A recap of 1News' live updates as the Russian invasion of Ukraine reached its sixth day.
What you need to know
- Satellite images show a 65 kilometre-long convoy of Russian armour is making its way to Ukraine's capital Kyiv.
- The New Zealand Government is providing $2 million as an initial contribution to help deliver humanitarian support to Ukraine.
- Beyond that, the National Party is calling for a humanitarian visa for refugees from Ukraine who have family in New Zealand. Meanwhile, the Greens want New Zealand to take 2000 refugees from Ukraine.
- More than 500,000 refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia's invasion.
- Talks in Belarus between Ukraine and Russia have ended. Ukraine is asking for a ceasefire, as fighting in the country enters its sixth day.
- Ukraine has applied to join the European Union.
- On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian nuclear forces to be put on high alert in response to what he calls “aggressive statements” by leading NATO powers.
Live updates
9.20pm: From the Associated Press
Ukrainian authorities say the centre of the country’s second-largest city has been hit by renewed Russian shelling.
Oleh Sinehubov, the head of the Kharkiv regional administration, said the administration building in the center of Kharkiv came under Russian shelling Tuesday along with residential buildings. Sinehubov didn’t give any specific numbers of casualties from the latest shelling.
Previously, Sinehubov said at least 11 people were killed and scores of others were wounded in the shelling in Kharkiv on Monday.
He said Ukrainian troops are fending off Russian attempts to advance on the city of 1.4 million people.
Videos posted on Ukrainian social networks and media showed a massive explosion next to the towering Soviet-era administrative building on Kharkiv’s central square hitting several cars parked in front of it, shattering windows but leaving the building largely intact.
8.57pm: Footage out of Ukraine shows Russia's attack on Kharkiv could be seen a long way from the city.
8.50pm: The Associated Press reports Israel has begun sending 100 tons of humanitarian aid to assist people caught up in the fighting in Ukraine.
An El Al plane was loaded with dozens of cardboard boxes on Tuesday at the country’s main international airport.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry says it is sending medical equipment and medicine, water purification systems, thousands of tents, blankets, sleeping bags and coats.
The planes will land in Poland and the aid will be sent to Ukraine from there.
8.40pm: Further footage emerges showing the aftermath of an attempted Russian strike on Kharkiv's historic government headquarters.
8.21pm: Video shows the aftermath of an attempted Russian strike on Kharkiv's historic government headquarters at around 8am Kharkiv time.
7.56pm: Aftermath of Russia's strike on Kharkiv’s historic government headquarters.
7.40pm: Russia has moved around 75 per cent of its forces it had previously deployed along the Ukraine borders into Ukraine as per US Department of Defence.
7.10pm: Catch up on 1News' latest report on the war.
The use of outlawed munitions would constitute a war crime. (Source: 1News)
7.05pm: From the Associated Press
A 40-mile convoy of Russian tanks and other vehicles threatened Ukraine’s capital on Tuesday as an intense shelling attack targeted the country’s second-largest city, and both sides looked to resume talks in the coming days aimed at stopping the fighting.
The country’s embattled president said he believed the stepped-up shelling was designed to force him into concessions.
6.47pm: BBC reports Ukrainian UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya welcomes the end of Russia's monthly term as president of the UN Security Council.
"The presidency of the council rotates between members every month, and in February was held by Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia."
The UN Security Council's powers include peacekeeping operations, enacting international sanctions, and authorising military action.
5.55pm: BBC reports a huge convoy of Russian armour advancing on Kyiv and Air sirens sounding across country.
"In addition to Kyiv, the alarms are ringing in the western cities of Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Rivne, as well as the central cities of Cherkasy and Kropyvnytskyi," BBC's Ukrainian service said.
It’s a driving force behind Russia’s invasion. (Source: 1News)
4.45pm: In Parliament on Tuesday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reiterated her condemnation of Russia’s actions, "I will begin with the words of my colleague, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the blatant act of a bully".
Ardern says the attack is “brutal, intolerable and an act of aggression that has been met with condemnation from the people and the parliament of New Zealand.”
She added: “Vladimir Putin’s decision to launch an unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine is a flagrant breach of international law.
"This was a deliberate, calculated and cynical decision.
“We live in a world that is increasingly connected and borderless. A world where a challenge to one, is a challenge to all.
“And that is why we have not only taken a strong position in condemning Russia’s invasion because of our beliefs, and our values, but because now more than ever, we must all take a stand together,” she said.
4.13pm: CNN reports a second wave of Russian troops is likely.
3.45pm: Kherson, a city in the south of Ukraine is reportedly under "withering assault."
