Russian forces have taken over the strategic port city of Kherson and shelled Europe's largest nuclear power plant in another city, sparking a fire there that was extinguished overnight. It comes as Russian forces continue to press ahead with their invasion and campaign to "demilitarize" Ukraine.
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In Belarus, Ukrainian and Russian delegates met and agreed to provide safe corridors to evacuate citizens and deliver humanitarian aid. People across Ukraine have taken up arms, sought shelter or fled to neighboring countries.
Russians captured the southern city of Kherson, a vital Black Sea port of 280,000. Ukrainian officials confirmed the takeover of the government headquarters there, making it the first major city to fall since the invasion began.
Russian armored vehicles were seen in the otherwise empty streets of Kherson, in videos shared with The Associated Press by a resident.
Heavy fighting continued on the outskirts of another strategic port, Mariupol, knocking out the city's electricity, heat and water systems, as well as most phone service. Food deliveries to the city were also cut.
Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko said on Friday that the Belarusian armed forces were not taking part and would not take part in Russia's military operation in Ukraine.
A close Russian ally, Lukashenko said he spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin at length by telephone on Friday. Russia has used Belarusian territory to carry out a multi-pronged invasion of Ukraine.
Belarus has strengthened its air defenses along the perimeter of its border in line with an order from Lukashenko, a senior military official said on Friday.
Also on Friday, the UN top human rights body has voted overwhelmingly to appoint a three-person panel of experts to monitor human rights in Ukraine.
The Human Rights Council voted 32-2, with 13 abstentions, to pass a resolution that was presented by many Western countries and others who have spoken out against Moscow's attack on its neighbor.
Only Russia and Eritrea opposed the resolution, with China abstaining.
The vote Friday was the culmination of an urgent debate called by Ukraine, during which most council members lambasted Russia.
Meanwhile, The United States is waiving a requirement for negative COVID-19 tests from Americans leaving Belarus or Russia to travel home, the State Department said on Thursday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it would exercise its discretion to allow travel by US citizens, permanent residents and holders of valid immigrant visas who were in either country by a Feb. 28 cut-off date.
Earlier, it made a similar waiver for Americans leaving Ukraine who had been in the country by Feb. 10.
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