Charles and Camilla moved by plight of Ukrainians
The Prince of Wales has spoken about the “truly terrible aggression” of President Vladimir Putin’s regime as he showed his solidarity with Ukraine by visiting its UK community.
Charles and Camilla lit candles and left floral tributes at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London as they acknowledged the plight of the eastern European nation as fears grow Russia is planning a greater onslaught in the coming days.
The heir to the throne said he and his wife had been moved by the “bravery, generosity and fortitude” of the Ukrainians in the face of the military action by Russian forces.
Cathedral staff reported Ukrainian men have been seeking blessings before travelling back to their homeland to join the fight against Mr Putin’s army.
Camilla was left close to tears when the leading members of the UK’s Ukrainian community sang a mournful version of the song Chervona Kalyna, Red Guelder Rose, to welcome the couple when they walked into a cathedral hall.
The men, women and children performed the song famously sung by Ukrainian insurgents during the Second World War which evokes images of the Ukrainian homeland.
H&M temporarily pausing sales in Russia
H&M has announced it is temporarily pausing sales in Russia due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The world’s second-biggest fashion retailer said it was concerned about the ongoing situation in Ukraine and wanted to “stand with all the people who are suffering”.
“H&M Group has decided to temporarily pause all sales in Russia,” it said in a statement.
H&M closed its stores in Ukraine due to safety concerns for staff and customers.
As war rages on in Ukraine, the civilian death toll in the country has reportedly reached more than 2,000.
Russia claims it has taken control of the city of Kherson – which the UK and Ukraine has denied.
In the Evening Standard’s Leader podcast, we speak with Hussain, a Kherson resident who moved to the city in 2020 with his wife and young daughter.
Listen to it here.
Roman Abramovich says he is selling Chelsea FC
Roman Abramovich has announced he is selling Chelsea FC.
In a statement, he said: “I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.
“As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.
“In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.”
He also said he has instructed his team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated.
The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine, the statement added.
Wetherspoons halts sales of Russian beers
Wetherspoons announced on Wednesday that it will stop selling Russian beer following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The pub chain said it would stop selling bottles of Baltika Lager, which is brewed in St Petersburg, at its 870 sites.
A spokesperson said it had made the decision to stop stocking the beer “in light of the current situation” in Ukraine.
Read the full article here.
Ukrainian presidential adviser: 7,000 Russian troops killed so far
A Ukrainian president adviser has said more than 7,000 Russian troops have been killed so far, as the invasion enters its seventh day.
It is being reported by Reuters news agency.
This is significantly different to the Russian figures which state 498 of its tropped have been killed in the conflict, and 1,597 wounded in its first admission of casualties since Vladimir Putin launched the invasion one week ago.
Premier League to show solidarity with Ukraine at matches this weekend
The Premier League has announced a show of support for the people of Ukraine at all matches this weekend.
Captains of all clubs will wear special armbands in Ukrainian colours with fans encouraged to join players, managers, match officials and club staff in a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off.
The large screens at grounds will display “Football Stands Together” against a blue and yellow backdrop, matching the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The words will also be shown on LED perimeter boards during games, which start with Leicester against Leeds at 1230pm on Saturday through to Monday night’s fixture between Tottenham and Everton.
A statement from the governing body read: “The Premier League and our clubs wholeheartedly reject Russia’s actions and will be showing support for the people of Ukraine at all matches this weekend.
“We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted.”
Zelensky reponds to UN General Assembly vote
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has praised the UN General Assembly members for overwhelmingly voting to deplore Russia’s actions in Ukraine “in the strongest possible terms”.
He said in a tweet: “I praise the approval by the #UN GA with an unprecedented majority of votes of the resolution with a strong demand to Russia to immediately stop the treacherous attack on ??.
“I’m grateful to everyone & every state that voted in favor. You have chosen the right side of history.
“Destructive results of the vote in ?? for the aggressor convincingly show that a global anti-Putin coalition has been formed and is functioning.
“The world is with us. The truth is on our side. Victory will be ours”.
Meeting in New York, 141 nations voted in favour of the motion calling for the withdrawal of all occupying forces, while five were against and 35 countries abstained.
Resolutions of the General Assembly are not legally binding but do show the strength of international feeling and further diplomatically isolates Russia at the UN.
View of the 11th emergency special session of the 193-member UN General Assembly on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
/ REUTERSLondoners ‘stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukrainians’ – Sadiq Khan
The mayor of London has vowed that Londoners will “stand shoulder to shoulder” with Ukrainians amid the Russian invasion.
Sadiq Khan met the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, at the Ukrainian Institute in London to offer his support for Ukraine and meet members of other Ukrainian organisations.
Mr Prystaiko passed on a request to Mr Khan from ex-heavyweight boxer and current mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko for anti-tank rockets to help defend the city.
“I spoke to the mayor of Kyiv already. I asked him what would you expect me to tell the mayor of London? What support? What help?” Mr Prystaiko said.
He added: “You know what he told me? We need anti-tank rockets. He said please, I’m talking mayor to mayor.
“We will cover everything but we need to survive as a nation.”
Vladimir Putin spoke to Indian PM on phone – Tass
The Russian news agency Tass has cited the Kremlin as saying Vladimir Putin spoke on the telephone with India’s Narendra Modi earlier on Wednesday.
The pair discussed evacuating Indian nationals from Ukraine.
Earlier, India urged its citizens to leave Kharkiv by this evening based on information from Russia – although it refused to give further details.
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