U.S. Dissatisfied With Negotiations to Release Brittney Griner

The U.S. State Department said there would be consequences if Russia uses a "dirty bomb" in Ukraine.

State Department spokesperson Ned Price said the using a dirty bomb would be "another example of President [Vladimir] Putin's brutality."

"There would be consequences for Russia, whether it uses a dirty bomb or a nuclear bomb," he said. "We've been very clear about that."

Russia has accused Ukraine of planning to use so-called dirty bombs in a false flag attack to place blame on Russia.

Price said the United States rejects this claim from Russia, calling it "patently false disinformation."

He added that the world sees through this false claim as a pretext for the Kremlin to escalate the war.

The war in Ukraine will only end through diplomacy, Price said. But in order for that to take place, he said both parties need to be "ready and willing" to engage in diplomacy.

"Right now, we have heard from our Ukrainian partners repeatedly that this war will only end through diplomacy and dialogue," he said. "We have not heard any reciprocal statement or refrain from Moscow that they are ready in good faith to engage in that diplomacy and dialogue."

Price also said the U.S. has had active discussions with Russia on the release of Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan in recent days, but said the discussions "have not gotten to the point where we would like them to be."

"We put forward a substantial proposal a number of months ago now," he said. "We have consistently urged our Russian counterparts to act on this proposal."

Griner is set to make appeal arguments in a Russia courtroom Tuesday.

Price said U.S. officials "have not weighed in on the various judicial proceedings and judicial steps" because the U.S. believes the proceedings have been "largely shambolic."

He added that the U.S. maintains that both Griner and Whelan have been wrongfully detained and used as political pawns.

Progressives Urge Biden to Find Diplomatic End to War

Members of the House Progressive Caucus sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to push for more diplomacy to end Russia's war in Ukraine.

The members of Congress commended Biden's commitment to Ukraine's self-defense and sovereignty through various appropriations of military, economic and humanitarian aid and agree with his goal of avoiding direct military conflict "as an overriding national-security priority."

The increased risk of nuclear weapons use, the representatives are urging Biden take more steps to deescalate tensions and avoid a prolonged conflict.

Therefore, the caucus is asking Biden to make "vigorous diplomatic efforts" in support of a negotiated settlement and ceasefire directly with Russia.

"We urge you to pair the military and economic support the United States has provided to Ukraine with a proactive diplomatic push, redoubling efforts to seek a realistic framework for a ceasefire," the representatives wrote.

This comes as the United States has contributed tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine.

"As legislators responsible for the expenditure of tens of billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars in military assistance in the conflict, we believe such involvement in this war also creates a responsibility for the United States to seriously explore all possible avenues, including direct engagement with Russia, to reduce harm and support Ukraine in achieving a peaceful settlement," the caucus said.

The caucus said this move is consistent with Biden's recognition that "there's going to have to be a negotiated settlement here," and your concern that Vladimir Putin "doesn't have a way out right now, and I'm trying to figure out what we do about that."

While the caucus is "under no illusions regarding the difficulties involved" in engaging with Russia," it said it is America's responsibility to "pursue every diplomatic avenue to support such a solution" to end the war and preserve a free and independent Ukraine.

The alternate to diplomacy is "protracted war, with both its attendant certainties and catastrophic and unknowable risks," the caucus said.

The caucus also noted that polling from Data for Progress show 57 percent of voters approval of negotiations to end the war, even if it means some compromise with Russia.

Civilian Casualties Top 16,000, UN Reports

At least 16,150 civilian casualties have been reported in Ukraine since Russia began its invasion eight months ago, the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reports.

Among those, 6,374 civilians have been killed and another 9,776 injured, though the office continues to warn that "actual figures are considerably higher."

"Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects, including shelling from heavy artillery, multiple launch rocket systems, missiles and air strikes," OHCHR said in its report Monday.

"OHCHR believes that the actual figures are considerably higher, as the receipt of information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration. This concerns, for example, Mariupol (Donetsk region), Izium (Kharkiv region), Lysychansk, Popasna, and Sievierodonetsk (Luhansk region), where there are allegations of numerous civilian casualties."

The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has recorded at least 430 children have died and more than 820 have been injured, as of Monday morning.
The office also warns its figures are not final as "work is ongoing to establish them in places of active hostilities, in temporarily occupied and liberated territories."

The highest number of child casualties were reported in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions.

Ukraine Liberates 90 Settlements in Kherson, Defense Ministry Says

Ukrainian forces have liberated over 90 settlements from Russian occupation in the Kherson Oblast, according to Ukraine's Ministry of Defense.

"In the liberated villages, stabilization measures are being implemented," the ministry said in a Telegram post, adding more than 12,000 people live in those settlements.

