Russia-Ukraine War News Highlights: Ukraine refugees reach 1 million in 7 days

The U.N. refugee agency says 1 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion less than a week ago, an exodus without precedent in this century for its speed.

The tally from UNHCR amounts to more than 2 percent of Ukraine’s population on the move in under a week. The World Bank counted the population at 44 million at the end of 2020.

The U.N. agency has predicted that up to 4 million people could eventually leave Ukraine but cautioned that even that projection could be revised upward.

In an email, UNHCR spokesperson Joung-ah Ghedini-Williams wrote: “Our data indicates we passed the 1M mark” as of midnight in central Europe, based on counts collected by national authorities.

After Russia claimed that Ukraine is using Indian students as human shields, the US Department of State on Wednesday (local time) said that they have not seen any verified report of such incidents and these activities are commonly used in Russian disinformation. "We have seen no verified reports of these incidents, and these types of reports about using civilians as human shields are commonly used in Russian disinformation," a US Department of State spokesperson told ANI. Earlier, Russian Embassy in India claimed that Indian students have been taken hostage by Ukrainian security forces to use them as a human shield.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, who is in Slovakia to oversee the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, on Wednesday (local time) said that he will not leave the place till the last fellow citizen is safely evacuated from the crisis-torn country. Rijiju is one of the four 'special envoys' deployed by the Government of India to oversee the evacuation process of Indian nationals in Ukraine's neighbouring countries under Operation Ganga. He reached the Slovakian city of Kosice on Wednesday.

Another Indian Air Force's C-17 aircraft carrying 220 Indian passengers on board lands at its home base Hindan near Delhi, arriving from Budapest in Hungary MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt interacted with the Indian nationals coming from Ukraine

A third and fourth explosion has now been heard near Kyiv's Druzhby Narodiv metro station, reported The Kyiv Independent.

About 3,800 troops based at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia have been ordered to deploy quickly and bolster U.S. forces in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s been very hectic and stressful, but overall it’s worked out,” Army Staff Sgt. Ricora Jackson said Wednesday as she waited with dozens of fellow soldiers to board a chartered flight at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah. The soldiers are from the 1st Armored Brigade of the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.

In all, the Pentagon has ordered about 12,000 service members from various U.S. bases to Europe, with a couple of thousand more already stationed abroad shifting to other European countries.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office says fighting is still occurring around the port city of Kherson, which Russian officials have said is in their “complete control.”

Zelenskyy’s office told The Associated Press that it could not comment on the situation there while the battle was still being waged.

But the mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolykhaev, said Russian soldiers were in the city and came to the city administration building. He said he asked them not to shoot civilians and to allow them to gather up the bodies from the streets.

“I simply asked them not to shoot at people,” Mayor Igor Kolykhaev said in a statement. “We don’t have any Ukrainian forces in the city, only civilians and people here who want to LIVE.”

 A Russian official says troops have taken the Ukrainian port city of Kherson — a claim that the Ukrainian military denies.

The city is under Russian soldiers’ “complete control,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday.

He said that the city’s civilian infrastructure, essential facilities and transport are operating as usual and that there are no shortages of food or essential goods.

Konashenkov said talks between the Russian commanders, city administrations and regional authorities on how to maintain order in the city were underway Wednesday. The claims could not be immediately verified.

A senior U.S. defense official said Wednesday that they have seen claims that the Russians have taken Kherson, but that the Ukrainian military is rejecting that claim.

“Our view is that Kherson is very much a contested city at this point,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to make military assessments.

The International Criminal Court’s prosecutor opened an investigation Wednesday into possible war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide in Ukraine dating back to 2013, but also covering the conflict sparked by Russia’s invasion.

Prosecutor Karim Khan said he launched the probe after 39 of the court’s member states requested an investigation, a process known as a referral.

“These referrals enable my Office to proceed with opening an investigation into the Situation in Ukraine from 21 November 2013 onwards, thereby encompassing within its scope any past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed on any part of the territory of Ukraine by any person,” Khan said in a statement.

“Our work in the collection of evidence has now commenced,” he added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday (local time) said the United States, in coordination with its allies and partners, is imposing additional economic costs on Russia and Belarus in response to military operations against Ukraine. "We and our Allies and partners will work to keep people safe, manage the refugees, keep border crossings open, and provide critical supplies... We have now sanctioned most of Russia's financial institutions," Blinken said during the press briefing. "In total 22 Russian defence-related entities will be designated, including companies that make combat aircraft, infantry fighting vehicles, missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles electronic warfare systems. The very system is now being used to assault the Ukrainian people abusing human rights-violating international humanitarian law," Blinken said.

A Russian official says troops have taken the Ukrainian port city of Kherson — a claim that the Ukrainian military denies.

The city is under Russian soldiers’ “complete control,” Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Wednesday.

He said that the city’s civilian infrastructure, essential facilities and transport are operating as usual and that there are no shortages of food or essential goods.

Konashenkov said talks between the Russian commanders, city administrations and regional authorities on how to maintain order in the city were underway Wednesday. The claims could not be immediately verified.

AP

French President Emmanuel Macron says Russian President Vladimir Putin “chose war,” but that he would continue his contacts with the Russian leader to try to stop the conflict and avoid its spread beyond Ukraine’s borders.

In an address to the nation on Wednesday, Macron hammered home that the consequences of the conflict will reverberate to France and other European countries, thrusting the continent into a new era.

Macron’s 14-minute address was meant to appraise the French of what has happened and what he predicts the fallout will be. It was his second such address and comes days before Macron must by law declare his candidacy in French presidential elections in April.

Sweden says four Russian fighter jets violated its airspace over the Baltic Sea on Wednesday. The four aircraft — two SU-27 and two SU-24 fighters — flew briefly over Swedish airspace east of the island of Gotland, according to a statement from the Swedish Armed Forces. “In light of the current situation we are very concerned about the incident,” Swedish Air Force chief Carl-Johan Edstrom said. “This is unprofessional and irresponsible behavior from the Russian side.”

The Pentagon announced that it is postponing a nuclear missile test launch scheduled for this week to avoid any possible misunderstanding in light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent decision to put his nuclear forces on higher alert.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said the decision to delay the test of a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was made by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. He said the U.S. would like to see Moscow reciprocate by “taking the temperature down” in the crisis over Ukraine.

Kirby said the U.S. did not put its nuclear forces on higher alert in response to Putin’s move, which the spokesman described as dangerous and unnecessary.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday (local time) spoke to Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett and discussed the special military operation to "protect" Donbas. "Vladimir Putin discussed the special military operation to protect Donbas with Prime Minister of Israel Naftali Bennett," President of Russia tweeted.

Six flights carrying Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine will depart shortly from the Romanian capital Bucharest on Wednesday (local time) under Operation Ganga, informed Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Scindia, who is in Romania to oversee the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, on Wednesday said that a total of six flights with 1,300 Indian students onboard will depart from Bucharest to India on Wednesday (local time). Scindia is one of the four 'special envoys' deployed by the Government of India to oversee the evacuation process of Indian nationals in Ukraine's neighbouring countries. He said, "A total of 3,500 students will leave for India from Bucharest and around 1,300 from Suceava in the next two days. Tomorrow I will be leaving for the Siret border and staying there for two days until each and every Indian is not evacuated from the Siret. We are setting up two call centres -- one in Bucharest and another in the Siret (Romania) to coordinate the Indian students." "Today we have six flights from Bucharest (Romania) to India. Around 1,300 students are departing for India today. Yesterday I met around 300-400 Indian students at the airport. They have been through a lot of trials and tribulations. It is our responsibility to send them back home safely," said the Union Minister.

