Russia Ukraine War: US President Biden says Putin 'will be a pariah on the international stage'

• NATO deploying response force units to bolster defences.

• 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. 

• We've deployed defensive land&air forces in eastern part of the Alliance&maritime assets across NATO area. We've activated NATO’s defence plans to prepare ourselves to respond to a range of contingencies &secure Alliance territory including by drawing on our response forces.

• We're 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

Britain’s Ministry of Defense says the bulk of Russian forces advancing on the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are more than 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the center of the city.

The ministry said it continues to monitor “sporadic clashes’’ between Russian and Ukrainian forces in the northern suburbs of the capital.

The intelligence update, delivered via Twitter, also said that armored units were forced to open a new route toward Kyiv after failing to capture Chernihiv, a city northeast of the capital near the Belarusian border.

Ahead of the crucial vote on a draft resolution at the UN Security Council seeking to condemn the Russian attack on Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and stressed the importance of a "strong collective response" against Russia's military operation. Russia, meanwhile, on Friday said it expects support from India at the UNSC when the global body takes up the resolution while Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also spoke to Jaishankar.

Shipping liners have stopped booking export cargo destined for Russian and Ukrainian ports, officials said on Friday. Russia is the topmost destination for India’s engineering exports in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.

“Many shipping liners stopped supplying containers and taking bookings for Russian ports due to geopolitical uncertainty. MSC which is a leader in global container shipping from eastern ports has also stopped booking,” West Bengal Custom House Agents Society president Sujit Chakraborty told PTI.

Engineering products exporter Nipha Exports director Rakesh Shah said his company has a consignment for Russia but his liner HAPAG-Llyod has stopped container booking due to the situation.

Moldova’s national naval agency says a ship in “neutral waters” of the Black Sea has been hit by a missile, leaving two crew members seriously injured. The Naval Agency said in a statement that the source of the missile that hit the Moldova-flagged Millennial Spirit on Friday is unknown.

“A fire broke out onboard the ship; the equipment and lifeboats were destroyed,” the agency said in a statement. “The ship’s crew left the ship equipped only with life jackets.” The agency said that the company that operates the tanker is a Ukrainian legal entity and the crew members are Russian citizens. Rescue operations were carried out by Ukrainian authorities, the Moldovan agency said.

 In a retaliatory move over UK’s ban on Russian flag carrier Aeroflot, President Vladimir Putin on Friday imposed a ban on British airlines from landing in Russia or using its airspace.

Outlining the “largest and most severe package of economic sanctions that Russia has ever seen” in Parliament in response to Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had announced a ban on Russia’s national airline Aeroflot from landing in the country.
Russia responded with a tit-for-tat ban as a response to what Russia branded as "unfriendly decisions" by the UK aviation authorities.

The Russian military claims it has taken control of an airport just outside Kyiv, as Kremlin forces bear down on the Ukrainian capital.

The claim could not be independently verified.

Taking possession of the airport in Hostomel, which has a long runway allowing the landing of heavy-lift transport planes, would mean Russia can airlift troops directly to Kyiv’s outskirts.

Hostomel is just 7 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of the city.

Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Friday that the Russian airborne forces used 200 helicopters to land in Hostomel and killed over 200 troops belonging to Ukraine's special forces.

Konashenkov claimed that Russian troops suffered no casualties. That contradicts Ukrainian claims that Russian troops sustained heavy casualties in the fighting there.

Chinese state TV says Russian President Vladimir Putin has told his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, that Moscow is willing to negotiate with Ukraine, even as Moscow's forces invade its neighbor.

The report Friday followed a Kremlin announcement that Putin’s government was considering an offer by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to negotiate non-aligned status for his country.

Putin said Moscow “is willing to conduct high-level negotiations with the Ukrainian side,” China Central Television reported on its website.

It gave no indication whether Putin said he was responding to Zelenskyy’s offer or gave any details of what the two sides might negotiate.

Russia complains that the United States and its allies ignored Moscow’s “legitimate security concerns” by expanding the NATO military alliance eastward, closer to Russia’s borders.

Xi said China “supports Russia and Ukraine resolving the problem through negotiations,” CCTV said.

Ukrainian forces fought off Russian invaders in the streets of the capital Kyiv on Friday as President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Moscow of targeting civilians and called for more international sanctions 

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant's personnel are continuing to service the facilities and monitor the radiation situation at the station as usual, a top Russian official claimed on Friday, a day after Russian forces took over the decommissioned facility after a fierce fight with Ukrainian soldiers guarding it. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday launched a multi-pronged all-out attack on Ukraine, casting aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences they had never seen".

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly moved to a secret bunker as Russian forces approach the capital city Kyiv.

Russia pressed its invasion of Ukraine to the outskirts of the capital Friday after unleashing airstrikes on cities and military bases and sending in troops and tanks from three sides in an attack that could rewrite the global post-Cold War security order. Explosions sounded before dawn in Kyiv and gunfire was reported in several areas, as Western leaders scheduled an emergency meeting and Ukraine's president pleaded for international help to fend off an attack that could topple his democratically elected government, cause massive casualties and ripple out damage to the global economy. 

Among the signs that the Ukrainian capital was increasingly threatened, the military said Friday that a group of Russian spies and saboteurs was seen in a district on the outskirts of Kyiv, and police told people not to exit a subway station in the city center because there was gunfire in the area. Elsewhere in the capital, soldiers established defensive positions at bridges, and armored vehicles rolled down the streets, while many residents stood uneasily in doorways of their apartment buildings.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) writes to PM Modi over evacuation on medical students stranded in Ukraine. IMA urges Govt of India to establish a dedicated helpdesk for medical students and also help them financially.

Hungary has extended temporary legal protection to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, as countries in eastern Europe prepare for the arrival of refugees at their borders. Hungary, which borders Ukraine to the west, has in the past taken a firm stance against all forms of immigration. It has controversially refused to accept refugees and asylum seekers from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

Two evacuation flights to be sent to Romania today to bring back the stranded Indian students in Ukraine. 

Air India is planning to operate two flights to Romanian capital Bucharest on Friday to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine due to a Russian military offensive, senior government officials said. Indian nationals who have reached the Ukraine-Romania border by road will be taken to Bucharest by officials of the Indian government so that they can be evacuated in the two Air India flights, they added. The Ukrainian airspace was closed for civil aircraft operations by the country's authorities on Thursday morning and therefore, the evacuation flights are operating out of Bucharest. The two Air India flights will depart from Bucharest on Saturday, the officials said.

Ukrainian military says Russian 'spies,' 'saboteurs' seen 3 miles from Kyiv as invasion presses toward Ukrainian capital, reports AP.

Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi writes to External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar over the evacuation of students and other 'Punjabis' stranded in Ukraine

Ukraine's nuclear agency said on Friday it was recording increased radiation levels from the site of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant: Reuters

Associated Press reports that gunfire has been heard in the government quarter of Kyiv. An air-raid alert has been declared in the city.

India to evacuate its citizens in Ukraine via neighbouring countries: Sources

Indian Air-force is on standby and closely monitoring the situation

Centre is organizing evacuation flights for Indians in Ukraine and the evacuation cost will be completely borne by the government, say sources

Cabinet Committee on Security to meet on Saturday at 12 PM to discuss the situation in Ukraine and evacuation of Indians from that country

Russia closes its airspace to all British planes

UK estimates Russia has lost more than 450 service members in Ukraine attack

 EU wants to cut 'all links' between Russia and global financial system, says French finance minister, reports AFP

Govt of India & Embassy of India working to establish evacuation routes from Romania & Hungary. At present, teams are getting in place at CHOP-ZAHONY Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian Border near Chernivtsi: Indian Embassy in Hungary

Alone in his apartment and every bit scared, former Indian national rapid chess champion Anwesh Upadhyaya is one among the several of his compatriots stuck in Ukraine amid a Russian invasion and is desperately hoping to be evacuated from the country which has been his home since 2012. The 30-year old, who is doing apprenticeship in gastroenterology at a Kyiv hospital, had planned to return to India in March. But with Russia launching military operations on Thursday, flights have been suspended and he is unsure of what is in store. "Did not expect this intensification. It is a full-scale military invasion. Never imagined this," the 2017 national rapid chess champion told PTI from Kyiv. At a media briefing on Thursday, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla assured all Indian citizens in Ukraine that the government will take all steps to bring them back safely. He said there were around 20,000 Indians in Ukraine and of them, nearly 4,000 have returned to India in the last few days.  Upadhyaya said he has seen turmoil in the country, recalling the student protests in 2013 against the then President Viktor Yanukovych's decision of not signing an agreement that would have brought Ukraine closer to the European Union. But he acknowledged that nothing compared to the chaos that has unfolded in the last few days. "I was present during the Maidan Revolution which was bad but not this scary," Upadhyaya said, describing the current situation. "My parents over in India are a worried lot and that's why I had planned to leave in the first week of March," he added about his family which is based in Bhubaneswar.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has announced that the state government will bear all the expenses related to the return of students from the state stranded in Ukraine, which is facing a Russian onslaught since February 24. According to an official release on Friday, 916 students and emigrants from the state stranded in the eastern European country have so far contacted the officials appointed by the government at district and state levels besides in New Delhi, regarding evacuation. "Under these circumstances, chief minister M K Stalin has announced that the Tamil Nadu government will bear all the travel expenses related to the Tamil Nadu students' return to the country," the release said. The release further said Jacintha Lazarus, director of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non Resident Tamils, could be contacted for this purpose.

As Russian troops continued pressing their offensive Friday, intense fighting also raged in the country's east. Russian troops entered the city of Sumy near the border with Russia that sits on a highway leading to Kyiv from the east. The regional governor, Dmytro Zhivitsky, said Ukrainian forces fought Russian troops in the city overnight, but other Russian convoys kept rolling west toward the Ukrainian capital. "Military vehicles from Sumy are moving toward Kyiv," Zhivitsky said. "Much equipment has passed through and is heading directly to the west." Zhivitsky added that another northeastern city, Konotop, was also sieged. He urged residents of the region to fight the Russian forces.

