Russia-Ukraine War: Indian Embassy asks students to be on standby in Sumy

'Dancing with the Stars' alum Peta Murgatroyd has penned an emotional note after her husband-dancer Maksim Chmerkovskiy returned to the US from Ukraine.

According to People Magazine, on Wednesday, the couple were photographed embracing at Los Angeles International Airport.
Three days later, Murgatroyd, 35, shared her relief in being reunited with her husband, whom she wed in 2017, in an emotional Instagram post featuring photos of Chmerkovskiy, 42, with their family.

"I never thought our family would be directly affected by this in our lifetime," Murgatroyd wrote on Saturday. "I never thought what we are seeing on our TVs was a reality in 2022. I have never hugged him so tight. Shaking and forever grateful."

"Now it's time to heal," she continued. "We cannot go back to our normal. Our lives are forever changed. We have a new normal, and that's ok."

Though Chmerkovskiy is back in the US, Murgatroyd promised that she and her husband will continue their "efforts to provide assistance to the Ukrainian refugees" moving forward.

"Thank you from the depths of my soul for all the support and constant outpouring of love. I see everything and I am forever thankful. Xo," she added.

For the unversed, on February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin 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."

(ANI)

The French presidency said the call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday focused primarily on the safety of Ukraine's nuclear plants.

The call was on request from Macron and lasted almost two hours, the Elysee said.

A French official said Macron insisted on the need to ensure the International Atomic Energy Agency's safety standards are respected at Chernobyl and in other nuclear plants. He told Putin these facilities must not be targeted by a Russian offensive or caught in the fighting.

Putin said he does not intend to attack nuclear plants and agreed on the principle of a dialogue between IAEA, Ukraine and Russia on this issue, according to the official, who spoke anonymously in line with the French presidency's practices. Potential talks are to be organised in the coming days, he said.

Macron reiterated his call for Russia to stop its military operations and insisted on the need to protect the civilians and allow access to humanitarian aid.

The (humanitarian) situation is difficult including in Mariupol on Sunday, the official stressed. Our demands remain the same: we want Russia to respond to these demands... very quickly and clearly.

(AP) 
 

Russia's Ministry of Defence announces that Ukraine's military-industrial complex will be attacked with missiles soon, says Russian media.

In a telephonic conversation, Russian President Vladimir Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron that Russia is not seeking to attack Ukraine's nuclear plants.

Indian student Harjot Singh, who was shot in Kyiv a few days back during the Ukraine-Russia war, is returning to Delhi on Monday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said.

On March 1, medical student Naveen SG from Karnataka was killed in shelling in Ukrainian city of Kharkiv when he ventured out to buy food for himself and fellow students.

The minister informed on Twitter on Sunday: "Harjot Singh is the Indian who was shot during the war in Kyiv. His passport was also lost in the chaos."  

He said Harjot Singh is reaching India with him on Monday.

"Hope there is a speedy recovery with home food and care," the minister stated.  Singh - who is in Poland currently to facilitate students' evacuation - had on March 4 told reporters, "Today, we heard reports that a student leaving Kyiv was shot. He was taken back to Kyiv. This will happen in a fighting."

The Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 due to the Russian military offensive against it. Indian citizens stuck in Ukraine were being airlifted once they cross to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

Eight flights with more than 1,500 Indians will operate from Ukraine's neighbouring countries to India on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.

(PTI)

Swedish missiles have arrived in Ukraine. A total of 5000 AT4 missiles are to be delivered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the evacuation of its citizens from conflict-ridden Ukraine through ongoing Operation Ganga reflects the growing influence of India.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Golden Jubilee celebration of Symbiosis University, Pune, today. He also inaugurated Symbiosis Arogya Dham. Governor Maharashtra Shri Bhagat Singh Koshiyari was among those present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion today, the Prime Minister said, "India is safely bringing out its citizens from the war zone through Operation Ganga during the Ukraine crisis. Big countries of the world are finding it difficult to do so. But it is the growing influence of India that we have brought thousands of students back to our homeland."

Notably, Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. 

Speaking on the occasion further today, the Prime Minister underlined the confidence of New India and mentioned that India is among the largest economies of the world and maintains the third largest startup ecosystem of the world.

"Missions like Startup India, Stand Up India, Make in India and Aatmnirbhar Bharat are representing your aspirations. Today's India is innovating, improving, and influencing the whole world", he said. The Prime Minister said that Punekars know very well how India showed its prowess to the world in the context of COVID-19 vaccination.

