Russia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 374

As the war between Russia and Ukraine enters its 374th day, we take a look at the main developments.

This is the state of affairs on Saturday, March 4, 2023:

To fight

• The head of Russia’s Wagner Group said the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut is almost completely surrounded and only one road is open for the Ukrainian soldiers.
• The commander of a Ukrainian drone unit operating in Bakhmut said in a video that his unit had been ordered to immediately withdraw from the city.
• The United States has announced a new $400 million military aid package for Ukraine. It consists mainly of ammunition, but for the first time includes tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles.
• Russia said it would take steps to prevent new border incursions and President Vladimir Putin told his Security Council to discuss additional “anti-terrorism measures” after what he called a “terrorist attack” in the Bryansk region bordering Ukraine.

Diplomacy

• US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met in the Oval Office on Friday and stated they were “in lockstep” to put pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
• A senior European Union official has said giving Beijing arms to Moscow would be an “absolute red line” and the EU would respond with sanctions, Reuters news agency reported.
• Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the US of hypocrisy after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Russia should not be allowed to go to war in Ukraine with impunity.
• US Attorney General Merrick Garland made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Friday and vowed to hold “Russian war criminals” accountable for their actions.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said justice will be served when the Russian state and military leaders are held accountable for the war it has launched against his country.
• Foreign ministers from the Quad group – the United States, Japan, India and Australia – have denounced Russia’s threat to use nuclear weapons in the war with Ukraine, according to a statement.