The Karnataka government on Friday said 91 people from the state are stranded in Ukraine and all of them are students pursuing MBBS there. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the safety and evacuation of students from the war-torn country. According to Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), as per the district wise information of stranded persons received by its control room till 6 AM today, all 91 reported are students (pursuing MBBS) in Ukraine. All this information collected at the 24/7 control room has been shared with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Embassy of India, Kyiv, Ukraine to make all possible arrangements for the safe evacuation of stranded students hailing from Karnataka, it said. Further, MEA officers in the countries bordering Ukraine are in strategic locations for safe evacuation from alternative routes, the KSDMA release said, adding that "we request to stay calm and face the situation with fortitude and be rest assured that the solution for safe evacuation is worked out on a mission mode." Among the students stranded 28 are from Bengaluru, 10 from Mysuru, five each from Ballari and Hassan, followed by others.

British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace stated that Russia had not fulfilled any of its main tasks for the invasion of Ukraine. In addition, he estimated that the Russian Federation had already lost about 400 servicemen.

Asian stock prices are higher early Friday after U.S. shares recovered toward the end of a wild trading day Thursday as the world slapped sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Benchmarks are up in Japan, South Korea, Australia, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Japan announced additional sanctions on Russia, including freezing the assets of Russian groups, banks and individuals and suspending exports of semiconductors. Prices for oil and other commodities have risen sharply, raising inflation fears. Despite uncertainty about the Ukraine crisis, as well as worries about COVID-19, the turnaround on Wall Street seemed to buoy Asian trading.

The Telangana government has set up helplines at the Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi and the state secretariat here to help migrants and students from the state who are stranded in Ukraine, even as Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy has also taken up the issue. State Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Friday said in a release the helplines received 75 calls since last night. The Chief Secretary, who held a tele-conference with the Resident Commissioner of Telangana Bhavan in New Delhi and other officials, said the state government is in constant touch with the External Affairs Ministry. Meanwhile, Kishan Reddy said he has spoken to the Indian Embassy in Ukraine and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help the students from southern states.

https://twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1497105732130336769

A control room has been opened under a senior IAS officer and manned by WBCS officers for assisting and helping the students and people stranded from West Bengal in Ukraine. The control room will be functional from 9.00am to 9.00pm. Control room no are 22143526/1070

The Philippines top diplomat says he will travel to Ukraine’s border with Poland to ensure the safety of Filipinos fleeing from the eastern European country now under attack by Russian forces. Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. did not specify in his tweet Friday where he is going. Nor did he say how many of the approximately 380 Filipinos in Ukraine are trying to flee amid the Russian invasion.

Ukraine's capital was under bombardment in the early hours of Friday, with the skies ablaze as Vladimir Putin's tanks moved to within 20 miles of Kyiv, Daily Mail reported. Ukraine's deputy defence ministry said that one missile was shot out of the sky by their anti-missile defense systems. Another missile struck a residential building in the city, the government said. A Ukrainian jet, a SU-27, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in a separate incident, the Ukrainian government said, Daily Mail reported. Hours earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky raged at Western cowards who failed to come to his aid, saying his country is being 'left alone' to face Russian troops. Officials warn that Kyiv will be seized this weekend, the report said.

Russian troops are closing in on the seat of Ukrainian power after taking control of the strategic Chernobyl nuclear power plant, and will seize it within 96 hours, bringing a 'new Iron Curtain' down on Europe, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned, Daily Mail reported. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Vladimir Putin plans to encircle Ukrainian forces in Kyiv and force them to either surrender or be destroyed, and the leadership of Ukraine could then fall in a week, the report said. A former senior US intelligence officer told Newsweek: 'After the air and artillery end and the ground war really starts, I think Kyiv falls in just a few days. 'The military may last slightly longer but this isn't going to last long.'

Ukraine army says fighting Russian forces outside capital Kyiv. Russian forces enter surrounding settlements of capital Kyiv

Ukrainian military vehicles seized by Russian troops wearing Ukrainian uniforms, heading for Kyiv, defense official says - UNIAN

An alarm siren sounds in Kherson. The city authorities urge civilians to hide in bomb shelters.

Russian military vehicles destroyed near Hostomel, suburb of Kyiv. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine as Putin defied international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences they had never seen".

Maharashtra minister Jayant Patil on Friday attacked the Union government, saying that  instead of "misusing" central agencies for its political aspirations, it should evacuate Indian students stranded in Ukraine amid Russian invasion. The NCP leader also alleged that the ruling BJP "seems to be busy in elections" as nothing was done by the government although he had urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office five days ago to evacuate Indian students from Ukraine given the tension there. "An increase in tension over a #RussiaUkraineConflict, a week ago I demanded @PMOIndia to evacuate the students ASAP. But the ruling party seems busy in elections, it looks like they have nothing to do with the students stuck amidst war. #UkraineInvasion," Patil, who is Water Resources Minister and state NCP chief, said in a tweet. "Instead of misusing central agencies for political aspirations. I request you to use your power and evacuate students," Patil said on the micro-blogging site.

The Ukrainian military is reporting significant fighting northwest of the nation's capital as Russian forces apparently try to advance on Kyiv from the north. The military said Friday morning a bridge across a river had been destroyed in the area of Ivankiv, about 60 km (40 miles) northwest of Kyiv. "The hardest day will be today. The enemy's plan is to break through with tank columns from the side of Ivankiv and Chernihiv to Kyiv. Russian tanks burn perfectly when hit by our ATGMs (anti-tank guided missiles)," Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko said on Telegram. Russia's invasion of Ukraine began early Thursday with a series of missile strikes, many on key government and military installations, quickly followed by a three-pronged ground assault. Ukrainian and US officials said Russian forces were attacking from the east toward Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city; from the southern region of Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014; and from Belarus to the north.

US and European officials are holding one key financial sanction against Russia in reserve, choosing not to boot Russia off SWIFT, the dominant system for global financial transactions. The Russian invasion of Ukraine caused a barrage of new financial sanctions Thursday. The sanctions are meant to isolate, punish and impoverish Russia in the long term. President Joe Biden announced restrictions on exports to Russia and sanctions against Russian banks and sate-controlled companies. But Biden pointedly played down the need to block Russia from SWIFT, saying that while it's always still an option, right now that's not the position that the rest of Europe wishes to take. He also suggested the sanctions being put in place would have more teeth. "The sanctions we've imposed exceed SWIFT," Biden said in response to a question Thursday. "Let's have a conversation in another month or so to see if they're working." Still, some European leaders, including in the United Kingdom, favor taking the additional step of blocking Russia from SWIFT, the Belgium-headquartered consortium used by banks and other financial institutions that serves as a key communications line for commerce worldwide. The SWIFT system averaged 42 million messages daily last year to enable payments. The name is an acronym for the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications, and about half of all high-value payments that cross national borders go through its platform. Ukraine has sought for Russia to be excluded from SWIFT, but several European leaders would prefer to stay patient because a ban could make international trade more difficult and hurt their economies. 

As Russia presses ahead with its attack on Ukraine, many analysts and internet users have drawn comparisons to Taiwan, another place that could face an invasion by its larger neighbour China. While similarities exist Taiwan is a democracy that has resisted threats from a more powerful authoritarian government the differences are much greater. For many on the island, the war in Ukraine, and war in general, feels far away. "I think our situation is not very similar to Ukraine's, whether it's political or in terms of connections," said Ethan Lin, a 40-year-old who works in the service industry. "China has many exchanges with Taiwan in several areas, so I don't think it's that dangerous." Taiwan, an island of 23 million people about 160 km (100 miles) off China's eastern coast, is self-ruled, but claimed by China. The decades-old issue has grown more intense since independence-leaning President Tsai Ing-wen took the helm in Taiwan in 2016, and China stepped up military pressure on the island, sending ships into nearby waters and fighter jets in its direction.

On Tuesday, China's People's Liberation Army's Eastern Command announced it had recently conducted landing drills in an undisclosed location in the East China Sea. The critical question for Taiwan is whether the United States, which is not sending troops to defend Ukraine, would intervene if China invaded. The US has no official ties with Taiwan but has historical relations and sells Taiwan billions of dollars worth of weapons. It is also bound by its own law to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. Taiwan is also a dominant player in the production of semiconductors that are used in everything from smartphones to cars.

A phishing attack against Ukrainians has begun! Citizens receive emails attached files of indefinite nature. Enemy forces are intended to get access to electronic devices of Ukrainians to collect information!

Ukrainian forces retake Melitopol from Russian forces. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, carrying out airstrikes on its cities and military bases and sending in troops from three sides of the country. 

Viewed from Paris, London and Washington, the events unfolding in Ukraine may seem like a new Cold War taking shape in Europe. From the Baltic countries, it looks much worse. To Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians — particularly those old enough to have lived under Soviet control — Russia’s belligerence toward Ukraine has some worried that they could be the next target. The tensions have brought back memories of mass deportations and oppression. “My grandparents were sent away to Siberia. My father was persecuted by the KGB. Now I live in a free democratic country, but it seems that nothing can be taken for granted,” said Jaunius Kazlauskas, a 50-year-old teacher in Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital. Russia’s attack on Ukraine sent shockwaves through the Baltic countries on Thursday. Lithuania’s president declared a state of emergency and Latvia suspended the broadcast licenses of several Russian TV stations accused of spreading disinformation and propaganda. All three Baltic countries were seized and annexed by Stalin during World War II before gaining independence again with the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. They joined NATO in 2004, putting themselves under the military protection of the U.S. and its Western allies. Ukraine is not part of NATO. READ FULL STORY 

The commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine declares that an attack by Russian occupants has been repelled in Chernihiv. The City Council of Vinnytsia declares that the air-raid alarm has been canceled. The Armed Forces of Ukraine warn that the enemy may enter the surrounding settlements of Vorzel, Kyiv Oblast.

