FULL COURT PRESS: In the run-up to Russian elections, we’re seeing multiple actions within the RF: Drone Attacks in nine Russian regions, two fuel depots ablaze … Air defense active in Kursk … Fighters of the Siberian Battalion call on Russians for liberation, start offensives in Kursk … Both Freedom of Russia and Siberian Battalion fighters are carrying out operations on Russian territory … Fire breaks out at a thermal power plant near St. Petersburg.
More News Updates because It Is That Kind of a Day: Dramatic footage of a Russian IL-76 crashing near Ivanovo … Claims of a drone strike hitting a Belgorod administration building … and the Vatican states that Russia should cease all aggression before negotiating with Ukraine.
While receiving Ukraine's first Oscar award for "20 Days in Mariupol", the director Mstyslav Chernov sheds light on Russia's atrocities against Ukrainians and calls to make sure that the history record is set straight and that the truth prevails. pic.twitter.com/nXZcxc4ZOG
— Ukraine.ua (@ukraine_ua) March 11, 2024
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!
Women like Yevheniia and Taira are two of the many courageous women of #Ukraine, who, alongside their compatriots, are on the frontlines defending freedom, democracy, and sovereignty from #Russia's brutal war.
— FeministsUA (@FeministsUa) March 8, 2024
We thank 🇺🇦 courageous women for defending us.#WomensDay #8march pic.twitter.com/H1501jQirZ
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent offer to host a negotiation platform for Russia and Ukraine. Lavrov attended the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey on March 1 and responded to a question about Erdogan’s offer by stating that there are no current dialogue initiatives that consider Russian interests.
Turkey hopes talks for a ceasefire in Ukraine will start soon, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday (3 March), at the end of a diplomatic forum in the southern city of Antalya.
Fidan met his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Friday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He told reporters he had discussed a number of issues with Lavrov, including Ukraine.
“On the issue of Ukraine, our view is that both sides have reached the limits of what they can get by war. We think that it is time to start a dialogue for a ceasefire,” Fidan said.
“That doesn’t mean recognising the occupation (by Russia), but issues of sovereignty and ceasefire should be discussed separately.”
In other news, it looks like the USA will vote on Ukraine aid by the end of this month.
UPDATE ON THE RUSSIAN ATTACK ON ODESA:
UPD: Under the rubble, rescuers found the bodies of two more dead children - 10-year-old Serhiy and 8-year-old Zlata. The number of dead is 12 people😞
— Viktoriia 🌻 (@home_fella) March 3, 2024
Kharkiv is not yet safe enough for residents to return to the city, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on March 1.
“As for the return of Kharkiv residents: you see, I don’t think Kharkiv is so protected at the moment that I can advise people to return,” Zelensky stated. “This is the choice of Kharkiv residents.”
In other news, the death toll of last night’s strike on Odesa has risen to 7. UPDATE: The death toll is now at nine.
BLOOMBERG: UKRAINE SEES RISK OF RUSSIAN BREAKTHROUGH BY SUMMER.
RUSSIAN ARMY SHELLS CENTER OF KUPIANSK WITH AERIAL BOMBS, DEATHS REPORTED.
UPDATE: A forced evacuation may be announced for the Kupiansk area.