Follow the evolution of the conflict in Ukraine throughout the day this Thursday, March 17.
– 10:40 a.m.: Russia says $117 million debt payment executed
The payment order for 117 million dollars (106 million euros) corresponding to coupons due on two government bonds has been executed, the Russian Finance Ministry said on Thursday (March 17).
He added that he would separately inform the market about the deposit of this sum in the account of Citibank, the bank in charge of carrying out the operation.
The sanctions imposed on Russia after the invasion of Ukraine have largely excluded Moscow from the global financial system and the payment of the coupons on the two bond issues due on Wednesday March 16 was the first full-scale test of Moscow’s capacity to avoid default on its external debt.
– 10:25 am: the basement of the Mariupol theater would not have been affected, civilians would be being evacuated
According to a member of the Ukrainian parliament, Serhiy Taruta, the basement housing civilians in the Mariupol theater targeted by a Russian bomb on Wednesday March 16 would not have been affected. “People come out alive.”
Civilians hidden in this bomb shelter are even said to be being evacuated.
Multiple reports that Russian forces dropped a bomb on Mariupol drama theater where (at least until yesterday) hundreds of people were taking refuge. If confirmed refugees were still inside, this would be potentially the worst civilian harm incident and an undisputable war crime. pic.twitter.com/sDfhHULLCM
—Christo Grozev (@christogrozev) March 16, 2022
– 10:20 a.m.: France welcomes the decision of the International Court of Justice ordering the cessation of military operations in Ukraine
France welcomed this Thursday, March 17 the decision rendered the day before by the International Court of Justice on the war in Ukraine, announced the Quai d’Orsay in a press release.
“France stands ready to intervene in this procedure, in support of Ukraine, because this matter also concerns our fundamental interests for the full respect of international law”, continues the press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Seized on February 26 by the Ukrainian authorities, two days after the start of the Russian offensive, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday ordered the immediate suspension of its military operations in Ukraine in a first emergency order, a first step of a longer procedure.
“Russia, like all members of the UN, has the obligation to comply with this decision of the Court”, is it recalled in the press release of the ministry.
– 9:30 am: Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the German Bundestag
Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president spoke this Thursday, March 17 in front of the German deputies by videoconference. He called on Germany to tear down the new “Wall” erected in Europe saying: “Dear Chancellor (Olaf) Scholz, tear down this wall, give Germany the leadership role it deserves.”
– 8:30 a.m.: Missile debris falls on a residential building in Kyiv, one dead
At least one person was killed and three others injured after debris from a missile fell on a residential building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Ukrainian emergency services reported on Thursday (March 17th).
The 16-story building was hit at 5:02 a.m. local time (03:02 GMT), emergency services said in a statement, adding that 30 people had already been evacuated and a fire extinguished.
– 8 a.m.: about 300 refugees from Mariupol arrive in Russia
Thirteen buses carrying around 300 refugees from the southeastern Ukrainian city of Mariupol arrived in the western Russian Rostov region, Russian news agency Interfax reported citing statements allegedly made on Thursday 17 March by the Russian Defense Minister.
Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday March 16 that civilians queuing to buy bread and others sheltering in a theater were killed by Russian forces.
Russia has denied attacking the theater.
