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen supported the idea of "asymmetric war," where forces are not numerous but are mobile and hard to reach. Taiwan believes that Ukraine uses a similar concept in confronting Russia.

To repel "potential threats to NATO", at Poland's invitation, the U.S. will transfer two batteries of Patriot anti-aircraft systems to the country. This was reported by the European Command of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Rolex stops exporting goods to Russia, Bloomberg reports.

The systems for monitoring nuclear facilities at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant seized by the Russian invaders have stopped transmitting data to the IAEA. This was reported by Reuters, citing the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"The Director General ... indicated that remote data transmission from safeguards monitoring systems installed at the Chornobyl NPP had been lost," the publication quotes the IAEA statement.

British band Gorillaz supported Ukraine in the noble fight against the Russian aggressor.

I ain't happy, I'm feeling glad

I got sunshine in a bag

I'm useless but not for long

The future is coming on

It's coming on, it's coming on

It's coming on, it's coming on

The deputy head of the Office of the President Kyrylo Tymoshenko confirmed that the evacuation of civilians from Sumy was successful. The first convoy of 22 buses has already arrived in Poltava, followed by a second convoy of 39 buses. Drivers of civilian transport used the humanitarian corridor. Children, women and the elderly are safe and have been provided with hot food.

According to Tymoshenko, there are 1,100 foreign students among the evacuees. They will continue their journey to Lviv. Evacuated Sumy residents can stay in Poltava or go to the western regions of the country.

All night long the evacuation of civilians from Sumy continued. It is over now: 5,000 citizens and 1,000 private cars are safe. Dmytro Zhyvytskyi, head of the Sumy military administration, reported this on Telegram.

On the eve of the evacuation, Russian troops conducted an airstrike targeting the residential sector in Sumy. A bomb hit a residential building with nine people inside. All were killed. The airstrike destroyed six houses and damaged about 20 others. Twenty-two people were killed, including three children. Eight people were injured, including a five-year-old girl.

Ukrainian biathlete Dmytro Suiarko who won bronze at the Paralympics in Beijing said to CNN that his house “was bombed and destroyed.” The sportsman stressed that he was happy with the award, but he couldn't have reached better results because of anxiety. He had been thinking about Ukraine.

"I am happy, but you know the situation in Ukraine. Very hard concentration is needed in biathlon and I missed twice because yesterday my house where I live, it was bombed and destroyed," Suiarko said.

For the last 12 days of the war in Ukraine 1,135 of civilian casualties who died due to the attacks of the Russian invaders have been recorded, according to the report of The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

- a total of 474 killed (97 men, 54 women, 8 boys, and 4 girls, as well as 17 children and 294 adults whose sex is yet unknown)

- a total of 861 injured (76 men, 55 women, 11 girls, and 3 boys, as well as 30 children and 686
adults whose sex is yet unknown)

Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and missile and air strikes.OHCHR believes that the real figures are considerably higher, especially in Government-controlled territory and especially in recent days, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration.

Japan prepares a plane of Self-Defense Forces for Ukraine. It is going to bring bulletproof vests, helmets, and other defense equipment for Ukrainian defenders to fighting against Russian invaders.

Oleksii Reznikov, Minister of Defense, has written a congratulation on the 208th birth anniversary of Taras Shevchenko (the Ukrainian writer) on Facebook. He has added that now Ukraine follows his precepts and calls to fight, and posted a photo in front of Shevchenko's monument.

Struggle on—and be triumphant!
God Himself will aid you;
At your side fight truth and glory,
Right and holy freedom.
(Translated by Vera Rich)

CNN's title: "Kyiv has transformed into a fortress, with its residents determined to defend it". US journalists tell how the Ukrainian capital prepares for defense against Russian invaders. It was not too long ago that residents of Kyiv had a peaceful life, but now they are at blockhouses, in the Territorial Defense, workings as volunteers, and definitely convinced of their victory. The article's author has emphasized that Kyiv is full of determination and each citizen is ready to help a fellow.

"We don't know which day of week is today, but we know for sure it's the thirteenth day of war," CNN quoting Liudmyla, who runs a shop in Kyiv.

Ukraine spends another sleepless night under shelling, Russia – queuing to the cash machines. Apparently, this is the result of the ban on the sale of currency and restrictions on the withdrawal of deposits put by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.

9th of March, Moscow. The line to the cash machine at 2 a.m.

Pentagon has rejected Poland's proposal regarding their MiG-29 fighter jets to be transferred to the USA and then to Ukraine - because of the "difficulties" of transportation. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said it on March 8, CNN has reported. Consultation with the Polish government regarding this question is to be continued. According to Kirby, Washington still does not understand if "there is a substantive rationale for it" but Poland's proposal is believed to be "a tenable one".

