Despite claiming it would de-escalate in the north, Russia increased its bombining and artillery attacks in numerous cities. While some Russian troops have moved positions in the north, as well as back into Belarus, this is being interpreted by many as an opportunity to re-organize and re-supply. Russian forces have been bolstered with the deployment of soldiers from occupied South Ossetia in Georgia and Russia-affiliated mercenary groups. This strongly suggests the conflict is not ending - just changing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says his forces are preparing for a new Russian offensive in the east. As of this week, more than four million people have fled Ukraine. At the same time, half a million Ukrainians from the Diaspora, mostly men, have returned to support their country.
The head of the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the war on Ukraine, a major food producer, will have disastrous humanitarian consequences around the world, especially in places already suffering food shortages. David Beasley said the world was already grappling with increased food and transportation prices. “Fifty percent of the grain that we buy comes from Ukraine,” Beasley told the UN Security Council. “We feed 125 million people, before Ukraine ever happened. And so, you can only assume the devastation that this is going to have on our operations alone.” At the same time, WFP has provided emergency assistance to one million people inside Ukraine despite not having a presence in the country until a month ago. WFP reports it has also established logistics hubs across the country to provide support to deliver food at scale to communities in need. Trucks, trains and minivans are delivering food supplies.
A clearly marked Red Cross Warehouse in central Mariupol was hit by two military strikes, believed but not yet confirmed to be by the Russian military. All the aid in the warehouse had been distributed and no Red Cross staff had been present since March 15, having been denied access by the Russians to re-stock. Mariupol authorities estimate the Russian military has killed nearly 5,000 residents to date including 210 children. Some 150,000 people have fled or been evacuated to date. Ukraine continues to attempt to rescue civilians from Mariupol which is complicated given the need for Russian cooperation. Russia has a long history of using ceasefires and evacuations for military ends. If access can be attained, an ICRC convoy of 45 buses will arrive today to deliver aid and support evacuations.
According to the UN Human Rights Office, Russia has used cluster munitions at least 24 times. The UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday announced the names of the three investigators who are to carry out the work of the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, which the forum voted to establish on 4 March. They are Erik Møse of Norway, Jasminka Džumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Pablo de Greiff of Colombia. The panel’s mandate includes investigating all alleged rights violations and abuses committed during Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, along with related crimes.
WHO continues to work with local and international partners to deliver medical supplies to the hardest hit areas across Ukraine, To date, there have been 82 attacks on healthcare facilities, patients, and transports resulting in at least 72 deaths and 43 injuries. Attacks on health care are a violation of international humanitarian law.
