Russia Ukraine War Updates: PM Modi talks to Presidents of France, Poland, European Council

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with H.E. Charles Michel, President of the European Council. The Prime Minister expressed his anguish over the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. He reiterated India’s appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. He stressed that the contemporary global order was anchored on international law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states.

At least 5 killed in Russian strike on Kyiv TV tower. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky says that in order to sit down at the negotiating table, it is necessary first to ceasefire.

A C-17 IAF aircraft is expected to fly out to Romania at 4 AM on Wednesday to bring back Indians: Foreign Secretary Shringla

Haryana govt has contacted 700 out of 1,786 students from the state studying in Ukraine, while 90 students have been brought back from the war-hit country, says CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Over the next 3 days, 26 flights have been scheduled to bring out Indian citizens apart from Bucharest and Budapest. Airports in Poland and Slovak will also be used: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

US Sec of State Blinken suggests Russia should be stripped of UN Human Rights Council membership

Met online with Foreign Ministers of the Weimar Triangle of Poland, France and Germany. I urged to step up sanctions pressure on Russia to make it stop its war crimes in Ukraine, and provide Ukraine with more weapons, financial and humanitarian support: Dmytro Kuleba

An enemy plane bombing the city was shot down in Kharkiv. According to the head of the district administration Tetyana Tsybulnyk, the plane crashed near the Losk market and was shot down. This is the plane from which the bomb was dropped on a residential, says Ukraine

The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) on Tuesday said it will provide shelter and food to Indians evacuated from war-hit Ukraine and in transit to their hometowns in India. DSGMC president Harmeet Singh Kalka and general secretary Jagdip Singh Kahlon said that 16 families have contacted the Sikh body on its helpline number "+91-011-23712580-82" to help their relatives stuck in Ukraine.

PM had a telephonic conversation with French president Emmanuel Macron

China's foreign minister calls Ukraine counterpart, says 'deeply regrets' Russia conflict, says State media

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said on Feb. 28 that about 520,000 people had fled the country into bordering nations like Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and Slovakia since the start of Russia’s invasion.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky called for the recognition of Russia as a terrorist state.

Russia tells Kyiv residents living near intelligence infrastructure to evacuate

Harley-Davidson suspends its business in Russia and all shipments of its bikes to the country in light of Ukraine invasion

Adidas suspends partnership with Russian football federation: Spokesperson AFP Sports

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development permanently stopped the access of Russia and Belarus to their finances

The Divisional Administration Kashmir has established a helpline for stranded residents/students of Kashmir in Ukraine. In case of any assistance from the government, the concerned and their family members can contact on phone numbers---01942457312 & 01942473135, the administration said.

Russia must immediately withdraw its troops and end the "bloodshed" in Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Tuesday, warning of further sanctions to punish Moscow's aggression

PM holds high-level meeting on Ukraine situation.

The union will also ban the transaction of Russia’s Central Bank to paralyse billions of foreign reserves and "turn off the tap on Russia’s and Putin’s war," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The European Parliament has accepted Ukraine's application to join the European Union. A special admission procedure has begun.

UK says evicting Russia from UN Security Council among 'all options' on table, reports AFP

The special flight of Operation Ganga carrying Indian nationals has departed from Romanian capital Bucharest to Delhi

I know his family. They are very close to me. PM had spoken to the family. We will try our best to recover the body and bring it back to India. I have requested PMO and MEA to help us to recover mortals. Two persons were with him (A student who died in Ukraine). One of them also got injured. They are also from Chalageri and Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai on the death of a Karnataka student in Ukraine

At least 10 dead after Russian shelling on Ukraine's Kharkiv: Emergency services

The best decision the EU can make now is to accept Ukraine as a new full-fledged member of the European Union without delay. Historic times require big and historic decisions which can change the flow of events. This step is exactly such a decision:  Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy  in his address to the European Parliament said, "Today we pay for values, for rights, for freedom, just for the desire to be equal, the same as you, we pay with our best people, the strongest, extraordinary Ukrainians. I am glad that we have united all of you, the countries of the European Union, today, but I did not know that it would have such a high price – it's a tragedy for me, for every Ukrainian, for our country."

