Thousands fleeing Russian military in Ukraine’s east

By Stefan J. Bos 

Ukrainian authorities urge people in the southeastern Donbas region to leave amid imminent Russian attacks. 

Residents in the traditional mining region say they live in constant fear. “At the moment, everyone is agitated,” said Artur Nazarov, a resident of the town of Bogorodychne. “Everyone is waiting for something to happen, but they don’t know what to expect,” he added.

Footage shows the monastery's roof in the village of Sviatohirsk was already damaged by suspected Russian shelling. 

Russian troops are approaching the region from the north navigating roadblocks and even bridges bombed by Ukrainian government forces to slow their offensive. 

The Russian military left areas such as around the capital Kyiv to focus on the east. Ukrainian authorities claim they left after killing hundreds of civilians, including in towns such as Bucha near Kyiv. 

Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, listed alleged Russian atrocities in a speech to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday. There was "not a single crime they would not commit," Zelensky claimed. “The Russian military searched for and purposefully killed anyone who served our country," he said. “They shot and killed women outside their houses. They killed entire families, adults and children, and they tried to burn the bodies,” the president added. 

Russia expelled 

Zelensky also urged the world to expel Russia from the United Nations Security Council after outlining Moscow’s alleged atrocities in his nation.

Russia vehemently denied the charges, with the Kremlin calling footage about the killings Ukrainian propaganda or fake. 

However, foreign ministers of the NATO military alliance are meeting for two days of talks on how best to support Ukraine amid concerns about war crimes. 

The United States and the European Union say they will increase sanctions against Russia. 

The U.S. is due to announce more restrictions against Russian banks, as well as measures targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two adult daughters. 

And the EU’s executive European Commission wants a ban on coal exports as part of a wide-ranging fifth package of sanctions to halt the Russian invasion, which displaced millions of people.