- News>
Russia`s war on Ukraine has displaced `over 7 million people`, says EU
According to the European Union, Russia war on Ukraine has displaced `over 7 million people`, AFP reported.
Latest Updates
The Embassy of India in Warsaw, Poland, issues an advisory for Indians desiring to be evacuated from Ukraine via Poland. Ten buses have been arranged, operational from Feb 28 onwards, at Shehyni on the Ukraine border to take Indian citizens for transit entry into Poland.
PM Narendra Modi's high-level meeting on Ukraine-Russia conflict lasted over 2 hours; the PM ensured safety and evacuation of Indian students as the top priority. Further cooperation with neighbouring countries of Ukraine to expedite evacuation will be enhanced: GoI Sources (ANI)
Russia war on Ukraine has displaced 'over 7 million people', reports AFP quoting EU.
Meeting with G7 foreign ministers. Partners stand ready to provide Ukraine with more practical means to defend ourselves. Defensive weapons, military equipment and financial support for Ukraine are underway. We also discussed new painful sanctions to stop Putin’s war: Ukrainian FM (ANI)
Ukraine informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today that missiles hit the site of a radioactive waste disposal facility in Kiev overnight but there were no reports of damage to the building or any indications of a radioactive release: IAEA DG Rafael Mariano Grossi (ANI)
Had a cordial initial meeting with Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla. Discussed topical bilateral and international issues and the ways to ensure safety of Indian students in Ukraine. Expressed our full support to this end: Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov
Russia admits 'killed and injured' troops in Ukraine: AFP News Agency
Japan will join the United States and other Western countries in blocking certain Russian banks' access to the SWIFT international payment system, said Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: Reuters
The IAEA says it is calling an extraordinary meeting next week to ensure the safety and security of nuclear facilities in Ukraine. (AFP)
Top EU official: Bloc will close its airspace to Russian airlines, fund arms supplies to Ukraine, ban pro-Kremlin media, reports AP.
PM Narendra Modi chairs a high-level meeting on the Ukraine issue.
A dedicated Twitter handle has been set up to assist in the evacuation of Indians from Ukraine: MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi
24x7 Control Centres have been set up to assist in the evacuation of Indian nationals through the border crossing points with Poland, Romania, Hungary and Slovak Republic: Ministry of External Affairs
UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday about Ukraine: Reuters
Ukraine says it will hold talks with Russia at its border with Belarus -- near the Chernobyl exclusion zone -- after a phone call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko (AFP)
Ukraine confirms peace talks with Russia today: The Kyiv Independent (ANI)
Ukraine agrees to hold talks with Russia at Belarus border: Ukraine presidency (AFP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered his defence chiefs to put the country's "deterrence forces" on high alert as he accused Western countries of taking "unfriendly" steps against his country amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine: AFP
PM Modi to hold high-level meeting on Russia-Ukraine crisis today. Immediately on his return from Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi will hold a high-level meeting on the Ukraine issue. The Prime Minister was in UP for the ongoing campaigning in the assembly elections.
Ukraine agrees to hold talks with Russia in Belarus – Moscow: Russian State Media (ANI)
I called in both ambassadors of Russia & Ukraine separately, conveyed my concerns on safety of Indian citizens. I've shared the locations where Indian citizens are concentrated. Both ambassadors took note of our concerns & assured us of the safety of Indian citizens: Foreign Secy (ANI)
List of flights for operation Ganga for Evacuation of Indians from Ukraine via neighboring countries: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla (ANI)
Key points from Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla's presser:
The Government of India has launched 'multi-pronged' Operation Ganga to evacuate our citizens stranded in Ukraine. This evacuation process will be at government cost: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla
So far under op Ganga, thousand of our citizens have been flown out of Romani and Hungary and another thousand have been evacuated from Ukraine through land routes. Flights have been organised for them.
Border crossing to Hungary & Romania is functioning, however, the exit point to Poland is clogged due to lakhs of foreign nationals trying to escape from that point. Those who are near the borders of Hungary & Romania are guided towards their border points in phases.
