शोध: दो ताजा अध्ययनों से पता चला, वुहान के पशु बाजार से ही पैदा हुआ कोरोना

दो अध्ययनों से पता चला है कि दुनिया भर में कई लोगों की मौत का जिम्मेदार कोविड-19 वायरस चीन के वुहान शहर स्थित सी-फूड बाजार से ही मनुष्यों में फैला है।

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राजस्थान: भारत-पाक अंतरराष्ट्रीय सीमा के पास बाखासर में बड़ा धमाका, उड़ी सुरक्षा एजेंसियों की नींद

बाड़मेर जिले के सरहदी इलाके में सोमवार देर रात तेज रोशनी के साथ अचानक धमाके की आवाज सुनाई देने की खबर सामने आई है।

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आज का शब्द: नीलकंठ और द्वारिका प्रसाद माहेश्वरी की कविता- मथता रहा सिंधु, उसमें से निकला विष

आज का शब्द: नीलकंठ और द्वारिका प्रसाद माहेश्वरी की कविता- मथता रहा सिंधु, उसमें से निकला विष

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दिल्ली: बंदिशें खत्म, दो साल बाद पटरी पर लौटीं परिवहन सेवाएं, मेट्रो स्टेशनों के सभी गेट खुले, नहीं लगी कतार

चेहरे पर मास्क पहनकर, निकल पड़े सफर पर। सीट मिली तो बैठ गए, न मिलने पर भी खड़े होकर गंतव्य के लिए रवाना हो गए। बंदिशें खत्म होने पर बस-मेट्रो में सफर करने वालों के लिए सोमवार की सुबह राहत लेकर आई।

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यूक्रेन के पुलतावा में फंसे छात्रों की दास्तां: न बस मिल रही और न ही ट्रेन का कोई इंतजाम, हमें बहुत डर लग रहा

हमारा यूक्रेन बॉर्डर तक पहुंचना नामुमकिन हो गया है। इसके अलावा हम हॉस्टल में भी सुरक्षित नहीं हैं। हमें सायरन बजते ही जान बचाने के लिए बंकर की तरफ भागना पड़ता है।

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राम रहीम की फरलो खत्म: आज जाएगा सुनारिया जेल, गुरुग्राम पुलिस लेकर जाएगी रोहतक

प्रदेश सरकार ने 7 फरवरी को राम रहीम को तीन सप्ताह की फरलो दी थी। फरलो की अवधि राम रहीम ने गुरुग्राम स्थित डेरे पर व्यतीत की है। यह अवधि रविवार को पूरी हो गई। 

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यूक्रेन-रूस युद्ध: न पहनने को कपड़े, न खाने को दो वक्त की रोटी, नाभा के छात्रों ने सुनाई अपनी व्यथा

यूक्रेन की राजधानी कीव में मेडिकल की पढ़ाई करने गए नाभा के दो विद्यार्थी मौजूदा हालात में वहां दो वक्त की रोटी के लिए भी तरस रहे हैं।

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UP Chunav 2022: जौनपुर में बिना अनुमति रोड शो निकालने पर सपा प्रत्याशी समेत 200 समर्थकों पर मुकदमा

बिना अनुमति के रोड शो करने पर रविवार को जौनपुर सदर विधानसभा क्षेत्र से सपा प्रत्याशी सहित 200 समर्थकों पर सरायख्वाजा थाने में मुकदमा दर्ज किया गया है।

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky agrees to talks as Putin puts nuclear deterrence forces on high alert

The Russian invasion of Ukraine entered its fourth day on Sunday with an obdurate Vladimir Putin pressing on the attack, Kyiv putting up a stiff fight and the West keeping up the pressure on Moscow through political and economic sanctions.

Let's examine all the major developments of the day:

Russian troops enter Kharkiv, repulsed

Russian troops on the day targeted fuel and gas facilities in Kiev and Kharkiv. They entered Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv in the east of the country. The city witnessed heavy street fights with the Russian army taking over the city temporarily. Eventually, Ukrainian soldiers were able to wrest the city back from them.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian soldiers continued to keep Russian soldiers at bay in Kyiv.

Ukraine at the negotiation table

The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to peace talks with Russia following a phone call with Belarus leader, Alexander Lukashenko. Initially he refused tover Minsk being the venue, as he called it the ‘launchpad of Ukrainian invasion’.

Later, Kyiv and Moscow agreed to meet at Ukraine's border with Belarus.

Zelenskyy has also urged world powers to scrap Russia’s voting power at the United Nations Security Council, saying Russian actions in his country verged on “genocide”.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba demanded harsher sanctions for Moscow at a press conference broadcast online. He said "We will not surrender, we will not capitulate, we will not give up a single inch of our territory".

Speaking on Putin putting his nuclear arsenal on alert, he said "(Moscow) suffered losses and realised their plan did not go as it was designed, their blitzkrieg failed, Russia started speaking with the language of ultimatums, saying they are ready to talk with preconditions".

Russia

President Vladimir Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put the country's nuclear "deterrence forces" on high alert on Sunday and accused the West of taking "unfriendly" steps against his country.

Meanwhile, a senior US defence official said Russia had deployed two-thirds of the combat forces it had amassed on the border before the invasion — an estimated total of 150,000 troops. However, Ramzan Kadyrov, the strongman leader of the province of Chechnya who commands some of Russia’s most feared units, said Russia’s tactics were not working according to Financial Times.

Countries across Europe and beyond join hands

Following Britain, Czech Republic, Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and Romania on Sunday, Austria, Germany,  France, Belgium, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, North Macedonia and Canada closed their airspace to Russian aircraft.

The EU on Sunday not only closed its airspace to Russia but also announced new sanctions and banned Russian State media outlets broadcasting in the bloc.

Additionally, several countries including Finland, Germany, the US, Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece and Roman agreed to send more assistance to Ukraine in forms of weapons and funds.

Japan on Sunday also agreed to join Western nations in removing selected Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system, said the country's prime minister Fumio Kishida.

YouTube on Sunday blocked certain Russian media channels from monetizing their videos, among other restrictions. This was followed by Google restricting Russian State media from earning money on its platforms

Ukraine's government managed to raise almost $8 million in cryptocurrencies after posting appeals on social media for donations of bitcoin and other digital tokens.

On Monday, the UN Security Council will vote to convene a rare "emergency special session" of the 193-member General Assembly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It will be the 11th such emergency session of the General Assembly since 1950.

India

As many as 688 Indian nationals returned India on Sunday from Ukraine on board three Air India evacuation flights from Romanian capital Bucharest and Hungarian capital Budapest.

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that approximately 13,000 Indians are still stranded in Ukraine and the government is making efforts to bring them back as soon as possible.

India has brought back a total of 907 stranded citizens from that country since Saturday when the first evacuation flight from Bucharest with 219 people on board landed in Mumbai under Operation Ganga.

IndiGo too has joined the evacuation operations. It will operate two flights to Budapest to bring back Indians who are stranded in Ukraine, according to an official. The flights will be operated on Monday and Tuesday from Delhi. They will first fly to Istanbul and then to Budapest in Hungary. In the return leg, the flights will come to Istanbul and then to Delhi.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis on Sunday. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was part of the meeting which was also attended by top government officials.

On the day, the ministry of external affairs set up a dedicated Twitter handle and 24x7 Control Centres to assist in the evacuation of Indian nationals through the border crossing points with Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovak Republic.

