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Combat Operations
Ukraine
Russia
United States
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News Reports

Combat Operations

• 130 Rescued in Ukrainian Theater Bombing, Search for Missing Continues VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukrainian officials say they have yet to find any casualties in the ruins of a theater hit by a Russian airstrike this week in the southern city of Mariupol as Russian forces continue to fire on Ukrainian cities and negotiators from both countries seek to find common ground.
• Humanitarian, Protection Needs Rising as Ukraine Conflict Escalates VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- The U.N. refugee agency is warning that millions of Ukrainians inside and outside their country desperately need humanitarian and protection assistance as Russia's invasion of Ukraine escalates and spreads to new areas of the country.
• Fighting Reaches Center Of Mariupol As Putin Puts Up Defiant Appearance RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Some 130 people have been rescued so far from a theater in the besieged city of Mariupol that was hit by a Russian air strike, but "hundreds" more are still trapped under the rubble, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said, as Mariupol's mayor said that fighting for the strategic Black Sea port has reached the city center.
• Situation in Mariupol Dire, Residents Lack Food, Electricity, Sputnik Correspondent Reports Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- The situation in Mariupol is tense with residents lacking food and electricity and have to leave the city amid continued clashes in downtown, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Friday, adding that the main roads out of the city are blocked by barricades.
• Polish Border Guard Says More Than 2 Million Refugees Arrived From Ukraine RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Poland's Border Guard service says the number of refugees entering the country from Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked attack has crossed the 2 million mark, more than the population of the capital, Warsaw.

Ukraine

• Operational information on 18.00, 17.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion Ukraine MOD 18 Mar 2022
• Operational information on 12.00, 18.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion Ukraine MOD 18 Mar 2022
• Operational information on 06.00, 18.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion Ukraine MOD 18 Mar 2022
• Operational information on 24.00, 17.03.2022 regarding the russian invasion Ukraine MOD 18 Mar 2022
• By attacking Ukraine, Russia will destroy everything it has achieved over the past 25 years - address by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy President of Ukraine 18 Mar 2022
• As of March 18, nine humanitarian corridors have been agreed upon, and a hotline for information on war prisoners and missing persons has been launched - Iryna Vereshchuk President of Ukraine 18 Mar 2022
• Our tactics is when the enemy does not know what to expect from us - address by the President of Ukraine President of Ukraine 18 Mar 2022
• Zelensky urges Germany to provide more support People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called on Germany to take a leadership role in providing more support for his country.
• Ukraine, Russia may agree on peace deal within week and half: Ukrainian presidential advisor People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on Thursday it would take between a few days and a week and a half for Ukraine and Russia to reach a peace agreement, the Ukrainian online media outlet Liga.net reported.
• Zelensky, Macron discuss France's support for Ukraine over phone People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that he held a telephone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss France's support for Ukraine.

Russia

• Telephone conversation with President of France Emmanuel Macron President of Russia 18 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron at the French side's initiative.
• Telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz President of Russia 18 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Olaf Scholz at the latter's initiative.
• Putin, Scholz hold phone talks over Ukraine situation People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday held a phone conversation with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, saying that Moscow is ready to search for solutions to the Russia-Ukraine conflict during negotiations with the Ukrainian side.
• German Leader Scholz Urges Putin To Call Cease-Fire In Ukraine During Phone Call RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to order a halt to Moscow's attack on Ukraine so as to allow for a diplomatic solution to be reached while also avoiding a humanitarian catastrophe.
• Meeting with permanent members of the Security Council President of Russia 18 Mar 2022 -- The President held a briefing session, via videoconference, with permanent members of the Security Council.
• Executive Order on additional provisional measures to ensure financial stability in foreign exchange regulation President of Russia 18 Mar 2022 -- The President signed Executive Order On Additional Provisional Economic Measures to Ensure Financial Stability of the Russian Federation In Foreign Exchange Regulation.
• Concert marking the anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia President of Russia 18 Mar 2022 -- Vladimir Putin attended a concert marking eight years since Crimea's reunification with the Russia, at the Luzhniki Sports Centre in Moscow.
• Russia's Putin accuses Ukraine of stalling talks Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused Kiev of trying to stall peace talks even though Moscow is ready to search for solutions to end the military conflict in Ukraine.
• Putin: Main Goal of Russian Operation in Ukraine is to Set Donbass Free From Genocide Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- The special operation was ordered by President Vladimir Putin on 24 February following weeks of intensive shelling reported by the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). Putin described its goals as the demilitarisation and de-Nazification of Ukraine.
• Russia demands U.S. disclose information on biolabs in Ukraine People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry on Thursday asked Washington to provide all information on the activities of U.S.-linked biological laboratories in Ukraine.

