Russia-Ukraine War News: India abstains from UNSC vote condemning invasion of Ukraine

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to serve as a mediator in possible talks with Russia, Ukraine's UNIAN news agency reported.

US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Friday (local time) sanctioned Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and members of Russia's Security Council in response to Russia's "unjustified, unprovoked and premeditated" invasion of Ukraine. "These actions impose unprecedented diplomatic and economic costs on Russia and further isolate it from the global financial system and the international community," the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement. According to the statement, Putin and Lavrov are directly responsible for Russia's unprovoked and unlawful further invasion of Ukraine, a democratic sovereign state.

Amid ongoing military operations by Russia against Ukraine, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, on Friday (local time), said this is a war of choice as Moscow's latest attack is so bold and brazen that it threatens our international system. "We are here today because of Russia's unprovoked, unjustified, unconscionable war on Ukraine," Thomas-Greenfield said at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine. Thomas-Greenfield said, "This is a war of choice. Russia's choice. Russia chose to invade its neighbour. Russia chose to inflict untold suffering on the Ukrainian people and on its own citizens. Russia chose to violate Ukraine's sovereignty, to violate international law, to violate the UN Charter."

The Canadian government will impose new sanctions on Belarusian leadership for their cooperation with Russia on current military operations in Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said during an update to the press on the situation between Russia and Ukraine.

India on Friday abstained from voting on UNSC resolution condemning Russia's attack on Ukraine saying that the "path of diplomacy was given up". "India's deeply disturbed by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine. We urge that all efforts are made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities," said India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, TS Tirumurti at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine. Tirumurti said that no solution can ever be arrived at, at the cost of human lives. Tirumurti also expressed concern over the welfare and security of the Indian community in Ukraine.

Bulgaria on Friday introduced a ban on the entry of Russian aircraft into the country’s airspace. All aircraft licensed by the Russian Federation may not enter the sovereign airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria, including the airspace over its territorial waters, the government announced. The ban is effective starting Saturday. The government said it took the action in connection with the escalation of the military conflict and in solidarity with Ukraine.

Australia is imposing sanctions against all 339 members of the Russian parliament and is considering sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin as well as his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne also announced on Saturday sanctions against eight Russian oligarchs close to Putin. Australia was also taking steps to imposed sanctions on key figures in the Belarusian government who had aided the Ukraine invasion. Payne said she was seeking advice from her department on following western allies’ example in sanctioning Putin.

Ukraine’s military says it has shot down a Russian military transport plane with paratroopers on board. According to a statement from the military’s General Staff, the Il-76 heavy transport plane was shot down near Vasylkiv, a city 40 kilometres south of Kyiv. The Russian military has not commented on the incident so far, and the report could not be immediately verified.

Russia has vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding that Moscow stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops.  Friday's vote was 11-1, with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining. It showed significant but not total opposition to Russia's invasion of its smaller, militarily weaker neighbour. The United States and other supporters knew the resolution wouldn't pass but argued it would highlight Russia's international isolation. The resolution's failure paves the way for backers to call for a swift vote on a similar measure in the U.N. General Assembly. There are no vetoes in the 193-member assembly. There's no timetable as yet for a potential Assembly vote.

The U.N. Security Council has delayed a vote on a resolution that would strongly condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and demand an immediate halt to its use of force and the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. Council diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity because consultations have been private, said the scheduled 3 p.m. EST vote on Friday has been pushed back to 5 p.m. EST by the resolution’s supporters who are trying to get more of the 15 council nations to vote in favour of the measure.

The U.N. plans to seek over $1 billion in donations for humanitarian relief in Ukraine over the next three months, the world body’s humanitarian chief said Friday. Martin Griffiths said at a news briefing that the exact amount of the appeal is still being decided but will be “well north of $1 billion.” The U.N. announced Thursday that it was immediately allocating $20 million to expand its humanitarian operations in Ukraine. Even before Russia’s attack this week, the world body estimated about 3 million people were in need of aid after years of fighting between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian government in the country’s east.

With a military intervention in Ukraine off the table, and countries around the world looking to heap more financial punishment on Moscow, the United States, Britain and European Union said Friday they will move to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The EU’s unanimous decision, part of a broader sanctions package, indicated that Western powers are moving toward unprecedented measures to try to force Putin to stop the brutal invasion of Russia’s neighbor and from unleashing a major war in Europe. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also told NATO leaders during a call Friday that Britain would move to impose sanctions against Putin and Lavrov. The EU said it would move to freeze Putin’s assets.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki indicated that U.S. sanctions will include a travel ban. President Joe Biden, who had previously said sanctions targeting Putin were under consideration, decided to make the move in the last 24 hours after talks with European leaders.

AP

US President Joe Biden on Friday (local time) said that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will maintain its "open door" to those European states who share its values and who one day may seek to join our Alliance. Biden's remarks came after he met with leaders from NATO Allies to discuss their shared commitment to collective defense and Transatlantic security, the White House said in a statement. "As President Putin threatens the very foundations of international peace and security, NATO is once again demonstrating that it stands for freedom and democracy," Biden said. He highlighted that the United States will defend "every inch of NATO territory". Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad. I have ordered the deployment of additional forces to augment our capabilities in Europe to support our NATO Allies, Biden said.

(ANI)

Amid the growing tensions between Moscow and Kyiv, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that Russia's diplomacy takes place at the barrel of a gun and termed it "not real diplomacy." "Moscow engaged in a pretence of diplomacy that was before the invasion started. Now we see Moscow suggesting that diplomacy take place at the barrel of a gun or as Moscow's rocket, mortars target the Ukrainian people, this is not real diplomacy," US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said during the press briefing. Price highlighted that Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly reached out to US President Joe Biden.

Spokesperson for the United States Department of State, Ned Price on Friday said that India has a distinct relationship with Russia but added he has appealed to every country to use that leverage in a constructive way. "We have a broad strategic partnership with India, share values. India has a relationship with Russia that is distinct from the relationship that we've with Russia which is okay. What we've asked every country is to use that leverage in a constructive way," he said. Further, he added that Russia will be isolated at the world level as several countries have now imposed sanctions.

Criminal ransomware operators are posting messages on the dark web pledging to launch retaliatory cyberattacks if Russia is attacked. The ransomware group Conti, which experts say has ties to Russia, said in a note on its dark website Friday that it would “use all our possible resources to strike back at the critical infrastructures of an enemy.” Ransomware gangs are mostly Russian-speaking and operate with near impunity out of Russia and allied countries. In a follow-up note, the Conti group stressed it was not an ally of any government and said: “we condemn the ongoing war.” Major ransomware attacks in the last year, including against the biggest U.S. fuel pipeline, have underscored how gangs of extortionist hackers can disrupt the economy and put lives and livelihoods at risk. The U.S. government has been warning critical infrastructure entities to prepare for possible attacks and to make sure their defences are up to date. Non-state hackers have promised to be active on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The online collective Anonymous recently pledged to conduct cyberattacks to support Ukraine.