Congratulating the students, faculty and alumni of Symbiosis on the occasion, the Prime Minister noted the motto of the institute 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam' and said that in the form of students from various countries, this modern institution is representing India's ancient tradition.

"Knowledge should spread far and wide, knowledge should become a medium to connect the whole world as one family, this has been our culture. I am glad that this tradition is still alive in our country", he said.

(ANI)

In a telephone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Putin blamed Kyiv for failed civilian evacuations from the key Ukrainian port city of Mariupol which is surrounded by Russian troops.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the Turkish diplomacy forum in Turkey. Ukraine is yet to confirm its attendance.

Amid escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the Ukrainian city of Lviv has covered all its statues to protect its historical heritage against possible attacks.

Speaking with ANI a Ukrainian citizen Vlad said, "All the sculptures, statues have historical value and that's why people want to protect them. Some sculptors are more than 100 years old. They have historical importance hence people are protecting them from the damage."

"It's better to protect them before something happens to them," added Vlad.

When asked whether Ukraine is covering all the statues across the nation, Vlad said, "I don't know about whole Ukraine, but definitely, Lviv is protecting them."

All the statues in the city of Lviv have been covered so that if there is an attack then there will be no damage to the historical statues and heritage.

Four statues around Rynok square in Lviv were covered, including the "Statue of Neptune" considered as the protector of seas.

He also shared his experience regarding the escape from Kyiv. He said, "I came yesterday from Kyiv, I had to pass my family through the borders and then I came back to Kyiv. The situation in Kyiv is complicated, it's a battlefield, fortunately, Kyiv is still protected."

When asked about the shortage of gas supply and food supplies, Vlad said, " They (Russians) are targeting civilian residential complexes and it's pretty dangerous around Kyiv. Yes, there is a shortage of gas supply, but we are getting food supplies."
Sharing his train journey from Kyiv to Lviv, Vlad said, "I came to Lviv by train and now it's safe and pretty fast. You board the train in the evening in Kyiv and in the morning, you are in Lviv.  Also, there is no rush for the trains."

(ANI)
 

According to reports, Poland has agreed to give MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine. It has demanded US-made jets to fill gaps in the fleet.

Republic Media Network's Patrick Lancaster is reporting from an underground pro-Russia bunker in Donetsk.

Russian authorities on Sunday continued to block independent news outlets and to arrest protesters in an effort to tighten control over what information the domestic audience sees about the invasion of Ukraine. 

Several prominent independent online outlets were blocked on Sunday, on top of dozens of others that were blocked last week. Others decided to halt operation in Russia because of new repressive laws or refused to cover the invasion at all because of the pressure. Hundreds of protesters have been detained all across Russia. 

The new additions to the list of blocked media included Mediazona, a news site that covers Russia's police and justice system and has been an indispensable source of information about political arrests and high-profile court cases; the 7x7 site covering regional news; the Troitsky Variant popular science newspaper that has published an open letter decrying the invasion; and two regional news sites that also spoke out against the attack. 

U.S.-funded broadcaster Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty announced Sunday it was suspending its operation in Russia after it said the country intensified pressure on its journalists and tax authorities initiated bankruptcy proceedings against it. 

(Russian communications and media agency) Roskomnadzor demanded we delete our entire website. Yes, we received this demand from the agency  to block ourselves. Because we incorrectly cover Russia's attack on Ukraine and call the war a war, Mediazona said in a statement. 

We were prepared for this. In recent days, military censorship has been effectively introduced in Russia, and there are almost no independent media left in the country. We understand all our risks, but we continue to work  this is our duty to our readers and to ourselves, the outlet said and listed several ways Russian readers can get around the block. 

RFE/RL, which has been physically present in Russia since 1991, was planning to continue reporting on Russia and its war in Ukraine from abroad. We will continue to expand our reporting for Russian audiences and will use every platform possible to reach them at a time when they need our journalism more than ever, chief executive Jamie Fly said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed into law a bill that criminalises the intentional spreading of what Moscow deems to be fake reports. Those convicted of the offense would face up 15 years in prison. 

Russian authorities have repeatedly and falsely decried reports of Russian military setbacks or civilian deaths in Ukraine as fake news, as well as reports calling the offensive a war or an invasion. State media outlets and government officials refer to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a special military operation and insist the Russian forces only target military facilities. 

Despite the efforts to tightly control the narrative, Russians all across the country have spoken out against the war. Tens of thousands have signed open letters and online petitions demanding to stop it, and street protests in dozens of Russian cities have been happening almost daily since the attack began on Feb. 24  always followed by mass detentions. 

