UKRAINIAN President Volodymyr Zelensky urged NATO to impose a no-fly zone over his country or see its member states attacked by Russia.
Speaking in a video released shortly after midnight, Zelensky said: “If you don’t close our sky, it is only a matter of time before Russian rockets fall on your territory, on NATO territory.”
NATO will respond with “full force” if Russian attacks stray into member countries, the US national security adviser warned on Sunday.
It comes as least one person died and 12 were wounded following an air-strike on a residential building in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, the country’s emergency service said Monday.
“As of 07:40, the bodies of two people were found in a nine-storey apartment building, three people were hospitalised and nine people were treated on the spot,” the emergency service said on Facebook, adding that the building was in Kyiv’s Obolon district.
It comes as Russian airstrikes killed at least 35 people at a military base near the border of NATO member Poland on Sunday.
The base is where foreign instructors were helping Ukrainians, however it is not known whether they were there at the time.
Foreign military instructors have worked at the Yavoriv International Center for Peacekeeping and Security.
Russian forces fired more than 30 cruise missiles at the Yavoriv military base near Lviv, injuring 57 people, according to Ukrainian authorities as Kyiv warns Vladimir Putin could start “provoking” Nato countries.
Follow our Russia-Ukraine live blog below for up-to-the-minute updates…
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Nearly 147,000 refugees registered in Germany so far
Nearly 147,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine have registered in Germany so far, said an interior ministry spokesperson on Monday.
The spokesperson told a regular news conference that 146,998 people had registered so far and added that the actual number of refugees currently in Germany could be much higher.
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Russia – Ukraine talks have begun
The latest round of talks between Russia and Ukraine has started.
However, Ukrainian presidential adviser and negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak has said communication in the negotiations remains tough.
Tweeting a photo of the talks, which are being conducted via video conference, Mr Podolyak said: “The parties actively express their specified positions. Communication is being held yet it’s hard.
“The reason for the discord is too different political systems.”
“Ukraine is a free dialogue in society and a mandatory consensus. Russia is the ultimate suppression of its own society.”
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Apartment block strike death toll revised
We earlier reported that three people were thought to have died following a Russian artillery strike on a residential district in the Obolon area of Kyiv.
The State Emergency Service has now revised this number, confirming only one fatality due to the early morning strike.
It is understood that three people were wounded in the attack, which took place at 5am local time in an area just seven miles from central Kyiv.
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Sajid Javid: ‘Very unlikely’ Russian missiles will land in NATO territory
It is not impossible that Russian missiles could land in NATO territory but it is very unlikely Sajid Javid has said, adding that the alliance would respond if it did happen.
Asked about the possibility of Russian missiles landing on NATO territory after a weekend attack on a Ukrainian military training base near Poland, Javid told BBC Radio: “It is not impossible … but I still think at this stage it’s very unlikely.”
“We’ve made it very clear to the Russians, even before the start of this conflict, even if a single Russian toecap steps into NATO territory, then it will be considered an act of war.”
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Ukraine will demand an ‘immediate ceasefire’ at talks today
Ukraine said Monday it would demand an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian troops during a fourth round of negotiations to end more than two weeks of fighting after Moscow launched an invasion of Ukraine.
“Peace, an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of all Russians troops — and only after this can we talk about regional relations and about political differences,” Kyiv’s lead negotiator Mikhailo Podolyak said in a video statement posted to Twitter.
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UK airlifts 21 Ukrainian children for cancer care, says Government
More than 20 Ukrainian children with cancer have been airlifted to the UK, the government said on Monday, as an appeal began for Britons to take in refugees in their homes.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the 21 children had been receiving treatment in Ukraine but were forced to leave their homes because of Russia’s invasion.
They are now being given “life-saving” care by the state-run National Health Service (NHS) and have been accompanied by their carers, he told Sky News television.
The government in London has been criticised for insisting that those fleeing the conflict and wanting to join family in the UK have to apply for visas to be able to travel.
Its insistence on security checks and visas has earned it unfavourable comparisons with the European Union, which has allowed Ukrainians visa-free stays for up to three years.
