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UNICEF says greater than half of Ukraine’s kids displaced by combating
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US, UK probing unconfirmed studies of chemical weapons use
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Putin described the conflict in Ukraine as ‘noble’
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Ukraine prepares for main Russian offensive in east
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Zelenskyy publishes picture of pro-Russian politician in handcuffs
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Chemical weapons watchdog OPCW ‘involved’ by unconfirmed studies from Mariupol
The Group for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is intently monitoring the state of affairs in Ukraine, a spokesperson mentioned on Tuesday.
The OPCW was “involved” by unconfirmed studies that chemical brokers might need been utilized in Mariupol, town besieged by the Russian forces.
Additionally, the watchdog has “uninterruptedly been monitoring the state of affairs round declared chemical industrial websites” in Ukraine.
Professional-Russian separatist denied utilizing chemical weapons within the east of Ukraine. Individually, prime US diplomat Anthony Blinken the US was “not able to substantiate something” relating to the studies, and that Washington was “in direct dialog with companions to attempt to decide what really has occurred.
Zelenskyy publishes picture of pro-Russian politician in handcuffs
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy printed a photograph of businessman Viktor Medvedchuk in handcuffs. Medvedchuk is likely one of the richest males in Ukraine and is seen as a key Putin ally in Ukraine, having beforehand served as a boss of the pro-Kremlin political occasion Opposition Platform for Life.
The businessman’s daughter is Putin’s godchild. Ukrainian authorities put Medvedchuk underneath home arrest final Might on suspicion of treason. However this February, officers mentioned Medvedchuk had fled.
The picture shared by Zelenskyy appears to point out Medvedchuk carrying a camouflage uniform with Ukrainian markings. The president didn’t instantly present particulars past praising Ukraine’s intelligence company SBU and saying the company had performed a “particular operation.”
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed seeing the picture of Medvedchuk however added that the picture’s authenticity have to be established earlier than the Kremlin can situation an official remark.
Germany’s Scholz ought to go to Kyiv, says Ukraine’s envoy
Ukraine’s ambassador to Berlin Andrij Melnyk urged Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz to go to the Japanese European nation.
It could be essential for Scholz to return to Kyiv and speak to Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian authorities, Melnyk advised German broadcaster ProSieben and Sat1.
The leaders ought to focus on “how one can assist Ukraine much more contemplating this extermination conflict in opposition to the Ukrainian nation.”
Melnyk additionally as soon as once more requested Germany to ship Ukraine heavy weapons regardless of Germany’s Protection Minister Christine Lambrecht just lately saying her nation couldn’t ship any extra weapons from its personal stockpiles with out jeopardizing Bundeswehr’s personal defensive capacities.
His feedback come after Kyiv snubbed German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier over his alleged pro-Russia course prior to now. Earlier than taking over the largely ceremonial place as Germany’s head of state, Steinmeier additionally served as Germany’s overseas minister.
Melnyk additionally advised Germany’s ARD that Steinmeier had maintained a “spiderweb of contacts with Russia for many years.”
Putin: Russia will proceed to observe its plan
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin restated his claims that the invasion of Ukraine was nonetheless on monitor.
Western analysts imagine Russian forces suffered main losses and have been forces to refocus on japanese Ukraine. However Putin mentioned that strikes in “varied elements of Ukraine” had been solely geared toward “creating the circumstances for extra lively operations on Donbass territory.”
“I typically hear the query: Can this be executed quicker? It could possibly,” he added. “This will depend on the depth of fight operations, and the depth of fight operations, sadly, is linked with losses in a technique or one other.”
He mentioned Russia will work to attenuate loses and act “rhythmically, calmly, in response to plan” advised by Russia’s army leaders.
Ukrainian officers have repeatedly warned that Russia is now making ready a significant offensive within the east.
Nearly 2,700 folks used humanitarian corridors in Ukraine right now
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk mentioned 2,671 folks have been evacuated to security on Tuesday.
