By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
International Criminal Court opens investigation into Russian invasion of Ukraine
The International Criminal Court in the Hague, Netherlands, will open an investigation into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as “rapidly as possible,” ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan said in a statement Monday.
Following a preliminary examination into the situation, Khan said he confirmed that there is a reasonable basis to “believe that both alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine.”
UK communications regulator launches 15 investigations into Kremlin-backed news channel
The UK’s communication regulator is launching 15 investigations into Russia Today (RT), the Kremlin-backed news channel.
The announcement same Monday via a statement.
Ofcom — the UK’s communications regulator — said it had “observed a significant increase in the number of programs on the RT service that warrant investigation under our Broadcasting Code.”
Last week, UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries asked Ofcom to review RT’s operation in Britain. The regulator replied to Dorries saying it had “stepped up our oversight” in light of the “serious nature of the crisis in Ukraine.”
The investigations “relate to 15 editions of the hourly News program broadcast on RT on 27 February 2022 between 05:00 and 19:00 inclusive” and will be – “expedited, given the severity and urgency of the current crisis,” Ofcom said Monday.
Ofcom’s Chief Executive Melanie Dawes added that “given the serious, ongoing situation in Ukraine, we will be concluding our investigations into RT as a matter of urgency.”
The regulator acknowledged that “when reporting on an armed conflict” it can be “difficult for broadcasters to verify information and events” but that it is “imperative that they make every effort to do so.”
Russia will continue to ensure realization of its national interests despite sanctions, foreign ministry says
In a statement Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry lashed out against the EU’s plan to provide arms to Ukraine, adding that Russia will continue to ensure the realization of its national interests despite sanctions.
EU citizens and structures involved in supplying lethal weapons and fuel and lubricants to the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be responsible for any consequences of such actions in the context of the ongoing special military operation. They cannot fail to understand the degree of danger of the consequences,” the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement read.
The statement went on to diminish Western sanctions, saying that Russia will continue to ensure the realization of its national interest.
“Another myth that had been propagated by the EU in the past — that their unilateral restrictions, which are illegitimate under international law, are not directed against the Russian people — has been finally dispelled. Brussels functionaries, who until recently portrayed themselves as our country’s ‘strategic partner’, are not hiding any longer: they intend to inflict maximum damage on Russia, hit its weak points, seriously destroy its economy and suppress its economic growth,” the statement read.
The statement continued: “We want to assure you it will not. The actions of the European Union will not go unanswered. Russia will continue to ensure the realization of its vital national interests without regard to sanctions and their threats. It is time for Western countries to understand that their undivided dominance in the global economy is long a thing of the past.”
Russia well behind its own schedule for Ukraine invasion
A western official told CNN there was a “failure on the first day to destroy Ukraine’s air defenses” by Russia and that it was “well behind the schedule it set,” for the invasion. Russia has about half the forces it massed on Ukraine’s borders “forward and operating in Ukraine,” the source added.
Earlier on Monday a senior US defense official said that it is their assessment Russia has committed nearly 75% of its military power that it had arrayed around Ukraine ahead of the invasion.
The official said they were concerned with the “risks that come with a lack of Russian progress” especially the “use of rockets today and tube artillery — in Kyiv and Kharkiv — which risks being far more indiscriminate.”
The official said while there had been “some progress in the south” — with forces that come out of Crimea having some gains — “in other areas we have not seen a lot of progress in maneuver.”
The official declined to give a figure for Russian casualties but noted that in the first days Russia’s defense ministry denied having any, but later had to admit to some. They said this was “what we would assess to be a significant number of casualties. Their ability to hide that is over. The impact of this operation will be seen and felt back in Russia itself.”
Missile strike in Kyiv region destroys dormitory and residential buildings, Ukrainian official says
A missile strike earlier today on Vasylkiv, Bila Tserkva and Kalinovka in the Kyiv region destroyed a five-story dormitory and two five-story residential buildings, Ukraine’s Ministry of Interior said.
Three state emergency service units are on their way to provide assistance to the dormitory that was hit in Bila Tserkva.
Emergency service units are not en route to the two five-story residential buildings in Vasylkiv and Kalinovka because the shelling is ongoing.
US security assistance to Ukraine has arrived within the last day, senior defense official says
US security assistance to Ukraine has continued to arrive, including within the last day, a senior defense official said Monday morning.
Without detailing exactly what type of assistance is going in, the official said it includes both ground and airborne defensive capabilities.
Over the weekend, the same official said that ground convoys and routes are options the US has evaluated for sending in assistance in light of the contested airspace over Ukraine.
In the period before the invasion, the US had sent in Javelin anti-armor missiles and Stringer anti-aircraft missiles.
