1:00, 22 Mar 2022
PUTIN'S fanatical soldiers today opened fire on innocent protesters demonstrating in the Russian-occupied city of Kherson.
The latest war crime committed in Putin's illegal invasion of the country reportedly took place when Kremlin-backed forces opened fire and threw stun grenades at crowds.
Social media video footage showed civilians running from the city’s Freedom Square.
Several people are reported to have been injured as witnesses reported hearing the sound of automatic gunfire.
Meanwhile, EU chiefs have condemned Russia’s attack on Mariupol “a massive war crime”.
It comes as a string of member states continue to push for sanctions on Moscow’s key energy sector.
Speaking at the start of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels on Monday, Josep Borrell said .“What’s happening now in Mariupol is a massive war crime, destroying everything, bombarding and killing everybody,”
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates...
Meghan and Harry issue harrowing statement on Ukraine
Meghan and Harry issued a harrowing statement following the death of “a member of our veteran community”.
The statement was released on the couple’s organisation, Archewell.
It read: “Our hearts are heavy as we acknowledge the recent loss of a member of our veteran community in Ukraine, who was defending his country from attack.
“We also pay tribute to the brave men and women from our global veteran community, past and present, who have long protected their countries and families with unparalleled strength and determination.
“We are continuing to work and speak with the Invictus Games Foundation daily to help however we can.”
Nine Ukrainian hospitals have been destroyed in just one month
Ukraine nine hospitals have been destroyed since the start of Russia’s invasion.
The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) said Russia has attacked 135 hospitals across the country as well as 43 ambulances.
Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin retells grandmother's escape from invasion
Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has detailed his grandmother’s journey out of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
The professional dancer, 24, who was partnered with Tilly Ramsay on the last series of the BBC One show, was born and raised in Ukraine before moving to Italy aged nine.
Speaking about his grandmother on The One Show, he said: “She managed to escape from Kyiv.
“We didn’t know if she would manage on the way from Kyiv to Poland, the streets in which the bus passes you don’t know if the Russian troops are going to shoot the bus and we were all the time anxious, there were two strike points.
“On the border she had to walk five-miles, she hadn’t walked until last year she had an operation, this is when your instincts kick in and she managed to do all of it and she surprised us.
“She’s just so brave and I just love her so much.”
Thanks for reading
Joe Gamp here, signing off from today's live coverage of the Ukraine-Russia war.
We hope you've enjoyed our real time, rolling blog coverage throughout the day.
My colleague Louis Allwood will return with the latest from 6am.
Kremlin tells Russians not to stockpile food amid sanctions
The Kremlin is urging the public to not panic buy or stockpile food or essentials amid a host of economic sanctions impsoed bu the West.
Deputy Prime Minister Viktoria Abramchenko said: "We are fully covering our needs in sugar and buckwheat.
"There is no need to panic, no need to stockpile those goods. There's enough for everyone."
She said Russia was increasing imports of dairy produce, fruit and vegetables, meat and animal feed from "friendly countries" to prevent food shortages.
Pentagon to begin gathering evidence of war crimes
Pentagon spokesman John Kirkby told a press conferencr tonight: "We certainly see clear evidence that Russian forces are committing war crimes and we are helping with the collecting of evidence of that.
"But there's investigative processes that are going to go on, and we're going to let that happen. We're going to contribute to that investigative process.
"As for what would come out of that, that's not a decision that the Pentagon leadership would make."
Graph: Russian military losses in Ukraine
This infographic details the amount of Russian personel and military losses during the month long conflict so far.
The estimates, from the Ukrainian ministry of defence, show over 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.
A further 1,535 armoured vehicles have also been destroyed, as well as 121 helicopters and 498 tanks.
Russia-Ukraine invasion: Latest developments
- Putin has been compared to Hitler after reports of “mass deportations of Ukrainians to work camps in Russia“
- Ukraine has refused to surrender Mariupol to Putin’s forces after a chilling Russian ultimatum
- Captured crying Russian soldiers claim their comrades have been thrown into mass graves as they call for an uprising against Putin
- Ukrainian intelligence claims Russian officials plan to poison Putin and have already chosen his successor
- Russian tanks ‘opened fire’ on an elderly care home in eastern Ukraine killing 56 and taking 15 hostage
- Dramatic Call Of Duty-style footage captures the moment Ukrainian forces blast a Russian Z-tank
Strictly star Nikita Kuzmin retells grandmothers escape from invasion
Strictly Come Dancing star Nikita Kuzmin has detailed his grandmother's journey out of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
The professional dancer, 24, who was partnered with Tilly Ramsay on the last series of the BBC One show, was born and raised in Ukraine before moving to Italy aged nine.
