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

The nature of military events is changing. The Russian invaders are trying to keep the fighting capacity of their units, but it does not work well. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov wrote about this on Facebook.

According to him, this is evidenced by the repeated facts of the capture of groups of Russian soldiers and officers, as well as refusals to continue the offensive.
“The enemy was afraid of direct contact with Ukrainian defenders. Therefore, he switched to criminal tactics of long-range shelling of peaceful cities,” the Minister said. “Airstrikes and missiles from Russia and Belarus on residential buildings and schools, shelling of maternity hospitals with MLRS – this is cowardly behavior of those who have no honor. They are not military – they are terrorists, representatives of the terrorist state. And it's a branding for a long time.”
The Minister stated that Russia had shelled Zhytomyr and that it was an attempt to take revenge for the successful completion of the 95th brigade's task in the Joint Forces Operation. According to him, the occupiers aimed at the brigade's barracks and nearby houses.
Many of our cities and villages are now suffering from Russian terror, but the most – Kharkiv, Mariupol and Kherson.

Yesterday, on the 1st of March, the Moscow police detained two women and their children who came to lay flowers at the Ukrainian embassy with posters "No to war". Alexandra Arkhipova, a senior researcher at the School of Contemporary Humanitarian Research at the Institute of Social Sciences of the RANEPA, wrote about this on Facebook, writes Meduza.

"Ekaterina Zavizion, her friend Olga Alter and their children (Sofya Gladkova, 7 years old, Liza Gladkova, 11 years old, Gosha Petrov, 11 years old, Matvey Petrov, 9 years old and David Petrov, 7 years old) went to put flowers at the Embassy of Ukraine on the 1st of March. Children drew a poster and went with it. They were all detained by the police. At first they were kept in a paddy wagon, then they were brought to the Presnenskoye police department," says Arkhipova.
According to her, the police threatened to deprive parents of their parental rights and took away their phones.
The detainees were later released.

The aggressor has failed to advance its forces as planned and therefore continues missile and bomb strikes on critical infrastructure to intimidate civilians who are resisting together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The information was published in the situation report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as of 6:00.

In the direction of Podolsk, the aggressor is trying to push forward along the Gorenichi–Gostomel–Demidov frontier in the direction of KYIV with thirteen battalion tactical groups of the Eastern Military District of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in order to block the capital from north and northwest.

Up to three battalion tactical groups from the 5th Combined Arms Army are currently in the Zhytomyr Region.

In the Novhorod-Siversky direction, up to 17 invading battalion tactical groups continue their offensive to block Kyiv from the northeast. The invaders were stopped in the area of Kozelets, Bobrovytsia, and Makiiv.
In the other direction, enemy troops’ have lost their offensive capabilities in the area of Svitilnya, Peremoha, and Hostroluchch.
Up to two enemy battalion tactical groups are unsuccessfully attempting to keep the heroic Ukrainian cities of Sumy, Lebedyn and Okhtyrka surrounded.
In the direction of Slobozhanske, up to 16 enemy battalion tactical groups continue the offensive toward Krasnohrad, and up to four battalion tactical groups are pushing toward Izyum. The invaders suffered losses and were stopped near Bohodukhiv, Chuhuiv, and Shevchenkove.
In the Donetsk direction, the aggressor unsuccessfully focused on blocking Mariupol.
In the Taurian direction, the aggressor maintains the offensive in the areas of Skadovsk, Hola Prystan, Kherson, Snihurivka, and Nova Kakhovka. After regrouping, the troops continue to push in the direction of Kherson and Mykolayiv.
Up to two battalion tactical groups are currently in the area of Vasylivka, Chervone Pole, and Novopetrivka.
In the Black Sea operation zone, the enemy is deploying a naval group and keeps preparing for a naval landing operation.
The aggressor’s will to prevail is rapidly declining as our troops continue their stalwart defense.u

All nuclear power plants in Ukraine are working stably as of March 2, Energoatom reports. According to Energoatom, there is no interference to the conditions of safe operation. Radiation, fire-fighting and ecological state is within the limits.

The main equipment of reactor compartments of power units, premises and buildings of power plants, the perimeters of protected areas and adjacent territories, as well as critical NPP facilities outside their protected areas are under enhanced supervision" reports Energoatom.