The C-17 Indian Air Force aircraft arriving from Bucharest in Romania, carrying around 200 Indian nationals from Ukraine, has landed at its home base in Hindan near Delhi MoS Defence Ajay Bhatt interacted with the citizens after their arrival in Delhi.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week will visit six European countries, including the Baltic states and Moldova, which are on a particular edge as Russia intensifies its war in Ukraine. The State Department says Blinken will travel Thursday to Belgium for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers before heading to the Polish border with Ukraine to meet refugees, and then Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. Poland and the three Baltics are members of NATO and fall under its Article 5 defence provisions, which means the allies are bound to defend them if they are attacked. Given their location immediately adjacent to Russia, they are believed to be at special risk should the Ukraine conflict spread. Western-leaning Moldova is not a NATO member but has relations with the alliance and has long objected to the presence of Russian troops in the disputed territory of Transnistria.

Ukrainian officials have reported a powerful explosion in central Kyiv, between the Southern Railway station and the Ibis hotel, an area near Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office told The Associated Press on Wednesday night that it was a missile strike.

Officials said it wasn’t immediately clear how damaging the strike was, whether there were any casualties or where exactly the missile hit.

The Southern Railway station is one of two stations that make up the main passenger rail complex that thousands have used to flee the war over the past week. The two stations are connected by an overhead corridor that crosses over about a dozen tracks.

Reacting to the allegations levelled by Russia, the Government of Ukraine said it stands ready to assist foreign students to relocate from Kharkiv and Sumy but added Russia to commit to a ceasefire.
"Attempting to arrange evacuations through cities that are being subjected to Russian bombing and missile strikes is extremely dangerous. We urgently call on the governments of India, Pakistan, China and other countries whose students have become hostages of tht Russian armed aggression in Kharkiv and Sumy, to demand from Moscow that it allows the opening of a humanitarian corridor to other Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine Foreign Affairs Ministry tweets "state hotline to provide assistance. For calls from Ukraine: 0 800 202 600. For calls from other countries (can also be used for calls from Ukraine: +380 44 237 00 02."

In a key development, Russian Embassy in India alleged that a group of Indian students are taken hostage by the Ukrainian security forces in order to use them as a human shield. The Embassy alleged that the Ukrainian forces are using every possible way to prevent them from leaving for Russia. "According to our information, Ukrainian authorities forcibly keep a large group of Indian students in Kharkiv who wish to leave Ukrainian territory and go to Belgorod," a Russian military spokesperson said at a briefing. Meanwhile, in the subsequent tweet, the Embassy said that the Russian Side, in particular, was trying to organize an urgent evacuation of a group of Indian students from Kharkiv through the humanitarian corridor along the shortest route to Russia. However, Ukraine is yet to react to the allegations.

A top aide for Russian President Vladimir Putin says Ukrainians are on their way to Belarus for talks that have been scheduled for Thursday.

“As far as I know, the Ukrainian delegation has already departed from Kyiv, is en route ... We’re expecting them tomorrow,” Vladimir Medinsky, the head of the Russian delegation, told reporters Wednesday evening

According to Medinsky, the two sides agreed on the Brest region of Belarus, which borders Poland, as the site of the talks.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office confirmed to The Associated Press that the delegation is on its way, but gave no details on the time of the arrival.

Visuals inside the C-17 Indian Air Force aircraft carrying Indian nationals from Ukraine, departing for Delhi from Rzeszow Airport in Poland. MoS Civil Aviation Gen (Retd) VK Singh interacted with the Indian nationals before departure.

 A top Ukrainian diplomat received a standing ovation from diplomats after a heartfelt speech Wednesday to the U.N.’s top human rights body, calling on the Human Rights Council to help hold Russia’s government accountable by creating a panel of experts to scrutinize the invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking by video from Kyiv, Emine Dzhaparova, Ukraine’s first deputy minister of foreign affairs, described being awoken by the sound of an explosion on Feb. 24 as the invasion began. She said her government was “fully operational” and lashed out at “false claims” by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine was committing “genocide.”

“Do you know how Russia treats and deals with genocide in Ukraine? By airstrikes using cruise and operational-tactical missiles, tanks and artillery, reconnaissance groups and sabotage groups,” she said. “Ukrainian babies are born in the bomb shelters in bunkers … As we speak here today, Russian armed forces keep attacking maternity wards, kindergartens, orphanages, hospitals.”

Dzhaparova noted an “urgent debate” at the council about the situation in Ukraine, calling for countries in the 47-member-state body’s to set up a Commission of Inquiry – the council’s most powerful tool to scrutinize human rights violations and abuses.

The spokesman of the Russian Defense Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov on Wednesday rejected reports about the “incalculable losses” of the Russians as “disinformation” and revealed Russia’s military casualties in Ukraine for the first time since the start of the invasion last Thursday. He assured that the families of those killed are receiving all necessary assistance.

Konashenkov also said that neither conscripts nor cadets have been involved in the operation in Ukraine, dismissing media reports alleging otherwise.

 A spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry says 498 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine and 1,597 wounded.

Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov rejected reports about the “incalculable losses” of the Russians as “disinformation” on Wednesday and reported Moscow’s casualties for the first time since the start of the attack last Thursday.

Konashenkov also said more than 2,870 Ukrainian troops have been killed and about 3,700 wounded, while 572 others have been captured.

Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the figures, and they could not be immediately verified.

AP

The 193-member United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday voted on the resolution titled "aggression against Ukraine" after hearing 120 speeches. India and China refrained from voting at the UNGA resolution that strongly deplores the Russian invasion of Ukraine and seeks an end to it. Read Full Story.

PM Narendra Modi spoke on phone today with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The leaders reviewed the situation in Ukraine, especially in Kharkiv where many Indian students are stuck. They discussed the safe evacuation of the Indian nationals from the conflict areas.

The second round of talks between Russia and Ukraine has been postponed to Thursday as the Ukrainian delegation is yet to arrive for negotiations.

Ukraine deeply regrets that a student from India has become a victim of this shelling by the Russian Armed Forces in Kharkiv. We offer our deepest sympathies to India & the relatives of the victim: Ukraine Ambassador to UN Sergiy Kyslytsya

 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov said that Moscow will not discuss Crimea, this topic is closed.

 India will give an Explanation of the Vote at the UN General Assembly after a vote on the Ukraine resolution. 

Eleventh Emergency Special Session on the situation in Ukraine - the fourth plenary meeting of United Nations General Assembly underway.

According to reports, Hungary will not supply military aid to war-hit Ukraine. Hungary also said that iyt would not allow weapons to pass through its territoryy after the European Union pledged military aid to Kyiv.
 

As India steps up efforts to evacuate its citizens from war-hit Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday that efforts are on to reach cities in the eastern part of that country, though it is not easy.

The eastern part of Ukraine has been witnessing intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops.

The comments by MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi came hours after the Indian embassy in Ukraine asked all Indians in Kharkiv to leave the city immediately for three safe zones.

He said nearly 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine's borders since advisories were issued over a fortnight back.

Bagchi said 15 flights are scheduled over the next 24 hours and some of them are already operating.

"The cities in eastern remain areas of concern for us. Some students were able to board trains out of Kharkiv yesterday night and this morning and we assisted in the process through the student contractors and other partners," Bagchi said.

"We have been in communication with the Russians regarding the safe passage of our nationals from Kharkiv and other nearby cities," he said.

Bachi said India is also exploring the option of reaching the eastern part of Ukraine to help in the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in the areas.

"It's not easy because the route is not open at all times," he said at a media briefing.

Separately, he said an Indian national, identified as Chandan Jindal, died in Ukraine due to natural causes. He was in the hospital for the last few days.

Bagchi also said that there has been a sharp increase in the number of Indians who have left Ukraine over the recent past.

"We now estimate that nearly 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine's borders since our advisories were issued. This of course includes some Indians who had not registered with the embassy earlier," Bagchi said.

Earlier, the MEA had said that 20,000 Indians were in Ukraine when India had issued the first advisory in mid-February when the tension between Russia and Ukraine started building up.

Bagchi said the Indian embassy in Kyiv was asked to set up a temporary office in Lviv to facilitate border crossings by Indian nationals, adding a large segment of the team in the mission is now at Lviv.

