According to information from “Bild am Sonntag”, the federal government is examining the purchase of a missile shield for Germany. According to Ukrainian data, Russia has again shelled a nuclear research reactor. The developments in the live blog.
12:42 a.m
Ukraine: So far twelve journalists have been killed during the war
According to Ukrainian sources, twelve journalists have died since the war broke out a month ago. Another ten reporters were injured in the course of the fighting, some seriously, said the Ukrainian Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova. “Telling the world the truth about Putin’s aggression is deadly – 12 journalists have already died in the war,” she wrote on Facebook.
According to their reading, the reporters were killed by the Russian military. This information could not be independently verified. According to the investigations so far, at least 56 media representatives have been attacked, including 15 foreigners. According to Venediktova, the foreigners included the British, Czechs, Danes, Americans, Swiss and citizens of the United Arab Emirates.
12:20 a.m
Bahn launches job program for refugees
Deutsche Bahn is launching a job and counseling program for refugees from Ukraine. DB HR Director Martin Seiler says “Bild am Sonntag”: “We want to offer the refugees a professional perspective – in the short term but also in the longer term”.
Starting next week, a corresponding hotline in Russian and Ukrainian should be activated. In addition, advice centers are to open in Frankfurt am Main, Cologne and Berlin. The railway provides information there about the labor market and offers concrete job opportunities in commercial and technical areas.
12:16 a.m
“BamS”: Federal government examines missile protection shield for Germany
In view of a possible threat from Russia, the federal government is examining the establishment of a missile protection shield over federal territory, according to information from “Bild am Sonntag”. During a consultation between Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Inspector General Eberhard Zorn this week, such an “Iron Dome” (Iron Dome) was also an issue. Specifically, it was about a possible acquisition of the Israeli “Arrow 3” system.
The main rapporteur on the budget committee for the defense budget, Andreas Schwarz (SPD), told the newspaper: “We have to protect ourselves better against the threat from Russia. For this we need a Germany-wide anti-missile shield.” He added: “The Israeli Arrow 3 system is a good solution.”
According to the newspaper, the system would cost two billion euros, according to information from security circles. Since it is available on the market, it could be operational as early as 2025. It also has the capacity to help protect Poland, Romania or the Baltic States.
12:12 a.m
Russia fires on research reactor again
A nuclear research center is said to have been shelled again in the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine. This was announced by the Ukrainian state nuclear regulatory authority during the night. The system is now without electricity, and there is superficial damage to the building. Increased radiation was not measured
In the evening, however, the Russian military accused Ukrainian forces of having “blown up” a building of the research center in order to “hide nuclear research”. “Up to 50 facility employees may be under the rubble,” Russian Colonel General Mikhail Mizintsev claimed.
At the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology there is a research reactor that runs on weakly enriched uranium. According to the Society for Reactor Safety (GRS), both Ukrainian research reactors – a second one is in Kyiv – were shut down at the end of February.
conflicting parties as a source
In the current situation, information on the course of the war, shelling and casualties provided by official bodies of the Russian and Ukrainian conflict parties cannot be directly checked by an independent body.
12:02 a.m
Zelenskyj: Russia is “de-Russifying” Ukraine
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia is doing everything it can to “de-Russify” Ukraine by waging war against the civilian population. “Where Russian has always been a part of everyday life alongside Ukrainian, in the east of our country, where they (the Russians) are currently turning peaceful cities into ruins, Russia is doing everything possible to de-Russify our territory,” said Zelenskyy. This “de-Russification” is happening “for this generation and forever”.