How the night passed in the regions

Donetsk region. Mariupol was hit all night - in residential areas with no military infrastructure.  A maternity hospital on the left bank was hit.  Information on casualties and damage is being clarified.  Aircraft were heard over Marinka and Kurakhove, followed by explosions.  Shelling is taking place in Ocheretinskaya community and Orlovka and Lastochkina are partially de-energised.  In Toretsk it was relatively quiet overnight, with no casualties or destruction.  Water supply has been partially restored - residents are receiving 2/3 of the required water supply.  Kostyantynivka - three rockets, there are fatalities, the number is being established.  Residents of the region are being evacuated.

Zhytomyr Region. Air bombs hit private houses in Zhytomyr.  A hospital and a maternity hospital were hit by the bomb wave.  Ten private houses were destroyed.  2 people were killed.  12 people were injured.

Kharkiv region. In Kharkiv there was shelling of residential areas over the night.  Overnight there was bombardment by SU 25 aircraft - positions of Chuguyev (Bashkirivka and airfield), Kharkiv city (CHP 5, the tank school on Poltava Way and the dormitory on Klochkovskaya).  There are fatalities and injuries.  The roof of the Regional Department of Internal Affairs building and residential buildings are now on fire as a result of enemy shelling and there is a threat of fire spreading.  Rescue workers are working at the scene.  The number of casualties and destruction is being determined.  Information is being updated.

Mykolaiv region. A Russian convoy left Snegirivka.  Operation Tsyhan" was conducted in Mykolayiv.  As a result, many enemy vehicles were burned and some were taken away by the Mykolayiv defenders.  Chernobaivka was hit hardest by the aggressor.

Kyiv region.

• Bila Tserkva district: the situation is under control.  Yesterday, two explosions were heard in Bila Tserkva around 10 p.m., no casualties.
• There are no occupied territories by the occupant's military formations or sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
• Boryspil district - the situation is under control.
• Bucha district - critical situation in Borodyanka. There are injured people under the rubble. In Gostomel there is intermittent gunfire and fighting.

The Russian army launched an airstrike on the building of the Regional Police Department in Kharkiv, according to Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs Anton Herashchenko.

The text in the post says: "Just about now, the Regional Police Department in Kharkiv was attacked. Death to the Russian invaders!"

Viktor Yushchenko (Ex-President of Ukraine) on Facebook:  "The sacred question that has been sticking and wandering in the minds of the citizens of the so-called "great and indestructible USSR" for the past seventy years, like a propaganda cliché, was the question: "Do the Russians want war?"  Today's answer to this ritual question for Russia is clear and short - "they do!"  "They do" and are fighting these wars in Transnistria, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Crimea, Donbass... and, until recently, in Nagorno-Karabakh.  The named geography of modern Russian wars refers not to the environs of Europe - but to the European countries themselves.  I wonder for whom the bell tolls today?  By the way, today's war is the 25th war waged by Muscovy against Ukraine-Rus.  Again, it is a war of occupation and invasion, as always”.

Units of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade "Holodnyi Yar" pushed the enemy back to the border with Russia in some areas. This was reported on Facebook by the press service of the brigade.

It was reported that the soldiers of the brigade defeated the enemy’s columns and seized a lot of their equipment. Details and photos will be provided later.

Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air has decided to provide 100,000 free tickets for Ukrainian refugees. The company announced this on Facebook. These are tickets for flights from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania in March.

2 people were killed, 16 were injured as a result of the air strike in Zhytomyr, the State Emergency Service reports.
12 people were rescued, including 6 children, whom the rescuers managed to get out from the basements of partially destroyed private houses.
This information is as of 07.00, March 2nd. Rescue work continues.

How the world sees the situation. Caricature from The Times.

Anthony Blinken: "We are deeply shocked by reports that Russian bombs have struck near the Babyi Yar memorial, killing even more people, where tens of thousands of Jews were killed during the Holocaust. We condemn this brutal war against Ukraine."

