Sainsbury’s and Co-op pull Russian goods from shelves

The Sun understands no UK supermarket has yet banned any of Coca-Cola’s brands – which include Monster, Oasis, Smart Water, Innocent and Powerade – but other products have been.

Sainsbury’s last week revoked all products that are fully sourced from Russia.

The move means Brits can no longer buy Russian Standard vodka and Karpayskiye black sunflower seeds from any store or online.

The chain joined the Co-op which was the first UK supermarket group to remove Russian-made vodka from sale in response to the crisis.

‘Boycott Coca Cola’

SHOPPERS are calling on UK supermarkets to “do the right thing” and pull Coca Cola products from their shelves.

The drinks giant, which also owns Sprite, Fanta, Schweppes and Dr Pepper, is continuing to operate in Russia despite President Vladimir Putin’s assault on Ukraine.

Three Ukrainian supermarket chains have already halted sales of all drinks made by the “shameless” company.

But customers want British stores to follow suit in solidarity and strip them from the aisles here.

Addressing Sainsbury’s directly, one woman wrote on Twitter: “Pathetic. If you want to make a difference, stop selling Coca-Cola.

“They are still selling to Russia. Russia has cut off water supply to over a million people.

“Do the right thing. #BoycottCocaCola.”

Russian fighter blown out of sky as Ukraine says 285 tanks & 88 jets destroyed

A RUSSIAN fighter jet was blown out the sky by Ukraine in another humiliation for Putin, as his forces continue to be hit by huge losses.

Steadfast Ukrainians have now wiped out 88 of his aircraft, according to their armed forces, as the bloody conflict enters its eleventh day.

Despite initial concerns the country would quickly fall to Russia, power is instead said to be draining from the Kremlin as the botched invasion drags on.

Ukraine claims to have blown up a whopping 285 tanks as they keep Putin’s henchmen at bay while they try and capture major cities.

And one extraordinary clip painting a picture of Putins failures appears to show a Russian Su-25 fighter jet being destroyed as it soared over Kharkiv.

The plane transforms into a fireball as it plummets to the ground, much to the delight of Ukrainians watching below.

Aid worker shot dead by Russian ‘death squad’ after refusing to abandon dogs

AN AID worker has been shot dead by a Russian ‘death squad’ after valiantly refusing to evacuate so she could save Ukrainian dogs, it has been reported.

Anastasiia Yalanskaya, 26, was slaughtered alongside two other volunteers as they delivered food to a local dog shelter in Bucha, 18 miles outside of Kyiv.

Her devastated family revealed the trio were making the treacherous journey when their car was deliberately targeted at close range by Putin’s henchmen toting “heavy weaponry”.

They believe troops are now killing civilians at random to weaken the resistance to the Russian regime and terrify innocent people.

BREAKING – Hobbit & The Lion King actor Pasha Lee, 33, killed by Russian shell

UKRAINIAN actor and TV host Pasha Lee who quit his job and joined the army to defend his country from the Russian invasion has been killed in shelling.

The 33-year-old had only signed up to Ukraine’s Territorial Defence Forces last week but died during Russian shelling in Irpin, just northwest of Kyiv.

n a tragic last Instagram post on Saturday, Lee shared a picture of himself in his military uniform.

He wrote: “For the last 48 hours there is an opportunity to sit down and take a picture of how we are being bombed, and we are smiling because we will manage and everything will be UKRAINE WE ARE WORKING!”

In another one of his final Instagram posts, published five days ago, he shared a picture of himself in his military uniform and called on Ukrainians to “join” him in the war.

It came as four civilians including a family of three were killed in the same city as they tried to flee the Russian bombardment.

Attacking while removing their dead

Around a dozen soldiers were helping people carry bags across a bridge over the River Irpin when they were forced to scatter by incoming missiles.

A soldier was telling one journalist how heartbroken families had been trying to bring their dead children out of the town when the missile slammed into the road just yards away.

Medics dashed across the road to tend to the family but the mother and her two children were killed instantly.

Only the father and the family dog – barking in terror in a small carrier – survived.

Civilian death toll keeps rising

The civilian death toll in Ukraine continues to rise, despite the Russian insistence that its forces are only attacking military targets.

A mother and her two children were among the dead yesterday as merciless Russian troops fired on families fleeing the carnage in Ukraine.

At least eight people were killed when missiles rained down on hundreds of terrified locals as they ran across a bridge to escape the bombardment of Irpin near Kyiv.

Speaking after the attack in a video address, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to punish “every bastard” who committed atrocities during the war.

Describing the family killed in Irpin, he said: “They were just trying to get out of town. To escape. The whole family. How many such families have died in Ukraine?

“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war.”

Russians are being lied to

In a stunning condemnation of Putin‘s regime, Captured Russian commander Mikhailovich said he felt “sorry” for people back home in Russia who are “misinformed” about the war.

