Russia-Ukraine crisis: Venezuela assures 'strong support' to Russia

In the first Indian casualty in the war in Ukraine, a medical student from Karnataka was killed in shelling in Kharkiv city on March 1, even as the government said that all Indians have left Kyiv and roped in the Air Force to speed up the evacuation process. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting, his fourth in the last 48 hours on Ukraine, as India asked envoys of Russia and Ukraine to ensure "urgent safe passage" to all Indian nationals stuck in Kharkiv and other conflict zones. Stay tuned on DH for latest updates.

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Foreign students stuck at Ukraine border complain of racism

Jean-Jacques Kabeya is furious: like other foreign students in Ukraine -- from Africa, Asia and the Middle East -- he says has been stopped from leaving the country by its border guards.

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Russia receives Venezuela's 'strong support'

In rare backing for Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro on Tuesday assured Vladimir Putin of his "strong support" in a telephone call, according to a Kremlin statement.

In the call initiated by Caracas, the Venezuelan leader also condemned "destabilizing actions of the United States and NATO" and spoke out against a Western campaign of "lies and disinformation," it said.

Dozens of people have been killed and nearly 680,000 have fled Ukraine since Putin ordered his troops into the country last week after failing to get guarantees that NATO will not expand its military alliance eastward.

Russia sees 'no desire' from Ukraine to find legitimate solution

Russia sees "no desire on the part of Ukraine" to try to find a legitimate and balanced solution to the problems between the two countries, Gennady Gatilov, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, told Lebanese television in an interview aired on Tuesday.

Americans' approval of US President Joe Biden's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine rose over the past week, with 43% saying they approve in a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Tuesday, up from 34% last week.

Ford Motor Co said on Tuesday that, given Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it has informed joint venture partner Sollers it is immediately suspending operations in Russia until further notice.

Mexico rules out imposing economic sanctions on Russia

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Tuesday ruled out imposing economic sanctions on Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine and criticized what he called censorship of Russian media.

"We are not going to take any economic type of retaliation, because we want to maintain good relations with all the governments of the world and we want to be in a position to be able to talk with the parties in conflict," he told reporters.

Jaguar, Aston Martin pause Russian deliveries over sanctions

Blinken calls Napalese PM Deuba; seeks support on Russian invasion of Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday spoke with Nepali Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba during which the top American diplomat discussed Russia's attack on Ukraine and the importance of respecting the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

During the telephonic call Blinken also emphasised on the strong diplomatic ties between Nepal and the US.

"US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Prime Minister Deuba during which the top American diplomat discussed Russia attack on Ukraine and the importance of respecting the UN Charter’s principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," said an official statement.

EU bans Russian state media Sputnik, RT broadcasting in bloc

FIA announces ban on Russian flags, anthems in F1

Russian flags and the playing of its national anthem will be banned in Formula One, the FIA announced on Tuesday in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine.

The FIA had already cancelled the Russian Grand Prix, scheduled for September 25, last week.

It says professional drivers from Russia and Belarus can only compete "under the FIA flag" and in a "neutral capacity" until further notice.

Haas' Nikita Mazepin is the only Russian driver currently in F1.

Apple halts all product sales in Russia

Tech giant Apple announced Tuesday a halt in all product sales in Russia, the latest fallout over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country," said an Apple statement carried by US media.

Candles being lit during a candle march of Indian Youth Congress to pay homage to Naveen Shekharappa, an Indian medical student who died due to Russian shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv, in New Delhi, Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

NATO chief sees no need to change nuclear alert level

NATO's chief said on Tuesday that, despite Russia's threats about nuclear weapons, the alliance sees no need to change its own nuclear weapons alert level.

The alliance's secretary-general, Jens Stoltenberg, spoke to The Associated Press following talks on European security with Polish President Andrzej Duda at an air base in Lask, central Poland, where NATO's Polish and US fighter jets F-15 and F-16 are based.

UK pledges extra 80 million pounds in aid to Ukraine

Britain said on Tuesday it was pledging another 80 million pounds ($106.5 million) towards aid for Ukraine to help it tackle a growing humanitarian crisis.

The extra funding brings British support for Ukraine to 220 million pounds, the government said.

Of this 120 million pounds is earmarked for aid and the other 100 million pounds, announced last month, is to bolster the economy and reduce Ukraine's dependence on Russian gas imports.

