Motsai Shabbos Updates: Ukraine / Russia War

• Aeroflot-Russian Airlines suspending almost all international flights – increasing Russia’s isolation from the world.

• PM Bennett meets with Putin in Moscow for 3 hours meeting.

• Emmanuel Macron spoke with Bennett prior to flight to Moscow as part of joint efforts to “obtain a ceasefire in Ukraine.”

• After a 3+ hour meeting with Vladimir Putin, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Ukrainian Pres. Zelensky and briefed him on what was discussed.

Prime Minister of Israel @naftalibennett called me after his meeting with Vladimir Putin. We continue dialogue.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 5, 2022

• PM Bennett is now flying to Berlin to meet with the German Chancellor.

• US and Russia establish communications where the two sides can notify each to avoid any possible miscalculations.

• Putin signs law making jail terms for ‘fake’ news on army.

• Putin says sanctions on Russia were akin to a declaration of war. Putin added that attempts to establish no-fly zone over Ukraine by any country will be seen as joining conflict.

PUTIN ON U.S./NATO DECLARING NO-FLY ZONE OVER UKRAINE:

“We will immediately consider them as participants in a military conflict…”

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 5, 2022

• A Russian plane landed in Washington to pick up a dozen diplomats accused by Washington of espionage.

• UN estimates the 12 million people in Ukraine and the 4 million who have fled will need humanitarian aid.

• The Hillel is Ukraine has been completely destroyed due to Russian shelling.

The Hillel Jewish chapter in Kharkiv, Ukraine has been destroyed by Russian shelling and the city’s Jews are scrambling for safety.

Is this the “denazification” Putin was referring to? pic.twitter.com/IxvXKfLMRW

— StopAntisemitism.org (@StopAntisemites) March 5, 2022

• Russia is attempting to capture a third Ukrainian nuclear power plant.

• PayPal shuts down its services in Russia.

• VISA suspended all operations in Russia. All cards issued in Russia will no longer work outside the country and any cards issued outside of Russia will no longer work within the Russian Federation.

• CNN as well has announced they will stop broadcasting in Russia.

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Saturday echoed the president’s assertion that Russia has lost more than 10,000 troops.

Kuleba also said in a video message released by the Ukrainian government that the Russians had lost dozens of aircraft and hundreds of armored vehicles.

The claim could not be independently verified. The Russian military doesn’t offer regular updates on their casualties. On Wednesday, they revealed a death toll of 498.

Just got off a call with @ZelenskyyUa. His heroism & the bravery of the Ukrainian people have become an inspiration to the world. The US needs to immediately step up to make sure they have the jets and weapons they need, & to impose an oil & gas embargo to disrupt Putin's war. pic.twitter.com/LQEVSzecQc

— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 5, 2022