– 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 Chernihiv.
– 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 –
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.
– 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.