Rating agency Fitch has downgraded the credit rating of Russia from B to C meaning that the default is unavoidable. The rating was downgraded on March 3 for the last time, but after strengthening of sanctions, it was revised one more time, and the conclusion of the pre-default condition of Russia has been made.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba shared the cheering news. Yesterday was rich in “supply of arms, new sanctions and foreign companies leaving Russia”. He emphasized that some of the partners try to “do with the half-solutions, to play with time” – however, we do not slow down.

“Sometimes our partners accuse the President, me, every one of us of harshness. True, we are harsh. Even ruthless, sometimes. Especially when it comes to someone trying to cheat on us a little. We behave so, because every weapon, every new sanction, every new company that leaves Russia - all of that makes the victory one step closer, saves one more life, gives one more fearless childhood, saves one more house, one more school, one more hospital” – he emphasized.

Universal Music Group, the largest holding company of record labels in the music industry, reacts to the Kremlin regime aggression against Ukraine by shutting down business in Russia. The company also decided to close all its offices in Russia.

The Central Bank of Russia has banned the sale of currency at banks’ cash desks from March 9 to September 22, 2022. From now on, Russians will be able to withdraw only limited sums in dollars from their deposits - up to $ 10,000. The rest is available only in rubles at the market currency exchange rate. The euro can no longer be withdrawn from deposit accounts. Of course, the Russians will be able to sell the currency, but they will not be able to buy currency in cash until September.

State Emergency Service of Ukraine: the occupiers launched air strikes on residential sector in Malyn (Zhytomyr Region). As a result, 7 private houses were destroyed, 5 people died, including 2 infants born in 2021.

Starbucks, the chain of coffeehouses, suspends any activity in Russia and temporarily closes their locations in the Russian Federation.

PepsiCo suspends sales of its drinks in Russia. The drinks in question are specifically Pepsi-Cola, 7Up, and Mirinda. Also, it will stop all its capital investments and advertising activities in Ukraine. Still, the company will keep selling essential goods (dairy products, baby formulas, and child nutrition).

Address of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

“We have very important news today. The United States of America made a very important step to weaken the power of the invaders significantly. They will be made to pay for the aggression, for the evil they brought. America bans the import of all fossil fuels, petroleum, gas and coal from Russia. It bans its citizens to make any investments into this sphere. I am very grateful to President Biden for this decision. It will weaken the aggressor economically, politically and ideologically. The same step is taken by the British government. No one talks about Russia now, only about us. Everyone is ready to support the rebuilding of Ukraine. We will have the new “Marshall’s plan” for our country. We expect the new sanction packet. It is important to make the Russian government understand that the whole world will follow the example of the USA and Great Britain. I am grateful to those Russians who come out on the streets fighting for us and their own future. War should be finished. Negotiations should be held – they must seek to satisfy people’s interests, not old criminal ambitions.

Mark Rutte, Naftali Bennett, Xavier Bettel, Emmanuel Macron – I am grateful for the understanding and support.
I know the indignation caused by the information, that the OUN wants to avoid the terms “war” and “aggression” – however, we worked it out and Ukraine’s suffering will not be ignored.

The scariest number for me is the number of children killed during these 13 days – 50 and two more in an hour. The Russians conducted the shelling of Korbutivka.

Today we succeeded in the creation of the Humanitarian Convoy – hundreds of people saved and the cargo delivered. This is just a small piece of what should be done. However, more efforts are being blocked by the aggressor.

All the cities fighting against the occupier – we stand with you and we will no matter what send you the Humanitarian aid.

Glory to Ukraine!”

Clarifications from the White House: Biden has signed a decree to ban imports of Russian oil, LNG, and coal to the USA. It will deprive Putin of even more resources he uses to finance the war. All purchases of the energy carriers will be blocked, including those under existing contracts. Also, Americans will be prohibited from investing in the Russian energy sector and participating in foreign investments in Russian energy.

The Advisor to the Mayor Petro Andriushchenko reported: the Russians fired on a humanitarian convoy. They used the BM-21 “Grad”. No one was killed as well as the cargo stayed undamaged. Today there will be no Humanitarian Aid Convoy near Mariupol. Neither there will be a “Green Corridor”. The occupiers also conducted an air attack and shelling of the Red Cross office, the place where the Convoy aimed to arrive.

Have your last meal: as McDonald's announces suspension of its activities in Russia, people queue up to visit their restaurants.

Full post by Anton Herashchenko, advisor to Minister of Internal Affairs:

Russian Federation economic destruction news: After the news of McDonald's closure broke, Moscow residents decided to have a farewell hamburger.

The opening of the first McDonald's location in Russia heralded the Soviet collapse. May this queue foreshadow the Mordor's demise.

Adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Arestovych said:

“I cannot see the chance for the Russian army in Ukraine. It is still following orders due to inertia. It takes a complete idiot to try to surround four big metropolitan areas (Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, Mykolaiv) with the army 200 000 on 500 km. They will make a silly attempt to take over Kyiv, to bring down Kharkiv and Sumy, to surround Mylolaiv, only as a matter of habit.

The Russian army is done in Ukraine. These morons have spread their military power in an attempt to devour as much as they could. They can neither attack nor keep the territory. Do you know that sale of real estate in Crimea increased rapidly? That the families of Federal Security Service members are being taken away in a hurry? They are done, that is an end. A scary, devastating, shameful.

But, it will take us more bullets and more fear, more of them moving ahead, more of the danger to the capital, more of the shelling, more missiles on our heads and more our comrades in arms perished. But still, these are just the walking dead moving”.

Zhytomyr mayor Serhiy Sukhomlin: Occupiers bombed a dormitory. In particular, it housed former Soviet military personnel. The Izovat plant, which created 70% of all mineral wool in Ukraine, was also hit.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki: “Poland and NATO do not participate in this war [of Russia on Ukraine—ed. note], so all the decisions on the provision of offensive weaponry need to be approved by all NATO members. We are ready to deploy our fighters (MiG-29—ed. note) to Ramstein (a US military base in Germany—ed. note). However, we are not ready to take any steps on our own because we are not a side in this conflict.”

Zelenskyy’s reaction to the USA refusal to Russian fossils purchase: “Thanks to the USA and @POTUS for personal leadership and a decisive blow to the heart of Putin's military machine, in particular, for a ban on Russian oil, gas and coal in the US market. I urge other countries to do the same”.

Дякую США і @POTUS за особисте лідерство та рішучий удар у серце військової машини Путіна, зокрема за заборону російської нафти, газу й вугілля на американському ринку. Закликаю інші країни наслідувати цей приклад.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 8, 2022

Destroying Russian tanks with the RPG-7 anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade launcher: an instruction video from the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The Head of the Mykolayiv regional state administration, Vitaliy Kim: today, occupiers shelled a car carrying kindergarten teachers in Mykolayiv Region. They were on their way to work at a boarding school.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland on the aircraft transfer to Ukraine: Poland is ready to transfer all its Mikoyan MiG-29 jets to the USA on the German Ramstein Air Base. The country asks to get the used USA jets with the same characteristics. Poland called upon the other NATO members that possess Mikoyan MiG-29 aircrafts to follow the example.

Head of Mykolaiv Regional State Administration Vitaliy Kim: Russians are mustering their forces and approaching the city. Their first objective is to gain a foothold in the city’s outskirts. They want to set up a blockade of Mykolaiv. There is currently no Russian equipment in the city. “Everything is alright. We know everything about them as well as their attitude, conversations, and maps.”

Ukrainian First Deputy Interior Minister Yevhen Yenin: Russian captives will work in Ukraine to rebuild our economy. We will use the opportunities provided by the Geneva conventions, in particular the use of labour.

McDonald's has suspended its activities on the territory of Russia. The network closes all 850 restaurants. The owner of KFC and Pizza Hut (the Yum! company) brands, on his side, has decided to halt the investments and development efforts in the country. All the income from the Russian Federation is promised to be directed at humanitarian assistance.

Advisor to the Minister of the Interior Anton Herashchenko: residents of Kostroma, Russia, cut tyres of the car with the emblem of Russian occupational forces—“Z”. 

Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Defence Ministry: Russia is already engaging mercenaries of the private military company Liga (formerly PMC Wagner) in the war with Ukraine. With these mercenaries Russia replenishes its reserves. They are already at death's door in Ukraine.

Report from the front as of 6 p. m., the 6th of March. Source: The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Russia has significantly reduced the pace of their advancement, the invaders are demoralized. The Armed Forces of Ukraine hold their ground on the operational areas of Polissia, Volhynia, Norse, Donetsk, Slobozhanshchyna and Crimea. The all-round defence of Mariupol are held, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv and the coast are being defended as well. Our soldiers steadfastly repel enemy attacks in Kyiv as well. In the direction of the capital, the occupiers plan to deploy 1,000 militants of the private military company Liga (formerly PMC Wagner).

The Ukrainian policeman says goodbye to his little son as the kid is being evacuated from the town of Irpin, where the military activities are still held.

“The heart-wrenching video. Ukrainians will never forget and we will never forgive!”

Advisor to Chief of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Anton Gerashchenko reports: Ukrainian defenders captured a group of Russian invaders near Mykolaiv. They are from Budenovsk and Stavropol Territory of the Russian Federation.