Many of the evacuees had been from cities and cities in southern Ukraine, Vereshchuk mentioned.
In japanese Ukraine, 328 folks had been evacuated from the cities of Lysychansk, Severodonetsk, Rubizhne, Kreminna and Popasna within the Luhansk area, she added.
Based on Vereshchuk, columns of buses that had been meant to evacuate folks from Berdyansk, Tokmak and Enerhodar, additionally within the south, are nonetheless blocked by Russian forces at a checkpoint.
Marine Le Pen in opposition to sanctions on Russian oil and fuel
French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, set to face off in opposition to Emmanuel Macron within the April 24 runoff vote, mentioned she would block EU sanctions on Russian oil and fuel.
“I do not need the French to really feel the total pressure of penalties stemming from any choices to cease the import of oil and fuel,” she advised France Inter radio.
“I’m completely in favor of all the opposite sanctions,” she added.
EU member states are at the moment discussing one other wave of sanctions in opposition to Russia over the battle in Ukraine, with some international locations pushing for an embargo on Russia’s large vitality sector. Others, together with Germany, have been pushing again and saying vitality imports are essential to maintain the financial system operating.
Final week, Le Pen’s rival Macron known as for extra sanction on coal and oil following studies of Russian troopers committing conflict crimes in Ukraine.
Ukraine claims it thwarted a Russian energy grid cyberattack
Ukrainian officers mentioned they had been “very fortunate” to avert a cyberattack that would go away two million folks with out electrical energy.
“The risk was severe, however it was prevented in a well timed method,” mentioned prime Ukrainian cybersecurity official Victor Zhora.
Based on Ukrainian officers, hackers working for Russia’s GRU army intelligence service used malware generally known as Industroyer2 to focus on an influence station. Their alleged objective was to knock out energy in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, as folks had been returning residence from work. Nonetheless, the Ukrainian facet was capable of forestall energy outages.
Zhora didn’t present particulars on how the assault was averted or if any of Ukraine’s allies took half within the effort. Individually, the Laptop Emergency Response Crew of Ukraine thanked Microsoft and the cybersecurity agency ESET for his or her assist in coping with the assault. The staff mentioned that this assault had been deliberate for no less than two weeks.
Mayor of Mariupol ups the demise toll estimate
Mariupol mayor Vadym Boychenko has mentioned that, in response to the newest estimates, 21,000 civilians have been killed within the port metropolis.
The Ukrainian politician has left Mariupol because the invasion began and depends on sources from the scene. In televised feedback on Tuesday, Boychenko mentioned it was robust to calculate the precise variety of deaths.
Yesterday, Boychenko advised the AP information company that no less than 10,000 civilians have misplaced their lives and that the demise toll may attain 20,000. He additionally mentioned Russian forces had been bringing in cell crematoriums to get rid of the our bodies and conceal the true scope of civilian deaths.
The numbers couldn’t be independently verified.
Steinmeier says he isn’t welcome in Kyiv
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier mentioned throughout his go to to Warsaw that he had plans to go to Kyiv, however this concept was not accepted by the Ukrainian authorities.
Based on Stenimeier, Polish President Andrzej Duda had advised that they journey to the Ukrainian capital along with the heads of state of the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia “to ship and set a powerful signal of widespread European solidarity with Ukraine.”
German president mentioned that he was prepared to go to Ukraine. “However apparently — and I’ve to take be aware — that was not needed in Kyiv,” Steinmeier mentioned.
Ukrainian negotiator says Russia places stress on the talks
Ukrainian negotiator Mykhailo Podoliak mentioned that peace talks between Ukraine and Russia had been very laborious, however they had been persevering with on the degree of working sub-groups.
Earlier on Tuesday, talking at a joint press convention together with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that peace talks between Russia and Ukraine had been at a dead-end.
Based on Podoliak, Russia was attempting to place stress on the talks with its public statements.