The MEA spokesperson also said that a mechanism has been put in place for issuing emergency certificates to those Indian citizens who somehow lost their passports.

About the evacuation mission, Bagchi said flights under 'Operation Ganga' have increased sharply and that six flights have landed in India in the last 24 hours taking the total to 15.

He said the total number of Indians who have returned on board these flights is 3,352.

He said the advisory issued by the Indian embassy in Ukraine asking citizens to leave Kharkiv is based on information from Russia.

"We would urge all our nationals to leave Kharkiv immediately to safe zones," he said.

(PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin.  This was the second talk between the two leaders after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair another high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis. The meeting will take place at 8:30 pm.

The stranded Indian students are still stuck at the nearest Railway station in Kharkiv in the war-torn Ukraine where they had marched by foot in the morning, a student's father said on Wednesday. 

"My son Amit along with his cousin Suman and others somehow managed to reach the Railway station but is stuck there," Venkatesh Vaishyar told PTI. 

The latest advisory issued by the Embassy of India in Ukrainian capital Kyiv asked students stuck at Kharkiv Railway station to proceed by foot to Pisochyn, Babai and Beslyudivka by 6 pm on Wednesday. 

"I have no clue what's happening there but he was stuck in Kharkiv Railway station. The first train took women and girls and the second left with the Ukrainians. 

The third has not arrived yet though the advisory says everyone must reach the three locations by 6 pm which indicates that something terrible may happen after 6 pm," Vaishyar said. 

Meanwhile, Harsha S G, elder brother of Naveen S G who was killed in shelling in Kharkiv in Ukraine on Tuesday morning, said, "We are glad that everyone is returning home alive but we want to see his (Naveen) face because my parents want to see him." 

Naveen, a fourth year medical student in the Kharkiv Medical College ventured out of his bunker to get some food, water and exchange currency notes when he was killed in the shelling. 

According to him, the parents saw him six months ago and were not able to speak to him due to poor connectivity. 

"He used to speak to the parents two to three minutes. I appeal to everyone that when you are putting in so much of efforts to bring those who were with him, please try at the earliest to bring the dead body," an emotional Harsha told reporters. 

He said the officials have been telling him that the body is safely preserved in the mortuary in Kharkiv but there was no word on bringing it to India.

(PTI)

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent relief material, including blankets and sleeping mats, to Ukraine facing an intense Russian military offensive. 

The move came following the government's decision to send humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Ukraine after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting.

The relief material was sent in two consignments - through a flight that left for Poland this morning and another on an Indian Air Force aircraft that left for Romania on Wednesday afternoon. 

The NDRF has provided relief materials, including blankets, sleeping mats, and solar study lamps among others, for the people of Ukraine, an official statement said. 

The special flight from Hungary’s capital Budapest carrying Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine arrived at the Delhi airport.

Former Norwich manager Daniel Farke quit his job as coach of Russian club FC Krasnodar on Wednesday, a week after the invasion of Ukraine started.

Krasnodar said the club and Farke "reached a deal to end the contract by mutual agreement" and that the German's three assistant coaches would leave with him.

Farke had been in the job for only seven weeks after signing in January and had yet to oversee a game, first because of the winter break in the Russian season and then because Krasnodar's game last week was called off after the local airport was among several closed when the invasion began.

It was Farke's first job since he was fired by Norwich in November.

Lokomotiv Moscow coach Markus Gisdol quit his job on Tuesday in protest of the invasion of Ukraine and Dynamo Moscow assistant coach Andriy Voronin, who is Ukrainian, also left his post. Ukrainian goalkeeper Yaroslav Hodzyur left another club, Ural Yekaterinburg.

(AP) 

According to reports, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin tonight. This will be the second talk after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

IAF deploys four C- 17 aircraft to supply relief material and evacuate Indian nationals using airfields in Romania, Poland and Hungary due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Cities in eastern Ukraine remain an area of concern. Encouraging reports that some students were able to board trains out of Kharkiv last night, today morning...We've been in communication with the Russian side regarding safe passage of our nationals from Kharkiv and other cities: MEA

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that humanitarian aid including medicines, solar lamps, mats, blankets to be sent to Ukraine through tranches.

Russia issues a warning to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), saying 'No guarantees of no incidents with NATO' after NATO's military aid and arms supply to Ukraine.

There has been a sharp increase in the number of Indians who have left Ukraine. We now estimate that nearly 17,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine borders since our advisories were issued: Arindam Bagchi, MEA spokesperson

Indians trying to leave Ukraine were "kicked" and "dragged" by officials at the country's border, a student has claimed while adding that the local people were very helpful to them.

Anshika, a third-year MBBS student in Ukraine's Vinnytsia, landed in Delhi at around 11 pm on Tuesday and arrived home in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur on Wednesday.

"I had given up all hopes of returning to India as the situation there was grave. All of us were consoling each other and sharing the pain," Anshika told PTI.

While she is thousands of kilometres away from the war-torn country, the sound of siren blaring gives her the chills bringing back haunting memories of the devastation caused in the city along the Southern Bug river she once called home.

According to her father Ameer Singh Yadav, who is a college principal, Anshika cannot stand the sound of a loud horn or a siren.

Talking about her escape, Anshika said, on February 26, she along with 50 other students boarded a bus from Vinnytsia to Chernivtsi and reached there at night after travelling for about 10 hours. Without waiting for dawn, they walked six kilometres to reach the Romanian border.

The sound of firing made us afraid. We were walking towards the Romania border and praying to God. In the desperation to cross the border, some students fell down and got hurt and were unable to walk. However, they carried on after taking the help of others, she said.

"At the border, the Ukrainian officials made those coming from Ternopil and Ivano cities cross the border first and it was then that someone pushed the students, injuring a girl. The Romanian Army even fired in the air," she said.

"After this, the Ukraine officials kicked the Indian students who had fallen down and they were also dragged, she said, adding that the citizens of Ukraine, however, were very helpful.

We then got entry into Romania and were given food, water and a blanket. Their (Romanians) behaviour was much better," she said.

(PTI)

Vadym Prystaiko, Ukraine's ambassador to Britain, was at Uk Parliament on Wednesday to watch members of Parliaments (MPs) question Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the Ukraine crisis. Prystaiko received a standing ovation from the House of Commons. Many MPs also donned yellow and blue ribbons to show solidarity for Ukraine.

First IAF’s C-17 aircraft to return from Romania tonight with around 200 Indian citizens returning from Ukraine at 11 pm tonight. Two more planes will return from Poland and Hungary by early morning tomorrow: IAF officials

In an urgent advisory, the India embassy in Ukraine on Wednesday asked all Indians stranded in Kharkiv to leave the conflict zone immediately.

The embassy asked Indians to proceed to settlements in Pesochin, Babaye and Bezlyudovka as soon as possible. 

"For their safety and security, they must leave Kharkiv immediately. Proceed to Pesochin, Babaye and Bezlyudovka as soon as possible," the embassy said. 

"Under all circumstances, they must reach these settlements by 1800 hours (Ukrainian time) today," it said.

The advisory, which did not specify whether these places are in Ukraine or in other countries, came amid raging fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv.

Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar, a fourth-year medical student at the Kharkiv National Medical University, was killed in intense shelling in Kharkiv on Tuesday.

(PTI)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that Moscow is preparing for the second round of talks with Kyiv but the Ukrainian side is dragging its feet at the behest of Washington.

"We are ready for the second round of the negotiations, but the Ukrainian side is playing for time on the US' orders", Lavrov told Al Jazeera.

Amid Russia's military action in Ukraine, the second round of talks between the Russia and Ukraine delegation is scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Belarus.

Earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian delegation will wait for the Ukrainian negotiators at the site of the talks late in the evening on Wednesday, Sputnik reported.

Peskov had confirmed that presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky remains the main Russian negotiator in Russia's talks with Ukraine.

The first round of talks between the two sides was held in the Gomel region of Belarus on Monday. The talks are aimed at finding a way to end the Ukraine conflict.

