Belarus is expected to directly deploy its armed forces in Ukraine, thereby aiding Russia in its invasion. However, a senior U.S. defense official says that there are no indications that Belarusian troops have been deployed yet. (The Washington Post) (The Hill)
Belarus–Ukraine relations Belarus is expected to directly deploy its armed forces in Ukraine, thereby aiding Russia in its invasion. However, a senior U.S. defense official says that there are no indications that Belarusian troops have been deployed yet. (The Washington Post) (The Hill)
Diplomats from the U.S., United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, China, and Iran gather in Vienna, Austria to seek a deal to revive the 2015 Iran deal. (Euronews)
International reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian football clubs from international competitions and also ban the Russian national football team from competing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. UEFA also ends its sponsorship with Russian energy firm Gazprom. (BBC Sport) The International Ice Hockey Federation suspends all Russian and Belarusian clubs, as well as the respective national teams of the two countries, from its competitions. It also withdraws Russia's hosting rights of the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. (USA Today)
Lynching in the United States The U.S. House of Representatives votes 422–3 to pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, a bill that would make lynching a federal crime in the U.S. (The Washington Post)
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) raises the interest rate from 9.5% to 20%, the highest rate since 2003. The Russian ruble also loses more than a quarter of its value at the beginning of trading, with ranges of 100–120 rubles to the US dollar. (The Guardian) (Reuters)
The first round of peace talks conclude. Both delegations will return to their respective capitals for consultations prior to a second round of talks, which will be held at the Belarus–Poland border. (Mint)
The International Ice Hockey Federation suspends all Russian and Belarusian clubs, as well as the respective national teams of the two countries, from its competitions. It also withdraws Russia's hosting rights of the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. (USA Today)
The United Nations Security Council votes in favour of a British-drafted resolution to place an arms embargo on the Houthis. (Voice of America)
The United States announces it is expelling 12 Russian people in New York who are a part of Russia's delegation to the United Nations, saying they are "intelligence operatives" who have "abused their privileges of residency" by engaging in "espionage activities." (The Hill)
The United States says it will continue to provide arms to Ukraine to aid that country in its defense against Russian aggression. (MilitaryNews)
Ukraine–United States relations The United States says it will continue to provide arms to Ukraine to aid that country in its defense against Russian aggression. (MilitaryNews)
The Russian Armed Forces warn Kyiv residents to leave the city as its armoured convoy approaches the city's outskirts. The Russians also warn people living around the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine to evacuate, with the stated purpose of "thwarting informational attacks against Russia". (Reuters) (TASS) (The Guardian)
Belarusian Ground Forces units enter northern Chernihiv Oblast, according to a senior Ukrainian territorial defence forces official. However, the Ukrainian presidential office says that there is no evidence that this has happened. Belarus previously said that it would not send its armed forces to Ukraine. (Ukrayinska Pravda) (Rzeczpospolita)
Belarusian involvement in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Belarusian Ground Forces units enter northern Chernihiv Oblast, according to a senior Ukrainian territorial defence forces official. However, the Ukrainian presidential office says that there is no evidence that this has happened. Belarus previously said that it would not send its armed forces to Ukraine. (Ukrayinska Pravda) (Rzeczpospolita)
Kyiv offensive A Russian military convoy that is about 64 kilometers (40 miles) long continues to advance toward Kyiv, as the invasion enters its sixth day. (BBC News) A senior U.S. defense official asserts that the convoy has "stalled" amid the Ukrainian military response and fuel and food shortages, but also warns that the Russian troops are "certain to regroup". (NBC News)
Palestinian displacement in East Jerusalem The Israeli Supreme Court rules that four Palestinian families in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood that were expected to be evicted can remain in their homes for the time being. (AP)
The Israeli Supreme Court rules that four Palestinian families in East Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood that were expected to be evicted can remain in their homes for the time being. (AP)
American health officials report that the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protects children over the age of 5 years from hospitalizations and deaths due to the Omicron variant. (ABC News)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 vaccination in the United States American health officials report that the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protects children over the age of 5 years from hospitalizations and deaths due to the Omicron variant. (ABC News)
COVID-19 vaccination in the United States American health officials report that the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine protects children over the age of 5 years from hospitalizations and deaths due to the Omicron variant. (ABC News)
The cargo ship Felicity Ace, which was carrying cars from Germany to the United States, sinks in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, after catching fire and being evacuated on February 16. (AP)
A Western intelligence report indicates that China had some level of knowledge about the Russian invasion of Ukraine as it requested Russian officials not to invade during the 2022 Olympic Games. China disputes the accuracy of the reports, saying they are a way to shift blame on the country and smear it. (The New York Times)
Anti-lockdown rioters clash with police at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington. A fire breaks out, destroying a children's playground. Several police officers are injured and 38 protesters are arrested. (The Guardian) (Stuff)
China–Russia relations A Western intelligence report indicates that China had some level of knowledge about the Russian invasion of Ukraine as it requested Russian officials not to invade during the 2022 Olympic Games. China disputes the accuracy of the reports, saying they are a way to shift blame on the country and smear it. (The New York Times)
COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in New Zealand Anti-lockdown rioters clash with police at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington. A fire breaks out, destroying a children's playground. Several police officers are injured and 38 protesters are arrested. (The Guardian) (Stuff)
Protests against responses to the COVID-19 pandemic COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in New Zealand Anti-lockdown rioters clash with police at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings in Wellington. A fire breaks out, destroying a children's playground. Several police officers are injured and 38 protesters are arrested. (The Guardian) (Stuff)
An emergency special session of the UN General Assembly adopts a resolution calling for Russia to end the invasion. (The Washington Post) (The Guardian)
Battle of Kharkiv Russian forces launch airstrikes on Kharkiv National University and a local police department. (CNN)
Battle of Kherson Russian Ground Forces say that they have captured the Black Sea port of Kherson. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense denies this claim, stating that the battle is ongoing. (CNN) The mayor of Kherson says that the city has fallen to the invading Russian forces. (The New York Times)
Censorship of Wikipedia, Media freedom in Russia Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, threatens to block the Russian Wikipedia for hosting an article on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which the regulator alleges to be factually inaccurate. The same concerns the Russian edition of US-sponsored Voice of America (VOA); Current Time TV (a joint publication of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA) is already reported to be blocked in the country. (Reuters) (Axios)
Kherson offensive Battle of Kherson Russian Ground Forces say that they have captured the Black Sea port of Kherson. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense denies this claim, stating that the battle is ongoing. (CNN) The mayor of Kherson says that the city has fallen to the invading Russian forces. (The New York Times) Siege of Mariupol The mayor of Mariupol reports mass casualties and a water outage from "non-stop" Russian bombardments. (Reuters)
Members of the Free Papua Movement gun down eight people at a Telkomsel telecommunications tower in Puncak Regency, West Papua. (U.S. News & World Report)
Papua conflict Telkomsel shooting Members of the Free Papua Movement gun down eight people at a Telkomsel telecommunications tower in Puncak Regency, West Papua. (U.S. News & World Report)
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby announces that the U.S. will postpone a Minuteman III ICBM missile test in an effort to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (Reuters)
Russia–United States relations Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby announces that the U.S. will postpone a Minuteman III ICBM missile test in an effort to de-escalate tensions between Russia and Ukraine. (Reuters)
Russia's communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, threatens to block the Russian Wikipedia for hosting an article on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which the regulator alleges to be factually inaccurate. The same concerns the Russian edition of US-sponsored Voice of America (VOA); Current Time TV (a joint publication of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA) is already reported to be blocked in the country. (Reuters) (Axios)
Russian forces launch airstrikes on Kharkiv National University and a local police department. (CNN)
Telkomsel shooting Members of the Free Papua Movement gun down eight people at a Telkomsel telecommunications tower in Puncak Regency, West Papua. (U.S. News & World Report)
The mayor of Kherson says that the city has fallen to the invading Russian forces. (The New York Times)
2022 NFL season The National Football League and National Football League Players Association announce that they will eliminate COVID-19 testing and other protocols for the 2022 season following a revision to U.S. CDC guidelines and a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ESPN)
COVID-19 pandemic in the United States COVID-19 pandemic in Indiana Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb signs an executive order ending the state’s COVID-19 emergency. (The Indianapolis Star)
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports 2022 NFL season The National Football League and National Football League Players Association announce that they will eliminate COVID-19 testing and other protocols for the 2022 season following a revision to U.S. CDC guidelines and a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ESPN)
International reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Media freedom in the European Union, Censorship in the United Kingdom Russian television network RT is taken off-air in the EU and the United Kingdom due to its coverage of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (BBC News) RT America ceases production and fires most of its employees. It expects the layoff to be permanent. (CNN)
Iran–United States relations U.S. State Department principal deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter says that efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have made "significant progress" but urges Iran not to wait any longer. (Times of Israel)
Nuclear program of Iran Iran–Saudi Arabia relations Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says that his country will continue talks with regional rival Iran in order to reach an agreement between the two countries. Bin Salman also reaffirms his support for a "strong" nuclear deal that would prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. (Reuters) Iran–United States relations U.S. State Department principal deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter says that efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal have made "significant progress" but urges Iran not to wait any longer. (Times of Israel)
Reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Russia–United States relations Russia and the U.S. establish a hotline in an effort to prevent escalation between the two nuclear powers. (Reuters)
RT America ceases production and fires most of its employees. It expects the layoff to be permanent. (CNN)
Siege of Chernihiv Vyacheslav Chaus, the governor of Chernihiv Oblast, says that at least 33 people have been killed and at least 18 others injured in Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Chernihiv. (National Post) (U.S. News & World Report) (NDTV)
The National Football League and National Football League Players Association announce that they will eliminate COVID-19 testing and other protocols for the 2022 season following a revision to U.S. CDC guidelines and a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases. (ESPN)
Vyacheslav Chaus, the governor of Chernihiv Oblast, says that at least 33 people have been killed and at least 18 others injured in Russian airstrikes on residential areas in Chernihiv. (National Post) (U.S. News & World Report) (NDTV)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War Italian police seize the yacht of Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov at the port of Imperia. Another yacht owned by Putin associate Gennady Timchenko is blocked at the port and is expected to be seized shortly. Both men have been sanctioned by the European Union. (The Guardian)
Internet censorship in Russia Russia blocks access to the websites of foreign government-sponsored corporations BBC News, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for spreading so-called "false information" about the "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia also blocks access to Facebook and Twitter for the same reason. (Reuters) (Politico) (Meduza)
Russia blocks access to the websites of foreign government-sponsored corporations BBC News, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty for spreading so-called "false information" about the "special military operation" in Ukraine. Russia also blocks access to Facebook and Twitter for the same reason. (Reuters) (Politico) (Meduza)
Italian police seize the yacht of Russian oligarch Alexei Mordashov at the port of Imperia. Another yacht owned by Putin associate Gennady Timchenko is blocked at the port and is expected to be seized shortly. Both men have been sanctioned by the European Union. (The Guardian)
2022 anti-war protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine Anti-war protesters gather in Kherson to protest Russia's occupation of the city. (The New York Times)
A tornado outbreak across the Midwestern United States kills six people from at least ten tornadoes, with the National Weather Service issuing multiple particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado warnings. (WHO-TV)
Anti-war protesters gather in Kherson to protest Russia's occupation of the city. (The New York Times)
International reactions to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine Protests against the Russo-Ukrainian war 2022 anti-war protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine Anti-war protesters gather in Kherson to protest Russia's occupation of the city. (The New York Times) International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian war Italian police seize luxury villas and yachts worth 143 million euros from five Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned by the European Union. (Reuters)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian war Italian police seize luxury villas and yachts worth 143 million euros from five Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned by the European Union. (Reuters)
Protests against the Russo-Ukrainian war 2022 anti-war protests in Russian-occupied Ukraine Anti-war protesters gather in Kherson to protest Russia's occupation of the city. (The New York Times)
Tornado outbreak of March 5, 2022 A tornado outbreak across the Midwestern United States kills six people from at least ten tornadoes, with the National Weather Service issuing multiple particularly dangerous situation (PDS) tornado warnings. (WHO-TV)
Italian police seize luxury villas and yachts worth 143 million euros from five Russian oligarchs who have been sanctioned by the European Union. (Reuters)
Russia–United Kingdom relations The United Kingdom's Foreign Office advises British citizens to leave Russia immediately if their presence is "not essential", citing the "lack of available flight options to return to the UK", and the "increased volatility in the Russian economy". (Sky News) Russian Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Zakharova says that Russia will "not forget" British support for "Ukrainian ultra-nationalists", as well as the supply of British weapons to Kyiv, which are being used against Russian forces. (The Statesman)
The United Kingdom's Foreign Office advises British citizens to leave Russia immediately if their presence is "not essential", citing the "lack of available flight options to return to the UK", and the "increased volatility in the Russian economy". (Sky News)
Visa and Mastercard suspend operations in Russia following "Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine". Visa says that it would cut off transactions "over the coming days", and that once a full ban is in place, bank cards issued in Russia will no longer work abroad. (The Independent)
International sanctions during the Russo-Ukrainian War A Russian government directive is published ordering moving all government institutions and Internet service providers servicing them to switch to Russian DNS servers and (whenever possible and applicable) to the .ru domain zone as well as substitute all foreign-hosted Javascript code with equivalent code hosted onshore by March 11. Russian authorities, however, do not plan to cut off from the global Internet network themselves. (The Register) (Kommersant)
A 19-year-old Palestinian stabs an Israeli police officer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Police open fire on the attacker, killing him. One of the police is injured by friendly fire. (The Times of Israel) (Al Jazeera)
A Russian government directive is published ordering moving all government institutions and Internet service providers servicing them to switch to Russian DNS servers and (whenever possible and applicable) to the .ru domain zone as well as substitute all foreign-hosted Javascript code with equivalent code hosted onshore by March 11. Russian authorities, however, do not plan to cut off from the global Internet network themselves. (The Register) (Kommersant)
Insurgency in the Maghreb The Nigerien government confirms reports that five soldiers were killed on Friday by an improvised explosive device bombing in Torodi, Tillabéri Region. (TRT World)
Israeli-Palestinian conflict A 19-year-old Palestinian stabs an Israeli police officer in the Old City of Jerusalem. Police open fire on the attacker, killing him. One of the police is injured by friendly fire. (The Times of Israel) (Al Jazeera)
The Nigerien government confirms reports that five soldiers were killed on Friday by an improvised explosive device bombing in Torodi, Tillabéri Region. (TRT World)
A convoy of truckers inspired by the Canadian convoy protesters gather at the Capital Beltway in Washington, D.C. to call for all COVID-19 restrictions and mandates to be lifted. (CNN)
Protests against responses to the COVID-19 pandemic A convoy of truckers inspired by the Canadian convoy protesters gather at the Capital Beltway in Washington, D.C. to call for all COVID-19 restrictions and mandates to be lifted. (CNN)
The United States start talks with Venezuela about supplies of its oil, currently under sanctions, in an attempt to substitute the Russian crude. So far the talks yielded few results. (Reuters)
