Ukraine has made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help as Russia has launched a full-scale invasion. Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India, described Indian PM Narendra Modi as one of the most powerful and most respected leaders in the world to say "India should fully assume its global role".
"At the present moment, we're asking, pleading for support of India. In case of aggression of totalitarian regime against the democratic state, India should fully assume its global role. Modi ji is one of the most powerful and respected leaders in the world," Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India, said.
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"I don't know how many world leaders Putin may listen to but status of Modi ji makes me hopeful that in case of his strong voice, Putin at least should think over. We are expecting for much more favourable attitude of the Indian government," he said.
"I think that in this case, your Prime Minister can address Mr Putin. He can address our President. Many times in history, India played a peacekeeping role. We're asking for your strong voice to stop this war," he said.
"We are waiting for active support of the Indian leadership in stopping this war," he added.
He said that some attacks happened on the outskirts of the capital and some happened deep inside the territory of Ukraine. "We're getting the first information about casualties among our soldiers & among civilian population," he informed.
"It's a case of blatant aggression which started at 5 o'clock in the morning. We have confirmed information that a lot of Ukrainian aerodromes, military airports, military installations were attacked by bombs & missile attacks," he said.
"We have first civilian casualties even on outskirts of capital. There's fighting in some areas. According to information of our Ministry of Defence, Ukrainian side shot down 5 Russian fighter planes, 2 helicopters, we destroyed 2 tanks & several trucks," the Ambassador said.
Earlier this morning, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that in response to a request from the heads of the Donbas Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, he had decided to conduct a special military operation to protect the people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Ukrainian regime for eight years".
He said Russia could not exist with a 'constant threat emanating from the territory of Ukraine' and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian soldiers was inevitable.
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