The Indian Embassy in Ukraine issued two advisories, with the first asking Indian nationals to use the railways for evacuation followed by one asking them not to venture out during curfew hours.

Ukranians continue to flee

The UN’s refugee agency says the latest count of Ukrainians arriving in neighbouring countries stands at 368,000 and continues to rise. Poland's government on Saturday had said that more than 100,000 Ukrainians had crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border in past 48 hours alone. More than 50,000 have also crossed into Hungary and Romania, with 16,000 more going into Moldova, according to Al Jazeera reports.

However, later in the day the EU commissioner for crisis management said Russia's war on Ukraine has displaced "over seven million people.”

Russian casualties mount

Meanwhile, Russian forces have lost about 4,300 servicemen during their invasion of Ukraine, deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar said on Sunday, adding however that the number was being ascertained. She also said on her Facebook page that Russian troops lost about 146 tanks, 27 aircraft and 26 helicopters.

The Russian army too admitted that there were "killed and injured" soldiers among its troops in Ukraine on the fourth day of its invasion, but did not mention how many died.

While threre is no official toll in Ukraine, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) "As of 5:00 p.m. on 26 February, (UN human rights office) OHCHR reports at least 240 civilian casualties, including at least 64 dead."

Protests continue

More than 100,000 people attended a Ukraine solidarity march in Berlin on Sunday, with many protesters dressing in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag. In Russia too anti-war activists took to the streets from Serbia to Moscow.

Haunted by its post-war guilt, Germany has always treaded lightly and quietly on the world stage when it comes to conflicts. But on Sunday Germany dramatically reversed its ban on lethal weapons exports to conflict-zone by announcing huge shipments to Ukraine and later Olaf Scholz said 100 billion euros will be earmarked for investments for the army in 2022 alone.

Europe's biggest economy will also "from now on — year after year — invest more than two per cent of gross domestic product in our defence," said Scholz.

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky agrees to talks as Putin puts nuclear deterrence forces on high alert #wanitaxigo

Ukraine Russia War: भारत पहुंचे रूस के नए राजदूत अलिपोव, यूक्रेन में फंसे भारतीय छात्रों की सुरक्षा पर की चर्चा

भारत में रूस के नए राजदूत डेनिस अलिपोव रविवार को भारत पहुंचे। यहां उन्होंने विदेश सचिव हर्ष वी श्रृंगला के साथ नई दिल्ली में बैठक की। इस बैठक में  यूक्रेन में फंसे भारतीय छात्रों की सुरक्षा पर की चर्चा।

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Photos: जिम के बाहर बोल्ड अंदाज में स्पॉट हुईं मलाइका अरोड़ा, अभिनेत्री की फिटनेस देख रह जाएंगे हैरान

मलाइका अरोड़ा की कुछ तस्वीरें सामने आई हैं, जिसमें अभिनेत्री जिम के बाहर नजर आ रही हैं। इन तस्वीरों में मलाइका के बोल्ड लुक ने फैंस का ध्यान अपनी ओर खींच लिया है।

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Russia orders troops to attack Ukraine from all sides; 'India willing to contribute to peace efforts,' PM Modi tells Zelenskyy

The Russian army has been given orders to broaden its offensive in Ukraine "from all directions" after Kyiv refused to hold talks in Belarus, the defence ministry said Saturday.

Russian forces made advances into the Ukrainian capital Kyiv before falling back to the outskirts, facing tough resistance on day three of the invasion ordered by President Vladimir Putin.

"After the Ukrainian side rejected the negotiation process, today all units were given orders to develop the advance from all directions in accordance with the operation's plans," Russian army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement.

The Kremlin said Friday that Putin was ready to send a delegation to Belarus for talks with Ukraine but it wanted talks in Warsaw instead.

Battle for Kyiv intensifies

Ukraine says it is being attacked from several sides, including from Belarus.

Russian troops remained some 30 kilometers (18 miles) outside of Kyiv, the official said, while stressing that battlefield situations were actively changing.

Russia has claimed that its forces have not targeted civilian areas, despite widespread evidence of this.

Ukraine said Saturday that at least 198 civilians — including three children — had been killed since Moscow launched the attack.

Russia has not said how many of its soldiers have been killed in the invasion, which it calls a "special military operation."

Moscow has said that its goal is to "de-Nazify" Ukraine.

Zelenskyy vows to fight back

The US government urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy early Saturday to leave Kyiv but he turned down the offer, according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation. The official quoted the president as saying that “the fight is here" and that he needed anti-tank ammunition but “not a ride.”

US sends 350 million dollar additional military aid to Ukraine

The US announced a 350 million dollar package of additional military assistance to Ukraine on Saturday that includes “anti-armor, small arms and various munitions, body armor and related equipment,” according to John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary.

Separately, a senior defense official said the assistance includes javelin anti-tank weapons and that they will be delivered to Ukraine in phases and as soon as possible.

This came as US defence officials warned that Russia has at least 50 per cent of its massive invasion force inside Ukraine but is making slow progress due to unexpectedly stiff resistance.

"We have indications that the Russians are increasingly frustrated by their lack of momentum over the last 24 hours, particularly in the northern parts of Ukraine," a US official told AFP.

Kyiv toughens curfew, says violators to be considered 'enemy'

The Ukrainian capital's mayor Vitali Klitchsko extended a 10 pm.-7 am curfew he imposed two days ago to run from 5 pm until 8 am as of Saturday.

“All civilians on the street during the curfew will be considered members of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups,” Klitschko said.

The conflict has already driven hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians from their homes. UN officials said more than 120,000 Ukrainians have left the country for Poland, Moldova and other neighboring nations.

First flight with Indian evacuees from Ukraine land in Mumbai

India began the evacuation of its stranded citizens amid the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, with an Air India flight bringing back 219 people from Bucharest, while one flight each from the Romanian capital and Hungarian capital Budapest are scheduled to arrive on Sunday.

Nearly 20,000 Indians were stranded in Ukraine after the country shut its airspace on 24 February when the Russian military offensive began. Therefore, the Indian evacuation flights are operating out of Bucharest and Budapest.

'India willing to contribute to peace efforts', Modi tells Zelenskyy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during which he called for an immediate cessation of violence and expressed India's willingness to contribute in any way towards peace efforts.

The prime minister also expressed his deep anguish about the loss of life and property due to ongoing conflict, according to a statement by the PMO.

It said Modi conveyed India's deep concern for the safety and security of Indian citizens, including students in Ukraine, and sought facilitation by Ukrainian authorities to expeditiously and safely evacuate them.

On Saturday, Zelenskyy dialed Modi and urged for India's support against Russia at the UNSC. New Delhi had earlier abstained from voting on a UNSC resolution condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine.

Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday, after months of military build-up near its border.

With inputs from agencies

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Away from home, Ukrainians in Delhi are proud of their country for bravely withstanding massive Raussian assault #wanitaxigo

Russia orders troops to attack Ukraine from all sides; 'India willing to contribute to peace efforts,' PM Modi tells Zelenskyy #wanitaxigo

In constant touch with Indian students, rescuing and bringing them back biggest challenge: V Muraleedharan

As India faces the Herculean task of extracting more than 18,000 students from war-torn Ukraine, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan told News18.com in an exclusive interview that close to 4,000 Indian students have been evacuated and brought back safely so far.