Our Embassy in Kyiv and our Ministry had issued a number of advisories prior to the situation developing. 4000 of our nationals had left before the conflict, pursuant to these advisories. We estimated that about 15,000 citizens were left in Ukraine.
Since the airspace in Ukraine was closed, we identified land evacuation options from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Specific border crossing points were identified and the MEA had deployed teams to assist in the evacuation process. (Source: ANI)
Ukraine army retakes Kharkiv, expelling Russian troops: Governor (AFP).
Those who judge that the situation is not conducive for travel, or are unable to leave due to any reason, may wait until further developments: Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine in an advisory to Indian nationals
Special UNSC session on Ukraine to be held at 3pm New York Time on 27th February.
Indian citizens are being evacuated from Ukraine through Romania & Hungary. We are continuously exploring and working to open up more borders with the neighboring countries for our citizens: Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine in an advisory to Indian nationals
Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ. Russia must be held accountable for manipulating notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week: Ukraine President (ANI)
More than 3,68,000 people had fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Thursday, AFP quoting UN refugee agency.
All the Indians stranded in Ukraine will be brought back to the country at the government's expense. We have decided to increase the number of flights to neighbouring countries of Ukraine with their permission for this purpose: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (ANI)
Ukraine's president says Russia should be stripped of its seat at the United Nations Security Council over invasion, reports AP.
Putin thanks Russian special forces for fulfilling their 'heroic' duty in Ukraine. (Reuters)
Belgium closes airspace to all Russian airlines: PM
Poland is allowing Indian students who escape from Russian aggression in Ukraine to enter Poland without any visa: Ambassador of Poland to India Adam Burakowski (ANI)
Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla to hold presser on Operation Ganga at 5 pm in Delhi.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren writes to PM Modi and informs him about the list of people from the state - along with their details- who are stuck in Ukraine; requests him to instruct concerned officials of Govt of India to take steps for their safe return.
International Judo Federation suspends Putin as honorary president: AFP
Zelensky hailed the assistance Ukraine was receiving from its international allies in an online speech. "We are receiving weapons, medicine, food, diesel, and money," he said. "A powerful coalition in support of Ukraine has been formed -- an anti-war coalition."
Russian troops enter Ukraine's Kharkiv.
Over 156,000 residents of Ukraine have entered Poland since the beginning of hostilities in the country amid Russia`s military operation, the Polish Border Guard said on Sunday. "Since the beginning of hostilities, the Border Guard officers have registered a total of 187,800 people at border crossings with Ukraine, including over 156,000 people in the direction of entry into Poland," the agency said in a statement.
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren writes to PM Modi and informs him about the list of people from the state - along with their details- who are stuck in Ukraine; requests him to instruct concerned officials of Govt of India to take steps for their safe return.
Indian diaspora is advised to move away from conflict zones to the Western region subject to security situation and the extant regulations.
All Ukrainian servicemen are treated with respect and assistance. After filling in the documents, they will be sent to their families: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is willing to hold talks with Russia - but not in neighbouring Belarus as it's being used as a launchpad for invasion. "Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul, Baku. We proposed all of them," he said in an online address: AFP News Agency
Over the past 24 hrs, a grouping of troops of Lugansk People's Republic, with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces, carried out successful offensive ops & took control over Novoakhtyrka, Smolyaninovo, Stanichno-Luhanskoe settlements: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson
We have a list of about 273 students from Bihar (stranded in Ukraine), the number can go up. Bihar govt will bring them home on its expenses... Teams of Bihar Foundation (in Mumbai) and Bihar Bhawan (in Delhi) working on students' evacuation: Bihar Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad
Operation Ganga is underway. The fourth flight has left from Bucharest (Romania) to bring 198 Indian nationals to Delhi safely: EAM Dr S Jaishankar
Russia claims to have besieged two big cities in south and southeast of Ukraine: AFP News Agency
Russian troops have entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting is under way, the head of the regional administration said: AFP News Agency
Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority issues details of officers at the facilitation centre set up by the State Government at Delhi's IGI Airport to coordinate and support stranded students of Karnataka arriving here from Ukraine.
