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March 17, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Helen Regan, Travis Caldwell, Seán Federico-O'Murchú, George Ramsay, Ed Upright, Adrienne Vogt, Maureen Chowdhury, Aditi Sangal and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 12:02 a.m. ET, March 18, 2022
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2:28 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

Russian troops use tear gas to disperse Ukrainians protesting against detention of city officials

From CNN's Paul P. Murphy and Josh Pennington

Ukrainian protesters in the Russian-occupied city of Skadovsk, Ukraine, on March 16.
Ukrainian protesters in the Russian-occupied city of Skadovsk, Ukraine, on March 16. (obtained by CNN)

Russian forces tear-gassed Ukrainian protesters in the Russian-occupied city of Skadovsk on Wednesday when they demonstrated against the detention of the mayor and two other officials, according to a citizen who will not be named for safety issues.  

Russian troops detained Mayor Alexander Yakolev, his deputy Alexander Grischenko and the city council secretary Yuri Palyukha on Wednesday morning, the citizen said. Dozens of residents of the Black Sea port city then gathered around noon outside the government building, where the three were being held.

According to a video of the incident and the citizen, Russian troops fired tear gas at the protesters as they demonstrated peacefully, sang and chanted, and tried to mediate for the release of the three officials.  

Yakolev was released, according to a video he posted on Telegram, but the fate of his deputy and the city council secretary is not known. 

Some context: This is the first known instance of tear gas being used by the Russian military against Ukrainians in occupied territory since the invasion began three weeks ago.

Russian troops have frequently tried to disperse protesters with gunfire, shooting over their heads. On March 5, at least one protester was shot in the leg in the eastern town of  Novopskov in such an instance.

2:36 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

Star ballerina Olga Smirnova quits Bolshoi Ballet over Russia's invasion of Ukraine

From CNN's Oscar Holland

Olga Smirnova as Odette/Odile and Semyon Chudin as Prince Siegfried in The Bolshoi Ballet's production of Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House on August 2, 2019, in London, England.
Olga Smirnova as Odette/Odile and Semyon Chudin as Prince Siegfried in The Bolshoi Ballet's production of Swan Lake at The Royal Opera House on August 2, 2019, in London, England. (Robbie Jack/Corbis/Getty Images)

One of the stars of Moscow's Bolshoi Ballet, Olga Smirnova, has quit the company over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and will instead dance for the Dutch National Ballet in Amsterdam.

Smirnova, whose grandfather is Ukrainian, wrote on Telegram that she is "against war with all the fibers of my soul."

"I never thought I would be ashamed of Russia," she wrote in the statement, which was later republished by the Dutch National Ballet. "I have always been proud of talented Russian people, of our cultural and athletic achievements. But now I feel that a line has been drawn that separates the before and the after.
"It hurts that people are dying, that people are losing the roofs over their heads or are forced to abandon their homes. And who would have thought a few weeks ago that all of this would happen? We may not be at the epicenter of the military conflict, but we cannot remain indifferent to this global catastrophe."

Smirnova joined the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet in 2011, before taking lead roles in performances of "Swan Lake" and "Giselle," among others. She has since toured internationally with the troupe and has appeared as a guest performer for the American Ballet Theatre and the Vienna State Ballet.

The announcement comes a little over a week after two other Bolshoi members — Brazilian soloist David Motta Soares and Italian principal dancer Jacopo Tissi — both announced they were resigning. Explaining his decision via Instagram, Tissi said Russia's actions left him "unable to continue with my career in Moscow," adding "no war can be justified."