(AP)

The German government says it plans to deploy troops and the Patriot anti-missile system to Slovakia as part of NATO plans to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank. The Defense Ministry said Friday that it plans to send an infantry company as part of a combat troop battalion. And it said that Germany also will contribute the Patriot system. The ministry stressed that the so-called “enhanced vigilance activity battlegroup” has a purely defensive function.

White House Press Secy Jen Psaki said that the United States will join the European Union in sanctioning Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

UK government reportedly ordered all assets of President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov frozen over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday (local time) said that the intergovernmental military alliance will "do what it takes" to protect and defend all its allies, including Ukraine, and "every inch of NATO territory." This comes in response to Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. "Russia has shattered peace in Europe. The people of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom in the face of Russia's unprovoked invasion. We deplore the tragic loss of life, enormous human suffering, and destruction. Our thoughts are with those killed, injured, and displaced," Stoltenberg during the press conference following the extraordinary virtual summit of NATO Heads of State and Government. NATO chief also called on Russia to stop this "senseless war".

The European Union may still disconnect Russia from the SWIFT international financial network over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced Friday. "SWIFT is something that has not been included on the table because it was not mature enough the discussion, but nothing is off the table. Maybe it can be adopted in the following days, it will depend," Borrell said at a press conference after the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Russian troops are bearing down on Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv. Mayor Vitaly Klitschko says five explosions hit an area near a major power plant on the city’s eastern outskirts. There was no information on the cause of the blasts, which Klitschko said occurred at intervals of several minutes. No electricity outages were immediately reported. The invasion of a democratic country has fueled fears of a wider war in Europe and triggered worldwide efforts to make Russia stop.

Presidents of NATO’s eastern flank member states gathered Friday in Warsaw voiced their support for tough sanctions on Russia and its leaders for the invasion of Ukraine. Nine presidents of the so-called NATO Bucharest Nine held a security summit with the participation of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They also remotely join a NATO summit in Brussels. “There cannot be any ‘business as usual’ in this situation in relations with Russia because that would have been a betrayal of the principles of the honest, open world,” Poland’s President Andrzej Duda, said after the talks that he had hosted.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Britain would introduce sanctions against Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to inflict maximum punishment for invading Ukraine, his Downing Street office said Friday. Johnson’s pledge comes as the European Union approved an asset freeze on Putin and Lavrov. The comments from Johnson suggest that Western powers are acting in concert on unprecedented measures to try to force Putin to stop the brutal invasion of Russia’s neighbor.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday discussed the sanctions, defence assistance and an anti-war coalition with US President Joe Biden. "Strengthening sanctions, concrete defence assistance and an anti-war coalition have just been discussed with @POTUS. Grateful to for the strong support to Ukraine," Zelenskyy tweeted. The White House confirmed that the meeting ran from 11:52 am to 12:32 pm ET.

Russian Defence Ministry on Friday said that its forces have staged a "successful landing operation" to capture Gostomel airfield in the suburbs of Kiev in Ukraine. "On February 24, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a successful landing operation in the area of Gostomel airfield in the suburbs of Kiev. More than 200 Russian helicopters were involved in the operation," the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday called External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and urged New Delhi to use "all influence in its relations with Moscow" for ending military operations against Ukraine. The Foreign Minister also urged India as a non-permanent UNSC member to support the draft resolution on "restoring peace in Ukraine".

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says, "deploying elements of the NATO Response Force on land, at sea and in the air, Kremlin's objectives are not limited to Ukraine." "Moscow’s goal is to change the government of Ukraine. I will pay my respect to the Ukrainian armed forces, which are really proving their bravery and their courage by fighting and standing up against the much larger invading Russian force."

Russia's attack on Ukraine is more than an attack on Ukraine. It's a devastating horrendous attack on innocent people in Ukraine, but it's also an attack on the whole European security order. And that's the reason why we take it so extremely seriously: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg

"We are sending a clear message to Russia on providing support to Ukraine. Article 5 of the Washington treaty will be intact and we are committed to it. Eastern part of alliance, many planes are deployed there. We have the US who have assigned thousands of troops. We are helping Ukraine with maritime and this is the first time that NATO is collectively deploying troops to a nation," said NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg.

He added, "The US has additionally deployed forces. We are not deploying the whole thing but we have deployed the lead elements of forces."

In a televised address, Putin claimed that the Ukraine administration was deploying Multiple Launch Rocker System (MLRS ) in regions like Kyiv and Kharkov, even as Russia itself stands accused of attacking and bombing civilian areas in its invasion of Ukraine. 

"Right-wing Banderites and neo-Nazis in Ukraine are putting up heavy weapons, including multiple launch rocket systems, right in the central districts of major cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv", said the Russian President in the address to the nation. He added in the televised address that Russian servicemen in Ukraine were acting "bravely, professionally and heroically."

Based upon inputs from MEA on the emerging situation in Ukraine, Air India will operate 2 flights from Delhi to Bucharest (Romania) and Budapest (Hungary) tomorrow February 26: Air India

We have met today to discuss the gravest threat to Euro-Atlantic security in decades. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, enabled by Belarus. We call on Russia to immediately cease its military assault, to withdraw all its forces from Ukraine and to turn back from the path of aggression it has chosen. This long-planned attack on Ukraine, an independent, peaceful and democratic country, is brutal and wholly unprovoked and unjustified. We deplore the tragic loss of life, enormous human suffering and destruction caused by Russia’s actions. Peace on the European continent has been fundamentally shattered. The world will hold Russia, as well as Belarus, accountable for their actions. We call on all states to condemn this unconscionable attack unreservedly. No one should be fooled by the Russian government’s barrage of lies.

Russia bears full responsibility for this conflict. It has rejected the path of diplomacy and dialogue repeatedly offered to it by NATO and Allies. It has fundamentally violated international law, including the UN Charter. Russia’s actions are also a flagrant rejection of the principles enshrined in the NATO-Russia Founding Act: it is Russia that has walked away from its commitments under the Act. President Putin’s decision to attack Ukraine is a terrible strategic mistake, for which Russia will pay a severe price, both economically and politically, for years to come. Massive and unprecedented sanctions have already been imposed on Russia. NATO will continue to coordinate closely with relevant stakeholders and other international organisations including the EU.  At the invitation of the Secretary General, we were joined today by Finland, Sweden and the European Union.

We stand in full solidarity with the democratically elected president, parliament and government of Ukraine and with the brave people of Ukraine who are now defending their homeland. Our thoughts are with all those killed, injured and displaced by Russia’s aggression, and with their families. NATO remains committed to all the foundational principles underpinning European security, including that each nation has the right to choose its own security arrangements.  We will continue to provide political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend itself and call on others to do the same. We reaffirm our unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders, including its territorial waters. This principled position will never change.