Visa, Mastercard block Russian banks after sanctions

US credit card giants Visa and Mastercard said they were blocking Russian banks from their payment networks following international sanctions in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"As a result of sanction orders, we have blocked multiple financial institutions from the Mastercard payment network," Mastercard Chief Executive Michael Miebach said in a statement released Monday night.

ICJ to hold Ukraine war hearings on March 7, 8

Turkey says Ukraine-Russia talks unlikely on Wednesday, Russian demands 'unrealistic'

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday that Ukrainian and Russian delegations were unlikely to meet for planned talks on Wednesday, adding Moscow's demands to end its invasion were "unrealistic".

"They will most likely not meet (on Wednesday)," Kalin told broadcaster CNN Turk. "It will most likely be postponed a couple of days, we are in touch with the negotiating teams," he said, adding he hoped Russian President Vladimir Putin would end the assault by realising the economic damage it causes to Russia.

Five students land at Ranchi airport from Ukraine

Five medical students, including four girls and a boy, landed at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport on Tuesday evening from war-torn Ukraine.

The panic-stricken students said that they heaved a sigh of relief after arriving here in Jharkhand and they do not want to recall the harrowing experience they faced in the last few days.

The students were identified as Ankit Kumar, Trisha Rana, Hafiza Samshi, Priya Priyanka, and Aman Tejaswini.

International Tennis Federation announces ban on Russian, Belarusian teams from its competitions

Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Simasius and others paint a sign that reads “Putin, the Hague is waiting for you” outside the Russian embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania on February 28, 2022.

Russian forces have entered the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, but Ukraine still controls the city administration building, Ukrainian interior ministry advisor Vadym Denysenko said on television on Tuesday.

Russia holds drills with nuclear subs, land-based missiles

Russian nuclear submarines sailed off for drills in the Barents Sea and mobile missile launchers roamed snow forests on Tuesday in Siberia after President Vladimir Putin ordered his nation's nuclear forces put on high alert over tensions with the West over the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's Northern Fleet said in a statement that several of its nuclear submarines were involved in exercises designed to “train maneuvering in stormy conditions.”

It said several warships tasked with protecting northwest Russia's Kola Peninsula, where several naval bases are located, would join the maneuvers.

In the Irkutsk region of eastern Siberia, units of the Strategic Missile Forces dispersed Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers in forests to practice secret deployment, the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Russia has moved to block an independent TV channel and a liberal radio station over the "deliberately false information" about Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported Tuesday.

Ukraine raised 8.1 billion hryvnias ($273 million) on Tuesday at its first bond auction to raise money for its fight against Russia, the finance ministry said in a statement.

Centre didn't take steps in time to evacuate Indian students from war-hit Ukraine: Rajasthan MP

Body of Indian student who died in Kharkiv has been taken to morgue in medical university in the city: FS Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

UK finance minister Sunak calls for G7 to go further over Ukraine

British finance minister Rishi Sunak called for his counterparts from the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations and central bank governors to do more to support Ukraine in the wake of the Russian invasion, Britain's finance ministry said.

"We must do what we can to protect the fundamental freedoms of Ukraine and its people," Sunak said.

Hungarians take part a demonstration against the Russians established International Investment Bank and the politics of Hungarian government on March 1, 2022 in downtown Budapest.

US says Russian advance on Kyiv stalled

The Russian military advance on Kyiv has momentarily stalled, hampered by Ukrainian resistance as well as fuel and food shortages, a senior US defense official said Tuesday.

"We generally sense that the Russian military movement... the overarching movement on Kyiv, is stalled at this point," the official told reporters.

"We do think that some of it has to do with their own sustainment and logistics," the official said.

"And we also think that just in general... the Russians themselves are regrouping and rethinking and trying to adjust to the challenges that they've had."

Situation in Ukraine an existential threat to Europe, Polish PM says

Nearly 6,80,000 refugees flee Ukraine: UNHCR

Approaching 6,80,000 people have fled Ukraine since the Russian military invasion on February 24, with the number rising rapidly.

"The number of people who have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries has reached 6,77,000," Filippo Grandi, who heads the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said on Twitter.

Five killed in Russian strike on Kyiv TV tower

An apparent Russian airstrike aimed at Kyiv's main television tower killed five people on Tuesday, officials said, knocking out some broadcasts but leaving the structure intact.

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Spain to take in Ukraine refugees, send troops to Latvia

Spain's leftist government said Tuesday it will allow in Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion and send another 150 troops to Latvia as part of a NATO buildup in the region.

Government spokeswoman Isabel Rodriguez said Ukrainian refugees would be "full citizens" from the moment they arrived in Spain, notably "in terms of access to employment".