As of Saturday, “just over 3,000” visas had been granted under a UK scheme for family members, Javid told Times Radio.
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More on the apartment block shelling in Obolon, Kyiv
According to local media, firefighters are working to put out a massive blaze at a 9-storey apartment block in the nation’s capital.
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In pictures: Firefighters work to put out Kyiv apartment block blaze
The shocking image below, released by the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, shows firemen working to extinguish a fire in an apartment building hit by shelling in the Obolon district of Kyiv.
A Russian air strike on a residential building in Kyiv killed one and wounded several others, Ukrainian emergency services said on March 14.
NINTCHDBPICT000718787929Credit: AFP
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Good morning
Good morning, Joe Gamp here signing in to our live, real-time coverage of the war in Ukraine.
My colleague Louis Allwood will be with you from 10am.
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Russia and Ukraine latest
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Instagram no longer accessible in Russia
Instagram was no longer accessible in Russia on Monday after its parent company Meta was accused by Moscow of allowing calls for violence against Russians on its platforms.
Instagram’s app was not refreshing without a VPN connection on Monday, AFP journalists said.
The social network also appeared on a list of online resources with “restricted access” published by Russia’s media regulator Roskomnadzor.
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Australia joins allies in sanctioning Russian oligarchs
Australia said on Monday it was imposing new sanctions on 33 Russian oligarchs and business people, including Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller, over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia supported moves by the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and New Zealand to take action against key Russians.
“Many of these oligarchs have facilitated, or directly benefited, from the Kremlin’s illegal and indefensible actions in Ukraine since 2014. In some cases the sanctions also include immediate family members,” Payne said.
Australia had earlier imposed sanctions on Russian politicians, including President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, members of the Russian parliament and oligarchs after the invasion of Ukraine.
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Moment giant unexploded bomb removed from flat in Ukrainian city
THIS is the incredible moment a giant Russian bomb is removed from a flat in a city totally destroyed by Kremlin forces.
The explosive device’s removal meant a miracle escape for those inside the block but others in the city of Chernihiv have been less fortunate.
Russian forces have been accused of deliberately killing civilians in the city after 47 people died in one attack allegedly using deadly cluster bombs last week,
One person was killed today and another injured in a Russian airstrike that destroyed a residential block, emergency services said.
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Brent Renaud was shot dead while fleeing Russian soldiers
Brent Renaud was shot dead while fleeing Russian soldiers who opened fire at him after he stumbled upon their checkpoint, it’s reported.
Juan Arredondo, who was wounded in the lower back, told Italian journalist Annalisa Camilli he and Mr Renaud were shot after they were stopped at a checkpoint just after a bridge in Irpin.
“We crossed the first bridge in Irpin. We were going to film other refugees leaving and we got into a car, someone offered to take us to the other bridge,” he said.
“We crossed the checkpoint and they started shooting at us. So the driver turned around and they kept shooting.”
Mr Arredondo said his colleague, who he named as Mr Renaud, was hit in the neck and remained on the ground earlier on Sunday.
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White House adviser warns Russia of ‘severe price’ if it carried out a chemical attack
The White House national security adviser has warned Russia that it would pay a “severe price” if it carried out a chemical weapon attack.
Jake Sullivan said the US and allies were consulting closely about the increased threat.
He added that any attack on the territory of a Nato member state would trigger a full response by the alliance.
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Brits to be given £350-a-month to open homes to Ukraine refugees with applications launched from TOMORROW
BRITISH families who open their homes to Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war will be given a £350-a-month “thank you” payment.
The venture will kick off from tomorrow with hopes the cash incentive will encourage people to take in those who have been forced to leave their homeland behind.
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Chelsea given £110m Government lifeline to ensure they finish Premier League season
CHELSEA have been handed a £110million cash lifeline — to ensure they can finish the season.
The Government’s decision to ease their financial stranglehold on the Blues came as sanction-hit Russian owner Roman Abramovich was BANNED by the Premier League.
