Russia-Ukraine Crisis News Highlights: At 5 am today, Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv woke up to loud sounds of air raid sirens. On February 24, 2022, the day that was supposed to be the ‘in-principle’ summit between Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin to diffuse tension in Europe, Russia launched what it called the ‘special military operations’ across Ukraine border. Coordinated attacks were launched and major Ukrainian cities such as Kharkov, Odessa and Kyiv were targeted. Plumes of smoke were seen in various video clips doing the rounds on the social media. While Moscow claims that it has destroyed the Ukraine’s airbases, the Kyiv authorities claim that it has downed 5 fighter jets belonging to Russia.
PHOTO GALLERY: Living in fear of Russia-Ukraine War
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the special operation to be conducted in East Ukraine. As per an AP report, Putin said the move comes in response to threats coming from Ukraine and that the responsibility for bloodshed lies with the Ukrainian regime. He warned any foreign attempt to interfere with Russian action would lead to “consequences they have never seen.” Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees, as per AP.
On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged Putin to “give peace a chance.” Guterres said that there were indications of imminent action against Ukraine, reported AP. The 15-nation UN Security Council held the emergency meeting on Ukraine late Wednesday night, the second meeting this week and the fourth since January 31 as tension between Russia and Ukraine escalated. India, along with countries, called for an immediate de-escalation of conflict between Russia and Ukraine and cautioned that the situation is in danger of spiraling into a major crisis.
A statement released by Ambassador T.S. Tirumurti said, ” We call for immediate de-escalation and refraining from any further action that could contribute to a worsening of the situation. We call on all parties to exert greater efforts to bridge divergent interests. I would like to underline that the legitimate security interests of all parties should be fully taken into account.” The statement further added, ” I underline once again that more than twenty thousand Indian nationals, including students, are located in different parts of Ukraine, including in its border areas. We are facilitating the return of all Indian nationals, including Indian students, as required.” The most dramatic visual was while the US was addressing UNGA, the news of Putin’s attack was conveyed to the member states. There was a silence for the moment.
“We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. Focus is on safety and security of Indian, particularly students. MEA control room is being expanded and made operational on 24X7 basis,” sources said.
The sources further said that the MEA is chairing high-level meetings and contingency plans are being put into operation. Given the airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are also being activated. “Additional Russian speaking officials have been sent to our Embassy in Ukraine and are being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine. Our Embassy in Ukraine is functional and its advisories should be followed carefully,” the sources added.
EXPERT VIEW
According to Defence Analyst Col Rajinder Singh (retd), “Russian action in Ukraine and US / West inaction there reminds me of the second world war —- when Neville Chamberlain tried to appease Hitler . President Vladimr Putin and UK Prime Minister Borris Johnson/ US President Joe Biden are re- enacting the same script.
Russian action in Ukraine was expected for some time . Putin had amassed 1.5 lakh troops on the Ukraine border for three months . The USA and West did nothing to counter it , other than merely mouthing empty threats .
As far as Russia is concerned , they are meaningless . Russia is a P-5 member of UNSC and it is fully supported by other P-5 members . China . Therefore UN Resolutions would not have any impact . I am of the view that by the time UNGA passes any effective resolution, Russia would have captured sufficient territory of UKRAINE for tough negotiations with Ukraine . In other words , Donbass and Luhansk regions would become Russian surrogates. This is what will happen .
My fears are that Russian action would not only prove the impotence of the West / USA and UNO but also set the precedent for China to go for Taiwan in near future .”
Meanwhile, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Wednesday imposed sanctions on the company in charge of building Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. “I’ve directed my admin to impose sanctions on Nord Stream 2 AG and its corporate officers,” Biden said in a statement, reported ANI. “These steps are another piece of our initial tranche of sanctions in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. As I have made clear, we will not hesitate to take further steps if Russia continues to escalate.,” US President Joe Biden further added in the statement.