Zelenskyy receives a standing ovation after his address at European Parliament

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the father of Naveen Shekharappa, an Indian student who died in shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine this morning.

The next round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine may take place as early as March 2

Kiren Rijiju leaves for Slovakia to oversee evacuation of Indian Nationals stranded in Ukraine. "We'll be coordinating the overall evacuation operation in Slovakia & will seek co-operation from their government regarding visas for our students coming from Ukraine. Our top priority would be to bring them back safely," Union min Kiren Rijiju before leaving for Slovakia

The news of the death of Naveen, an Indian student trapped in Ukraine, is very sad. My deepest condolences to their families. May God give them courage in this time of sorrow. I request the government to make every effort to bring back all our students as soon as possible.

Iran's supreme leader said US policies are to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling for an end to the war that broke out last week

The UK government warned Tuesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commanders in Ukraine could face prosecution for war crimes and that Western sanctions would remain "for as long as it takes." Johnson made the comments during a visit to Poland, where he condemned Putin's "barbaric, indiscriminate" tactics against Ukrainian civilians.

More than 660,000 people have fled conflict area

UNHCR estimates one million internally displaced people in Ukraine

SpiceJet sends plane to Kosice in Slovakia to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine due to the Russian military offensive. Slovakia shares land border with Ukraine on western side

PM is reviewing the situation every day to bring our Indian citizens back. People are facing difficulty as no airstrip, airport is left in Ukraine. Still, we're talking to Ukrainian govt, neighbouring countries' govts to bring our citizens back: Defence Minister in Sant Kabir Nagar

Ministry of External affairs summons the Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to South Block and urges them to make arrangements to provide safe passage to Indian students who are stranded in Ukraine in the midst of Russian invasion into that country.

In Vasylivka, Zaporizhia region, enemy troops fired on a school, says Ukraine

Ukraine recalls ambassadors from Kyrgyzstan and Georgia

Ukraine's Zelensky says Russian shelling on Kharkiv a 'war crime'

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says NATO does not seek conflict with Russia, calls on Russia to stop its Op in Ukraine. NATO Secretary- General Jens Stoltenberg also meet Polish President Andrzej Duda at the Lask Air Base in central Poland for talks on the eastern flank's security, as Russia wages war on Ukraine, just across Poland's eastern border. Stoltenberg and Duda shook hands early Tuesday at the 32rd Tactical Air Base in Lask, where Polish and NATO fighter jets are based, including F-16s. The United States recently reinforced the eastern flank of NATO's territory with some 5,000 additional troops. 

Indians should stay put in "bomb shelters" and other safe locations in Ukraine till arrangements are made by Indian missions for their evacuation and safe return, former Army chief Gen NC Vij has said. His remarks came amid rising tensions in Ukraine in the wake of Russian military action. "They (Indians) are in bomb shelters and other places. They should not be moving around on the roadside looking for some arraignment till the time the immigration part is organized, and the embassy tells them about it. When you reach the immigration point, you will be taken care of because there is some arrangement already done on the ground. That is very important," Gen Vij told ANI. Gen Vij, a former Vice Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Indians including students in Ukraine should not move on their own to the border areas.

