March 3, 2022

WAR BULLETIN

Ukraine Defense Ministry

As of March 3, 8.00 p.m. (EST)
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant hit by shelling, is on fire.
The Panamanian-flagged civilian ship “HELT was sunk by gunfire from a
Russian warship.
The enemy fears ordinary Ukrainian villagers so much that Russians have
started extermination of entire villages.
The moral and psychological condition of the Belarusian paratroopers is
extremely low. Officers and soldiers do not want to play the role of Russian
mercenaries.
Russia is liable as a state on international and individual levels. If Russia is
not held accountable the credibility of international law will be permanently
undermined.
Officially, Ukraine and Russia reached understanding on the establishment
of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians.
Ukrainian Government is creating four funds that will be used to rebuild
the country.
The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine sent a number of appeals to
influential companies and institutions with a request to apply severe measures
against Russia.

WAR ROOM

As a result of Russian shelling, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the
largest nuclear power plant in Europe, has been hit and is on fire. If it blows up,
it will be 10 times larger than Chornobyl. Russians are not allowing the
firefighters to put out the fire.
General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
The Armed Forces of Ukraine maintain certain boundaries near Volyn direction.
On the territory of the Republic of Belarus there are 38 separate assault brigades
of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
According to available information, the command of the military unit received
an order to cross the border with Ukraine. Command how to act according to the
combat order will be made after crossing the border.
The moral and psychological condition of the Belarusian paratroopers is
extremely low. Officers and soldiers do not want to play the role of Russian
mercenaries. A significant number called for the termination of contracts, most of
which expire in May.
According to available data, the enemy brought into the territory of Ukraine
most of the group created to attack the country. Out of 117 man-powered and
equipped BTGs, no more than six remain, which are not on the territory of Ukraine,
the moral and psychological condition of these units is at a low level.
The enemy is delaying the landing in the Odesa-Zatoka area.

To carry out missile strikes on objects on our territory, the Russian invaders
used almost all the ammunition of the Caliber missile complex, which was intended
for the offensive operation in Ukraine. Currently, the enemy is replenishing supplies.
In the Siverskyi region, mechanized and tank units are defending the occupied
frontiers around Chernihiv.
In Slobozhanshchyna, mechanized units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are
effectively conducting defensive battles with the overwhelming forces of the enemy,
and are successful in some areas. The enemy suffers heavy losses.
During heavy defensive battles, the Joint Forces thwarted the plans of the
Russian invaders and prevented the enemy from entering the administrative borders
of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The Ukrainian city of Mariupol remains an example
of heroic resistance to the Russian invasion.
According to the plans of the Russian curators, the marching companies of
Donetsk and Luhansk reservists will be urgently transferred to Kharkiv.
In the Primorsky direction, units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are conducting
a defense operation in the operational zone and covering part of the sea coast. Part of
the forces are preventing the enemy from breaking through the area of the settlements
of Kherson and Mykolayiv.
Kyiv City Defense Group continues to repel the enemy’s offensive, inflict fire on
him and maintain defensive lines around the city and major airfields. Unsuccessfully,
the enemy fired on civilian buildings from the southwestern outskirts of the
Ukrainian capital.
At the same time, the aggressors are acting defiantly in the information space,
spreading disinformation and materials of Kremlin propaganda.
Air Force Command of UA Armed Forces
Due to the fierce resistance of the Ukrainians, the occupier incurs significant
losses in aircraft, armored vehicles, and manpower.
The air defense units destroyed three more Russian aircrafts. Su-30SM, Su-34,
and Su-25 of the Russian occupiers were annihilated. Enemy helicopter losses are
being clarified.
Kharkiv region
The enemy fears ordinary Ukrainian villagers so much that they have started
clinically exterminating entire villages.
As announced earlier, at 22:57 on March 2, 2022 village Yakivlivka of
Merefiansk hromada Kharkiv district was under an air raid.
At least 30 private houses, as well as personal vehicles and barns, were
destroyed by bombs.
7 people were injured, 10 rescued from under the rubble. Unfortunately, 3 of our
fellow citizens died.
The State Emergency Service of Ukraine
As of 3:30 p.m., the bodies of 22 people were removed from the rubble as a
result of air strikes in Chernihiv.
(https://fb.watch/bwC43Agqj5/)

