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Russia-Ukraine War: Over 50,000 Ukrainians flee country in 48 hours, says UN
More than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled their country in less than 48 hours, Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees said.
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More than 50,000 Ukrainians flee country in 48 hours: UN
Russia announces 'partial restriction' of access to Facebook over platform's ban of Kremlin-backed media, reports AP.
Latest advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated via Poland: Embassy of India in Poland and Lithuania
The first batch of evacuees from Ukraine reach Romania via the Suceava border crossing. Our team at Suceava will now facilitate travel to Bucharest for their onward journey to India: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi
UK Ministry of Defence released an update on Ukraine crisis:
Russian President Vladimir Putin to Ukrainian military- "Take power into your own hands": Reuters
International Chess Federation (FIDE) Council has decided that the 44th Chess Olympiad, including the competition for players with disabilities and the FIDE Congress, will not take place in Russia: FIDE (ANI)
In addition to the Control Rooms in the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi & the Embassy of India in Kyiv, the presence of MEA Teams have been expanded in western Ukraine and its neighbouring border regions to assist in the evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine: MEA
Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted, "Call with my Indian counterpart S Jaishankar. Asked India to use all influence in its relations with Russia to force it to cease military aggression against Ukraine. Urged India as a non-permanent UNSC member to support today’s draft resolution on restoring peace in Ukraine."
The European Union will accept all people fleeing the violence caused by Russia`s invasion of Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Friday. "We need to do everything to accept without delay the people who are now fleeing the bombs, the tanks," she told reporters as she arrived for a meeting with her EU counterparts in Brussels. (Reuters)
The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urges all International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events currently planned in Russia or Belarus: International Olympic Committee (ANI)
MoS Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan to receive Indian nationals arriving from Ukraine in a special flight on February 26 in Delhi. (ANI)
Ukraine's Defence Ministry says more than 1,000 Russian soldiers were killed so far in Ukraine conflict: Reuters
EAM Dr S Jaishankar speaks to Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba He shared his assessment of current situation. I emphasised that India supports diplomacy and dialogue as the way out. Discussed predicament of Indians, incl students. Appreciate his support for their safe return, EAM says. (ANI)
Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to send a delegation of high-ranking officials to Minsk to hold talks with Kiev- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov: Russian Embassy in India (ANI)
The EU has agreed to freeze European assets linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, three EU officials and a European diplomat: AFP
The road leading to India's diplomatic enclave blocked as Police braces for Anti-Russia protestors in front of Russian embassy over Ukraine invasion.
Russian Grand Prix cancelled for 2022: Formula 1 statement
Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy calls on Europeans with 'combat experience' to fight for Ukraine, reports AFP
The first batch of Indian students have left Chernivtsi for the Ukraine-Romania border. MEA Camp Offices are now operational in Lviv and Chernivtsi towns in western Ukraine. Additional Russian speaking officials are being sent to these Camp Offices.
President of China, Xi Jinping speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin, calls for 'negotiation' with Ukraine- state media: AFP
Indian nationals arriving at the Poland-Ukraine border by public conveyance are advised to make for the Shehyni-Medyka border crossing: Embassy of India, Warsaw
MEA has established 4 locations in Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic & Romania for evacuation of Indian citizens. Roughly 1000 people from Telangana & Andhra Pradesh are in Ukraine. We are communicating with MEA: Chief Secretary Sameer Sharma, Andhra Pradesh (ANI)
Kremlin says will retaliate against new Western sanctions, 'restrictions have yet to be analysed'. (AFP)
Two flights to Bucharest in Romania today and one flight to Budapest in Hungary tomorrow are being planned to be operated as GoI chartered flights: Government sources (ANI)
We are ready for talks once Ukraine's Army stops fighting, says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, reports Reuters.
EU 'urgently' preparing more sanctions against Russia: Council President Michel (AFP news agency)
Russian forces approaching Kyiv from northeast and east- Ukraine army, reports AFP.