Click here for LIVE updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict

“We have been in constant touch with students in both eastern and western parts of Ukraine. There are around 18,000 students pursuing their education and another 2,000 Indians who are employed there. Our priority is to rescue and bring them back as soon as possible. It is also our biggest challenge,” he said.

“Of the 16,000 Indians who are still in Ukraine, nearly 2,000 have reached the borders of Poland and Romania. We will be bringing them to India in the next couple of days,” he added.

According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science website, Indians account for more than 25 per cent of the country’s student population.

The Indian government finds itself better positioned to handle the mass evacuation after the success of the Vande Bharat Mission which brought close to 7 million back home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the numerous distress videos and calls from Indian students about lack of food, water and power in their bunkers, Muraleedharan said that they are monitoring the situation by the minute and ensuring that supplies reach those affected as soon as possible.

“I have personally spoken to several students in Kyiv. The situation is tense as there is no easy access. We are doing our best to keep them safe. The students have informed us that they have adequate supplies. Our evacuation process is in full swing from the western part of Kyiv and will ensure every Indian comes back safely,” he said.

News18.com spoke to students in Kharkhiv who have been living in underground bunkers since the war broke. Located closest to the Russian border, they are terrified by the constant shelling.

Faisal, a fourth year student from Kharkhiv Medical University, originally hails from Thodupuzha, Kerala. He is among 250 students living in a single bunker located below their college premises in eastern Ukraine.

“There are five to six such bunkers with more than 200 students inside each of them. The latest circular by the Indian Embassy asks us to stay where we are and not try to head towards the borders. We understand that the Indian government is evacuating people from the western side. We are right in the middle of the shelling and war. Though we are safe for now in these bunkers, how long can we manage?” asked Faisal.

***

Also Read

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India’s abstinence from UN Security Council vote on Ukraine was the right decision

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Ukraine crisis: How confrontation between Putin’s Russia and Biden-led West will impact India’s foreign relations

***

“This morning we saw some sunlight for the first time. But soon after we heard the siren, we had to rush back to the bunkers. There is limited food and water supply. Students with health issues like asthma are finding it difficult. Last night, it began snowing heavily and the temperature has dropped to below zero. There are no heaters in the bunkers and since it is underground, it gets really cold and we are unable sleep at night,” he told this reporter over a WhatsApp call from Kharkhiv.

Our universities refused to let go us: students

Students told News18.com that they were stranded in Ukraine because their universities refused to allow them to leave the country or conduct online classes. “We had offline classes till the day the first bomb was dropped. We pleaded and asked them to conduct online classes. They flatly refused. We are stuck in bunkers fearing for our lives only because they refused to let us go,” a student said on condition of anonymity.

Indian students prefer to study in Ukrainian universities as they find it economical. “We pay Rs 40 lakh for six years for our education and accommodation in Ukraine. Back in India, an MBBS course would cost us a minimum of Rs 80 lakh plus donation,” explained Faisal.

With ticket fares, which usually range between Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 priced as high as Rs 60,000 per traveller now, students were left with no option but to wait until the Indian authorities moved them to safer locations.

“We have been hearing shelling and as it gets closer, the vibrations also increase. We are really scared and hope to get to safety soon,” said Deepshikha, a first year MBBS student hailing from Kozhikode, Kerala.

Sailesh, who is pursing his fourth year MBBS, said he is in constant touch with his family back in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. “We have got calls from the offices of Chief Minister Jagan Reddy and Chandrababu Naidu. They told us that they are trying their best to work out a plan to help students get transported towards the peaceful side of Ukraine. They have asked us not to panic until then,” he said.

Ukraine returnees can find jobs under Swades scheme: Muraleedharan

Many Indians who have businesses in Ukraine now fear loss of work. Speaking to News18.com, Union minister Muraleedharan assured that those returning from Ukraine can find employment opportunities under PM Modi’s SWADES (Skilled Workers Arrival Database for Employment Support) scheme. SWADES is a skill-mapping exercise to provide employment opportunities to Indian citizens returning under the Vande Bharat Mission.

“There are many Indians in the food and textile business in Ukraine. I have settled here and my wife is Ukrainian. I have been meeting hundreds of people who want to go back to India. They have lost their homes and businesses. Our aim is to ensure their safe passage,” said Sojitra Hardik, who runs an Indian restaurant in Kyiv.

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In constant touch with Indian students, rescuing and bringing them back biggest challenge: V Muraleedharan #wanitaxigo

हरियाणा में 232 बम शैल मिले: बेगना नदी किनारे जंगल में मिला जखीरा, इलाके में हड़कंप, बम निरोधक टीम ने जांच की

हरियाणा के अंबाला जिल के गांव मंगलोर के साथ लगती बेगना नदी किनारे जंगल में लगभग 232 पुराने बम शैल का जखीरा मिलने से क्षेत्र में सनसनी फैल गई।

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UP Chunav 2022: पिंडरा से कांग्रेस प्रत्याशी अजय राय पर चुनाव आयोग ने लगाया 24 घंटे का प्रतिबंध, आपत्तिजनक बयान पर कार्रवाई

आपत्तिजनक बयान देने के मामले में शुक्रवार को चुनाव आयोग ने वाराणसी की पिंडरा विधानसभा क्षेत्र से कांग्रेस प्रत्याशी अजय राय पर 24 घंटे का प्रतिबंध लगाया है।

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आज का शब्द: हल और विशाल समर्पित की कविता- प्रतिउत्तर में युद्ध मिल गए

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Russia-Ukraine conflict: Putin calls on Ukrainian army to ovethrow leadership in Kyiv; Biden attends NATO emergency meet

Ukrainian forces fought off Russian troops in the capital Kyiv on Friday on the second day of a conflict that has claimed dozens of lives, as Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army to remove the country's leadership.

The televised address by Putin came as Russian forces advanced on Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Putin described the Ukrainian government as "terrorists" and "a gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis".

"Take power in your own hands," he urged the Ukrainian military.

Putin's remarks came after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who is Jewish, evoked Nazi Germany's 1941 invasion and praised his people for "demonstrating heroism" as Russian forces advanced towards the capital.

Biden joins emergency NATO session

US president Joe Biden joined an emergency NATO summit Friday to strengthen the frantic Western response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and fears for the security of Europe.

The US president, who has spent weeks trying to lead a united trans-Atlantic response to Russia's aggression against its neighbor, was meeting "with fellow NATO heads of state and government in an extraordinary virtual summit to discuss the security situation in and around Ukraine," the White House said.

Ukraine is not part of NATO, but four neighboring countries are and the United States has rushed troops to the eastern flank to reassure allies jittery about Putin's broader intentions.

NATO also finds itself enmeshed in the conflict because it was Ukraine's longterm ambition of joining the alliance and the European Union - in hopes of fully breaking free from Russian domination - that in part prompted the Kremlin's decision to attack.

Biden has repeatedly said that Ukraine is nowhere near being able to join NATO and is also firm that US troops will not go there to help push back Russia.

Zelenskyy urges Europeans to fight for Ukraine

In a dramatic plea, Zelenskyy urged Europeans with 'combat experience' to fight for Ukraine.

"If you have combat experience in Europe and do not want to look at the indecision of politicians, you can come to our country and join us in defending Europe, where it is very necessary now," Zelenskyy, said in a video.