Heavy air strikes in Kharkiv:
ALSO READ | Russia-Ukraine War: Trump blames 'dumb' US administration for Ukraine situation
Indian students arrive from Ukraine at Delhi's IGI Airport, on a spl flight.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has promised to provide more humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"The secretary-general conveyed to the president the determination of the UN to enhance humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine," according to a readout about the secretary-general`s call with Zelensky.
Russian forces have been instructed to resume their advance into Ukraine "in all directions" after Kiev refused to hold negotiations, the Russian Defence Ministry has said. All units were ordered to mount an offensive in accordance with the operation plan, Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said during a briefing Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.
The US has said it is "okay" with India`s "distinct" relationship with Russia and suggested it use its "leverage" with Moscow to protect a rules-based international order.
Speaking to reporters in Washington before the Security Council met in New York on Friday, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said that India and Russia shared a relationship and Washington has asked every country with leverage to use it to uphold international norms.
Congress leader and Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi on Sunday wrote a letter to the External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar urging him to take immediate steps to repatriate thousands of Indians from his parliamentary constituency Wayanad stranded in Ukraine.
"A letter has been sent to the Union Minister of External Affairs urging him to take immediate steps to repatriate thousands of Indians from Wayanad stranded in Ukraine," tweeted Gandhi. "This is an urgent appeal to assist Indian students waiting to be evacuated from Ukraine. I am deeply concerned by the grave threat to their safety and security posed by the events unfolding in Ukraine," said the letter.
Calling the current US administration "dumb", former President Donald Trump on Saturday said he would have never allowed the Ukraine situation to unravel like this, reported Sputnik news agency. Recalling his term as a President at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida, Trump said that the world was a peaceful place because America was strong.
Stressing that Russia "respected" America under his administration, he called current President Joe Biden "weak and grossly incompetent", which has led to the current situation in Ukraine. Washington was perceived as "powerful, cunning, and smart" back then, but "now, we`re a stupid country", Sputnik quoted Trump as saying. (ANI)
Micro-blogging site Twitter is putting a temporary hold on advertisements in Ukraine and Russia to ensure the visibility of public safety information. "We are temporarily pausing advertisements in Ukraine and Russia to ensure critical public safety information is elevated and ads don`t detract from it," the micro-blogging site wrote in a tweet.
Another special Air India flight, which flew from Hungary with 240 students, who were stranded in Ukraine, has reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport here. The flight landed at Terminal number 3 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. As of now the students are inside and a few formalities are being done. Help Desks have been made available by the state governments to felicitate the students reaching their homes from the airport: IANS
A third evacuation flight carrying 240 Indians from Budapest has landed in Delhi.
The Bihar government has started helplines for boys and girls hailing from the state who had gone to the war-torn country for pursuing higher education and are now anxious to make an exit in the wake of the military crisis in Ukraine.
The helpline numbers issued by the state Disaster Management Department are 0612-2294204, 0612-1070 and 7070290170. An email-id has also been issued by the government -- seoc-dmd@bihar.Gov.In. The Bihar Bhavan in New Delhi has also issued a helpline number and email-id -- 7217788114, rescm.Bi@nic.In.
State Govts set up help desks&appoint Nodal Officers to assist people from their state amid Russia Ukraine Conflict.
Karnataka Minister R Ashoka welcomed students of the state who were stranded in Ukraine amid Russia Ukraine Conflict and arrived here earlier today.
Germany says it will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons, 500 'Stinger' surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine.
Ukraine says Russian forces blew up gas pipeline in Kharkiv, country's second-largest city, reports AP. The city of 1.5 million is located 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the Russian border. Ukraine's top prosecutor, Iryna Venediktova, said the Russian forces have been unable to take Kharkiv, where a fierce battle is underway.
Oil depot on fire after missile strike near Kyiv.
Scenes from Ukraine:
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday (local time) spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said that Russia must be isolated diplomatically and financially. "This evening I spoke to President @ZelenskyyUa. The heroism of the President and his people in the defence of their country is awe-inspiring. We are clear-Russia must be isolated diplomatically and financially. I welcome increased willingness to exclude Russia from SWIFT," Johnson tweeted.