Ukraine said Russian forces continue to mine bridges and crossings as they retreat from Kherson. The Ministry of Defense added that Russia is actively recruiting prisoners in both Russia and in occupied areas of Ukraine "to replenish their current loses."

Ukrainian forces have also pushed Russian forces out of four settlements in the Donbas. The General Staff of the Armed Forces said Russian forces have withdrawn from Karmazynivka, Miasozharivka, and Nevske in Luhansk Oblast, as well as from Novosadove in Donetsk Oblast.

Iran to Send Equipment, Advisers to Russia, Ukraine Says

Russian conscripts are being equipped with Iranian-made armor and helmets, according to Ukrainian military officials.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said Russian forces are using Iranian equipment because of an "inability to provide a new wave of mobilized people with the necessary ammunition of their own production."

This includes 3000 armor units, 1,500 armor vests and 1,500 helmets manufactured by the Iranian company Milad.

Ukraine also reports that Iranian authorities plan to send a group of advisers to teach Russian troops how to use new drones and "ground-to-earth" missiles.

Russia Ramps Up Weapon Production, Official Says

Russia is taking steps to ramp up weapon production as the war in Ukraine continues.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council, visited the country's top tank factory in the Ural Mountains city of Nizhny Tagil Monday to discuss ways to increase output.

"The production of weapons and special equipment of all types is increasing manyfold: from tanks and guns to high-precision missiles and drones. Brace yourself!" he said on Telegram.

Medvedev dismissed claims from western leaders that Russia would run out of its weapons stockpile soon.

He said the production of weapons and equipment, from tanks and guns to high-precision missiles and drones, is "multiplying in all directions."

"The goal has been set for a scrupulous execution of the government's defense contracts in all of its key parameters, prevention of disruptions in the supply of equipment," Medvedev said. "Attention has been drawn to the fact that all contractors could be held to account, including on criminal charges, and requests have been accepted for ministries and other agencies that are in charge of government contracts. Supervision over the execution will continue."

Children With Disabilities Kidnapped From Kherson

Russian authorities are kidnapping children with disabilities from a school in the Kherson region and taking them to a psychiatric hospital in Crimea, the Kyiv Independent reports.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said there were about 80 children at the Oleshky boarding school, according to the outlet.

On Saturday, 46 children under the age of five were kidnapped from the Kherson Regional Children's Home and taken to Simferopol in Crimea, according to Kherson Oblast Governor Yaroslav Yanushevych.

Kherson was among the four regions Russia illegally annexed weeks ago. Amid Ukraine launching a counter-offensive in Kherson, there have been ongoing reports of Russian forces deporting locals to Crimea or other Russian regions.

Germany to Provide More Air Defense to Ukraine

Germany will soon provide three more IRIS-T air defense systems to Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Monday.

Shmyhal met with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz today, and said the system has been "extremely effective in protecting Ukrainian sky."

"I thanked Germany and Chancellor Olaf Scholz for the comprehensive support of our state," Shmyhal said. "I was glad to hear that [Germany] will supply [Ukraine] with 3 more such systems in the near future."

Earlier this month, Germany announced it would sent four new IRIS-T air defense systems to aid Ukraine after Russia intensified its use of missile attacks. The first system was set to be sent this month.

Scholz said talks of long-term support for Ukraine will continue tomorrow.

"We support Ukraine in war and in reconstruction," Scholz tweeted. "You can count on us, Denys Shmyhal."

Ukraine Soccer Club Calls on FIFA to Ban Iran From World Cup

Ukraine's top soccer club wants Iran removed from the World Cup over its alleged involvement in Russian attacks on Ukraine.

"Shakhtar Football Club calls on FIFA and the entire international community to immediately ban Iran's national team from playing at the World Cup for the country's direct participation in terrorist attacks on Ukrainians," club chief executive Sergei Palkin said in a statement.

He said almost 250 Iranian drones and missiles have been used by Russia to kill Ukrainians.

"Each of them was produced, delivered by the Iranian authorities, Iranian instructors and the military directly trained and managed the launches of drones that destroyed homes, museums, universities, offices, sports grounds and playgrounds, and most importantly, killed Ukrainians," Palkin said.

Palkin said this will be a "fair decision" that will draw the world's attention to "a regime that kills its best people and helps kill Ukrainians."

He also suggested the Ukraine national team should replace Iran.

"This decision is historically and sportingly justified," he said. "I urge everyone to join the pressure on the football bureaucracy. It is enough to repeat the mistakes of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, hiding behind the empty thesis about the apoliticality of sports."

Palkin added that it is time to end the policy of "facilitating the participation of terrorists in the World Cup is politics."

While Ukraine and United States officials claim Iran has been directly involved in Russia's attacks in Ukraine, both Russia and Iran deny the drones were Iranian-built.

