Russian forces continue shelling despite ceasefire

It’s been another day of intense fighting in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol, despite Russia agreeing to a ceasefire to citizens flee.

Russian forces continue to shell the Ukrainian city of Mariupol despite agreeing to a ceasefire – throwing an attempted mass evacuation of civilians into chaos.

Just hours after the ceasefire was supposed to begin, Mariupol authorities announced they had postponed the evacuation because of the continued bombardment

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be seen as participation in the armed conflict

In the Black Sea port of Kherson, the first Ukrainian city to fall to the Russians, some 2,000 residents held protests against the occupiers

Prada, Zara, Paypal and Samsung have become the latest international firms to suspend trading in Russia

Visa and Mastercard leave Russia

Mastercard and Visa are suspending their operations in Russia in protest over the invasion of Ukraine. 

In a statement, Mastercard said that Russian banks would no longer be supported by its network and any card issued by the company outside of country would not work at Russian merchants.

The company has made the decision due to the “unprecedented nature of the current conflict and the uncertain economic environment”.

Meanwhile, Visa says it will work to cease all transactions in the country in the coming days.

Visa’s CEO and chairman Al Kelly says the company had been “compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”

“We regret the impact this will have on our valued colleagues, and on the clients, partners, merchants and cardholders we serve in Russia. This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability demand we respond in line with our values,” he concluded.

Calls for no-fly-zone

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to call for a no-fly zone over his country in a video-link address to nearly 300 US lawmakers. 

He also called for a ban on imports of Russian oil and pleaded for Russian-made fighter jets, which his country’s pilots know how to fly, to help fight the enemy advance in his country. 

He told them it might be the last time they see him alive.

In response, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said he’d help the Biden administration to facilitate their transfer from Eastern Europe

Luxury brands flee Russia

A number of luxury global brands have said they will stop sales in Russia. Prada has now joined them. 

Other companies such as LVMH, Hermes, Kering and Chanel have already confirmed they will shut their shops in the country.

Earlier the Spanish-owned business Inditex said it would close all 502 Russian stores of its eight brands, including Zara, Bershka and Stradivarius.