On Sunday, protests spanned from Siberia to St. Petersburg, with dozens of Russians taking to the streets in different cities. According to OVD-Info, a rights group that tracks political arrests, a total of 1,558 people were detained in 43 Russian cities on Sunday, part of nearly 10,000 people detained since Feb. 24.

(AP)

According to reports, missiles that destroyed an airport in Vinnytsia in central Ukraine on Sunday was fired from Moldova territory.

Kyiv is ready for battle, we have millions who will not easily succumb to the Russian menace: Ukraine's Warrior MP Sviatoslav Yurash speaks to Republic after taking up arms to fight Russia.

As per reports, Missiles that destroyed Ukraine's Vinnytsia international airport were released from Transnistria. Tune in here to watch LIVE.

People cover statues in Lviv amid the #RussiaUkraineCrisis; visuals from Rynok square

"Some sculptures are more than 100 years old. They have historical importance hence people are protecting them from the damage," says a Ukrainian citizen

A Ukrainian official says a second attempt to evacuate civilians from a besieged city has failed due to Russian shelling, reports AP

"We are a very peaceful nation, we've not been attacking anyone. We'd be stupid to attack our own South," Klympush Tsintsadze, Ukrainian MP, on Russian allegations that humanitarian corridors have failed due to Ukraine's own attacks.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says the United Nations is committed to scaling up its humanitarian operations to help both those who have stayed in Ukraine and the millions who have fled. 

Guterres relayed the promise to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in a phone call on Saturday, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. 

Efforts are underway to evacuate Indian students from Sumy, Ukraine, arrangements are being done: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is pushing his call for foreign countries to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Establishing a no-fly zone would risk escalating the conflict by involving foreign militaries directly. Although the United States and many Western countries have backed Ukraine with weapons shipments, they have sent no troops. 

Zelenskyy said in a video address on Sunday that the "world is strong enough to close our skies."

South-West of Kyiv, Vinnytsia International Airport bombed by Russia, claims Ukrainian media sharing visuals of smoke emerging

Zhytomyr Mayor Serhiy Sukhomlyn speaks to Republic after Russia's air-bombardment of the Ukrainian town left it devastated.

According to Russian media, talks are underway between Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron. Notably, this is the fourth round of talks between the two leaders.
 

South Korea imposes sanctions against Belarus. The ministry did not specify what measures would be taken but said they would be applied in a manner similar to measures already taken previously against Russia.

Pope Francis rejected Russia's assertion that it is holding out "a special military operation" in Ukraine, saying the country was being battered by war.

"This is not only a military operation but a war which is leading to death, destruction and misery."

Rating agency Moody’s expects the Russian economy to shrink by 7% in 2022 and decline further in 2023.

Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy is pushing his call for foreign countries to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Establishing a no-fly zone would risk escalating the conflict by involving foreign militaries directly. Although the United States and many Western countries have backed Ukraine with weapons shipments, they have sent no troops. 

Zelenskyy said in a video address on Sunday that the world is strong enough to close our skies."

NATO countries have ruled out policing a no-fly zone, which would bar all unauthorised aircraft from flying over Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday that Moscow would consider any third-party declaration of a no-fly zone over Ukraine as participation in the armed conflict.

(AP) 

Ukrainian authorities prepared Sunday for a second attempt to evacuate civilians from a southern city pounded by a week-long Russian attack as economic pressure on Moscow intensified and diplomats shuttled around Europe to try to end the war.

Evacuations from the port city of Mariupol were scheduled to begin at noon local time (10 a.m. GMT) during a 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. local ceasefire, Ukrainian military authorities said. A similar cease-fire planned there and in the nearby city of Volnovakha collapsed Saturday, trapping women, children and older under more shelling and aerial bombardment by Russian forces.

(AP)
 

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in Moldova on Sunday where he pledged America’s support to the small Western-leaning former Soviet republic, which neighbours Ukraine. 

Moldova, one of Europe's poorest countries, is coping with an influx of refugees from Ukraine and is warily watching the conflict there.

Speaking at a news briefing alongside Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Blinken said since the US and Moldova began diplomatic relations, they had "never faced a moment as urgent and as challenging as we face today." 

"The United States wants to make clear our strong support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including the Republic of Moldova," he said.

"Moldova is a powerful example of a democracy rising to the moment with vision and with determination," he added.
 

In a statement on Sunday, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that 11,000 Russian troops have been killed by Ukrainian forces.

