EXPLOSIONS heard throughout the night in Ukrainian cities as investigation into possible war crimes launched.
Powerful explosions were heard in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities on Wednesday night into Thursday morning.
At least four major explosions around 03:00 local time lit up the night sky in Kyiv and were captured by witnesses on video.
It is unclear what the targets of the attack were, or how many people may have been hurt or injured.
The explosions came hours after a massive blast near Kyiv’s central train station shook the city.
Russian troops are in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson after forcing their way into the council building, the mayor said in an update late last night.
Meanwhile, an investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine has been launched by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The investigation by the ICC opened on Wednesday night, after Britain and 37 allies took Russia to the court over bombarding civilian infrastructure with ‘abhorrent’ attacks and killing more than hundred civilians has begun.
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up to the minute updates…
War crimes investigation on Putin
An investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine has been launched by the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The investigation by the ICC opened on Wednesday night, after Britain and 37 allies took Russia to the court over bombarding civilian infrastructure with ‘abhorrent’ attacks and killing more than hundred civilians has begun.
Zelenskiy: They are mean, with hatred for our country
Russian troops were in the centre of the Ukrainian port of Kherson this morning, after a day of conflicting claims over whether Moscow had captured a major urban centre for the first time.
Russia’s defence ministry said it controlled Kherson on Wednesday but an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy responded that Ukrainian forces continued to defend the Black Sea port of about 250,000 people.
“We are a people who broke the enemy’s plans in a week,” Zelenskiy said in a video address. “These plans had taken years to write – they are mean, with hatred for our country, for our people.”
Pro-Russian separatists threaten Ukraine’s Mariupol with strikes
Pro-Russian forces may launch targeted strikes on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol unless Ukrainian forces there surrender, the Interfax news agency quoted Donetsk separatist commander Eduard Basurin as saying today.
Russia and separatists say they have encircled the city of 430,000 located on the Azov Sea coast.
Targets of Kyiv explosions unknown
Throughout Wednesday night and into this morning, pwerful explosions were heard in the capital Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
At least four major explosions around 03:00 local time lit up the night sky in Kyiv, and were captured by witnesses on video.
It is unclear what the targets of the attack were, or how many people may have been hurt or injured.
Explosions seen in Kyiv as the city came under attackCredit: Twitter/@prm_ua 
The blast lit up the skyline above KyivCredit: Twitter/@prm_ua 
A flash from one of the explosionsCredit: Twitter/@prm_ua 
Residents of the city have been sheltering in stationsCredit: Rex Latest news this morning
Here’s an update of what’s been happening most recently:
- Russian forces have seized control of the key southern port city of Kherson, local officials say.
- In the past few hours, FOUR loud explosions have been shaking Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has released a late-night video, praising the courage of citizens in defending their country
- An investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine has been launched by the International Criminal Court in The Hague
- More than one million people have now fled Ukraine, the UN says
1 million people have fled Ukraine
More than one million people have fled Ukraine since Russian forces invaded the country last week, the head of the United Nations refugee agency has said.
Filippo Grandi said in a post on Twitter:
“In just seven days we have witnessed the exodus of one million refugees from Ukraine to neighbouring countries.
“For many millions more, inside Ukraine, it’s time for guns to fall silent, so that life-saving humanitarian assistance can be provided.”
U.S.: Russia launching ‘full war on media’
The United States has accused Russia of launching a “full war on media freedom and the truth” by blocking independent news outlets.
They have also prevented Russians from hearing news of the invasion of Ukraine.
The US State Department said in a statement as reported by Reuters: “Russia’s government is also throttling Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram platforms that tens of millions of Russia’s citizens rely on to access independent information and opinions.”
Pictured: Kherson falls under Russian controls
The mayor of Kherson has now admitted Kremlin forces are now in charge and the Ukrainian government also confirmed the city had been captured.
Russian forces have been laying siege to the strategic southern Ukrainian port cities of Kherson and Mariupol.
Fierce fighting is still raging in Mariupol, where the Russians have been accused of genocide.
The mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolykhaev, said Russian soldiers were in the city and came to the city administration building.
He said he asked them not to shoot civilians and to allow crews to gather up the bodies from the streets.
Russian controls imposed in Kherson, says mayor
Russian troops are in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson after forcing their way into the council building, the mayor said in an update late last night.
In a Facebook post written about 10pm on Wednesday, Kherson’s mayor, Igor Kolykhaiev, said:
“There were armed visitors in the city council today.
“My team and I are peaceful people, we had no weapons or aggression on our side.
“We don’t have Ukrainian Armed Forces in the city, only civilians and people who want to LIVE here!”
Commission on foreign purchases
Russia’s central bank has imposed a 30% commission on foreign currency purchases by individuals on currency exchanges, brokers told Reuters.
Good morning
Milica Cosic logging on, bringing you all the latest news on the Ruassia- Ukraine war.
eBay donates £150k to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund
ONLINE auction site eBay has donated £150,000 to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund, in aid of the Red Cross.
It comes on top of donations from you, our big-hearted readers, who have come forward in their droves after being moved by the plight of Ukrainians fleeing their homes.
Rob Hattrell, head of eBay Europe, said: “We have been distressed to see the impact the military action in Ukraine is having on those who are simply trying to live their lives.
“We hope swift help can be given to those who need it most, and call for anyone who can donate to do so.”
US president Biden brands Putin ‘a dictator’
US President Joe Biden branded Vladimir Putin a “dictator”.
In his first State of the Union address yesterday, he warned the West’s sanction campaign to cripple Russia’s economy would escalate and its oligarchs were being targeted.
Biden hailed the resolve of the Western alliance and voiced solidarity with Ukraine as lawmakers gave a standing ovation to the Ukrainian people.