With several MPs receiving anxious calls from families of Indian nationals stuck in war-hit Ukraine, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has asked parliamentarians to directly contact his office to flag "particular concerns" and share information about such people. "Please be assured that we are taking cognizance of all enquiries and information. All of them will be attended to by Team MEA representatives on the ground," the Union minister said in a letter sent out to all MPs on Monday. He also shared an e-mail ID and WhatsApp numbers on which the MPs can share details. The government has launched "Operation Ganga" to evacuate Indian citizens, mostly students, from Ukraine, which has been attacked by Russia. The government had on Monday decided to send four ministers to several neighbouring countries of Ukraine to coordinate the evacuation exercise. "You are naturally getting many anxious enquiries from the families of students and other Indian nationals who are still in Ukraine, Ministry of External Affairs has set up a helpline for the public...," he said in his letter detailing its numbers and e-mail IDs. In addition, depending on which border the person concerned is moving towards, separate helplines have been set up in Indian embassies in Romania, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, he said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday said efforts are on to bring back Kannadigas from war-ravaged Ukraine and two officials have been deployed at Mumbai and New Delhi to help the state's people arriving from Ukraine reach their homes without any hassle. "The students who are in the north-eastern part of Ukraine are facing problems. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has been requested to make arrangements for their food and shelter and guide them to safety," Bommai told reporters.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefs President Ram Nath Kovind about evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine.

Over 9000 Indian nationals brought out of Ukraine while a considerable number are now in safer areas -We will continue to make utmost efforts to ensure the return our citizens stranded in Ukraine: Sources Therefore, it is imperative that Russia&Ukraine respond to our need for safe passage urgently. In places where the conflict has not endangered movement, we've been able to evacuate our citizens: Sources

Indian Youth Congress members staged a protest near External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's residence here, demanding safe evacuation of Indian students stranded in war-torn Ukraine. The protesters marched towards the minister's residence but the police stopped them on the Tughlaq road and detained some of them. "Instead of using force on us, the government should focus on bringing our students safely back home. The speed with which the Narendra Modi government is evacuating students, it will imperil their safety as the war is going on," said IYC national media coordinator Rahul Rao. He claimed that several youth Congress protesters were detained by the police and sent to Mandir Marg police station.

The Russian army will continue the special operation in Ukraine until the set goals are achieved, said the Minister of Defense of the Shoigu according to TASS

The future of global security is being determined right now in Ukraine, If Russia's violations go unpunished no country can feel safe, says Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Reuters

Shipping giant Maersk to stop deliveries to Russian ports: Statement.

Humanity cannot afford to be locked in a mindset that dredges up the worst of past centuries. We need to look forward as United Nations to overcome the scourge of war. We need to focus on solving problems, not making them worse.

According to Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, Foreign Secretary is calling in Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate demand for urgent safe passage for Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones. Similar action is also being undertaken by our Ambassadors in Russia and Ukraine. With profound sorrow we confirm that an Indian student lost his life in shelling in Kharkiv this morning. The Ministry is in touch with his family. We convey our deepest condolences to the family. READ FULL STORY

Britain's Treasury said Tuesday it was adding top lender Sberbank to its list of Russian entities sanctioned over the invasion of Ukraine. The move comes after the government on Monday said it would freeze the UK assets of all Russian banks, and ordered British ports to turn away Russian ships.

For Keralite Greeshma Rachel Thomas, the four years' of her life as a medical student in Chernivtsi had been a pleasant experience till last week. But, the generally calm but lively city in western part of Ukraine suddenly seemed to be gripped with anxiety and fear after the news of Russia's military onslaught in the European nation broke out last week. Long queues started forming in front of ATMs and grocery shops and anxious locals, who clearly knew they would be confined within their homes till the tension eases, could be seen buying articles in a frenzied spirit, she said. A fourth-year student of the Bukovinian State Medical University in Chernivtsi, Thomas said the city was not at all the same when she and her friends went out on the morning of February 25, a day after the Russian offensive began, to buy some essential articles. "There were long queues everywhere from right in front of ATMs to grocery shops. We did not get money from the first ATM counter as it went out of cash and we had to rush to the next one anxiously to find money for our travel," she told PTI. Hailing from Puthuppally in Kottayam district in the state, Thomas was one among the 250 Indian students who managed to reach the country the other day. "The scene was the same in shops also. Grocery shops were seen re-stocking articles at rapid speed as anxious local people started amassing essential articles fearing prolonged war," she said. The student said she and other Indian students did not bother to rush back home initially as the university authorities assured them that there was the least possibility for outbreak of war or such an emergency-like situation. It was also difficult for a majority of students to manage to find money for flight tickets at the last minute. "We had no idea what to do or where to go. Luckily, compared to many other cities, Chernivtsi was not that affected. I was included in the first list of 250 students, prepared by the university, to be sent to India," she said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone call with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko in which the two discussed talks between Ukraine and Russia at the Belarus-Ukraine border, the Turkish president's office said Tuesday. Erdogan told his Belarusian counterpart late Monday that NATO-member Turkey would continue to exert efforts to end the war and restore peace, it said in a statement. Ukrainian and Russian officials met on Monday for talks aimed at ending the Russian military assault on Ukraine. The talks yielded an agreement to keep talking. Turkey, which is trying to balance its support for Ukraine with its fragile economic ties to Russia, said Monday it is implementing an international convention that allows the country to shut down the straits at the entrance of the Black Sea to warships, to avoid an escalation of the conflict. Erdogan has said Turkey would ônot give upö on its close relations with either Moscow or Kyiv.