Bridge near Kyiv blown up to prevent it from being used by Russian forces

People's deputy Alyona Shkrum reports that Russian aviation will arrive in Kyiv in the upcoming minutes. She asks everyone who can to flee to a shelter.

President Zelensky hails Ukrainians for their 'heroism' in face of Russian military advance, says Ukraine forces 'doing everything possible'.People hide in a bomb shelter in Kyiv.

Ukraine's Zelensky says Russian forces targeting civilian areas - urges Russians to protest against Ukraine war. Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine on Thursday, as Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to "consequences they had never seen".

Ukraine's President Zelensky says Russia will have to talk 'sooner or later'. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, carrying out airstrikes on its cities and military bases and sending in troops from three sides of the country. 

Kyiv City warns of aerial threat, urges people to seek shelter immediately

In the Saltiv direction of Kharkiv, the Ukrainian Armed Forces took two KAMAZ-based trucks from the occupants. The photos were taken by the defenders of Kharkiv.

Ukraine's defense ministry warns of imminent enemy attack in Vorzel, town near Kyiv

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine: Konotop is surrounded by Russian troops, street fights continue in Sumy

A Su-27 fighter aircraft was shot down over Kyiv. Russia has launched a barrage of air and missile strikes on Ukraine. According to Ukrainian officials, Russian troops have rolled into the country from the north, east and south.

Russian 'sabotage groups' in Kyiv, says Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky. "The enemy's sabotage groups have entered Kyiv," says Zelensky, urging residents to be vigilant and observe curfew rules

The UN Security Council will vote on a draft resolution on Friday tabled by the US and Albania that will condemn in the strongest terms possible Russia's aggression, invasion and violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, a move that seeks to isolate permanent and veto-wielding member Moscow on the global stage after Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to attack its neighbour. The Council will vote on the draft resolution at 3 pm Friday (New York time), two days after it held an emergency meeting on the situation in Ukraine just as Putin had announced Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. A senior US administration official said Washington is putting forward the resolution ôwith every expectation that Russia will use its vetoö and in doing so, "they will underscore their isolation". READ FULL STORY 

Fighting continues in Sumy region of Ukraine. The military is repelling enemy attacks in Trostyanets and in Akhtyrka. This is reported by local authorities and journalists.

Punjab | Helpline (0181-2224417) issued for people of Jalandhar stuck in Ukraine as a measure to compile info of stranded people. People can visit the DC office, in room no. 22, during office hrs, to provide info on their family members: Jalandhar Admin 

President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on Ukrainians to show maximum endurance and mutual support, as well as "stop the enemy wherever you see." He said this in his address, Ukrinform correspondent reports. It is very important that our people today also show maximum endurance and mutual support. Take care of your family and loved ones, but do not forget about the people around you. Those who are single, those who are older. Help with food. Help to find shelter when There is an air alert. Help with access to verified official information. Stop the enemy wherever you see, "Zelensky said. He noted that the fate of Ukraine depends only on Ukrainians, because no one but ourselves will rule our lives. "We are on our own land, the truth is behind us. It will not be possible to destroy our character. Caliber missiles are helpless against freedom," the President added.

President Volodymyr Zelensky

Mayor of Lviv Sadovoy urges citizens to go to shelters. An air-raid alert has been declared in the city. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, carrying out airstrikes on its cities and military bases and sending in troops from three sides of the country. 

It has been a long time since the threat of using nuclear weapons has been brandished so openly by a world leader, but Vladimir Putin has just done it, warning in a speech that he has the weapons available if anyone dares to military means to try to stop Russia's takeover of Ukraine. The threat may have been empty, a mere baring of fangs by the Russian president, but it was noticed. It kindled visions of a nightmarish outcome in which Putin's ambitions in Ukraine could lead to a nuclear war through accident or miscalculation. "As for military affairs, even after the dissolution of the USSR and losing a considerable part of its capabilities, today's Russia remains one of the most powerful nuclear states," Putin said, in his pre-invasion address early Thursday. "Moreover, it has a certain advantage in several cutting-edge weapons. In this context, there should be no doubt for anyone that any potential aggressor will face defeat and ominous consequences should it directly attack our country." By merely suggesting a nuclear response, Putin put into play the disturbing possibility that the current fighting in Ukraine might eventually veer into an atomic confrontation between Russia and the United States.

It is being reported that a bridge was blown up in Romanovka.

Bridge blown up in Romanovka

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the enemy launched an air strike near the city of Kropivnitsky. There was significant activity of enemy helicopters in the areas above Vilkovo and from Tiraspol.

Air raid sirens across Kyiv. Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Friday as Russian forces pressed on with a full-scale invasion that resulted in the deaths of more than 130 Ukrainians.

Maharashtra minister Uday Samant has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to make arrangements for the safe return of 1,200 students from the state, who are currently studying in Ukraine, against which Russia has launched a military operation. Russia's invasion of Ukraine began on Thursday following weeks of high tension. Samant, who is Maharashtra's Higher and Technical Education Minister, has made the same demand in separate letters to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. "The lives of Indian students studying in Ukraine can be in danger given the war-like situation between Russia and Ukraine," Samant observed in the February 23 letter. The Maharashtra minister said students from Maharashtra are stuck in Ukraine due to the unavailability of facilities to fly back and other resources. "The Indian government has in the past rescued Indians stranded in other countries in similar situations. Requesting you to immediately rescue Maharashtra's 1,200 students stuck in Ukraine and instruct officials concerned to make arrangements for the students' safe return to Maharashtra," Samant said.

Heavy damage in Starobilsk in western Ukraine after shelling by pro-Russian forces. Russian forces launched a military offensive against Ukraine.

In Kharkiv, the Ukrainian military is fighting back an active offensive of the occupants in Dergachy and Pechenigi, said Oleg Sinegubov, head of the Kharkiv regional state administration.

The Rivne airport was hit by a rocket attack, according to the city's mayor Aleksandr Tretiak.  There are no injuries

With the death toll rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine. The protection of civilians must be priority number one. International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld.

After attacking Ukrainian government websites and banks with massive cyber attacks, Russia-sponsored hackers were now hitting Internet infrastructure in the country to silence the locals amid a full-blown war. The cyber invasion had already cut Internet connectivity in some parts of the country, the reports said on Friday. "#Ukraine: Partial outage of Ukrainian ISP Triolan started around 2.50 am UTC," tweeted the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) project at Georgia Tech in the US late on Thursday. Outages also affected the Triolan Internet service provider, which services a number of cities and other areas across Ukraine, including Kharkiv, reports The Verge. "Significant Internet disruption registered in #Ukraine-controlled city of #Kharkiv shortly after huge explosions heard; users report loss of fixed-line service on provider Triolan while cellphones continue to work, tweeted global internet monitor platform NetBlocks.

The Ukrainian ambassador to Japan is urging China to join international efforts to stop the Russian “massacre” in his country amid Beijing’s lack of criticism of Moscow’s actions. “We would very much welcome that China exercises its connection with Russia and talks to Putin and explains to him that it is inappropriate in the 21st century to do this massacre in Europe,” Ukrainian diplomat Sergiy Korsunsky told a news conference in Tokyo. China has not criticized Russia over its actions against Ukraine, and has joined in verbal attacks on Washington and its allies. “I do believe China can play a much more active role to work with Putin in a manner we expect for civilized countries to do,” he said. Korsunsky also asked support from the United States and its allies to provide anti-missile defense equipment to fight Russian cruise missile attacks. He said Ukraine wants to join NATO and called for its support in resolving the conflict.

According to the General Staff of the Ukrainian Army, Russian tanks are moving toward Kyiv, but they are currently involved in fightings near Ivankov (halfway from the border to Kyiv). Meanwhile, eyewitnesses heard explosions again in Kyiv (requires confirmation). Russian tanks are coming to Kyiv from the Chernobyl zone. To stop them, the Ukrainian military had to blow up a bridge near the village of Ivankiv.

Two powerful explosions thundered in Rivne, according to Ukrainian media from the scene.

Weapons are being distributed in Kyiv to protect the city from Russian troops. Russian forces have attacked key sites in Ukraine and its troops entered that country and engaged with Ukrainian forces.

Amid Russia's ongoing military operation in Ukraine, a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote on a resolution has been listed on a UN schedule for Friday. However, the proposal could be vetoed by Moscow, CNN reported. The meeting is scheduled for 3 pm eastern time under the Russian presidency. Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Thursday said India will wait to see the final shape of the Security Council resolution on the Ukraine situation before taking a position. "There is a 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 in a media briefing in response to a media query. 

Russian devotees of Lord Jagannath have offered prayers at the 12th century shrine here seeking an end to the war with Ukraine and restoration of peace. The three Russians, including a woman, are members of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). They sat at Lion's Gate at Jagannath Temple on Thursday and offered puja for the protection of people in Ukraine. They were offered the Mahaprasad cooked in the temple. 

In an apparent message to countries which are not standing by its side or are supporting Moscow, US President Joe Biden has said that any nation that countenances Russia's "naked aggression" and a "totally unjustifiable" war against Ukraine will be stained by association. Liberty, democracy and human dignity are the forces far more powerful than fear and oppression, Biden told reporters at a White House news conference on Thursday as he launched a frontal attack on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and announced a series of fresh sanctions against Russia. "Any nation that countenances Russia's naked aggression against Ukraine will be stained by association. When the history of this area is written, Putin's choice to make a totally unjustifiable war on Ukraine will have left Russia weaker and the rest of the world stronger," he asserted. Biden said the US and its allies and partners will emerge stronger, more united, more determined, and more purposeful from this situation. And Putin's aggression against Ukraine will end up costing Russia dearly economically and strategically. "We will make sure of that. Putin will be a pariah on the international stage," he warned.