Vladimir Medinsky told reporters that during the negotiations, the sides managed to find "some common points on which we predict common positions can be found".

Following the talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said Russia and Ukraine identified some priority topics on which they have outlined certain decisions.

His office had said earlier that the key "issue of the negotiations is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine".

Before its military action in Ukraine, Russia had on February 24 recognized the independence of Ukraine's breakaway regions. The Western countries have imposed tough sanctions on Russia.

(ANI)
 

Russian military choppers were spotted flying low in Ukraine's Odesa, purportedly to make a landing, as the Russia-Ukraine war continues for the seventh day. 

Russia's envoy to the UK said that it is possible that Moscow could sever ties with Britain. This comes after Britain piled on further sanctions against Russia and also imposed the first wave of punitive measures against Putin's ally Belarus for its role in the invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Wednesday said that Kyiv is ready is for the second round of negotiations with Russia but stressed that it is not ready to adopt ultimatums. 

China won't join the United States and European governments in imposing financial sanctions on Russia, the country's bank regulator said on Wednesday.

China is a major buyer of Russian oil and gas and the only major government that has refrained from criticizing Moscow's attack on Ukraine. 

Beijing opposes the sanctions, said Guo Shuqing, the chairman of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission.

"We will not join such sanctions, and we will keep normal economic, trade and financial exchanges with all the relevant parties, Guo said at a news conference. "We disapprove of the financial sanctions, particularly those launched unilaterally, because they don't have much legal basis and will not have good effects."

(AP) 

Russia on Wednesday said it is working "intensely" to create a "humanitarian corridor" for safe passage to Russian territory of Indians stuck in Kharkiv, Sumy and other conflict zones in Ukraine.

At a media briefing, Russian Ambassador-designate Denis Alipov said Russia is in touch with India on the issue of safety of Indians and that the safe passage will be put into place "as soon as possible.

"We are working intensely on creating the corridor and secure safe passage for Indians stuck in various conflict zones in Ukraine," he said.

He said Russia is working on ways and means to provide safe passage to Indians for their secure passage to Russian territory from the conflict zones in Ukraine.

To a question, Alipov said he does not "see any hurdle" in the supply of the S-400 missile systems to India because of the Western sanctions against Russia following the Ukraine crisis. 

India has taken an "unbiased" position based on assessment of the situation in Ukraine and not because it is dependent on Russian arms, he added. 

"We do coordinate our positions at the UN and inform India about our approach," he said.

Alipov further added: "We do everything possible to keep India up-to-date on what is happening."

(PTI) 

Ukraine media claims Russia has brought former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych to Minsk; alleges 'Putin is preparing to proclaim him the new President of Ukraine'.

Third World War would be nuclear and disastrous, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said, reports Russian media Sputnik.

Kremlin spokesman says Russian delegation ready to resume talks Wednesday evening with Ukrainian officials about war, reports AP

Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, one of four Union ministers sent to coordinate the evacuation of Indians from war-hit Ukraine, reaches the Slovakian city of Kosice, says his office

Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has called for anti-Russia demonstrations across the country over its invasion of Ukraine. 

Russian state media TASS has reported that a source close to Russia-Ukraine talks has said the second round of negotiations has been postponed, not cancelled. "Not a cancellation; the schedule was shifted; official information will come shortly," the source said. According to the report, the talks will take place in Belovezhskaya Pushcha in Belarus.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reportedly replaced the governors of the Cherkasy and Odesa regions.

The mayor of Konotop has said that Russia has delivered  an ultimatum - either he surrenders the city to them, or they will completely destroy it.

Taiwan's President Tsai ing wen, "At my meeting with the #US delegation led by Adm. Mullen, I reiterated #Taiwan's commitment to democracy & support for #Ukraine. Russia’s invasion reminds us that Taiwan must work with the US & other partners to defend our shared values & uphold peace."

Security Service of Ukraine said, "Each new day is not just another date on the calendar, but an opportunity to show the occupiers once again that only death and shame await them in Ukraine. Glory to Ukraine! Let's win together!"

As per Russian state media TASS, the price of gas in Europe surged to over $1,700 per 1,000 cubic meters during Wednesday trading for the first time since December 23, 2021, according to data provided by London’s ICE. The total increase in the gas price has reached 22.5%.

DHL has suspended the delivery of goods and documents to Russia and Belarus. The international delivery company joined FedEx and UPS in taking the measure as Russia continues mount attack on Ukraine.

Ukrainian General Staff has announced the closure of navigation in the northwestern part of the Black Sea.

As the European Union (EU) continues to back Ukraine even more, the 27-nation-bloc is preparing fresh sanctions against Russian businessmen. 

Ukraine's embassy in Russia is shut down. The staff has left, the gates are sealed, and the flag has been removed.

Russian state-owned media, Sputnik has stated that Spain has decided to supply offensive weapons to Ukraine amid ongoing offensive.

Russian Ambassador-designate Denis Alipov has ensured that the S-400 missile systems will be delivered to India without any hurdles. 

The Russian Finance Ministry has suggested that Russian citizens invest in gold as an alternative to the U.S. dollar in the current unstable situation.

As attacks continue in major cities in Ukraine, reports have stated that there is a threat of a missile strike in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. 

As per reports, European Aerospace company Airbus has announced the suspension of the Engineering Site in Russia. 

UK's Defence Minister Ben Wallace on Wednesday told LBC radio, "Anyone who thinks logically would not do what he (Putin) is doing, so we are going to see ... his brutality increase".

"He doesn’t get his way, he surrounds cities, he ruthlessly bombards them at night ... and he will then eventually try and break them and move into the cities," he added.

Anton Gerashchenko, current official advisor and a former deputy minister at the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, has said that the occupiers may attempt to seize the South Ukrainian nuclear power plant.

As parachute troops landed in Ukraine's Mykolaiv, a curfew has been declared in the region. 

As per reports, on just Wednesday, Russian invasion killed 21 and left 112 injured in Kharkiv.

Officer of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted an image of devastated building saying, "Sumy. Air strike on the art school. We need a no-fly zone. This is exactly what we need to demand from our partners."

Image: @Shtirlitz53/Twitter

An intelligence update by the British Ministry of Defence said that the number of civilians left displaced and forced to flee currently stands at around 660,000.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the President of Poland, Andrzej Duda as India continues to evacuate citizens from Ukraine through Poland.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said, "Today, Ukrainians are a symbol of invincibility. A symbol of the fact that people in any country can become the best people on earth at any moment. Glory to Ukraine!"

According to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, till now, Russia has lost 5,840 Soldiers, 211 Tanks, 862 Armored Vehicles, 30 Aircraft, 31 Helicopters.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said almost 6,000 Russians have been killed in 6 days of war.

Denis Alipov,  Russian Ambassador to India has said that the 'United States' thought is global domination in the name of granting democracy'.

Ukrainian Defence said, "March 2 at about 08:10 in Kharkiv as a result of a missile strike on the building of the SBU in the Kharkiv region, the State Unitary Enterprise of the National Police in the Kharkiv region and the building of the Kharkiv National University. VN Karazin previously injured 3 people."

Russia has claimed that it has taken control of Kherson as the offensive continues.

Ukrainian defence minister Oleksii Reznikov said in an update on Facebook and Telegram, "The amount of help we are receiving is increasing. The number of countries providing this assistance is growing. Even those for whom it was considered impossible are joining. More stingers and javelins to come."

Ukraine has claimed that Russia is planning a Russian naval landing in Black Sea Zone. 

Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmitryo Kuleba, "Putin is at war with children. In Ukraine, where his missiles hit kindergartens and orphanages, and also in Russia. 7 y.o. David and Sofia, 9 y.o. Matvey, 11 y.o. Gosha and Liza spent this night behind bars in Moscow for their ‘NO TO WAR’ posters. This is how scared the man is."

