Russia struck and disabled Ukraine’s Starokostiantyniv military air base with long-range high-precision weapons, Russia’s defence ministry said on Sunday.
“The Russia armed forces continue to strike the military infrastructure of Ukraine,” Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.
“On the morning of March 6, strikes were carried out by high-precision long-range weapons. The Ukrainian air force base near Starokostiantyniv was disabled.”
He said a Ukrainian-controlled S-300 missile system had also been destroyed by Russian rocket forces. He said Russia had downed 10 Ukrainian planes and helicopters over the past 24 hours.
Ukraine’s Loss Of Statehood
Russia’s military is trying to add to its gains in the south, moving closer to the vital port city of Odessa, as it tries to cut off the Ukrainian government from the sea.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin warned Saturday that Ukrainian statehood is in jeopardy and likened the West’s sanctions on Russia to “declaring war,” while a promised cease-fire in the besieged port city of Mariupol collapsed amid scenes of terror.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy reportedly made a “desperate plea” for eastern Europe to provide Russian-made aircraft to Ukraine during a call with US senators.
He also called for a no-fly zone, lethal aid, a ban on Russian oil and a suspension of Visa and Mastercard in Russia. According to Reuters, Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said after the call on Saturday: “These planes are very much needed.
Meanwhile, Indians stranded in eastern Ukraine were unable to use the exit routes that were opened up following a brief ceasefire that was announced in Mariupol and Volnovakha.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the situation in Ukraine and the evacuation process.
Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said not too many Indians are left in Ukraine apart from those in Sumy and Pisochyn.
