By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Series of explosions heard some distance from Kyiv moments ago
There was a series of explosions heard some distance from Kyiv’s city limits at around 10:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday (or about 3:40 p.m. ET), according to CNN teams in the area.
Airstrikes on Kyiv hit a Holocaust memorial, Ukrainian official says
Airstrikes that targeted Kyiv on Tuesday hit the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial site in Kyiv, according to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak. The memorial is located near the Kyiv TV Tower.
The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Site has since released a statement confirming the remembrance site was struck by Russian forces.
According to a statement, the memorial’s Advisory Board Chair Natan Sharansky said:
Putin seeks to distort and manipulate the Holocaust to justify an illegal invasion of a sovereign democratic country is utterly abhorrent. It is symbolic that he starts attacking Kyiv by bombing the site of the Babyn Yar, the biggest of Nazi massacre.”
The statement continues, “We remind the Russian leadership that Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Mariupol and other Ukrainian cities were last subjected to massive bombing by Nazi Germany during World War II, now they are burning under the blows of Putin’s army, under the false and outrageous narrative of ‘denazifying’ Ukraine and its people.”
European Parliament recommends giving Ukraine EU candidate status
The European Parliament adopted a resolution on Tuesday calling on the European Union institutions “to work towards granting” Ukraine the status of EU candidate country, it said in a statement.
The resolution, which also demanded the EU to impose “tougher sanctions” on Russia, was voted in favor by 637 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). It condemned “in the strongest possible terms Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and demands that the Kremlin end all military activities in the country.”
The members also stressed that the EU’s financial sanctions against Russia should go further, stating that “all Russian banks should be blocked from the European financial system and Russia should be banned from the SWIFT system.”
“While welcoming the swift adoption of EU sanctions, MEPs want to see broader restrictive measures aimed at strategically weakening the Russian economy and industrial base. In particular, imports of the most important Russian export goods, such as oil and gas should be restricted, they say. New EU investment in Russia and new Russian investment in the EU should be banned,” the press release said.
The lawmakers pushed for the extension of a range of sanctions including the SWIFT ban on Belarus in return for its “direct support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”
They also called on EU countries to send Ukraine “defensive weapons more swiftly, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for individual and collective self-defense.”
Finally, all sanctions aimed at individuals responsible for “high-level corruption” in Russia and Belarus including oligarchs and officials should be adopted “swiftly,” it said.
EU countries operating residence by investment schemes or golden visas as they are commonly known should “review all beneficiaries of such residence status and revoke those attributed to Russian high-net-worth individuals and their families, in particular those linked to sanctioned individuals and companies.”
A total of 28 South African students have been taken to safety.
Dirco spokesperson, Clayson Monyela, tweeted that seven are safe in Poland, and 15 safe in Hungary. Four are being assisted crossing into Poland. Two are in a town far from the conflict, near Russia.
Meanwhile SA’s ambassador, Mathu Joyini, told an emergency sitting of the UN’s General Assembly that diplomacy and dialogue was the way to respond to the crisis in Ukraine.
She also took aim at the UN for failing to give similar attention to other long-standing conflicts around the world.
Joyini also said the conflict served as a reminder for reform of the UN’s security council.
She also said SA endorses an African Union statement that condemned alleged racism at Ukraine borders for African citizens trying to leave.
She said South Africa is “deeply concerned” by the situation in Ukraine. “In situations of conflict, the most vulnerable suffer the most,” she said, adding it was unfortunate that the conflict would delay the world’s response to Covid-19.
UK PM rules out deploying troops to battle Russian forces in Ukraine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the United Kingdom’s troops will not fight Russian forces in Ukraine, and that recent NATO reinforcements on the alliance’s eastern flank were firmly within the borders of its member states.
“These are nothing more than defensive measures, which have been the essence of NATO for more than 70 years,” Johnson said during a visit to Estonia, where the UK has deployed additional troops.
“I want to be crystal clear finally, on that point, we will not fight Russian forces in Ukraine and our reinforcements like these reinforcements here in Tapa are firmly within the borders of NATO members and they are profoundly the right thing to do.”
Russian strike hits Kyiv TV tower, cuts broadcasts
An apparent Russian airstrike hit Kyiv’s main television tower in the heart of the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday, knocking out some state broadcasting but leaving the structure intact.
After a blast sounded around the city and smoke was seen rising in the Babi Yar district, the interior ministry said equipment had been damaged and “channels won’t work for a while”.
A photograph distributed by the interior ministry showed a thick cloud of smoke billowing from part of the tower, but AFP journalists with a view of the scene could see it still standing.
The interior ministry said that backup systems would be put into operation to restore programming.
Earlier, the Russian defence ministry spokesman had said that Moscow’s forces would hit technological infrastructure in Kyiv “to suppress information attacks on Russia”.But the targets he cited – the SBU security service and the army psychological operations unit – did not include the civilian-run television tower in the capital.