Following Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement, the Royal Australian Air Force plane left for Europe today carrying military equipment and medical supplies. The joint operations command of the Australian military even shared an image of the plane taking off from the RAAF Base Richmond in New South Wales around 5.30 pm AEST.

RIA reported on Wednesday, citing Donetsk military authorities that four people were killed and 30 civilians injured when Ukrainian troops shelled the Donetsk region over the last 24 hours.

Residents of Konotop (Sumy region) blocked the way for the Russian troops and showed on the phone what is really happening in Ukraine: the dead civilians of Ukraine and the corpses of Russian soldiers - video from local residents.

Ukraine Foreign Affairs Ministry asks, "If it's not genocide, what is that".

Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said, "We had an estimated 20,000 Indian nationals in Ukraine at the time that we issued our first advisory; approx. 12,000 i.e. 60% have since left Ukraine. All of our nationals have left Kyiv."

In the aftermath of airstrikes in Zhytomyr, Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine said, "As of 07:00 AM on March 2: the death of 2 people was confirmed, 16 were injured."

"12 people were rescued, including 6 children, who were rescued from the basements of dilapidated private houses. Emergency rescue operations are underway," it added.

In an operational update on Wednesday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said, "Unsuccessful in advancing its forces, the enemy insidiously continues to launch missile and bomb strikes on critical infrastructure in order to intimidate the civilian population, which is courageously side by side with the Armed Forces of Ukraine."

"The morale of the enemy and his will to win are rapidly declining due to the steady defence of our troops. The occupiers have losses in all directions. Information about this - a little later. Together we will break the enemy, because the truth is on our side! Victory will be ours! Glory to Ukraine!" it added.

As per reports, Russian President Vladimir Putin's office sent notice to Twitter to block Echo of Moscow, a Russian radio network. Responding to the same, the network said, "We do not agree with this decision and will continue to work for you!"

Wizz Air airlines have announced that it would provide one hundred thousand free tickets for refugees from Ukraine on all flights in continental Europe, departing from #Ukrainian border countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania).

Stanislav Horuna shared a video footage of what appears to be the wreckage of Russian military transport and tanks in the aftermath of fighting alongside a stern message: "We fight back. ... We will kill every occupant who invades." Talking about Stanislav Horuna Tokyo Olympics performance the Ukrainian won a bronze medal in karate last summer and owns medals of various colours in the European Championship and World Games competition.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar told Republic, 'It's a difficult situation since there is airspace restriction. It's an active conflict zone too. But we assure, we will reunite all Indian students with their families'.

Follow rolling coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war here -

2 IAF CB- 8008 aircraft take off for Romania with humanitarian aid for Ukraine. It will also bring back Indian nationals who are stranded in the war-hit nation amid Russian aggression

As per reports, Japan on Wednesday closed its embassy in Kyiv. Japanese news agency Kyodo News cited Japan's Foreign Ministry as saying that the embassy was temporarily closed and operations were now shifted to the liaison office in Lviv. The ministry added that the liaison office will continue providing support to Japanese nationals in Ukraine,

The mayors of Zhovkva and Stary Sambor, in the Lviv region, banned the settlement of men aged 18-60 without the permission of the military enlistment office.

Canadian MP Charlie Angus has proposed to name 285 Charlotte Street in Ottawa, where Russian Embassy is located, to name after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Taking to Twitter, he said, "Here's a simple proposition.  The Russian Embassy in Canada is at 285 Charlotte Street in Ottawa. Why don't we rename it  Zelensky Blvd? Because from this moment on Volodymyr Zelensky has redefined Russia's relationship with the world."

American oil company exxon mobil announced the end of operations in Russia. The company also stopped investing in Russian projects, including large enterprises in Sakhalin.

Union Minister Smriti Irani welcomed stranded students as they return from war-torn Ukraine and said, "Welcome back home ! Your families are waiting with bated breath. You have shown exemplary courage...Let's thank the flight crew as well..."

Indian Air Force aircraft carrying tents, blankets and other humanitarian aid to take off from Hindon airbase shortly. Watch -

IAF officials have said that three more Indian Air Force aircraft are scheduled to visit Poland, Hungary and Romania today to bring back Indians from Ukraine. One C-17 Globemaster took off at 4 am earlier today for Romania under Operation Ganga.

As per reports, fighting has started taking place in Kharkiv. Till now, there have been no Ukrainian military casualities. 

US financial company American Express said that it has suspended its relationship with sanctioned Russian banks over the situation in Ukraine. Company's Chairman and CEO, Stephen J. Squeri, said in a statement, "Our business in Russia is small, consisting of one partner that issues cards and a handful that acquire merchants for payment transactions. Since the beginning of this crisis, we have been complying with U.S. and international sanctions, which has resulted in us halting relationships with impacted bank partners in Russia, and we will continue to comply with all relevant laws as the situation evolves".

Global Affairs Canada said in a statement, "Canada is imposing new sanctions in response to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. The new amendments impose restrictions on 18 members of the Security Council of the Russian Federation responsible for these actions".

The Ukrainian army has said that Russian airborne troops land in Ukraine's second city Kharkiv. It comes a day after heavy shelling in the Ukrainian cities with Russia being condemned by the entire world. 

Indian Air Force's C-17 transport aircraft carried humanitarian assistance. The IAF aircraft left for Romania at 4 AM today.

According to videos obtained by several media outlets, the Russian military appears to have taken central Kherson

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense has said Belarus troops are on standby for deployment and are stationed close to the border with Ukraine. Even though Belarusian authorities have denied any involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, the country has already been used as a staging post by Russian forces.

Russian state media TASS has reported that President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to prohibit Russians from leaving the country with more than $10,000 in foreign currency. Citing the decree, the news agency reported, "The export of foreign currency cash and foreign currency instruments over $10,000 calculated based on the official exchange rate set by the Russian Central Bank on the day of export will be banned starting on March 2.”

Russian forces’ movement towards Ukrainian capital Kyiv is currently “stalled”, said a senior US defence official on Tuesday. Speaking to reporters, the American official stated that Russia’s advance on Kyiv is “where it was yesterday”. Citing a variety of factors, including lack of food for Russian troops, the US defence official noted that Ukrainian resistance also could be a possible reason for the stalled movement. 

The official claimed that Russians are not only facing “fuel and sustainment” problems but are also showing signs that they are running out of food. Further, the senior official noted that Russia’s current lack of progress may not be only due to problems arising from resistance or their own logistics. He believes that the Russians are “possibly regrouping, rethinking, reevaluating” before carrying on again. Noting that the Russian defence ministry has already openly admitted that it would target civilian areas in Kyiv, the official said that the Russians will regroup, adjust and change their tactics.

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Mariupol Mayor Vadym Boychenko said 128 wounded civilians are currently being treated in local hospitals after the city was heavily shelled by Russian forces while adding that electricity was restored in the city and 26 tonnes of bread were baked overnight for Mariupol residents.

Brent crude oil price hits $107 as Russia continues to attack Ukraine's residential areas. Recently, Biden also announced that US along with 30 other nations will release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. He added, "We’re going to be okay...Putin’s war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker, and the rest of the world stronger."   

Biden has also announced that US along with 30 other nations will release 60 million barrels of oil from reserves around the world. He added, "We’re going to be okay...Putin’s war in Ukraine will have left Russia weaker, and the rest of the world stronger."

Biden said, "The Ukrainian Ambassador to the US is here tonight, sitting with the First Lady. Let each of us if you’re able to stand, stand and send an unmistakable signal to the world and Ukraine.” 

US President Joe Biden announced that the United States will close off its airspace for Russian flights. He further added, "The U.S. Department of Justice is assembling a dedicated task force to go after the crimes of Russian oligarchs. We are joining with our European allies to find and seize their yachts, their luxury apartments, their private jets. We are coming for their ill-begotten gains."

While delivering his first State of the Union speech at Capitol Hill, US President Joe Biden said, "Six days ago, Russia’s Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated."

