Russia suspends gas to Poland, Bulgaria

Officials in Poland and Bulgaria have refused to pay for natural gas in rubles, prompting Russian energy company Gazprom to halt delivery starting Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned last month that “unfriendly countries” must pay in Russian currency — a move that props up the ruble under heavy pressure from international sanctions.

What’s happening on the ground? Poland announced Tuesday it will deliver tanks to Ukrainian troops. Also on Tuesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened a meeting with defense ministers and military leaders from roughly 40 countries to keep weapons and training flowing into Ukraine. Russia hit the last known Ukrainian stronghold in the city of Mariupol — a steel plant containing about 1,000 civilians and 2,000 troops — with 35 airstrikes in roughly 24 hours. Ukrainian authorities said Tuesday a Russian missile destroyed a railroad bridge connecting Odesa and Romania. Shelling has also been reported at the borders of neighboring countries such as the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova. No one has claimed responsibility, but U.S officials warn Russian forces could launch “false-flag” operations to create a pretext for invading other countries. 

Dig deeper: Follow WORLD’s latest coverage of the war in Ukraine.