As the threat of Russian invasion grew, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy delivered an emotional address to the nation late on Wednesday. “The people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine want peace,” Zelensky said, reported AP. “But if we come under attack, if we face an attempt to take away our country, our freedom, our lives and lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs,” he further added. Zelenskyy said he tried to call Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, but the Kremlin did not respond.
Here are latest updates on Russia-Ukraine conflict:
We are working on 'mission mode'
MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO UKRAINE on 24 February 2022.@MEAIndia @PIB_India @PIBHindi @DDNewslive @DDNewsHindi @DDNational @IndiainUkraine @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/JrGJTTuBEQ
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 24, 2022
Concerned about the safety of thousands of Malayalis, especially students, trapped in Ukraine amidst the Russian military offensive against that country, the state of Kerala on Thursday urged the Centre to protect them and make necessary arrangements for their return. – PTI
Just what a vulnerable world economy didn't need a conflict that accelerates inflation, rattles markets and portends trouble for everyone from European consumers to indebted Chinese developers and families in Africa that face soaring food prices. Russia's attack on Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions from the West may not portend another global recession. The two countries together account for less than 2% of the world's gross domestic product. And many regional economies remain in solid shape, having rebounded swiftly from the pandemic recession. – AP
As Russia launched an offensive against Ukraine, Opposition leaders, mostly from the Congress, on Thursday attacked the government for not making arrangements in time to bring 20,000 Indians in Ukraine back and accused it of “turning away its face” on its nationals in this difficult time. – PTI
The Embassy continues to remain open and operate in Kyiv; We are working on mission mode to find a solution to this difficult situation, says Indian Ambassador to Ukraine Partha Satpathy – ANI
Although Ukrainians had been warned for weeks that war with Russia was imminent, when the attacks finally came Thursday many seemed not to know how to react. Civil defence sirens wailed in the air of the capital, Kyiv, in the gray and drizzly morning, but the city's main street Khreshchatyk was a mixture of anxiety and normalcy. AP
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Office has said that 40 soldiers and 10 citizens have been killed in the Russian military's attacks that began around 5 am today. Meanwhile, BBC report claims that Russian tanks have already reached Kharkhiv. It is the second largest city of Ukraine.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a catastrophe for Europe, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday, calling for an urgent meeting of NATO leaders and setting out plans to make a public address and speak to G7 leaders.”This is a catastrophe for our continent,” he said on Twitter. “I will make an address to the nation this morning on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.””I will also speak to fellow G7 leaders and I am calling for an urgent meeting of all NATO leaders as soon as possible.” – Reuters
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine on Thursday but said Greece has sufficient energy supply.Greece imports 40% of its natural gas from Russia and also has contracts with Azerbaijan and Algeria.”We are working on scenarios which have to do with the biggest possible absorption of fluctuations in energy prices,” Mitsotakis said after chairing a national security council meeting.Mitsotakis, who will meet EU leaders at a summit later on Thursday to discuss new sanctions on Russia and the energy issue, condemned Russia's attack on Ukraine, saying revisionist actions threaten geopolitical stability in Europe. – Reuters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that his country has officially severed diplomatic ties with Russia after the morning military assault.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said on Thursday that troops from the ex-Soviet country could take part in Russia's military operation against Ukraine if needed, the Belta news agency reported. Reuters
ATMs, banks, grocery stores – All such places are witnessing massive lines after the early morning sirens and attacks. Some people have left their homes and have taken shelter in nearby metro stations. Others are leaving the city. This comes at a time when Russian tanks are said to have reached Belarus, which is just 80 km from Kyiv.
A day after the Germany authorities halted the Nord 2 Stream project, many were of the view that Germany may face a severe energy crisis. But allying the fear, German Economy Minister Robert Habeck has said that his country can guarantee supplies even without Russian gas or oil. He said that Germany may have to buy more coal form other nations, but it is not dependent on Russia alone and can do without Moscow's energy deliveries.
The biggest worry of all of the European nations is the gas supplies in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Things, however, remain calm for now. Austria has gone on record saying that it is getting the 'normal' deliveries from Russia.