This is a terrible situation, he (Putin) has to stop. Our stand is the same as other European countries (on Ukraine's refugees). Germany is strongly taking part in packages of sanctions. We had quite a lot of dependencies on Russian gas but we've reduced it: German Envoy to India

Telephone conversation has begun between Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Under Operation Ganga, 2135 Indians have been brought back today by 11 special civilian flights from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. With this, more than 15,900 Indians have been brought back since the special flights began on 22nd February 2022: Ministry of Civil Aviation

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy holds a press briefing.

As Russia continues its offensive against Ukraine, the US is now in discussions for a possible three-way deal that will see Ukraine get more fighter planes to use in the war. According to reports, European neighbors Poland may provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft in exchange for F-16 fighters from the US. Discussions between Warsaw and Washington are now underway for a possible deal that will see Kyiv get more fighter planes in its fleet.

According to The Wall Street Journal report, citing sources in the US administration, the US remains in discussions with Poland to potentially backfill their fleet of fighter planes that Warsaw decides to transfer to Ukraine. Once approved, Poland will send its used MiG-29s to Ukraine. The move comes at a time when Ukraine is looking for weapons to equip its forces as they continue to fight off the Russian invasion.

READ FULL STORY HERE 

Having captured two of Ukraine's nuclear power plants, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday informed the US that Russian forces have initiated the seizure of the third Ukrainian nuclear power plant. Addressing a video conference, Zelenskyy stated that the Yuzhnoukrainsk nuclear power plant, located in the Mykolayiv region, is under threat as Russia's invasion of Ukraine transcends into the 11th day. 

The Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant is located in southeastern Ukraine on the banks of a reservoir on the Dnieper River and is perceived as a concern as the area caught fire following shellings by Vladimir Putin's forces between March 3 and 4. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Sunday warned the US against ‘adding fuel to the flames’ in Ukraine. Yi told the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that China opposes any such provocative moves on part of Washington that worsens the already tense and bad situation in Kyv. Blinken said the world is watching to see which nations stand up for the principles of freedom and sovereignty. Yi announced the conversation that the two counterparts held by phone on Saturday. 

China has called for negotiations to resolve the immediate crisis in Ukraine with talks, and creating a balanced European security mechanism. US and Europe should pay attention to the negative impact of NATO’s eastward expansion on Russia’s security, Chinese foreign minister told Blinken, according to China's foreign ministry statement. 

Ukraine's Armed Forces on Sunday has said that an estimated 11,000 Russian troops have been killed in the conflict as per the statistics from yesterday. This implies that over 1,000 troops were killed from March 5 to March 6. This claim however was rejected by Moscow, which in turn announced that it lost 498 troops. 

Adding to the string of damages, killings and losses in Ukraine due to Russia's military offensive, on Sunday, March 6, 16 gas distribution stations were compelled to shut down owing to explosions in the six Oblasts of the country. Operators of these stations declared the closure on Telegram, the Kyiv Independent reported. Russian forces have intensified shelling in Mariupol, including dropping bombs from airplanes in residential areas, the city's Mayor told AP. 

“The city is in a very, very difficult state of siege,” Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko told Ukrainian reporters.

“Relentless shelling of residential blocks is ongoing, airplanes have been dropping bombs on residential areas,” he informed addinf that thousands of children, women and the elderly came under fire as they prepared for a possible evacuation through a safe passage corridor.

READ FULL STORY HERE

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday derided Russia for bombing "several" healthcare centres, resulting in casualties and injury. Taking to his official Twitter handle, Tedros wrote "Attacks on healthcare facilities or workers breach medical neutrality and are violations of international humanitarian law."

As Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett went to Moscow on Saturday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to talk about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's adviser Vladislav Roitberg has said that he welcomed PM Bennett's Moscow visit but doubt that his visit will result in a diplomatic breakthrough.

Roitberg, at Radio 103FM, stated that they don't know why the trip was undertaken or whether it was political or electoral. He further said that they welcome diplomacy whether it comes from Israeli PM Naftali Bennett or Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or any other leader but only time will tell whether it succeeds or not. He also thanked all the Israelis who are supporting Ukraine in this situation.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said Ukrainians will "never trust" what Russia says despite the temporary ceasefire agreed on by both sides. In a statement to Sunday Morning programme, she said every Ukrainian citizen and politician "knows the Russian playbook by heart." 

"My president was as precise as it is possible and we absolutely support from the bottom of his, of our, hearts (in) everything he says because this is what we feel," said Stefanishyna on the show. 