China's Embassy in Ukraine says it is arranging evacuation flights for Chinese citizens. An embassy statement Friday says conditions in Ukraine have deteriorated sharply but makes no mention of the Russian invasion. The embassy gave no details on where the evacuation flights would be leaving from. Nor did it say when the charter flights might happen, saying that scheduling will depend on the flight safety situation. It says travellers should be packed and ready to react quickly once flight schedules are announced. Passengers must have a passport from China, Hong Kong or Macau or a Taiwan compatriot card. The embassy earlier advised Chinese in Ukraine to stay home and to put a Chinese flag on their vehicles if they planned to travel long distances.

The United Nations has announced that it is immediately allocating $20 million to scale up UN humanitarian operations in Ukraine following Russia's invasion. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made the announcement on Thursday, saying the UN and its humanitarian partners are committed to staying and delivering, to support people in Ukraine in their time of need...regardless of who or where they are. "With deaths rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine," the UN chief said. "People -- everyday innocent people -- always pay the highest price." UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said the $20 million from the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund will support emergency operations along the contact line in eastern Donetsk and Luhansk and in other areas of the country, and will help with health care, shelter, food, and water and sanitation to the most vulnerable people affected by the conflict.

The Ukrainian capital Kyiv has been hit with "cruise or ballistic missiles," a Ukrainian official said. Russia on Thursday invaded Ukraine despite several sanctions by the West and other nations.

Ukraine has claimed that its air defence has shot down two Russian aircraft above the left bank of Kyiv. Air alert has been declared in Odessa. In Vinnitsa and Odessa, air raid sirens were turned on.

Russian President Vladimir Putin "must and will fail", top European Union leaders said on Friday as they agreed on new sanctions over his invasion of Ukraine, saying he was trying to bring the continent back to the age of empires and confrontations. The bloc's leaders agreed in principle at an emergency overnight summit to impose new economic sanctions, joining the United States and others in taking steps such as curbing Russia's access to technologies. The EU will freeze Russian assets in the bloc and halt its banks' access to European financial markets as part of what EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described as "the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented". "This package includes financial sanctions, targeting 70% of the Russian banking market and key state-owned companies, including in defence," EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Twitter. (Reuters)

US President Joe Biden will hold a virtual meeting with NATO members today. NATO leaders will weigh its next steps after Russia began an invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said early Friday that the "enemy", Russia, has marked him as the number one target and his family as the number two target. "Enemy has marked me down as the number one target. My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state," Zelenskiy said. Volodymyr Zelensky, however, said he and his family won't leave Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered a general military mobilization. In a declaration signed late Thursday, Zelensky said that "in order to ensure the defense of the state, maintaining combat and mobilization readiness of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations," a broad-based mobilization was ordered, including in the capital, Kyiv and all Ukraine's major cities. At the same time, Ukraine has banned all-male citizens 18-60 years old from leaving the country, according to the State Border Guard Service.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he will not leave the country. Russian troops have launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. Big explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of an Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraines democratically elected government.

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. Earlier in the week, Japan suspended new issuances and distribution of Russian government bonds in Japan, aiming of reduce funding for Russia's military. It also banned trade with the two Ukrainian separatist regions. Japan has long sought to regain control of northern islands Russia seized at the end of World War II and previously had tended to be milder toward Moscow.

Ukrainian Interior Ministry says it shot down a Russian aircraft. The Ukrainian Army is fighting in nearly every region of the country, battling the Russians for control of military bases, airports, cities and ports from Kharkiv to Kiev, and Donetsk to Odessa.

Russian forces have encircled the Ukrainian city of Konotop, others are moving towards Kyiv, governor said. The Ukrainian government, which is struggling to fight the Russian forces, has pleaded for global help. 

Loud explosions heard in central Kyiv, news agency AFP reported. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, carrying out airstrikes on its cities and military bases and sending in troops from three sides of the country. 

The Chernobyl nuclear power plant has been captured by Russian forces.  Ukraine officials said they had lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, scene of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, according to a report in AP. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier on Thursday said Russian forces were trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

Asian shares rose Friday after US stocks recovered toward the end of a wild trading day, as the world, including President Joe Biden, slapped sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 surged 1.4% in morning trading to 26,343.02. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.5% to 7,022.30. South Korea's Kospi jumped 1.2% to 2,681.19. Hong Kong's Hang Seng added nearly 0.2% to 22,941.59, while the Shanghai Composite rose 0.8% to 3,456.39. Japan announced additional sanctions  on Russia, including freezing the assets of Russian groups, banks and individuals and suspending exports of semiconductors and other sensitive goods to military-linked organisations in Russia. Earlier in the week, Japan suspended new issuances and distribution of Russian government bonds in Japan, aimed at reducing funding opportunities for Russia. It also banned trade with the two Ukrainian separatist regions. Despite uncertainty about the Ukraine, as well as worries about inflation and the COVID-19 omicron variant, the turnaround on Wall Street seemed to buoy Asian shares.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a video address that 137 “heroes,” including 10 military officers, had been killed and 316 people wounded. The dead included all border guards on the Zmiinyi Island in the Odesa region, which was taken over by Russians.

Ukrainian official says Friday will be "the worst day" of Russian attack, excepts airstrikes, landings, penetrations, and encircling

Russia’s expanding invasion of Ukraine has opened a new and perilous chapter in Joe Biden’s presidency, testing his aspirations to defend democracy on a global level and thrusting him into a long-term struggle to restore European security. It’s a far different trajectory than he imagined when his administration began last year with the goals of countering China’s growing influence in the world and reinvesting at home as the United States tried to turn the page on a deadly pandemic.

Oil price crossed the $103 per barrel mark, the highest since August 2014. Russia is a major oil and gas exporter with a large part of its supplies catering to Europe’s needs. 

India is sending teams to Ukraine's borders to help evacuate 16,000 Indians who are stranded in the country. According to reports, the government is sending teams to Ukraine's land borders with Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said 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.

The White House is expressing outrage at “credible reports” from Ukrainian officials that the staff at the shuttered Chernoybl 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.

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. The final draft resolution, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, would reaffirm the council’s commitment “to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.” The council is scheduled to vote at 3 p.m. EST Friday.

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.”

New Zealand joins its international partners in condemnation of the attack and has immediately taken a range of measures against the Russian government, New Zealand's PM Jacinda Ardern said. "By choosing to pursue this entirely avoidable path, an unthinkable number of innocent lives could be lost because of Russia's decision," she said.

"New Zealand calls on Russia to do what is right and immediately cease military operations, and permanently withdraw to avoid a "catastrophic and pointless loss of innocent life", Ardern said. The invasion poses a significant threat to peace and security in the region and will trigger a humanitarian and refugee crisis," Ardern added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered a full military mobilisation to counter the Russian invasion. In a decree issued on Thursday, he said the mobilisation would last 90 days. He tasked the military's general staff with determining the number of people eligible for service and the number of reservists as well as the order of the call-up. The president's cabinet has been tasked with allocating money for the mobilisation. President Zelensky said Ukraine 'left alone' to fight Russia.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin is a blatant violation of international law, Indian-American Congressman Ro Khanna said, terming it a "dark moment" in history. He also called for welcoming Ukrainian asylum seekers into the US.  "President Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. He is responsible for the death and destruction that will continue so long as he continues this assault on global peace and security," Khanna said. "My heart is with the people of Ukraine who did not want this violence and have done nothing to deserve it. Many innocent civilians are suffering because of Putin's illegal actions," he added. The Congressman, who recently returned from the Munich Security Conference, said at the conference, the US and its allies reaffirmed their "commitment to defend Ukraine's sovereignty".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed so far in the Russian invasion of his country. He called them "heroes" in a video address released early Friday in which he also said 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 president said all border guards on Zmiinyi island in the Odesa region were killed on Thursday. Ukraine's border guard service earlier in the day reported that the island was taken by the Russians. 

• President of Russia Vladimir Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war, and now he and his country will bear the consequences. Sanctions on 4 more Russian banks, including VTB: US President Joe Biden

• I have no plans to talk to Russian President Putin. He wants to reestablish the former Soviet Union, I think his ambition our completely contrary to the place where the rest of the world has arrived: US President Joe Biden

• US says to deploy 7,000 more troops to Germany

• Cutting Russia from SWIFT banking system 'always an option

• Biden says Western sanctions target four more Russian banks, elite.
• No US troops to Ukraine but will 'defend every inch of NATO territory:' Biden

• Russian banks would be excluded from London's financial system as part of further sanctions
• Russian President Putin will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands

What we've heard today are not just missile blasts, fighting & the rumble of aircraft. This is the sound of a new iron curtain, which has come down & is closing Russia off from civilized world: President of Ukraine 

Russian President Vladimir Putin says 'no other way' to defend Russia other than invading Ukraine.

Red Cross chief says fears 'massive casualty numbers' in Ukraine. 

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

India-bound Ronak Sherasiya, an MBBS student in Ukraine, was meant to take a morning flight out of Kyiv on Thursday, but instead he is on his way back to his university in a bus, the sound of "multiple explosions" that he said he heard while exiting the airport, still echoing in his head. 
The 18-year-old native of Gujarat, a first year student at the Bukovinian State Medical University (BSMU) in Chernivtsi, a beautiful town in western Ukraine, about 500 km from capital Kyiv, said, "I had no idea that in a matter of few hours, the situation in Ukraine will take such a drastic turn".

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 11 pm IST (12:30 pm EST), 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.

Industry leaders on Thursday said the Russia-Ukraine conflict may lead to a spurt in crude oil and commodity prices, which will raise their input costs and further stoke inflationary pressures. Biscuits and confectionery maker Parle Products said the geopolitical situation is going to have a huge effect on crude oil prices and impact several industries as trade costs are bound to rise. 