Ukraine says 8 dead in Russian strike on Kharkiv housing block
Ukraine said Tuesday eight people had been killed in a Russian air strike on a residential building in the eastern city of Kharkiv, where Russian missiles destroyed an administrative building earlier.
“As a result of an air strike… eight people were killed and six injured in Kharkiv,” Ukraine’s emergency service said. Rescue workers had recovered two people alive from the debris, they added.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city and located close to the Russian border, has witnessed fierce fighting between the Ukrainian army and Russian troops, which last week launched an invasion of its neighbour.
On Tuesday morning, Ukraine said Russian forces had fired on its local administration building and central square with missiles, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20.
Russian shelling killed at least 11 civilians in the city on Monday. AFP.
Russians flock to ATMs, experience payment issues as sanctions bite
As the rouble plummets following Western sanctions, Russians are flocking to cash machines in a bid to withdraw as much currency as possible
Meanwhile, some attempting to use their debit and credit cards have had issues, as measures directly targeting a string of Russian banks come into effect.
“I’ve had several customers today who couldn’t pay because their cards aren’t working,” a fried shrimp vendor in Saint Petersburg’s Galleria shopping mall said.
Those with foreign bank accounts aren’t immune from the financial punishment being imposed on Russia over its invasion either.
US continues to see “heavy fighting” in and around Kharkiv, defense official says
The US continues to see “heavy fighting in and around Kharkiv” and the area “remains heavily contested,” a senior US defense official told reporters on Tuesday — the sixth day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In the southern part of the country, the US continues to see Russian forces make “more progress,” and have “more success down there, in terms of moving along their axes,” the official said.
The Russian forces are advancing on two axes in the south. From Crimea, there is one part that goes off to the northwest and one that goes to the northeast, the official said.
The Ukrainian city of Kherson appears “very much to be a contested city at this point,” the official said.
From the northeast, Russian forces are “still outside Mariupol” and “they have not advanced inside the city” yet, the official said.
“They are close enough now that they could attack Mariupol with long-range fires, and again we haven’t seen a whole lot of activity, but we don’t believe that they’re in Mariupol,” the official added.
The US does believe Russian forces are occupying Berdyansk and Melitopol, which is west of Berdyansk and further in from the coast of the Sea of Azov, the official said.
“Again if you draw that line from Mariupol to Kharkiv, we can see a continued desire from the Russians to sort of connect on those two lines, they haven’t made much progress, but we still believe that’s their intent,” the official added.
US oil soars above $102 for the first time since 2014
US oil prices jumped 7% on Tuesday and climbed above $102 a barrel for the first time in more than seven years amid growing worries about the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Even as energy officials around the world near a deal to release emergency oil stockpiles, oil prices are rising sharply.
US crude climbed 6% and briefly topped $102 a barrel for the first time since July 2014.
Brent crude rose about 7% to $104.37 a barrel, closing in on the intraday high set last week of nearly $106 a barrel. Brent, the world benchmark, finished above $100 a barrel on Monday for the first time since 2014.
While a coordinated release of oil reserves could be imminent, the market also received fresh signals that OPEC and its allies are not coming to the rescue.
Despite pressure to ramp up production, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet reaffirmed its commitment to the OPEC+ agreement – a pact that calls for just a modest increase in output, according to a statement from the Saudi state news agency on Tuesday.
The latest march higher in the oil market will only drive up prices at the gas pump, which move with a lag to oil.
South Africa welcomes Ukraine-Russia talks
South Africa has welcomed the decision by the Ukraine and Russia to hold talks amid the ongoing conflict between the two countries.
“We welcome the decision by the Ukraine and Russia to hold talks without preconditions. In this regard, South Africa expresses the hope that both parties will use diplomacy to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, leading to a durable political and security outcome,” said International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor.
The Minister made these remarks at the High-Level Segment of the 49th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland after She said on her earlier statement that Russia must withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
“This 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council takes place against the backdrop of the worrying situation in the Ukraine. South Africa is deeply concerned about the escalation of the situation in the Ukraine, “said the Minister.
The High-Level Segment will afford countries, represented by Heads of State and governments, Foreign Affairs Ministers and/or Deputy Foreign Affairs Ministers, the opportunity to address the Council on their national efforts to promote and protect human rights and international cooperation. This also includes outlining their foreign policy approach to human rights.
Pandor said South Africa is committed to the advancement of human rights and freedom, “not just in our country, but the entire continent of Africa, in fact, globally”.
“Human rights, we believe, must not only be in a human rights instrument – A Bill of Rights Charter – they must be given practical meaning, they must be realised by all people in real terms. All of us should promote and protect the rights of all, effectively. And, we should ensure that all human beings tangibly enjoy access to human rights, “she said at Monday’s session.
This applies to all human rights and all people, the Minister said. She called on the gathering to treat all human rights as “universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis for all people”.
“The Human Rights Council is a proper multilateral forum to advance human rights. But in order to achieve that, the Council needs must remain true to its mandate and avoid the pitfalls that could destroy it.”
Pandor spoke out against politicisation, divisions, selectivity, and double standards.
