The Insider: Kremlin-linked officers seek asylum in France

Ukraine struck the Russian-occupied city of Melitopol overnight on March 17, leaving explosions and fires, Telegram news channel Exilenova Plus reported, citing local residents.

"Tomorrow we take another step on Ukraine's EU reform path by opening technical negotiations on all remaining clusters," European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said.

As Telegram outages spread across Russia, the Kremlin appears to be ramping up pressure on the popular app while steering users toward a state-backed alternative.

"Sean, thanks to you, we know what a true friend of Ukraine is," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

Over 1,400 civilians were killed in the Bucha District during Russia's occupation between February and March 2022

"When an elderly woman is targeted by the repression machine, it is clear that this is not about 'justice'," Ukraine's Ombudsman Office wrote on Facebook.

Ukrainian officials denied that such talks had ever been planned.

Russia has also carried out forced mobilization in Crimea and intensified the militarization of the peninsula.

"If they thought they could subjugate (Iran) in a day or a few hours, they probably realize now just how seriously they miscalculated," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Air raid sirens sounded at 8:26 a.m. with explosions being heard shortly after.