Gold prices jumped more than 2% on Thursday to their highest in over a year and palladium extended a rally as Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation.Spot gold climbed 1.8% to $1,941.50 per ounce by 0841 GMT, after hitting the highest since January 2021 at $1,948.77. U.S. gold futures jumped 1.7% to $1,943.20.Russian missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, and landing by sea at the cities of Odessa and Mariupol in the south. – Reuters
Bitcoin tumbled to its lowest in a month on Thursday after Russian forces fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast, sparking a sell-off of riskier assets.Bitcoin slumped as much as 7.9% to $34,324, its lowest since Jan. 24, and was last trading down 5.3%. Smaller coins that typically move in tandem with bitcoin also fell, with ether losing as much as 10.8%. – Reuters
The Russian central bank will step into the market to support the rouble, it said on Thursday, as the local currency crashed to an all-time low after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in Ukraine.After weeks of denying plans to attack neighbouring Ukraine, Russian forces fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine and landed troops on its coast on Thursday.Russia's currency, bonds and stocks all tanked, prompting the central bank to announce its first foreign exchange intervention designed to shore up financial stability since 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine. – Reuters
India has issued fresh advisory for its citizens living in Ukraine. here are details.
Advisory to all Indian Nationals/Students in Ukraine
— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) February 24, 2022
as on 24.02.2022.@MEAIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive pic.twitter.com/CprwFPoZ4o
Security camera footage shows a line of Russian military vehicles crossing into Ukraine from Russian-annexed Crimea. Russian troops launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday. President Vladimir Putin cast aside international condemnation and sanctions and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to ‘consequences you have never seen’. (AP)
The European Union is planning the 'strongest, the harshest package' of sanctions it has ever considered at an emergency summit Thursday as the Russian military attacked Ukraine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that 'the target is the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order, and we will hold President (Vladimir) Putin accountable for that'. AP
India is looking at ways to assist its nationals, especially students, in Ukraine amid fears of a larger conflict after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation against the eastern European country. Official sources said India is closely monitoring the “rapidly changing” situation in Ukraine and how to assist the Indians in that country. (PTI)
Ukraine military says five Russian planes and a Russian helicopter were shot down in Luhansk region: Reuters (ANI)
#ukrainerussiacrisis | Air India flight AI1947 to land at about 12.35 pm today (ANI)
Russia's defence ministry said on Thursday it had taken out military infrastructure at Ukraine's air bases and “suppressed” its air defences, Russian news agencies reported. The ministry denied reports that its aircraft had been downed over Ukraine. Earlier, Ukraine's military had said five Russian planes and one helicopter were shot down over its Luhansk region. (Reuters)
Ukraine's border guard agency says the Russian military has attacked the country from neighbouring Belarus. The agency said the Russian troops unleashed artillery barrage as part of an attack backed by Belarus. They said the Ukrainian border guards were firing back, adding that there was no immediate report of casualties. (AP)
#ukrainerussiacrisis “Russia says destroyed Ukraine airbases, air defences,” AFP quotes news agencies (ANI)
Ukraine military says five Russian planes and a Russian helicopter were shot down in Luhansk region: Reuters (ANI)
The United States and its allies will impose “severe sanctions” on Russia after its military forces launched an attack on Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden said after blasts were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and other cities. Biden said he spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and briefed him on the steps Washington was taking to rally international condemnation of Russia, including at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council. “Tomorrow, I will be meeting with the leaders of the G7, and the United States and our allies and partners will be imposing severe sanctions on Russia,” Biden said in a statement. (Reuters)
As Russia intensified its aggression toward neighboring Ukraine earlier this week, Republican Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio blasted President Vladimir Putin's provocations as a “clear violation of international law.” The co-chair of the Senate's Ukraine Caucus urged the Biden administration to work with allies to “ensure a coordinated response to this unwarranted continued incursion on sovereign territory of Ukraine.” But one of the Republicans running to replace the retiring Portman had a very different message. (AP)
