Russia-Ukraine war latest: 7 major developments that happened on Monday

Here's what you need to know on 28 February.
This article was updated at 6pm.

Russia suspended from international football

The governing bodies of FIFA and UEFA have confirmed Russia has been suspended from all competitions. The heads of the organisations said in a joint statement: "Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.” Russia had been due to play Poland in a World Cup qualifier in Moscow next month, with Poland planning to boycott the game. Read more (Telegraph)

Peace talks end

Russian and Ukrainian ceasefire talks ended on Monday with no breakthrough. Ukraine had said it wanted to secure an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces. The Kremlin declined to comment, although Vladimir Putin showed no sign he was reconsidering the invasion he unleashed last Thursday, dismissing the West as an "empire of lies”.

One notable development is the emergence of role apparently being played Chelsea FC owner and Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who has been asked by Ukraine to help achieve a “peaceful resolution”. Read more (Reuters)

'Dozens killed' as death toll grows

While the two sides were speaking, dozens of civilians were reportedly killed in a Russian rocket attack. According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces launched the offensive on Monday morning in Kharkiv with hundreds more wounded.

Ukraine has claimed 5,300 Russian soldiers have been killed in the course of the invasion. The UN has said at least 102 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, while Ukraine's health ministry put the figure at 352, including 14 children. A fourth-grade student from Kyiv called Polina, who is thought to be either nine or ten, and her parents, were among the Ukrainians confirmed dead. They were travelling in their car when they were reportedly killed by Russian troops in Kyiv.

A concerning development saw Amnesty International claim that Russian cluster bombs had hit a preschool in the north east of Ukraine, killing three people, including one child.

Read more on the Kharkiv attack here (Guardian)
Read more about the death of Polina here (Telegraph)

Russia doubles interest rates

The Russian Central Bank more than doubled its key interest rates from 9.5% to 20% as the rouble sank to an all-time low in the face of swingeing sanctions. UK chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the UK Government will match new measures imposed by the US and the EU by preventing Russian central banks from accessing cash in the UK. The rouble sank nearly 26% against the US dollar, trading at a record low 105.27 per dollar. Officials forced exporters to sell their foreign currency revenues, while long queues formed outside cash machines as the country faces significant economic disruption. Read more (Evening Standard)

EU membership

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday signed an application for the country to join the European Union. “We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession under a new special procedure,” he said. European Union leaders may discuss the possibility of Ukrainian membership at an informal summit in March. Read more (Reuters)

The information war

Hacking group Anonymous claimed responsibility for a hack on Russian media outlets, replacing their websites with anti-war messages and calls to stop Putin's invasion of Ukraine. It read: "Dear citizens. We urge you to stop this madness, do not send your sons and husbands to certain death. Putin is forcing us to lie and is putting us in danger." Read more (Evening Standard)

Patel stands firm

Priti Patel ruled out a visa waiver for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict with Russia because of fears Moscow’s troops and extremists could seek to come to the UK. The home secretary, who has come under intense political pressure from MPs across the Commons to do more to allow refugees to reach the UK, insisted she was taking action to open safe routes. Read more (Independent)