50 Russian diplomats return to Moscow

At least 50 Russian diplomats including their family members return to Moscow from New York City, CNN reports citing RIA news agency.

Their departure follows a request that 12 Russian U.N. diplomats withdraw from the U.S. by March 7.

According to Ambassador Richard Mills, the diplomats were removed due to actions that were “not in accordance with their responsibilities and obligations as diplomats.”

Meanwhile, Russian artillery pounded the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv overnight on March 7, resulting in fires at residential buildings, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service.

Vadym Denysenko, advisor to interior minister of Ukraine, said Russian forces used Smerch heavy multiple rocket launchers to shell the city.

The Kyiv Independent