US Senator Marco Rubio says "expect Russia to go to great lengths to prevent news & images to emerge because the world will be horrified by the crimes they are committing there."
3.15pm: From the Associated Press
US states adding to financial pressure on Russia over war - governors and lawmakers in numerous US states were taking actions on Tuesday to pull state investments from Russian companies while encouraging private entities to do the same.
The effect of sanctions by US states often pales in comparison to national ones, but state officials said they wanted to show solidarity with Ukraine and do what they could to build upon the penalties imposed on Russia by the US government and other Western nations.
2.45pm: New York Times journalist Christoph Koettl reports troops are at Antonov Airport, meaning military vehicles & equipment are stretched out along 40 miles of road.
2.10pm: More video has emerged of what appears to be Russian bombings, this time near Kherson Airport.
1.47pm: New Zealand's Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says 170 applications for visas from Ukrainian people will be fast-tracked.
He says half of the applications are from people in New Zealand with temporary visas, and the other half are overseas.
1.35pm: These images from Getty in Donetsk's Petrovskaya, which is under the control of pro-Russian separatists.
1.16pm: From the Associated Press:
Ukraine’s president has signed a decree temporarily lifting the requirement for entry visas for any foreigner willing to join Ukraine’s International Defense Legion and fight on Ukraine’s side against invading Russian troops.
The decree by Zelenskyy takes effect from Wednesday and will remain in place as long as martial law is in place.
1.11pm: From the Associated Press:
Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation says equipment to use SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service has arrived in his country.
Mykhailo Fedorov thanked SpaceX founder Elon Musk for the equipment in a Twitter post on Tuesday that was accompanied by a photo of boxes on the back of a truck.
Musk replied with his own tweet saying: “You are most welcome.”
The tech billionaire said over the weekend that Starlink was now “active” in Ukraine and more equipment to use it was on the way.
That followed a public request from Fedorov for the service.
Starlink is a satellite-based internet system that SpaceX has been building for years to bring internet access to underserved areas of the world. It markets itself as “ideally suited” for areas where internet service is unreliable or unavailable.
12.59pm: Zelenskyy says Russian troops have intensified shelling of Ukraine, calling it an effort to force his government into making concessions during talks held on Tuesday (New Zealand time).
In his video address, Zelenskyy says that “the talks were taking place against the backdrop of bombing and shelling of our territory, our cities".
"[The] synchronising of the shelling with the negotiating process was obvious. I believe Russia is trying to put pressure [on Ukraine] with this simple method.”
The President gave no details about the hours-long talks themselves. But, he says Ukraine is not prepared to make concessions “when one side is hitting each other with rocket artillery".
Zelenskyy says that Kyiv, the capital, remains “a key goal” for the Russians and that Russian forces have also shelled the city of Kharkiv with rocket artillery.
12.50pm: The UN says at least 102 people have been killed as fighting continues in Ukraine.
A total of 406 civilians have either been injured or killed, according to the UN.
12.46pm: The Green Party says it welcomes the Government's announcement of humanitarian aid on Monday.
But, foreign affairs spokesperson Golriz Ghahraman says New Zealand "can and must do more".
She says the country should welcome 2000 refugees from Ukraine.
"While the preference is always for peace to prevail and the freedom to return home, for now, overcrowded refugee camps and an uncertain future is unsustainable for Ukrainian refugees at the border.
“Given our refugee quota has not been filled for two years now, New Zealand is well placed to offer to take 2000 refugees. We could easily use the Auckland Resettlement Centre as an MIQ facility."
Additionally, the Greens want the visas of Ukrainians based in New Zealand to be automatically extended while fighting continues.
They also want visas for partners and family members of New Zealand-based Ukrainian to be fast-tracked.
Ghahraman says the offer should be open to anyone based in Ukraine.
“We know in particular that Ukraine’s Rainbow communities are extremely fearful and at risk based on Putin’s track record of oppression. Supporting their safe passage through targeted resources for local organisations, followed by resettlement will make a huge difference."
The Greens' proposal goes a step further than National's call earlier on Tuesday that a special humanitarian visa should be considered for those in Ukraine who have family in Aotearoa.
12.30pm: A wrap of this morning's developments:
Fighting continues in Ukraine, five days after Putin ordered a military invasion. (Source: 1News)
11.54am: Media are reporting that Ukraine’s ambassador to the US is accusing Russia of using a 'vacuum bomb'.
These types of bombs work by absorbing the oxygen around them to create an explosion.
They're more powerful than conventional weapons and can produce a similar effect to a small nuclear weapon.
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