Russia claims it hit Ukraine’s last large fuel base

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday it destroyed Ukraine’s last large fuel base in the suburbs of Kyiv and a training base of foreign mercenaries.

The fuel base in the Kalinovka settlement was hit with sea-based high-precision Kalibr cruise missiles, the ministry’s spokesman Igor Konashenkov said at a daily briefing in Moscow.

“In the evening of March 24, high-precision sea-based cruise missiles Kalibr struck a fuel base in the settlement of Kalinovka near Kyiv. The largest of the remaining fuel bases of the armed forces of Ukraine, from which fuel was supplied to military units in the central part of the country, was destroyed,” he said.

The training ground of the foreign mercenaries was hit with ballistic and cruise missiles, fired from a mobile short-range ballistic missile system, Konashenkov added.

A group of “Night Hunters” — Ka-52 and Mi-26N helicopters — destroyed 24 units of military equipment, including seven tanks, while the Aerospace Forces hit 51 objects of Ukraine’s military infrastructure, he noted.

“Over the past night, the aviation hit Ukraine’s 51 military objects. Among them were two command centers, three multiple rocket launchers, two Buk-M1 air defense systems, and radar of an S-300 air defense system in the area of Dnipropetrovsk (the city of Dnipro), as well as three D-30 artillery pieces, two warehouses of rocket and artillery weapons and ammunition, 26 areas of concentration of military equipment,” Konashenkov said.

The Russian air defense systems also downed Ukraine’s four unmanned aerial vehicles, the spokesman noted.

“In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 261 unmanned aerial vehicles, 204 air defense systems, 1,587 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 163 multiple rocket launchers, 636 field artillery and mortars, as well as 1,397 units of special military vehicles have been destroyed,” he said.

Russia began its war on Feb. 24. It has been met with international outrage, with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 1,035 civilians have been killed in Ukraine and 1,650 injured, according to UN estimates, while cautioning that the true figure is likely far higher.

More than 3.6 million Ukrainians have also fled to neighboring countries, with millions more displaced inside the country, according to the UN refugee agency.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Portugal beat Turkiye 3-1 to qualify for 2022 World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final

Portugal advanced to the 2022 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final Thursday after beating Turkiye 3-1 at home.

Bernardo Silva was denied by the post but Otavio rolled one into the net in a rebound in the 15th minute, giving Portugal a 1-0 lead.

After Otavio’s goal, the visitors were close to leveling the score, but Berkan Kutlu missed from a close-range header and Orkun Kokcu’s shot in the box was blocked by goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

Portugal doubled the lead through Diogo Jota’s header with three minutes left in the first half at Porto’s Dragao Stadium.

In the second half, Portugal took control of the match, but Burak Yilmaz scored from a close range in the 65th minute, keeping Turkiye’s hopes alive to send the match into extra time.

In the 85th minute, Turkiye had a great chance to tie the score after they were awarded a penalty through a video assistant referee (VAR) review, but Yimaz hit the crossbar.

Matheus Nunes found the net in stoppage time and gave Portugal a 3-1 win in the semifinals playoff round.

Aleksandar Trajkovski kicks Italy out of World Cup

North Macedonia shocked Italy in a 1-0 away win and qualified for the 2022 World Cup European Qualifiers playoff final.

Aleksandar Trajkovski’s stoppage time long-range winner kicked Italy out of the 2022 World Cup at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in Palermo.

North Macedonia and Portugal will face off on March 29 to book a ticket for the World Cup.

Turkiye will also host four-time World Cup winners Italy in Konya in a friendly match on March 29.

Gareth Bale sends Wales into 2022 World Cup playoff final

Real Madrid’s star winger Gareth Bale scored twice, helping Wales beat Austria 2-1 and reach the 2022 World Cup playoff final.

Ben Davies scored an own goal for the visitors, but their efforts were not enough to send the match into extra time at Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales are now one match away from taking part in their first World Cup since 1958.

They will take on the winner of Scotland and Ukraine in June.

Sweden beat Czech Republic 1-0 in extra time, advancing to playoff final

Sweden became the last nation Thursday to book a place for the playoff final after beating Czech Republic 1-0 in extra time at home.

After the match ended in a goalless draw, Robin Quaison’s extra time goal gave Sweden victory at the Friends Arena in Stockholm.

Sweden will face Poland for a spot at the World Cup in Qatar.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkiye’s Burak Yilmaz ends national team career after penalty drama against Portugal

Turkiye’s forward Burak Yilmaz ended his national team career following a penalty drama against Portugal on Thursday.

Turkiye were kicked out of the 2022 FIFA World Cup after losing to Portugal 3-1 in a European Qualifiers playoff semifinal.

Near the end of the match at Porto’s Dragao Stadium, when the score was 2-1, Turkiye had a great chance to tie the score after they were awarded a penalty through a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

But the 36-year-old player, who also scored Turkiye’s first goal, fired the penalty over the bar and failed to level the match.

The Lille forward announced his retirement from the national team in a post-match interview.

Yilmaz scored 31 goals in 77 appearances for Turkiye since his debut in April 2006.

Source: Anadolu Agency