The US has not seen any efforts by Russian forces to “interdict” security assistance the US is sending to Ukraine, according to the senior defense official, despite Russian efforts to capture the airports around Kyiv.
Putin told Macron that Russian forces do not pose threat to Ukrainian civilians
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a call with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, initiated by the French side on Monday, the Kremlin said in a statement.
During the call, the two sides “had a serious and thorough exchange of opinions around the situation in Ukraine,” the Kremlin said.
“French side has expressed its known views” about its hope for a quick settlements through dialogue and negotiations, the Kremlin readout stated. “Vladimir Putin has stressed that such a settlement is only possible with unconditional consideration of Russia’s legitimate defense interests, including recognition of Russian sovereignty over Crimea, solving tasks of demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine and ensuring its neutral status.”
The readout added that Russia is open for negotiations with Ukraine.
It also claimed that the Russian Armed Forces do not pose any threat to civilians [in Ukraine] and blames the threat on Ukrainian nationalists.
Russian President has stressed that the Russian Armed Forces do not threaten civilians and do not strike civilian objects. The threat comes from Ukrainian nationalists who use the civilian population as a human shield, deliberately place striking weapon systems in residential areas, and who intensified shelling of cities in Donbas,” the statement read.
Putin and Macron agreed to remain in contact, the readout concluded.
More background: The ongoing Russian assault has inflicted widespread suffering and casualties on the Ukrainian population. The UN’s Refugee Agency said Monday that more than 500,000 refugees had so far fled Ukraine to neighboring countries amid Russia’s ongoing invasion and military aggression.
The number of known civilians killed in Ukraine is at least 352, with 14 of those children, Ukraine’s Ministry of Health said Sunday.
A senior US official told reporters Monday that Russian forces are “causing civilian harm and they are striking civilian targets,” but it is unclear “whether it’s intentional and directed,” the official added.
Fifa to suspend Russia as IOC calls for athletes’ suspension
Football’s world governing body Fifa is set to suspend Russia until further notice – as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommends that Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials are banned from any organised international competitions.
The IOC has urged sport governing bodies not to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete because of a “breach of the Olympic Truce” by those countries’ governments.
It comes after Russia, supported by Belarus, launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine last Thursday.
Fifa had earlier ruled that Russia must complete their upcoming games in neutral territory, under the title Football Union of Russia, and without their flag and anthem.
However, the announcement drew criticism – and Scotland and the Republic of Ireland joined several other nations, including England and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden, in refusing to play against Russia.
Russia are scheduled to face Poland in the play-offs on the same day, followed by a final meeting with the Czech Republic or Sweden on 29 March, should they win.
Russia’s women are also set to compete at the Women’s Euro 2022 in England in July where they are in a group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland.
The 2022 Champions League final, originally due to be played in St Petersburg on 28 May, has been moved to Paris while numerous clubs have taken their own steps to disassociate themselves from Russia.
Talks between Ukraine and Russia have started at Belarussian border, news agency Reuters informed quoting an Ukrainian presidential advisor, as Moscow’s invasion of its neighbour reached Day 5.
Ukraine has vowed not to give ground at talks with Moscow and said their goal for the talks was an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine.
Fighting has claimed dozens of civilian lives, forced hundreds and thousands of Ukrainians to flee west and could, according to the EU, eventually displace up to seven million people.
Russia has become an international pariah as its forces do battle on the streets of Ukraine’s cities, facing a barrage of sanctions including a ban from Western airspace and key financial networks.
Russia just reminded SA that it helped fight apartheid in celebrating 30 years of relations
Russia has reminded South Africa about its role in the fight against apartheid, support of uMkhonto we Sizwe, and BRICS partnership in celebrating 30 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
BP dumps 20% stake in Russian oil giant, says its partnership with Rosneft ‘simply cannot continue’
BP is dumping its 19.75% stake in Russia’s state-backed oil giant Rosneft, citing the invasion of Ukraine as a “fundamental change” ending the 30-year business partnership.
DStv says it has ‘no editorial control’ as RT continues to be broadcast in South Africa
The EU announced on Sunday that it will ban the Russian state-backed channels RT and Sputnik in an unprecedented move against the Kremlin media machine.
The Russian state-controlled international TV network currently airs in South Africa on DStv 407 and online on DStv Now.
The South African satellite service owned by MultiChoice said: “We have no editorial control over third party channels”.
Top UN rights forum agrees urgent debate on Ukraine
The United Nations Human Rights Council agreed on Monday to Ukraine’s request to hold an urgent debate this week on Russia’s invasion, minutes after Kyiv’s envoy told the Geneva forum that some of Moscow’s military actions “may amount to war crimes”.