•  At the CCS meeting, PM Modi has stated that the topmost priority of the government is the safety and security of Indian nationals including students in Ukraine, says Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla
• "A number of steps have been taken to deal with the emerging situation in Ukraine. We started the registration of Indian nationals in Ukraine about a month ago. Based on online registration, we found that 20,000 Indian nationals were there"
• The Prime Minister is scheduled to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin shortly.
• One important step we have taken is to pursue all universities in Ukraine to conduct online classes. PM Modi has specifically stated that the MEA should do everything possible for our citizens in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces are trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

The plant was the site of the world’s worst nuclear accident when a nuclear reactor exploded in April 1986, spewing radioactive waste across Europe. The plant lies 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the capital of Kyiv.

The exploded reactor has been covered by a protective shelter to prevent radiation leak and the entire plant has been decommissioned.

Zelenskyy said on Twitter that “our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated.” He added that “this is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.”

Stocks tumbled worldwide Thursday after Russia's attack of Ukraine sent fear coursing through markets and upped the pressure on the high inflation already hurting people and businesses around the world.

The S&P 500 sank 2% to continue its dismal start of the year. It's now down almost 14% from the record high it set in early January. European markets sank even more, with the German DAX down 5%.

Bond yields fell as investors sought safety and the price of oil soared above $100 a barrel. The conflict could send prices spiralling even higher at gasoline pumps and grocery stores everywhere.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered that Ukrainian servicemen be treated “with respect” and those who lay down their weapons offered safe corridors.

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the loss of a Su-25 attack jet due to “pilor error.”

Ukraine’s military chief says Ukrainian troops are fighting the Russian army in in the north and the south. Valerii Zaluzhnyi said a battle was raging Thursday near the Hostomel air base 7 kilometers (less than 5 miles) northwest of the capital, Kyiv.

He said that in the south, fighting was going on near Henichesk, Skadovsk and Chaplynka.

Slovakia has about 1,500 troops guarding Ukraine's border

Snake Island was attacked from Russian ships, claim Ukraine media

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

Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight: Sources 

The embassy of India in Kyiv continues to operate round the clock looking out for the safety of all the Indians...If someone is stranded in Kyiv then reach out to friends, families, Indian community members, and the Indian Embassy. As airspace has been blocked, roads choked and trains services disrupted I advise all Indian citizens to stay wherever they are in their normal area of habitation, and those in transit should go back to normal areas: Partha Satpathy, Ambassador of India to Ukraine. Working out modalities on how we can evacuate Indian citizens from the country through neighboring nations along the western border of Ukraine. Times are uncertain& it's important to be calm. We'll continue to operate here till every Indian is back: Partha Satpathy, Ambassador of India to Ukraine

Residents in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv take photos and inspect the damage caused by a missile which landed in the middle of their neighbourhood

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

The Ukrainian Border Guard Committee releases CCTV images of Russian military equipment crossing a border checkpoint in Crimea. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, forcing residents to flee for their lives.

Fights are going on all line of collision, near Pishchevik. 16 tanks of the Russian Federation attack the Ukrainian positions

If the Chinese march into our country we would want other countries to stand up for us. If Ukraine expects us to speak to Russians, then atleast we should try and be counted on the right side of the issue: Congress Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor

A total of 203 enemy shellings and 7 illegal border crossings have been recorded in Ukraine since the beginning of the day.

A large no. of Indian students in Ukraine turned up outside Indian Embassy in Kyiv today morning. Not all could be accommodated in Embassy premises. The Embassy organised safe premises nearby, students moved there. No Indian is currently stranded outside the Embassy: Sources

UEFA are to hold an emergency meeting on Friday to "evaluate the situation" concerning Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with the former set to host the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg in May

EU chief Charles Michel has urged Belarus to "not take part" in Russia's military assault on Ukraine, ahead of an emergency European Union summit to decide new sanctions on Moscow over its invasion

Map of Ukraine locating cities where explosions and strikes occurred and regions where Russian forces entered.

French President Emmanuel Macron has warned Russia of an uncompromising response to its attack on Ukraine, which he described as a turning point in European history

Civilians hide in the subway in Kharkiv, Kyiv

Civilians hide in the subway in Kharkiv, Kyiv

Italy PM Draghi demands Russia 'withdraw unconditionally' from Ukraine

France's Macron says Russia attack on Ukraine 'turning point' in European history

A plane of the Armed Forces of Ukraine was shot down in Kyiv region, 10 people were killed and 10 wounded in Odesa region

UK PM Johnson calls Putin a 'dictator', Ukraine invasion a 'hideous and barbaric venture'

Russia's parliament speaker claims that the "sole purpose" of the country's invasion of Ukraine "is to secure peace," saying "Russia has never been an enemy."

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

Air Force is geared up for any requirements for evacuation, say IAF officials

Today, with our allies, we will agree on a massive package of economic sanctions designed in time to hobble the Russian economy. We must also collectively seize our dependence on Russian oil & gas that for too long has given Putin his grip on western politics, says UK PM Boris Johnson. Johnson says Western allies readying 'massive' package of sanctions against Russia, tells people of Ukraine: "We cannot and will not just look away."

China tells Russian foreign minister it understands Moscow's 'reasonable concerns on security issues' over Ukraine. READ STORY

Russian forces break into north of Kyiv region, say Ukraine border guards, reports AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan for talks during his official visit to Moscow. Khan was ending his two-day visit to Moscow hours after Russia began a military operation in Ukraine.

Pakistani government officials have offered few details on the substance of Khan's visit, which was planned more than a month ago and was expected to focus on Pakistan's energy needs. It was the first visit to Moscow by a Pakistani leader in more than 20 years. Khan was to have met with Putin following his arrival on Wednesday, though the foreign ministry has not spoken of it.

Khan’s decision to still go ahead with the visit despite growing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine surprised some analysts. In recent years Pakistan has grown closer to Russia, which has traditional ties with Islamabad’s long-time foe and neighbour India. Russia and Pakistan have shared military exercises and grown closer as peace was sought to the relentless conflict in Afghanistan.

France's Macron to address the nation over Russia attack on Ukraine, says presidency. France to strengthen 'all forms' of support to Ukraine: foreign minister

Eighteen killed in attack near Ukraine's Odessa-official, reports AFP

Today, we activated NATO's defence plans that give our military commanders more authority to deploy forces when needed. No NATO troops inside Ukraine. We are increasing the presence of NATO troops in the eastern part of all the alliance on NATO territory: NATO Secretary-General

Those hearing air sirens/bomb warnings should find nearby bomb shelters: Indian embassy in Ukraine in advisory. Movement difficult because Ukraine under martial law: Indian embassy in Ukraine. 

Moldova closes airspace, raises threat level to yellow after Russia's attack on Ukraine

Turkey will continue to support Ukraine's territorial integrity and sees Russia's attack on it as unacceptable, the presidency said today in a statement after President Tayyip Erdogan chaired a security summit over Moscow's offensive: Reuters

NATO stands in solidarity with Ukraine. NATO allies are imposing severe costs on Russia for their reckless invasion of Ukraine. NATO allies in close coordination with EU & other partners all over the world are now imposing severe economic sanctions on Russia: NATO Secy-Gen

Three civilians were killed in the shelling in Donetsk region. Russia taday morning launched a full-scale attack in Ukraine. 

Turkey has called on Russia to halt what it describes as unfair and unlawful actions in Ukraine. A Turkish Foreign Ministry statement on Thursday said the Russian attacks were unacceptable and that Turkey rejects them. "This attack, beyond destroying the Minsk agreements, is a grave violation of international law and poses a serious threat to the security of our region and of the world," the ministry statement said, referring to deals that aimed to restore peace in eastern Ukraine.

NATO member Lithuania, which has borders with Russian ally Belarus and Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad on the Baltic Sea, has declared a state of emergency effective early Thursday afternoon due to the situation in Ukraine. The decree signed Thursday by Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda steps up border protection. It gives authorities, among other things, the right to check and inspect vehicles, persons and luggage in the border area. Lithuania also borders fellow NATO and European Union members Poland and Latvia.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said she will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation arising out of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Markets have been rattled by Russia's attack on the Eastern European country. When asked whether there will be a meeting with the Prime Minster on the Russia-Ukraine issue, Sitharaman said, "definitely". She was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine and the move has raised concerns over the possibility of a full-scale military confrontation between the two countries. The 30-share benchmark Sensex crashed over 2,700 points in line with global meltdown amid invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

NATO urges Russia to immediately end military action in Ukraine and withdraw forces and choose diplomacy.

Ukraine Army has claimed that a Russian plane was shot down over Luhansk Region. The Ukraine Army claimed that this is the seventh Russian plane that has been shot down.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said she has summoned the Russian ambassador to UK to "explain Russia’s illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine". Truss added that the UK will be imposing "severe sanctions" and rallying countries in support of Ukraine.

Belgium immigration official says "Russians are not welcome here," calls on EU states to stop issuing visas.

NATO will hold a virtual summit on Ukraine on Feb 25, Bloomberg reports.

German Chancellor: European Union will adopt new sanctions against Russia on Thursday.

Two Russian civilian cargo ships hit by Ukraine Forces' missile attack in Sea of Azov — Russian Security Service

Indian ambassador to Ukraine says air space is closed, railway schedules are in flux and roads are crammed. "I would request everyone to stay calm and face situation with fortitude," he said.

I spoke to Malayali students in Ukraine on phone. Indian students in the southern areas of Ukraine have told us that they're getting food, water & power. Students & parents should not panic. Our govt has brought back Indians even from places like Iraq: MoS MEA V. Muraleedharan

In view of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, CM has expressed concern over safety of people who've gone from Maharashtra for industry, education and business, and has instructed the Chief Secretary to coordinate with the Centre and keep in touch with them: Maharashtra CM's Secretariat

Situation is highly tense and very uncertain; it is causing a lot of anxiety: Indian envoy in Ukraine.

