A summary of the latest developments in Russia's war on Ukraine:
Blasts in Kyiv: Several explosions were heard in quick succession in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Friday afternoon and an air raid siren blasted out, a Reuters reporter said.
The exact origin of the explosions could not be immediately established.
Civilian deaths: The UN human rights office said it had confirmed 331 civilians have been killed and 675 injured in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on Feb 24, adding that the real toll was likely much higher.
The toll, through to midnight on Thursday, rose from 249 in its previous report from a day earlier. Among the 331 killed were 19 children, the office said.
Most of the victims were killed by explosive weapons such as shelling from heavy artillery, multi-launch rocket systems and missile and air strikes, according to the rights office, which has monitors in Ukraine.
NATO chief speaks out: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Western military alliance would not set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine nor send its troops there, but promised other help to Kyiv and urged President Vladimir Putin to end immediately Russia’s invasion.
“This is President Putin’s war, one he has chosen, planned and is waging against a peaceful country. We call on President Putin to stop this war immediately, withdrawal all his forces without conditions and engage in genuine diplomacy now,” Stoltenberg told a news conference.
Stoltenberg also said Russia is using cluster bombs in Ukraine. “We have seen the use of cluster bombs and we have seen reports of use of other types of weapons which would be in violation of international law,” he told reporters in Brussels.
Nuclear plant: Russian forces have entered the site of a Ukrainian nuclear power plant that caught fire overnight during clashes, the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate said on Friday. “The territory of the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant is occupied by the armed forces of the Russian Federation,” the agency said. Plant staff were continuing to operate the reactor and supply power according to normal safety rules.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of resorting to “nuclear terror” and wanting to “repeat” the Chernobyl disaster after he said invading Russian forces deliberately attacked the Zaporizhzhia plant. After hours of uncertainty throughout the night, local authorities reported the fire was extinguished at dawn. They had earlier reported that no immediate radiation rise was detected and “essential” equipment was unaffected.
Energy sanctions: Britain will look to target Russia’s energy sector in future rounds of sanctions, a move the government has so far resisted amid warnings that it could push up energy bills with oil and gas prices already at multi-year highs.
Britain has imposed a ban on Russia selling debt in its capital markets and targeted several Russian banks with sanctions, as well as companies like the defence firm Rostec and airline Aeroflot.
“We’ve been very coordinated on sanctions, we’ve shown huge unity. It’s having a big effect in Russia, but we now need to do more,” Foreign Minister Liz Truss said during a visit to Brussels for a meeting of NATO members.
“We particularly need to look at the oil and gas sector, how do we reduce our dependence across Europe on Russian gas, how do we cut off the funding to Vladimir Putin’s war machine?”
Media blackout: Russian internet users struggle to access Facebook and news websites Meduza, Deutsche Welle, RFE-RL and the BBC’s Russian-language service.
Humanitarian corridors agreed: During a second round of talks Ukraine and Russia agree to create humanitarian corridors to evacuate civilians from as-yet unspecified locations.
Going ‘according to plan’: Russian President Vladimir Putin claims that Moscow’s advance in Ukraine is going “according to plan”, as he meets his security council.
Zelensky calls for talks: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky calls for direct talks with Putin, as the “only way to stop the war”.
33 killed in northern city: Thirty-three people die after Russian forces hit residential areas, including schools, in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, the local governor says.
Russia advances in south: Russian forces take the Black Sea port of Kherson, the first major city to fall after a string of setbacks for Moscow. The besieged port city of Mariupol is without water or power.
EU protection for refugees: The United States and European Union offer temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees — so far numbered at one million.
Lukoil calls for halt: Sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil calls for an immediate halt to fighting in Ukraine, one of the first major domestic firms to speak out against Moscow’s invasion.
Superyacht seized: France seizes a superyacht owned by Russia’s oil czar Igor Sechin, who has long been close to Putin.
‘Junk’ rating: Credit ratings agencies Fitch and Moody’s give Russian sovereign debt a “junk” rating.
No more Russian Grand Prix: Formula One removes Russia as a Grand Prix host saying “Russia will not have a race in the future”.
Paralympics ban: Russian and Belarusian athletes are banned from the Beijing Winter Paralympics, reversing an earlier decision to allow them to participate.
Toyota, VW and Ikea: Toyota and Volkswagen, the world’s two biggest carmakers, suspend operations at their Russian plants, with Ikea freezing operations in Belarus as well.
Georgia, Moldova apply to EU: Ex-Soviet states Georgia and Moldova apply to join the European Union.
