Russia-Ukraine war top updates: Putin warns West on attempts to phase out Russian gas

Putin noted that “supplies from other countries that could be sent to Europe, primarily from the United States, would cost consumers many times more.” He added it would “affect people’s standard of living and the competitiveness of the European economy.” The European Union is dependent on Russia for 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil.

Russia tows Black Sea flagship back to port, Ukraine claims missile strike

Russia on said the flagship of its Black Sea fleet was seriously damaged and its crew evacuated following a fire that caused an explosion, as a Ukrainian official said the vessel had been hit by missiles. The incident on the Moskva missile cruiser occurred after ammunition on board blew up, Interfax news agency quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying.

However, later on the Ministry said that the Moskva still remained afloat, news agency TASS reported. Moskva’s main weaponry wasn’t damaged in the attack and cause of the fire is being established, the Ministry added. Meanwhile, the warship is being towed back to the port.

US gives Ukraine $800 million more in military aid, adds heavy weapons

US President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in military assistance to Ukraine, expanding the scope of the systems provided to include heavy artillery ahead of a wider Russian assault expected in eastern Ukraine. Biden said he had also approved the transfer of additional helicopters, saying equipment provided to Ukraine “has been critical” as it confronts the invasion.

Kremlin crackdown silences war protests, from benign to bold

A former police officer who discussed Russia’s invasion on the phone. A priest who preached to his congregation about the suffering of Ukrainians. A student who held up a banner with no words — just asterisks. Hundreds of Russians are facing charges for speaking out against the war in Ukraine since a repressive law was passed last month that outlaws the spread of “false information” about the invasion and disparaging the military.

No more talk of a nuclear-free Baltic if Sweden and Finland join Nato, says Russian leader

Russian leader Dimitry Medvedev said Thursday that there will be no more talk of a nuclear-free Baltic if Sweden and Finland join Nato. The balance must be restored, he said. Medvedev added that it is no big difference for Russia if the two countries go ahead with their Nato membership plans as it means just a few more opponents for Kremlin.

Here are a few other key updates:

➡️ Russian television broadcasts clips of what it says is the surrender in the besieged port of Mariupol showing unarmed men in military fatigues walking with their hands up towards masked soldiers.

➡️ Ukraine says nine humanitarian corridors have been agreed for Thursday to evacuate civilians from eastern cities including Mariupol, if occupying Russian forces stop shelling.

➡️ Canada will deploy up to 150 military personnel to Poland to support Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s war and address a growing refugee crisis, Defense Minister Anita Anand said.

➡️ Moldova accused Russia’s army of trying to recruit Moldovan citizens, days after British military intelligence said that Moscow was trying to replenish its forces in Ukraine by recruiting in the breakaway Transdniestria region.

➡️ Russia says it will view US and Nato vehicles transporting weapons on Ukrainian territory as legitimate military targets.

➡️ Ukraine’s central bank said on Thursday it would lift a ban on selling cash in foreign currency to individuals. In a statement, it said the rate of sale could not be more than 10% off the official central bank rate.

➡️ A mission of experts set up by Organisation for Security and Cooperation and Europe nations has found evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity by Russia in Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians.

➡️ Senior US officials are weighing whether to send a top cabinet member such as Secretary of State Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd to Kyiv in a show of solidarity, a source familiar with the situation said.

➡️Russia’s central bank sees room for an interest rate cut as weekly inflation is slowing, Deputy Governor Alexei Zabotkin said on Thursday, Interfax new agency reported.

➡️ UK’s foreign secretary Liz Truss has replied to Russia’s comment over possible NATO expansion to the Nordic and Baltic states. In a tweet, Truss said, ‘Russian threats towards the Nordic and the Baltic states are not new and only strengthen our unity.’

➡️ Russia can easily redirect energy exports away from the West to countries that really need them while increasing domestic consumption of oil, gas and coal, President Vladimir Putin said.

➡️ President Joe Biden said on Thursday that top U.S. officials are deciding soon whether to send a senior official to Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine.

(Compiled from Reuters and Associated Press reports)