"How are you going to defend yourself when you are so slowly helping us in Ukraine?," he added.

EU agrees to freeze Putin and Lavrov's assets

The EU agreed to freeze European assets linked to Putin and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov over their decision to invade Ukraine, the bloc said on Friday.

"We are hitting Putin's system where it has to be hit, not only economically and financially, but also at the heart of its power," German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said.

But the measures stopped short of kicking Russia out of the SWIFT messaging system used globally by banks to arrange transfers -- a major step that has been used to devastating effect against Iran.

While Ukraine's beleaguered government is lobbying ferociously for the EU to pull the trigger on a SWIFT ban for Russia, several EU countries -- most notably Germany, which has to pay Russia for natural gas -- are reluctant.

Chernobyl radiation level rises

Ukraine’s nuclear energy regulatory agency says that higher than usual gamma radiation levels have been detected in the area near the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant, a day after it was seized by the Russian military,

It attributed the rise to a “disturbance of the topsoil due to the movement of a large amount of heavy military equipment through the exclusion zone and the release of contaminated radioactive dust into the air.”

Over 50,000 Ukrainians flee country in 48 Hours: UN

Civilians have been making desperate attempts to flee as the battle for capital Kyiv intensified, with Ukrainian troops taking defensive positions against invading Russian forces.

This comes after Zelenskyy barred men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country as they were being conscripted.

137 people have died in the first day of fighting after Russia began its invasion into Ukraine, Zelenskyy said on Thursday.

India ramps up evacuation efforts

The first batch of Indian evacuees from Ukraine reached neighbouring Romania, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

On Friday, the MEA despatched teams from countries bordering with Ukraine to help evacuate Indians via land routes.

Indian missions in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland have been involved in the efforts.

Nearly, 20,000 Indians were left stranded in Ukraine after the country shut its airspace on Thursday, amid the Russian attack.

Russia calls for India's support at UNSC

Russia on Friday said it expects support from India at the UN Security Council when the global body takes up a crucial resolution on its military operation in Ukraine.

Russia's Charge d'affaires Roman Babushkin said India has a deep understanding of the reasons that led to the current situation in Ukraine and Moscow is looking for continued support from New Delhi in sync with the special and privileged strategic partnership between the two countries.

Don't plan to occupy Ukraine, says Russia

Russia does not plan to "occupy" Ukraine and is ready to hold negotiations soon after the Ukrainian forces "lay down their arms", foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"No one is going to occupy Ukraine. The aim of the operation has been openly declared: demilitarising and denazifying, he said.

Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on Thursday after months of military build-up near the country's border.

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Russia-Ukraine conflict: Putin calls on Ukrainian army to ovethrow leadership in Kyiv; Biden attends NATO emergency meet #wanitaxigo

Watch: Ukrainian woman confronts Russian soldiers; netizens laud her bravery

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues into its second day, several images and videos about the plight of Ukrainians are going viral. However, one clip about a woman’s interaction with Russian soldiers is being praised by social media users. Several people have commended the woman for confronting Russian troops and demanding to know what they were doing in her country.

In the short video, the woman asks the heavily armed troops what their purpose in the city was. The soldiers stated that they were conducting military exercises in the area and asked the lady to move away from the spot, according to media reports.

When she realised that the troops were Russians, the woman confronted them and called them “occupiers” and “fascists”. She also cursed the soldiers and asked them to put some sunflower seeds in their pockets “so at least sunflowers will grow” after they die on Ukrainian soil. Sunflowers are the national flowers of Ukraine.

Watch the video here:

Ukrainian woman confronts Russian soldiers in Henychesk, Kherson region. Asks them why they came to our land and urges to put sunflower seeds in their pockets [so that flowers would grow when they die on the Ukrainian land] pic.twitter.com/ztTx2qK7kB

— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 24, 2022

 

The clip was shot by passer-byes in the city of Henychesk. The video has been viewed over 4.2 million times since it was first posted on 24 February. Several internet users hailed the woman’s bravery in standing her ground against the heavily-armed troops.

That is one badass woman right there. “Let me place sunflower seeds in your pocket, so when you die on my land, flowers will grow”.

— A Concerned Citizen of the US of A (@thoang1971) February 24, 2022

Others wrote that the moment needs to be memorialised.

I need this memorialized somehow. This is poetry. — Yvette d’Entremont (@TheSciBabe) February 25, 2022

Many people posted appreciative messages about the woman’s bravery and said they could never be as courageous as her.

I could never be that brave

— Caridwyn (@teresa_bybee) February 24, 2022

Some even shared a full transcript of the conversation.

The full transcript is incredible. https://t.co/9zInraoJnI pic.twitter.com/ra9ZkjRExl

— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) February 25, 2022

This is not the only viral video related to Ukraine doing the rounds on social media recently. A clip of a Ukrainian man tearfully saying goodbye to his daughter before he stays back to fight the invading Russian troops has also gone viral.

The situation in Ukraine continues to be grim, with several residents in the capital Kyiv taking shelter in the city’s underground metro system as the Russian attack continues. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Moscow is ready for talks if the Ukrainian military stops fighting.

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Watch: Ukrainian woman confronts Russian soldiers; netizens laud her bravery #wanitaxigo

Ukraine crisis: Vladmir Putin claims 'no choice but to invade'; Kyiv demands 'severe sanctions' against Moscow

President Vladimir Putin said that he had 'no other way' left apart from invading Ukraine to ensure Russia's security, hours after his troops launched a wide-ranging attack on ex-Soviet neighbour's borders on Thursday.

"What was happening left us with no choice," the Rufssian leader said during a televised meeting with business representatives, adding that "we had no other way of proceeding".

According to an AFP report, Russia said that its military had achieved its goals set out for the first day of its invasion of Ukraine, after launching the attack despite warnings of sweeping Western sanctions.

"All of the tasks assigned to the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day were successfully completed," Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said.

Meanwhile, as many as 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians have been killed by Russian shelling, a Reuters report quoting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy adviser, said on Thursday.

The AFP reported that Ukraine said it killed "around 50 Russian occupiers" without providing details.

Biden to speak on Russian attack on Ukraine

US President Joe Biden will deliver an address on the Russian military actions in Ukraine on Thursday, the White House announced.

Biden's first public comment on the Russian attack is scheduled to be delivered from the East Room of the White House at 12 am IST (1.30 pm EST).

The presidential comment could come after his virtual consultations with the leaders of G-7 countries, a grouping of seven major advanced nations including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Three of them US, UK and France - are permanent members of the UN Security Council, PTI said.

Modi appeals for immediate cessation of violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a telephone conversation with Putin on the Ukraine situation and appealed for an immediate cessation of violence while stressing on concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations.

According to Prime Minister's Office (PMO), President Putin briefed the Prime Minister about the recent developments regarding Ukraine. Prime Minister reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia and the NATO group can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue.

"The Prime Minister appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue," PMO said.

Prime Minister also sensitised the Russian President about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India, ANI said.

Russian troops seize Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Ukraine

Russian troops have seized the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management spokesperson, Yevgeniya Kuznetsovа told CNN.

"When I came to the office today in the morning [in Kyiv], it turned out, that the (Chernobyl nuclear power plant) management had left. So there was no one to give instructions or defend," she said.

