Ukraine crisis LIVE: US bans all imports of Russian gas, oil, and energy

"We're banning all imports of Russian gas, oil, and energy," announces US President Joe Biden. "We're moving forward with this ban understanding that many of our European allies and partners may not be in a position to join us," he said. We are enforcing the most significant package of economic sanctions in history, and it's causing significant damage to Russia's economy, Biden further added.

Image credit: Reuters

New Delhi: In the update posted on its Facebook page, Ukraine`s General Staff of the Armed Forces said that the Defense Forces Group has continued to conduct operations within the south, eastern and northern zones across specific boundaries.

Meanwhile, defence operations are also underway in the city of Chernihiv and capital Kiev. It added that the country`s air defences were successfully repulsing missile and air strikes.

The United States announced on Monday that over 500 US troops would be deployed in Europe to reinforce NATO`s flank including Poland, Romania, Germany and Greece. Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby assured that the US army will not be sent to conflict-ridden Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry on Tuesday claimed that the Ukrainian forces has gunned down Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov near Kharkiv. 

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator underlined the immediate need for humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and emphasised on allowing civilians to safely leave areas under fire in Ukraine, and delivery of much-needed aid to these locations. Both sides addressed the issue of civilian evacuation, and the Ukrainian side assured Russia that the humanitarian corridors will start working on Tuesday

On the other hand, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has confirmed his plans to meet with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on March 10. This came even as the third round of talks in Belarus between Ukraine and Russia failed to achieve significant results on Monday.

Stay tuned with Zee News for all the latest breaking news updates.

08 March 2022

22:24 IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with the Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte, discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine

Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. PM welcomed the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine, and hoped for an early resolution: PMO

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022

22:12 IST

"We're banning all imports of Russian gas, oil, and energy," announces US President Joe Biden. 

"We're moving forward with this ban understanding that many of our European allies and partners may not be in a position to join us," US President Joe Biden said pic.twitter.com/X8nFF4JOhr

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022

20:45 IST

Brazil will not take sides over Russia`s invasion of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Carlos Franca said on Tuesday, adding its stance was one of "impartiality", not "indifference", and that it sought peace.

17:55 IST

Under Operation Ganga to rescue Indian citizens from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries, 410 Indians have been airlifted today by 2 special civilian flights from Suceava. With this, about 18,000 Indians have been brought back through special flights which began on 22nd Feb 2022: MoCA (ANI)

17:18 IST

A convoy consisting of 12 buses left from Sumy, Ukraine earlier today. All Indians there have been evacuated. Officials of the Indian Embassy and Red Cross are escorting them. Bangladeshis and Nepalis have also been facilitated. They are currently enroute to the Poltava region.

#WATCH | A convoy consisting of 12 buses left from Sumy, Ukraine earlier today. All Indians there have been evacuated. Officials of the Indian Embassy & Red Cross are escorting them. Bangladeshis & Nepalis have also been facilitated. They are currently enroute to Poltava region. pic.twitter.com/0ieUCcjl0S

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022

14:44 IST

Around 1.2 million Ukrainians have fled to Poland since the invasion on Feb. 24, including 141,500 on Monday, the Polish Border Guard said on Tuesday. A total of 291,081 Ukrainians have fled to Romania so far, including 29,636 on Monday, according to border police data. As many as 5 million Ukrainians could flee if the invasion continues, the EU`s top diplomat said, while the United Nations` refugee agency said more than 1.7 million have left so far.

14:44 IST

Japan intends to closely follow the course of the meeting between Foreign Ministers of Russia and Ukraine, Sergey Lavrov and Dmytro Kuleba, scheduled for March 10 in the Turkish city of Antalya, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said on Tuesday. "We are aware of the reports about the meeting scheduled for March 10. We intend to monitor the progress of the talks very closely," Matsuno said.

14:43 IST

Britain's defense secretary said Tuesday that there are reports Ukrainian special forces destroyed over 20 Russian helicopters on the ground overnight as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to face logistical problems and fierce resistance.