United States

• Secretary Blinken's Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba US Dept. of State 18 Mar 2022
• Ukraine-California Ties Show Worth of National Guard Program DoD News 18 Mar 2022 -- When Russia invaded Ukraine with more than 150,000 troops Feb. 24, most people — especially Russian President Vladimir Putin — expected a Russian cakewalk.
• Commerce Department Identifies Commercial and Private Aircraft Exported to Russia in Apparent Violation of U.S. Export Controls US Dept. of Commerce 18 Mar 2022 -- Today, the U.S. Commerce Department, through its Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), publicly identified commercial and private aircraft that have flown into Russia in apparent violation of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

NATO

• NATO Chief Says 100,000 US Troops Now in Europe as Russia Continues Its Special Op in Ukraine Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- During a special operation in Ukraine, under way since 24 February, Russian troops have only destroyed the country's military infrastructure with high-precision weapons, which don't target Ukrainian civilians, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

United Nations

• IOM Regional Ukraine Response Situation Report - 18 March 2022 IOM
• Update 25 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine IAEA 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukraine informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today that Ukrainian engineers were repairing one of three disconnected power lines linking the country's largest nuclear power plant to the electricity grid and expected it to be working again early next week, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said.
• UNHCR warns of rising needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries, calls for cessation of hostilities UNHCR 18 Mar 2022 -- With more than 3.1 million refugees forced to flee Ukraine over the past three weeks, and millions internally displaced within the country, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning that humanitarian needs are increasing exponentially.
• Poland welcomes more than two million refugees from Ukraine UNHCR 18 Mar 2022 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today acknowledged the enormous support of the Polish authorities and civil society for those who have been forced to flee Ukraine, after the number of arrivals passed the two million mark within three weeks.
• Ukraine invasion: Needs keep growing with cities facing 'fatal shortages'; breakthrough as UN convoy reaches Sumy UN News 18 Mar 2022 -- After a missile attack near the airport in Lviv in western Ukraine early on Friday, UN humanitarians warned that the situation across the country remains dire, as Russia's military invasion continues.
• No sign of Ukraine bioweapons labs says disarmament chief, after further Russian claims UN News 18 Mar 2022 -- The UN is not aware of any biological weapons programme being conducted in Ukraine, the Organization's disarmament chief told the Security Council once more on Friday, responding to fresh allegations by the Russian Federation, that it had evidence to the contrary.