In light of Russia’s actions, we will draw all the necessary consequences for NATO’s deterrence and defence posture. Allies have held consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty. We will continue to take all measures and decisions required to ensure the security and defence of all Allies. We have deployed defensive land and air forces in the eastern part of the Alliance, and maritime assets across the NATO area. We have activated NATO’s defence plans to prepare ourselves to respond to a range of contingencies and secure Alliance territory, including by drawing on our response forces. We are now making significant additional defensive deployments of forces to the eastern part of the Alliance. We will make all deployments necessary to ensure strong and credible deterrence and defence across the Alliance, now and in the future. Our measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory.

In a war with Ukraine, Russia was suspended from the Council of Europe on Friday. The international organization had conducted a referendum in which 42 of 47 Committee of Ministers voted in favour of a joint Ukrainian-Polish notion to suspend Russia.

The action against Russia comes days after the European Council condemned in the strongest possible terms the 'unprovoked and 'unjustified' military aggression against Ukraine, and demanded an immediate cessation of violence, which evidently was paid a deaf ear to. 

Russia announces 'partial restriction' of access to Facebook over platform's ban of Kremlin-backed media, reports AP. 

Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman says there will be 'detrimental consequences' if Sweden and Finland try to join NATO. 

After the UK, Germany's finance minister has said that the country is open to the idea of cutting Russia off from SWIFT system. 

Amid the mounting concerns over the safety of the Indian nationals trapped in the war struck Ukraine, the Indian Air Force on Friday geared up to evacuate stranded Indian citizens. As the situation continues to deteriorate in Kyiv, the Union government has adopted proactive measures to ensure the safe return of trapped citizens.

Speaking on the steps taken by Indian Air Force, IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Ashish Moghe told ANI that C-17 Globemasters and the Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft have been arranged to bring back stranded nationals. As per Moghe, the Globemaster and Ilyushin can travel long distances and are suitable for the evacuation of people on a large scale.

Reports have stated that Ukraine has rejected Russia's proposal for Minsk talks, and wants a meeting in Warsaw instead. "Kyiv Proposed Talks in Warsaw But Then Broke Off Contact," Kremlin was quoted by Sputnik as saying.

Pope Francis went to the Russian embassy at the Holy See “to express his concern for the war" following the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine, the Vatican press office said Friday

International Chess Federation (FIDE) Council has decided that the 44th Chess Olympiad, including the competition for players with disabilities and the FIDE Congress, will not take place in Russia: FIDE

Putin suggests Ukrainian military seize power, believes they will be easier to negotiate with, Sputnik reported. Tells them, "Take power into your own hands".

Indian Embassy's 24-hour emergency helpline:

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The Czech Republic has announced that it will stop issuing residence permits for Russian citizens amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Amid the full-scale war on Ukraine, Russian Foreign Ministry asserts 'not targeting Ukrainian cities, but putting Ukrainian Armed Forces infrastructure out of operation'.

MoS Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan to receive Indian nationals arriving from Ukraine in a special flight on February 26 in Delhi

The EU will freeze the assets of President Vladimir Putin of Russia and his foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov. A new package of sanctions against the Russian Federation is expected to come into force today.

Moscow has said that the goal of the 'operation' in Ukraine is to hold puppet regime in Kyiv accountable for their crimes, Sputnik media reported.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Friday wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, requesting that the central government makes immediate arrangements for the safe evacuation of Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine following a Russian military offensive.

"I would like to bring to your notice that a number of students and other Punjabis are stranded in Ukraine. Their parents and family members are worried about their safety because of the situation which has developed there. They are facing a number of problems like place to stay, cash crunch, etc.," Channi wrote. - PTI

Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine should stay calm and remain wherever they are residing, Russian diplomatic sources said on Friday amid India's diplomatic overdrive to evacuate its citizens from the eastern European nation.

The sources said President Vladimir Putin conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday night that the Russian military operation in Ukraine does not represent any threat to the civilian population.

"The Indian nationals should stay calm and not panic. They should stay wherever they are residing," said a Russian diplomatic source.- PTI

In view of the prevailing situation in Ukraine, the state government has appointed Relief Commissioner as the nodal officer to facilitate assistance to people/students from Uttar Pradesh stranded in the foreign country.

The Nodal Officer Ranvir Prasad will co-ordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, and Embassy of India in Kyiv in facilitating support required for evacuation of stranded people from Uttar Pradesh in Ukraine, an official release issued here said.

The (24X7) toll free Helpline number of the State Control Room will be (0522) 1070, Mobile Number: 9454441081 and the e-mail id for contact will be rahat @HYPERLINK "http://nic.in"nic.in, it said.

The Advisories on the subject issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Embassy of India in Kyiv from time to time should be followed by the stranded people, it said.

It said that the Indian Embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine is actively engaged in extending all possible assistance to Indian students, people stranded there.- PTI

Putin is ready to send a delegation for talks with Kyiv, state-run media Sputnik reported. Kremlin spox Dmitry Peskov has said that a Russian diplomatic delegation, including foreign ministry, defence and admin officials, could be sent to Minsk.

Russian Forces Successfully Block Northern Ukrainian City of Chernigov, MoD Says.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will again chair a cabinet meeting on Saturday on the prevailing situation in Ukraine after Russia's invasion.  On Thursday, the PM chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security and also had a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

As tens of thousands of Ukrainians are evacuating their homes after Russia launched an invasion, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated that her country is ready to accept refugees from Kyiv. She also vowed to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and its neighbours amid the ongoing crisis. "There will be internally displaced refugees. There will also be a lot of pressure on Poland, Moldova and other countries. And there will definitely be the refugee flows to Europe, which Denmark will facilitate," Frederiksen told reporters. 

In a major development, Russian occupants hit a Romanian ship in the Black Sea.

The Russian Formula 1 Grand Prix has been cancelled for 2022 amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine. 

Xi Jinping and Putin have reportedly held phone talks amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been taken to a bunker as Russian troops close in on Kiev - Reports

Zelenskyy has reportedly invited Putin to the negotiating table, says Russia state-affiliated media Sputnik.

Republic has learned that Russia’s forces have entered the Obolon district in Kyiv, where the Ukrainian military is currently fighting them. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has asked residents not to leave their houses and prepare Molotov cocktails. The district is approximately 10 km from central Kyiv.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a press conference on Friday and outlined that Russia tried its best to convince Ukraine and its western partners through diplomatic channels. The Russian Foreign Minister further said that they would be willing to resume negotiation through diplomatic channels if Ukraine's army agrees to lay down arms. 

As per reports, the Russian army has reached the northern suburb of Kyiv. Russia has asked the Ukraine army to surrender.