World and European club champions Chelsea were in danger of plunging into administration after the Government’s stringent licence limited funds to meet their £28m monthly wage bill and all other outgoings.
But MPs yesterday revealed that two days of negotiations with club chiefs had resulted in a revised licence which will now allow the Blues to access previously FROZEN television and prize money.
Chelsea are permitted to use all the potential £35m in TV income from the Prem and Uefa until the end of the season PLUS all prize money they are due from domestic and European competitions.
They are set to pocket £39m from the Prem if they stay in third place — and up to £36m if they retain their Champions League crown.
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More than 2,100 Mariupol residents killed
The City council of Mariupol have said that 2,187 residents in the city have been killed due to the Russian invasion.
Local officials said there had been at least 22 Russian strikes on the city in the past day.
“People have been in a difficult situation for 12 days. There is no electricity, water or heating in the city. There is almost no mobile communication. The last reserves of food and water are running out,” a statement said.
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Chelsea fans display Roman Abramovich flag
CHELSEA fans proudly displayed a banner in support of Roman Abramovich after the billionaire was slapped with sanctions by the UK government.
The oligarch was sanctioned over his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea are now unable to sell tickets to matches, with only season ticket holders able to attend games at Stamford Bridge.
Abramovich is also banned from selling the club or any players, with the Russian unable to make any money from the club with his assets frozen.
The Blues are not allowed to flog any club merchandise or extend stars’ contracts either, with only sales of food and drink in the stadium permitted.
With the club in disarray, fans have shown their support for Abramovich – who took over the club in 2003.
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Martin Roberts reveals he’s halfway through 26-hour ‘mercy dash’ to drop supplies in Ukraine
HOMES Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts has revealed he’s halfway through a 26-hour “mercy dash” in Ukraine.
The TV star took to Twitter in a video update as he admitted he had been driving through the night through France.
Martin, 58, looked exhausted as he filmed from his phone standing behind a van packed from top to bottom with supplies.
He admitted he had only slept a few hours as he prepared for the second leg of his journey across Germany and Poland.
It comes days after the star revealed his plans to drive the packed van across Europe to help those affected by Putin’s attacks in Ukraine.
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Zelensky’s incredible speech to the House of Commons was up there with Churchill in 1940
This is a comment piece by Karren Brady
I DON’T keep a journal, but when something remarkable happens, I make a point of writing it down in the back of my diary.
Sometimes that is once a month. Sometimes it’s once a year.
I had one of those moments last week when, in my role as a member of the House of Lords, I was invited to the Commons to watch Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s historic address.
All business in both houses stopped so we could hear him speak, and translation was provided. And it was truly remarkable.
As I waited for the address to start, I sat chatting to Lord Fellowes (who wrote Downton Abbey and the fantastic new Sky series The Gilded Age).
My first impression was that the poor man looked exhausted.
Zelensky said he hadn’t slept and it showed.
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Zelensky outlines most important task
Zelensky says the most important task is to bring aid to the besieged city of Mariupol.
He said a humanitarian convoy was just 80km which has been under constant attack from Russian forces for almost a week.
“We are doing everything to break the resistance of the occupiers, who are blocking even priests of the Orthodox Church,” Zelensky wrote, in a post on Facebook.
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Abramovich’s mansion ‘could be used to house Ukraine refugees’
ROMAN Abramovich’s £150m Kensington mansion could soon be home to Ukrainian refugees thanks to a government proposal.
Cabinet sources have revealed Levelling-up Secretary Michael Gove has put forward the idea to house the homeless victims of war in the lavish homes of Russian oligarchs.
Michael Gove said he wants to “explore an option” of using sanctioned individuals’ properties to house Ukrainian refugees.
He told the BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: “I want to explore an option which would allow us to use the homes and properties of sanctioned individuals – as long as they are sanctioned – for humanitarian and other purposes.
“There’s quite a high legal bar to cross and we’re not talking about permanent confiscation.
“But we are saying: ‘you’re sanctioned, you’re supporting Putin, this home is here, you have no right to use or profit from it – and more than that, while you are not using or profiting from it, if we can use it in order to help others, let’s do that’.”
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