The News in Brief
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Prepared by the Messenger Staff
BBC News Webpage Blocked in Russia
Access to the BBC News website has been restricted in Russia. According to Roskomnadzor, the website was blocked based on the February 24 appeal of the Prosecutor General's Office.
The website of the BBC Russian service was still blocked on March 4. Access to Meduza's website and social networks has been restricted since the same period. Later, other critical editions were blocked as well.
The blocking of the websites was preceded by a demand from Roskomnadzor to refer to the ongoing war in Ukraine, launched by Russia, as a "special operation." However, use only official Russian sources when disseminating information.
On March 4, the Russian parliament passed a law providing for up to 15 years in prison for spreading ‘fake news’ on the actions of the Russian army.
Russia Bombs Mariupol Theatre Where Hundreds of Civilians Were sheltering The deputy mayor of the besieged port city of Mariupol has told the BBC that Russian forces have bombed a theatre where hundreds of civilians were sheltering.
Serhiy Orlov said between 1,000 and 1,200 people were in the building. The number of casualties was still unknown, he said.
Mariupol has been encircled by Russian forces, and an estimated 300,000 are trapped with no running water, electricity, or gas. Food and medical supplies are running low, and Russia has not allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid.
BBC News Webpage Blocked in Russia
Access to the BBC News website has been restricted in Russia. According to Roskomnadzor, the website was blocked based on the February 24 appeal of the Prosecutor General's Office.
The website of the BBC Russian service was still blocked on March 4. Access to Meduza's website and social networks has been restricted since the same period. Later, other critical editions were blocked as well.
The blocking of the websites was preceded by a demand from Roskomnadzor to refer to the ongoing war in Ukraine, launched by Russia, as a "special operation." However, use only official Russian sources when disseminating information.
On March 4, the Russian parliament passed a law providing for up to 15 years in prison for spreading ‘fake news’ on the actions of the Russian army.
Russia Bombs Mariupol Theatre Where Hundreds of Civilians Were sheltering The deputy mayor of the besieged port city of Mariupol has told the BBC that Russian forces have bombed a theatre where hundreds of civilians were sheltering.
Serhiy Orlov said between 1,000 and 1,200 people were in the building. The number of casualties was still unknown, he said.
Mariupol has been encircled by Russian forces, and an estimated 300,000 are trapped with no running water, electricity, or gas. Food and medical supplies are running low, and Russia has not allowed the delivery of humanitarian aid.