Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: List of key events from day nine

These are the key events so far from Friday, March 4.

• Nuclear power plant fire

Ukrainian authorities said Russian forces have seized control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest. A fire that broke out at the complex in the southeastern city of Enerhodar when it came under attack from Russian forces in the early hours of Friday has now been extinguished.

• Western powers condemn ‘reckless’ attack

Several Western leaders have strongly condemned Russia’s alleged attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, accusing Moscow of a “reckless” assault.

• UN’s Chernobyl offer

The head of the UN nuclear watchdog has offered to travel to the site of the 1986 disaster in Chernobyl to ensure the security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites.

• Putin denial

Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz denied that Russian troops are bombing Ukrainian cities, dismissing such information as fake, the Kremlin said.

•  New talks

Ukraine plans to hold a third round of talks this weekend with Russian officials to try to end the fighting.

• NATO rejects no-fly zone

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance will not impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine after Kyiv calls for one to help stop Russia’s bombing of its cities.

• 47 killed in the northern city

Forty-seven people have been killed following a Russian air attack in the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, regional authorities said.

• Belarusian forces will not take part in Ukraine war

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said his country’s troops are not currently taking part in the invasion, adding they will not participate in the offensive in the future either.

• City of Mariupol has no water, heating

The eastern Black Sea port of Mariupol is without water and heating and food is scarce, its mayor said, appealing for military help: “We are simply being destroyed.”

• More than 1.2 million flee

More than 1.2 million people have fled Ukraine into neighbouring countries since Russia invaded last week, the UN said.

•  Moscow media blackout

Russia admitted to “limiting” access to news websites including the BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, independent Russian site Meduza and Germany’s Deutsche Welle, with Facebook also blocked.

• Jail terms for ‘fake news’

Russian legislators approved a law imposing up to 15-year jail sentences for fake news about the Russian armed forces, which many fear could severely curtail reporting.

• BBC, Novaya Gazeta react

The BBC said it has suspended its coverage in Russia as new legislation passed “appears to criminalise independent journalism”. Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta said it is deleting content over the new law.

• Lukoil calls for halt

Sanctioned Russian oil giant Lukoil called for an immediate halt to fighting in Ukraine, one of the first major domestic firms to speak out against Moscow’s invasion.

• China-led development bank halts business in Russia

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it has put all activities related to Russia and Belarus on hold in light of “the evolving economic and financial situation”.

• Asian markets dip

Asian shares sank to a 16-month low and oil prices continued to climb, as the reports of the fire at Zaporizhzhia power plant shook markets in the region.