"But now knowing that we can't be there because we are operating under the bombarding of (the) Russian Federation and knowing that their intelligence also confirms that further severe attacks on the civil population - including carpet bombarding of the cities, which are basically happening these days already in some cities - will be taking place."

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Saturday that Ukraine's statehood is in jeopardy and sanctions are like "declaring war" on Russia. Putin's army is faced with stiff resistance in the neighbouring country while the Russian economy is increasingly suffocated by sanctions from the West.

"The current (Ukrainian) authorities must understand that if they continue to do what they are doing, they are putting in question the future of Ukrainian statehood," Putin said on Saturday. "And if this happens, they will be fully responsible."

He made the comment during a televised meeting with flight attendants from the Russian airline Aeroflot. Vladimir Putin also hit out at Western sanctions that have crippled Russia's economy and sent its currency tumbling. “These sanctions that are being imposed, they are akin to declaring war. But thank God, we haven’t got there yet,” he said.

READ FULL STORY HERE

Russia's offensive against Ukraine continued for the 11th day on Sunday. After attacks in places like Kyiv and Kherson, the latest region to come under attack was Zhytomyr. Zhytomyr, as per sources, has come under the radar of the Russians. This was evident through the aerial airstrikes that took place inside a school two days ago. The attack had taken place at 8.30 AM. Republic Media Network has been covering the conflict from the war zones since the start of the war and has reached Zhytomyr, where bombings were witnessed recently.

UK's Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab on Sunday stated that conflict in Ukraine will last months, if not years. Raab called for the international allies to show “strategic stamina” to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin's plan in Ukraine fails. “Our mission with our allies is to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine, and it’s going to take some time – we’re talking about months, if not years – and therefore we have to show some strategic stamina because this is not going to be over in days,” Raab told Sky News.

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow-run state media has shared footage claiming that Ukraine forces had withdrawn from the rebel-held Donetsk region. The newly released video has been reportedly captured from the breakaway Donetsk region of Donbass, a self-proclaimed republic that was identified as "independent" on February 21 by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The clip alleged that Ukrainian troops "left behind ruined tanks."

Russia-owned RT News agency shared the clip on Sunday soon after Putin touted that his country had "practically" succeeded in the "mission" of demolishing Ukraine's main military infrastructure and weapon, air defence, and ammunition depots. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

As many as 64 people have been detained at anti-war protests in Russia’s Far East and eastern Siberia, OVD-Info protest monitor estimated on Sunday. Protesters were also arrested in the port city of Vladivostok and the Siberian city of Irkutsk,

To discuss the worsening situation in Ukraine, on Saturday Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi dialled US State Secretary Antony Blinken where he warned against further escalation and advised to sort the situation with negotiations as Blinken stated that the US needs more countries to penalise Russia for its military offensive in Ukraine. As per the reports of RT News, the talk took place during Blinken's tour to Eastern Europe, which was intended to show the US's solidarity with its NATO and EU allies. The Biden administration has slammed Moscow with a slew of economic sanctions.

China has remained quiet and pushed on Russia and Ukraine to settle the crisis on their own through negotiations since the beginning of the war and the Chinese side's position has not changed. Wang stated that China supports all efforts that contribute to de-escalation and political settlement. 

READ FULL STORY HERE

Republic's Patrick Lancaster reports from Donetsk where he witnessed intense fighting, including from Ukraine into Russian-controlled territory. Patrick reports 4 civilians injured in this Ukrainian shelling on Donetsk. 

Russian troops opened fire on civilians as they attempted to evacuate the Ukrainian city of Irpin, NEXTA reported. 

The Ukrainian authorities are negotiating to arrange the evacuation of Hostomel and Bucha, which are in the Kyiv region, because these cities are constantly shelled by Russian troops, as per reports. 

Speaking to SkyNews, UK Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said that the conflict in Ukraine is set to last months, if not years, adding international allies would need to show "strategic stamina" to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin fails.

"Our mission with our allies is to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine, and it's going to take some time - we're talking about months, if not years - and therefore we have to show some strategic stamina, because this is not going to be over in days," Raab told the media outlet. 

Russia’s defence ministry has claimed it struck and disabled Ukraine’s Starokostiantyniv military air base with long-range high-precision weapons. According to The Guardian, Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, “The Russia armed forces continue to strike the military infrastructure of Ukraine. On the morning of 6 March, strikes were carried out by high-precision long-range weapons. The Ukrainian air force base near Starokostiantyniv was disabled."

Viewers speak to Republic's Team in Zhytomyr, the Ukrainian city bombed in a Russian airstrike.

