Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: what we know on day eight
Russia seizes city of Kherson; assault on Kyiv and Kharkiv continues; ICC to investigate possible war crimes
A firefighter walks among debris after Russian shelling in Kharkiv. Photograph: Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images
Samantha Lock
Thu Mar 03 2022 - 10:54
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed it is opening an investigation into possible war crimes in Ukraine and begun collecting evidence. The ICC process was sped up after 38 countries formally referred reports of atrocities to it, the largest referral the court has ever received.
The strategically important Sea of Azov port city of Mariupol is reportedly surrounded by Russian troops. Mariupol city council said Russia was constantly and deliberately shelling critical civilian infrastructure, leaving the city without water, heating or power and preventing bringing supplies or evacuating people.
The capital, Kyiv, has come under more heavy shelling as Russian forces step up their offensive and move forces closer towards the city in an apparent attempt to encircle it.
Police in Moscow detained two women and five children holding a poster outside the Ukraine embassy that said "No to war". Police allegedly threatened to strip the women of custody of the children. In St Petersburg, Yelena Osipova, an activist said to have survived the infamous wartime siege of Leningrad was detained for protesting against the war.
Russian paratroopers landed in Ukraine's second city, Kharkiv, following several days of bombardment that has killed or wounded dozens of civilians. Four more people died on Wednesday, local authorities said, adding the city was still under their control.
More than 350 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and more than 2,000 injured, according to Ukraine's emergency service. Hundreds of structures including transport facilities, hospitals, kindergartens and homes have been destroyed, it said.
Ukraine claimed nearly 7,000 Russian troops had been killed in the first six days of Moscow's invasion. Russia's defence ministry said 498 Russian soldiers had died in Ukraine since the start of its campaign, its first statement on casualties.
The UN General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to deplore Russia's invasion of Ukraine and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces. On Wednesday, 141 of the 193 member states voted for the resolution, 35 abstained and five – Russia, Belarus, Syria, North Korea and Eritrea – voted against.
A second round of talks is reportedly to get under way on Thursday. A Russian negotiator said a ceasefire was on the agenda, but Ukraine has said Moscow's demands are unacceptable and Russia must stop bombing Ukrainian cities before any progress can be expected. – Guardian