Closely monitoring the developing situation, especially in Eastern regions of Ukraine. In constant touch with the authorities on the safety of our citizens. To all Indians who remain in Ukraine, we are with you: India in Ukraine
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to UN Secretary-General António Guterres amid Ukraine crisis.
Russian advance into Ukraine has temporarily slowed, probably because of logistical problems and strong resistance, Britain's defence ministry said on Saturday: Reuters
France to deliver more military equipment to Ukraine and ramp up sanctions against Russia, reports AFP quoting President Emmanuel Macron's office
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia interacting with Indian nationals who arrived at Delhi airport from Ukraine via Bucharest.
European Commission, France, Germany, Itlay, UK, Canada & the United States agree new financial sanctions against Russia over Ukraine invasion, agree to exclude Russian banks from SWIFT.
Moscow is preparing for negotiations with "all constructive forces" on a settlement in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said in a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu. Russia emphasised its readiness for a quick settlement in Ukraine for the sake of peace and stability, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
Countries of the European Union are closing their airspace for Russian air carriers, German media report. "EU countries are closing the airspace for Russian airlines. Just confirmed to me from a reliable source," Matthias Deiss, a journalist working for the German ARD broadcaster, said on Twitter late on Saturday. According to German media reports, Lufthansa, Germany`s flag carrier, is suspending its flights in the Russian airspace for one week amid Russia`s special military operation in Ukraine.
Top Republican Senator John Cornyn expressed disappointment over India abstaining from the vote on a UNSC resolution against the Russian invasion of Ukraine, alleging that New Delhi has avoided publicly denouncing Moscow while it tries to balance its strategic relationship with Russia.
His remarks came a day after the 15-nation UN Security Council voted on the draft resolution on Friday afternoon by the US and its allies that would have deplored "in the strongest terms" Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine. "Disappointing: India has avoided publicly denouncing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, as New Delhi tries to balance a strategic relationship with Moscow and its role in an emerging coalition of democracies," Cornyn said in a tweet on Saturday.
Russia is closing its airspace to planes from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovenia in retaliation for the four nations closing their airspace for Russian planes.
United States Mission to United Nations (USUN) and Albania request an emergency UN Security Council meeting on Sunday to adopt a resolution convening a special General Assembly session on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, a diplomat tells ANI.
Russia now 'a global economic and financial pariah' says a US official.
Satellite imagery taken on Saturday showed Russian ground forces assembled in Nova Kakhovka, Ukraine, at and near the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant on the Dnieper River, a private US company said.
The second evacuation flight from Romanian capital Bucharest carrying 250 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine landed at the Delhi airport in the early hours of Sunday.
The third flight of Operation Ganga carrying 240 Indian nationals from Budapest (Hungary) has taken off for Delhi.
New Delhi: Indian diaspora was advised to move away from conflict zones to the Western region subject to security situation and the extant regulations, Indian Embassy said on Sunday (February 27, 2022).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he is "ready for talks with Russia, but not in Belarus." Russian forces have entered Kharkiv, Ukraine`s second-largest city, local officials said. There were now reports of fighting in the streets of Kharkiv. Russian troops had broken into the city in the past hour.
The third evacuation flight carrying 240 Indians from Budapest has landed in the national capital on Sunday morning. Earlier, the second evacuation flight from the Romanian capital Bucharest carrying 250 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine landed at the Delhi airport in the early hours of Sunday.
Two large explosions were heard in Ukraine`s capital Kyiv today morning. Two large explosions lit up the night sky to the southwest of Kyiv with one detonation that appeared to be approximately 20 kilometres, or about 12 miles, from the city centre.
On the other hand, the United Nations said it has confirmed at least 240 civilian casualties, including at least 64 people killed, in the fighting in Ukraine that erupted since Russia's invasion on Thursday - though it believed the "real figures are considerably higher" because many reports of casualties remain to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Russia closed its airspace to planes from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Slovenia, a move that comes as Moscow's ties with the West plunge to new lows over its invasion of Ukraine.