The
British Army confirms that a number of active-duty soldiers have disobeyed orders and gone
AWOL, and have likely gone to Ukraine to fight against the
Russian military. Defence Minister
Ben Wallace says that the serving members are "breaking the law and will be prosecuted" when they return to the
United Kingdom.
(Sky News)
Fitch Ratings downgrades Russia from "B" to "C", one grade above default, and warns that Russian default on its obligations is "imminent".
(BBC News)
The
Russian Ministry of Economic Development proposes a draft
nationalisation bill that will impose
receivership for up to 3 months on assets of companies that boycotted the Russian market due to the
Russian invasion of Ukraine if the ownership share by legal entities from "unfriendly countries" exceeds 25%. If the companies still do not resume their business in the country, their assets will be auctioned. More than 300 companies that left Russia or suspended operations in Russia could be targeted.
(TASS)
The Ukrainian state grid operator warns that Russian forces, which are in control of the
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, have disconnected the plant from the electricity grid, which the operator says will impact nuclear fuel cooling, and which also caused a blackout in the nearby city of
Slavutych. The nuclear plant previously suspended all communications with the
IAEA, the
United Nations-based organisation specialising in nuclear energy production.
(The Independent)(Interfax Ukraine)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister
Dmytro Kuleba says that reserve diesel generators that cool
spent nuclear fuel can only last for another 48 hours and that a
radiation leak from Chernobyl is "imminent" if power is not restored immediately. Kuleba also says that "
Putin's barbaric war" puts all of Europe in danger. However, the
International Atomic Energy Agency says there is "no critical impact on security" imminent.
(Times of Israel)(Reuters)
Austria suspends its universal COVID-19
vaccine mandate one week before fines of up to €3,600 were scheduled to take effect for those who did not comply with the mandate. The suspension of the mandate will be reviewed in three months.
(Politico)
Romania lifts all COVID-19-related restrictions including requiring a digital COVID pass to access institutions and the obligation to wear protective masks both indoors and outdoors.
(Reuters)
Ukrainian foreign policy aide Ihor Zhovkva says that
Ukraine is open to holding talks discussing Russia's demand of Ukraine's neutrality as long as Ukraine is given security guarantees. However, Zhovkva warned that Ukraine will not give up any of its territories.
(Bloomberg)