Foreign Reactions

• Europe goes on buying spree for US weapons amid Ukraine war Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- Feeling increasingly unnerved by Russia's military offensive in Ukraine, many European countries have turned to the United States with a bucket list of arms, including drones, missiles, and missile defenses.
• Ukraine refugees: Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the Temporary Protection Directive European Commission 18 Mar 2022 -- Since the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 3 million people have fled the country, with UN estimates suggesting that more than half of them are children. To respond to this unprecedented situation, the EU agreed in record time to activate the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing war in Ukraine. The Directive became immediately applicable on 4 March and now offers immediate protection and a clear legal status to millions of people.
• We urge Russia to stop this invasion now: UK statement at the UN Security Council, 18 March 2022 UK FCDO 18 Mar 2022 -- UK Ambassador Barbara Woodward gave a statement at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.
• British Media Regulator Revokes Russian RT's Broadcasting License In U.K. RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Britain's media regulator, Ofcom, says it has revoked Russian-backed television channel RT's license to broadcast in the United Kingdom "with immediate effect."
• Chinese FM urges US to reflect on its responsibility using a string of questions to respond to foreign media's pressure over the Ukraine crisis Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- "As the initiator of the Ukraine crisis, why does the US not reflect on its and NATO's responsibility of causing the current security crisis in Europe? Why does it not rethink its hypocrisy in fanning the flames of the Ukraine crisis? Why doesn't the EU media rethink how the region has become a battlefield?" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian asked in response to some foreign media's questions on China's stand on the Ukraine crisis.
• China's Xi calls for immediate end to Ukraine conflict in call with Biden Press TV 18 Mar 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his American counterpart, Joe Biden, that the ongoing war in Ukraine has to end as soon as possible.
• Xi calls for end to Ukraine conflict in call with Biden Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden during a video call on Friday that the war in Ukraine must be stopped and called for talks between NATO countries and Moscow, but made no mention of Russia's role in sparking the conflict.
• China Maintains Independent Stance on Ukraine Crisis as US Threatens Backlash for Supporting Russia Sputnik 18 Mar 2022 -- Beijing adheres to an independent position on the Ukrainian crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday, commenting on Washington's threats to take action in event of China's support for Russia.
• Readout of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Call with President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China The White House 18 Mar 2022
• Background Press Call by a Senior Administration Official on President Biden's Call with President Xi Jinping of China The White House 18 Mar 2022
• Biden Warns Xi About 'Consequences' Of Chinese Support For Russia's Ukraine War RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden has outlined to his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the "consequences" of any support for Russia in its war against neighboring Ukraine, the White House said.
• In Call, Biden Warned Xi Not to Support Russia VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- U.S. President Joe Biden spoke to Xi Jinping on Friday, warning the Chinese leader not to provide material support to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a day after Biden's top diplomat acknowledged that Washington believed Beijing is willing to provide such support.
• China sends tough signal ahead of Xi-Biden talk to set firm position on bilateral ties, Ukraine issue Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- Just hours before the phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden on Friday, China, in a rare move, sent tough signals, stating it will never accept US threats and coercion over the Ukraine issue and vowing to make a strong response if the US takes measures harming China's legitimate interests.
• Exclusive: China never accepts US coercion on Ukraine, will take strong countermeasures if interests of Chinese companies, individuals violated Global Times 18 Mar 2022 -- An anonymous official told the Global Times that at the request of the US, Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden will hold a phone call to exchange views on China-US relations and the Ukraine situation; out of considerations of bilateral relations, promoting peace talks and urging the US to take right stance, China accepted the proposal.
• Xi stresses joint China-U.S. efforts for world peace, tranquility PLA Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- China and the United States must not only guide their relations forward along the right track, but also shoulder their share of international responsibilities and work for world peace and tranquility, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.
• Xi Jinping: Countries should not come to the point of meeting on the battlefield. Conflict andconfrontation are not in anyone's interest. Peace and security are what the international community should treasure the most. PRC MofA 18 Mar 2022
• Putin, Erdogan discuss Russia-Turkey ties, Ukraine People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed bilateral cooperation and the Ukrainian crisis during a phone conversation on Thursday.
• Facts about Russia-Ukraine conflict: Erdogan renews proposal to bring Putin, Zelensky together People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues on Friday as relevant parties are working to broker a peaceful solution. Following are the latest developments of the situation:
• Erdogan renews proposal to bring Putin, Zelensky together People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his offer to bring the leaders of Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, during a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Thursday.
• Ukrainian, Turkish FMs to work on organizing meeting between Zelensky, Putin People's Daily 18 Mar 2022 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and his visiting Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu during their talks on Thursday agreed to focus on organizing a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
• More Assertive Japan Stands Up to Russia Over Ukraine VOA 18 Mar 2022 -- Pallets loaded onto the Japanese Self-Defense Force cargo aircraft this month contained bulletproof vests, helmets, and other nonlethal military equipment - much different from the shoulder-fired missiles, drones, and other weapons many Western countries have sent to Ukrainians fighting Russia's invasion.
• 'Police intervention' cancels Ukrainian fundraising event in Hanoi Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- Vietnamese police have prevented Ukrainians in Hanoi from holding a fundraiser on Saturday to help those affected by Russia's attacks on the Eastern European nation, organizers said.
• Support for Russia in Indonesia linked to anti-Western views, analyst says Radio Free Asia 18 Mar 2022 -- While some in Indonesia have condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many are voicing support for Moscow on social media, a phenomenon that one observer says is rooted in anti-Western sentiment and a love of "strong figures."

News Reports

• In Belarusian Morgues And Hospitals, Clues To Russian Military Losses in Ukraine RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- There's no room in the morgue at Mazyr. It's filled with the bodies of Russian soldiers.
• Russian State TV Cuts Putin's Speech Mid-Sentence, Kremlin Blames Technical Issue RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Russian state television channel Rossia-24 cut away from President Vladimir Putin in mid-sentence as he was delivering a speech to a huge crowd of Muscovites at the Luzhniki sports stadium in the Russian capital.
• The Week In Russia: War And Warnings Of A Purge RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- President Vladimir Putin sought to justify Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the Kremlin's intense crackdown at home in an alarming, falsehood-filled address as civilian casualties mounted. A maverick protester on Russian state TV said Putin bore sole responsibility for the "fratricidal" conflict, and U.S. President Joe Biden called him a "war criminal."
• Kazakhstan To Use Ruble When Doing Business With Russia, Belarus RFE/RL 18 Mar 2022 -- Kazakhstan has decided to use Russian rubles for the payment of customs fees in bilateral trade after Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine made it impossible to use other foreign currencies.