The 47-member council adopted the proposal by a vote of 29 in favour, (including the United States), with five against (including Russia and China), and 13 abstentions after Russia’s ambassador Gennady Gatilov called for a rollcall vote.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Yevheniia Filipenko, said in an opening speech: “Russia, a member of this Council proceeded to an unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine. It was not just an attack on Ukraine, it was an attack on every UN member state, on the United Nations and on the principles that this organisation was created to defend.”
Belarusian minister welcomes Ukrainian and Russian delegations for talks, saying they should feel “completely safe”
Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Makei welcomed delegations from Ukraine and Russia for talks on Monday, assuring delegates that they should feel “completely safe.”
“Dear friends, the President of Belarus asked me to welcome you and to provide everything for your work, as agreed with President Zelensky and President Putin. You may feel completely safe here. This is our sacred duty,” Makei said.
Preside”nt Lukashenko sincerely hopes that, during today’s talks, it will be possible to find solutions to all the questions of this crisis. All Belarusians are praying for this. Any proposals, in terms of organizing today’s meeting, will be considered and absolutely fulfilled,” he added. “We look forward to the results.”
The exact location of the talks between Russia and Ukraine on Monday has been kept secret for security reasons.
The talks are in Belarus, but the only location that has been announced is that they are on the banks of the Pripyat river in the Gomel region of Belarus.
Nearly 6,000 detained across Russia after fourth day of anti-war protests
Russian authorities have detained a total of 5,942 people for participating in anti-war protests across the country since the Kremlin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, independent monitoring site OVD-Info said on Sunday.
According to the latest data, 2,802 people were detained for taking part in unsanctioned demonstrations in 57 cities throughout the country on Sunday, OVD-Info also reported. In Moscow alone, 1,275 people were detained.
So far there have been no indications of protests on Monday.
Under Russian law, large demonstrations require protesters apply for a permit, which has to be submitted no more than 15 but no less than 10 days before the event. Heavy fines — and in some cases even prison time — can be imposed on those who protest without a permit.
Individuals are allowed to stage solo protests, but it is not unheard of for people to be detained for those as well.
On Thursday, Russia’s Investigative Committee warned that participation in any anti-war protest was illegal. It also said that offenses could be entered on participants’ criminal records which would “leave a mark on the person’s future.”
The Moscow stock exchange will stay closed on Monday
Moscow’s stock exchange will not open Monday, the Russian Central Bank said, after the country’s currency plummeted in the wake of Western sanctions.
“Due to the current situation, the Bank of Russia has decided not to open a stock market section, a derivatives market section, or a derivatives market section on the Moscow Exchange today,” the statement from the bank read.
The Russian Central Bank also said it would announce the opening times for Tuesday on the day, at 9:00 a.m. local time (1 a.m. ET)
The suspension of trading comes after the Russian currency, the ruble, plunged nearly 30% on Monday, as markets began to assess the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States and NATO allies on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin declines comment on progress of invasion after facing days of strong resistance
The Kremlin declined to comment Monday on the progress of Russia’s so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine, referring questions on the matter to the military.
“I don’t think this is the time to sum up the results of the [military] operation, we need to wait for completion of the operation,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in a conference call with journalists.
The Russian military has acknowledged casualties but has not given exact figures.
Moscow’s invasion has encountered “stiffer than expected” resistance from the Ukrainian military as well as unexpected difficulties supplying its forces, two senior US officials with direct knowledge told CNN on Sunday.
Official civilian death toll reaches triple figures: The latest toll for civilian deaths in Ukraine stands at 102, with 304 people injured, but the true figure is feared to be “considerably higher,” the UN’s Michelle Bachelet said Monday.
The death toll includes seven children, Bachelet said, adding: “Most of these civilians were killed by explosive weapons with a wide impact area, including shelling from heavy artillery and multi-launch rocket systems, and air strikes.”
According to Bachelet, 422,000 people have fled Ukraine, while other civilians still in the country are “forced to huddle in different forms of bomb shelters, such as underground stations, to escape explosions.”
Ukraine asks to “urgently” join the European Union
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asked the European Union on Monday to “urgently admit Ukraine” to the bloc.
“We appeal to the European Union to urgently admit Ukraine using a new procedure,” Zelensky said in his latest video message.
“We are grateful to partners for standing with us. But our goal is to be with all Europeans and, to be equal to them. I am sure we deserve it. I am sure it is possible.”
Zelensky said he spoke on Sunday with the Presidents of Portugal, Lithuania, France and Poland as well as the Prime Ministers of Belgium, Spain and the United Kingdom. “Support of our anti-war coalition is unconditional and unprecedented,” Zelensky said.