Refugees fleeing Russian invasion in Ukraine arrive in Vysne Nemecke.

5,000 Russian soldiers dead or captured

A senior Western intelligence official briefed by multiple intelligence agencies estimated on Tuesday that more than 5,000 Russian soldiers have been captured or killed so far, and that Ukrainian forces have eliminated significant numbers of Russian aircraft and tanks and some air defense systems.

The official said that Russian forces have increased use of artillery north of Kyiv and around the eastern city of Kharkiv and northern city of Chernihiv, and have been using heavier weapons over the last 48 hours.

Afghanistan, Myanmar to vote against Russia at UN

Afghanistan and Myanmar are vote for a United Nations General Assembly resolution denouncing Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to diplomats.

Afghanistan -- ruled by the Taliban -- and Myanmar, which is run by a military junta, are represented at the UN by ambassadors appointed by the countries' previous democratically elected governments that were overthrown last year.

The Taliban and Myanmar's military rulers have named their own UN ambassadors but they have not been recognized by the world body.

Ukraine says Russia has plan to introduce Belarussian troops into the conflict

Candle march held in Delhi to pay tribute to Indian student killed in Ukraine

Workers of the Congress' youth wing held a candle march here to pay tribute to the 21-year-old Indian student who was killed in shelling in Ukraine's Kharkiv city.

The march was carried out from the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) office to Jantar Mantar.

Naveen Shekarappa Gyanagoudar died on Tuesday in shelling in Kharkiv which is witnessing intense fighting in face of a renewed Russian assault.

Haryana govt contacted 700 out of 1,786 students from state studying in Ukraine: Khattar

The Haryana government has contacted 700 out of 1,786 students from the state studying in Ukraine, while 90 students have been brought back from the war-hit country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday.

“The students of Haryana stuck in Ukraine will be brought back safely. For this, the Ministry of External Affairs and the government of Haryana are making dedicated efforts,” he said.

The chief minister said the state government has so far contacted 700 students through e-mail, WhatsApp and other media.

The Haryana government has contacted 700 out of 1,786 students from the state studying in Ukraine, while 90 students have been brought back from the war-hit country, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Tuesday.

“The students of Haryana stuck in Ukraine will be brought back safely. For this, the Ministry of External Affairs and the government of Haryana are making dedicated efforts,” he said.

The chief minister said the state government has so far contacted 700 students through e-mail, WhatsApp and other media.

As per our information, all our nationals have left Kyiv: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Conveyed to envoys of Russia, Ukraine our demand for urgent safe passage to all Indians in Kharkiv and other conflict zones: FS Shringla

A C-17 IAF aircraft is expected to fly out to Romania at 4 am on Wednesday to bring back Indians: Foreign Secretary Shringla.

Apart from Bucharest and Budapest, airports in Poland and Slovak Republic will also be used to operate evacuation flights: Foreign Secretary.

Over next three days, 26 flights have been scheduled to bring back Indian citizens: Foreign Secretary after PM's meeting on Ukraine crisis.

We remain very concerned over situation in Kharkiv, Sumy and other conflict zones in Ukraine: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla.

Turkey's Erdogan calls for immediate Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, supports NATO enlargement

WTI oil price soars more than 10% on Ukraine fallout

Ukraine's Kharkiv struck by cluster bombs, experts say

Multiple cluster bombs were fired on Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv on Monday, two munitions experts said after reviewing footage posted on social media.

Reuters geo-located two separate videos that show thuds and flashes over a wide residential area in the city of 1.4 million in northeast Ukraine. Reuters was unable to obtain the original footage to confirm the time and date of the recordings, which were posted online on Monday.

Kharkiv has been the target of some of the worst aerial attacks since Ukraine was invaded by Russian forces on Feb. 24.

In subtle message to Putin, Modi stresses 'respect for sovereignty' of all nations

Respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states underpin contemporary global order, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, sending out a message to President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, after a medical student from Karnataka became the first Indian casualty of Russia’s military aggression into Ukraine.

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Death of Karnataka student prods Modi govt to prioritise evacuation of Indians from eastern Ukraine

After a medical student from Karnataka was killed in shelling by the Russian Army in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, the envoys of Moscow and Kyiv to New Delhi were summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs and asked to urgently ensure safe passage for all Indians from the war-torn country.