The threat of nuclear war has rarely been brandished by a world leader in recent times, but Russian President Putin has said he has the weapons available if anyone dares to stop the takeover of Ukraine. It's an apocalyptic scenario from a previous era. -AP

As per reports, Ukraine is ready to hold talks with Russia to negotiate Kyiv’s neutrality, but it must receive security guarantees, said Mykhailo Podoliak, an adviser to President Zelensky. 

As per sources, the government of India will be arranging evacuation flights for Indian nationals in Ukraine. Notably, the cost of the mission will be paid by the government. 

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, after it was seized by the Russian military.

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate said Friday that higher gamma radiation levels have been detected in the Chernobyl zone, but didn’t provide details of the increase.

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.”

Ukrainian authorities said that Russia took the plant and its surrounding exclusion zone after a fierce battle Thursday.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Russian airborne troops were protecting the plant to prevent any possible “provocations.” He insisted that radiation levels in the area have remained normal.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said it was told by Ukraine of the takeover, adding that there had been “no casualties or destruction at the industrial site.”

The 1986 disaster occurred when a nuclear reactor at the plant 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of Kyiv exploded, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe. The damaged reactor was later covered by a protective shell to prevent leaks.

(AP)

Ukrainian defence said, "Dozens of experienced military pilots from the captain to the general, who had previously been discharged from the reserve, are returning to the Air Force of the Armed Forces."

"Who knows, maybe one of them is the air avenger on the MiG-29, which is so often seen by Kyivites!
 🇺🇦 Everything will be Ukraine! it added. Earlier, Ukraine's Commander of the Troop Forces Yuri Galushkin had said that " Today Ukraine needs everything. All procedures for joining TPO are simplified. Carry only your passport and identification code. There are no age restrictions."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with LPR and DPR representatives. On day 2 of Russia mounting a heavy attack on Ukraine, the Russian forces have entered Kyiv. Russian FM has also said that the West defending Ukrainian regime is turning blind eye to its war crimes.

Republic reports from site bombed in Kyiv: According to the mayor three people were injured & one of them is in critical condition. 

From Tasavallan President Sauli Niinistö to UK PM Boris Johnson, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been dialling up various leaders as Russian forces continue to march into Kyiv. While clashes have been reported in the northern district of the Ukrainian capital, Zelensky, most recently spoke to Niinistö and discussed "countering the aggressor". Ukrainian President "Informed about our defense, insidious shelling of Kyiv. Grateful to 🇫🇮 for allocating $50 million aid. It’s an effective contribution to the anti-war coalition. We keep working. We need to increase sanctions & 🇺🇦 defense support".

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Zelesnky also exchanged views. According to a Twitter update by the Ukrainian President, he told von der Leyen "Not all possibilities for sanctions have been exhausted yet. The pressure on Russia must increase." Zelensky added, "I am grateful to the President for her decision on additional financial assistance."

Amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Indian Embassy in Hungary has informed that the government is working to establish evacuation routes for Indians. The embassy informed that it was working together with the Indian government to evacuate nationals in Ukraine from Romania and Hungary. Indian nationals, especially students living closest to the Russian border have been advised to depart first from the country.

As the US, EU and other allies moved ahead to impose crippling sanctions on Russia, Georgia has pledged to not follow the suit. Earlier, Georgia was unclear about imposing sanctions on Russia but it has now clarified that it will not do it. Meanwhile, the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has decided to sanction 24 Belarusian individuals and entities citing "Belarus's support for, and facilitation of, the invasion." The decision by the US authorities has been taken in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The US sanctions target two state-owned banks - Belvinvestbank and Bank Dabrabyt, Belarusian defence and security industries as well as defence officials. 

Republic, the only channel live from Kyiv, has revealed the devastating scenes from residential areas in Ukraine. Watch here -

In retaliation to Britain's Aeroflot sanctions, Moscow has now banned UK aircraft from entering the Russian airforce. The latest move by Kremlin came after the UK imposed unprecedented sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine. On Thursday, UK PM Boris Johnson announced the sanctions package to degrade Russia's economy "for years to come". British PM even called Russian President Vladimir Putin a "dictator" who "will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands". 

UK sanctions included freezing the assets of Russian bank VTB and arms manufacturer Rostec, sanctions on five more oligarchs close to Putin including his former son-in-law Kirill Shamalov, and banning Aeroflot from British airspace.

As per reports, the Russian defence Ministry has claimed that its forces have destroyed 41 Ukrainian military military vehicles, 18 tanks and armoured fighting vehicles, 7 multiple rocket systems, and 5 combat boats. Meanwhile, Sputnik stated Russian MoD as saying that more than 150 Ukrainian soldiers have surrendered due to constant fighting. 

Fighter jets have been hovering Kherson in Ukraine as Russian forces move in Kyiv to escalate its invasion. Follow live cover here

Ukrainian Army posted a video on Twitter Group of occupiers defeated near Oleshki in Kherson region.

Former United States President Barack Obama has said "Russian aggression shows forces of division and authoritarianism make headway around the world".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held talks with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and "reported on the course of Ukraine’s defense and insidious attacks on Kyiv by the aggressor. Today Ukraine needs the support of partners more than ever. We demand effective counteraction to the Russian Federation. Sanctions must be further strengthened."

In the latest escalation to the Russia-Ukraine war, clashes have been reported in the northern district of Kyiv city. Russian military vehicles were seen driving in northern Kyiv. Earlier, Airfield in Russia's Rostov region was hit by apparent Ukrainian attack. 

Ukrainian army as asked citizens in Obolon to informal bout the movement of Russian troops. It said on Twitter, " In Obolon, the enemy DRG. We ask citizens to inform about the movement of equipment! Make Molotov cocktails, neutralize the occupier!  Peaceful residents - be careful! Do not leave the house!"

The United States mulls moving resolution for expulsion of Russia from United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

Ukraine's defence ministry has said that the bridge over the Teteriv river has been destroyed while adding, "Airborne assault troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are fighting in the settlements of DYMER and IVANKIV, where a large number of enemy armoured vehicles advanced and stopped the overwhelming enemy forces on the border of the river TETERIV. The bridge across the river was destroyed."

Image credits: @DefenceU/Twitter

In the latest update, the Ukrainian army has said that it is fighting the Russian forces outside the capital of Kyiv as the troops inch closer to one of the largest cities in the country. Just 24 hours after Russia launched invasion of Ukraine, the troops are now reported to be a few miles away from Kyiv.

UK's Defence Secretary has estimated that 450 Russian soldiers have been killed so far since Putin launched the full-scale war into its neighbour. Now, Russian troops have also been moving towards Kyiv. Reports have suggested that fighting took place outside the Ukrainian capital between forces of both sides. 

Myanmar coup leader said it supports the Russian invasion into Ukraine. Myanmar junta spokesperson Brig. Gen Zaw Min Tun told New York Times by phone, "In the case of Russia and Ukraine, Russia has done its part to maintain its sovereignty, and I think it is the right thing to do."

