Around 4 a.m. Central European Time on Thursday, Russia’s ruler Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine. Since then, fighting has raged in the country. The happening here in the blog.
After the Russian attack, Ukraine finds itself in a decisive battle for the capital Kiev. “The fate of the country is being decided right now,” said President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday night. The Ukrainian armed forces reported fighting early in the morning. But the situation remained unclear. According to estimates by the United Nations, around 50,000 people have fled across the borders to other countries. Germany is also getting ready for admission.
Russian President Vladimir Putin attacked the neighboring country on Thursday. Already on Friday, Russian troops advanced to the outskirts of the capital Kiev, which was also shelled from the air. Fighting also erupted around Odessa, Mariupol and other cities across the country.
The European Union and the USA do not want to intervene militarily in the conflict, but have imposed severe sanctions, including on Putin himself. The punitive measures are aimed at causing considerable damage to Russia and its economy. Among other things, the refinancing options of the state and selected private banks and companies will be restricted. In addition, the EU imposes export restrictions on strategically important goods.
Here are the developments in the live blog
7.51 a.m .: Russian troops capture the Kiev hydroelectric power station
According to a media report, Russian troops have captured the Kiev hydroelectric power station in the north of the Ukrainian capital region. The Interfax news agency reports this, citing the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy.
7.44 a.m .: Zelenskyj wants to stay in Kiev – “Will not lay down arms”
In a new video message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed his will to persevere in the fight against the Russian attack. “We will not lay down our arms, we will defend our state,” he says in the video, in which he was apparently standing in front of his official residence in Kiev. He himself will stay in Kiev.
7:18 a.m.: Heavy fighting on the Black Sea coast
The Ukrainian government has also reported fighting near the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odessa on the Black Sea coast. “Heavy fighting is taking place near Mariupol,” Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podoliak said at a briefing. “But there is no chance that Mariupol will surrender or be taken.”
7.15 a.m .: Cyber attacks on German infrastructure possible
Digital and Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) is also preparing for cyber attacks against the German infrastructure as part of Russia’s attack on Ukraine. “We currently have no specific information, but there is a high probability that it will be,” Wissing told the “Welt am Sonntag”. “We are prepared, vigilant and able to act at any time.” An increase in Russian propaganda and disinformation can be observed.
7.11 a.m .: Eastern Europe expert expects longer Ukraine war
Eastern Europe expert Alexander Wöll does not expect the war in Ukraine to end any time soon. “At first it looked like the President of Ukraine (Volodymyr Zelenskyy) would be assassinated in no time. But what I expected is developing, that it will be an incredibly bloody and very, very long war,” said the professor for culture and literature of Central and Eastern Europe at the University of Potsdam of the German Press Agency. Russian President Vladimir Putin had prepared the attack “for years”.
7:08 a.m.: Airstrikes on areas in eastern Ukraine reported
Airstrikes are reported from eastern Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian military, areas near the cities of Sumy, Poltava and Mariupol were attacked from the air. Cruise missiles were fired at Ukraine from the Black Sea.
7.01 a.m .: Military base in Kiev attacked
According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops have attacked a military base in Kiev. The attack was repelled, the Ukrainian military said. According to a report by the Ukrainian agency Interfax, Russian troops are also trying to attack a power plant in Kiev.
Click here for the LiveBlog archive:
Russian paratroopers near Kiev
100,000 fleeing in Ukraine, Chernobyl conquered
Putin ready for “high-level negotiations” with Ukraine
Sirens howl! The battle for Kiev rages!