“A Russian dictator, invading a foreign country, has costs around the world,” he said.
The president, who had earlier spoken with Zelenskyy on the phone, announced new measures against Russia and its wealthy elite with a new task force to go after the “crimes” of Russian oligarchs.
Biden said Putin’s aggression was “premeditated and totally unprovoked” – but hailed the resolve of the Western alliance in responding with brutal sanctions.
He repeated his commitment that no American troops would be sent to Ukraine to confront the invading forces.
Fears Russian attacks on civilians becoming ‘indiscriminate’
As Vladimir Putin’s hopes of a quick takeover of Ukraine have been dashed, fears are growing Russia is using more and more indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets in a bid to end the war.
On Tuesday, Russia issued a chilling warning for Ukrainians to flee parts of Kyiv ahead of another massive bombardment.
So far, more than 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the war, and around 6,000 Russian troops.
Russia claims it has taken control of the port city of Kherson in southwestern Ukraine, although the city’s mayor denies this and says Ukrainian forces are holding on.
PM: Putin has ‘gravely miscalculated’
At Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday, the PM said: “Putin has gravely miscalculated; in his abhorrent assault on a sovereign nation, he has underestimated the extraordinary fortitude of the Ukrainian people and the unity and resolve of the free world in standing up to his barbarism.”
He added: “What we have seen already from Vladimir Putin’s regime in the use of the munitions that they have already been dropping on innocent civilians, in my view, already fully qualifies as a war crime.”
More than 2,000 civilians have died since the invasion, Ukraine’s state emergency service said, although that figure has not been independently verified.
Russian soldier cried on video call to his mother after surrendering
A Russian soldier who surrendered was yesterday filmed crying while on a video call with his mum.
He is given tea, food & comfort by Ukrainian citizens after laying down his weapon.
Sharing the video, Anastasia Lapatina posted: “A Russian soldier surrendered. Ukrainians gave him tea, food, and let him call his mother on video.
“I want to cry from how much I love my country.”
Second round of talks to take place
It has been reported that a second round of talks between representatives of the Russian and Ukrainian governments are to take place.
The two sides met on Monday, but with no obvious results.
A Russian delegation is reportedly heading to a meeting point for talks, according to Belarus’ Belta news agency.
It did not say where, or when, the discussions would take place.
Fierce resistance
Eerie pictures from the town of Bucha – just 20 miles from the capital – revealed the mangled wreckage of Russian tanks and military equipment after one of the most brutal firefights of the war so far.
Footage showed the column of Russian tanks rolling into the town, near the Gostomel airbase, on Sunday afternoon before the convoy was shot down and destroyed.
Military experts said the Russians were likely wiped out by Ukrainian artillery and drone strikes.
Heroic locals also banded together to help fight the invaders – with some reportedly chucking Molotov cocktails at enemy vehicles.
The intense fighting left a trail of devastating destruction as chilling pictures showed a heap of smouldering military vehicles and scorched debris strewn across the streets.
EditDele
Charred wrecks
CHILLING images show a smouldering Russian convoy of tanks blitzed to ashes by the heroic Ukrainian resistance on the outskirts of Kyiv.
The biggest war in Europe since World War 2 has now been raging for seven days – but Vladimir Putin’s advance towards the capital Kyiv appears to have stalled as brave Ukrainians fight back.
Across the war-torn country, defenders continue to mount a staunch resistance to the invader.
Thanks for reading
This is Joe Gamp signing off the Russia-Ukraine crisis blog.
Thanks for reading our live coverage throughout the day.
Milica Cosic is back with you from 6am.
Russia says nearly 500 troops killed
Around 498 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine since the invasion began.
According to the data, released by Russia’s Defence Ministry, a further 1,597 personnel have been wounded.
The figures came as part of the country’s first report of military casualties since it invaded Ukraine last week.
Kherson Mayor: Russian troops are on the streets
The mayor of the Ukrainian city of Kherson, Igor Kolykhayev on Wednesday said Russian troops were in the streets and had forced their way into the city council building.
Ukraine’s government had earlier played down reports that Kherson had fallen into Russian hands, which would be the first sizeable city to do so since the invasion began last week.
Kolykhayev urged Russian soldiers not to shoot at civilians and publicly called on civilians to walk through the streets only in daylight and in ones and twos.
“We do not have the Armed Forces in the city, only civilians and people who want to LIVE here!” he said in a statement
Spotify closes Russian office indefinetely
Spotify has this evening closed its office in Russia indefinitely in response to the country’s “unprovoked attack on Ukraine.”
The company said in a statement: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
“Our first priority over the past week has been the safety of our employees and to ensure that Spotify continues to serve as an important source of global and regional news at a time when access to information is more important than ever.”
Spotify said it has reviewed thousands of pieces of content since the start of the war, and has restricted the discoverability of shows owned and operated by Russian state-affiliated media.
Ukraine says 2,000 civilians dead after a week of fighting
Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said Wednesday more than 2,000 civilians have died.
However, this figure has not been independently verified.
38 countries have referred Russia to the International Criminal Court – the most ever
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said the referral of Russia to the International Criminal Court by 38 countries, including the UK, was the largest referral in the court’s history.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “Putin’s military machine is targeting civilians indiscriminately and tearing through towns across Ukraine.
“An investigation by the International Criminal Court into Russia’s barbaric acts is urgently needed and it is right that those responsible are held to account. The UK will work closely with allies to ensure justice is done.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary Dominic Raab added: “The critical task now is to preserve properly all evidence of war crimes.
“Any Russian leader or officer carrying out orders that amount to war crimes should know they face ending up in the dock of a court and ultimately in prison.”
The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the most serious crimes of concern to the international community including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