"Russia is also a big country among world powers and is showing that it also plays a main role in the balance sheet of maintaining world peace," he added.

Ukraine's Defence Ministry said that "an armoured group of Russian-occupied troops tried to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops in the area of ​​Trohizbenko. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 2 Russian tanks and 1 infantry fighting vehicle and forced the enemy to retreat. The combined forces are confidently holding their own positions and giving a decent rebuff to the invaders."

As per reports, the Ukrainian military vehicles have been seized by Russian troops who are wearing Ukrainian uniforms and heading towards Kyiv. Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (UNIAN) stated that the movement of Russian troops in Ukrainian uniforms, heading towards Kyiv has been confirmed by a defence official. 

The Russian shelling, which is suspected to have used OTR-21 Tochka Ballistic Missiles, killed at least four people. Additionally, Russian military vehicles were destroyed near Hostomel, a suburb of Kyiv.

Ukraine's defence ministry has confirmed that Vorzel has fallen to Russian forces. Vorzel, the Ukrainian village is just five miles (8 kilometres) away from Kyiv. It is also to note here that the air raids siren went off for the second time in Ukraine's capital. Earlier, loud explosions were also heard from Kyiv.

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim A. A. Khan QC said "While on mission in Bangladesh, I have been closely following recent developments in and around Ukraine with increasing concern". 

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine shared images showing the rescuers eliminating the consequences of Russian shelling streets of Vatutina and Starotaganrogska. The service said, "Fire extinguishing and rescue of people is underway.
Previously, 6 people were rescued, one person killed. The units of the dsns lugansk region are working." 

Image: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

In the national address this morning, Volodymyr Zelesnky had also said that "Russia will have to talk to us". Reiterating appeals for a ceasefire, the Ukrainian President said, "Russia will have to talk to us sooner or later about how to end hostilities and stop this invasion. The sooner the conversation begins, the smaller Russia’s losses will be.” Zelensky also added until the attacks stop, “we will be defending our country until then”.

As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday signed a decree on the general mobilisation of the population in the wake of Putin's Ukraine invasion, all men aged 18-60 are forbidden to leave the country. An entry on the Ukrainian president's website stated that conscripts and reservists will be called up over the next 90 days to "ensure the defence of the state, maintaining combat and mobilization readiness."

"We have been left alone to defend our state," Zelenskyy said in a video address to the nation. He added, "Who is ready to fight alongside us? I don't see anyone. Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid." In a statement posted on Facebook, Ukraine's border guard said that males aged 18-60 are not allowed to leave the country. 

Republic is the only Indian network LIVE from Kyiv as Russia attacks Ukraine's capital, several explosions heard. 

Tune in to watch the on-ground coverage here -

After large explosions were heard in Ukraine's Kyiv, reports stated that air raid sirens have gone off in both Kyiv and Lviv. the air raid sirens went off at dawn after Ukrainian residents reported waking to the sound of explosions. Many civilians reportedly sought safety in bomb shelters and metro stations amid growing reports of Russian tanks inching closer from all sides.

At least 250 Indian students are stranded in the country's capital Kyiv and appealed for evacuation at the earliest. One of the students spoke to Republic Media Network and informed that they spent the night under the hostel basement in fear of airstrikes. An Indian student termed the present situation as the 'scariest moment of life'. He mentioned that Ukrainian, Indian, and other nationals were advised to move to Metro stations, bunkers due to the possibility of shelling. 

Read more here

As Russia continues to press war on Ukraine, it has been reported that Russian military vehicles are just 20 miles away from the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. CNN has also reported citing sources that top Biden administration officials told House lawmakers in a briefing Thursday that Russian mechanized forces that had entered Ukraine through Belarus were about 20 miles (32 kilometres) from Kyiv.

From the Karnataka government to the Uttarakhand administration, states across the nation have scrambled efforts to ensure the safe return of students from Ukraine. The Karnataka government has appointed a Nodal Officer to facilitate the safe movement of stranded people from the state in Ukraine to their respective destinations. The Nodal Office is said to coordinate with MEA & Embassy of India, Kyiv, and provide support for the evacuation of stranded people from the state.

Uttarakhand’s Principal Secretary (Home) RK Sudhanshu on Thursday directed the District Magistrates of all the 13 districts to provide complete details of citizens living in the country. Following the details, the state administration will ensure security to those stranded through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of India.

Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday said that many students of Chattisgarh are stranded in Ukraine and that a call centre has been set up in the state where about 70 students have reached out so far. He even revealed that the state govt is in touch with GoI for the safe return of the students. 

The Haryana government has set up a 24x7 control room through the foreign cooperation department as CM Manohar Lal Khattar assured that his government will work in close coordination with the Centre.
 

Read more here

As Kyiv witnessed three massive explosions at dawn on Friday, Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said, "Horrific Russian rocket strikes on Kyiv. Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany. Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhere."

As the war continues to intensify,  Ukrainian Defense Ministry has said that its armed forces have inflicted some 800 casualties on Russian forces since the attack began on Thursday, reported CNN. However, it is not clear if the ministry was referring solely to the number killed. Earlier, the ministry has also said that 30 Russian tanks had been destroyed along with seven Russian aircraft and six helicopters.

In view of the recent crisis in Russia-Ukraine, the European Union has announced 'maximum impact' sanctions on Russia early Friday that would target the country's financial, energy and transport sectors, visa policy among other areas. At a joint news conference with French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the sanctions "will have maximum impact on the Russian economy and political elite". She added, "We will hold the Kremlin accountable."

A United Nations Security Council vote on a resolution denouncing Russia's military attack on Ukraine has been officially listed on UN schedule on Friday at 3 PM (local time). However, the proposal is expected to be vetoed by Moscow. It is to note that Russia is the president of the council for February. 

The United States Senator Marco Rubio said that at least "three dozen missiles" have been fired at the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv as President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to stay in the city. 

US President Joe Biden on Thursday said that the United States was “in consultation with India” on the issue of Ukraine and Russia. While answering a question about India being "full in sync" with the US, Biden added, "We haven’t resolved that completely." Additionally, US Secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar over the russia-Ukraine crisis. Following the call, Blinken had tweeted that they highlighted the “importance of a strong collective response to Russian aggression,” adding “Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is a clear violation of the rules-based international order.”

Ukraine's military shared a video of a fiery explosion as seen over the sky of Kyiv on Friday morning saying that "war criminals fired on peaceful areas of Kyiv".  The military added, "The air defense did not allow the two deadly gifts of the "brothers" to reach the capital. Keep calm, help each other, get information only from official sources."

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry has said that it shot down a Russian aircraft in Kyiv. As per reports, Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine’s interior minister posted several images on his Telegram account on Friday including a picture of what he called a nine-storey building on fire. 

