Bayer pharmaceutical suspends investment and advertising in Russia
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Bayer AG announced it has suspended all non-essential business in the country.
Only spending relating to health and agriculture products will now be carried out in Russia and Belarus, Bayer said on Monday.
A statement added: “Our hearts ache as we see the devastation and death affecting innocent civilians, including children.
“Thousands have been killed or wounded, millions are fleeing the country, and the humanitarian situation of those who stay is deteriorating by the hour.
“We stand by the people of Ukraine who can fully count on our solidarity and support.”
Russia loses its first GRU military intelligence spy as toll worsens for Putin’s troops
Russia has admitted to losing its first GRU military intelligence spy in the war in Ukraine.
And two elite paratrooper intelligence officers were also revealed on Monday to have been killed as the death toll worsens for Vladimir Putin’s forces.
Captain Alexey Glushchak, 31, from Tyumen in Siberia, died in the carnage in Ukrainian port Mariupol, but the Russians have given no details of how the GRU agent was killed.
“Due to the strict secrecy of the military operation, the circumstances of the death of the Tyumen hero are not disclosed,” said a statement.
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Australia, Netherlands launch legal action against Russia for downing of MH17 plane
Australia and the Netherlands have begun legal action against Russia at the International Civil Aviation Organisation over the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 eight years ago.
Russia was responsible under international law for the downing of the flight, and action in the United Nations aviation council was a step forward in the fight for justice for 298 victims, including 38 Australians, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Foreign Minister Marise Payne said in a statement on Monday.
Australia said the incident was a clear breach of a convention to protect civilian aircraft from weapons fire.
The Dutch government said in a statement the UN Security Council had also been informed of the step.
Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra said: “The death of 298 civilians, including 196 Dutch, cannot and should not remain without consequences.”
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Ukraine’s position unchanged ahead of peace talks
Ukraine’s position on peace talks remains unchanged, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said ahead of the fourth round of talks.
He said: “Negotiations. 4th round. On peace, ceasefire, immediate withdrawal of troops & security guarantees.”
He added that he believed Russia “still has a delusion that 19 days of violence against peaceful Ukrainian cities is the right strategy.”
Sadiq Khan criticises UK response to refugee crisis
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the UK’s response to the Ukraine refugee crisis has been “embarrassing” compared to that of other countries.
Asked if he would be willing to host a refugee, Mr Khan told Good Morning Britain: “Personally we won’t be able to because of space and other security issues, but I admire the generosity of those Londoners, and we know our city is a very generous city.”
He said the visa system must be simplified as it is “far too complicated for those from Ukraine to come to London, and our country”.
He added: “Councils are ready to step up, hotels are ready to step up, businesses are ready to step up, Londoners are ready to step up.
“The issue now is the delay in the visas but also we need to make sure there’s the right support, the wrap-around care.
“Many of these people will be traumatised, they need medical support. The children will need spaces in schools.
“We need to make sure English is available to those who can’t speak English. We need to make sure they can work straight away, those with the skills.”
Sajid Javid considering whether he can host refugees
Sajid Javid told BBC Breakfast that he is considering whether he can house Ukrainian refugees as thousands flee the country due to the conflict.
This comes after the Government said it would offer £350 a month to those taking on Ukrainian fleeing the conflict.
Mr Javid said: “I’m starting to have a conversation with my wife on that and I think many households – as you say, and I’m pleased you brought this up – are probably thinking about this across the country.
“It’s important that anyone that becomes a host that they can fulfil the obligations of a host, that they can spend time with these families and help, but there are many ways that we can all help and whatever I do at a personal level, I will most certainly be helping.”
People who fled the war in Ukraine walk towards a humanitarian train to relocate refugees to Berlin on March 13., 2022 in Krakow, Poland
/ Getty ImagesVideo: Antonov aviation plant destroyed
In videos across social media, the Antonov aviation plant can be seen on fire with large plumes of smoke rising into the sky in the distance.
Sajid Javid: Six NHS hospitals to provide care for Ukrainian children
The Health Secretary told Sky News that six NHS hospitals will provide care for the 21 children and that while they had initially been given six-month visas in order to get them out of the country quickly, these would be extended “to at least three years”.
Mr Javid said once wider family had arrived, there would be 49 people brought to the UK in total.
“I just think it’s great that we can help in this way,” he said.
He said after the three years it would “be up to them to decide what they wish to do”.
Children with cancer brought to the UK from Ukraine for treatment can stay “as long as necessary”, Sajid Javid said.
Kyiv aircraft plant targeted by Russian forces
The Antonov aircraft plant in Kyiv has been shelled by Russian forces, the Kyiv’s city administration has said.
The Antonov aircraft manufacturing facility is located at Sviatoshyn Airfield, about 10km from Kyiv city centre.
Sajid Javid: Attacking hospitals ‘a war crime’
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said attacking hospitals is a “war crime” in an interview on Sky News.
His comments come after a woman pictured being carried away on a stretcher last week, has died. Her baby also passed away, doctors confirmed.
He said: “These are war crimes, and the Justice Secretary will be in the Hague to offer the UK’s help in putting forward a prosecution against Putin.”
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