Read more:

'We cannot remain indifferent': Russian star ballerina Olga Smirnova quits Bolshoi Ballet
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'We cannot remain indifferent': Russian star ballerina Olga Smirnova quits Bolshoi Ballet

Oscar Holland, CNN

1:59 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

Putin calls pro-Western Russians "national traitors"

From CNN's Seán Federico-O'Murchú and Sarah Dean

An image on a computer screen of Vladimir Putin holding a meeting on measures to provide social and economic support to the regions. Most of his speeches concerned Ukraine and the "fifth column" inside Russia.
An image on a computer screen of Vladimir Putin holding a meeting on measures to provide social and economic support to the regions. Most of his speeches concerned Ukraine and the "fifth column" inside Russia. (Igor Golovniov/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has clamped down on any dissent since the invasion of Ukraine, on Wednesday blasted pro-Western Russians by calling them “national traitors” in a televised address.  

“The West will try to rely on the so-called fifth column, on national traitors, on those who earn money here with us but live there. And I mean ‘live there’ not even in the geographical sense of the word, but according to their thoughts, their slavish consciousness,” Putin said. 
These people "cannot live without oysters and gender freedom," he added. 

The term "fifth column" usually refers to enemy sympathizers and originated during the Spanish Civil War.

The Russian leader, whose forces have become bogged down in Ukraine and whose country is facing economic disaster due to Western sanctions, has often blamed Western influences for what ails his country. 

  • He has systematically curtailed LGBTQ rights in Russia. Last week, leader of the Russian Orthodox Church Patriarch Kirill, a Putin ally, said the Ukraine conflict was an extension of a fundamental culture clash between the wider Russian world and Western liberal values, exemplified by expressions of gay pride.
  • Putin has enforced blind loyalty from Russian media and earlier this month signed a censorship bill into law making it near impossible for international news organizations to accurately report the news in or from Russia.
  • Despite the clampdown, a Russian state television journalist on Monday protested the invasion of Ukraine during a live news broadcast on the tightly controlled Channel One network.
  • His economy is on the verge of default. On Wednesday, Russia said it had ordered the $117 million in interest payments it owes Wednesday to be sent to investors. But because the funds used to make the debt payments came from Russia's frozen foreign assets, it remains unclear whether investors will receive their money.
  • President Joe Biden, in a shift in the US position, on Wednesday said the Russian leader was a “war criminal.” It was the harshest condemnation of Putin's actions from any US official since the war in Ukraine began three weeks ago.

Watch:

Putin speaks out against Russians with Western mentality - CNN Video
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Putin speaks out against Russians with Western mentality - CNN Video

1:56 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

1 person killed after debris from downed missile hits Kyiv residential building 

From CNN's Sophie Jeong and Yulia Shevchenko

A fire broke out in the apartment building in Kyiv's Darnytsky district on Thursday morning after it was hit by debris from a downed missile, Ukrainian authorities said.
A fire broke out in the apartment building in Kyiv's Darnytsky district on Thursday morning after it was hit by debris from a downed missile, Ukrainian authorities said. (Ukrainian State Emergency Services)

One person died and three others were injured after debris from a downed missile hit a residential building in Kyiv on Thursday, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Ukraine's state emergency service said it received a report of a fire and damage to a 16-story apartment in the Darnytsky district of the capital at 5:02 a.m. local time.

Some 30 people were evacuated as rescue operations continue, according to an initial report from Ukraine’s state emergency service.
Some 30 people were evacuated as rescue operations continue, according to an initial report from Ukraine’s state emergency service. (Ukrainian State Emergency Services)

The blaze was later extinguished, the service said.  

According to initial information, 30 people were evacuated from the site as rescue operations continue, the service added.  

1:32 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

Japan's Defense Ministry says it spotted 4 Russian warships, possibly taking troops to Ukraine

From CNN's Emiko Jozuka in Tokyo

An Alligator-class Russian landing ship carrying military vehicles passes through Japan's Tsugaru Strait.
An Alligator-class Russian landing ship carrying military vehicles passes through Japan's Tsugaru Strait. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

Four Russian warships passed through the Tsugaru Strait in northeastern Japan between Tuesday and Wednesday, possibly transporting troops and combat vehicles to Ukraine, Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

"Japan’s Ministry of Defense will continue to monitor the situation and movements of the Russian army with a high sense of caution," the ministry said on its official Twitter account.