As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to dramatically escalate, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelesnkyy on Tuesday said that Russia must “stop bombing” Ukrainian cities before dialogue on ceasefire could begin. After the first round of Kyiv-Moscow talks in Belarus yielded no progress, as expected by Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President spoke to foreign media outlets in a heavily guarded government compound. 

Additionally, Zelenskyy called on NATO members to impose a no-fly zone to stop the Russian air force. He noted that it would be a preventative measure and note to drag the defence alliance into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. While the Russian troops are appearing to target the civilian targets after starting the attack on 24 February, Zelenskyy and Ukrainians have pledged to not only fight the ‘enemy’ but also to stay in the country. The former Soviet Union member nation, Ukraine is also moving ahead towards the much-awaited European Union (EU) membership. 

American multinational electronics company Apple on Tuesday announced that it has "paused all product sales in Russia." In a statement released by the iPhone maker, authorities also informed that Apple has also decided to stop all exports into Russia and "limited" its payment services Apple Pay for citizens of the country.

"We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited," Apple said in a statement as per Sputnik.

As more and more companies take a stand against Russia's invasion into Ukraine, American company Boeing has suspended service and technical support to Russian airlines. 

Borodjanka, a small Ukrainian town was struck by a Russian missile on Tuesday and tore through two apartment blocks about 56km (35 miles) northwest of Kyiv, according to videos and images on social media and Ukrainian media. It is to note that the village is the latest civilian area targetted by Russian forces after the TV tower in the heart of the country was destroyed. Videos and images also show the extent of destruction in Ukraine as Russia launched the special military operation on 24 February.

Ukraine-born member of US Congress, Rep. Victoria Spartz told CNN, "I think we need to understand the situation in Ukraine. It's not a war. It's a genocide of the Ukrainian people by a crazy man, who cannot get over that Ukrainian people do not want to be with Soviet Union".

While tearing up, she added, "This is a slaughter...It's a murder of the Ukrainian people. ... And the free world is standing and watching. How many he's going to kill? Well, I'll tell you: He's going to kill all of them, and as many as he can if we don't do something about it".

Amid the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the World Bank is preparing a USD 3 billion support package for the country in the coming months and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is soon considering requests for emergency financing. World Bank Group President David Malpass and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced the support package for Ukraine in a joint IMF-World Bank Group statement on the War in Ukraine on Tuesday (local time). "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the devastating human and economic toll brought by the war in Ukraine. People are being killed, injured, and forced to flee, and massive damage is caused to the country's physical infrastructure. We stand with the Ukrainian people through these horrifying developments," read the statement. The statement further said that the "war is also creating significant spillovers to other countries."

People fleeing the war in Ukraine for the safety of European border towns include citizens of countries in Africa, Asia and the Mideast, people whose lives have been upended along with those of Ukrainians but who in some cases say they are experiencing mistreatment. The trains and buses taking people west to Poland, Romania, Hungary and other European Union nations are carrying significant numbers of foreign students, workers and others who considered Ukraine home before Russia invaded its neighbour last week.

Russian forces escalated their attacks on crowded urban areas Tuesday, bombarding the central square in Ukraine’s second-biggest city and Kyiv’s main TV tower in what the country’s president called a blatant campaign of terror.

“Nobody will forgive. Nobody will forget,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vowed after the bloodshed on the square in Kharkiv.

In the U.S., President Joe Biden planned to use his first State of the Union address Tuesday evening to vow to make Russian President Vladimir Putin “pay a price” for the invasion. Biden was to highlight the resolve of a reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and adopt tough sanctions.

President Joe Biden will vow to make Vladimir Putin “pay a price” for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in his first State of the Union address, rallying allies abroad while also outlining his plans at home to fight inflation and the fading but still dangerous coronavirus.

In addition to recounting the U.S. and allied economic sanctions against Russia, Biden planned to announce that the U.S. is following Canada and the European Union in banning Russian planes from its airspace in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine, according to two people familiar with his remarks’ They spoke only on the condition of anonymity before the speech.

Biden planned in his Tuesday night remarks to highlight the bravery of Ukrainian defenders and the resolve of a newly reinvigorated Western alliance that has worked to rearm the Ukrainian military and cripple Russia’s economy through sanctions. He was set to deliver an ominous warning that without consequences, Russian President Putin’s aggression wouldn’t be contained to Ukraine.

AP

Sweden on Tuesday announced an additional 500 million SEK in humanitarian support to Ukraine bringing the total contribution to Ukraine to 1 billion SEK in humanitarian aid. Talking to Twitter, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, said, "Sweden announces another 500 million SEK (47 million euro) in humanitarian support to #Ukraine. This is on top of the 120 million SEK last week. In total, Sweden has contributed over 1 billion SEK in humanitarian aid and 2,3 billion SEK in reform support to Ukraine since 2014." Sweden also proposed several new EU measures in light of the ongoing crisis, targeting Russian leadership and oligarchs.

Canada will maintain sanctions against Russia until the latter withdraws its troops from Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday. "We will keep the sanctions in place right up until Russia recognizes and admits they made a huge mistake and withdraws its soldiers from Ukrainian soil," Trudeau told the House of Commons during the day's Question Period session. Canada has imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against Russia following President Vladimir Putin's approval of a military operation in Ukraine, including a ban on all engagements with the Russian central bank, a freeze on Russian sovereign fund assets and personal sanctions against top Russian officials.

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador says his government will not impose any economic sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.

The president often cites a guiding principle of nonintervention in foreign affairs.

He said Tuesday that “we want to maintain good relations with all the world’s governments, and we want to be in a position to be able to speak with all parties to the conflict.”

Russian investment in Mexico is estimated at some $132 million and the bilateral trade at more than $2.4 billion.

Republican politicians across the U.S. are criticizing President Joe Biden over his domestic energy policies and urging his administration to do more to embrace domestic production.

The sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies on Russia for its war with Ukraine so far do not include oil and gas exports from the country, a step that would have severely hurt Russia’s ability to generate revenue.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio both urged Biden on Tuesday to take steps to stop Russian oil imports to the U.S.

“The recent events in Ukraine are yet another example of why we should be selling energy to our friends and not buying it from our enemies,” Stitt wrote to Biden.

AP

The U.N. General Assembly will vote Wednesday afternoon on a resolution demanding that Russia immediately stop using force against Ukraine and withdraw all its military forces. The resolution also would condemn Moscow’s decision “to increase the readiness of its nuclear forces.”

So far, the resolution has 92 co-sponsors from all over the world, including Afghanistan and Myanmar, both of which saw their elected governments ousted last year.

After Russia vetoed a Security Council resolution last Friday demanding that Russia immediately stop its use of force and send its forces home, the U.S. and other supporters started the procedural steps to call an emergency special session of the General Assembly where there are no vetoes.

After reaching Bucharest as a Government of India-appointed special envoy to oversee the evacuation efforts of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday met and interacted with Indian students awaiting their flights at the Bucharest Airport and assured them of their quick departure from the Romanian capital. "Met & interacted with Indian students awaiting their flights at the Bucharest Airport. Overwhelmed by their grit & concerned by their anxiety amid the tough times. However, assured them of their quick departure from Bucharest. PM Narendra Modi ji & all of India have got their back!" tweeted Scindia, who will oversee the evacuation efforts of Indian nationals in Romania and Moldova.

Apple on Tuesday announced to halt its sales in Russia, nearly six days after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a war against its neighbouring country, Ukraine. "Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia," read the statement. Earlier, Meta, Google, TikTok and YouTube have blocked Russian state-owned media outlets RT and Sputnik in Europe, Euronews reported.

Embassy of India in Warsaw, Poland issues an urgent advisory to Indian nationals in Ukraine stating, "avoid Shehyni-Medyka border crossing which continues to be congested... Indians in Lviv&Ternopil in western Ukraine may travel to Budomierz border for quicker entry into Poland"

Ramping up the government's efforts to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 transport aircraft left for Romania in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The aircraft has taken off from the Hindan airbase at around 4 am. The sources said that leveraging the capacities of the Air Force will ensure that more people can be evacuated in a shorter time frame and it will also help to deliver humanitarian aid more efficiently.