The leader of the Donetsk separatists, Pushilin, set the task of capturing Mariupol today. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine on February 24 and launched a large-scale invasion. Russian troops have been shelling and destroying key infrastructure facilities. Missiles hit residential buildings.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that the second round of talks aimed at ending Russia's attack on Ukraine will take place soon. The first set of talks, which were held in Belarus on Monday, ended with Kyiv slamming Russia's destructive processes'.

East Ukraine city Mariupol loses electricity after Russian attacks. Russia has increased its attack with Ukraine's President saying the stepped-up shelling was aimed at forcing Kyiv into concessions.

Britain's deputy prime minister again rejected calls for NATO to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, saying it would risk widening the war by putting the alliance in direct conflict with Russian forces. Dominic Raab told Sky News on Tuesday that Britain instead is pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course by working with other countries to ratchet up sanctions and investigate war crimes during the conflict. "We're not going to (impose a no-fly zone) because it would put us in a position where we would have to enforce it by, in effect, shooting down Russian planes," Raab said in an interview with Sky. The comments came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked NATO to impose a complete no-fly zone for Russian airplanes, helicopters and missiles. The UK Ministry of Defence on Tuesday said Russia had failed to gain control of the skies over Ukraine, forcing it to shift to night operations to reduce its losses. Russian forces have made little progress in their advance on the capital, Kyiv, over the past 24 hours probably because of logistical difficulties, the ministry said.

Central streets in Kharkiv. Six people were injured in the shelling, including one child, says the Ukrainian Emergencies Ministry.

Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba calls for full international isolation of Russia after "barbaric" Kharkiv stikes

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has directed state officials to make arrangements for the stay, food and transportation of students on their return to India from war-hit Ukraine. More than 180 students stuck in Ukraine have so far contacted a helpline set up by the Madhya Pradesh CM, according to a state government official. So far, 29 natives of Madhya Pradesh have returned from Ukraine, Chouhan said in an official statement after holding a meeting with state resident commissioner and other officials on Monday night. "After the students arrive in India, the officials should make arrangements for their stay, food and transportation to their homes. The students should not face any problems," Chouhan said. He said more students hailing from Madhya Pradesh are scheduled to arrive in Delhi and Mumbai on Tuesday by flights bringing back Indian nationals from Ukraine, where Russia has launched a military offensive. "The MP government is in touch with officials in the Ministry of External Affairs, who are communicating with the Ukrainian embassy officials to ensure the well-being of our students there," a government official said.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko says has no plans to take part in Russia's operation in Ukraine.

Head of the French Ministry of Finances: EU sanctions will cause the collapse of the Russian economy.

Ukraine conducts successful test of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet system.  Speeds reached over 200 megabits per second. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk provided Ukraine with the system to make sure that Russian forces aren’t able to take down Ukraine’s internet connectivity.

