Ukrainian embassy condemns Australian broadcast of documentary filmed on Russian side of front line

The Ukrainian embassy strongly criticized the Australian national broadcaster ABC for airing a documentary that they described as "the journalistic equivalent of a bowl of vomit." The documentary, which was first broadcast in the U.K. by ITV, follows British journalist Sean Langan's visits to the Russian side of the front line in the Russian-occupied Donbas region.

According to the embassy, the film unquestioningly repeated "blatant lies, historical distortions, racist claims, and propaganda narratives emanating from the Kremlin." They expressed concern that the documentary minimized the deaths of thousands of innocent Ukrainian civilians and portrayed a pro-Putin and pro-violence narrative.

One particular segment of the film, featuring an interview with a Russian soldier who blamed Ukraine for the ongoing invasion and expressed a desire for peaceful coexistence, drew criticism from the embassy. They condemned the portrayal of Russian soldiers as victims and expressed outrage over the disregard for the suffering of Ukrainian civilians.

The embassy has requested a meeting with the managing director of ABC to understand the decision-making process that led to the airing of the documentary on Australia's national broadcaster. They emphasized the importance of countering pro-Putin propaganda and ensuring accurate reporting on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 2, injure 14 over past day

The latest reports from regional authorities in Ukraine indicate that Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and significant damage across several oblasts.

In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, six people, including two teenagers, were injured in an overnight attack on the Synelnykove district. Five of the injured were hospitalized, and extensive damage to houses and infrastructure was reported.

Additionally, Nikopol was targeted, resulting in the injury of a 27-year-old man and damage to various properties.

In Kherson Oblast, one person was killed, and five were injured due to Russian attacks. Several cities and villages, including the regional center of Kherson, were struck, resulting in damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Kharkiv Oblast also experienced multiple attacks, with nearly 20 settlements targeted. A 56-year-old man was injured in the village of Kozacha Lopan, and a police officer was wounded in an attack on Kupiansk.

In Sumy Oblast, one person was killed as a result of airstrikes in the Velyka Pysarivka community, and extensive attacks were reported overnight.

In Donetsk Oblast, one person was wounded, and buildings were damaged in the city of Niu-York, while explosions were reported in Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia Oblast without resulting in casualties.

These attacks underscore the ongoing violence and humanitarian impact of the conflict in Ukraine, as Russian forces continue their aggressive actions across various regions.

Russian attack on Kharkiv kills 5 people

The city of Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine was targeted in a Russian attack on March 20, resulting in casualties and significant damage.

According to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, at least five people were injured, and five person has been confirmed killed in the attack. Senior police officer Serhii Bolvinov indicated that Russia likely used a Kh-59 cruise missile in the assault.

Explosions were reported in the city around 1 p.m. local time, causing damage to an eight-story building and a factory in the Kholodna Hora municipal district. A fire broke out at the enterprise, covering an area of more than 2,000 square meters.

Governor Oleh Syniehubov provided details on the injured, including a range of ages and varying degrees of severity. He also mentioned that up to 10 people may still be trapped under the rubble, highlighting the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

The victims were identified as civilians and employees of the affected enterprise by the Prosecutor General's Office.

Kharkiv, as Ukraine's second-largest city, has faced repeated attacks since the onset of the full-scale invasion by Russia, experiencing significant destruction and loss of life due to mass missile strikes.

Deadly Russian attack on Kharkiv: Russian deployed Kh-35 missile

Russian forces deployed a Kh-35 anti-ship missile in a missile strike on the city of Kharkiv, resulting in the deaths of five Ukrainian civilians.

Initially, Oleksandr Filchakov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor’s Office, reported that investigators and prosecutors found fragments of a missile at the site of the attack and concluded that it was a Kh-59 missile.

However, Volodymyr Tymoshko, Kharkiv Oblast Police Chief, later clarified the information. He stated that police bomb disposal experts determined that the attack was carried out with a Kh-35 anti-ship missile.

Tymoshko also provided an update on the search and rescue operation, mentioning that 10 employees of the firm targeted by the Russian missile might still be trapped under the rubble.

Ukraine's Ombudsman reveals how many Ukrainians are considered missing

In Ukraine, nearly 30,000 individuals are considered missing under special circumstances or have been illegally detained as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion.

However, due to ongoing data verification and the filling out of the Unified Register of Persons Missing in Special Circumstances, this number could be significantly higher, according to statements from the Ombudsman's Office.

These missing persons are categorized into three groups: children, civilians, and prisoners of war.

Oleksandr Kononenko, the representative of the Commissioner for Human Rights within the security and defense sectors, highlighted that among the civilians detained by Russia are individuals from vulnerable groups, including the sick.

He noted that out of all civilians illegally detained and convicted by the Russian Federation, approximately 1,600 people have been verified.

During a meeting with representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Moscow Mechanism, Kononenko also mentioned that three OSCE employees are being held hostage in Russia.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, announced the recent launch of the Moscow OSCE mechanism in Ukraine.

He stated, "This allowed us to create a special international mission consisting of independent experts. The Secretariat of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights is one of the first state bodies visited by experts."