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)
G7 will impose 'devastating' sanctions on Russia, says Joe Biden
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
— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022
(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/SyL1uor31I
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
— AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) February 24, 2022
📸 Kirill Kudryavtsev #AFP pic.twitter.com/zkcZyKF4fO
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.
— Sebastian Fischer (@SFischer_EU) February 24, 2022
They will prepare the extraordinary European Council meeting tonight.#EUCO #COREPER II #WeStandWithUkraine 🇪🇺🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/r33MQswRr5
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.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) February 24, 2022
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
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.
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