The International Volleyball Federation announced that the 2022 World Championship has been moved from Russia.

Finland will soon begin a parliamentary discussion on joining NATO. The alliance said Finland could be accepted within 24 hours after parliamentary approval. The Russian world has united Europe as never before.

The Russian military has denied targeting residential areas despite abundant evidence of shelling of homes, schools and hospitals. Meanwhile, 377,000 people crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border since February 24th. 

Kharkiv region head Oleg Synegubov says Russian missile attacks hit the centre of Ukraine's second-largest city, including residential areas and the city administration building, as Moscow started the day six of its invasion

Switzerland adopts EU sanctions, freezes Putin's assets. Switzerland broke its historically neutral status to adopt EU sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine.

The Russian forces shelled the rehabilitation centre of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine in the Kyiv region. In a video address by Yulia Laputina, Ukraine's Minister for Veterans' Affairs said the rehabilitation centre in the village of Borodyanka in the Kyiv region was recently shelled. "This action is a violation of international humanitarian law; it is an act of violence that will be punished," she said, Ukrainska Pravda reported. Earlier, while moving through the town of Borodyanka, the Russian military commanders ordered their tanks to deliberately destroy infrastructure and housing targets, and a separate group of tanks opened random fire on high-rise apartment buildings, the report said. Not far from Kyiv, a missile has hit the "Adonis" maternity hospital.

Taiwan says it sent 27 tons worth of medical supplies to Ukraine via a flight to Germany late Monday. Foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Joanne Ou told reporters Tuesday that Taiwan was happy to assist as a responsible member of the international community and a member of the democratic camp. Taiwan has strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and had said it would impose economic sanctions against Russia. It has yet to reveal what those sanctions were, but the island is a dominant manufacturer of semiconductor chips, which are crucial to tech products ranging from smartphones to cars.

Israel has begun sending 100 tons of humanitarian aid to assist people caught up in the fighting in Ukraine. An El Al plane was loaded with dozens of cardboard boxes Tuesday at the country's main international airport. Israel's Foreign Ministry says it is sending medical equipment and medicine, water purification systems, thousands of tents, blankets, sleeping bags and coats. The planes will land in Poland and the aid will be sent to Ukraine from there. Israel has repeatedly pledged its support for the people of Ukraine in the war. But it has been cautious in joining the West in condemning Russia. Israel relies on Russia for security coordination in Syria, where Russia has a military presence and where Israel over recent years has repeatedly struck weapons caches destined for its enemies and other targets.

Taiwan intends to support the disconnection of Russian banks from SWIFT. Prior to this, only one country had been cut off from SWIFT — Iran — resulting in the nation losing a third of its foreign trade.

Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov said that Russian troops continue to shell the city and have begun to blow up power substations. Terekhov said on Ukrainian TV channels that the shelling of Kharkiv continues. More than 87 houses have been damaged. There are people who were trapped. Now we are eliminating these blockages. "The invaders have begun to blow up the substations that supply us with electricity. Some districts of Kharkiv are already disconnected from electricity, and, accordingly, there are problems with water and heat supply. That is why I can tell you that what happened, and is happening in Kharkiv today is genocide. Not an operation but a war to destroy the people... This is a crime against the whole world," Terekhov said, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

The Sri Lankan government has decided to extend the visas of over 15,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists in the country for two months. The cabinet on Monday night approved the visa extension proposal by Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga over the tensions in Ukraine, and agreed that the visa extension should be done without any charges, Xinhua news agency reported. According to Sri Lanka's Ministry of Tourism, there are currently 11,463 Russian and 3,993 Ukrainian tourists in the country.

The EU will transfer space intelligence data on Russian troops to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian troops have intensified shelling of Ukraine.