As Republic reports from the Zhytomyr school bombed in a Russian airstrike, viewers calling in on 022-45121226 to speak to Shawan Sen.

At Zhytomyr, classrooms destroyed, window-panes shattered & devastation everywhere as Shawan Sen reports from site of Russian air bombardment.

Shawan Sen and the R. team probe the Russian air-strike target in Ukraine's Zhytomyr.

US special forces and SAS (Special Air Service) commandoes are said to be preparing for a high-risk rescue of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. According to The Sun, around 70 UK elite soldiers and 150 US Navy Seals are training for a rescue mission alongside Ukrainian forces.

“The most likely sensible option could be to relocate Zelensky out of Kyiv where he could be picked up. We have aircraft but the distance is critical,” the source told the media outlet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed “several” attacks on health care centres in Ukraine which resulted in multiple deaths and injuries. Taking to Twitter, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that additional reports are now being investigated. 

"Attacks on healthcare facilities or workers breach medical neutrality and are violations of international humanitarian law,” Tedros added.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has informed that 351 people were killed and 707 civilians have been injured in Ukraine since February 24. According to the agency, 86 people died and 385 were injured in Donetsk and Luhansk regions. It is reported that in Kyiv, as well as Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, Kiev, Odessa, Sumy, Zaporozhye and Zhytomyr regions, 265 civilians were killed, 322 people were injured.

The Russian Defence Ministry on Sunday announced that its armed forces have destroyed 2,203 targets of the Ukrainian military infrastructure since the beginning of the special military operation. According to the Defence Ministry spokesman, Major General Igor Konashenkov, Russian fighter jets and air defence systems have shot down 10 Ukrainian combat aircraft and helicopters over the past 24 hours.

As per Sputnik, Konashenkov added, "The missile forces have destroyed the S-300 anti-aircraft missile system." He even went on to stress that three Buk M1 anti-aircraft missile systems and three radar stations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were hit by bomber and ground attack aircraft.

Citing an unnamed source, Russian media on Sunday reported that Ukraine was close to building a plutonium-based "dirty bomb" nuclear weapon, although the source cited no evidence. The TASS, RIA and Interfax news agencies quoted "a representative of a competent body" in Russia as saying that Ukraine was developing nuclear weapons at the destroyed Chernobyl nuclear power plant that was shut down in 2000.

A group of Indian students studying in Crimea returns to Delhi apprehending tensions amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis. "Situation in Crimea is normal, we left to be on the safer side as it lies b/w Russia & Ukraine. Colleges have allowed us to attend online classes," the students said. 

Republic reports live from the Russian attack site at Zhytomyr, shares unedited pictures from site Sukhoi strike. 

Ukraine’s emergency services are reporting casualties from a Russian missile strike that hit residential homes in the Zhytomyr region, which is about 140km north-west of Kyiv. According to a Twitter post, around 30 private houses were destroyed in the assault in the city of Ovruch. In a separate attack in Korosten, a town just south of Ovruch, one person was reportedly killed and two injured in an overnight rocket attack, according to the agency.

The United States has requested proposals from companies to integrate the Baltic states into the NATO air defense system.

Russian forces are targeting populated areas in Ukraine but the strength of resistance has slowed the Russian advance, British military intelligence has revealed. In its report, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said the strength of Ukraine’s resistance continues to surprise Russia, which has responded by targeting cities including Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol. It also stated that there is a “realistic possibility” that Russia is now “attempting to conceal fuel trucks as regular support trucks in an effort to conceal losses”.

Russia has activated a large network of bots, trying to sow panic and despise the people of Ukraine, General Armed Forces of Ukraine said. As per a Facebook post, messages are being sent from newly created "patriotic" accounts with Ukrainian symbolism in Ukrainian and Russian languages. There are numerous messages like "it's all gone! ", "help Kyiv" flooding all over social media outlets. 

Russia has released footage contending that troops from the other country had abandoned their positions in several areas. According to the state-controlled RT news channel, the new clips are from the breakaway Donetsk and Donbass regions. One video suggested that Ukrainian forces had "left behind ruined tanks" and withdrawn from Donetsk. Another clip released by the Russian Defence Minister showed Ka-52 combat helicopters destroying several armoured vehicles of the Ukrainian forces via anti-tank guided missiles amid the Donbass operation.

Benjamin Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials - where Nazis were tried - believes that the future imprisonment of Russian President Vladimir Putin is very real.

"The crimes that Russia is now committing against Ukraine are a disgrace to human society," Ferencz said as quoted by NEXTA. 

