How war is upending life for everyday Russians

Plus, calls for Canada to do more for Ukrainian refugees, and a landmark family violence ruling [The Star] First Up [By Lex Harvey] By Lex Harvey Good morning. Here’s the latest on how the war is upending life for everyday Russians, a plea for Canada to do more to help Ukrainian refugees, and a precedent-setting family violence ruling. DON’T MISS Natalia Kolesnikova/AFP via Getty Images russia-ukraine [Average Russians are reeling — with dismay, defiance and departures galore — in a world turned upside-down]( Since Russia invaded Ukraine more than two weeks ago, the horizons have narrowed dramatically for people living in the largest country on the globe. “The disbelief inside Russia about what has occurred, and the uncertainty about what fate now awaits Russians as economic sanctions take hold, is great,” writes friend of First Up Allan Woods. “As a resident of Moscow for the past four years, I can hardly believe it myself.” Read Woods’ reflections on [how war has upended life for everyday Russians](. - The latest from Ukraine: [Russia widened its military offensive Friday]( striking near airports in the west of Ukraine for the first time as troops kept up pressure on the capital. - Go deeper: Both Ukraine and Russia are scrambling for control of airspace. Johanna Chisholm and Alex Boyd [explain what’s at stake](. - Another angle: What qualifies as a war crime? [Could Putin face justice at the ICC?]( Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld fleeing ukraine [Poland’s president fears a refugee crisis. Is Canada doing enough?]( Thousands of traumatized refugees, mostly women and children, crowded Warsaw’s central train station Thursday, as the Polish leader made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The tide of 1.5-million refugees that have spilled from Ukraine into neighbouring Poland could soon become a tsunami — and President Andrzej Duda wants Canada’s help with what he fears will become a “deep, deep crisis.” Reporting from Warsaw, Tonda MacCharles reports on [what the leaders discussed behind closed doors](. - Context: Last week, Ottawa introduced a new immigration pathway for Ukrainians to come to Canada temporarily, fast-tracking their applications above others. [But experts say those measures, which require people to apply for a visa, don’t go far enough](. - What we know: Duda said he and Trudeau discussed how to provide flights for those hoping to come to Canada. “I told him, ‘Yes, please, Justin, try to introduce some very, very, very simple procedures, yes? Simple procedures of visas and et cetera to move this process faster, to accelerate it.’” - Word from Ottawa: As he wrapped a five-day trip to Europe Friday, Trudeau said he is considering airlifts of Ukrainian refugees to Canada. “We know how important it is to be there to support people fleeing,” he said. Vince Talotta/The Star justice [A judge awarded a Brampton woman $150,000 for her ex’s family violence]( In a ruling that experts say opens a new legal path to recognize the “uniquely harmful” impact of family violence, a man has been ordered to pay his ex-wife damages for his 16-year pattern of abuse, including beatings, withholding money and verbal cruelty. While the law typically focuses on specific incidents, the “family violence” approach focuses on long-term, harmful patterns of conduct designed to control or terrorize, Superior Court Justice Renu Mandhane wrote in her ruling. [Read Alyshah Hasham’s report on this landmark case](. - What we know: The man first severely beat his wife upon returning to India after their honeymoon in 2000, according to the judge’s ruling. After the couple moved to Canada in 2002, the man “preyed” on his wife’s vulnerability as a racialized newcomer: assaulting, demeaning, and financially controlling her. - Why it matters: Experts say the decision is precedent-setting. “It has taken us so long to come to this point in our understanding of family violence and our understanding of experiences of violence, power and domination in relationships,” said the executive director of a legal clinic that serves survivors of intimate partner violence. WHAT ELSE [Canada is sanctioning five more top Russian officials]( oligarchs and Putin allies, including Roman Abramovich. Toronto MP [Kevin Vuong is facing a military charge]( for not reporting his 2019 arrest for alleged sexual assault. Panicky primates and laidback leopards: How Canada’s zoos are gearing up to [vaccinate animals against COVID-19](. From screening rules to close contacts, [here’s what a “return to normalcy” will look like]( in Ontario schools. [Inside one restaurant’s fight against COVID]( $15,000, four filters and a CO2 monitor. Premier Doug Ford said [he’ll continue to wear a mask]( after the COVID-19 mandate ends. [Is Canada ready for the ButterflyCup?]( It has no plastic lid, it’s biodegradable, it doesn’t leak — and A&W is launching it this month. [Transgender youth are the new target]( for Republican culture warriors, writes Ed Keenan. POV Canadian Press/Dave Chidley [Jean Charest makes a calculated bet with a tough line on Quebec’s Bill 21.]( PREVIOUSLY... Colin McConnell/The Star MARCH 11, 1986: Three-year-old Meaghan Graham takes a close-up look at Rodin’s Adam at the Art Gallery of Ontario, during the gallery’s March Break programming for families. Thanks for reading. You can reach me and the First Up team at [firstup@thestar.ca](mailto:firstup@thestar.ca?source=newsletter&utm_source=ts_nl&utm_medium=emailutm_email=6C53B63A8E3FAD70AD4EF13004527437&utm_campaign=frst_111290). Andrew will see you here tomorrow. [The Star]( If you're not enjoying these emails, please tell us how we can make them better by emailing newsletterfeedback@thestar.ca. Or, if you'd prefer, you can unsubscribe from this newsletter by clicking the first link below. [Unsubscribe From This Newsletter]( [Sign Up for More Newsletters and Email Alerts]( [Become a Star Subscriber]( [View in Browser]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON M5E 1E6. 416-367-2000 [PRIVACY POLICY](