The consequences of Putin's war will play out in regions already experiencing acute food insecurity and in food-importing countries that are most vulnerable to supply shocks and price increases. Russia's invasion has put global stocks of grains and oilseeds into question and caused energy prices to soar, throwing fuel onto the fire and risking pushing food insecurity skyward, says Caitlin Welsh, Director of the Global Food Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. The impacts of disruption to agriculture in the Black Sea region could take months, or even years, to play out. Beyond pain at the gas pump, Americans will continue to experience sticker shock in the checkout line, with global food and fuel supply disruptions leading to even higher food prices, Welsh said.

Russian forces have increased their use of artillery north of Kyiv & in the vicinities of Kharkiv & Chernihiv. The use of heavy artillery in densely populated urban areas greatly increases the risk of civilian casualties: UK Ministry of Defence

The United States on Monday said it is regularly engaging with its partners such as India and UAE amid the rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine caused by Russia's large-scale military operations in the country. Answering a question during a press briefing, US State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said the US has a "very close relationship" with India and they have discussed their concerns on the Ukraine conflict. "We have regular engagement with our Indian partners. We have regular engagement with our Emirati partners. We have regular engagement with our European allies and our European partners. So at every level in multiple fora we have had discussions about this," Price said.

The government has decided to scale up the ongoing evacuation efforts under Operational Ganga from war-torn Ukraine. Sources said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the Indian Air Force to join the operation launched by the government to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine, news agency PTI reported. READ FULL STORY 

Several Indian students stuck in eastern parts of Ukraine, which is largely affected by the Russian military offensive, are facing a grim situation as it is difficult for them to travel by road to reach the western borders and move out of the war-hit country, one of the students returned to India said here on Tuesday. A number of students evacuated from Ukraine arrived in Mumbai by an Air India Express flight from the Romanian capital Bucharest on Tuesday morning. Talking to reporters at the Mumbai airport, one of the evacuees, Nishi Malkani said the university where she was studying is located in west Ukraine, where the situation is comparatively better. "We hid in our hostels for a couple of days and then managed to reach the western border quickly. Thousands of students in  educational institutions in the eastern parts of Ukraine are facing a grim situation as travelling by road from there is extremely difficult," she said. "There should be more efforts to provide an access to those students for safe return," she said. 

The EU has expanded the sanctions list of officials who were complicit in the Russian military aggression from the territory of Belarus. The EU ambassadors decided to impose visa sanctions against 22 more people.

PM Narendra Modi meets President Ram Nath Kovind and briefs him on various issues including Ukraine.

Belarus will face serious consequences in case Lukashenko continues to support Putin's aggression against Ukraine, U.S. State Department spokesman said during a briefing.

The mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolykhayev, has said that Russian military has blocked the city. "The Russian army has set up roadblocks at the entrances to Kherson. It is difficult to say how the situation will develop," he said.

Three major Hollywood studios have moved to pause their upcoming theatrical releases in Russia, including rolling out The Batman in theaters there this week. Warner Bros., the Walt Disney Co. and Sony Pictures s aid Monday that they would pause the release of their films in Russia. Each studio has significant upcoming releases that had been set to debut internationally in the coming weeks.

A medical student from Meghalaya has returned home from Ukraine but 16 others from the state are still stranded in the war-torn country, officials said. Ishika Debnath, a resident of Laitumkhrah area in Shillong, has arrived here on Sunday after taking a flight from Ukraine's neighbour Romania, they said. A student of Bukovanian State Medical University, Debnath had taken the flight after crossing the Ukraine-Romania border with the help of the Indian Embassy, her parents said. Debnath said she boarded a bus from her university and reached the border on February 24. "We got off the bus and walked for around 4-5 km before crossing the border, and were then escorted to the airport," she said. Debnath said she heaved a sigh of relief after finding her name in the second Indian Embassy list of 240 students who would be evacuated. "There were some Assam students from my batch, and I was the only one from Meghalaya," she said. At least 16 other students from the state are still stranded in Ukraine. Chief Secretary R V Suchiang said that the state government is in constant touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the safe return of the remaining students.

