“Our S-300 system has not been damaged,” Lubica Janikova, a spokeswoman for Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, told the Associated Press. He said that any other claim is not true. Earlier Monday, the Russian military said it had destroyed a Western-backed missile launcher in the southern suburbs of Dnipro. The Russian side said Ukraine received the air defense system from an unnamed European country. Last week, Slovakia said it had delivered Soviet-designed S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine, which had asked the West to provide it with more weapons, including long-range air defense systems.

KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR: – Ukrainian defenders dig as Russia strengthens firepower – Biden and Monti to speak as US pushes for tough line against Russia – Ukrainian nuns open the doors of their monastery to the displaced – US doubts new Russian warlord can end Moscow stalemate – Analysis: War, economy could weaken Putin’s position as leader – Go to for more coverage

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS: COPENHAGEN, Denmark – Latvia has arrested a Belarusian citizen suspected of spying for the Belarussian special services, allegedly gathering information on the Baltic Armed Forces and critical infrastructure facilities in the Baltic state, according to a news report. The Baltic News Service, the region’s main new agency, said the Latvian State Security Service (VDD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service had arrested the man in February. The Belarusian suspect was secretly videotaping and taking photos, the BNS said, adding that the state security service had confiscated technical equipment and data carriers. Latvia’s public broadcaster LSM reported that the criminal proceedings were instituted on 15 February.

ZAGREB, Croatia – Croatia is deporting 24 Russian diplomats and other embassy staff, joining other European nations that have done so. The Croatian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday that it had summoned Russia’s ambassador to Zagreb and expressed “the strongest condemnation of the barbaric attack on Ukraine and the numerous crimes committed.” The Russian side was called upon to suspend military activities, withdraw its troops and ensure the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid, the Croatian ministry said. Croatia expects those responsible for the crimes to be brought to justice, the statement said. Several EU countries have deported Russian diplomats following the killings in Bukha and other Ukrainian cities. Croatia says it has asked 18 diplomats and six Russian embassy officials to leave the country.

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican says a Ukrainian family and a Russian family will be among those who take turns carrying a cross as part of the traditional Good Friday procession presided over by Pope Francis at the Colosseum. The Vatican on Monday released some details about the cross-street torchlight procession in the ancient arena that attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists to Rome during Holy Week. In the procession, participants give a tall, light cross to the other participants, and prayers and meditations are read aloud. The meditations prepared for this night’s procession “have been inspired by the life of every family,” the Vatican said without elaborating. The families include a Ukrainian nurse and a Russian nurse working at the same hospital in Rome, Italian state television reported. Family members of the two female nurses will unite to help transport the cross. Handing over the cross to the families of Ukraine and Russia will be a family that has faced the loss of a child. The Ukrainians and Russians in turn will cross the line into an immigrant family. Repeatedly blaming the loss of civilian lives, the pope is hearing increasingly anxious calls for an end to what he calls “war nonsense” in Ukraine and a return to negotiations. However, he stopped blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for his role in launching the invasion on February 24. The procession of the Colosseum is solemnly reminiscent of the crucifixion of Jesus.

BRUSSELS – Ireland’s foreign minister says the European Union should consider imposing sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, but warns that it is more important for the 27-nation bloc to remain united. Several EU countries are dependent on Russian oil and gas imports. After much discussion, the bloc agreed last week to a gradual introduction of restrictions on coal imports due to the Moscow war in Ukraine. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney says that “we must take a maximalist approach to sanctions in order to offer the strongest possible deterrents to the continuation of this war and barbarism.” Speaking as EU foreign ministers met in Luxembourg on Monday, Coweni said: “This should, in our view, include oil. “We know this is very difficult for some Member States and we have to hold a united position across the EU.” The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, is assessing what more can be done with a new package of sanctions. Coveney says “the European Union is spending hundreds of millions of euros on oil imports from Russia. This certainly contributes to the financing of this war. “And in our view, we have to cut this funding for the war.”

MOSCOW – The Russian military says it has destroyed a Western-backed missile launcher. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the army used Kalibr cruise missiles to destroy four S-300 anti-aircraft missile launchers in the southern suburbs of Dnipro. He said about 25 Ukrainian soldiers were also killed in the attack on Sunday. Konashenkov said in a statement Monday that Ukraine had received the air defense systems from an unnamed European country. Konashenkov’s claim could not be independently verified. Last week, Slovakia said it had delivered Soviet-designed S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine, which had asked the West to provide it with more weapons, including long-range air defense systems. The office of the Prime Minister of Slovakia issued a statement late Sunday describing the news that the S-300 system given to Ukraine was destroyed “misinformation”. It was not clear, however, whether both sides were referring to the same airstrike. The Russians have been targeting missile defense systems in three different locations in recent days. SEOUL, South Korea – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called on South Korea to provide military weapons to help its country deal with Russian invading forces. Zelensky’s televised speech to South Korean lawmakers came hours after Seoul’s defense ministry confirmed that it had rejected Ukraine’s request for anti-aircraft weapons. The ministry cited the government’s principle of limiting military aid to non-lethal supplies. “The Republic of Korea has tanks, ships and various equipment that can block Russian missiles, and we would be grateful if the Republic of Korea could help us counterattack against Russia,” Zelensky said, referring to South Korea’s official name. . Zelensky, whose comments were translated by a translator during the televised speech, thanked South Korea for participating in the US-led economic sanctions against Moscow, but said the sanctions alone were not enough. He stressed the brutal occupation of Mariupol by Russia, pausing to play a video showing rocket-propelled grenade launchers, Russian tanks firing on damaged roads and people mourning dead relatives in flooded hospitals. “Russia aims to eliminate Ukraine’s independence and divide the country. “It is trying to eradicate the culture and language of the Ukrainian nation,” Zelensky said.

ROME – Nearly 90,000 refugees from the war in Ukraine have arrived in Italy. The Italian Interior Ministry, providing the data on Monday, said most of them are going to Milan, Rome, Naples and Bologna. The majority of those arriving live with relatives or friends among the nearly 250,000 Ukrainians who have lived and worked in Italy for years, according to the Italian government. The refugees include about 46,000 women and 33,000 minors. Of those who have not previously arranged where to stay, many are hosted by charities, church organizations and cities throughout Italy.

BRUSSELS – Austrian Foreign Minister says Chancellor Carl Nehammer is receiving “very clear humanitarian and political messages” during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Monday that Nehammer had decided to make the trip following a meeting in Kyiv on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and contacts with the leaders of Turkey, Germany and the European Union. Salenberg said before a meeting with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg that “we do not want to miss any opportunity and we must seize every opportunity to end the humanitarian hell in Ukraine.” He added that “any voice that makes it clear to President Putin what reality looks like outside the Kremlin walls is not a lost voice.” Schallenberg said Nehammer and Putin would meet one by one without opportunities in the media. He insisted that Austria had done everything possible to ensure that the visit would not be abused, “and I think he (Putin) should be interested in telling him the truth and really learning what is going on outside.”

BRUSSELS – Germany’s foreign minister says Ukraine needs heavy weapons to defend itself and that it is not the time for “excuses”.

The President of Ukraine warned that his country is facing a critical moment and that Russian troops will intensify operations in the east. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock …