Russia Ukraine conflict prime developments: Russian assaults proceed in east, says Kyiv; Ukrainians mark Orthodox Easter with prayers for these trapped in Mariupol

The Ukrainian navy stated that Russian forces have continued to press their assaults within the east, as combating following the invasion of Ukraine entered the third month. The General Staff of the Ukrainian armed forces stated Sunday that the Russians fired on Ukrainian positions alongside the complete line of contact on the conflict’s sixtieth day. It additionally stated the Russian navy intensified its offensive and assault operations within the Siverodonetsk, Kurakhiv and Popasna instructions.

Here are some key updates:

➡️ The General Staff of Ukrainian armed forces stated that Russian forces have additionally continued to pummel the besieged Azovstal metal plant in Mariupol, hitting it with airstrikes, together with by long-range plane. The shelling comes because the Russians are urgent their offensive in a bid to achieve full management over Ukraine’s jap industrial heartland referred to as Donbas. The Russians have additionally shelled the Dnipro area west of Donbas, the place at the very least one particular person was killed by a Russian missile, in accordance with Dnipro regional Governor Valentyn Reznichenko.

➡️ Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced he would meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv on Sunday. Zelenskyy, in a information convention,  stated that he expects to obtain particular weapons. It could be the primary high-level U.S. journey to Kyiv because the conflict started on February 24. However, the White House has not confirmed any journey plans for Blinken and Austin. The State Department and Pentagon declined to remark.

➡️ Ukrainians marked Orthodox Easter in Kyiv with prayers for these combating on the entrance strains and others trapped past them in locations like Mariupol. St. Volodymyr’s Cathedral in Kyiv was ringed by a whole lot of worshippers with baskets to be blessed. On the event, Zelenskyy highlighted the allegorical significance of the competition throughout his nightly handle to his nation’s folks. “There will be a Resurrection. Life will defeat death. The truth will defeat any lies. And evil will be punished,” he stated. “And Russia will have to learn these truths again, it’s only a matter of time.”

➡️ Russia has deployed Iskander-M cell battlefield missile launchers inside 60 km (40 miles) of the Ukrainian border, General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces stated on Sunday. “The enemy has increased the number of troops in the Belgorod region by transferring and concentrating additional units,” the Ukrainian Armed Forces stated in its day by day morning replace. “According to available information, Iskander-M launchers have been deployed 60 km from the border with Ukraine,” it stated, with out offering extra element on the placement of the techniques.

➡️ The International Atomic Energy Agency stated Ukraine had requested for “a comprehensive list of equipment” to function its nuclear energy crops, together with radiation measurement gadgets, protecting materials, computer-related help, energy provide techniques and diesel turbines.

➡️ Russia’s defence ministry stated its high-precision missiles struck 9 Ukrainian navy targets in a single day, together with 4 arms depots within the Kharkiv area the place artillery weapons have been saved.

➡️ A regional official in jap Ukraine stated at the very least eight folks have been killed by the Russian shelling. Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai stated that two others have been wounded by the Russian barrage previously 24 hours.

➡️ Ukraine has repelled quite a few Russian assaults alongside the road of contact in Donbas this week, a British navy replace stated. Despite Russia making some territorial beneficial properties, Ukrainian resistance has been robust throughout all axes and inflicted a major value on Russian forces, the UK Ministry of Defence tweeted in a daily bulletin. “Poor Russian morale and limited time to reconstitute, re-equip and reorganise forces from prior offensives are likely hindering Russian combat effectiveness,” the replace added.

With inputs from businesses