Canada will supply anti-tank weapons and upgraded ammunition to Ukraine to support its fight against a Russian invasion, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday, and it will ban imports of Russian crude oil. "Canada will continue to deliver support for Ukraine's heroic defense against the Russian military," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. "We are announcing our intention to ban all imports of crude oil from Russia, an industry that has benefited President Putin and his oligarchs greatly."

A delegation of former US defence officials is visiting Taiwan this week in a sign of stepped-up communication between the sides amid the looming threat from China. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen is leading the five-person delegation that is due to arrive later Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen and other top officials during the two-day visit. Separately, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was due to arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday. Pompeo, who also formerly led the Central Intelligence Agency, will also meet with Tsai and address a forum prior to his departure Saturday, according to the Foreign Ministry. 

 More than 70 Ukrainian soldiers killed after Russian artillery hits a military base in Okhtyrka, a city between Kharkiv and Kiev – head of region

Australia will provide Ukraine with $50 million in missiles, ammunition and other military hardware to fight Russian invaders. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday elaborated on his country's plans after revealing a day earlier that his government would provide Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with lethal military equipment. Morrison promised only non-lethal military equipment last week. 

Ukraine's ambassador to the US is telling senators her country needs more military weapons as it fights the Russian invasion. Senators emerged from a Monday evening meeting with Ambassador Oksana Markarova at the Capitol as Congress is preparing supplemental funding to help Ukraine during the crisis. The White House is seeking at least $6.4 billion in military and humanitarian aid. “They need more arms,” said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., the chairman of the Intelligence Committee. “It's David versus Goliath,” said Sen. Jim Risch of Idaho, the top Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee. “I think that any human being reading the reports coming out of there realise that this is dire.” Senators in the US are working to provide ammunition such as anti-tank and anti-aircraft systems to Ukraine -- what Risch called an “all of the above” effort.

The procedure for reviewing Ukraine's application for EU membership has started. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had earlier signed Ukraines European Union membership application.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed Ukraines European Union membership application. Deputy Head of the President's Office, Andriy Sybiga, said that Zelenskyy has just signed a historically significant document: Ukraine's European Union membership application, Ukrainska Pravda reported. He also signed a joint request with the head of the Verkhovna Rada [Parliament] of Ukraine and Prime Minister Dmytro Shmygal. The documents are already on their way to Brussels. Zelenskyy said: "I have signed Ukraine's European Union membership application. I am sure that we can achieve this."

American lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the United States in connection with the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Senators Bob Menendez, Dick Durbin, and Rob Portman are among them.

Western Media outlets report that the decision on granting Ukraine the status of an EU candidate is likely to be made as early as today.

Air raid sirens go off in Vinnytsia. Residents should head to the nearest shelter. Today is the 6th day of war between Russia and Ukraine.

An Air India Express flight carrying 182 Indians nationals from war-torn Ukraine landed here from the Romanian capital Bucharest on Tuesday morning, an airline spokesperson said. The AI Express flight IX-1202 from Bucharest via Kuwait touched down the runway at 7.40 am, he said. An aircraft to bring back Indian nationals from Ukraine had left from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) for Bucharest on Monday. This is the second evacuation flight operated to Mumbai from Bucharest to bring back Indians from war-hit Ukraine since February 27.

Satellite photos show a convoy of Russian forces north of Ukraine's capital stretching for 40 miles.

The vast convoy of armored vehicles, tanks, artillery and support vehicles was 17 miles (25 kilometers) from the center of Kyiv and stretched for about 40 miles, according to satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies.

International Ice Hockey Federation Council, in a statement, suspends all Russian & Belarusian National Teams & Clubs from participation in every age category & in all IIHF competitions or events, until further notice.

The IIHF Council withdraws the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship hosting rights from Russia. 

It will initiate discussions in the coming months to find a new host for the event.