Earlier today, President Zelensky had tweeted that Russian forces were attempting to seize control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The Ukrainian National Guard was working to protect the nuclear plant from attack, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova said.

Antonov airport outside Kyiv captured

President Zelensky vowed to retake an airfield close to the capital Kyiv captured by Russian forces.

"Enemy paratroopers have been blocked in Gostomel - our troops have been given the order to destroy them," Zelensky said in a video address.

Ukraine demanded Thursday that Russian banks be excluded from the international SWIFT financial transfer network, as Western capitals considered how to ramp up sanctions in the wake of Moscow's invasion.

Evacuation of Indian nationals

With Ukraine closing its airspace after Russia launched a military operation against it, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that teams are being sent to the land borders with Ukraine in Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic and Romania to assist the evacuation of Indian nationals, news agency ANI said in a report.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, shared details of teams for Indian nationals in Ukraine near the border points.

To assist in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine,MEA Teams from @IndiaInHungary, @IndiainPoland, @IndiaInSlovakia & @eoiromania are on their way to the adjoining land borders with Ukraine.

Indian nationals in Ukraine near the border points can contact these teams ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OSd90I4DGH

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) February 24, 2022

The Embassy of India in Ukraine accommodated more than 200 Indian students at a school near the Embassy in Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities escalating the ongoing tensions between the two countries. Ukraine gained independence in 1991 after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, ANI said.

Earlier today, Putin said special military operations are being launched "to protect" the people in the Donbas region. He also warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences".

As per ANI, leaders from a number of countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in the Donbas region.

Threat to Indian markets, financial stability

According to an ANI report, Russia-Ukraine conflict rattled the Indian equities markets on Thursday with key indices crashing by nearly five per cent, erasing over Rs 13 lakh crore of investors' wealth in a day. Extreme volatility was witnessed in all asset classes in India after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised military troops to carry out attacks against Ukraine.

Oil price soared to over $105 a barrel, the highest level in nearly eight years in the international markets. In the currency market, the Indian rupee plunged 102 paise to end at 75.63 against a US dollar. The Indian stock market's benchmark Sensex crashed 2,702 points or 4.72 per cent. This is the fourth-worst fall ever in an absolute term in the Sensex. The index suffered a loss of 2,850 points in the intra-day.

The broader Nifty 50 of the National Stock Exchange dipped 815.30 points or 4.78 per cent to 16,247.95 points. This led to massive erosion in the investors' wealth. The market capitalisation of the BSE-listed companies dipped to Rs 242.24 lakh crore. It suffered a loss of nearly Rs 13 lakh crore in a day, ANI said.

World plans stronger Russia sanctions

World leaders condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "barbaric" and moved to slap unprecedented economic sanctions on the Kremlin.

The West and its allies showed no inclination to send troops into Ukraine and risk a wider European war. But NATO reinforced its member states in Eastern Europe as a precaution against an attack on them, too.

"Make no mistake: We will defend every ally against any attack on every inch of NATO territory," said NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

In the meantime, the allies began to take steps aimed at isolating Moscow and forcing it to pay so high a price that it changes course.

"Our mission is clear: Diplomatically, politically, economically and eventually militarily, this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure," said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

As the first major world leader to make a big move, he announced a freeze on the assets of all large Russian banks and plans to bar Russian companies and the Kremlin from raising money on British markets.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Stoltenberg both called the invasion a "barbaric" attack on an independent nation that threatened "the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order." The European Union scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels.

Von der Leyen threatened to hit Russia with "massive and targeted sanctions.” She said she would put to EU leaders late Thursday a proposal that would target strategic sectors of the Russian economy by blocking access to key technologies and markets.

She said the sanctions, if approved, "will weaken Russia’s economic base and its capacity to modernize. And in addition, we will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets."

"We want to cut off Russia’s industry from the technologies desperately needed today to build the future," von der Leyen said.

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Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates: Joe Biden will address US shortly, to explain steps to deal with Russian aggression

23:54 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Canada sanctions 58 Russian individuals and entities, declares Justin Trudeau

#BREAKING Canada sanctions 58 Russian individuals and entities: Trudeau pic.twitter.com/kYAff4CTKb

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 24, 2022

23:48 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

G7 will impose 'devastating' sanctions on Russia, says Joe Biden

US President Joe Biden announced "devastating" Western sanctions against Russia on Thursday and was shortly to address the American people on the unfolding invasion of Ukraine. 

 

After a virtual, closed-door meeting which lasted an hour and 10 minutes, the group of rich Western democracies -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- said it was standing firm against Russia's "threat to the rules-based international order."

 

- AFP

This morning, I met with my G7 counterparts to discuss President Putin’s unjustified attack on Ukraine and we agreed to move forward on devastating packages of sanctions and other economic measures to hold Russia to account. We stand with the brave people of Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/dzvYxj7J9w

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022

23:15 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

Britain to ban Russian Russian Airlines Aeroflot from its airspace

WATCH LIVE: An update to the @HouseOfCommons on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. https://t.co/Myfv8BzhIW

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022

22:39 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

Will respond in kind to ‘unfriendly’ European Union sanctions, says Russia

Moscow vowed Thursday to respond in kind to "unfriendly" European Union sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"In accordance with the principle of reciprocity, which is fundamental to international law, we will take tough retaliatory measures," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The EU's new unfriendly steps against Russia -- as well as our brothers DNR and LNR -- will not be able to stop our progressive development," the foreign ministry said, referring to Ukraine's separatist regions.

- AFP

22:10 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts business summit to discuss sanctions in Moscow

 

Russian President Vladimir Putin hosts business summit to discuss sanctions in Moscow

(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/SyL1uor31I

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

22:05 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Dozens detained at anti-war rallies in Moscow

Dozens of people gathering in Moscow and Saint Petersburg Thursday to protest against Russia's invasion of Ukraine have been detained, according to AFP journalists at the demonstrations.

Riot police at Pushkin Square in central Moscow arrested dozens of people, while around 20 people have been detained in Russia's former imperial capital Saint Petersburg.

- AFP

#BREAKING Dozens detained at anti-war rallies in Moscow, Saint Petersburg: AFP journalists
📸 Kirill Kudryavtsev #AFP pic.twitter.com/zkcZyKF4fO

— AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) February 24, 2022

21:40 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Russia captures airfield near Kyiv, says Ukraine leader

21:28 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Ukraine capital Kyiv declares curfew: Mayor Vitaly Klitschko

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko on Thursday announced an overnight curfew in Ukraine's capital as the country battled to repel a Russian invasion.

The former world heavyweight boxing champion said the curfew would last from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am local time (2000-0500 GMT) and that public transport would stop working during that period.

- AFP

20:57 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates 

Indian passengers from Ukraine can return via Qatar, says govt

The Centre on Thursday said Indian passengers from Ukraine can return via Qatar, with aviation industry experts stating that civilian flights will restart from Ukraine only when its airspace opens.

Currently 20,000 Indians, mostly students, are stranded in Ukraine.  Since the Ukrainian airspace is closed due to the Russian military offensive, it is currently not clear how they are to travel from Ukraine to Qatar to take Qatar-India flights, which are operating normally.

- PTI

Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation has allowed passengers traveling from Ukraine to travel by transit under India- Qatar bilateral air bubble arrangement.