Australia, Taiwan join other nations in announcing sanctions against Russia for its Ukraine invasion. In a statement on Friday, Taiwan's Foreign Ministry said, "In order to compel Russia to halt its military aggression against Ukraine, and to restart peaceful dialogue among all parties concerned as soon as possible, the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announces it will join international economic sanctions against Russia." Even though the island did not mention how Russia will be sanctioned but it is to note that Taiwan is a global leader in the production of semiconductor chips.

Additionally, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced new sanctions against Russia on Friday in a bid to target "oligarchs whose economic weight is of strategic significance to Moscow". Additionally, he said that Australia is working with the United States to coordinate sanctions on "key Belarusian individuals and entities complicit in the aggression, so we are extending those sanctions to Belarus," reported CNN.
 

Journalists, civilians and other people have said that they heard heavy explosions in Kyiv early on Friday morning. Ukraine’s Ambassador to Austria, Olexander Scherba, said he heard “two heavy explosions” around 4.25 AM (local time).

In a bid to assist NATO allies in the face of the Russian invasion, US President Joe Biden approved the deployment of 7,000 additional US troops to Germany on Thursday. The latest announcement by the US Department of defence or pentagon has brought the total US-based forces sent this month to Europe to 12,000. According to Pentagon’s official statement, the 7,000 troops which will be deployed to Germany will include an armoured brigade combat team with “associated capabilities and enablers”. The statement added that the American troops will leave “in the coming days”.

Japan has announced additional sanctions on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that the new measures include freezing the assets of Russian groups, banks and individuals and suspending exports of semiconductors and other sensitive goods to military-linked organizations in Russia. Kishida says that “Japan must clearly show its position that we will never tolerate any attempt to change the status quo by force.”

While speaking with reporters after meeting European Union (EU) leaders, French President Emmanuel Macron said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had been duplicitous in their conversations as the Kremlin leader discussed Minsk agreements while preparing to invade Ukraine. Following the EU summit, Macron said, "Yes, there was duplicity, yes there was a deliberate, conscious choice to launch war when we could still negotiate peace.”

US President Joe Biden noted that the next few days, months will be "hard" on Ukraine. Taking to Twitter, he said, "The next few days, weeks, and months will be hard on the people of Ukraine. Putin has unleashed a great pain on them.
 
"But the Ukrainian people have known 30 years of independence — and they have shown that they will not tolerate anyone who tries to take their country backwards," Biden added.

Taiwan has 'strongly condemned' Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In a statement, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the island has joined the United States and the European Union and "other like-minded partners in sanctioning Russia. We urge an immediate cessation of military action & commencement of dialogue aimed at resolving disputes peacefully".

United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken said the US and its allies will impose swift and severe costs on Russia for the needless act of aggression. Earlier today, President Joe Biden said that removing Russia from the SWIFT international financial system is always an option but not one Europe wishes to take now. 

Australia’s prime minister is accusing China of throwing Russia a lifeline by easing trade restrictions at a time the much of the world is trying to stop the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Prime Minister Scott Morrison was reacting Friday to a report in The South China Morning Post that China had announced it was fully open to Russian wheat imports. Morrison noted that Australia, the United States, Britain, the European Union and Japan are imposing sanctions on Russia, and said China’s easing of trade restrictions “is simply unacceptable.” In his words: “You don’t go and throw a lifeline to Russia in the middle of a period when they’re invading another country.”

(AP)

The U.N. Security Council will vote Friday on a resolution that would condemn Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine “in the strongest terms.” It also would demand an immediate halt to Russia’s invasion and the withdrawal of all Russian troops. A senior U.S. official says the Biden administration knows the measure will be vetoed by Russia but believes it is very important to put the resolution to a vote to underscore Russia’s international isolation. The official says the council vote will be followed by a resolution voted on quickly in the 193-member U.N. General Assembly where there are no vetoes.

(AP)

The White House is expressing outrage at “credible reports” from Ukrainian officials that the staff at the shuttered Chernobyl nuclear plant have been taken hostage by Russian troops. Press secretary Jen Psaki said Thursday that “we condemn it and we request their release.” Psaki says the U.S. has no assessment on the state of the plant where radioactivity is still leaking decades after the worst nuclear disaster in history. But she says hostage-taking could hamper efforts to maintain the nuclear facility and is “incredibly alarming and greatly concerning.” Psaki spoke after Alyona Shevtsova, an adviser to the commander of Ukraine’s Ground Forces, wrote on Facebook that the staff at the Chernobyl plant had been “taken hostage” when Russian troops seized the facility.

(AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed so far in the Russian invasion of his country. He calls them “heroes” in a video address released early Friday in which he also says hundreds more have been wounded. Zelenskyy says that despite Russia’s claim it is attacking only military targets, civilian sites also have been struck. In his words: “They’re killing people and turning peaceful cities into military targets. It’s foul and will never be forgiven.”

The World Bank, in its statement on Thursday, said that it is ready to provide immediate financial support to Ukraine amid the present political and military crisis. "We stand ready to provide immediate support to Ukraine and are preparing options for such support, including fast-disbursing financing. Alongside development partners, the World Bank Group will use all our financing and technical support tools for rapid response," as per the statement.

(ANI)

Ukraine’s president is ordering a full military mobilization to challenge the Russian invasion. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a decree Thursday evening saying the mobilization would last 90 days. He ordered the military’s General Staff to determine the number of those liable for service and reservists as well as the order of the call-up. Zelensky gave his Cabinet the job of allocating funds to pay for the mobilization.

European Union leaders pledged Thursday to impose tough economic and financial sanctions on Russia, but there is a lack of consensus within the West over cutting the country off the SWIFT financial payment system. The Belgium-based cooperative is used by more than 11,000 institutions globally. It shuffles money from bank to bank, and removing Russia from it would likely also have an impact on European economies.

Several thousand demonstrators gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Hungary’s capital on Thursday to denounce Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demand that Hungary’s government cut its close ties with Moscow. Waving the flags of Ukraine and the European Union, protesters chanted for peace and an end to the Russian attacks and demanded that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pull his country out of its business dealings with Russia.

Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, said he spent his day “reaching out all over the world” to organize a united front against Russia. Borrell carried his two phones upon arrival at the urgent meeting of EU leaders held on Thursday evening in Brussels. He said he called more than 20 countries. “The African Union, (countries in) Latin America, in Southeast Asia, India, Japan, .... a lot,” he said.

(AP)

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Thursday that sanctions that the European allies are discussing to impose on Russia are “massive and aimed at asphyxiating Russia’s economy”. Measures that will be taken against Russia are “very massive, very strong and I believe they will be very effective,” Le Drian said in an interview with the French broadcaster TF1. France is working with allies in NATO and at the United Nations on getting an international consensus to isolate Russia following President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Thursday said India will wait to see the final shape of the UN Security Council resolution on the Ukraine situation before taking a position. "The possibility of UNSC resolution that would be tabled on the evolving situation, we have seen a draft resolution. I am told that would undergo considerable changes. We will wait to see the shape that this resolution takes before we can pronounce ourselves in the position that we will take on this issue," Shringla said at a media briefing here in response to a media query.

