Tatyana Moskalkova, the human rights commissioner in Russia, said on Tuesday, 22 March, that Moscow and Kyiv had exchanged the first prisoners of war amid the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, the Emergency Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the Russia-Ukraine conflict will resume on 23 March, said Abdulla Shahid, the president of the 193-member body on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian military on Tuesday said that the invading Russian forces are holding the land corridor with Crimea and are blocking Ukrainian access to the Sea of Azov, while the city of Sumy is also partially blocked.
US President Joe Biden on Monday called India "somewhat shaky" on the Western sanctions punishing Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Biden has said that there are clear signs that Russia is considering using biological weapons against Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called for direct talks "in any format" with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy said that NATO should announce whether it will assimilate Ukraine as a member or if it was afraid of Russia
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Russian Journalist Blasts Propaganda Broadcast by Pro-Kremlin Media
A Russian journalist, who was a senior foreign correspondent for state-run television but quit after the country's invasion of Ukraine, on Tuesday criticised the propaganda broadcast by the pro-Kremlin media.
Zhanna Agalakova, who worked as a correspondent from New York and Paris, spoke during a news conference in Paris organised by press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and said "she could no longer be involved in the lies and manipulation of Russian state TV", AFP reported.
"I want the people of Russia to hear me and learn what propaganda is and stop being zombified," she said.
Two 'Super Powerful Bombs' Hit the Port City of Mariupol
Two "super powerful bombs" hit the port city of Mariupol on Tuesday even as rescue efforts were ongoing, the Mariupol local authorities informed, reported AFP.
However, they did give an immediate count of fatalities.
"It is clear that the occupiers are not interested in the city of Mariupol, they want to raze it to the ground, to reduce it to ashes," the authorities said.
More than 200,000 people are said to be trapped in the city.
PM Modi, UK PM Boris Johnson Discuss Ukraine Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK PM Boris Johnson discussed the situation in Ukraine over a phone call on Tuesday, the Prime Minister's Office informed.
"PM Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities & a return to dialogue & diplomacy," the PMO said. He also "emphasized India's belief in respect for international law & territorial integrity of all states," the PMO added.
PM Modi also conveyed his desire to welcome PM Johnson in India at an early date.
The two leaders also discussed issues of bilateral interests in various areas.
"PM Modi appreciated the progress in implementing 'India-UK Roadmap 2030' adopted during Virtual Summit last year," the PMO said.
Want More 'Active & Substantial' Talks on Ukraine: Kremlin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Tuesday said it would like more 'active and substantial' talks with Ukraine aimed at ending Russia's military action in the country.
"There is some kind of process happening. We would like more active and substantial (talks)," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.