Embassy of India in Ukraine issues advisory to all Indian nationals/students in Ukraine - Govt of India is working to establish evacuation routes from Romania and Hungary.
Heads of Mission of the EU & its Member States stand in solidarity with Ukraine Ambassador. EU condemns in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s unprovoked & unjustified military attack: Ambassador of the European Union to India and Bhutan
The government of India will arrange evacuation flights for Indian nationals in Ukraine, the cost will be borne by the government, ANI reported quoting sources.
Russia has banned British airlines from landing at its airports or crossing its airspace, said state civil aviation regulator said on Friday
Gunfire heard near government quarter of Ukrainian capital, reports AP.
Adviser to Ukraine's President said Ukraine shot down two cruise missiles, one plane over Kyiv.
Ukraine's nuclear agency said on Friday it was recording increased radiation levels from the site of the defunct Chernobyl nuclear power plant, reported Reuters.
At least three people were injured when a rocket hit a multi-story apartment building in Ukraine's capital on Friday, said Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko.
South Korea is preparing to evacuate 36 of its 64 nationals who are still in Ukraine, Foreign Minister Chung Eui-Yong said on Friday.
Sri Lanka on Friday said it won't take sides in the ongoing military conflict involving Russia and Ukraine, even as it admitted that the escalation of violence will have a "severe" economic impact on the island nation.
A student stranded in Ukraine from Gorakhpur said, "Due to blasts near the airport, all flights from Ukraine have been cancelled. Food supplies are available but our stock is getting over. We're allowed to go outside but prefer not to."
Tamils in Ukraine who need help can contact Jacintha Lazarus IAS, State Nodal Officer facilitating evacuation of stranded Tamils in Ukraine (Contact Nos.9445869848, 9600023645, 9940256444 and 044-28515288).
China's foreign ministry hit back on Friday against US President Joe Biden's comment that any country that backed Russia`s invasion would be "stained by association", saying that it was countries that interfered in the domestic affairs of others that would see their reputations stained.
Clashes were reported in the northern district of Kyiv city between Russian and Ukrainian forces reported AFP.
Govt of India and the Embassy of India working to establish evacuation routes from Romania & Hungary. At present, teams are getting in place at the CHOP-ZAHONY Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian Border near Chernivtsi, said Indian Embassy in Hungary.
Ukraine Army said it is fighting Russian forces outside capital Kyiv, reported AFP.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced that the state government would bear the repatriation expenses of around 5000 students from the state, who are stuck in Ukraine.
Telangana government offers to bear the return expenses of the students from the state who are trying to get out of war-torn Ukraine.
Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik spoke to Union HM Amit Shah over the telephone this morning & requested for the safe evacuation of stranded Odia students/labourers from Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces downed a Russian aircraft over Kyiv in the early hours on Friday, which then crashed into a residential building and set it on fire, reported Reuters.
Visuals from the ground.
The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday appointed officials to coordinate with the Union External Affairs Ministry to provide the best possible help to the stranded students from the state in Ukraine.
The helpline numbers are as follows: P Ravi Shankar, OSD, (mobile number-9871999055), MVS Rama Rao, Assistant Commissioner (9871990081) and ASRN Saibabu, Assistant Commissioner (9871999430) and email id- rcapbnd@gmail.com.The helpline number set up is 0863-2340678 and WhatsApp number- 8500027678.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that lawmakers on Capitol Hill want to provide Ukraine with "lethal defence weapons" worth $600 million to help Kyiv defend itself against military attacks from Russia.
Jalandhar administration issued a helpline number for its residents stuck in Ukraine as a measure to compile info about stranded people.
Here's the helpline number: 0181-2224417
People can also visit the DC office, in room no. 22, during office hrs, to provide info on their family members, announced Jalandhar administration.
A Ukrainian jet, a SU-27, was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in a separate incident, the Ukrainian government said.
The Ukrainian capital is expected to be surrounded by Russian forces this weekend and the country`s resistance is effectively crippled, US security officials fear.