We are appalled by reports that Russian bombs have struck near the memorial site of Babyn Yar, killing more people where tens of thousands of Jews were massacred in the Holocaust. We condemn this brutal war against Ukraine. https://t.co/qvazYHjgIH

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 2, 2022

Air raid! Pyriatun, Myrhorod, Lokhvitsa and Lubny!

Attention! Air raid alert in Chernigiv, Kyiv and Sumy regions!

Attention! Air raid alert announced in Kyiv

162 Nobel laureates signed an open letter expressing their support for the Ukrainian people. They also condemned the actions of the Russian authorities.
"We join in condemning these military actions and Vladimir Putin's principled denial of Ukraine's legitimacy. There is always a peaceful way to resolve the differences. Russia ignores the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, which requires Russia and other countries to respect Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and legitimate borders", the appeal reads.

The State Migration Service (SMS) temporarily suspends issuing passports of a citizen of Ukraine and the delivery of ready documents to territorial bodies, the government portal reports.

The Center for Counteracting Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine warns of the danger that Russian army is mining the abandoned military equipment in the Sumy region.

U.S. President Joe Biden: "We were ready to resist Putin's pre-planned and unprovoked war. We have created a coalition of freedom-loving nations on all continents. With our allies, we impose powerful economic sanctions, making Putin’s $630 billion war fund worthless".

Kropyvnytskyi, all clear.

As a result of an airstrike on Zhytomyr, which occurred late on March 1,  a maternity hospital was damaged.

Сaution! An air raid siren was announced in Kropyvnytskyi.

Pratal Basnet has moved to Ukraine from Nepal a few months ago, Radio Free Europe reports. But he could not stand aside when the Russian invasion started.

Пратал Баснет із Непалу живе і працює в Україні всього кілька місяців. Але віришів вступити в ряди тероборони для захисту України. Чоловік каже, що не міг поступити інакше. pic.twitter.com/s5F6EpC3I6

— Радіо Свобода (@radiosvoboda) March 2, 2022

Volunteer Roman Donik, following the journalist Yuri Butusov, told how the Armed Forces of Ukraine destroyed the Russian motor rifle brigade, which was going to "cut off and clean up Kharkiv."

"They didn't even get here. Well, it wasn't the infantry itself that destroyed them, of course. With the support of artillery. A good battalion commander, good fighters, a well-chosen position. By a strange coincidence, the 200th brigade. It's their number. Pechenegs. Laughed hard when I've heard. Fought them so well that the maximum they can collect now is a combat-ready RTG. The brigade commander fled. He abandoned his subordinates and fled. Now they are collecting scraps on the territory of the Russian Federation," Donik wrote.

American Express announced the termination of cooperation with Russian banks that fell under the sanctions.

American aviation giant Boeing announced the end of support for Russian airlines and the halt of operations in Moscow. "We are also suspending the provision of parts, maintenance and technical support for Russian airlines," Boeing said. (NDTV)

Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! A bit of positive in these difficult and tragic days:

Serbian artist Marina Abramović urged the world for unity to help Zelenskiy and the Ukrainian people. "The wars are different, but the outcomes are the same. Just as we unified to defeat the insane Nazi regime, the world must come together to help Volodymyr Zelenskiy and the brave men and women of Ukraine".

The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports a decrease in the flow of citizens on the Western border with the EU countries, as well as with Moldova. Congestion level at checkpoints is also decreasing.

Video of Biden's speech:

The U.S. Department of Justice will create a special investigation group for the crimes of Putin and Russian oligarchs, Biden stated.

Biden: Ukrainians are fighting very courageously and bravely. The next few months, weeks, or maybe days will be very difficult for them.

Biden: Now Putin is completely isolated from the whole world - more than at any time in his history. Our partners and we will continue to impose sanctions to destroy their financial system. We are trying to block Russia's access to technology so that their armed forces are as weak as possible.

Biden: Putin must pay a high price, and that price will catch up with him very quickly. The Russian dictator who wanted to intervene in another country - I want to make sure that the pain of our sanctions will be unbearable.

USA and partners are working on an oil embargo for the Russian Federation.

The President of the US reiterated that the United States would not participate in Russia's war against Ukraine, but they will continue to help Ukraine politically, economically, and financially.