Russia's advance toward the capital, Kyiv, continues to face pressure from Ukrainian forces around the nearby towns of Hostomel, Bucha, Vorzel and Irpin, the UK Defense Ministry said in an intelligence update released late Monday.

12:47 IST

Japan unveils new sanctions on Russians, bans refinery equipment exports. 

Japan unveils new sanctions on Russians, bans refinery equipment exports https://t.co/BH6c08WjiY pic.twitter.com/a6G2fMGQat

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 8, 2022

12:46 IST

Two fires broke out at oil depots in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine, with the country's State Emergency Services saying they were caused by Russian air strikes. 

Two fires broke out at oil depots in the Zhytomyr region of Ukraine, with the country's State Emergency Services saying they were caused by Russian air strikes pic.twitter.com/VHnmeVO9DY

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 8, 2022

12:46 IST

Ukrainian civilians attend weapons training in former film centre.

VIDEO: Ukrainian civilians attend weapons training in former film centre.

Lviv's Film Centre, like many other cultural and public spaces in the city, has been turned into a training facility for war pic.twitter.com/nJQlVL2FDj

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

12:45 IST

At least nine dead in bombing of Ukraine city Sumy: Rescuers

#BREAKING At least nine dead in bombing of Ukraine city Sumy: rescuers pic.twitter.com/gjp3Y7eHHu

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

12:00 IST

Russia`s offensive in Ukraine continued but at a significantly slower pace on Tuesday and a second senior Russian commander had been killed, Ukrainian military and intelligence said, as frightened residents fled bombed-out cities. In the city of Irpin, on the northwest edge of Kyiv, residents ran with their young children in strollers, or cradling babies in arms, while others carried pet carriers and plastic bags and suitcases.

11:44 IST

About 700 Indian students are trapped there because shellings have prevented their evacuation. Tirumurti said of the more than 140 who have died in the conflict according to the UN, one was an Indian student.

"India mourns his death and we convey our deepest condolences to his family, just as we mourn the loss of each and every civilian life in the conflict," he said. Naveen Shekharappa Gyanagoudar was killed last week in Kharkiv.

11:35 IST

Calling for immediate attention to the "worsening situation" in Ukraine, India`s Permanent Representative at the UN T.S. Tirumurti reported to the Security Council about Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s intercession with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine for a ceasefire and a return to diplomacy.

"Our Prime Minister once again spoke to the leadership of both sides today and reiterated our call for immediate ceasefire and the need for both parties to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy," he told the Security Council on Monday during a consultation on Ukraine.

11:26 IST

Australia has imposed another round of sanctions against Russia for its "unjustified invasion" of Ukraine and is targeting Moscow`s senior military officers, as well as state propagandists spreading "pro-Kremlin disinformation". As per an official statement by Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, the Australian government is placing sanctions on Moscow`s "propagandists and purveyors of disinformation" trying to legitimise Russia`s invasion with false narratives such as the "de-Nazification" of Ukraine.

11:26 IST

Fears of an energy war between Russia and the West grew on Tuesday after the United States pushed its allies to ban Russian oil imports as punishment for Moscow`s invasion of Ukraine, where talks on humanitarian corridors made little progress.

Russia warned it could stop the flow of gas through pipelines from Russia to Germany in response to Berlin`s decision last month to halt the opening of the controversial new Nord Stream 2 pipeline. Russia supplies 40% of Europe`s gas.

10:01 IST

In order to conduct a humanitarian operation, from 10:00am. (Moscow time) on March 8, the Russian Federation declares ceasefire and is ready to provide humanitarian corridors, says Russian Embassy in India#RussiaUkraine pic.twitter.com/b7taT6gq6V

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022

09:47 IST

No safe corridor, just a plank for those fleeing to Kyiv.

VIDEO: No safe corridor, just a plank for those fleeing to Kyiv.