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) has suspended its operations in Russia after local tax authorities initiated bankruptcy proceedings against RFE/RL’s Russian entity on March 4 and police intensified pressure on its journalists. 

RFE/RL President & CEO Jamie Fly said, “It is with the deepest regret that I announce the suspension of our physical operations in Moscow today. This is not a decision that RFE/RL has taken of its own accord, but one that has been forced upon us by the Putin regime’s assault on the truth."

Doctors Without Borders have stated that the humanitarian situation in Mariupol is now "catastrophic". according to the organisation, the biggest problem is that Mariupol has problems with access to drinking water. The city is also running out of food, electricity and power supply. 

The Chilean government withdraws invitations that had been sent to Russian companies to participate in the international exhibition of military and aerospace equipment FIDAE.

US First lady Jill Biden prays every day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is “still alive,” she told attendees at a Democratic fundraiser in California, as per NY Post. “I just have to turn on the TV every morning and pray that Zelensky is still alive,” Jill Biden said at the exclusive fundraiser in San Francisco’s wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood, while addressing “what’s on everybody’s mind". 

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in total, the loss of aviation equipment of the Russian occupation forces amount to 88 planes and helicopters.

"The opponent tries not to lose its offensive potential but, in the situation, has major losses in arms, equipment and personnel. At the expense of the opposition of the entire Ukrainian people, the opponent is demoralized," the statement read. 

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, air raid sirens were heard in Poltava. 

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster delivered critical military equipment and medical supplies to Ukraine, according to The Guardian. The delivery follows Australian prime minister Scott Morrison’s announcement that the country will provide defensive military assistance.

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in cities including Santiago, Vancouver Paris and New York in support of Ukraine, demanding an end to Russia’s invasion. Citing interior ministry estimates, The Guardian reported that around 41,600 people demonstrated in 119 protests in towns and cities across France. Hundreds also turned out in London, including Ukrainians whose families were forced to flee Russian bombs.

Several thousand people gathered in New York’s Times Square as well and they carried sunflowers, Ukraine’s national flower, and signs calling to 'Stop Russian terrorism'. Moreover, hundreds also gathered outside the White House in Washington to demand a Nato no-fly zone and military assistance for Ukraine. In Santiago, Chile, an anti-war protest broke out in front of the Russian embassy, the media outlet reported. 

Russian troops are dropping bombs on residential areas of Chernihiv for fortifications and military-industrial facilities, said Vyacheslav Chaus, chairman of the Chernihiv regional military administration.

In Kharkiv, local media outlets report that airstrikes were carried out in the city, resulting in several buildings catching fire.

3,000 US volunteers have responded to Ukraine’s call for people to serve in an international battalion that will help resist Russia’s invasion, a representative of the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told VOA. Ukraine’s General Staff of the Armed Forces said those interested in fighting against Moscow could apply by going to their Ukrainian embassy.

Ukraine’s nuclear regulator Energoatom briefed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it has been able to maintain contact with staff at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant where two out of six reactors are now operating, a day after Russian forces took control of the site in the country’s southeast, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said. He told IAEA that radiation levels remain normal at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. 

 Puma company announced the cessation of shipments to Russia and the suspension of its stores.

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade proposed restricting the export of artificial sapphires used in the manufacture of iPhone. It is to note that Monocrystal accounts for about 40% of the world supply of artificial sapphires, according to NEXTA. 

Adobe has stopped selling its services in Russia. According to a blog post, the company said that it is complying with the government sanctions being imposed by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom to ensure Adobe’s products and services are not being used by prohibited entities. Additionally, Adobe is terminating access to Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Document Cloud and Adobe Experience Cloud to Russian government-controlled media outlets.

"Effective immediately, Adobe will halt all new sales of Adobe products and services in Russia," the statement read. 

The number of Ukrainian refugees was expected to reach 1.5 million on Sunday as Russia continued its attack 11 days after invading Ukraine. Kyiv, on the other hand, pressed for further Western action, including more sanctions and weapons. Moscow and Kyiv traded blame over a failed ceasefire plan that would have let civilians flee Mariupol and Volnovakha, two southern cities besieged by Russian forces. Another round of talks has been tentatively planned for Monday as Ukrainians who could escape spilt into neighbouring Poland, Romania, Slovakia and elsewhere.

According to a US-based think tank and policy research organisation, Russian forces in Ukraine may have entered a possibly brief operational pause as they prepare to resume operations against Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mykolayiv, and possibly Odesa in the next 24-48 hours. 