A Russian Ropucha-class landing ship sails through Japanese waters.
A Russian Ropucha-class landing ship sails through Japanese waters. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

The Tsugaru Strait connects the Sea of Japan with the Pacific Ocean and is located between Japan's two largest main islands, Honshu and Hokkaido.

Some context: A public intelligence assessment released Tuesday by the UK Ministry of Defence said that due to heavy losses suffered in Ukraine, Russia was redeploying forces from as far away as "its Eastern Military District, Pacific Fleet and Armenia."

Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Russian Ropucha-class landing ships, such as this one, were possibly transporting troops and combat vehicles to Ukraine.
Japan's Defense Ministry said Wednesday that Russian Ropucha-class landing ships, such as this one, were possibly transporting troops and combat vehicles to Ukraine. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

This Ropucha-class landing ship was one of four Russian military vessels spotted sailing through waters off Japan.
This Ropucha-class landing ship was one of four Russian military vessels spotted sailing through waters off Japan. (Japan Ministry of Defense)

12:50 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

Analysis: Why Ukraine's battle for survival may be far from over

Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson

Another day of horrific civilian carnage in Ukraine underscored the desperate need for a ceasefire — and explained why an end to the barbaric war may still be far away.

Russian forces Wednesday escalated their assault on soft targets, which prompted President Joe Biden to call Russian President Vladimir Putin a war criminal.

The fate of hundreds of people sheltering in a theater in the coastal city of Mariupol is unknown after a Russian barrage slammed into a building flanked with the word "children" on the ground to ward off attacks. Another bombardment hit a swimming pool in the same city used as a shelter.

There are too many attacks for this to be anything but a deliberate Russian strategy of trying to bomb Ukraine into submission one civilian at a time. This assault designed to cause maximum pain and destruction is likely to further deepen the schism between the two countries and make it harder to find an accommodation to end the killing.

Yet the appalling humanitarian disaster unfolding in Ukraine — and the possibility that thousands of innocent lives could be saved — make it imperative for Kyiv and Western nations to try to come to some accommodation with Putin, as bitter as that may be. But even then: Will the Russian leader ever accept it?

Read the full analysis:

Analysis: Why Ukraine's battle for survival may be far from over
RELATED

Analysis: Why Ukraine's battle for survival may be far from over

12:00 a.m. ET, March 17, 2022

It's 6 a.m. in Kyiv. Here's what you need to know

The fate of hundreds of people sheltering in a bombed theater in the southern coastal city of Mariupol is unknown while new satellite images show that constant bombardment is causing significant destruction across Ukraine.

Here's the latest:

  • Biden labels Putin a "war criminal": US President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "war criminal" on Wednesday. Biden’s designation reflects a shift from the administration’s previous stance. Officials, including Biden, had previously stopped short of saying war crimes were being committed in Ukraine, citing ongoing investigations into whether that term could be used.
  • Zelensky says Russia has crossed "all the red lines": Asked in an NBC interview on Wednesday if a chemical attack by Russia would be a red line that would prompt the US to become more actively involved in combat, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "I believe that Russians have already crossed all the red lines when they started shelling civilians." Russia has already killed more than 100 children, Zelensky said, adding: "I don’t understand the meaning of red lines. What else should we wait for? For letting Russians kill 200, 300 or 400 children?"
  • On the ground: A senior adviser to Zelensky on Wednesday claimed the Ukrainian army is beginning to counterstrike Russian forces. "Ukrainian army is beginning a counterstrike on a number of active directions. This fact is drastically changing the dispositions of the sides," adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a statement released on Telegram.
  • Civilian deaths: Russia is resorting to the use of older, less precise weapons that are less militarily effective and more likely to result in civilian casualties, according to an intelligence update from Britain's Ministry of Defence. It comes as Zelensky said evacuation corridors failed Wednesday because the Russian military did not stop shelling. Zelensky said 10 people died when Russian forces fired at civilians standing in line for bread in the northern city of Chernihiv.
  • Zelensky's address to Congress: The Ukrainian President told US lawmakers "we need you right now" in a historic speech that invoked tragedies in American history like the Pearl Harbor attack and 9/11. His virtual address came as the US faced pressure from Ukraine to supply more military assistance.
  • US pledges $800 million more in aid: President Biden announced $800 million in additional security assistance to Ukraine during remarks from the White House on Wednesday. This brings the total to $1 billion in aid announced in just the last week. The package will include anti-tank missiles and more of the defensive weapons that the US has already been providing, including Javelin anti-tank and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, officials familiar with the plans said.
11:34 p.m. ET, March 16, 2022