Greater than 335,000 Ukrainian refugees arrived to Germany
For the reason that starting of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the German federal police have recognized 335,578 refugees from Ukraine. “The bulk are ladies, kids and outdated folks,” the Federal Ministry of the Inside mentioned on Twitter.
The precise variety of Ukrainian refugees in Germany is more likely to be larger as a result of Ukrainians can enter the nation with no visa.
The variety of Ukrainian college students at faculties and vocational faculties in Germany can also be rising.
Based on the Convention of Ministers of Schooling, prior to now week, these academic services have already taken in 58,225 kids and younger folks. It’s estimated that round half of the Ukrainian refugees in Germany are kids and younger folks.
Outstanding Putin critic is positioned underneath administrative arrest for 15 days
The courtroom in Moscow positioned Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr underneath administrative arrest for 15 days on prices of disobeying a police officer.
Kara-Murza was detained on Monday close to his personal home. The activist’s lawyer mentioned that the courtroom’s resolution could be appealed. Kara-Murza pleaded not responsible.
Kara-Murza has incessantly criticized Russia’s assault on Ukraine. He obtained medical look after poisoning signs in 2015 and 2017. The activist almost died of kidney failure within the first incident.
Mayor of Bucha mentioned 403 civilians discovered useless to date
Anatoliy Fedoruk, the mayor of the city of Bucha on the outskirts of Kyiv, mentioned authorities to date had discovered 403 our bodies of individuals they are saying had been killed by Russian forces throughout their weeks-long occupation of the realm.
Russia is accused of crimes in opposition to civilians after many had been left for useless on the road following Russia’s withdrawal after a weeks-long occupation of the city.
Putin calls conflict in Ukraine ‘noble’
Talking in Russia’s far east, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned the “objectives are completely clear and noble,” in terms of his resolution to invade Ukraine.
The Russian chief mentioned Western financial sanctions had been a “‘blitzkrieg’ that our ill-wishers had been relying on,” however mentioned nonetheless, “Our monetary system and trade are working rhythmically.”
Putin known as the conflict in Ukraine “a tragedy,” however mentioned, “There was merely no alternative, the one query was when it might begin. That is all.”
He additionally denied that Russian forces had been engaged in crimes in opposition to civilians in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb the place a number of folks had been discovered useless on the road when Russian forces withdrew.
World Financial institution has new $1.5 billion help package deal for Ukraine
World Financial institution President David Malpass mentioned the financial institution is making ready a brand new $1.5 billion help package deal for war-torn Ukraine.
The help package deal features a $1 billion cost from the World Financial institution’s fund for the poorest international locations.
Talking in Warsaw, Malpass mentioned the package deal was made attainable by approval Monday of $1 billion in Worldwide Improvement Affiliation help.
Malpass mentioned the financial institution was offering crucial companies, together with paying the wages of hospital staff, pensions and social applications.
Final month, the World Financial institution offered $923 million to Ukraine.
Ukraine conflict affecting creating world help
Martin Frick, the Germany director of the World Meals Program, advised DW, “We’ve so many food-insecure international locations which can be relying on imports from Ukraine and likewise Russia, significantly within the Center East and North Africa area, but in addition in sub-Saharan Africa and in Southern Africa.”
Frick added, “Among the many international locations which can be most dependent are, for instance, Lebanon or Egypt or Libya.”
Ukraine says 6 discovered shot useless in basement close to Kyiv
Ukraine’s prosecutor normal mentioned six folks had been discovered shot useless in a basement in Shevchenkove, close to Brovary, on the outskirts of Kyiv.
In a press release, the prosecutor normal mentioned these discovered “throughout an inspection of a personal residence” had “gunshot wounds.”
Zelenskyy urges EU to additional reduce Russian fuel and oil
Addressing Lithuania’s parliament on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that some European Union international locations can not resolve on limiting their Russian vitality use whereas conflict is raging in Ukraine.