Sweden and Finland ought to join NATO as early as tomorrow if they are ready and willing, US Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Tuesday. "Sweden and Finland, two countries that have never belonged to NATO, are thinking about joining, and I think we ought to sign them up tomorrow if they're ready to join," McConnell said during a news conference.

An Air India flight carrying Union Minister for Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia reaches Bucharest in Romania to oversee evacuation efforts of stranded Indian citizens.

"Polish & US Army soldiers, assigned to 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, held a closing ceremony for the Polish phase of an air & missile defense training exercise. Saber Strike 22 was held with NATO allies - Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, & Estonia."

 The U.S. on Tuesday injected a strong note of caution into the persistent reports that Russian military progress — including by the massive convoy outside Kyiv — has slowed, plagued by food and fuel shortages and logistical problems.

One senior Defense official said that the U.S. has seen Russian military columns literally run out of gas, and in some places running out of food, and that morale is suffering as a result.

But the official added that it is important to be pragmatic. The Russians still have a significant amount of combat power that has not yet been tapped, and “they will regroup, they will adjust, they will change their tactics.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia should stop its bombardment of Ukraine before more talks on ending the war are held. Ukrainian and Russian officials have held one round of talks since the six-day-long war began and reportedly are planning more.

“As for dialogue, I think yes, but stop bombarding people first and start negotiating afterwards,“ Zelenskyy said in a joint interview Tuesday with CNN and the Reuters news agency.

Russian forces' movement towards the Ukrainian capital city of Kyiv is currently "stalled," a senior US defence official said on Tuesday morning (local time). Russia's advance on Kyiv is "where it was yesterday," the official told reporters, citing a variety of factors, including lack of food for Russian troops. Russians are not only facing "fuel and sustainment" problems but are showing signs that they are running out of food, the official claimed, adding that the Ukrainian "resistance" also could be a possible reason for the stall. The official noted that Russia's current lack of progress may not be only due to problems arising from resistance or their own logistics and they are "possibly regrouping, rethinking, reevaluating" before carrying on again. "They (Russia) will regroup, they will adjust, they will change their tactics," the official said, adding that the Russian defence ministry openly admitted it would target civilian areas in Kyiv.

ANI

The International Court of Justice to hold public hearings on Ukraine-Russia Crisis on March 7 and 8, 2022, in a hybrid format. "The hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Ukraine." 

Lawyers for Ukraine will present arguments March 7 supporting its request. Russia’s lawyers will be given time to respond on March 8.

Ukraine has effectively asked that Russia be kicked off the internet. In a letter sent Monday to the president of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, Ukraine’s deputy minister for digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, cited the “atrocious crimes” of Russia’s invasion, including it’s alleged breach of the Geneva Conventions in attacking civilian targets. Federov said the crimes “have been made possible mainly due to the Russian propaganda machinery” and cited cyberattacks “from the Russian side” that have impeded the ability of Ukrainians and their government to communicate.

Federov asked that ICANN revoke, permanently or temporarily, the domains .ru and .su and shut down the root servers in Moscow and St. Petersburg that match domain names and numbers.

AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday signed a decree that prohibits taking more than $10,000 worth of foreign currency in cash and “monetary instruments” out of Russia. The move comes in response to the crippling sanctions Western nations have imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which this week tanked the ruble and sent Russians flocking to banks and ATM in fear for the fate of their savings. Other measures Putin ordered this week included obligating Russian exporters to sell 80% of their revenues in foreign currency, prohibiting Russian residents from providing non-residents with foreign currency under loan agreements and from depositing foreign currency into foreign bank accounts.

The first flight out of Poland under Operation Ganga has departed from the Rzeszow Airport, informed Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation General Vijay Kumar Singh (Red.) on Tuesday.

Two special flights of Operation Ganga carrying 218 and 219 Indian nationals respectively, take off from Rzeszow Airport in Poland, for Delhi Union Minister General (Retd) VK Singh was present to see off the students.

Credit card and Payment giants Mastercard and Visa have confirmed that have blocked a number of Russian banks from their networks, dealing another heavy blow to the country's economy that's being heavily impacted. In a statement, both the companies announced that they had moved quickly to comply with US sanctions imposed on Russia following its military operations in Ukraine last week. "As a result of sanction orders, we have blocked multiple financial institutions from the Mastercard payment network," Mastercard said in a statement. "We will continue to work with regulators in the days ahead to abide fully by our compliance obligations as they evolve," the company added. Rival Visa has also blocked those on the sanctions list, saying Tuesday that it was "taking prompt action to ensure compliance with applicable sanctions, and are prepared to comply with additional sanctions that may be implemented.

US President Joe Biden on Tuesday (local time) spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and discussed providing support to Ukraine against Russian military actions. "I just spoke with President Zelenskyy to discuss our continued support for Ukraine -- including security assistance and humanitarian aid -- as it defends itself against Russian aggression. We will hold Russia accountable, and our sanctions are already having a devastating impact," Biden tweeted.

The United States says it is expelling a Russian “intelligence operative” working for the United Nations, in addition to the 12 members of the Russian Mission to the United Nations whose expulsions were ordered Monday for engaging in espionage. 

The U.N. was informed Monday that the U.S. was taking action to expel a staff member working for the U.N. Secretariat, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed.

“We regret that we find ourselves in this situation but are engaging with the host country,” he said Tuesday.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has reached Budapest in Hungary to aid the evacuation of Indian citizens stranded in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with Polish President Andrzej Duda and thanked him for providing assistance for evacuating Indian citizens from Ukraine. The Prime Minister warmly thanked President Duda for the assistance provided by Poland in the evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine, and for the special gesture of relaxing visa requirements for Indian citizens crossing over to Poland from Ukraine, according to a release by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). PM Modi also expressed his particular appreciation for the warm reception and facilitation extended by Polish citizens to Indian nationals at this difficult time. Alluding to the traditionally friendly relations between the two countries, PM Modi recalled the assistance offered by Poland in the wake of the Gujarat earthquake in 2001, the release said.

The special flight of Operation Ganga carrying Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine reached Delhi from Romanian capital Bucharest. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw received Indian students at Delhi International Airport.

Russia on Tuesday intensified the shelling on the sixth day of its military operations in Ukraine by targeting the capital city Kyiv as well as the second-largest city Kharkiv with France providing Ukraine with USD 111 million financial and humanitarian aid and Volodymyr Zelenskyy asserting that "Nobody can break Ukrainians". Eight people have died and 35 injured in a rocket attack on a housing block in the second-largest city of Kharkiv in Ukraine. Notably, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier in the day denied the reports of attacking infrastructure, residential areas in Ukraine. "During the course of the special operation, Russian troops do not carry out any strikes on civilian infrastructure facilities and on a residential complex. This is out of the question. We are talking only about the demilitarization of Ukraine and military facilities. We must not forget that in a large number of cases, we are talking about the fire of nationalist groups that use living objects as a shield," Peskov said as quoting` according to Sputnik. Despite that claim, Russia is striking cities and building up its forces near the capital Kyiv, vowing not to stop until "set goals are achieved".

ANI

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke with President of the European Council Charles Michel and expressed his anguish over the deteriorating situation and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. During the talks, PM Modi reiterated India's appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue, according to PMO release. PM Modi also spoke about efforts being made by India to send urgent relief supplies, including medicines, to the affected areas.