Biden stated that the United States has a clear goal of prosecuting the Russian oligarchs in order to deprive them of their luxury yachts, apartments and property. Russia will be absolutely isolated from the airspace, from all the benefits of the civilized world, their economy will go into freefall. Russia has no idea what awaits it. Putin and only Putin is responsible for all of this.

Biden: We are united and ready to oppose Putin. We knew that Putin had planned ahead. The West will keep imposing sanctions against Russia.

Biden: I hold an absolute belief that freedom shall prevail over tyranny. Six days ago Putin made a decision to undermine the very foundations of the democratic world. He believed that Ukraine and the whole world would surrender. However, he had never thought that he would face such a wall of strength, a Ukrainian people. The wall of resistance.

Ukrainian journalist Michael Schur joined the territorial defense and harshly addressed the journalists of the Russian Federation and all Russians. He urged people not to be silent and to protest against the criminal actions of the Russian authorities.

"The longer you stay silent, the more the whole world is convinced that all Russians and Putin are one and the same," Shchur said.

CNN, citing intelligence sources: Putin is furious at the tough Western sanctions and already feels they are doing more damage than was expected. According to the media, US officials allegedly made an official request to intelligence to check whether Putin's mental state is stable.

Ukrposhta announced a contest of sketches for stamps called "Russian warship, go fuck yourselves" (the last phrase said by the defenders of Zmiinyi Island). The contest is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Ukrainian stamp. Sketches will be published on  Ukrposhta Facebook and people's voting will choose the best work. Some versions of the future sketch have already been published.

In Kherson, the Russian invaders shot civilians who, without weapons, tried to stop the armored convoy of the Russian forces. People were "armed" only with bottle bombs.
Caution! The footage of the dead bodies. 18+

Reposted:

After our Victory, in Kherson in Lilac Park, a memorial will be erected to the courage and bravery of the defenders of the city, who with their bare hands, having only bottle bombs, tried to stop the armored convoy of the fascist invaders.

They all died, and no one wanted mercy.

This is the most tragic footage I have seen in all 6 days of the Russian Nazi invasion.

You can't watch it without crying.

We will never forget and never forgive!

Reuters: The U.S. government plans to announce the closure of its sky to Russian aircraft within the next 24 hours. Earlier the EU and Canada had already done so.

Reuters: A Ukrainian cyber guerrilla warfare group plans to attack Russia's critical infrastructure such as railways and the power grid. It should prevent the delivery of Russian troops and weapons to Ukraine, said the head of the group, Iehor Aushev.

Head of the Ministry of Health Viktor Liashko: Today Russian invaders in Kyiv region fired at a car with a Ukrainian doctor and a wounded patient. The children's anesthesiologist Maryna Kalabina and her wounded nephew were killed.

Journalist Yurii Butusov: in the battle near Kharkiv, the Ukrainian army captured six of the latest Russian T-80BVM tanks. They are armed with new Russian sub-caliber and guided missiles. A tanker truck was also captured. All of the equipment belonged to the 200 motor rifle brigade of the Russian army. Its two battalion-tactical groups were defeated by one battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the BMP-2 and with one Javelin ATGM. Ukrainian defenders destroyed the myth of the "great Russian army" for good and dispersed it into the bushes.

Russian equipment destroyed in Sumy Region. Photo: State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection of Ukraine

The Bayraktar UAV started operating in Sumy Region today, the head of the Sumy Region State Administration Dmytro Zhyvytskyy reported. As a result, 180 pieces of military equipment were destroyed, including 40 BM-21 Grad missiles, dozens of tanks and APCs.

The Ministry of Defense on situation at the front as of 00:00:
Ukrainian defenders hold the line at the position and defeat the enemy in all directions. Russia will shortly start its most powerful informational and psychological operation. It will be based on the total disorientation and intimidation of the civilian population. The purpose is to spread panic and chaos, break the resistance of the Ukrainian people and army.

There is also a threat from the Belarusian direction. Belarus places on its territory Russian troops and weapons. Their army is ready for battle at the Ukrainian border while there are regular air strikes on Ukraine from the territory of the Russian Federation. Today we have observed an active movement of aircraft and convoys of trucks with food and ammunition not far from the border. In all likelihood, Belarus can join to the Russian aggression.