“Some do not even have internet,” he said. “They have no alternative (to state media). They are constantly brainwashed.”

He went on: “Maybe I really deserved to learn this lesson, so I could finally see and try to tell it to those who are in Russia. They do not realise what is happening here.”

And he admitted that he would “do the same” as the Ukrainians in resisting an invasion if the equivalent had happened in Russia.

How is Putin brainwashing his troops?

Captured Russian commander  Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich  described what he was told before the start of the invasion on February 22

He said he and his comrades were told Ukraine was “dominated by a fascist regime”, that “nationalists and Nazis had seized power,” and that they were there to help the people of Ukraine get rid of them.

“Obviously, this information was unilateral information,” he said.

“Of course, we have internet, sometimes we get something from other sources. We had some doubts. We did not know the situation for sure.”

He said he had further doubts on learning that his favourite boxers, Ukrainians Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko, were both planning to fight against the invasion.

“I feel shame that we came to this country… I don’t know why we were doing it. We knew very little. We brought sorrow to this land.”

He added that he and his fellow captives were prepared to “go to jail or whatever we deserve,” for their actions in Ukraine.

Captured Russian commander urges comrades to defect

Mikhailovich, who denied he was being pressured by his captors into speaking, addressed his fellow Russian soldiers directly.

“Guys, be brave,” he said. “It’s easier for me, I’m in this situation already.

“You are in a tense situation, going against your own commander. But this is genocide.”

He went on: “Russia cannot win here anyway. Even if we go until the very end. We can invade the territory, but we cannot invade the people.”

The commander said that “a Russian would be ashamed to confess that he is Russian” following the invasion.

Captured Russian commander begs for forgiveness (2 of 2)

Mikhailovich told reporters he was in the Russian National Guard’s special response unit team, and that Putin’s original announcement to invade Ukraine had come suddenly and taken his unit by surprise.

He insisted he was speaking freely, and that he hadn’t been pressured or intimidated into his statement by his Ukrainian captors.

Becoming emotional, he apologised directly to Ukraine, but admitted: “I cannot find the words to say sorry to the Ukrainian people,” and said he would “understand” if Russia was never forgiven.

He urged Ukraine to let Russian soldiers live and said: “Many of them are just embarrassed. They do not want war.”

Mikhailovich instead called for the soldiers to be sent home to Russia alive to tell their fellow Russians “what happened here”.

He added: “I just sincerely hope for your mercy towards those people who come to you with their hands up, or those who are wounded. We should not sow death. It’s better to sow life.”

Captured Russian commander begs for forgiveness (1 of 2)

A RUSSIAN commander captured by Ukrainian forces has given a powerful statement condemning his country’s military aggression and pleaded with Ukraine to show “mercy” to his countrymen.

The captive, a Lieutenant Colonel in Russia‘s National Guard, claimed he and his fellow soldiers had been lied to about Ukraine, and said he was ready to “go to jail” for his part in the invasion.

Lieutenant Colonel Astakhov Dmitry Mikhailovich was speaking at a media conference alongside two fellow captured Russian soldiers last Thursday but which was shared widely on Monday.

He is believed to be the most senior Russian soldier to speak out against the invasion so far.

‘Only following orders’

Nine aircrafts were shot down in a single day over the weekend with Russian pilots pleading they were just “following orders.”

Footage showed the detained pilots being with their hands behind their back and some being covered in blood.

Sanctions are like a declaration of war, Putin says

Over the weekend Putin said Western sanctions against his regime are like a “declaration of war”.

Putin also hinted at a nuclear strike if Nato forces got involved, saying it would have “colossal and catastrophic consequences not only for Europe but also the whole world”.+

He also warned that anyone who attempts to enforce a no fly zone over Ukraine will be considered to have entered the conflict.

“Any movement in this direction will be considered by us as participation in an armed conflict by that country,” said Putin.

Zelenskyy repeats calls for West to bring in no-fly zone

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has urged the West again to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine after eight Russian missiles destroyed a civilian airport in Vinnytsia.

Zelenskyy said: “We repeat every day: close the sky over Ukraine. Close for all Russian missiles, for Russian combat aircraft, for all their terrorists.

“If you don’t, if you don’t give us at least planes so we can protect ourselves, there’s only one thing to conclude: you want us to be killed very slowly.”

Shocking footage shows the airport completely wrecked from the attack with black smoke coming from it in the distance.

Poland can supply fighter jets to Ukraine

THE US gave Nato allies the “green light” to supply fighter jets to Ukraine last night – but Russia warned it will be at war with any country providing planes.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken sealed a deal with Poland and other countries to send their Russian-made MiGs to the help Ukrainian defence forces. 

Poland has reportedly asked the US to send F-16 fighters to replace any Soviet-era MiGs it supplies to Kyiv.

When asked if the deal had the go-ahead, Mr Blinken told CBS‘s Face the Nation: “That gets a green light.