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PM Modi expressed his anguish over the deteriorating situation & humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. He reiterated India’s appeal for cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue: PMO

Radio station critical of Russian government goes off air after authorities threaten to shut it over Ukraine coverage

A blast is seen in the TV tower, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 1, 2022.

PM Modi speaks to Poland's President Andrzej Duda, thanks him for assistance provided in evacuation of Indian citizens from Ukraine: PMO

PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron discuss situation in Ukraine; share concerns over deteriorating humanitarian situation: PMO

'We must stop the aggressor as soon as possible,' Zelenskyy tells Biden

NATO to hold emergency meeting over Ukraine Friday

NATO foreign ministers will hold emergency talks in Brussels on Friday over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the alliance said in a statement.

NATO allies have rushed to bolster their eastern flank after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the attack, but remain adamant that they will not get involved militarily in the war in non-NATO member Ukraine. - AFP.

Swiss company behind Nord Stream 2 pipeline 'insolvent', lays off staff: Official

French shipping group CMA CGM says will stop Russian deliveries

Ukraine says Russia has plan to introduce Belarussian troops into the conflict

The intelligence arm of the Ukrainian defence ministry said on Tuesday that Russia was preparing a provocation to justify the entry of Belarussian troops into the conflict.

In a post on social media, it said it had data showing there were about 300 Belarussian tanks in Belarus near the border with Ukraine. - Reuters.

Ukraine recalls envoys from Georgia, Kyrgyzstan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Kyiv was recalling ambassadors from fellow ex-Soviet republics Kyrgyzstan and Georgia over their government's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"We are recalling for consultations our ambassador from Kyrgyzstan over a justification of the aggression against Ukraine," Zelenskyy said in a video on Facebook. -AFP.

Cannes film festival bans Russia delegations from 2022 event

The Cannes film festival said in a statement on Tuesday that it would ban official Russian delegations from its 2022 festival unless the Ukraine conflict ends.

It added that the festival will only admit official Russian delegations if the Ukraine conflict ends in a manner acceptable to the Ukrainian people. - Reuters.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan says calls on Russia and Ukraine to stop fighting immediately

Germany finance minister Lindner says we need to act harder against Putin's supporters

Five killed in Russian strike on Kyiv TV tower

Had advised all our nationals in Kyiv to head to western parts & exit from there. They can go towards Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Poland & Moldova. 7,700 nationals have exited through these routes, 2,000 have returned & 4,000-5,000 are waiting: Shringla

Lukashenko says no Belarus military units have moved from bases, but country could mobilise in 2-3 days in event of danger

Y'day PM spoke to his counterparts from Slovak Republic & Romania to seek assistance to our evacuation efforts. He has just now spoken to President of Poland: He also received calls from Presidents of France & EU Commission: Shringla

A flight left this morning carrying the first tranche of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, through Poland: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

The consignment comprised medicines, medical equipment & other relief material. Another flight tomorrow will carry a 2nd consignment, also through Poland. Besides medicines, we have a number of other items that are also there which will be of humanitarian use in Ukraine.

US has picked up indications that morale has suffered in some Russian units, official says

All of our nationals have left Kyiv. The information with us is that we have no more nationals left in Kyiv. All our inquiries reveal that each and every one of our nationals has come out of Kyiv: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

26 flights scheduled to evacuate Indians in next 3 days, says foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla

US has indications that some Russian units have surrendered without a fight, official says

Paris wax museum banishes Putin statue

The Paris Grevin Museum on Tuesday removed the wax figure of Russian President Vladimir Putin in protest against his invasion of Ukraine and after it was damaged by visitors over the weekend.

The statue, which was created in 2000, was moved to a warehouse until further notice and the museum is considering replacing it with a statue of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"Today is it no longer possible to present a character like him...for the first time in the museum's history we are withdrawing a statue because of historical events currently under way," museum director Yves Delhommeau told France Bleu radio. - Reuters.

More than 400 Russian missile launches into Ukraine so far, Russians do not have air superiority over country - US official

World Athletics bans Russian athletes from competition: Federation

Russian strike targets Kyiv TV tower, knocking out broadcasts

Russia's Kharkiv attack 'absolutely sickening': UK PM

Alexander Lukashenko says he asked Putin to deploy additional S-400 missile complex west of Minsk

UK's Johnson says we will not fight Russian forces in Ukraine

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday British troops would not fight Russian forces in Ukraine, and that recent reinforcements were firmly within the borders of NATO members.

"These are nothing more than defensive measures, which have been the essence of NATO for more than 70 years," he said during a visit to Estonia where Britain has deployed more troops.

"I want to be crystal clear finally, on that point, we will not fight Russian forces in Ukraine and our reinforcements like these reinforcements here in Tapa are firmly within the borders of NATO members and they are profoundly the right thing to do." - Reuters.

Ukraine says 8 dead in Russian strike on Kharkiv housing block

Estonia PM says will continue to support Ukraine by providing significant military aid

G7 discussed further sanctions against Russia, German finance minister says

'Russia is carrying out a premeditated and unjustified attack on Ukraine', says Blinken

US Secretary of State Blinken suggests Russia should be stripped of UN rights council membership

'Must send a resolute and unified message that Putin should unconditionally stop this, says Blinken

The US Secretary of State also told the UN that the Kremlin is also ramping up its repression within Russia.

French President Macron and PM Modi held a telephonic conversation on Tuesday

President of the European Council, Charles Michel held talks with PM Modi

"Expressed my condolences on the death of an Indian student in Kharkiv today due to indiscriminate Russian attacks against innocent civilians," Michel tweeted

Putin win would worsen humanitarian, rights crisis in Ukraine: Blinken

Not being allowed to board train from Kharkiv: Indian students

21-year-old Swathi, a medical graduate at a university in Ukraine’s second-largest city of Kharkiv, stood hours together at a railway station to board a train to reach the border from where she hoped to be evacuated by officials from the Indian Government.

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It's like the massacre arranged by Mughals against Rajputs. We are asking every time all influential world leaders, among them Modi, to use every resource against Putin to stop bombing and shelling: Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India - ANI

EU must prepare for millions of refugees from Ukraine, commissioner says

The European Union must prepare for "millions" more refugees fleeing Russia's invasion of Ukraine after more than 400,000 have passed into the bloc, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson said on Tuesday on a visit to Slovakia.

She said she hoped the European Council would activate the temporary protection directive on Thursday giving protection to those fleeing, and added they were looking at deploying more people to help the EU country's bordering Ukraine. - Reuters.

NATO sees no need to change nuclear alert level

NATO's chief says the alliance sees no need to change its nuclear weapons alert level, despite Russia's threats.

“We will always do what is needed to protect and defend our allies, but we don't think there is any need now to change the alert levels of NATO's nuclear forces,” Stoltenberg said. - AP.

Mexico president says country will not take any economic sanctions against Russia

Nord Stream 2 terminates contracts with employees

The operator of the Russia-led gas pipeline project Nord Stream 2 said on Tuesday it had to terminate contracts with employees because of USsanctions.

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Ukrainians face long journeys to borders as fighting escalates

Ukrainians arriving into the European Union on Tuesday described their frantic journeys to the border after leaving behind husbands and fathers to fight a Russian invasion and escaping their homes to the sound of shelling.

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Zelenskyy asks German chancellor Olaf Scholz to close skies over Ukraine

China FM calls Ukraine counterpart, says 'deeply regrets' Russia conflict: State media

2nd round of Russia-Ukraine talks planned on March 2, TASS reports citing Russian source

Draft IAEA resolution on Ukraine strongly criticises Russian invasion

A draft resolution being prepared for Wednesday's emergency meeting of the UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors strongly criticises Russia's invasion of Ukraine and already has majority support, diplomats said on Tuesday.

The board of the IAEA "condemns in the strongest terms the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine", the draft text seen by Reuters said.

The text is still being negotiated and could yet be watered down in order to gain more votes on the Board, diplomats said, adding that it had not yet been submitted.

Italian embassy in Ukraine moving to Lviv from Kyiv because of deteriorating security situation - Italian foreign ministry

Russia cuts off Ukraine military from the Sea of Azov

Russian forces have cut off the Ukrainian military from the Sea of Azov north of the Black Sea, the TASS news agency quoted Russia's defence ministry as saying on Tuesday.

The forces of Russian-backed separatists have reached the borders of Ukraine's Donetsk province and joined Russian troops, another agency, RIA, quoted the ministry as saying. - Reuters.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi says an additional 150,000 people have fled Ukraine in the last 24 hours

Russian forces link up with separatist allies in key coastal territory: Ministry

Russian troops and pro-Moscow rebels have linked up in a key region along the Azov Sea coast in eastern Ukraine, a defence ministry spokesman said Tuesday, on the sixth day of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Defence Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement that rebels had "joined the military units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which took control of the regions of Ukraine along the coast of the Sea of Azov". - AFP.

Russian-European Mars rover 'very unlikely' to launch this year

A Russian-European mission to land a rover on Mars is "very unlikely" to launch this year due to sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the European Space Agency said.

The launch of the Rosalind Franklin rover, whose mission is to drill into Martian soil to seek out signs of life, was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to Covid-19 and technical delays. - AFP.

UK interior minister Priti Patel says we endorse Ukraine's call to suspend Russia from Interpol

Zelenskyy calls on EU to 'prove' it is with Ukraine as it resists Russia's invasion - AFP

Adidas suspends partnership with Russian football federation

Russia says it will hit security service sites in Kyiv

Russia will strike sites in Kyiv belonging to Ukraine's security service and a special operations unit, Russia's TASS and RIA news agencies quoted the Russian defence ministry as saying on Tuesday.

The strikes aim to prevent "information attacks" on Russia, the ministry said, urging those near the sites to leave the areas. - Reuters.

UN seeks $1.7 bn for urgent Ukraine humanitarian aid, reckons 12 million people will need help

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is "a moment of truth for Europe" and the future of the continent is at stake, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen says - AFP

Ukraine foreign minister Kuleba asks Chinese counterpart to use Beijing's ties with Moscow to stop Russian military aggression

Ukraine presidential adviser Arestovych says fighting taking place in Kherson

Ukraine presidential adviser Arestovych says Ukraine demands end to hostilities, withdrawal of Russian troops

BPCL seeking extra oil from Gulf producers, fearing Russian supplies could be hit

Special flight of Operation Ganga carrying Indian nationals has departed from Romanian capital Bucharest to Delhi

PM Modi to chair high-level meeting on Ukraine crisis today

Red Cross seeks funds for Ukraine aid, access to detainees

Red Cross agencies appealed on Tuesday for 250 million Swiss francs ($273 million) to provide food, water and shelter to millions of people in Ukraine where the humanitarian situation is "deteriorating rapidly" and to those who have fled abroad.

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Russian foreign ministry says Google and Meta carrying out "anti-Russian propaganda" is unacceptable

Russian foreign ministry says Western countries keep pushing Ukraine towards war

EU seeks to block seven Russian banks from SWIFT, including VTB

UK says evicting Russia from UN Security Council among 'all options' on table

UK PM's spokesperson says ban on Russian-linked ships from its ports will take effect this afternoon

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the father of Naveen Shekharappa, an Indian student who died in shelling in Kharkiv this morning - ANI

UK's Prince Charles says Putin's invasion of Ukraine is "brutal invasion"

British FM tells Geneva forum that Putin is 'violating human rights on an industrial scale' in Ukraine

Polish foreign minister says number of refugees from Ukraine might reach 1 million

There will be huge damage to the Russian economy from sanctions: Russian billionaire Fridman

Polish foreign minister Rau says Poland has accepted 400,000 refugees from Ukraine so far

Russia reinstates Twitter traffic slowdown on desktop computers

At least 10 killed in latest rocket strikes on Kharkiv, says Ukrainian official

At least 10 people were killed and 35 wounded on Tuesday in rockets strikes by Russian forces on the centre of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, Interior Ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko said in a post on social media.

"The rubble is being cleared and there will be even more victims and wounded," he said. - Reuters.

Lukashenko says Belarus deploying more forces to Ukraine border

Belarus is deploying more forces on its border with Ukraine, state news agency Belta quoted Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko as saying on Tuesday.

"Those are well trained rapid deployment groups which are ready to stop any provocation and any military action against Belarus," Lukashenko said. - Reuters.

Naveen Shekharappa, a Haveri district student died in Ukraine. CM Bommai spoke with his father. All efforts will be made to bring back Naveen's body. The CM said that the matter is being negotiated with foreign ministry officials: Karnataka CMO - ANI

NATO's Stoltenberg urges Russia to end war in Ukraine immediately

NATO's Chief Jens Stoltenberg called on Russia on Tuesday to end the war in Ukraine and withdraw all its forces, adding the alliance would not send troops or combat jets to support Kyiv as it does not want to become part of the conflict.

"The Russian assault is totally unacceptable and it is enabled by Belarus," Stoltenberg said on Tuesday after meeting Polish president Andrzej Duda.

"NATO is a defensive alliance, we do not seek conflict with Russia. Russia must immediately stop the war, pull all its forces from Ukraine and engage in good faith in diplomatic efforts," he added. - Reuters.

