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Russia-Ukraine Conflict Highlights: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on February 24 military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country. Russia claims to have destroyed Ukrainian airbases and air defences, according to news agencies.
Putin also vowed retaliation against those who interfere with Russian-Ukraine operation. Explosions were heard in Kharkiv, a major Ukrainian city just south of the Russian border, after Moscow launched the military operation. Ukrainian forces in the city have been battling Moscow-backed insurgents since 2014
US President Joe Biden said the "world will hold Russia accountable" over its attack on Ukraine that he warned will cause "catastrophic loss of life."
Putin will face significant consequences if Moscow invades Ukraine, the White House warned on Wednesday, noting that the series of sanctions announced against it in the last two days are just a beginning.
Weeks of diplomacy to avert war and sanctions on Russia failed to deter Putin, who has massed over 150,000 troops on the Ukraine border.
Airlines should stop flying over any part of Ukraine because of the risk of an unintended shootdown or a cyber attack targeting air traffic control amid tensions with Russia, a conflict zone monitor said.
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US President Joe Biden's speech on Russian invasion of Ukraine moved to 1:30 pm ET (1830 GMT, or 12AM IST), says White House
SOURCE:AFP
PM Narendra Modi speaks to Russian President Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 briefed PM Narendra Modi about the recent developments regarding Ukraine. PM Modi reiterated his long-standing conviction that the differences between Russia & NATO can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue, informed PMO.
Apart from this, PM Modi appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue.
Prime Minister Modi also sensitised the Russian President about India's concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India, added PMO.
Europe's main stock markets close sharply lower as investors flee equities following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Source: AFP
Russia does not want to undermine global economic system: Putin
Source: AFP
EAM S Jaishankar will speak to Foreign ministers of Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary
Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla on February 24 said EAM S Jaishankar will speak to Foreign ministers of Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.
"A number of steps have been taken to deal with the emerging situation in Ukraine. We started the registration of Indian nationals in Ukraine about a month ago. Based on online registration, we found that 20,000 Indian nationals were there," Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla said.
"One important step we have taken is to pursue all universities in Ukraine to conduct online classes. PM Modi has specifically stated that the MEA should do everything possible for our citizens in Ukraine," Shringla added.
Apart from this, Shringla said that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine continues to be functional. "A number of advisories have been issued by embassies on the situation as it evolves. We're consulting universities, student contractors in the process of providing welfare and safety of our students," he said.
Ukraine capital Kyiv declares curfew: Mayor
Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko on Thursday announced an overnight curfew in Ukraine's capital as the country battled to repel a Russian invasion.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion said the curfew would last from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am local time (2000-0500 GMT) and that public transport would stop working during that period.
Metro stations would remain open throughout to serve as bomb shelters, he said.
SOURCE: AFP
Czech Republic stops issuing visas to Russians
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala on Thursday said the EU member had stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"We are suspending the processing of visa applications from Russian nationals at all our consular offices with the exception of humanitarian cases," Fiala told reporters.
He also announced the closure of Czech consulates in Russian cities Saint Petersburg and Yekaterinburg and said Russia's consulates in the Czech cities of Karlovy Vary and Brno were no longer permitted to operate.
Earlier Thursday, Czech President Milos Zeman had condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an "unprovoked act of aggression".
He also called for tough sanctions to isolate "the madman" without mentioning his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin by name.
The criticism marked a stark departure for Zeman, who had previously voiced frequent pro-Russian views and fostered close ties with Putin.
Last year, Prague and Moscow decided to cap the number of diplomats at their respective embassies following a rift over the role of Russian intelligence services in two explosions on Czech soil.
Czech intelligence suspects two Russian spies orchestrated the blasts at an eastern Czech military depot that killed two people in 2014.
Following the spat, Moscow designated the Czech Republic, alongside the United States, as an "unfriendly state" that has "carried out unfriendly actions" against Russia.
SOURCE: AFP
IMF chief warns of 'significant economic risk' from Ukraine conflict: Report
Russian occupation forces are trying to seize Chornobyl. Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to Swedish PM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
A large no. of Indian students in Ukraine turned up outside Indian Embassy in Kyiv today morning. Not all could be accommodated in Embassy premises. The Embassy organised safe premises nearby, students moved there. No Indian is currently stranded outside the Embassy.This process took some time given the ground situation in Kyiv. As fresh students arrive, they are being moved to the safe premises. The Embassy is continuing to assist Indian nationals, including students, in Ukraine: Sources to news agency ANI