FIFA has not yet responded to Palkin's request. The organization did suspend Russian teams following its invasion of Ukraine, barring Russia from participating in the World Cup qualifying playoffs in March due to risks to the security and integrity of its competitions and Poland's plan to boycott the game.

US Has No Indication Russia Will Use Nuclear Weapons

Russia has not made any decision to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to a U.S. defense official.

The official told reporters that the U.S. has seen no intelligence to indicate that Russia will use nuclear, chemical or biological weapons.

The Pentagon also anticipated that U.S. NASAM (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) air defense systems will arrive in Ukraine in the next few weeks.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will speak with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov about Russia's allegations that Ukraine is planning to use a dirty bomb in Ukraine.

Zelensky Says Russia Ordered 2,000 Drones from Iran

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claims Russia has ordered 2,000 Shahed-136 Kamikaze drones from Iran.

During his remarks at the Haaretz Democracy Summit, Zelensky said Moscow will help Iran's nuclear program in exchange for providing drones and missiles for its war against Ukraine.

"The vile sound of the flight of Iranian drones sounds in our skies every night," he said.

Zelensky stressed the need for Israel's help bolstering Ukraine's air defenses.

"Unfortunately, we do not have our own 'Iron Dome,'" Zelensky said in a Telegram post. "We do not yet have a modern and effective air defense and missile defense system that can protect our sky. Therefore, Russia hopes to compensate for the losses on earth with terror in the air."

According to reporters at the conference, Zelensky implied that Israel's neutrality allowed for the alliance between Russia and Iran to develop.

He said that if Ukraine had secured its skies sooner, "Russia would not even have a motive now to go to Iran and offer it something in exchange for assistance in terror."

Russia Continues 'Adopting' Ukrainian Children, Report

Russia is continuing efforts to adopt Ukrainian children and raise them "as Russian," an Associated Press investigation reveals.

There have been thousands of children found in basements in cities including Mariupol and in orphanages in the Donbas, the investigation found. Ukrainian officials claim about 8,000 children have been deported to Russia, however an exact number is unknown.

Over 7.7 Million Ukrainian Refugees:

Nearly one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes since Russia began its invasion eight months ago, according to the United Nations.

There are more than 7.7 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe, U.N. refugee agency UNHCR reports, calling it "one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today." Nearly 1.5 million alone have sought refuge in neighboring Poland.

Another 6.2 million people remain displaced within Ukraine.

Russia Accuses Ukraine of Building a 'Dirty Bomb'

Russia claims Ukraine is building a "dirty bomb" to use in false flag attacks to be blamed on Moscow.

Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the Russian military's radiation, chemical and biological protection forces, said Monday that Ukraine has an abundant stock of radioactive waste from its nuclear power plants and waste storage facilities, as well as the necessary expertise to build a dirty bomb.

During a news briefing, he said a dirty bomb explosion could spread deadly radiation up to 1,500 kilometers.

Kirillov said the Russian Military is prepared to operate in conditions of radioactive contamination.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the military information "has been checked via corresponding channels."

"It's not an unfounded suspicion, we have serious reasons to believe that such things could be planned," he said at a news conference.

Ukrainian officials have denied these claims, saying Russia is waging these allegations to shift attention from its own plans to use a dirty bomb.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba asked the head of the United Nations' nuclear watch dog to send experts to nuclear facilities in Ukraine where "Russia deceitfully claims to be developing a dirty bomb."

Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi agreed, Kubleba said.

"Unlike Russia, Ukraine has always been and remains transparent," Kuleba said. "We have nothing to hide."

In a call with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu, the foreign ministers of the U.S., U.K. and France denied have also rejected Russia's claims about a Ukrainian dirty bomb.

"Our countries made clear that we all reject Russia's transparently false allegations that Ukraine is preparing to use a dirty bomb on its own territory," the NATO allies said in a joint statement. "The world would see through any attempt to use this allegation as a pretext for escalation. We further reject any pretext for escalation by Russia."

Ukraine is Successfully Defending Against Drone Attacks

Ukrainian forces are increasingly successful in its efforts defending against Russian aerial attacks, according to the latest British intelligence.

The United Kingdom Ministry of Defence said Russia continues to use Iranian drones in attacks across the oblasts. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, claim that up to 85 percent of attacks are being intercepted.

Zelensky said Russia continues to target energy infrastructure, leading to nation-wide power outages and mandated electricity limits.

The Iranian uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are slow, noisy and fly at low altitudes, "making lone aircraft easy to target conventional air defences," the U.K. said Monday.

The ministry believes Russia is likely launching a "high number" of Iranian UAV's in order to "penetrate increasingly effective Ukrainian air defences."

"It is likely using them as a substitute for Russian-manufactured long-range precision weapons which are becoming increasingly scarce," the U.K. Defence Ministry said.