Thread by @AFP

#BREAKING Ukraine allies must 'hold our line' against Russia's 'blackmail': Macron

#UPDATE Ukraine's allies must stand firm against Russian President Vladimir Putin's "blackmail" of suggesting that nuclear weapons could be used in the war against Kyiv, French President Emmanuel Macron told BFM television

Map showing the situation in Ukraine, as of September 22 at 0800 GMT
#AFPgraphics @AFP

#BREAKING Germany ready to take in Russian deserters: ministers

#UPDATE Kremlin-installed officials in Ukrainian regions controlled by Moscow's forces vowed on Thursday to press ahead with polls this week on annexation by Russia, after world leaders condemned the votes and said the results would be void ▶️ u.afp.com/i4Rd

#UPDATE Dmitri flew to Armenia with just one small bag, leaving behind his wife and children, adding to the thousands fleeing Russia to avoid serving in the war against Ukraine ▶️ u.afp.com/i4Rr

#BREAKING Russian military says some 10,000 have volunteered to fight in Ukraine on first day of mobilisation: news agency

#UPDATE Moscow began its mandatory troop call-up Thursday to try to bolster a stumbling war effort in Ukraine, with authorities saying thousands had volunteered even as Russian men fled the country to avoid being forced to fight u.afp.com/i4zc

#BREAKING Zelensky calls on Russians to 'protest' against mobilisation