What happened in Ukraine: Ukrainian armed forces say they have destroyed Russian military aircraft, Russia used its veto in the UN Security Council, more personal sanctions have been imposed on President Vladimir Putin.
1. Fighting continued in Ukraine
Ukrainian armed forces have said Russian troops attacked a Ukrainian military base on Kiev’s main street at night. According to the Ukrainian army, the attack was repulsed. Details of the events have not been reported so far.
According to eyewitness accounts, there have been loud explosions and artillery fire in Kiev at night.
The Ukrainian army has also said it shot down a Russian helicopter, a SU-25 plane and an II-76 transport plane carrying paratroopers at night. So far, there is no information about the injuries and Russia has not confirmed any losses.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi said earlier at night that Russian troops were attacking Kiev during the night.
2. Russia exercised its veto in the UN Security Council
Russia has used its veto to halt a UN Security Council resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 15 members of the Security Council voted in favor of the resolution drafted by the United States and Albania. China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstained.
Russia is one of the permanent members of the Security Council, so it has a veto over all resolutions.
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said after the vote that Russia can use its veto to overthrow the resolution, but cannot veto the Ukrainian people.
Thomas-Greenfield described the Russian invasion as brazen and bold that it threatened the entire international system.
A similar resolution is likely to be put to the vote later in the UN General Assembly, which is made up of all 193 member states. There is no veto in Russia.
3. The United States, Britain and the EU have imposed sanctions on Putin
The United States has announced sanctions against the Russian president To Vladimir Putin and the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavroville. In the past, similar sanctions have been reported by Britain and the EU. Spokesman for the White House Jen Psaki said the sanctions include a travel ban.
The imposition of personal sanctions on the head of state is rare.