6:50 AM: According to Russia, the first cargo boat entered Mariupol port.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, a cargo boat arrived in Mariupol on Saturday. This was a southeastern city that Russia had pounded for three years before finally seizing it last Wednesday.
The Ukrainian Navy responded to the Facebook announcement as “manipulative”. It stated that “while continuing not to disregard the norms international maritime law, Russia’s ship groups continue blocking civilian navigation in waters of the seas. Black and Azov
6:48 a.m . 6:48 a.m. – Australian aid worker dies on the frontline
An Australian aid worker was killed as Ukraine is facing a more difficult humanitarian situation.
On Saturday, the Australian newspaper Mercury Newspaper reported that Michael Charles O’Neill (47), died while helping wounded soldiers on the frontline. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed the information, but did not provide further details.
6:46 AM: “The army destroys city” in Severodonetsk.
Severodonetsk is under bombardment (…) and the (Russian-led) army “quite simply demolishes the city”, stated Serguii Gaidai, the governor of the Lugansk Region. He claimed that the Russian army invaded the city’s outskirts, where it suffered “heavy loss”, while the Ukrainian forces attempted to expel the Russians from a hotel.
The governor however stated that Severodonetsk was not “cut off” by Russian or separatist forces. He said that humanitarian aid is still possible.
Fighting is escalating in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. Moscow confirmed Saturday that pro-Russian separatists had taken control of Lyman, the main town. This opens the door to large cities like Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.
6:45 AM: Good morning everyone! This live will cover the current situation in Ukraine on the 95th anniversary of the Russian invasion.
