A Maxar satellite image shows the Mariupol Drama Theater in Mariupol, Ukraine, on March 14, 2022. The word "children" is written in large white letters (in Russian) on the pavement in front of and behind the theater. It was bombed on March 16, 2022. / © Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies/AFP
Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:
- Mariupol theatre hit -
Authorities in the besieged port city of Mariupol say Russian forces bombed a theatre where "hundreds" of civilians were taking shelter. The building was clearly marked "children" according to aerial photos. The death toll is not yet known.
- Ten killed in bread queue -
Ukraine says 10 people were killed after coming under fire while queueing for bread in the northern city of Chernigiv.
- Mayor freed -
The mayor of Melitopol is freed almost a week after he was reportedly abducted by Russian forces. He was reportedly released as part of an exchange for several young Russian conscripts captured by Ukraine.
- 'War criminal' -
President Joe Biden brands Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" for the first time. The Kremlin quickly punches back, calling the comment "unacceptable and unforgivable."
- Zelensky speaks to US Congress -
Buildings in Kyiv have been hit in recent days / © AFP
In an impassioned video address to the US Congress, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky likens Russia's invasion to 9/11 and the attack on Pearl Harbor which drew the US into World War II.
After pleading with allies to impose a no-fly zone and showing a harrowing montage of the devastation wrought on Ukrainian civilians, US lawmakers give him a standing ovation.
- US weapons aid -
Shortly after, Biden announces a massive package of military aid for Ukraine, including S-300 missile defence systems, 100 Switchblade "kamikaze" drones and thousands more anti-aircraft and anti-tank missiles.
- No NATO forces for Ukraine -
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is not planning to send forces to Ukraine, after Poland called for it to deploy a peacekeeping mission there.
- Putin doubles down -
In meeting with regional officials Putin repeats claims that the "pro-Nazi Kiev regime" is carrying out "genocide" and trying to obtain "weapons of mass destruction" including developing "military biological programmes" with the "financial support of the Pentagon."
- Ukraine sets out demands -
After days of cautious optimism about peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Zelensky reiterates his demands: an end to the war, security guarantees and a return to sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- US-Russia call -
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and General Nikolay Patrushev, secretary of the Russian Security Council, hold the first high-level contact between the countries since the invasion began.
- Payment day for Russia -
Russia is due to make a $117 million (107 million euros) interest payment on its foreign debt. It says it will service its dollar-denominated debt in rubles -- which could result in a default.
- Putin announces economic relief -
Putin says the West's "economic blitzkrieg" against Moscow has failed, but admits the situation is "not easy" for Russians and announces an increase in all social payments.
- News sites blocked -
Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor blocks access to at least 32 websites, ramping up a crackdown on the media launched after the start of the war.
Media affected include the BBC, the award-winning investigative website Bellingcat and regional site Permdaily.ru.
More than three million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the invasion, the UN says / © AFP
- Out of Council of Europe -
Russia ceases to be a member of the Council of Europe after over a quarter of a century of membership in the pan-European rights body.
- China's ambassador -
China's ambassador tells Ukrainian officials in Lviv that "China is a friendly country" that "will forever remain a good force for Ukraine," according to Ukrainian accounts of the meeting.
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