(ANI)

The External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar held a conversation with the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussed the ongoing developments in Ukraine and their implications.

US President Joe Biden, in his address to the nation on Thursday (local time), said that removing Russia from the SWIFT international financial system is always an option but not one Europe wishes to take now. "It is always an option, but right now, that's not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take," Biden said during a press conference at the White House. However, Biden said, "The sanctions that we've proposed on all their banks are of equal consequence, maybe more consequence than SWIFT."

Shocked Russians turned out by the thousands to decry their country's invasion of Ukraine as emotional calls for protests grew on social media. Some 1,745 people in 54 Russian cities were detained, at least 957 of them in Moscow. Hundreds of posts came pouring in on Thursday condemning Moscow's most aggressive actions since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Vladimir Putin called the attack a "special military operation" to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine from "genocide" — a false claim the U.S. had predicted would be a pretext for invasion, and which many Russians roundly rejected.

Ukraine’s Health Minister Viktor Lyashko says 57 Ukrainians have been killed as a result of the Russian invasion, and 169 more were wounded. Lyashko also said Thursday that Ukraine’s authorities are repurposing the country’s health care facilities to make room for those who need medical assistance because of the hostilities.

The United States has expelled Russia’s second-ranking diplomat in Washington in retaliation for the Russian expulsion of the No. 2 U.S. diplomat in Moscow earlier this month, a senior State Department official said Thursday. The expulsion is unrelated to the unfolding Russian invasion of Ukraine and is part of a long-running dispute between Washington and Moscow over embassy staffing. However, it comes as tensions between the two capitals have hit a post-Cold War high over Ukraine.

Briefing by Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov 

"The special military operation continues. Groups of troops of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics broke through the well-equipped echeloned defence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, advanced 6-8 kilometres deep."
"This was made possible thanks to the fire support of Russian artillery and army aviation. All tasks assigned to the groups of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation for the day have been completed successfully."
"The joint use of raiding detachments and airborne troops in the Crimean direction enabled Russian troops to reach the city of Kherson. This made it possible to unblock the North Crimean Canal and restore water supply to the Crimean peninsula."
"In total, as a result of the strikes of the Russian Armed Forces, 83 ground objects of the military infrastructure of Ukraine were disabled. Since the beginning of the special military operation, two Su-27s, two Su-24s, one helicopter and four Bayraktar TB-2 attack unmanned aerial vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been shot down."

Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations has asked the president of the 193-member General Assembly to prepare for an emergency session in the coming days in light of Russia’s military aggression. Ukraine’s U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya tweeted Thursday that the meeting should be held under the so-called “Uniting for Peace” resolution.

A Russian military plane crashed in the country’s Voronezh region that borders with Ukraine, the Russian military said Thursday night. The An-26 plane was carrying out a planned flight transporting military equipment and crashed because of technical failure, military officials said, adding that the plane’s entire crew died in the crash. They didn’t specify how many crew members were onboard the plane.

The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency says it has been informed by Ukraine that “unidentified armed forces” have taken control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear plant, adding that there had been “no casualties or destruction at the industrial site.” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi called for “maximum restraint” to avoid actions that could put Ukraine’s nuclear facilities at risk. “In line with its mandate, the IAEA is closely monitoring developments in Ukraine with a special focus on the safety and security of its nuclear power plants and other nuclear-related facilities,” he said in a statement.

(AP)

U.S. President Joe Biden says the sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine will not disrupt the global oil and natural gas markets. Biden says, “Our sanctions package is specifically designed to allow energy payments to continue.”

When asked whether India sinks with the United States on the issue of Ukraine and Russia, President Biden replied, "'We're in consultations with India, haven't resolved that completely."

US President Joe Biden said Russia's Vladimir Putin bears sole responsibility for the attack on Ukraine and added invoking significant sanctions on Russia. When asked about taking help from China, he denied commenting further on the issue.

POTUS Biden said he was deploying more American troops to Germany in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Further, he cleared that the United States will not send troops to Ukraine.

“Our forces are not, and will not be, engaged in the conflict with Russia in Ukraine,” Biden said.

US President Joe Biden during a press conference said he has no plans to speak to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Biden said he had spoken to United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and added he directed him to send additional troops to the strategic locations in order to secure the safety of the NATO allies.

US President Joe Biden during a press conference said that NATO will hold a summit with its 30 allies to discuss the Russian aggression on February 25. He said that the whole world is more united after Russia's provocative aggression.

US President Joe Biden during a press conference has invoked fresh sanctions on Russian banks.

US President Joe Biden during a press conference announced a series of sanctions on Russia. He said Putin has chosen the path of war despite several warnings.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he spoke with President Zelenskyy and says Canada is imposing more severe sanctions. The sanctions will target 58 people and entities connected to Russia, including members of that country’s elite and their families, the paramilitary organization is known as the Wagner Group and major Russian banks.

US President Joe Biden is expected to deliver an address to the American people from the White House in the next few minutes.

Russian forces have captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant after a fierce battle, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhaylo Podolyak has said, reported The Guardian.

Russian troops launched a broad, three-pronged assault on Ukraine that brought explosions and set off air raid sirens to the country’s capital, Kyiv, and other cities, shattering any remaining hope that a military conflict would be avoided. Ukraine’s leadership said at least 40 people had been killed in what it called a “full-scale war” targeting the country from the east, north and south. It said Russia’s intent was to destroy the state of Ukraine, a Western-looking democracy intent on escaping Moscow’s orbit.

Group of Seven leaders have strongly condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine. The German government, which currently heads the G7, put out a joint statement after a virtual leaders' meeting Thursday, vowing to bring “forward severe and coordinated economic and financial sanctions.” It called “on all partners and members of the international community to condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, and raise their voice against this blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international peace and security.”

Some of the first refugees from Ukraine have arrived in European Union member Poland by road and rail. A scheduled train from Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine arrived Thursday afternoon in the Polish town of Przemysl, near Ukraine's western border, carrying a few hundred passengers. The passengers of various ages, arriving with bags and backpacks, told The Associated Press they were fleeing war. Some live in Poland and were returning urgently from visits to their homeland. The chief of Poland's border guards, Gen. Tomasz Praga, said there was a visible increase in the number of people wanting to cross into Poland. Officials said Poland has prepared at least eight centres with food, medical care and places to rest. Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that “innocent people are being killed” in Ukraine and appealed to the Poles to extend every possible assistance to the Ukrainians who have found themselves in need of help.

(PTI)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced sanctions on 58 Russian individuals. He said that our quarrel is with President Putin and not the people of Russia.

Amid Russia's ongoing military operations in Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Ivan Korcok.

