World War 3 has begun, says Russian TV; Ukraine is hero for free world, asserts Zelensky

After Russia was dealt a massive blow with the sinking of its warship Moskva in the Black Sea, the country’s state TV declared that the ongoing invasion of Ukraine has “escalated into World War Three”.

Presenter Olga Skabeyeva told Rossiya 1 viewers that Russia was fighting against NATO infrastructure.

“One can safely call what it has escalated into World War Three. That’s absolutely for sure. Right now, we’re definitely fighting against NATO infrastructure, if not NATO itself. We need to recognise that,” she said, according to multiple reports.

The 529-crew Moskva sunk on Friday after being hit by Ukraine’s two Neptune anti-ship cruise missiles on Thursday. However, Russia denied this claim and stated that Moskva suffered damage from an accidental fire and ammunition explosion.

And here we have it – in a rant seemingly aimed at explaining to viewers why the “special operation in Ukraine” is taking so long, Russian state TV presenter Olga Skabeyeva says her country is fighting World War Three against Nato

I’ve added subtitles pic.twitter.com/MQW0UfiQso

— Francis Scarr (@francska1) April 14, 2022

On Saturday (April 16), Russia threatened renewed missile attacks on Kyiv, where authorities said the bodies of more than 900 civilians were found outside the Ukrainian capital.

Seven-month-old child killed

Most had been shot dead, police said, and likely simply executed. Russian forces prepared for a renewed offensive in eastern Ukraine, and fighting also went on in the pummelled southern port city of Mariupol, where locals reported seeing Russian troops digging up bodies.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the shelling of a residential area killed seven people, including a seven-month-old child, and wounded 34, according to regional Governor Oleh Sinehubov.

Early Saturday, Kyiv’s eastern district of Darnytskie was struck, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said in an online posting. He said rescuers and paramedics were on the scene. He warned residents who have fled the capital not to return for their safety.

In the towns around Kyiv, said Andriy Nebytov, who heads the region’s police force, bodies were abandoned in the streets or given temporary burials. He cited police data indicating 95% died from gunshot wounds.

According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Ukraine and Russia are both unlikely to advance ceasefire negotiations until the ongoing Russian campaign in eastern Ukraine develops further.

Russian forces continued to grind down Ukrainian defences in southwestern and eastern Mariupol. Ukrainian defenders reported that the situation is “deteriorating” and Russian forces are deploying additional artillery and heavy weapons, said ISW.

Russian forces continued unsuccessful daily attacks against Rubizhne, Popasna, and Marinka and heavy shelling along the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks from Izyum toward both Slovyansk and Barvinkove, it further stated.

Russia killed ‘14,000 people’

Meanwhile, in an address to the nation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the country as “a hero for the whole free world”.

“We have withstood 50 days already. 50 days of Russian invasion, although the occupiers gave us a maximum of five… Russia did not start the war against Ukraine on February 24. Russian troops came to us in 2014. They captured our Crimea. They turned it into a large military base. They made the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov one of the most dangerous seas on the planet. They started a terrible, absolutely cynical war in our Donbas. They have been killing our people for eight years. 14,000 were killed during this time,” he said.

“How did the world respond to this? The question remained rhetorical. But that is why they decided they could afford a full-scale war…During the 50 days of this war, Ukraine became a hero for the whole free world. For those who have the courage to call a spade a spade. For those who are not poisoned by propaganda. You have all become heroes. All Ukrainian men and women who withstood and do not give up. And who will win? Who will return peace to Ukraine? I’m sure of it,” he added.

(With inputs from Agencies)