Speaking about his grandmother on The One Show, he said: "She managed to escape from Kyiv.
"We didn't know if she would manage on the way from Kyiv to Poland, the streets in which the bus passes you don't know if the Russian troops are going to shoot the bus and we were all the time anxious, there were two strike points.
"On the border she had to walk five-miles, she hadn't walked until last year she had an operation, this is when your instincts kick in and she managed to do all of it and she surprised us.
"She's just so brave and I just love her so much."
Zelensky says compromises with Russia will require national referendum
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday said any compromises agreed with Russia to end the war would need to be voted on by Ukrainians in a referendum.
"The people will have to speak up and respond to this or that form of compromise. And what they (the compromises) will be is the subject of our talks and understanding between Ukraine and Russia," he said in an interview published by Ukrainian public broadcasting company Suspilne.
Issues that could be raised in any referendum could concern territories occupied by Russian forces, including Crimea, or security guarantees offered to Ukraine by countries in lieu of NATO membership, he said.
PM discusses Russia's 'brutal tactics' with Biden, Macro and Draghi
Boris Johnson has discussed Russia's "brutal tactics" in Ukraine with US President Joe Biden, France's Emmanuel Macron and Italy's Mario Draghi, the White House said.
A statement said: "The leaders discussed their serious concerns about Russia's brutal tactics in Ukraine, including its attacks on civilians.
"They underscored their continued support for Ukraine, including by providing security assistance to the brave Ukrainians who are defending their country from Russian aggression, and humanitarian assistance to the millions of Ukrainians who have fled the violence.
"The leaders also reviewed recent diplomatic efforts in support of Ukraine's effort to reach a ceasefire."
Nine Ukrainian hospitals have been destroyed in just one month
Ukraine nine hospitals have been destroyed since the start of Russia's invasion.
The State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP) said Russia has attacked 135 hospitals across the country as well as 43 ambulances.
Russia passes details of 500 captured Ukrainians to the Red Cross - Interfax
Russia has passed details of more than 500 captured Ukrainians to the Red Cross, Interfax news agency quoted Russia's human rights commissioner as saying on Monday.
Russia is prepared to swap them for Russians captured by Ukraine, Tatyana Moskalkova was quoted as saying.
‘Russia engaged in genocide against Ukraine’
Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has accused Russia of committing acts of “genocide”.
Speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge programme, Olha Stefanishyna said she “absolutely believes” that acts of genocide have been committed.
She also aid that she believed that President Vladimir Putin and leaders in the Kremlin “are war criminals”.
Stefanishyna said that the number of “civilian victims” killed and injured during the Russian invasion has been “far greater than the armed forces of Ukraine,” and alleged that “women have been raped for hours and then murdered” by Russian soldiers.
Graph: Russian military losses in Ukraine
This infographic details the amount of Russian personel and military losses during the month long conflict so far.
The estimates, from the Ukrainian ministry of defence, show over 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed.
A further 1,535 armoured vehicles have also been destroyed, as well as 121 helicopters and 498 tanks.
Chernobyl radiaton levels around plant 'risk rising'
Ukraine's state-run nuclear company Energoatom has warned that radiation levels around the Chernobyl power plant "risk rising" as the systems in place to monitor radiation are not working.
"There is no data on the current state of radiation pollution of the exclusion zone's environment, which makes it impossible to adequately respond to threats," the company said in a statement.
Russia blamed for hoax calls taregting Boris Johnson's cabinet
The UK has publicly blamed Vladimir Putin's Russia for hoax calls targeting British ministers in the hope of securing sensitive or embarrassing information.
Home Secretary Priti Patel and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace both spoke to imposters posing as the Ukrainian prime minister, while an unsuccessful attempt was also made to target Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries.
Mr Wallace said at the time of the incident last week he believed Russia was to blame and Downing Street has now publicly pointed the finger at the Kremlin.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Russian state was responsible for the hoax telephone calls made to UK ministers last week.
"This is standard practice for Russian information operations and disinformation is a tactic straight from the Kremlin playbook to try to distract from their illegal activities in Ukraine and the human rights abuses being committed there.
"We are seeing a string of distraction stories and outright lies from the Kremlin, reflecting Putin's desperation as he seeks to hide the scale of the conflict and Russia's failings on the battlefield."
Mayor of Kyiv imposes new, longer curfew
The mayor of Kyiv said on Monday a new, longer curfew was being introduced in the Ukrainian capital because the authorities expect further shelling by Russian forces.
Mayor Vitali Klitschko had earlier on Monday announced a "reinforced curfew" in the Ukrainian capital from 8.00 p.m. (1800 GMT) until 7 a.m. on Wednesday. Parts of the city have come under fire repeatedly from Russian forces.
