Good morning. Fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues on Snake Island, with Russia repeatedly trying to bolster its troops.
“If Russia consolidates its position on Snake Island with strategic air defense and coastal defense cruise missiles, they could dominate the northwestern Black Sea,” the UK Department of Defense tweeted, referring to Snake Island’s alternative name.
Russia’s supply ships have minimal protection in the western Black Sea after the withdrawal of the Russian fleet to Crimea after the loss of Moscow, the tweet said.
Ukraine, meanwhile, has said its forces have seized villages from Russian troops north and northeast of Kharkiv, pushing a counter-offensive that could signal a change in the momentum of the war and threaten Russia’s main offensive.
Here’s what happened last night – and you can follow the latest updates on our live blog.
1. Ukraine is preparing to stop the flow of Russian gas to Europe
Ukraine says it is ready to stop the flow of Russian gas to Europe through a key transit point on Wednesday.
Ukraine remains a major route for Russian gas to Europe even after President Vladimir Putin ordered the February 24 invasion. Growing Western sanctions are seeking to ban or phase out Russian energy use.
Blaming Moscow for the move, the Ukrainian gas operator said it would divert gas from the Sohranvka transit point, which is in a Russian-occupied area, to another in a Ukrainian-controlled area.
2. The United States is taking the first step in approving $ 40 billion in aid to Ukraine
U.S. politicians voted Tuesday to send a $ 40 billion aid package to Ukraine as Washington warned that Russia was preparing for a long conflict with its neighbor.
Funding for defense, humanitarian and economic funding passed the House of Representatives by 368 votes to 57, with the leaders of the two parties already agreeing on the details and likely to pass through the Senate by the end of next week.
“With this aid package, America is sending a resounding message to the world of our unwavering determination to stand by the brave people of Ukraine until victory is won,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told fellow Democrats ahead of the vote.
3. The leader of the group Pussy Riot flees Moscow, disguised as a courier
The leader of the Russian activist group Pussy Riot managed to escape from Moscow disguised as a food courier to avoid a stay in a penal colony after criticizing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Maria Alekhina, a longtime critic of the Russian president, was under house arrest for her political activities and had to spend 21 days in a penal colony when she escaped.
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