— India in Qatar (@IndEmbDoha) February 24, 2022

20:38 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Czech Republic stops issuing visas to Russian citizens

Czech authorities have suspended the issuance of visas to Russian citizens amid the military operation in Ukraine, according to report by Hindustan Times.

The visa will continue to be issued as an exception only for humanitarian reasons. The Czech Republic has temporarily closed its consular offices in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. In addition, the Czech authorities decided to revoke the work permits of the Russian consulates in Karlovy Vary and Brno.

20:38 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Czech Republic stops issuing visas to Russian citizens

Czech authorities have suspended the issuance of visas to Russian citizens amid the military operation in Ukraine, according to report by Hindustan Times.

The visa will continue to be issued as an exception only for humanitarian reasons. The Czech Republic has temporarily closed its consular offices in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. In addition, the Czech authorities decided to revoke the work permits of the Russian consulates in Karlovy Vary and Brno.

20:29 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates 

This hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure, says Boris Johnson

UK prime minister Boris Johnson on Thursday termed the Russian invasion of Kiev as a "catastrophe for the European continent" and said that Britain and its allies 'will respond decisively'.

He blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for choosing a "path of bloodshed and destruction" for his unprovoked attack on Ukraine.

"I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively," tweeted Johnson.

- ANI

Our mission is clear – diplomatically, politically, economically – and eventually, militarily – this hideous and barbaric venture of Vladimir Putin must end in failure. pic.twitter.com/nmFhpDrDEy

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 24, 2022

20:24 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

In Lviv, air raid sirens sounded for the first time since World War II 

On Thursday morning, air raid sirens sounded in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv for the first time — outside of regular drills — since World War II. Like clockwork, the picturesque city transformed from a tourist hotspot to a place preparing for war

- CNN

20:24 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

In Lviv, air raid sirens sounded for the first time since World War II 

On Thursday morning, air raid sirens sounded in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv for the first time — outside of regular drills — since World War II. Like clockwork, the picturesque city transformed from a tourist hotspot to a place preparing for war

- CNN

20:10 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates:

Russian forces take control of Hostomel airport near Kyiv

Russian helicopters on Thursday attacked Hostomel, a military airport near the capital of Kyiv, and Ukraine downed three of them, Ukrainian officials said, according to a report by Reuters

Ukrainian border officials said that the Russian military was trying to penetrate into Ukraine's Kyiv region and its Zhytomyr region on the Belarusian border and that Russia was using Grad rocket systems.

🚨BREAKING: Russia fires artillery rockets toward Ukraine live on the air on CNN with @fpleitgenCNN reporting pic.twitter.com/C4eceHQ8rx

— Nora Neus (@noraneus) February 24, 2022

20:04 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LIVE Updates

PM Modi likely to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight

This comes after the Ukrainian ambassador to India Igor Polikha on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's support amid the ongoing military operation from Russia in Ukraine.

"We urge PM Narendra Modi to immediately contact Russian President Vladimir Putin and our President Volodymyr Zelensky," Polikha said. "I don't know how many world leaders Putin may listen to but, the status of Modi ji makes me hopeful. Because of his strong voice, Putin would at least think it over. We are expecting a much more favourable attitude from the Indian government. It's the moment of truth, the moment of destiny," Polikha said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight: Sources #RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/825LKD0WMC

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

19:53 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

70 Ukrainian military targets destroyed, including 11 airfields: Moscow

Russia said Thursday that its military had destroyed more than 70 military targets including 11 airfields in Ukraine.

"As a result of strikes carried out by the Russian armed forces, 74 Ukrainian military ground facilities were destroyed," said Igor Konashenkov, a defence ministry spokesman, specifying that destroyed facilities included 11 airfields. He said a Ukrainian military helicopter and four drones had also been shot down.

19:29 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Biden meets G7 allies, addresses US on response to Russia

US President Joe Biden was meeting with G7 allies Thursday to hammer out a raft of new sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine, and will later speak to the American people on a crisis that he warns will cause "catastrophic loss of life."

The virtual, closed-door meeting of G7 leaders -- Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States -- was set to start at 9 am (1400 GMT), with Biden's White House speech scheduled for early afternoon.

19:26 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Moscow warns Russians against joining anti-war protests

Russian authorities on Thursday warned anti-war sympathisers from gathering for protests, after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine.

The Investigative Committee in a statement warned Russians of legal repercussions for joining unsanctioned protests related to "the tense foreign political situation".

19:25 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Russian helicopters attack military airport near Kyiv

Russian helicopters on Thursday attacked Gostomel, a military airport near the capital of Kyiv, and Ukraine downed three of them, Ukrainian officials said.

Ukrainian border officials said that the Russian military was trying to penetrate into Ukraine's Kyiv region and its Zhytomyr region on the Belarusian border and that Russia was using Grad rocket systems.

18:26 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Go to nearest bomb shelters: India's advisory to citizens in Ukraine

Issuing its third advisory since Thursday morning on guidelines for Indians in Ukraine, the Indian embassy said, "We are aware that certain places are hearing air sirens/bomb warnings. In case you are faced with such a situation, google maps has a list of nearby bomb shelters, many of which are located in underground metros," the embassy said. 

"Since the air space in Ukraine has been closed, we have stopped the measures to bring back Indians via flights. We are planning alternative measures to bring back Indians. Ministry of External Affairs has decided to send more diplomats to this area to help the Indian embassy," said V Muraleedharan, the junior Foreign Minister.

There are approximately 18,000 Indians in Ukraine, many of them students. An Air India flight sent for evacuation took off at 7.30 am but had to return after Ukraine closed its airspace for commercial flights.

18:22 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Reckless act by Putin: German chancellor on Russian invasion

German chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Russia's military operation in the strongest possible terms, calling it a "reckless act by President Putin," a "terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe."

"There is no justification for any of this -- this is Putin's war," Scholz told reporters at a news conference in Berlin.

18:18 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Ukrainian plane with 14 aboard crashes in south Kyiv

A Ukrainian military plane with 14 people aboard crashed south of Kyiv on Thursday, the emergencies service said. The service said it was "still determining how many people died." The incident occurred about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Kyiv, amid reports of several locations around the city coming under attack.

18:02 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Russia's security concerns over Ukraine 'reasonable': China

Beijing on Thursday told Russia's foreign minister it understands Moscow's "reasonable concerns on security issues" over Ukraine, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry, after President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the country.

In a phone call between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Russian counterpart, Wang said that although Beijing "has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries... we have also seen that the Ukrainian issue has its own complicated and unique history".

17:54 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Putin’s 'barbaric' venture must end in failure: Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Jonson has said the “hideous and barbaric venture” of Russian president Vladimir Putin “must end in failure”.

He said: “It’s because we’ve been so alarmed in recent months at Russian intimidation that the UK became one of the first countries in Europe to send defensive weaponry to help the Ukrainians.

“Other allies have now done the same and we will do what more we can in the days ahead.

17:47 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Air combat over Kyiv skies

Russian forces broke through on Thursday into the north of the Kyiv region, Ukraine's border guards said, staging an attack with Grad missiles on government positions.

An AFP reporter in the northern part of Ukraine's capital also saw several low-flying helicopters flying toward the city, amid reports that an airfield was under attack.

17:45 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Over 30 Russian strikes on civilian and military infrastructure: Ukraine

Russia has attacked Ukraine with more than 30 strikes on civilian and military infrastructure, including with Kalibr cruise missiles, said Ukraine's military to news agency Reuters on Thursday.

