240 civilian casualties in Russia-Ukraine war: UN

At least 240 civilian casualties, including 64 deaths, took place during the intense fighting between the Russian invaders and the Ukrainian security forces that have been underway across several major Ukrainian cities, reports the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR).

Accroding to UN OCHCR, the damage to homes and critical infrastructure has left hundreds of people without access to water and electricity. 

The UN also said over 160,000 Ukrainians are now internally displaced and trying to flee across international borders.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s government estimates the Russian invasion may leave behind as many as five million refugees.

Although Russian President Vladimir Putin told earlier that it targets Ukrainian “military infrastructure”, the Russian armed forces also target the civilians. 

Moscow has alleged that Russia is “forcing a resumption of military operations” in Ukraine after Kyiv rejected an offer to talks.

“President Vladimir Putin had ordered the operation to end on Friday. At the same time, Moscow invited Kyiv to sit at the negotiating table. But Kyiv did not respond to the call, prompting the Russian military to resume operations,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday ordered a military operation in Ukraine. Earlier in the day, he recognized the two eastern republics of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.

Russia alleges that the operation was carried out in violation of the Minsk agreements signed by the Ukrainian government in 2014 and 2015 with militants active in eastern Ukraine. Putin has said he does not “want to occupy” Ukraine, however, wants to “demilitarize” the country. — BBC