Russia resorting to older weapons more likely to cause civilian casualties, UK Defense Ministry says

From CNN's Hira Humayun and Josh Campbell

Russia is resorting to the use of older, less precise weapons that are less militarily effective and more likely to result in civilian casualties, according to the UK Ministry of Defence's latest intelligence update Thursday.

Due to the delays in "achieving their objectives and failure to control Ukrainian airspace," the ministry said Russia has probably “expended far more stand-off air launched weapons than originally planned,” leading them to resort to weapons that are less militarily effective.

"Stand-off air launched weapons" are munitions fired from aircraft that are not in close range of a target.

Firing from a distance allows for the delivery of the weapon while minimizing possible harm to the aircrew from retaliatory attack.

9:43 p.m. ET, March 16, 2022

Satellite images show significant damage from military strikes across Ukraine

From CNN's Paul P. Murphy

Destroyed buildings are seen in Volnovakha, Ukraine.
Destroyed buildings are seen in Volnovakha, Ukraine. (Maxar Technologies)

The constant bombardment of military strikes is causing significant destruction across Ukraine, as seen on new Maxar Technologies satellite images. 

Volnovakha: In southeastern Ukraine, about 35 miles (55 kilometers) north of Mariupol, much of the small city of Volnovakha lies in ruins — destroyed by military strikes. Where some buildings once stood, only scorched structures remain.

On Wednesday, Russian state media interviewed Russian-backed separatists from the Donbas region in the city, who claimed they had taken control of it from Ukrainian forces.

The roof of the city's train station looks like it's been punched in. Buildings northeast of it have their roofs knocked in too. The only evidence that some buildings ever stood near the central square is their charred walls.

On the northern side of Volnovakha, a church and an apartment complex have been devastated. Debris is seen covering the ground around them.

At a roundabout toward the northwestern side of town, nearly all of the buildings seen in the satellite image have sustained significant damage.

Self-propelled howitzers seen near Chernihiv, Ukraine.
Self-propelled howitzers seen near Chernihiv, Ukraine. (Maxar Technologies)

Chernihiv: In a field about 10 miles (17 kilometers) northeast of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, more than a dozen Russian self-propelled howitzers and multiple rocket launch systems are seen. 

Homes are seen burning in Chernihiv, Ukraine.
Homes are seen burning in Chernihiv, Ukraine. (Maxar Technologies)

In eastern Chernihiv, a number of homes surrounding a roundabout are seen on fire. 

Chernihiv Stadium has sustained significant damage.
Chernihiv Stadium has sustained significant damage. (Maxar Technologies)

In another satellite image, multipurpose sports venue Chernihiv Stadium has sustained massive damage to the stands and a huge impact crater is seen in the center of the field. 

Artillery impact craters near a residential area in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Artillery impact craters near a residential area in Kharkiv, Ukraine. (Maxar Technologies)

Kharkiv: In northeast Ukraine, a number of houses near a large apartment complex are on fire in central Kharkiv. Further north of the city, a snow-covered field near the airfield at the Kharkiv Aircraft Manufacturing Company is dotted with impact craters.