17:36 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Special operation not occupation, says Kremlin spokesperson

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov referred to Russia’s military attack on Ukraine as a "special operation" Thursday, but dodged most questions on its nature or objectives in a call with foreign journalists. 

"I cannot give you information on the military, technological and other components of this operation," Peskov said. "The only primary source here should be our military and defense departments."

The spokesman added that occupation was not the objective, echoing President Vladimir Putin's claims in a televised address earlier on Thursday.

17:16 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

'Like Nazi Germany': President Zelensky on Putin's military offensive

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday compared Russia's invasion of his country to military campaigns carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II.

"Russia has attacked Ukraine in a cowardly and suicidal way, like Nazi Germany did during World War II," the Ukrainian president said in an online briefing, during which he called on Ukrainians to "go out" and "protest against this war".

17:11 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine war LATEST Updates

Congres attacks govt on evacuation strategy

As Russia launched an offensive against Ukraine, Opposition leaders, mostly from the Congress, on Thursday attacked the government for not making arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back and accused it of "turning away its face" on its nationals in this difficult time.

Some of the Congress leaders also demanded that India should take a firm stand and "unequivocally condemn" Russia's action.

Attacking the government for not acting despite repeated warnings, the Congress asked why it had not made arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back home safely.

17:04 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Seventh Russian aircraft downed in Luhansk 

The Ukraine Army claimed that another Russian aircraft was downed over Luhansk Region. This was the seventh Russian plane that has been shot down, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

16:57 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a catastrophe: Boris Johnson

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and said Ukraine was in the thoughts of everyone in the UK "during this dark time".

Calling it a "catastrophe", the British prime minister said he would speak to G7 leaders on the Russuian invasion if uKraine. "I will also speak to fellow G7 leaders and I am calling for an urgent meeting of all NATO leaders as soon as possible," he said.

16:30 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Macron calls for NATO summit 'as soon as possible'

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called for a NATO summit "as soon as possible" after Russia launched an attack on its neighbour Ukraine, his  office said.

"The President wishes for a NATO summit to be held as soon as possible, in coordination with our partners and allies," the presidency said, matching calls from Britain and Poland ahead of a press conference later in the day by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. 

16:24 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

PM Modi to meet Sitharaman, govt officials on Ukraine crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior government officials on Thursday to discuss the economic impact of Russia-Ukraine crisis.

The impact of rising crude oil prices and ways of migitating it will also be discussed, a government source told news agency Reuters.

Earlier on Thursday, Russian forces fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a "special military operation".

#RussiaUkraineWar | PM Modi, FM Nirmala Sitharaman, Cabinet Secretary, And Senior Government Officials To Meet Today On Ukraine Situation. pic.twitter.com/FhsrGvqZoi

— News18 (@CNNnews18) February 24, 2022

16:23 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Over 40 Ukraine soldiers, 10 civilians killed so far, say reports

An adviser to Ukraine’s president says about 40 people have been killed so far in the Russian attack on the country, including 10 civilians as per AFP.

Oleksii Arestovich, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that several dozen people have been wounded. 

Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian authorities will hand weapons to all those willing to defend the country. “The future of the Ukrainian people depends on every Ukrainian,” he said, urging all those who can defend the country to come to the Interior Ministry’s assembly facilities.

-AP

16:14 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Lithuania to impose emergency following Ukraine invasion: President

EU and NATO member Lithuania said on Thursday it would impose a state of emergency after the Russian army's air and ground attack on Ukraine. 

Lithuania, a small former Soviet republic of 2.8 million people shares borders with Russia and Belarus. 

"Today I will sign a decree imposing a state of emergency," Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said after a meeting of the national defence council, adding that "Lithuania would request the activation of NATO's Article 4, which provides for emergency consultations if a member of the alliance is threatened.

16:00 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Moldova to close airspace over crisis

Moldova will close its airspace on Thursday and divert flights to other airports due to the security situation in the region, the country's deputy prime minister, Andrei Spinu, said in a Facebook post as per Reuters.

15:49 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russian army says Moscow-backed Ukraine rebels advancing

The Russian army said Thursday that Moscow-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine were advancing and had gained territory after the Kremlin launched an attack on the country.

Military spokesman Igor Konashenkov told state television that forces of the Donetsk People's Republic gained "up to three kilometres" (1.8 miles) in territory and those of the Lugansk People's Republic "advanced one and a half kilometres."

He added that Russia had "high precision weapons" and that Ukrainian civilians had "nothing to fear." 

15:36 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine breaks diplomatic ties with Russia

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday broke off Kyiv's diplomatic relations with Moscow in response to Russia's invasion of its Western-backed neighbour.

"We broke off diplomatic relations with Russia," Zelensky said in a video message. It marked the first rupture in ties since Russia and Ukraine became independent countries after the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.

15:17 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine says killed 'around 50 Russian occupiers'

Ukraine's military command said Thursday that government forces had killed "around 50 Russian occupiers" while repulsing an attack on a town on the frontline with Moscow-backed rebels.

Firstpost could not immediately independently confirm the death toll.

"Shchastya is under control. 50 Russian occupiers were killed. Another Russian plane was destroyed in the Kramatorsk district. This is the sixth," the armed forces general staff said on Twitter.

15:11 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Putin might listen to PM Modi: Ukraine envoy to India

Ukraine Envoy Igor Polikha sought India's intervention as armed conflict with Russia started this morning. Remarking that the situation may get out of control, Mr Polikha said, "Modi ji is one of the most powerful, respected world leaders. You have a privileged, strategic relation with Russia. If Modiji speaks to Putin we are hopeful he'll respond".

"India should be much more actively engaged, given the privileged relation India has with Russia. Not just for our safety, but of your own citizen's safety too, we need intervention of India," he said, adding, "We do not want protocol statements, it means nothing. We need support from the whole world".

#Ukraine envoy to #India Igor Polikha says - We are not the 2014 army that was feeble. The situation has drastically changed. Ukraine is not in panic, it will defend itself. #UkraineRussiaCrisis pic.twitter.com/DWOHEp6wLs

— Maha Siddiqui (@SiddiquiMaha) February 24, 2022

14:54 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

China calls for talks over Ukraine, criticizes US

China repeated calls for talks to resolve the crisis in Ukraine on Thursday while refusing to criticize Russia’s attack and accusing the U.S. and its allies of worsening the situation.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told reporters at a daily briefing that “the Ukraine issue is complex in its historical background ... what we are seeing today is the interplay of complex factors.”

Although China has not endorsed President Vladimir Putin’s recognition of independence of eastern Ukraine’s separatist areas or Putin’s decision to send Russian forces there, Hua said China “called on parties to respect others' legitimate security concerns.”

“All parties should work for peace instead of escalating the tension or hyping up the possibility of war,” Hua said, repeating the language China has consistently used to criticize the West during the crisis.

14:51 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Belarus says its army not taking part in Ukraine invasion

Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that his military is not taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Kyiv said Moscow's troops were entering the country from Belarusian territory. 

"Our armed forces are not taking part in this operation," said Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Moscow has stationed tens of thousands of troops in Belarus.

Ukraine's border guards said Thursday their country was coming under artillery attack along its northern border with Russia and Belarus.