“We must look at each problem in its full compass of issues. When we address human rights matters, be it thematic or country-specific issues, let us look at the full dimension of the problem.
“We need a Council that responds to all violations and abuses, regardless of where they have been committed or who has committed them. We need to use the opportunity of the review of the Council to rid it of the past crippling challenges, “she said.
Meanwhile, the review of the Council also provides an opportunity for the international community to ensure that its credibility and authority are reinforced.
“We must strengthen the Council and ensure its efficacy so that the people of the world and the humanity we serve can truly live in a world that respects all human rights and freedoms.
“One way we could achieve this is through filling gaps in international human rights law whenever we identify them, and by developing new treaties and protocols.
“It is for this reason that South Africa will continue to support and actively participate in the processes aimed at developing treaties on the right to development, and on transnational corporations and other business enterprises that are involved in the illicit trafficking of our resources,” said Pandor.
The Minister used the opportunity of the High-Level Segment to launch South Africa’s campaign for membership of the Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025.
“South Africa is ready and willing to put shoulder to wheel and work with all partners to address human rights for all in all corners of the world, and to strengthen the Human Rights Council to ensure it is fit for purpose and serves all humanity.”
The Council is made up of 47 UN member States. Every year, the member States elect a third of the UNHRC members directly and individually by secret ballot for a period of three years.
Members of the Council are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
When electing members of the Council, the UN General Assembly considers the contribution of the candidate State to the promotion and protection of human rights, and their voluntary pledges and commitments made thereto.
Russian missile strikes caused explosion in Kharkhiv, says Ukraine’s foreign minister
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kubela said that “Russian missile strikes” caused an explosion in the nation’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, Tuesday.
“Barbaric Russian missile strikes on the central Freedom Square and residential districts of Kharkiv. Putin is unable to break Ukraine down. He commits more war crimes out of fury, murders innocent civilians. The world can and must do more. INCREASE PRESSURE, ISOLATE RUSSIA FULLY!,” Kubela said in a post on Twitter.
At least six people were injured, including a child, in the explosion, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.
The search for casualties remains ongoing, the state service said.
Overstretched Russian forces could struggle to hold Ukraine at current levels, expert predicts
Ukrainian resistance to the Russian invasion has shown strength that has surprised many observers, but one international expert pointed out how historical precedent bodes poorly for Moscow should its forces be unable to subdue Ukraine quickly under current Russian troop levels.
The Russian army is overextended and in a precarious position if Ukraine becomes a protracted war,” Seth Jones, vice president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in a social media post.
Assuming 150,000 Russian soldiers in Ukraine and a population of 44 million, that is a force ratio of 3.4 soldiers per 1,000 people. You can’t hold territory with those numbers,” Jones said.
Jones compared the current Russian force ratio to occupations after previous wars around the world, saying successful occupations had force ratios that were “astronomically higher.”
For example, he said:
- The Allied forces occupying Germany in 1945 had 89.3 troops to 1,000 inhabitants.
- NATO forces in Bosnia in 1995 had 17.5 troops to 1,000 inhabitants.
- NATO forces in Kosovo in 2000 had 19.3 to 1,000.
- And international forces in East Timor in 2000 had 9.8 to 1,000.
“High numbers of troops and police are critical to establish basic law and order,” Jones said.
“In fact, the number of Russian soldiers in Ukraine aren’t even enough to hold any major cities for long.”
And if Russian occupiers face a guerrilla war in the event the Ukrainian government falls, the odds won’t be in Russia’s favor, he said.
“They will be in serious danger of being picked apart by Ukrainian insurgents.”
At least 6 injured as blast destroys government building in Kharkiv
At least six people were injured, including a child, in an explosion in Ukraine’s second biggest city, Kharkiv, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said in a Telegram post Tuesday.
The blast destroyed a government building, according to videos of the incident posted by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Ukrainian government officials. The clips were posted on social media early Tuesday local time and have been verified by CNN.
“Russia is waging war in violation of international humanitarian law. Kills civilians, destroys civilian infrastructure. Russiaʼs main target is large cities that are now fired at by its missiles, “the Ukrainian MOFA tweeted Tuesday, sharing a video showing what appears to be a missile attack on the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building.
A separate video posted by Kostiantyn Nemichev, the Head of Defense Staff of Kharkiv, showed the aftermath of the purported strike, including the inside of the building which had been reduced to rubble.
The Regional State Administration building houses local government offices. It is located in “Freedom Square” — the main square of Kharkiv and an architectural landmark.
Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, also shared a video on his official Telegram account taken from street level at Freedom Square. The video shows the site of the explosion, and the debris on the ground where the Kharkiv Regional State Administration building once stood.
Swiss sanctions: Switzerland would forego its commitment to “Swiss neutrality” in favor of adopting sanctions against Russia, Swiss President Ignazio Cassis said Monday, adding that Bern’s measures would be in line with those already adopted by the European Union.
The sanctions include closing Swiss airspace to all flights from Russia, including private jets, with the exception of humanitarian flights, search flights and emergency situations.