UKRAINE MILITARY SAYS INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANDING OF RUSSIAN TROOPS IN ODESSA IS FALSE (Reuters)
Cuba, a close ally of Russia, has sharply criticized the United States for imposing “the progressive expansion of NATO towards the borders of the Russian Federation” and called for a diplomatic solution to preserve international peace. One of the worst crises in Europe in decades is unfolding as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine after recognizing them as independent, prompting fresh sanctions from Western nations including the United States. In a statement late on Tuesday, Cuba's foreign ministry said the United States, Havana's long-time rival, had ramped up threats against Putin, aggravating the crisis. The Cuban statement did not specifically mention Russian advances into the separatist regions of eastern Ukraine. “The US government has been threatening Russia for weeks and manipulating the international community about the dangers of an 'imminent massive invasion' of Ukraine,” the Cuban statement said. “It has supplied weapons and military technology, deployed troops to several countries in the region, applied unilateral and unjust sanctions, and threatened other reprisals.” (Reuters)
Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now: Ukraine Foreign Minister (ANI)
The world must act immediately. Devastating & swift sanctions on Russia NOW. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine. Financial and Humanitarian assistance. . Future of Europe & the world is at stake: Ukraine Foreign Minister (ANI)
Air India flight AI1947 is coming back to Delhi due to NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) at, Kyiv, Ukraine. (ANI)
TRUDEAU SAYS CANADA CALLS ON RUSSIA TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE ALL HOSTILE AND PROVOCATIVE ACTIONS AGAINST UKRAINE AND WITHDRAW ALL MILITARY AND PROXY FORCES (Reuters)
Artillery fire was heard on Thursday in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk controlled by Russian-backed separatists, a Reuters witness reported, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a military operation in Ukraine. (Reuters)
Ukraine's parliament and other government and banking websites were hit with another punishing wave of distributed-denial-of-service attacks, and cybersecurity researchers said unidentified attackers had also infected hundreds of computers with destructive malware. Some of the infected computers were in neighbouring Latvia and Lithuania, the researchers said. (AP)
A special flight from Ukraine comprising Indian nationals including students lands in Delhi. Visuals from IGI Airport. #ukrainerussiacrisis (ANI)
#update | Powerful explosions heard in the eastern port city of Mariupol, shortly after Russia announced an operation to “demilitarise” the country: AFP #ukrainerussiacrisis (ANI)
Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now: Ukraine Foreign Minister (ANI)
Russian President on record declared war…It's the responsibility of this body to stop this war. I call on everyone to stop the war. “Should I play the video of your president calling the war,” Ukraine Representative to Russian Representative at UN emergency meeting (ANI)
Special operation declared by President Putin is to protect the people of Ukraine who have been suffering for years. We aim to de-genocide Ukraine… Decision made in line with Article 51 of UN charter… We will analyze the situation (in Ukraine): Russia Rep (ANI)
#ukrainerussiacrisis | (Post the announcement of a 'military operation' in Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin), an explosion was heard in Kyiv; oil prices break $100 on Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine: AFP (ANI)
#ukrainerussiacrisis | I'll be monitoring the situation from White House this evening & get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I'll meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning… We'll coordinate with our NATO allies: US President Joe Biden (ANI)
Prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked & unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering: US President Joe Biden (ANI)
Russia alone is responsible for the death & destruction this attack will bring. The US & its allies will respond in a united & decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable: US President Joe Biden, on #ukrainerussiacrisis (ANI)
We call for an immediate de-escalation; situation is in danger of spiraling into a major crisis. If not handled carefully, it may undermine security. The security of all parties should be taken into account: India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti at UNSC meeting on Ukraine (ANI)
Over 20,000 Indian students in Ukraine, we are facilitating the return of all Indian nationals including students as we may be required: India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti at UNSC meeting on Ukraine (ANI)
Ukraine restricts flights of civil aircraft within the country. NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) issued. Air India’s second special flight AI- 1947 left for Ukraine’s Boryspil airport today in the morning. (ANI)