EU sanctions (Russian President) Putin's spokesman, oligarchs, journalists

EU, allies preparing new sanctions against Russia

US says 12 Russian UN staff expelled for non-diplomatic 'activities'

Trudeau (Canada PM) announces Canada ban on Russian oil imports

Russian Defence Ministry confirms that all peaceful citizens of Kyiv can leave the capital of Ukraine without hindrance via Kyiv-Vasilkov road which is open and safe. This operation doesn't impact critical civilian infrastructure, says Russia representative at UNSC meeting on 

Over 5 days of operation, there hasn't been a single documented case of targetted destruction or evidence of the death of civilians caused by the Russian military... people are trying to blame us for what's being done by Ukraine itself, says Russia at UNSC meeting 

Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba asks "the International Court of Justice to hold a hearing on Ukraine’s request as soon as possible and call upon Russia to immediately halt all military activity in Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy seeks ban on Russia in all global airports and ports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says it was time to consider a no-fly zone for Russian missiles, planes, and helicopters after the bombardment of Kharkiv. 

Russia has carried out 56 rocket strikes and sent 113 cruise missiles in five days, according to Zelensky

On being asked if the US is considering installing a no-fly zone in Ukraine's airspace, the Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby denies, in a press conference at the Pentagon.

The World Rugby Executive Committee in a statement, with recommendations by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), immediately & fully suspends Russia and Belarus from all international rugby and cross-border club rugby activities, until further notice.

Rugby Union of Russia also stands fully & immediately suspended from World Rugby membership, until further notice, as per a statement by World Rugby

Russia has some of the best hackers in the world, but in the early days of the war in Ukraine, its ability to create mayhem through malware hasn't had much of a noticeable impact. Instead, it's Ukraine that's marshalled sympathetic volunteer hackers in an unprecedented collective global effort to make the Kremlin pay for making war on its neighbour.

It's a kind of cyber free-for-all that experts say risks escalating a moment already fraught with extraordinary danger after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on alert.

So far, Ukraine's internet mostly works, its president still able to rally global support via a smartphone, and its power plants and other critical infrastructure still able to function.

The kind of devastating cyberattacks thought likely to accompany a large-scale Russian military invasion haven't happened.

Russian forces shelled Ukraine's second-largest city on Monday, rocking a residential neighbourhood, and closed in on the capital, Kyiv, in a 17-mile convoy of hundreds of tanks and other vehicles, as talks aimed at stopping the fighting yielded only an agreement to keep talking. The country's embattled president said the stepped-up shelling was aimed at forcing him into concessions.

“I believe Russia is trying to put pressure (on Ukraine) with this simple method," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said late Monday in a video address.

He did not offer details of the hourslong talks that took place earlier, but said that Kyiv was not prepared to make concessions “when one side is hitting each other with rocket artillery.”

Amid ever-growing international condemnation, Russia found itself increasingly isolated five days into its invasion, while also facing unexpectedly fierce resistance on the ground in Ukraine and economic havoc at home.

A charitable non-profit organisation here has begun a helpline is helping in the evacuation of international students stranded in war-ravaged Ukraine by arranging for transportation to the nearest border check post and making all the necessary arrangements for food and other essential supplies for their journey, a press release said on Monday.

Sewa International already has over 4,000 students registered in its helpline, with its volunteers making concerted efforts to help evacuate another 400, the release stated.

Explosions and gunfire were heard in embattled cities in Ukraine on Monday as Russia’s invasion met with stiff resistance.

Sewa Europe, an independent partner organisation, and the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh are currently working on in ten Ukrainian cities.

The United States announced Monday it is expelling 12 members of the Russian Mission at the United Nations, accusing them of being “intelligence operatives” engaged in espionage.

The Biden administration's action came on the fifth day of Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, which has sparked condemnation from the United States and dozens of other countries.

The US Mission to the United Nations said in a statement that the Russian diplomats “have abused their privileges of residency in the United States by engaging in espionage activities that are adverse to our national security.” 

The mission said the expulsions have been “in development for several months” and are in accordance with the United States' agreement with the United Nations as host of the 193-member world body.