Ukraine: The 47-member Council voted on a draft resolution on the situation of human rights in Ukraine. The resolution was adopted with 32 votes in favour, 2 against (Russia and Eritrea) and 13 abstentions, including India, China, Pakistan, Sudan and Venezuela. The Human Rights Council has decided to urgently establish an independent international commission of inquiry as a result of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine,” the Council said. Ukraine has asked the International Committee of the Red Cross to urgently assist in the creation of humanitarian corridors.
The European Commission said on Friday it had suspended cooperation and research programmes with Russia and Belarus because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The suspension of the cooperation means that no further payments will be made to Russia under these programmes. The EU has also halted two cooperation programmes with Belarus, which had a combined budget of 257 million euros.
A car carrying the family of Lyuba Kharechka, one of the heads of the Chernihiv Appellate Court, was shot dead; L. Kharechka and her husband were killed and their son was injured. Two schools in the city were completely destroyed yesterday evening. A powerful explosion also hit the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar. In addition, it is reported that the shelling of Ukrainian settlements continues. The head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, Serhiy Haidai, said that the bodies of 7 residents were found in Luhansk on March 3rd. Also, 13 people, including 2 children, were injured.
Amid the deepening crisis in Ukraine, British Queen Elizabeth II has come out in support of the victims. Prior to Elizabeth, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall had an emotional meeting with Ukrainians in London. The Ukrainian state nuclear company says three Ukrainian troops are killed and another two are wounded in Russia’s attack on a nuclear plant overnight. The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant caught fire overnight during a battle with Russian troops.