EU, US and British diplomats walk out of UN human rights council in Geneva during virtual speech by Russian foreign minister Lavrov - Reuters witness

Kremlin says 'too soon to assess' Ukraine conflict talks

Zelenskyy says attacks on Kharkiv are state terrorism committed by Russia

More than 660,000 refugees have fled Ukraine, UN says

UN refugee agency reports miles of queues of refugees waiting to cross into Poland, people waiting up to 60 hours

Sergei Lavrov says Moscow taking all possible measures to prevent appearance of nuclear weapons in Ukraine

Russia's defence minister says country is not occupying Ukraine's territory, will pursue offensive until 'all goals' achieved

Draghi says he has proposed intensifying pressure on Russian central bank, wants the bank for international settlements to take part in sanctions

Italian PM says Italy is ready to apply further restrictive measures on Russia if necessary, especially against the oligarchs

Indian student dies in firing

Russia stripped of hosting 2022 Volleyball World Championships: Federation

China welcomes Ukraine, Russia talks

China welcomes the beginning of talks between Russia, Ukraine, according to its foreign ministry.

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Ukrainians resist Russian troops

Kharkiv, after the blast at Freedom Square

South Korea sets out sanctions on Russian banks, state bonds

South Korea announced sanctions on Russian banks and other measures on Tuesday, a day after saying it would tighten export controls onRussiaand join the West's response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.The finance ministry said it would suspend financial transactions with seven major Russian banks—Sberbank, VEB, PSB, VTB, Otkritie, Sovcom and Novikom—and their subsidiaries subject to US sanctions.

Flights from Romania, Hungary ferrying Indian evacuees land

Russia to be taken to task in international criminal court

Administrative building blown up in Kharkiv

Indian embassy advises nationals to leave Kyiv immediately

UK blocks Russian vessels

The UK government orders ports to block Russian vessels. The UK’s Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps announced the decision in a letter on February 28.

Thousands flood Ukraine's train stations

Eighth and ninth flights with Indian nations departs Budapest for New Delhi

Two more flights under the Operation Ganga mission, to evacuate Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine from neighbouring Romania and Hungary, started from Budapest in Hungary for New Delhi.

Over 70 Ukrainian servicemen killed in Russian attack

Kherson blockaded, announces mayor

The mayor of Kherson, Igor Kolykhayev, announced the blockade of the city by the #Russian military."The Russian army has set up roadblocks at the entrances to Kherson. It is difficult to say how the situation will develop further," he said.

Microsoft shares details of Russian cyberattacks with Ukraine

Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Center detected cyberattacks targeting Ukraine's digital infrastructure hours before the Russian military movement on February 24, Microsoft president and vice-chair Brad Smith wrote in a blog post on February 28.

Smith also wrote that these attacks on civilian targets raise serious concerns under the Geneva Convention, and that they have shared information with the Ukrainian government about each of them.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Sony Pictures bans releases in Russia after Disney, Warner Bros

Russia blocks websites reporting on Ukraine invasion

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state communications regulator is blocking sites that write about Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. Among blocked sites is the Siberian news site taiga.infowhich has called Russia's so-called 'military operation' in Ukraine a full-scale war.

(The Kyiv Independent)

US believes Kyiv blockade Russia's priority

According to CNN, the WhiteHouse believes that the next stage of Russia's war will be the blockade of Kyiv in order to finally break the resistance of Ukrainians.

(NEXTA)

Ukrainian refugee count exceeds half a million

The daily UN meeting revealed that the number of refugees from Ukrainein the EU has already exceeded half a million.

(NEXTA)

Biden says Americans should not worry about nuclear war after Russian actions

US President Joe Biden said Americans should not worry about a nuclear war after Moscow put its nuclear deterrent on high alert amid a barrage of Western reprisals overRussia's invasion of Ukraine.

In response to a question about whether US citizens should be concerned about a nuclear war breaking out, Biden said "no."

Process for Ukraine's EU membership kicks off

Biden asked to grant protected status to Ukrainians in country

American lawmakers have called on President Joe Biden to grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to Ukrainians in the United States in connection with the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. Senators Bob Menendez, Dick Durbin, and Rob Portman are among them.

(NEXTA)

Disney will pause movie releases in Russia

The Walt Disney Co said Monday that it was “pausing” the release of theatrical films inRussia, becoming the first Hollywood company to weigh in publicly on the matter and putting pressure on its rival Warner Bros, which is moving forward with the Thursday release of “The Batman” in the country.

