With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the Russia-Ukraine war for today. Do join us tomorrow for the top developments as tensions continue to rise between Moscow and rest of the Western world. Until then, stay tuned to CNBCTV18.com for more news, views and other updates.

Mar 17, 2022 12:22 AM

Russia-Ukraine news LIVE updates: US warns Russia, says any use of chemical weapons would have consequences

US national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on Wednesday with Nikolay Patrushev, secretary of Russia's Security Council, warning him of the consequences "of any possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine". A White House statement after the call, the first high-level contact publicly disclosed between the two countries since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, did not specify what those consequences would be. Washington and its allies have accused Russia of spreading an unproven claim that Ukraine had a biological weapons program as a possible prelude to potentially launching its own biological or chemical attacks. Russia's defence ministry Tuesday accused Kyiv, without providing evidence, of planning a chemical attack against its own people in order to accuse Moscow of using chemical weapons in its three-week-old conflict with Ukraine. "We know for certain that, with the support of Western countries, the SBU (Ukrainian Security Service) is preparing a provocation using poisonous substances against civilians in order to accuse Russia of using chemical weapons against the Ukrainian population," the ministry said in a statement carried by the RIA news agency.

Mar 17, 2022 12:15 AM

Russia-Ukraine news LIVE: US to send hundreds of anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine, says Joe Biden

President Joe Biden announced an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, even as his position on a no-fly zone did not change after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's urgent appeal to the U.S. Congress for military help to fend off a Russian invasion. Addressing Zelenskiy's remarks in his speech, Biden said the United States has offered Ukraine $1 billion in security aid, adding America will continue to give Ukraine weapons to fight and defend themselves, offer humanitarian relief and support Ukraine's economy with additional financial assistance. "This new package on its own is going to provide unprecedented assistance to Ukraine, and includes 800 anti-aircraft systems," Biden said, to stop Russian planes and helicopters attacking Ukrainians. At Zelenskiy's request, Washington will help Ukraine acquire additional long-range missile anti-aircraft systems, Biden said. It will also supply 9,000 anti-armor systems, drones and 7,000 small arms such as machine guns, shotguns and grenade launchers that will help civilians fighting to defend their country.

Mar 17, 2022 12:05 AM

US Federal Reserve increases interest rates by 0.25%; first hike in three years

The United States Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it approved its first interest rate hike -- 0.23 percent or 25 basis points -- in over three years. The announcement came at the end of the two-day meeting of the policymaking Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). The FOMC also penciled in rate hikes at each of the six remaining meetings, adding up to a consolidated rate of 1.9 percent by the end of 2022. The committee sees three more hikes in 2023 then none of the following year. The move, aimed at addressing increasing inflation without affecting economic growth, will bring lending rate into the 0.25-0.5 percent range and will have an immediate effect on consumer borrowing and credit.

Mar 17, 2022 12:01 AM

Russia-Ukraine news LIVE: UK wants every country to 'move away' from Russian oil

The UK wants every country to move away from using Russian oil and gas because it directly funds President Vladimir Putin's war machine, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesperson said on Wednesday. Asked about India's proposed move to purchase crude oil from Russia, the spokesperson said the UK Prime Minister respects every country's individual position but wants to broaden the coalition of countries against the Russian President's actions in Ukraine. The Indian Parliament was informed this week of ongoing talks "at the appropriate level of the Russian Federation" over the potential purchase of crude oil. The Prime Minister would want every country to move away from using Russian oil and gas, the spokesperson said.

Mar 16, 2022 11:58 PM

Biden says US to give Ukraine drones, anti-aircraft systems

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said the United States was offering an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine to combat Russia's invasion, with the new package including drones and anti-aircraft systems. "It includes 800 anti-aircraft systems to make sure that the Ukrainian military can continue to stop the planes and helicopters that have been attacking their people," Biden said.

Mar 16, 2022 11:14 PM

Kyiv mayor says private homes and gas line damaged in latest shelling

Shelling by Russian forces caused a fire and damaged private homes and a gas line in Kyiv's Podil district on Wednesday evening, mayor Vitali Klitschko said. The fire has been contained and emergency and rescue workers at the scene have not identified any casualties, he said in an online post.

Mar 16, 2022 11:13 PM

Russia-Ukraine War: In Kharkiv, critical COVID patients at the mercy of bombardment

Russia-Ukraine War: Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city in the east of the country, has been under Russian attack for weeks, leaving doctors with an impossible dilemma. The regional emergency service said…

Mar 16, 2022 11:01 PM

US warns Moscow against using chemical or biological weapons

US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned his Russian counterpart on Wednesday against “any possible Russian decision to use chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine,” the White House said in a statement, The New Times reported. The explicit warning to Nikolai P. Patrushev, President Vladimir Putin’s main national security adviser, reflected escalating concerns in Washington that the Russians, stymied in their hopes of a quick takeover of the country, could resort to weapons of mass destruction.

Mar 16, 2022 10:55 PM

Biden expected to announce additional $800 million in security assistance for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden is is expected to announce an additional $800 million in security assistance to Ukraine, a White House official told CNN, bringing the total to $1 billion announced in just the last week. This comes shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to Congress for help directly Wednesday, telling US lawmakers "we need you right now" as he invoked tragedies in American history like the attack on Pearl Harbor and the September 11 terrorist attack.

Mar 16, 2022 10:39 PM

Russian bombing hits theatre in Mariupol sheltering residents: City council

Russian forces bombed a theatre where civilians were sheltering in the encircled port city of Mariupol on Wednesday, the city council said. It said the number of casualties was not yet known. Reuters could not independently verify the information. Russia denies targeting civilians.

Mar 16, 2022 10:27 PM

US Justice and Treasury departments launch multilateral Russian oligarch task force

US Attorney General Merrick Garland and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen met with counterparts in Europe and Asia today to formally launch a multilateral task force that seeks to take action against the assets of Russian oligarchs. The task force, which will draw upon the ministries of justice, home or finance in member jurisdiction, will work to “collect and share information to take concrete actions, including sanctions, asset freezing, civil and criminal asset seizure, and criminal prosecution,” the Justice Department said in a release Wednesday.

Mar 16, 2022 10:25 PM

Ukrainian TV channel claims it was hacked after Zelenskyy call to surrender airs

A Ukrainian TV channel says it was hacked after a fake statement from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy asking the people of Ukraine to surrender to Russia was broadcast on the channel. Ukraine 24, a 24-hour news channel, said it was the victim of a hack after an alleged statement from Zelenskiy was shown in a live TV broadcast. In the written statement that was broadcast, Zelenskiy allegedly said he was “capitulating” and would surrender and “give up arms”. Zelenskiy responded with a video address from Kyiv, calling the provocation “childish”. He said he never made any such statement and promised that “the only ones who should give up arms are Russian soldiers”.

Mar 16, 2022 10:23 PM

Reasonable grounds to believe war crime were committed in Ukraine, ICC chief prosecutor tells CNN

The chief prosecutor at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has told CNN that he has come to Ukraine because he has reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes have been committed in the conflict between Russia and its southern neighbour. “The law is clear on this. It is a crime to intentionally target civilians. It is a crime to intentionally target civilian objects. Now, of course, there has to be further investigation. Were those civilian objects being used to launch attacks that make them a legitimate target? But even then, there is no license to use cluster bombs or use disproportionate attacks in concentrated civilian areas. There’s a duty of distinction,” Karim Khan said.

Mar 16, 2022 10:14 PM

Zelenskyy welcomes ICJ order on war

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has welcomed an order by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for Russia to stop its military actions in Ukraine.

Mar 16, 2022 10:11 PM

Load more