State Border Service of Ukraine
The Panamanian-flagged civilian ship “HELT”, taken hostage by invaders the
day before yesterday, was sunk by gunfire from a Russian warship.
We have now received voice messages exchanged by the boatswain with a
representative of the shipowner.
“Know this, it’s all Russia’s fault, they started the war and they bombed HELT
too,” was the message sent by the boatswain of the downed ship, not knowing if he
and the crew would be able to escape.
According to reports, the boatswain and the cook had survived and were trying
to locate the rest of the crew. Meanwhile, the dry cargo ship was completely sunk. A
Russian Navy ship prevented the rescue operation by threatening to open fire.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the aggressor fleet has
already shelled five civilian ships, one of which was completely sunk, and another
with a cargo of 600 tons of diesel fuel has been on fire for several days, which the
hijackers do not allow to extinguish.
In addition, three civilian ships remain hostage to the invaders and cannot move
because of a threat from the Russians.
(https://bit.ly/3CdnYPT)

POLICY

Office of the President of Ukraine re talks with Russia
Officially, Ukraine and Russia reached understanding on the establishment of
humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians. Same corridors will be used for
the provision of medicine and food into the cities with the most concentrated fighting
with the possibility of temporary cease fire (only in the areas of humanitarian help).
With this goal, special channels of network and collaboration will be created.
Logistic procedures are to be established shortly. “We hope to continue to discuss
other aspects of the truce soon.” stressed Podoliyak.
Prime Minister of Ukraine
The Blietzkrieg failed. None of the regional centers in Ukraine are surrendering
to the enemy. Ukraine is transitioning to a state of total resistance. In cities and
villages, people are blocking the military vehicles, attacking the convoys, and
capturing Russian soldiers.
The whole world stands with Ukraine. Thousands of international volunteers are
coming to Ukraine to fight on the side of freedom. Ukraine has received tons of
weapons from its allies.
The world helps us financially. Today was signed a memorandum on macro-
financial support from the EU amounting to 1.2 billion Euros. Within the next hours,
an agreement will be signed on creating a multi-donor monetary fund including a
World Bank loan amounting to $1.8 billion.

Ukraine is also calling on international organizations such as the International
Atomic Energy Agency to demand from NATO to immediately close Ukrainian sky
over Nuclear power plants.
Ukraine is also calling on the UN and Red Cross. After attacking civilians,
Russian troops are seen by the whole world as terrorists. They don’t allow to provide
help for the wounded. In several cities, children, the elderly, and pregnant women are
trapped by the enemy. Many of them have been surviving without electricity, heat,
water supply, food, and medical help for a few days now. The invader doesn’t create
green corridors for evacuation. Ukraine demands to ensure green corridors to
evacuate and help everyone who needs it.
Despite enemy attacks, all systems ensuring the proper functioning of the state
are intact. There is undeniable stability in the work of Ukrainian Government.
Despite the war, Ministry of Social Policy and Pension Fund have paid all pensions to
almost 13 million retired citizens in Ukraine. The Government prepared an assistance
program for all Ukrainians who have lost their jobs. Every employee and sole
proprietor who lost their job due to war will receive 6500 UAH unconditionally
during March.
Ukrainian Railways started procuring food, fuel, medicines, electricity, and
other important goods and services for the population. The enterprise will be in close
contact with military administrations to address the most pressing needs of people
and the state.
Ukrainian Government is creating four funds that will be used to rebuild the
country.

  1. Fund for the Restoration of destroyed property and infrastructure. With the
    aim to rebuild every house, apartment, school, kindergarten, hospital,
    bridge, and road that the invaders destroyed.
  2. Fund for Economic Recovery and Transformation. Ukraine will address it`s
    partners to provide ‘Ukrainian Marshall Plan.’
  3. Debt Service and Repayment Fund. Focus of the fund will be arround
    fulfillment of all Ukrainian obligations. On March 1, the Ministry of
    Finance made a coupon payment of $292 million on Eurobonds. In the face
    of Russian invation financial aid to support Ukrainian obligations will be
    welcomed and needed.
  4. Affected Business Support Fund. Tasked with helping business return to
    it1s full scale activities.
    (https://www.facebook.com/president.gov.ua/videos/1392499094556139/)
    Prosecutor general of Ukraine
    Russia is attacking Ukrainian cities in violation of international humanitarian
    law.
    Russian forces are using cluster munitions and other weapons prohibited by
    international humanitarian law to bomb civilian population.
    1000 civilians are dead, more than 20 children have been killed, 1 million of
    Ukrainians left the country.
    Russia is liable as a state on international and individual levels. If Russia is not
    held accountable the credibility of international law will be permanently undermined.