“In fact, we’re talking with our Polish friends right now about what we might be able to do to backfill their needs if in fact they choose to provide these fighter jets to the Ukrainians.

“What can we do? How can we help to make sure that they get something to backfill the planes that they are handing over to the Ukrainians?”

He added that Nato countries and members of the G7 are “working together” to pressure the Kremlin and introduce more sanctions in the coming days.

Latest updates

Here’s a list of my must-read stories on Ukraine from The Sun today:

Putin forces carrying out war crimes during ‘senseless war’

Vadym Boychenko, mayor of Black Sea port town Mariupol, said: “They’re destroying us.”

Thousands continue to flee their homes in Europe’s biggest refugee exodus since World War Two.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said more than 1.5 million people had been driven out since the start of the war — with the number likely to hit four million by July.

He branded it a “senseless war” and added: “Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee Ukraine.

“International solidarity has been heart-warming.

“But nothing can replace the need for the guns to be silenced. Peace is the only way to halt this tragedy.”

Communications severed

Hopes of a mercy mission to rescue the 200,000 trapped were dashed yesterday when a temporary ceasefire collapsed for a second time.

The Red Cross appealed for a ceasefire amid “desperate scenes of human suffering” which has left dozens dead and thousands without food, medicines and heating as temperatures plunged to -3C.

Distraught relatives have no idea if loved ones are still alive after phone lines and the internet were cut.

Valentina Boyarkina, 51, said she had not heard from her son Anton, 28, or her 84-year-old mum for more than a week.

The train stewardess sobbed at a makeshift refugee camp: “The last time we spoke she said there was no electricity, no water and no heating.

Latest on the Mariupol siege

Desperate residents in besieged Mariupol were struggling on the fifth day of no water or power after an evacuation failed, just as it did on Saturday.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that Putin’s forces had promised to let people escape – but once again Russian shelling resumed before refugees could leave.

Officials said this afternoon: “For the second day in a row, a ceasefire agreement to enable the evacuation of civilians from Mariupol failed.

“The ceasefire was scheduled between 10am and 9pm local time, but the agreement was violated within hours of its planned implementation.”

Global leaders united in disgust

World leaders condemned yesterday’s horrific scenes and Boris Johnson discussed the “barbaric attacks” in a call with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A No 10 spokesman said: “The leaders discussed the increasing threat Russia’s barbaric attacks pose to Ukrainian civilians and the Prime Minister underlined the UK’s determination to ensure Putin fails.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken declared: “We’ve seen very credible reports of deliberate attacks on civilians which would constitute a war crime.”

Plans to downsize British Army even further could be scrapped over Russia threat

RISHI Sunak could cough up to reverse plans to slash the British Army to 72,000 within weeks, The Sun can reveal.

MPs believe the Chancellor will use his Spring Statement on March 23 to massively hike defence spending as the Russia threat explodes.

A planned cut of 10,000 troops was unveiled last year but are still deeply resented within the Ministry of Defence despite a wider uplift in defence spending.

Now that troop cut decision could be reversed in light on the growing threat from the Kremlin.

A senior Whitehall source said: “Critically it’s only been talked about, nothing has actually been cut yet so it’s not too late.”

On Sunday Defence Secretary Ben Wallace hinted at u-turn, telling the Telegraph the PM “has always been open” to revisiting defence funding “if the threat changes.

“And of course, we look at those funding levels,” he added.

Cold-blooded murder

A MOTHER and her two children were among the dead yesterday as merciless Russian troops fired on families fleeing the carnage in Ukraine.

At least eight people were killed when missiles rained down on hundreds of terrified locals as they ran across a bridge to escape the bombardment of Irpin near Kyiv.

Speaking after the attack in a video address, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed to punish “every bastard” who committed atrocities during the war.

Describing the family killed in Irpin, he said: “They were just trying to get out of town. To escape. The whole family. How many such families have died in Ukraine?

“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will punish everyone who committed atrocities in this war.”

Addressing the Russian forces behind the attack, Zelenskyy said: “There will be no quiet place on this earth for you. Except for the grave.”

Shocking footage of the strike which killed the family thought to be a   girl aged eight and her brother with their mum was recorded by reporters.

It is believed a family friend was also killed in the strike.

Putin’s forces firing at nuclear reactor

Thousands of people are trapped in besieged Kharkiv, which has seen some of the heaviest bombing of the invasion so far.

Throughout the city, snowy streets are paved with glass blown from windows and debris torn from smashed buildings by missiles.

Earlier yesterday, Russian forces were accused of firing at a facility with a nuclear reactor, sparking fears of a major radiation leak.

Mad Vlad’s army are said to have fired unguided rockets at the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology.

Refusing to back down

The overnight raids came hours after Ukraine’s National Security Secretary Alexei Danilov warned to the nation expect a fresh onslaught.

“We have withstood the first, heaviest wave of attacks by Russian orcs.

“But the enemy is still dangerous as ready and united as possible.”