Amid the evolving situation in Ukraine, search engine platform, Google, on Tuesday has announced helping the people with the latest information about the emergency services in the city. "Together, Google.org and Google employees are contributing $15 million in donations and in-kind support to aid relief efforts in Ukraine, including $5 million so far from our employee matching campaign and $5 million in direct grants. We’re also contributing $5 million in advertising credits to help trusted humanitarian and intergovernmental organizations connect people to important sources of aid and resettlement information," said Kent Walker, President, Global Affairs in a blog post on Tuesday.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on the U.N.’s top human rights body to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine. The top U.S. diplomat also singled out Russia in recorded remarks delivered to the Human Rights Council for repression within the country, citing reports that thousands of protesters in Russia who were opposed to the invasion had been detained. Blinken urged the council Tuesday to send a message that Russian President Vladimir Putin should unconditionally stop the “unprovoked attack” and withdraw its forces from Ukraine.“We must condemn firmly and unequivocally Russia’s attempt to topple a democratically elected government and its gross human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, and we must take steps to hold the perpetrators accountable,” he said.

Russian forces fired at the Kyiv TV tower and Ukraine’s main Holocaust memorial, among other civilian sites targeted Tuesday, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine’s State Service for Emergency Situations said the strikes on the TV tower killed five people and left five more wounded. Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, posted a photo of clouds of smoke around the TV tower, which is a couple miles from central Kyiv and a short walk from numerous apartment buildings. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said an electrical substation powering the tower and a control room on the tower were damaged from the hit. The head of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, said on Facebook that a “powerful missile attack on the territory where the (Babi) Yar memorial complex is located” is underway.

In order to evacuate the remaining Indian nationals from Ukraine, Indian Air Force C-17 transport aircraft will leave for Romania on Wednesday morning. The aircraft will leave take off from its home base in Hindan near Delhi at 4 am.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to US President Joe Biden amid Ukraine Crisis on Tuesday. "American leadership on anti-Russian sanctions & defence assistance to Ukraine was discussed. We must stop the aggressor as soon as possible," says Ukraine President.

Members of the European Parliament on Tuesday voted on a resolution following the debate on EU responses to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In the resolution adopted, the European Parliament has condemned in the strongest possible terms the Russian Federation’s 'illegal, unprovoked and unjustified' military aggression against Ukraine, as well as the involvement of Belarus in this aggression. In the resolution adopted, the European Parliament has asked the Russian Federation to 'immediately terminate all military activities' in Ukraine, unconditionally withdraw all military and paramilitary forces and military equipment from the entire internationally recognised territory of Ukraine. 

For the same, the European Parliament in the resolution has suggested Russia and Ukraine continue diplomatic efforts, and urges the Russian Federation to return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy in order to save the people in Ukraine and beyond, as well as its own people, from the scourge of war. 

EU denounces the unilateral recognition by the Russian Federation of LPR & DPR

"Denounces the unilateral recognition by the Russian Federation of the independence of the Russian-occupied areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine and urges all countries to refrain from joining it in this recognition; reiterates that the EU does not recognise and continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea as a violation of international law and remains committed to fully implementing its non-recognition policy, including through restrictive measures and cooperation in international forums," the resolution adopted read. 

Further, the European Parliament in the resolution has categorically rejected the Russian rhetoric hinting at the possible resort to weapons of mass destruction, in the context of an already deteriorated and eroded global non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control architecture. The bloc has reminded the Russian Federation of its international obligations and warned of the dangers of a nuclear escalation of the conflict. 

EU stresses the need to place a special emphasis on vulnerable groups

Acknowledging the loss of life and suffering, the European Parliament has stressed the need to place a special emphasis on vulnerable groups, minorities, and women and children, since they are 'particularly affected' in conflict situations. 

The European Parliament has "Called on the Commission and the Member States to provide further emergency humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in cooperation with UN humanitarian agencies and other international partner organisations" in the resolution. 

The bloc has welcomed the active approach of the Governments of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Moldova in keeping their borders open and providing means of evacuation, shelter, emergency assistance. Further, it has welcomed the swift adoption of sanctions by the Council with the aim of persuading the Russian Federation to cease its attacks against Ukraine. 

In the resolution, it states, "Calls for the scope of sanctions to be broadened and for the sanctions to be aimed at strategically weakening the Russian economy and industrial base, in particular the military-industrial complex, and thereby the ability of the Russian Federation to threaten international security in the future, as well as for the sanctions to be extended to Belarus based on its direct support to the Russian invasion of Ukraine."

Members of the European Parliament voted on a resolution following the debate on EU responses to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, including EU sanctions agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on 24 February.

Speaking on talks and negotiations with Russia, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said that 'a complete ceasefire is needed first'. "First, a complete ceasefire is needed to sit down at the negotiating table," he said.

In the press briefing of MEA, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla highlighted that he had dialled the Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine earlier in the day. "I reiterated strongly our demand for urgent safe passage for all Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict area, " he said, adding, "We had an estimated 20,000 Indian students in Ukraine at the time that we issued our first advisory. From that number approximately 12,000 have since left Ukraine, which is 60% of the total number of our citizens in Ukraine." 

In the press briefing, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla gave details on the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day. "The meeting began with an expression of deep regret & condolences on the tragic death of Naveen Shekharappa, an Indian student who was studying at Kharkiv National Medical University. The PM conveyed his deep anguish on the loss of the life of an Indian national," he said. 

Minister of State for Road Transport & Highways and Civil Aviation, General Vijay Kumar Singh, landed in Poland, to assess the situation on the ground with respect to the evacuation of Indians amid Russia's offensive against Ukraine. "Here, I have interacted with Indian students at Guru Singh Sabha, Warsaw," he wrote on Twitter, underlining that the Government of India will leave no stone unturned to bring back everyone safely.

NATO's chief said on Tuesday sought Peace and urged Russia to stop the fight. The alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, said, "We stand together in this time of crisis, the people of Ukraine fighting bravely against brutal unprovoked Russian aggression. We strongly condemn Kremlin aggression. We are sending anti-tank missiles, fighter planes and millions of dollars of humanitarian aid to Ukraine. UK, US and other allies are deploying thousands of troops to the eastern NATO flank. We will protect and defend every inch of nato territory. " 

Indian Air Force transport aircraft including the C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift planes on standby for OperationGanga under which Indian citizens stranded in Ukraine have to be brought back to India. Till now, 7 evacuation flights carrying nearly 1,578 nationals have reached India. Joining Air India are air carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet. While IndiGo sent special flights on February 28 and March 1, SpiceJet SpiceJet airline sent special flights on February 28. 

As per state media, an explosion has been heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv amid Russia's invasion. Air raid sirens went off a minute later, reminding residents to head to the nearest shelter, as per reports. 

PM Modi on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine. This was the fifth meeting since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Union Minister Piyush Goyal, EAM S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla and other senior officials were present in the meeting. 

After an Indian student lost his life in Russian shelling that took place in Ukraine's Kharkiv, President of the European Council Charles Michel dialled Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the call with PM Modi, EC President Michel expressed his for the loss of life of the Indian student in Ukraine due to 'indiscriminate Russian attacks' against innocent civilians.

Sharing the information of the call with PM Modi, EC President Michel wrote, "European countries are wholeheartedly helping Indian citizens to evacuate from Ukraine."

As state media reports that a strike in Kyiv is imminent, Russia has told the residents of the Ukrainian capital living near intelligence infrastructure to evacuate on Tuesday, March 1. The Ministry of Defence of Russia is planning strikes on Ukrainian Intel, Military Relay Facilities in Kyiv, as per the state-owned media. 

The Maharashtra government has taken note of fee structures for medical education in Ukraine and Russia and officials have been instructed to see if such facilities can be given to students in the state, state Minister Amit Deshmukh said on Tuesday. 

Speaking to reporters here, the state medical education minister said the state government will study the reasons for students travelling abroad for education.

"The government has taken a note of the fees for medical education in Russia and Ukraine. We shall study the reasons that why these students are going abroad," Deshmukh said.

Some work needs to be done to ensure that students planning to go abroad can get those facilities here, he said, adding that the Centre and state governments can work on this together.

Talking at a meet organised for digital membership campaign of the Congress, Deshmukh said, "The work done for digital membership by a willing candidate will also matter henceforth. There will be a separate column for the same in party forms." 

Congress MLA Praniti Shinde said the digital membership campaign will give recognition to party workers.

(PTI)