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       Moment shows Russian shelling of Kyiv shopping centre

       Russian President Vladimir Putin is committing war crimes in Ukraine, senior European leaders have claimed, amid a call for further sanctions as the only way to stop him.

       EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said “what’s happening in Mariupol is a massive war crime. Destroying everything, bombarding and killing everybody in an indiscriminate manner. This is something awful”. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also accused Mr Putin of committing war crimes.

       It comes after at least eight people were reported to have been killed when a Russian missile attack on a central Kyiv district destroyed a shopping centre overnight, with rescue teams still combing the rubble for survivors.

       Elsewhere, Ukrainian officials rejected a Russian demand that their forces in Mariupol lay down arms and raise white flags in exchange for safe passage out of the besieged strategic port city.

       Even as Russia intensified its attempts to bombard Mariupol into surrender, its offensive in other parts of Ukraine has floundered.

       Recommended Russia accused of bombing Mariupol art school as Zelensky warns of ‘third world war’ if peace talks fail The YouTube channels revealing what ordinary Russians really think of the war: ‘I want to show every perspective’ Ukraine war pushing UK aid programmes ‘to breaking point’, campaigners warn Russians will overthrow Vladimir Putin’s regime within five years, says Navalny aide Where can I donate items for Ukraine and which items are most needed?

       Key Points EU official accuses Putin of war crimes Eight killed in shopping centre blast Leak after ammonia tank in Sumy damaged: Officials UK claims stalled Russian forces more than 25 kms from Kyiv Ukraine says no question of surrendering Mariupol Zelensky warns of ‘Third World War’ if negotiations with Russia fail

       Show latest update 1647866199 Breaking - Kremlin behind hoax telephone calls made to cabinet ministers, says No 10

       The Kremlin was responsible for hoax calls last week to two British ministers, the government has revealed.

       Both defence secretary Ben Wallace and home secretary Priti Patel received such calls, with Mr Wallace’s hoaxer pretending to be Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

       “The Russian state was responsible for the hoax telephone calls made to UK ministers last week,” Boris Johnson’s spokesman said.

       Kremlin behind hoax telephone calls made to cabinet ministers, No 10 reveals The Kremlin was behind the hoax telephone calls that got through to Ben Wallace and Priti Patel, Downing Street has revealed.

       Rory Sullivan 21 March 2022 12:36

       1647865990 David Beckham hands control of Instagram account to Ukrainian doctor

       David Beckham handed over his Instagram account on Sunday to a Ukrainian doctor to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

       The former England footballer allowed Iryna, who is head of a perinatal centre in Kharkiv, to show his 71.6 million followers the reality of the conflict for those working on the frontline.

       “Today I’m going to show you how we work in times of war and who we have become during these war days,” she said.

       David Beckham hands control of Instagram account to Ukrainian doctor The former footballer hopes the move will increase awareness of the situation in the conflict zone

       Rory Sullivan 21 March 2022 12:33

       1647865657 Poland seeks constitution change to raise defence spending

       Poland’s government wishes to change its constitution so the country can spend more money on defence and can confiscate Russian oligarch’s assets, following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

       “The Polish army must be immediately equipped to the highest standards, therefore one of the proposed changes to the constitution will be the exclusion of expenditure on the army and armaments from the public debt threshold,” a government spokesperson said on Monday.

       They also expressed its wish to seize assets of individuals and companies which support Putin’s war in Ukraine. This money would be then be given to humanitarian causes, they added.

       Warsaw also intends to impose higher taxes on firms which continue operations in Russia.

       For these plans to be implemented, other parties will need to support the Polish government, as changes to the constitution require a two-thirds majority in the lower house and an absolute majority in the opposition-controlled Senate.

       Rory Sullivan 21 March 2022 12:27

       1647865097 Boris Johnson says he had offered Zelensky and his family refuge in the UK

       Boris Johnson has said that he had offered Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and his family refuge in the United Kingdom around the time Russia invaded Ukraine.

       The possibility had been discussed “ages ago”, the UK prime minister said. But, he added: “Volodymyr has always been clear, his duty is to the Ukrainian people; he’s going to stay there, he’s going to look after them.”

       “I have to say I admire him,” Mr Johnson added.

       He also praised Mr Zelensky as a “heroic war leader” for the way he has “brought his people together” and “mobilised the world.”

       Here is the story:

       Johnson says he had offered Zelensky and his family refuge in the UK Johnson also praises Zelensky as a ‘heroic war leader’

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 12:18

       1647864497 Kyiv resident sweeps his destroyed apartment

       An extraordinary photo shows a Kyiv resident sweeping his bomb-damaged apartment, which is missing a wall.

       It is one of thousands of images to capture the devastation and daily trauma endured by those living in areas under Russian bombardment.

       A man sweeps in his apartment ruined after Russian shelling on a shopping centre in Kyiv

       (AP)

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 12:08

       1647863957 Further EU sanctions unlikely for now as Germany pushes for pause

       The imposition of a new round of sanctions by the EU, including asset freezes and travel bans, appears unlikely for now (reports AP).

       A group of countries led by Germany wants a pause on new measures for now, amid concern about high energy prices and fears that Russia might halt gas exports to Europe.

       Some also want to save sanction ammunition for any new and major war atrocity, such as the use of chemical weapons.

       “We are doing everything to close loopholes in the sanctions” that have already been agreed, Ms Baerbock said.

       But Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, whose country borders Russia and Belarus, warned against “sanctions fatigue”.

       “We cannot get tired, imposing sanctions. We cannot get tired, offering assistance and help to Ukraine,” he said.

       Mr Landsbergis said the EU must start thinking about what kind of attack by Russia would constitute a “red line” for tougher measures.

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 11:59

       1647863237 Luhansk warehouses hit by Russian shelling

       Firefighters have responded to a large-scale fire at a warehouse following shelling in Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine.

       According to the Luhansk Regional State Administration, State Emergency Service of Ukraine personnel were involved in extinguishing 10 fires on Sunday, caused by shelling by the occupying Russian troops.

       (EPA)

       (EPA)

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 11:47

       1647862704 Ireland backs measures to ‘hold Putin to account'

       Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney has said his country is “certainly open to other mechanisms for accountability in terms of the atrocities that are taking place in Ukraine right now” with the prospect of Vladimir Putin appearing before the International Criminal Court in The Hague looking unlikely.

       Mr Coveney said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is probably the first “war being played out on social media, where people see images happening live, and they’re outraged by it”.

       “This is driving a fury across the European Union within the public as to why can’t we stop this,” he said. “They want people held to account for the decisions taken and the brutality that we have seen.”

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 11:38

       1647862428 Back our appeal and petition to help the people of Ukraine

       The Independent is raising money for the people of Ukraine – if you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.

       So far our appeal has raised ￡139,000 for the people of Ukraine, but they need more, please give what you can to help support them.

       The Independent has also set up a petition calling on the UK government to be at the forefront of the international community offering aid and support to those in Ukraine.

       To sign the petition click here. We want to get 250,000 signatures as soon as we can to help put as much pressure on the government as possible, please add your support today.

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 11:33

       1647861737 Slovenia to return diplomats to Kyiv ‘soon'

       Slovenia’s prime minister, Janez Jan？a, has tweeted that his country will “soon” return diplomats to Kyiv.

       He said he was urging the EU to do the same.

       Those returning to the war zone would be “volunteers”, he said.

       Tom Batchelor 21 March 2022 11:22

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