Taiwan will join "democratic countries" in putting sanctions on Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, the government said on Friday.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP Binoy Viswam writes to EAM Dr S Jaishankar for immediate intervention for the safe return of Indian nationals stranded In Ukraine.
Former Union Minister and Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Friday said that the Centre must come up with a clear proposal on bringing back the Indians stranded in Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces downed an enemy aircraft over Kyiv in the early hours of Friday, which then crashed into a residential building and set it on fire, said Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to the interior minister.
The Ukrainian ambassador to Japan has urged China to join international efforts to stop the Russian massacre in his country amid Beijing's lack of criticism of Moscow's actions.
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.
China is gearing up to bring back its nationals from Ukraine by chartered flights following the massive military operations launched by Russia.
Currently, there are about 6,000 Chinese in Ukraine, mainly in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odessa and Sumy, the Chinese Embassy said.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday night held separate telephonic conversations with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, insisting that dialogue and diplomacy are the best way forward to defuse the Ukraine crisis.
Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on Friday compared the ongoing Russian assault on his country with the 1941 Nazi attack.
In a tweet, Kuleba said, "Horrific Russian rocket strikes on Kyiv. The last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany. Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhere."
The United Nations has offered $20 million to scale up Ukraine's humanitarian aid amid Russian assualt.
Former US President Jimmy Carter issued a statement against the Russian assault on Ukraine calling it a "human rights violation."
Two loud blasts were heard in Kyiv earlier on Friday morning.
Visuals from Kharkiv and Maidan Nezalezhnosti in Kyiv.
United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a resolution over Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Friday.
US sanctions will isolate Russia from the global financial system, said a key White House official.
Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russia presses Ukraine assault, reported PTI
Oil prices soared nearly $2 per barrel in early trade on Friday as Russia`s invasion of Ukraine continued to inflame global supply concerns.
Global benchmark Brent crude rose $1.99, or 2%, to $101.07 a barrel around 0155 GMT on Friday.
Demonstrators protest outside the White House after Russia enters Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden ordered to send 7000 additional troops to Germany, which is a NATO ally.
Demonstrators protest outside the White House for hours, amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Visuals from Lafayette Square Park.
Nearly 400 Indian students in Ukraine's Sumy city bordering Russia have taken shelter in a basement after Russian forces took control of it and have appealed to the government of India to evacuate them.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro disauthorized his Vice President Hamilton Mourao for saying that Brazil opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, reported Reuters.
Some 200 Brazilians of Ukrainian descent gathered on Thursday to pray for peace in a country they still consider their homeland.
137 dead after the first day of fighting, says Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The US Secretary of State warned Russia of the severe costs for the unjustified act of aggression against Ukraine.
"US and our allies and partners will impose swift and severe costs on Russia for this needless act of aggression. We will also coordinate with our NATO allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the alliance," said Blinken.
New Delhi: Kyiv mayor Vitaly Klitschko said at least three people were injured when a rocket hit a multi-story apartment building in Ukraine's capital on Friday, starting a fire.
Ukraine on Friday blew up the Tetri river bridge to stop the Russian tanks from coming inside the capital and interiors of the country.
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry in a statement on Friday claimed that it has inflicted 800 casualties among the Russian forces.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, on Friday marking the second day of the Russian assault on the western country.
The United States on Thursday introduced a fresh set of economic and trade curbs on Russia over what he called an “unprovoked” and “unjustified” invasion of Ukrainian territory.
Threatening Moscow with additional economic and trade sanctions, so far US’ only major against the Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said “Putin is an aggressor who chose war, the US will impose additional sanctions and export controls against Russia for invading Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on the war front, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that according to preliminary figures, at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the Russian invasion began early on Thursday, and 316 soldiers have been wounded.
Moscow on early Thursday morning in an unprecedented and unscheduled televised address by President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of military operations in Ukraine following weeks of build-up.
Putin justified the attack as an act of self-defence against Ukraine’s alleged actions and genocide in the separatist region Donetsk and Luhansk.
Meanwhile, the White House announced that it is ready to accept Ukrainian refugees trying to flee the invasion.
Thanks for staying with Zee News for all the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.