China FM spokesperson accuses the US of ‘inciting war’ in Ukraine. Hua Chunying has said the Russia-Ukraine situation reflects a 'complex historical background,' after Moscow implemented a 'military operation' in Donbass.

NATO envoys agree to beef up air, land and sea forces on its eastern flank near Ukraine and Russia, reports AP. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called an emergency meeting to discuss the current situation arising out of Russia's attack on Ukraine. Sources told India TV that the meeting will be attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and other top government officials. 

Just what a vulnerable world economy didn't need a conflict that accelerates inflation, rattles markets and portends trouble for everyone from European consumers to indebted Chinese developers and families in Africa that face soaring food prices. Russia's attack on Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions from the West may not portend another global recession. The two countries together account for less than 2% of the world's gross domestic product. And many regional economies remain in solid shape, having rebounded swiftly from the pandemic recession. Yet the conflict threatens to inflict severe economic damage on some countries and industries ù damage that could mean hardships for millions of people. Russia is the world's third-biggest producer of petroleum and is a major exporter of natural gas. Ukraine's farms feed millions around the world. And financial markets are in a precarious spot as central banks prepare to reverse years of easy-money policies and raise interest rates to fight a resurgence of inflation. Those higher rates will likely slow spending and raise the risk of another downturn.

Russian forces have entered the Sumy city in Ukraine and hoisted the national flag of their country. Sumy is a city in north-eastern party of the country. 

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will make a televised statement about Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Thursday morning and address parliament in the afternoon.

Ukraine has claimed that 50 Russian soldiers were killed as they invaded the country. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged global leaders to provide defence assistance and help protect its airspace from Russia.

Frightened Ukrainians took to metro stations in the capital Kyiv on Thursday as air raid sirens rang out across the country's main cities following Russia's launch of its feared military attack

National Guard servicemen destroy four Russian tanks on a bypass road near Kharkiv The enemy suffers losses. The Ukrainian military is defending in all directions!: Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities. Russia treacherously attacked our state in the morning, as Nazi Germany did in WW-II years. As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history.  Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but is defending itself & Ukraine won't give up its freedom no matter what Moscow thinks.

An adviser to Ukraine's president says about 40 soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed so far in the Russian attack on the country. leksii Arestovich, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Thursday that several dozen people have been wounded. He didn't specify whether the casualties included civilians. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian authorities will hand weapons to all those willing to defend the country. "The future of the Ukrainian people depends on every Ukrainian," he said, urging all those who can defend the country to come to the Interior Ministry's assembly facilities.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday said at least ten students of the state are stranded in Ukraine, and the government is working with the Indian Embassy there and Ministry of External Affairs to bring them back home safely. He said that he will also be speaking to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in this regard. "At the time when war broke out between Russia and Ukraine, about hundred Indian students were on their way to the airport in two buses and got stranded, as the flights could not land. More than 10 are from Karnataka, we are gathering information about them," Bommai said.

China, a close ally of Russia, on Thursday reacted guardedly to President Vladimir Putin's "special military operation" in Ukraine, calling on all parties to exercise restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control. In a televised address, Putin said Russia's move to launch a military operation in Ukraine came in response to threats emanating from the neighbouring country. He also warned other countries that if they attempted to interfere with the Russian military operation they would see "consequences they have never seen". 

Several students from Gujarat who are studying in Ukraine have made a desperate appeal that they be evacuated, as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in the east European country on Thursday. While the Gujarat government has not specified the exact number of students from the state still stuck in Ukraine, Gujarat Education Minister Jitu Vaghani gave an assurance on Thursday that the Centre as well as the Indian Embassy in Ukraine were doing everything possible to ensure the safe return of the students. "All Indian citizens, including these students, were already given emergency contact numbers. The students must remain in touch with the Embassy in Ukraine," Vaghani, who is also the state government's spokesperson, told reporters.  Recently, several stranded Indians, including Gujarati students, were brought back in a flight, he said. "But, some Gujaratis could not board the flight at that time. Now, the situation is worsening there," the minister noted. "I want to assure the students that their safety is the priority of the Indian government. Our government had evacuated stranded Indians in the past and we will do it this time too," he said. The parents of four such students contacted Vadodara MP Ranjan Bhatt and sought her help.

Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for the rescue and safe return of Indians, including Punjabis, stuck in Ukraine. As Russia carries out a military operation in Ukraine, the Indian embassy has asked Indians in that country to maintain calm and remain safe wherever they are. "Deeply concerned over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. I urge Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi Ji to intervene for the rescue and safe return of Indians in general and Punjabis in particular, stuck in war-hit Ukraine," Channi tweeted.

NATO envoys met in emergency session Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a large-scale attack on Ukraine as the 30-nation military organisation prepares to bolster its defenses in allies neighbouring both countries. Preparations are also underway for a NATO summit. "This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in statement. The allies are meeting, he said, "to address the consequences of Russia's aggressive actions." While some member countries are supplying arms, ammunition and other equipment to Ukraine, NATO as an organisation is not, and it will not launch any military action in support of Ukraine, which is a close partner but has no prospect of joining. 

Ahead of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's maiden visit to Moscow, the US has communicated its position to Islamabad on Russia's "renewed invasion" of Ukraine, according to a senior state department official who emphasising that it was the "responsibility" of every country to voice objection to Russian President Vladimir Putin's actions. US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price said this while responding to a question during a briefing on Wednesday about how Washington saw Prime Minister Khan's visit to Moscow amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which has since escalated to an armed conflict. "Well, we're certainly aware of the trip," Price said. "We've communicated to Pakistan our position regarding Russia's further renewed invasion of Ukraine, and we have briefed them on our efforts to pursue diplomacy over war," Price said.

Ukrainian president urges world leaders to provide defence assistance, help protect Ukraine's airspace from Russia, reports AP.

Russia has suspended domestic flights to and from a number of airports near its border with Ukraine until the early hours of March 2, its federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya said in a statement on Thursday. Flights at airports in the cities of Rostov-on-Don, Krasnodar, Anapa, Gelendzhik, Belgorod, Voronezh and Stavropol, among others, are temporarily suspended, the agency said.

Security camera footage shows a line of Russian military vehicles crossing into Ukraine from Russian-annexed Crimea. Russian troops launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday. President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to consequences you have never seen.

Ukriane's President Volodymyr Zelensky said serious Work on Defense Underway - Everyone Needs to Help. The Ukrainian president has asked for citizens to stay updated, and remain alert. He added that banks are still functioning.

Ukraine has severed diplomatic ties with Russia, says President Volodymyr Zelensky

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". READ FULL STORY 

Lithuania declares state of emergency after Russian forces invade Ukraine, Reuters quotes Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the current events have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine & Ukrainian people. They are connected with defending Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage & are trying to use it against our country. People living in territories which are part of today’s Ukraine were not asked how they want to build their lives when the USSR was created or after WW2. People living in today’s Ukraine, anyone who want to do this, must be able to enjoy this right to make a free choice.

Ukraine says it has killed 'around 50 Russian occupiers'. The announcement came hours after Russia's ground forces crossed into Ukraine from several directions.

Moscow stock exchange continues to plummet, down more than 45%

Belarus's leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that his military is not taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, state media reported. "Our armed forces are not taking part in this operation," Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said. Moscow has stationed tens of thousands of troops in Belarus.

The head of Ukraine’s armed forces has received orders from President Vladimir Zelensky to “inflict maximum losses against the aggressor”.

Alternative arrangements are being made for evacuation of Indian nationals.

We will present a package of massive & targeted sanctions to European leaders for their approval. With this, we'll target strategic sectors of Russian economy by blocking their access to key technologies & markets. We'll weaken Russia's economic base & its capacity to modernise. In addition, we'll freeze Russian assets in EU & stop access of Russian banks to European financial market. Like with the first package of sanctions,we're closely aligned with partners & allies. These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin's interests and on their ability to finance the war: European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen

Anyone who is ready and able to hold a weapon can join the ranks of the Territorial Defence Forces: Ukraine Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, reports Reuters

EU official: European Union assessing the 'strongest, harshest package' of sanctions (against Russia) it has ever considered, reports AP. 

Additional Russian speaking officials sent to the Indian embassy in Ukraine & are being deployed in countries neighbouring it: Official sources.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has convened a meeting of NATO ambassadors to assess the invasion of Ukraine, which borders several NATO members. The meeting Thursday morning will address the situation in Ukraine and the consequences of Russia's unprovoked attack. Earlier, Stoltenberg had already condemned Russia's invasion. "Despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression," Stoltenberg said. He also warned Moscow that the alliance will will do all it takes to protect and defend NATO members. He called the invasion a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately.

MEA control room in Delhi being expanded and made operational on a 24x7 basis to assist the students and other Indian nationals in Ukraine, amid Russia Ukraine Conflict

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for European "unity" in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron after his country came under Russian attack, Macron's office said. Zelensky also called for "many interventions" to aid Ukraine, while Macron assured Ukraine of France's "support and solidarity," it said.

Poland on Thursday asked NATO to activate Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations if a member is threatened, after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. Poland's ambassador in Brussels, where NATO is based, "submitted a request to the NATO secretary general, together with a group of allies," Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller said. Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the alliance has repeatedly condemned Russia's aggressions against its neighbour.

Russia claims Ukrainian troops laying down weapons. The country also denied warplane downed over Ukraine

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine and said his country will respond in a speedy fashion in concert with the United States and other allies. "This Russian invasion stands to put at risk the basic principle of international order that forbids one-sided action of force in an attempt to change the status quo. We strongly condemn Russia, and we will respond speedily in cooperation with the US and other Western nations," he said at his official residence in Tokyo. Spain, France, Australia and Italy were among others condemning the attack. Germany and Turkey also warned their citizens in Ukraine to stay in a safe place. (AP)

The European Union says it is planning the “strongest, the harshest package” of sanctions it has ever considered at an emergency summit Thursday, as the Russian military attacked Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that “the target is the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order, and we will hold President (Vladimir) Putin accountable for that.” “We will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to European leaders for approval,” she said. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called it the “strongest, the harshest package” ever considered.

Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv, Ukraine. Ukraine border guards report the first death and say Russia's ground forces have crossed into Ukraine from several directions. 

Those travelling to Kyiv are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily: Indian embassy in Ukraine to Indians.

Indian Embassy in Ukraine is functional and its advisories should be followed carefully, say sources. Notably, high-level meetings are underway at the MEA. Contingency plans are being put into operation. Given airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are being activated.

High-level meetings are ongoing at MEA. Contingency plans are being put into operation. Given airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are being activated: Sources

Moscow stock market plunges nearly 29%. Russian attacks have now been reported in all parts of Ukraine

US President Joe Biden speaks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia has launched a full-scale invasion in the neighbouring country.  "Ukraine Pres Volodymyr Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight & we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked & unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on steps we're taking to rally int'l condemnation, incl tonight at the UNSC. He asked me to call on the leaders of the world to speak out clearly against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s flagrant aggression, and to stand with the people of Ukraine," Biden said. 

Present situation highly uncertain, please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are: Indian embassy in Ukraine to Indians.

US embassy announces security alert for US nationals in Ukraine following Russian President Putin declaring 'military operation' there. "US citizens in Ukraine are advised to shelter in place and take necessary action."

Defence of Ukraine tweeted: According to the OOS command, today, February 24, 22, 2 tanks and several trucks of the Russian Federation were destroyed in the area of the OS, in the area of Happiness. The combined forces give a worthy rebuff to the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Military units in their positions.

Ukrainian Armed Forces troops are leaving advanced positions throughout the contact line en masse, according to the LPR — TASS

Ukraine says at least 7 killed, 9 wounded in Russian shelling: Reuters. Putin today morning said 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".

With Russian troops launching an offensive against Ukraine, senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Thursday said however much one appreciates Moscow's legitimate security concerns, resort to war is impossible to accept or justify, and India should demand that Russians "stop". Tharoor also slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan over his visit to Russia amid the developments and cited the example of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who in 1979 as the then foreign minister had cut short his visit to China when Beijing attacked Vietnam.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has convened a meeting of NATO ambassadors to assess the invasion of Ukraine, which borders several NATO members. The meeting Thursday morning will address the situation in Ukraine and the consequences of Russia's unprovoked attack. Earlier, Stoltenberg had already condemned Russia's invasion. "Despite our repeated warnings and tireless efforts to engage in diplomacy, Russia has chosen the path of aggression," Stoltenberg said. He also warned Moscow that the alliance will will "do all it takes to protect and defend" NATO members. He called the invasion a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security. I call on Russia to cease its military action immediately.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan is ending his two-day visit to Moscow, hours after Russia began a military operation in Ukraine. Pakistani government officials have offered few details on the substance of Khan's visit, which was planned more than a month ago and was expected to focus on Pakistan's energy needs. It was the first visit to Moscow by a Pakistani leader in more than 20 years. Khan was to have met with Russian President Vladimir Putin following his arrival on Wednesday, though the foreign ministry has not spoken of it. Khan's decision to still go ahead with the visit despite a growing fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine surprised some analysts. In recent years Pakistan has grown closer to Russia, which has traditional ties with Islamabad's long-time foe and neighbour India. Russia and Pakistan have shared military exercises and grown closer as peace was sought to the relentless conflict in Afghanistan.

Russian-backed separatists say they now control two towns in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, according to news agency Reuters

Russia's attack on Ukraine "shakes the foundation of the international order", Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Thursday, strongly condemning the military incursion. "The latest Russian invasion shakes the foundation of the international order, which does not permit unilateral attempts to change the status quo," he told reporters after a meeting of the country's security council.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday lashed Russia's attack on Ukraine as "unjustified and unjustifiable," saying Europe and NATO were working on an immediate response. "The Italian Government condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine. It is unjustified and unjustifiable. Italy is close to the Ukrainian people and institutions in this dramatic moment. We are working with European and NATO allies to respond immediately, with unity and determination," Draghi said in a statement.

Today, on 24 of February, at 5.00 AM the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched an intensive shelling of our units on east, delivered missile/bomb strikes on airfields in Boryspil, Ozerne, Kulbakino, Chuhuiv, Kramatorsk, Chornobaivka, as well as on military infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time the aggressor started artillery shelling of the areas and settlements along the state border and administrative boundary with temporarily occupied territory of Crimea. National Defence Forces, using the right for self-defence according to the article 51 of the United Nations Charter are countering with dignity the enemy`s attempts to break through the state border. Situation is controlled. The Russian troops are suffering losses. In the Joined Forces Operation area 5 aircraft and 2 helicopters of Russian Aerospace Forces were shot, two tanks were damaged, several trucks of the armed forces of the Russian Federation were destroyed. The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine gave orders to inflict the maximum losses to the aggressor. There are no losses among the defenders of Ukraine. We are on our land and we will not give it up! Together to the Victory!

India is looking at ways to assist its nationals, especially students, in Ukraine amid fears of a larger conflict after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation against the eastern European country. Official sources said India is closely monitoring the "rapidly changing" situation in Ukraine and how to assist the Indians in that country. "We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. Focus is on safety and security of Indians, particularly students," said a source. It said the control room set by the Ministry of External Affairs a few days back is being expanded and made operational on a 24x7 basis. READ FULL STORY 

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has termed Russian President Vladimir Putin announcement of a special military operation in Ukraine as the 'saddest moment in my tenure', while Security Council members blasted the Russian leader for the unprovoked and unjustified action and for delivering a message of war. "This is the saddest moment in my tenure as Secretary-General of the United Nations. I started this meeting of the Security Council addressing President Putin and telling him from the bottom of my heart: Stop your troops from an offensive against Ukraine, give peace a chance because too many people have died," Guterres told reporters at the UN headquarters. READ FULL STORY 

Russian military forces enter into Kharkiv, a city in northeast Ukraine.  Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he unleashed an attack on Ukraine in a televised address early Thursday, drawing international condemnation.

I continue negotiations with the leaders. Received support from the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. The world is with us: Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The top European Union chiefs said the invasion of Ukraine will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia and that more sanction will be in the offing. The 27-nation bloc already issued sanctions on Russia for its recognition of breakaway republics in Ukraine earlier this week, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will outline a further sanctions package. The 27 EU leaders will discuss them later Thursday at a summit meeting and they could be imposed soon after. 

China is advising its people in Ukraine to stay home because of ongoing military actions and chaos but made no mention of Russian forces. The notice issued on its Kyiv embassy's social media account Thursday said: "Social order is chaotic and out of control, especially in the cities where at times of serious unrest." It said a person walking on the streets could be a target of attack and traffic could be stopped at any time. It added that people should remain calm and contact local authorities if they come into danger.

Map of Russian attacks across Ukraine

India says focus is on safety & security of Indians, particularly students: Official sources on Ukraine crisis. "We are closely monitoring rapidly changing situation."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday sharply condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine calling it a terrible day for Ukraine and a dark day for Europe. The chancellor said that the Russian attack on Ukraine is a blatant violation of international law. It cannot be justified by anything. He added that Germany condemns this reckless act by President Putin in the strongest possible terms. Scholz said in a written statement that ôour solidarity is with Ukraine and its people. Russia must stop this military action immediately". He added Germany would coordinate closely with others within the framework of the Group of Seven, NATO and the European Union.

Ukraine says enemy forces have seized control of 2 villages in country's east, according to BNO News

Hundreds of Ukrainian service members believed to have been killed in Russian attacks, Ukrainian official says, according to BNO News

As Russia began a military strike against Ukraine on Thursday, reports surfaced that Twitter blocked several accounts of researchers sharing footage and other information about Russian invasion. Several researchers sharing Russia-Ukraine information found their Twitter accounts unexpectedly suspended.

China, a close ally of Russia, has called on all parties involved in the Ukrainian issue to exercise restraint and avoid taking any action that may aggravate tensions. However, it is not clear whether Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, made the statement after Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians. "In the current context, all parties concerned should exercise restraint, and avoid taking any action that may aggravate tensions," Zhang told the plenary meeting of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on Ukraine, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday.

Ukraine's border guard agency says the Russian military has attacked the country from neighbouring Belarus. The agency said the Russian troops unleashed artillery barrage as part of an attack backed by Belarus. They said the Ukrainian border guards were firing back, adding that there was no immediate report of casualties. Russian troops have deployed to its ally Belarus for military drills, a move that the West saw as a prelude to an invasion of Ukraine. The Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is about 75 km (50 miles) south of the border with Belarus. (AP)

Luhansk announces military operation to seize other areas it claims in eastern Ukraine. Luhansk is a city in eastern Ukraine, near the border with Russia in the disputed Donbas region.

Europe warns of airspace risks around Ukraine, reports AP. President Vladimir Putin announced Russian military action in Ukraine.

Russia's Defense Ministry says Ukrainian air defenses have been 'neutralized' - according to TASS

Ukraine's military says 5 enemy planes and a helicopter shot down in country's east, according to BNONews

Today, February 24, at 5.00 am, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began intense shelling of our units in the east, and also launched rocket and bomb attacks on airfields in Boryspil, Ozernoye, Kulbakin, Chuguev, Kramatorsk, Chornobayevka, as well as on military facilities. Of Ukraine. At the same time, the aggressor began artillery shelling of the territory and settlements of Ukraine along the state border. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is repelling an air attack by the invader. The state defense forces are in full combat readiness, have taken and hold defensive positions. The situation is under control. Information about the landing of Russian troops in Odessa is not true. Let's win together!