Ukrainians flee south towards Kyiv across a bombed-out bridge as Russian forces continue to bombard the town of Irpin, northwest of the capital pic.twitter.com/XVfXA94sHH

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

09:46 IST

Russia offers humanitarian corridors from five Ukraine cities, says reports. 

Russia offers humanitarian corridors from five Ukraine cities -reports https://t.co/Pqy0zr1HyK pic.twitter.com/6HcerH7jim

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 8, 2022

09:16 IST

Ukrainian defence authorities have said that a top Russian general was killed during fighting near the country`s second largest city of Kharkiv. In a statement on Monday night, the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine identified the slain general as Vitaly Gerasimov, who was a major general, chief of staff and first deputy commander of the 41st Army of the Central Military District of Russia.

08:23 IST

Russia on Tuesday declared a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine from 10 am (Moscow time) to provide humanitarian corridors in the cities of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Sumy, Kharkiv and Mariupol, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said in a statement.

08:18 IST

Police detained 5,020 people at Russia-wide protests against the invasion of Ukraine, according to an independent monitoring group.

08:17 IST

Russian negotiators said they did not have positive developments to report following talks with Ukraine and warned not to expect the next round to bring a final result. The talks "are not easy," Vladimir Medinsky said.

Ukraine`s negotiator Mykhailo Podolyak said some small progress had been made on agreeing on logistics for the evacuation of civilians, but no agreement was reached that significantly improves the broader situation. A fourth-round will take place very soon, Russia said. The Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers are expected to meet in Turkey on Thursday.

08:17 IST

The World Bank said its executive board on Monday approved a $723 million package of loans and grants for Ukraine, providing desperately needed government budget support as the country battles a Russian invasion.

The package includes a $350 million loan supplement to a prior World Bank loan, augmented by about $139 million through guarantees from the Netherlands and Sweden, the bank said in a statement.

08:15 IST

United Nations calls for safe passage to deliver humanitarian aid to conflict zones in Ukraine.

IAEA says it has received reports of artillery shells damaging a nuclear research facility in Ukraine's besieged second city Kharkiv.

No increase in radiation levels have been reported at the sitehttps://t.co/gs6pbTwH1M pic.twitter.com/ZdBXVPDBdS

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

07:14 IST

The multinational technology corporation IBM has suspended all its business in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine, CEO Arvind Krishna said.

"I`ve heard from many of you in response to last week`s announcement regarding the war in Ukraine, and I appreciate your feedback. First, let me be very clear -- we have suspended all business in Russia. In addition, I want to give you an update on a few of the efforts underway to support our colleagues in the region," Krishna said in a statement on Monday.

07:13 IST

The United States announced on Monday that over 500 US troops would be deployed in Europe to reinforce NATO`s flank including Poland, Romania, Germany and Greece.Speaking at a press conference, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby assured that the US army will not be sent to conflict-ridden Ukraine. Kirby also announced that the new deployments are being positioned to support US forces already in Europe in response to Russia`s military operation in Ukraine.

07:13 IST

Russians face sanctions as favourite shops close doors.

VIDEO: Russians face sanctions as favourite shops close doors.

Moscovites face the extent of the international response to Russia's military operation in Ukraine, discovering closed doors at many retailers where they would shop for clothes and goods pic.twitter.com/AbRBwf7kMN

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 8, 2022

06:51 IST

Ukraine kills Russian Major General Vitaly Gerasimov near Kharkiv, reports The Kyiv Independent quoting Ukraine’s Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Defense Ministry

06:39 IST

A special flight, carrying 200 Indian evacuees from Ukraine, lands in Delhi from Suceava in Romania.

A special flight, carrying 200 Indian evacuees from Ukraine, lands in Delhi from Suceava in Romania.

"While we were traveling in the bus, there were no bombings. The government & our Embassy helped us a lot, we are very happy to be back" said a student who returned from Ukraine pic.twitter.com/9HVUcguWsp

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2022