14:39 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

EU Ambassadors meet to discuss Ukraine invasion

🔴 #Ukraine: EU Ambassadors have just started their emergency meeting.

They will prepare the extraordinary European Council meeting tonight.#EUCO #COREPER II #WeStandWithUkraine 🇪🇺🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/r33MQswRr5

— Sebastian Fischer (@SFischer_EU) February 24, 2022

14:32 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Watch: Ukraine says Russian vehicles have moved across the border from Crimea

Ukraine says Russian vehicles have moved across the border from Crimea.

The video was published by the Ukraine border guard service after Russia announced 'special military operations'.

Follow live updates: https://t.co/RS4MTt9DqA pic.twitter.com/v1JDwVJU98

— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 24, 2022

14:23 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

EU plans 'harshest' sanctions package ever against Russia

The European Union is planning the “strongest, the harshest package” of sanctions it has ever considered at an emergency summit Thursday as the Russian military attacked Ukraine and world leaders reacted with outrage at Moscow's actions, reports AP.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “the target is the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order, and we will hold President (Vladimir) Putin accountable for that.”

“We will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to European leaders for approval,” she said.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called it the “strongest, the harshest package” ever considered.

14:05 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine says at least 7 killed, 9 wounded by Russian shelling

At least eight people have been killed and nine were wounded by the Russian shelling, an advisor to the Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs has said, according to Reuters.

13:57 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine toll from Russian invasion rises to three: Border guards

The Ukrainian military death toll from the Russian invasion rose to three Thursday, the border guard service said, with confirmed losses suffered along the southern border with Kremlin-annexed Crimea.

The Russian armed forces were trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said.

13:40 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Poland calls for emergency NATO consultations

Poland on Thursday asked NATO to activate Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations if a member is threatened, after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. 

Poland's ambassador in Brussels, where NATO is based, "submitted a request to the NATO secretary general, together with a group of allies," Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller said. 

Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the alliance has repeatedly condemned Russia's aggressions against its neighbour. 

13:27 (IST)

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

China says 'closely watching' Ukraine situation after Russian attack

China on Thursday said it was monitoring the situation in Ukraine and called for "restraint" on all sides after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation on the European neighbour.

"China is closely watching the latest situation, and we call on all parties to maintain restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates: The comments come as US President Joe Biden met with G7 allies Thursday to hammer out a raft of new sanctions against Russia and will later speak to the American people on the crisis

He said a Ukrainian military helicopter and four drones had also been shot down.

Russian helicopters on Thursday attacked Gostomel, a military airport near the capital of Kyiv, and Ukraine downed three of them, Ukrainian officials said.

A Ukrainian military plane with 14 people aboard crashed south of Kyiv on Thursday, the emergencies service said. The service said it was "still determining how many people died."

The incident occurred about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Kyiv, amid reports of several locations around the city coming under attack.

Russian forces broke through on Thursday into the north of the Kyiv region, Ukraine's border guards said, staging an attack with Grad missiles on government positions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday compared Russia's invasion of his country to military campaigns carried out by Nazi Germany during World War II.

The Ukraine Army claimed that another Russian aircraft was downed over Luhansk Region. This was the seventh Russian plane that has been shot down, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

An adviser to Ukraine’s president says about 40 people have been killed so far in the Russian attack on the country, including 10 civilians.

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday broke off Kyiv's diplomatic relations with Moscow in response to Russia's invasion of its Western-backed neighbour.

Ukraine Envoy Igor Polikha sought India's intervention as armed conflict with Russia started this morning. Remarking that the situation may get out of control, Polikha said, "Modi ji is one of the most powerful, respected world leaders. You have a privileged, strategic relation with Russia. If Modiji speaks to Putin we are hopeful he'll respond".

Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that his military is not taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as Kyiv said Moscow's troops were entering the country from Belarusian territory.

Ukraine said that at least seven people were killed and nine wounded by Russian shelling, as per a Reuters report.

Russia's ground forces on Thursday crossed into Ukraine from several directions, Ukraine's border guard service said, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a major offensive.

Russia's defence ministry said Thursday it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive against his country's neighbour.

The Ukrainian military claimed on Thursday to have downed five Russian planes and a helicopter in the east of the country near a rebel-held enclave. "According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down," the army general staff said.

Ukraine is coming under artillery attack along its northern border with Russia and Belarus, the border guard service said on Thursday, adding that Ukrainian forces were returning fire.

Moscow's Stock Exchange said Thursday it was "suspending" trading Thursday, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a special military operation in Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced martial law, saying Russia has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure and explosions are heard across the country. Zelenskyy said he had just talked to President Joe Biden and the US was rallying international support for Ukraine. He urged Ukrainians to stay home and not to panic

Asian stock markets have plunged and oil prices surged after President Vladimir Putin announced Russian military action in Ukraine. Market benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul fell 2% and Hong Kong and Sydney lost more than 3% Thursday. Oil prices jumped nearly $3 per barrel on unease about possible disruption of Russian supplies.

Explosions were heard before dawn Thursday in Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the eastern port city of Mariupol, shortly after Russia's President Vladimir Putin announced an operation to "demilitarise" the country.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.”

He said the attack was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine – a claim the US had predicted he would falsely make to justify an invasion

In a televised address, Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees. He said Russia's goal was not to occupy Ukraine.

U.S. President Joe Biden denounced the “unprovoked and unjustified” attack on Ukraine and said the world will “hold Russia accountable.”

As Putin spoke, big explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other areas of Ukraine.

A full-blown Russian invasion could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government. And the consequences of the conflict and resulting sanctions levied on Russia could reverberate throughout the world, affecting energy supplies in Europe, jolting global financial markets and threatening the post-Cold War balance on the continent.

He said the Russian military operation aims to ensure a “demilitarization” of Ukraine. Putin urged Ukrainian servicemen to “immediately put down arms and go home.”

Putin announced the military operation after the Kremlin said rebels in eastern Ukraine asked Russia for military assistance to help fend off Ukrainian “aggression." The announcement immediately fueled fears that Moscow was offering up a pretext for war, just as the West had warned.

A short time later, the Ukrainian president rejected Moscow’s claims that his country poses a threat to Russia and said a Russian invasion would cost tens of thousands of lives.

“The people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine want peace,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an emotional overnight address, speaking in Russian in a direct appeal to Russian citizens. “But if we come under attack, if we face an attempt to take away our country, our freedom, our lives and lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs.”

Zelenskyy said he asked to arrange a call with Putin late Wednesday, but the Kremlin did not respond.

In an apparent reference to Putin’s move to authorize the deployment of the Russian military to “maintain peace” in eastern Ukraine, Zelensky warned that “this step could mark the start of a big war on the European continent.”

“Any provocation, any spark could trigger a blaze that will destroy everything,” he said.

The United Nations Security Council quickly scheduled an emergency meeting on the night of 23 February, 2022, at Ukraine's request. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called the separatists' request "a further escalation of the security situation."

Anxiety about an imminent Russian offensive against its neighbor soared after Putin recognized the separatist regions' independence on Monday, endorsed the deployment of troops to the rebel territories and received parliamentary approval to use military force outside the country. The West responded with sanctions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the rebel chiefs wrote to Putin on 23 February, 2022, pleading with him to intervene after Ukrainian shelling caused civilian deaths and crippled vital infrastructure.