“The European Union is discussing a sixth package deal of sanctions in opposition to Russia… And it’s nonetheless unknown whether or not oil might be sanctioned. Even after the massacres in Bucha and different cities. Even understanding concerning the deportations, even watching the deliberate destruction of peaceable cities with Russian missiles and air bombs, some EU international locations can not resolve once they no less than restrict the acquisition of Russian vitality,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
The president known as on EU international locations to set a deadline for ending imports of Russian fuel or no less than restrict consumption of Russian fuel and oil. “Solely on this manner will the Russian management come to the conclusion that actual peace have to be sought, that conflict is a disaster, initially, for them,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Based on him, “oil have to be added to the sixth package deal, Russian banks have to be sanctioned, however all of them.”
Addressing the Lithuanian lawmakers, Zelenskyy additionally mentioned that Ukrainians would lengthy bear in mind the efforts and sincerity of Lithuanians who supported Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. “You had been the primary to return to Ukraine’s help,” he mentioned, seemingly partly referring to Lithuania chopping all Russian vitality purchases earlier this month.
UN calls for unbiased investigation into rape as a weapon of conflict
“We’re more and more listening to of rape and sexual violence [in Ukraine]. These allegations have to be independently investigated to make sure justice and accountability,” the UN government director for ladies, Sima Bahous, advised a UN Safety Council briefing.
She added, “The mixture of mass displacement with the massive presence of conscripts and mercenaries, and the brutality displayed in opposition to Ukrainian civilians, has raised all crimson flags.”
Lyudmila Deniova, the human rights commissioner in Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, mentioned Russian troopers had raped minors. She known as on the UN to analyze.
Kryvyi Rih Olexander Vilkul, the top of Ukraine’s army administration, additionally mentioned Ukrainian ladies had been raped and victims within the Kherson area included a 16-year-old pregnant younger girl and a 78-year-old girl.
A Human Rights Watch report mentioned a 31-year-old girl had been raped a number of instances by a soldier within the Kharkiv area. Amnesty Worldwide reported a case of a girl being raped a number of instances after her husband was killed.
Ukraine investigating claims of chemical weapons use
Ukraine is investigating studies {that a} drone dropped chemical weapons on Ukrainian forces within the southeastern port metropolis of Mariupol, underneath siege for weeks, Deputy Protection Minister Hanna Malyar mentioned on Tuesday.
Malyar mentioned, “There’s a concept that these may very well be phosphorous munitions. Official data will come later.”
Russian-backed proxy forces within the semi-occupied Donetsk area have denied utilizing chemical weapons, although the regional forces’ spokesman threatened to take action the day earlier than on Russian state tv.
Russian financial system to contract by greater than 10% in 2022
Alexei Kudrin, the previous finance minister of Russia who serves now as the top of the Audit Chamber, mentioned the Russian financial system will contract by greater than 10% in 2022, in response to Russian state-run information company RIA.
The anticipated financial downturn, a results of sanctions, could be the most important drop in Russia’s gross home product because the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
Earlier forecasts noticed the likelihood for 3% development in 2022 after Russia expanded by 4.7% final 12 months.
Russia is dealing with hovering inflation and capital flight because the nation faces a attainable debt default.
Putin and Lukashenko meet in Russia’s east for Area Day
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian chief Aleksander Lukashenko met in Blagoveshchensk the place they visited the Vostochny Cosmodrome to mark “Area Day.”
Based on Russian state-run information outlet Tass, in the course of the go to to the cosmodrome, Putin mentioned, “A conflict with the anti-Russian forces bred in Ukraine was inevitable, it was solely a matter of time.”
He added, “As we speak, our officers are taking part in a particular army operation within the Donbas, in Ukraine. They supply help to the folks’s republics of Donbas. They act courageously, competently, effectively and successfully, they use essentially the most trendy sorts of weapons with distinctive, unparalleled traits.”
Area Day is the anniversary of when Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin turned the primary human to finish one orbit across the earth in 1961.
Russian-backed separatists deny chemical weapons use
Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for the Russian-backed separatists which have seized management of Donetsk, denied allegations that chemical weapons had been used in opposition to Ukrainian troops.
Basurin advised Russian state-run Interfax that Moscow-backed proxy forces “have not used. Any chemical weapons.”
On Russian state tv Monday, Basurin mentioned separatists will use “chemical troops” in opposition to Ukrainian forces at a large metal manufacturing unit in Mariupol “to smoke them out of there.”
Ukrainian forces in Mariupol claimed a drone had dropped a toxic substance.
Nokia broadcasts exit from Russian market
Finnish firm Nokia has introduced it is going to pull out of the Russian market. On Monday, rival Ericsson determined to droop its operations in Russia indefinitely.
Lots of of principally Western corporations have introduced they’re suspending enterprise in Russia or will depart the Russian market following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24.
The telecoms sector is exempt from some sanctions on humanitarian or related grounds, although Nokia mentioned quitting Russia was its solely alternative.
In an interview, CEO Pekka Lundmark mentioned, ” We simply merely don’t see any potentialities to proceed within the nation underneath the present circumstances.”
Nokia mentioned it halted deliveries to Russia in early March and “can now announce that we are going to exit the Russian market.”
In 2021, Russia accounted for lower than 2% of Nokia’s internet gross sales.
Russian forces put together offensive in japanese Ukraine
Russian troops goal to grab the southeastern port metropolis of Mariupol, residence to 400,000, on Tuesday. Operationally, Russia hopes to attach occupied Crimea with Moscow-backed separatist territories in Donetsk and Luhansk.
The Ukraine pressure’s Common Workers mentioned Tuesday morning that Russia will search to additionally seize Popasna, a small city within the Luhansk area of japanese Ukraine and launch an assault in town of Kurakhove from there. Russian forces are additionally at the moment amassing within the Belgorod and Voronezh areas of Russia on Ukraine’s border.
In Mariupol, Ukrainian forces are “surrounded and blocked,” Zelenskyy’s advisor Myhaylo Podolyak mentioned. Nonetheless, Ukraine’s military mentioned, “the protection of Mariupol continues.”
Russia says it destroyed ammunition depots
Russia’s Ministry of Protection mentioned its missiles destroyed ammunition depots within the Khmelnytskyi and Kyiv areas.
Russian forces struck an ammunition depot and airplane hangar on the Starokostiantyniv airbase in Khmelnytskyi area and an ammunition depot close to the city of Havrylivka north of Kyiv, the ministry mentioned on Tuesday.
9 humanitarian corridors open in japanese Ukraine
Iryna Vereshchuk, Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, mentioned 9 humanitarian corridors are open Tuesday for civilians, together with from Mariupol which has been underneath siege for weeks.
In a press release, Vereshchuk mentioned 5 of the 9 corridors had been from Luhansk within the nation’s east, which officers have mentioned is underneath heavy shelling.
WTO provides bleak outlook
The World Commerce Group (WTO) has projected world commerce development might virtually halve this 12 months.
The WTO mentioned the conflict was a “extreme blow” to the worldwide financial system which in the long run might even imply a disintegration of the world’s financial system into separate blocs.
Japan imposes new sanctions
Japan is freezing the belongings of 398 Russian figures, after the coverage was endorsed by the cupboard.
The people focused by the sanctions reportedly embrace Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughters and the spouse of Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Japan additionally intends to cut back its coal imports from Russia as a step in direction of an entire Russian coal embargo sooner or later.
Seven our bodies present in Borodyanka, close to Kyiv
Ukraine’s state emergencies service mentioned Monday that authorities found the our bodies of seven individuals who died within the city of Borodyanka, which lies close to Kyiv. The our bodies had been discovered underneath the rubble of two destroyed high-rise house buildings.
Lots of of rescue staff are searching for lacking residents within the area after Russian forces pulled out of areas close to the capital final month. The search continues to be ongoing.
UN: Practically two-thirds of Ukraine’s kids displaced
The UN’s kids company UNICEF mentioned almost two-thirds of all Ukrainian kids have fled their houses because the starting of Russia’s assault in late February.