International community was unanimous on imposing sanctions on Russia. “We
welcome the decision of the prosecutor of international criminal court to proceed
with investigation of Russian and Belarus crimes against Ukraine.” underlined
Venediktova.
Ukrainians are also investigating Russian crimes to ensure criminal
accountability of these crimes.
Ukraine appeal the international community to commence investigations in the
committed war crimes. Lithuania and Poland are already investigating the war crimes
on the territory of Ukraine.
The international community should consider strengthening sanctions against
Russia, as well as persons involved in planning and executing the military operation
on Ukraine.
No Russian should benefit from the assets that are being held abroad in safety
until now. We are establishing a task force to freeze and seize these assets. These
possessions should be directed to Ukraine post-war reconstruction.
(https://www.facebook.com/100000088343654/videos/484067486681769/)

ECONOMY
The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine sent a number of appeals to influential
companies and institutions with a request to apply severe measures against Russia,
calling for the implementation of the following restrictive measures:

  • To companies: Moody’s Corporation, AM Best Rating Services, S&P Global,
    Fitch Group – lower Russia’s credit rating to the minimum, which will cause mass
    requirements to repay debt obligations and will make Russian economy more
    vulnerable.
  • To the International Bureau of Expositions – close Russian pavilion at Expo
    2020 in Dubai and exclude Moscow from the list of candidates to hold Expo 2030.
  • To the members of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade – apply the widest
    embargo on Russian products or apply a non-automatic licensing, which will
    decrease the export of Russian goods to a minimum. In particular, steel and raw
    goods.
  • To the International Labour Organization – revoke ILO membership of Russia
    and Belarus, who cynically trampled internationally recognized fundamental rights,
    freedoms, and guarantees that form the foundation of the organization.
    (https://www.facebook.com/100064539136186/posts/318815760279726/)
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Wilson Center

Forced displacement represents one of the most pressing humanitarian issues of our time. Individuals and families, torn from the fabric of their communities, find themselves navigating a world of uncertainty, often without basic necessities or a clear path to safety. There are currently some 110 million forced displaced, and this number is growing by 10 million each year!

At the heart of this crisis are the political triggers. Armed conflicts, ethnic or religious persecutions, and systemic human rights abuses force millions to flee their homes in terror. Many are displaced within their own national boundaries, while others seek asylum abroad. If these factors change as a result of political shifts at home or the pressures from abroad, they can return to their homes. Forced displacement is thus different from environmentally driven displacement, as victims of climate change may never be able to return to their homes.

The ramifications of any sort of displacement are profound, not just for those directly affected, but also for host communities and countries. Overburdened infrastructures, socio-economic strains, and cultural tensions can arise, necessitating comprehensive strategies to foster harmony and integration. Yet the root causes of forced displacement can be remedied with a concerted focus by local players and international diplomacy.

Organizations like Refugees International play a crucial role in this arena, advocating for the rights and needs of the displaced, conducting on-the-ground assessments, and influencing policymakers to take informed actions. Their relentless work underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency ofinternational cooperation. But they, too, are overwhelmed by the rapid expansion of the crisis.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with its core principles centered on the protection of civilians during conflicts, plays a pivotal role in this discourse. Yet, despite clear legal frameworks, compliance remains
inconsistent. This initiative emphasizes the importance of upholding and reinforcing these international standards.

It’s not just about recognizing the problem; it’s about active engagement. We urge governments, organizations, and individuals to prioritize the rights and needs of the forced displaced. Through collective efforts, informed policies, and sustained advocacy, we can shift the narrative from passive acknowledgment to proactive intervention.