Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Pentagon releases video of drone intercept

A view of a damaged prop of U.S. Air Force intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unmanned MQ-9 aircraft following an impact by Russian Su-27 aircraft over the Black Sea, March 14, 2023 in this still image taken from a handout video. Courtesy of U.S. European Command/Handout via REUTERS

March 17 (Reuters) - The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin, alleging Moscow's forcible deportation of Ukrainian children is a war crime, as the Kremlin reacted with outrage.

PUTIN WARRANT

Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen inside a cabin of helicopter simulator training as he visits aviation plant in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia republic, Russia March 14, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.

* The United States said there was no doubt Russia was committing war crimes in Ukraine, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said.

* The move obligates the court's 123 member states to arrest Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory.

A Ukrainian serviceman is seen during military exercises, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Stringer

* It provoked a furious reaction in Moscow, ranging from dismissal of the court's jurisdiction to vows to protect Putin from arrest.

* The Kremlin said the warrant was outrageous, but meaningless with respect to Russia.

A man puts a Soviet flag at an observation point, with backdrop of the Crimea bridge in the Kerch Strait, Crimea, March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Alexey Pavlishak

* Moscow has repeatedly denied accusations that its forces have committed atrocities during the invasion, which it calls a special military operation.

A stray cat named "Whiskas" by the battalion stationed in this undisclosed location near the frontline town of Kreminna walks past a a tail section of a rocket, as Russia's attack continues, in Ukraine March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

DIPLOMACY, NATO

* The United Nations is "doing everything possible" to make sure a deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports continues, U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths told the Security Council on Friday, a day before the pact is due to expire.

* Turkey's parliament will start ratifying Finland's accession to NATO, lifting the biggest remaining hurdle to enlarging the Western defence alliance as war rages in Ukraine, though he held off approving Sweden's bid.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 110th Battalion emerges from the hatch of a T72 tank, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in an undisclosed location near the frontline town of Kreminna, Ukraine March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

* The United States welcomed Erdogan's announcement, and encouraged Turkey to quickly ratify Sweden's accession into the military alliance as well.

* NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg hailed Turkey's decision and said he was confident Sweden would join soon too.

Anatolii, 68, holds a portrait of his son Yurii, 26, who was killed in a fight against Russian troops, as he visits the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian servicemen during a commemorative ceremony to mark the Volunteer Day honouring fighters, who joined the Ukrainian armed forces, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

FIGHTING, POLITICS

* In eastern Ukraine, Kyiv's forces continued to withstand Russian assaults on the now-ruined city of Bakhmut.

* A commander of Ukrainian ground forces said Russian forces were trying to break through Ukrainian defences in several directions in an attempt to fully encircle the small eastern city of Bakhmut.

* The United States has resumed surveillance drone flights over the Black Sea region following a Russian fighter jet intercept on Tuesday that led to the downing of a U.S surveillance drone, two U.S. officials said.

(Compiled by Reuters editors)