UNICEF Director for Emergency Operations Manuel Fontaine mentioned 4.8 million of Ukraine’s 7.5 million kids have been displaced. He additionally mentioned that in 31 years of humanitarian work, he had by no means seen such a fast relocation of so many younger folks.
“They’ve been compelled to depart every thing behind — their houses, their faculties and, typically, their relations,” he advised the UN Safety Council. “I’ve heard tales of the determined steps mother and father are taking to get their kids to security, and kids saddened that they’re unable to get again to high school.”
US, UK working to analyze unconfirmed studies of chemical weapons use
The US and UK mentioned they’re working urgently to analyze unverified studies that Russia used chemical weapons within the southern metropolis of Mariupol.
Ukrainian MP Ivanna Klympush tweeted that an “unknown substance” had been used within the metropolis, which causes respiratory failure and motion problems.
“We can not affirm right now and can proceed to observe the state of affairs intently,” Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby mentioned in response. “These studies, if true, are deeply regarding and reflective of issues that we’ve had about Russia’s potential to make use of quite a lot of riot management brokers, together with tear fuel combined with chemical brokers, in Ukraine.”
“We’re working urgently with companions to confirm particulars,’ UK Overseas Secretary Liz Truss mentioned of the studies. “Any use of such weapons could be a callous escalation on this battle and we are going to maintain Putin and his regime to account.”
Nonetheless, Eliot Higgins, who runs the investigative company Bellingcat with a historical past each of uncovering Russian involvement in main incidents and of demonstrating using chemical weapons in Syria, warned in opposition to leaping to conclusions. He quoted scientist Carl Sagan’s maxim, “extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned throughout a Monday night deal with that the Russian army might use chemical weapons, however didn’t say that they’ve already executed so in the course of the invasion.
Outstanding Putin critic detained by police in Moscow
Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr. has been taken into police custody in Moscow, his lawyer mentioned Monday.
The explanations for his arrest haven’t been made clear. Kara-Murza, a journalist, has incessantly criticized Russia’s assault on Ukraine.
Kara-Murza obtained medical look after poisoning signs in 2015 and 2017. He almost died of kidney failure within the first incident.
Abstract of occasions in Ukraine-Russia disaster on Monday
German Overseas Minister Annalena Baerbock urged further weapons be despatched to Ukraine in gentle of “horrific photographs” popping out of the Kyiv suburb of Bucha and in different elements of the nation. German arms producer Rheinmetall mentioned it’s prepared to provide used tanks to Ukraine.
Throughout an deal with to South Korean lawmakers, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the southern metropolis of Mariupol “has been destroyed” amid fixed siege by Russian troops.
Mariupol’s mayor advised AP information company that no less than 10,000 civilians within the metropolis have been killed within the siege to date.
In the meantime, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Nehammer known as the hour-long speak with Putin “very direct, open and difficult.”
High EU diplomat Josep Borrell met with the chief prosecutor of the Worldwide Felony Courtroom (ICC). Borrell mentioned the bloc would offer monetary help and assist to the ICC in its investigation of conflict crimes in Ukraine.
Borrell additionally met with EU overseas ministers in Luxembourg. He mentioned the bloc would proceed talks on sanctioning Russia’s profitable oil and fuel exports, however added that “no resolution has been made right now.”
Journalist Marina Ovsyannikova, who boycotted the conflict throughout a Russian state-run information broadcast, will now work for Germany’s Die Welt newspaper.
A Russian parliamentary speaker advised dissenters similar to Osvyannikova ought to lose their citizenship.
France mentioned it might expel “six Russian brokers underneath diplomatic cowl.” The French Overseas ministry mentioned it uncovered a “clandestine operation carried out by the Russian intelligence companies on our territory.”
Warsaw seized an deserted Russian diplomatic compound and mentioned it might be made out there to the Ukrainian neighborhood.
ar, jsi, wd/msh, aw (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
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