"Discussed situation in Ukraine. Appreciate his willingness to facilitate the evacuation of Indian nationals through Slovakia," EAM said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly signed a decree on the creation of military admins on basis of Regional State Administrations, news agency Sputnik reported.
 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday announced an imminent ban on the ability of the Aeroflot airline to operate in the UK as he outlined a new tranche of sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

The largest and most severe package of economic sanctions against Russia tabled in the House of Commons includes a full asset-freeze of Russian state-owned bank VTB and powers to allow the UK to exclude Russian banks from Britain's financial system.

The UK government is set to place a limit on the amount that Russian nationals can deposit in their UK bank accounts and Russian state and private companies will be banned from raising money in the UK.

These trade sanctions will constrain Russia's military, industrial and technological capabilities for years to come, said Johnson.

Legislation to enforce some of these wide-ranging sanctions will be laid in Parliament by early next week.

"Putin will stand condemned in the eyes of the world, and of history. He will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands," Johnson said in Parliament.

"Now we see him for what he is, a blood-stained aggressor who believes in imperial conquest," he said. 

(PTI)

According to reports, the Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been captured by Russian forces. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russian occupation forces are trying to seize Chernobyl. It is pertinent to mention that the city is known for its former nuclear power plant where the 1986 nuclear disaster took place. 

Russia's special military operation in Ukraine is a "forced measure" and it was left without other options, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday while assuring the worried international community that Moscow did not intend to "damage" the global economic system.

President Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine early Thursday.

The assault began hours before dawn with a series of missile attacks against locations near the capital Kyiv, as well as the use of long-range artillery against the city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border. It quickly spread across central and eastern Ukraine as Russian forces attacked the country from three sides.

Addressing top Russian business leaders here, Putin explained that the security risks for Russia were made so high it was impossible to react with other means, the state-run TASS news agency reported.

This is the most important thing, it must be clear: the things that are happening are a forced measure, the Russian leader said as the West, led by the United States condemned Putin's unilateral military actions and threatened to impose more sanctions on Russia. 

"They simply left us without options to act differently," Putin was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency.

Russia remains part of the global economy, he said. 

"Russia remains part of the global economy, and in this respect to the extent it remains this part, we do not plan to damage the system, which we feel we belong ourselves, he said. 

"We do not intend to damage the global economic system, which we belong ourselves, Putin said. 

(PTI)

US President Joe Biden will deliver remarks 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 midnight (IST), according to the White House.

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.

According to a White House official, Biden and G-7 leaders were discussing their joint response to President Putin's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine.

Earlier, Biden convened a meeting of the National Security Council in the morning in the Situation Room to discuss the latest developments in Ukraine, said a White House official.

(PTI)

After Ambassador of Ukraine to India, Dr Igor Polikha, on Thursday, urged the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for support against Russian aggression in Ukraine, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed PM Modi, and stated that now the latter's leadership is getting recognised all around the world, calling it 'power of India'. Read Full Story.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in a statement on Ukraine in Parliament, said that Russian President Putin will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands.

In a statement on Ukraine in Parliament, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that Russian banks would be excluded from London's financial system as part of further sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, triggering serious concerns over the possibility of a full-scale military war between the two countries. Following Putin's announcement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said an "invasion" could be the beginning of a "big war" in Europe. Zelenskyy also announced cutting diplomatic ties with Moscow and declared martial law. 

Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a full-scale war that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout already reverberated around the world. Sirens rang out in Ukraine's capital, large explosions were heard there and in other cities, and people massed in train stations and took to roads, as the government said the former Soviet republic was seeing a long-anticipated invasion  from the east, north and south. It reported more than 40 soldiers had been killed and dozens wounded so far. 
 

World leaders on Thursday reacted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine with raw outrage and vows of unprecedented sanctions that shrouded a sense of powerlessness to defend Ukraine militarily without running the risk of a wider war in Europe.

NATO had already  reinforced its eastern flank facing Russia and planned a virtual summit of its leaders on Friday after President Vladimir Putin warned that any interference from other countries would lead to "consequences you have never seen in history.  European Union and NATO member Lithuania declared a state of emergency since the Baltic nation borders Russia's Kaliningrad region to the southwest and Russia's ally Belarus to the east. NATO countries had 100 jets and 120 ships on high alert as a deterrent.

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

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 EU scheduled an emergency summit in Brussels. 

But no one promised to move in militarily and defend Ukraine at the risk of touching off a bigger European war. Ukraine is not a NATO member, and the U.S. and its Western allies have said for weeks that they would not send troops into the country.

The goal instead is to make Moscow pay so high a price by other means that the Kremlin will change course.

(AP)

As the situation remains intense in Ukraine following Russia's invasion, Republic on Thursday learnt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak to Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia. According to Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, at the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on the Ukraine crisis, PM Narendra Modi said that the topmost priority of the government is the safety and security of Indian nationals.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas of India Hardeep Singh Puri among others were present in the meeting.

India on Thursday assured its citizens stranded in Ukraine that it will take all possible steps to bring them back safe and sound.

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said at a media briefing that the Indian embassy in Ukraine is extending all possible assistance to the Indians notwithstanding the complicated situation.

He said a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, was underway on the Ukraine crisis.

Shringla said Modi conveyed at the CCS meeting that the topmost priority of the government is the safety and security of Indians and their evacuation from Ukraine.

The foreign secretary said around 4,000 Indian nationals out of 20,000 have already left Ukraine in the past few days.

"The situation on the ground is difficult and rapidly evolving," he said.

"I want to assure all Indian citizens including students in Ukraine that we will take all possible steps to bring you back safe and sound," he said.

Shringla said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will speak to foreign ministers of Romania, Slovakia, Poland and Hungary on the Ukraine crisis. 

(PTI)

Ukraine on Thursday sought India's support in defusing the crisis following the Russian attack on the country and said it was "deeply dissatisfied" with New Delhi's position on the deteriorating situation.

Ambassador of Ukraine Igor Polikha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among a very few global leaders to whom President Vladimir Putin listens to and New Delhi can leverage its proximity with Moscow to control the situation.

"I am following all the reports on the site of your ministry and the latest advisory to your citizens in Ukraine," Polikha told the media.

"We are deeply dissatisfied with the Indian position. We are asking, pleading for the strong voice of India. In this case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji can address Putin," he added.

Pleading for India's help, the ambassador said Ukraine is expecting a much more favourable approach from India.

"We are expecting a much more favourable approach of the Indian government in this crisis situation. It is the moment of truth. The moment of destiny. We are waiting, asking, pleading for the assistance of India," he said.

The ambassador particularly sought Prime Minister Modi's assistance. 

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji is one of the most powerful, respected world leaders. I don't know how many world leaders Putin listens to. But the status of Modi Ji makes me hopeful that in case of his s strong voice, Putin would think over," he said.  

(PTI)