DIRECT RTL INFO
1:45 p.m. – Russia expels two Finnish diplomats
Russian diplomacy announced Tuesday to expel two Finnish diplomats from Russia in retaliation for a similar measure taken by Helsinki, and to leave a forum of the Baltic countries, amid tensions due to the Russian offensive against Ukraine. The Finnish ambassador was summoned to the ministry on Tuesday, according to a press release from Russian diplomacy. During this interview, Russian diplomacy “strongly protested” against the expulsion of two employees of the Russian embassy in Finland.
11:11 a.m. – According to Moscow, 265 Ukrainian fighters from Azovstal have surrendered
Some 265 Ukrainian fighters entrenched in the Azovstal steelworks, the last stronghold of Ukrainian resistance in Mariupol, have surrendered to pro-Russian forces and been taken prisoner since Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
10:56 a.m. – The body of a Czech volunteer found in Ukraine
The body of a Czech man has been found in Ukraine, the Czech Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday and media have identified him as a volunteer who was shot dead. The 49-year-old truck driver had traveled to the war-torn country soon after the start of the Russian invasion to help transport displaced people to safety.
09:51 – The head of the British central bank warns of “apocalyptic” inflation
Andrew Bailey, head of Britain’s central bank, has warned of “apocalyptic” rises in food prices due to the invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has enough reserves but cannot export them, he told parliament in London. “It’s a big problem for our country, and for all developing countries.”
06:48 – Nearly 300 fighters evacuate the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol
A rescue operation of Ukrainian fighters from the huge Azovstal steelworks – the last pocket of resistance against the Russian army in the strategic port of Mariupol – was underway on Tuesday according to kyiv, which now considers that these men have “fulfilled” their mission . The soldiers of the garrison stationed in Azovstal, of which more than 260 have already been evacuated on Monday, have “fulfilled their combat mission”, welcomed the staff of the Ukrainian army in a press release, and order was given to their commanders to “save the lives” of those left behind.
06:46 – In Finland, reservists stand ready against the Russian threat
On a windswept island off Helsinki, Finns from all walks of life have come to spend their weekend in military training, with a surge of volunteers as their country wants to join NATO to protect itself from the Russia. While Finland’s military numbers just 13,000 professionals, the country of 5.5 million people boasts an impressive 900,000 reservists with a wartime army capable of reaching 280,000 troops. The symbol of a country that has always wanted to remain ready to face the worst.
4:51 am – At least 19 civilians dead in Russian strikes on eastern Ukraine
At least 19 civilians were killed Monday in Russian attacks on towns in Donbass, eastern Ukraine, local authorities reported. “The bombardment of Severodonetsk left at least ten dead”, said the head of the Lugansk regional government, Sergey Gaidai.