With rare but fragile alignment, the US Congress is largely backing President Joe Biden's decision to confront Russia with potentially escalating sanctions for the crisis in Ukraine as lawmakers brace for perhaps the most daunting foreign policy crisis the nation has faced in a generation. 

"It's too late, my dear colleagues, to speak about de-escalation," Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya told the council. "I call on every one of you to do everything possible to stop the war." In a spontaneous exchange not often seen in the council chamber, Kyslytsya challenged his Russian counterpart to say that his country wasn't at that very moment bombing and shelling Ukraine or moving troops into it. "You have a smartphone. You can call" officials in Moscow, Kyslytsya said. "I have already said all I know at this point," Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia responded. 

Russian fighter jets hover in Ukrainian sky, paratroopers descend. Air raid sirens sound off in centre of Kyiv

Ukraine under attack along Russia, Belarus borders: border guards. Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in eastern Ukraine's Donbas region, which the authorities in Kiev have described as a "full-scale invasion".

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says Russia’s attack on Ukraine — as he appealed for President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops — was “the saddest moment” of his five-year tenure. The U.N. chief opened the emergency Security Council meeting late Wednesday by urgently appealing to Putin: “In the name of humanity, bring your troops back to Russia.” But during the meeting, Putin announced that he was launching a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine. Guterres later urged the Russian president to withdraw his troops and added: “In the name of humanity do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century, with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation, but with an impact we cannot even foresee in relation to the consequences for the global economy.” A war would cause deaths and displacement and people will lose hope in the future, Guterres said, adding Russia’s actions would harm the global economy. “What is clear for me is that this war doesn’t make any sense,” Guterres said, stressing that it violates the U.N. Charter and will cause a level of suffering if it doesn’t stop that Europe hasn’t know since at least the 1990s Balkans crisis.

Strongly condemn Russia's unjustified attack on Ukraine: President of EU Commission

 Map of Russian attacks across Ukraine

Ukraine's President declares martial law, urges citizens to not panic as Russia launches military strikes. Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in eastern Ukraine.

Russian military says it has targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military assets, hasn't targeted populated areas. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorised a "special operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region, media reports have claimed.

Moscow Stock Exchange on Thursday suspended trading amid Ukraine-Russia tensions. In a short release on its website, the exchange said: "Moscow Exchange has suspended trading on all of its markets until further notice."

Missiles, blasts hit multiple cities in Ukraine as Russian military moves into Ukraine. Putin has announced military operation on Ukraine and urged Ukrainian servicemen to immediately put down arms and go home.

The world must act immediately. Devastating & swift sanctions on Russia NOW. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine. Financial and Humanitarian assistance. . Future of Europe & the world is at stake: Ukraine Foreign Minister

Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant on Thursday sought the help of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for the safe return of Goans who are currently in the crisis-hit Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians. Sawant in a Twitter post said, "We are concerned about the Goans in Ukraine who are considering to return to India in the light of ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. I request Union Minister for External Affairs @DrSJaishankar ji for help in the safe return of Goans. I am keeping track of the situation."

Explosions heard in Kharkiv, a major Ukrainian city just south of the Russian border, after Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation. Ukrainian forces in the city have been battling Moscow-backed insurgents since 2014. 

Asian stock markets have plunged and oil prices surged after President Vladimir Putin announced Russian military action in Ukraine. Market benchmarks in Tokyo and Seoul fell 2% and Hong Kong and Sydney lost more than 3% Thursday. Oil prices jumped nearly $3 per barrel on unease about possible disruption of Russian supplies. Earlier, Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1.8% to an eight-month low after the Kremlin said rebels in eastern Ukraine asked for military assistance. Investors already were uneasy about the possible impact of the Federal Reserve’s plans to try to cool inflation by withdrawing ultra-low interest rates and other stimulus that boosted share prices.

Ukraine's parliament and other government and banking websites were hit with another punishing wave of distributed-denial-of-service attacks, and cybersecurity researchers said unidentified attackers had also infected hundreds of computers with destructive malware. Some of the infected computers were in neighbouring Latvia and Lithuania, the researchers said. Officials have long expected cyber attacks to precede and accompany any Russian military incursion, and analysts said the activity hewed to Russia's playbook of wedding cyber operations with real-world aggression. ESET Research Labs said it detected a previously unseen piece of data-wiping malware Wednesday on ôhundreds of machines in the country.ö It was not clear how many networks were affected.

It is Ukraine, not Russia, where the economy is eroding the fastest. One by one, embassies and international offices in Kyiv have closed. Flight after flight was cancelled when insurance companies balked at covering planes arriving in Ukraine. Hundreds of millions of dollars in investment dried up within weeks. The squeezing of Ukraine's economy  is a key destabilizing tactic in what the government describes as hybrid warfare intended to eat away at the country from within. 

Ukraine's forces are no match for Moscow's military might, so Kyiv is counting on other countries to hit Russia hard with sanctions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter that the West should target Putin where it hurts without delay. "Hit his economy and cronies. Hit more. Hit hard. Hit now," Kuleba wrote.

Speaking in Russian, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave an emotional address early Thursday. "The people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine want peace," he said.

Air India flight AI1947 is coming back to Delhi due to NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) at, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Domestic equity gauges Sensex and Nifty crashed over 2.5 per cent in early morning deals on Thursday following massive selloffs in global share markets after Russia announced military operation in Ukraine. FULL STORY 

A special flight from Ukraine comprising Indian nationals including students lands in Delhi.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba accused Russia's leader President Vladimir Putin of launching a "full-scale invasion" on Thursday, as explosions were heard in cities around the country, reported AFP. "Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes," Kuleba tweeted. "This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Ukraine, and he is warning other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to consequences they have never seen. Before Putin's announcement, world leaders worked to maintain a united stance and vowed to impose tougher sanctions in the event of a full-fledged invasion. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday night at Ukraine's request. READ FULL STORY 

Ukraine's ambassador at the United Nations has told the Security Council that Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared war on Ukraine. He also pressed his Russian counterpart to state that Russia will not shell and bomb Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said Wednesday night that if Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia was not in a position to give a positive answer, he should relinquish the presidency of the Security Council, which Russia holds this month. The Ukrainian then asked for another emergency meeting of the Security Council, calling on the UN body to stop the war because it's too late to talk about de-escalation. Kyslytsya then asked if he should play the video of Putin announcing military operations being launched in Ukraine. Nebenzia replied: This isn't called a war. This is called a special military operation in Donbas. (AP) 

Explosions heard in Ukrainian cities of Odesa, Kharkiv as Putin announces launch of military action. (AP) 

Explosions heard in Ukraine's capital Kyiv and the eastern port city of Mariupol, shortly after Russia announced an operation to "demilitarise" the country. Hearing artillery fire in Mariupol.

Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now: Ukraine Foreign Minister

'Explosions' reported across Ukraine as Russia orders 'special operation' in Donbass, according to Russia Today, Russia state-affiliated media.

Sensex slips 1,428.34 points, currently at 55,803.72. Nifty at 16,647.00 currently, down by 413.35 points. This is an immediate opening, post the announcement of a 'military operation' in Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia Representative: Special operation declared by President Putin is to protect the people of Ukraine who have been suffering for years. We aim to de-genocide Ukraine... Decision made in line with Article 51 of UN charter... We will analyze the situation (in Ukraine). 

Ukraine Representative to Russian Representative - Russian President on record declared war...It's the responsibility of this body to stop this war. I call on everyone to stop the war. "Should I play the video of your president calling the war." 

The 15-nation UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Ukraine late Wednesday night, the second meeting this week and the fourth since January 31 as tensions escalated between Russia and Ukraine. As the UNSC meeting was underway, during which UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres made a direct appeal to Putin to stop your troops from attacking Ukraine, the Russian leader announced a military operation in eastern Ukraine.

India called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine and cautioned that the situation is in danger of spiraling into a major crisis, just as Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his decision to launch a 'military operation' in eastern Ukraine. READ FULL STORY 

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has made a direct and strong appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from attacking Ukraine and "give peace a chance". Guterres addressed an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine late Wednesday night, the second meeting this week and the fourth since January 31 as tensions escalated between Russia and Ukraine. Earlier in the day, the UN chief had addressed the UN General Assembly meeting on Ukraine. "I want to reaffirm what I expressed this morning in the meeting in the General Assembly, but of course it would not make any sense to bother you reading again the same text that I am sure you are all aware of," Guterres said in his brief off-the-cuff remarks at the Security Council meeting requested by Ukraine.

Explosion heard in Kyiv, news agency AFP reported. Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in eastern Ukraine, claiming it’s intended to protect civilians. In a televised address early Thursday, Putin says the action comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine.

Ukraine Russia Crisis: Oil prices break $100 on Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine. (Source AFP) READ FULL STORY 

Russia alone is responsible for the death & destruction this attack will bring. The US & its allies will respond in a united & decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable: US President Joe Biden on Ukraine Russia crisis

I'll be monitoring the situation from White House this evening & get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I'll meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning... We'll coordinate with our NATO allies: US President Joe Biden

Anyone who tries to interfere with us, or even more so, to create threats for our country & our people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never before experienced in your history: Russian President Vladimir Putin

The UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Wednesday night at the request of Ukraine, which says there is an immediate threat of a Russian invasion.

Our plans (of special military operation) in Ukraine do not include occupying Ukrainian territory. We will aim at demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine : Russian President Vladimir Putin in his address

Airspace over all of Ukraine has been shut down to civilian air traffic, according to a notice posted to air crews early Thursday. A commercial flight tracking website shows that an Israeli El Al Boeing 787 from Tel Aviv to Toronto turned abruptly out of Ukrainian airspace before detouring over Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

US President Joe Biden denounces "unprovoked and unjustified" attack on Ukraine, pledges world will 'hold Russia accountable

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine, claiming it's intended to protect civilians.