"The reason for the curfew is linked to the likelihood of new shelling," he said later on Monday on national television.
'Ridiculous' to prevent Chelsea fans attending FA Cup semi final
The Government has been urged to allow Chelsea fans access to FA Cup semi-final tickets, provided any proceeds go to the people of Ukraine.
Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, has called for changes to the special licence imposed upon the club after their owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British Government.
The intention of the licence is to deny the club - and by extension Abramovich, who the Government says has ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin - the ability to generate new revenue, including from ticket sales.
Chelsea fans were unable to buy any tickets for the FA Cup quarter-final win at Middlesbrough beyond those purchased prior to the imposition of sanctions, but Knight insists a solution must be in place ahead of the semi-final against Crystal Palace at Wembley next month.
"It is ridiculous that we face the prospect of a half-full Wembley for the Chelsea vs Palace FA Cup semi-final," Knight said.
"Chelsea is more than just its owner, it's a living organism with huge importance to its fans and community. It was understandable that, at short notice, last week's game against Middlesbrough went ahead without Chelsea fans but, with this much notice, the FA have no excuse for excluding them.
"The FA must be allowed to sell tickets to Chelsea fans so long as all money goes to the people of Ukraine."
Ukraine refuses to surrender Mariupol
The Russian military has offered Ukrainian troops defending the port of Mariupol to lay down arms and exit the city via humanitarian corridors - but the proposal was quickly rejected by the Ukrainian authorities.
Russia's Col. Gen. Mikhail Mizintsev said yesterday that all Ukrainian soldiers could leave the Azov Sea port Monday using safe routes for evacuating civilians that had been previously agreed with Ukraine and head to areas controlled by the Ukrainian authorities.
He said that all those who lay down arms will be guaranteed a safe exit from Mariupol.
Mizintsev added that Russia will wait for a written response to the Russian proposal from Kyiv - but didnt pertain to what action Russia will take if the humanitarian offer is rejected.
Ukrainian deputy PM Iryna Vereshchuk said that Kyiv has already told Russia that there can be no talk about surrender and laying down weapons, according to Ukrainska Pravda news outlet.
Vereshchuk rejected the Russian statement as "manipulation".
Pictured: Hero survivor of FOUR Hitler concentration camps, 95, killed by shell
Boris Romanchenko, 95, survivor of Buchenwald concentration camp, died in shelling during Russia’s military campaign to "rid Ukraine of Nazis".
War veteran Boris Romanchenko, 95, died in Kharkiv on Friday but his loss was only announced today.
He had also been incarcerated in concentration camps during WWII, including the Bergen-Belsen, Peenemünde, and Mittelbau-Dora camps.
A Russian strike hit his home in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second biggest city.
NINTCHDBPICT000720637782Credit: East2West 
NINTCHDBPICT000720637788Credit: East2West
Ukraine's global wheat exports to dramatically drop
Ukraine, a major global wheat exporter, is likely to export just 200,000 tonnes of wheat from March to June due to its Black Sea ports being blocked by the Russian invasion, analyst APK-Inform said on Monday.
The consultancy said in a report that 2021/22 July-June wheat exports would not exceed 18.3 million tonnes, while ending stocks will reach 5.9 million tonnes.
Ukraine exported 18.1 million tonnes of wheat from July 2021 to March 2022.
Arnold Schwarzenegger tells Russians 'the truth' about Ukraine
Arnold Schwarzenegger last week released a heartfelt video pleading with Russian soldiers to stop the war in Ukraine.
He described how his father Gustav Schwarzenegger, a member of the Nazi party who served in the Second World War, told him to take down a poster of a Russian weightlifting hero that was in his room.
He also drew comparison between his father's actions and those of Russiab soldiers, asking them: "Can you live with the guilt?"
The megastar tweeted: "I love the Russian people. That is why I have to tell you the truth. Please watch and share."
UN confirms 952 civilians killed 1,469 injured during Ukraine invasion
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has released it's most up to date of civilian casualties in ukraine.
As of midnight on March 20,, the country has recorded 2,421 civilian casualties.
The figure includes 925 people killed and a further1,496 injured.
Home Office: More than 10,000 visas have now been issued to Ukrainian refugees
The Home Office has announced 10,200 visas have now been issued to Ukrainian refugees under the government's Ukraine family scheme.
Under the scheme, those fleeing the conflict can join relatives already living in Britain.
Meanwhile the homes for Ukraine scheme, which more than 130,000 Britons have registered their interest in, allows people and organisations to sponsor Ukrainians and match them with a family.
The above figures are reflect total numbers as of 5pm on Sunday evening.
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17753076/ukraine-invasion-news-russia-war-latest-vladimir-putin/
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