An Indian Air Force flight carrying 210 Indians evacuated from Ukraine arrived at the Hindan airbase near Delhi from Bucharest, Romania.

Israeli PM Naftali Bennett met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin on Saturday to discuss the war in Ukraine and later spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Bennett is coordinating his efforts in the crisis with the United States, France and Germany, an Israeli official said.

Following German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's meeting with Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett in Berlin, the German government stated that the two leaders agreed to stay in close contact and that "a common goal remains to end the war in Ukraine as soon as possible."

"We will work on that with all our might," the statement added.

The International Monetary Fund on Saturday said countries with close economic ties to Russia are at risk for shortages and supply disruptions. "The ongoing war and associated sanctions will also have a severe impact on the global economy," the IMF said.

"Price shocks will have an impact worldwide, especially on poor households for whom food and fuel are a higher proportion of expenses," the IMF added. "Should the conflict escalate, the economic damage would be all the more devastating."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the people of the breakaway regions in Donbass. Taking to Facebook, Zelenskyy called on the people of Donbass to fight for their rights and freedom and urged them to protect themselves from Russia.

"To everyone who can hear us, whose memory hasn't been erased by propaganda, whose eyes weren't shut by fear, whose soul wasn't disfigured by cynicism — Fight!" he said. "Fight for your rights! For your freedom, for Ukraine! Together with Kherson, together with Berdyansk, together with Kyiv and all the rest of Ukrainian cities that value life and are not afraid of anything."

Azerbaijan Airlines has suspended all flights to Russia. The Azerbaijani airline Buta Airways has also refused to fly to Russian cities amid the ongoing war. 

Poland may provide Ukraine with MiG-29 fighters and Su-25 attack aircraft and receive F-16 fighters in exchange from the US, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources in the U.S. administration.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described sanctions imposed by Western nations over his invasion of Ukraine as "akin to a declaration of war". "But thank God it has not come to that," he added. Speaking to a group of women flight attendants at an Aeroflot training centre near Moscow, Putin warned that any attempt to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine would be seen as participation in the armed conflict.

One of the world's most popular gaming platforms Epic Games has said that they are suspending all commercial relations with Russia, but do not plan to block access to the games. 

Ukraine will create full-fledged camps for Russian POWs, said Oleksiy Arestovych, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian presidential office. According to NEXTA, such a decision was caused by a large number of Russian soldiers who were taken prisoner of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken to US President Joe Biden and discussed security, financial support for the former Soviet nation and the continuation of sanctions against Moscow. "As part of the constant dialogue, I had another conversation with the President," Zelenskyy wrote on Twitter. The call lasted for about 30 minutes.

US President Joe Biden "highlighted the ongoing actions undertaken by the United States, its Allies and partners, and private industry to raise the costs on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine," in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the White House said.

“President Biden noted his administration is surging security, humanitarian, and economic assistance to Ukraine and is working closely with Congress to secure additional funding.” 

A special flight, carrying 183 Indian nationals from Ukraine, arrived in Delhi from Budapest on Sunday. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav received the passengers at Indira Gandhi International Airport. He also interacted with the students, as per ANI. 

Mastercard and Visa are suspending their operations in Russia, the companies said Saturday. According to AP, Mastercard said cards issued by Russian banks will no longer be supported by its network and any Mastercard issued outside the country will not work at Russian stores or ATMs. Visa, on the other hand, said it's working with clients and partners in Russia to cease all Visa transactions over the coming days.

The Ukrainian government has informed that Russia has lost 79 fighter jets and helicopters and 10,000 army personnel in the past 10 days. 

Amid the ongoing war, Canada has issued a travel advisory and asked its citizens to leave Russia “while commercial means are still available.”

Russian forces have intensified shelling in the port city of Mariupol, including with the use of airplanes, the city mayor said Saturday night. According to AP, Vadym Boychenko said, “The city is in a very, very difficult state of siege. Relentless shelling of residential blocks is ongoing, airplanes have been dropping bombs on residential areas.” 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and said Kyiv will receive additional Starlink antennas to assist destroyed cities without internet access. “I’m grateful to him for supporting Ukraine with words and deeds," Zelensky said in a tweet early Sunday. "Next week we will receive another batch of Starlink systems for destroyed cities."

Russian troops seized control of a Ukrainian military base near Kherson, the Russian Defense Ministry told reporters.

"Russian servicemen took control of a Ukrainian armed forces’ military base near the village of Radensk in the Kherson Region," the ministry said. "The Ukrainian military left their positions in a hurry, leaving the base with equipment, weapons and ammunition."