Seventh Operation Ganga flight with 182 Indians lands in Mumbai

Ukraine calls on International Court of Justice to stop Russian invasion

Taiwan sends 27 tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine

Taiwan has sent 27 tonnes of medical supplies to Ukraine, the government announced Tuesday, saying it was extending a helping hand as a member of the "democratic camp" in the international community.

Taiwan has joined with Western allies in putting sanctions onRussiafor its invasion of Ukraine, and expressed cross-party sympathy for the Ukrainian people, seeing parallels with what Taipei views as Beijing's threats against the island.

Russian news agency in Berlin faces staff exodus over Ukraine invasion

Ruptly, a Russian state-owned news agency based in Berlin, is facing a staff exodus after President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine that is part of a broader contraction of Russia's global news empire.

Employees complained in an all-staff call that they were being prevented from describing the invasion as such, amongst other editorial objections, according to a recording of the call heard by Reuters. Russia says its military deployment in Ukraine is a "special operation" and has cautioned local media to use that terminology.

US escalates sanctions with freeze on Russian central bank assets

The Treasury Department of the USA on Monday moved to further cut offRussiafrom the global economy, announcing that it would immobilise Russian central bank assets that are held in the United States and impose sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund, a sovereign wealth fund that is run by a close ally of President Vladimir Putin.

Putin stripped of black belt over Ukraine invasion

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been stripped of his honorary taekwondo black belt over his country's invasion of Ukraine, a personal rebuke heaped on top of international economic and sporting sanctions.

World Taekwondo, citing its motto of "Peace is More Precious than Triumph," condemned the Russian military action in Ukraine.

People demonstrate against Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Mexico City

Ukraine gets Starlink internet terminals - and friendly warning about safety

Ukraine on Monday said it had received donated Starlink satellite internet terminals from SpaceX, but an internet security researcher warned these could become Russian targets.

"Starlink — here. Thanks, @elonmusk," Ukraine's vice prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, tweeted, days after asking SpaceX's billionaire chief executive officer Elon Musk for help. Fedorov's tweet included a picture of the back of a military-looking truck, loaded with terminals.

Musk tweeted back, "You are most welcome".

The terminals look like home satellite television dishes and can provide relatively fast internet service, by residential standards, by connecting to a fleet of satellites in low orbit.

International Ice Hockey Federation Council, in a statement, suspends all Russian & Belarusian National Teams & Clubs from participation in every age category & in all IIHF competitions or events, until further notice.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke to other leaders to condemn "President Putin’s brutal war, and we’re working together to hold Russia accountable and support Ukraine."

India is doing whatever it can to undertake immediate & urgent evacuation efforts of Indian nationals who are still stranded in Ukraine... this important humanitarian necessity must immediately be addressed: India at the 11th Emergency Special Session of UNGA on Ukraine

Peaceful settlement of disputes has been India's consistent position; my govt firmly believes that there's no other choice but to return to the path of diplomacy: India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti, at 11th Emergency Special Session of UNGA on Ukraine

A satellite image shows part of a military convoy and burning homes, near Invankiv, Ukraine February 28, 2022.

Satellite image 2022 Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Tuesday morning that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had offered his country, which is under attack from its neighbour Russia, more support in the form of sanctions and weapons.

The Walt Disney Co said Monday it is pausing the release of theatrical films in Russia, including the upcoming Pixar release, "Turning Red," citing the "unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and the tragic humanitarian crisis."

Ninth Operation Ganga flight with 218 Indian nationals departs from Bucharest (Romania) for New Delhi

MSCI says removing Russia from indexes 'natural next step'

Russia's stock market is "uninvestable" after stringent new Western sanctions and central bank curbs on trading, making a removal of Russian listings from indexes a "natural next step", a top executive at equity index provider MSCI said on Monday.

"It would not make a lot of sense for us to continue to include Russian securities if our clients and investors cannot transact in the market," Dimitris Melas, MSCI's head of index research and chair of the Index Policy Committee, told Reuters.

White House cool to taking part in no-fly zone for Russia in Ukraine

The White House on Monday reacted coolly to a proposal by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a no-fly zone for Russian flights over Ukraine, saying US participation in such a move would be tantamount to a direct conflict with Moscow, which Washington does not want.

White House spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters that implementing a no-fly zone would be a step toward sending US troops to fight Russia, whose forces began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24.

India at UNSC voices concern over 'the urgent and pressing' humanitarian situation developing in Ukraine.

Russia faces global sports crackdown after invasion of Ukraine

An article of faith in global sports — that athletes should not be punished for the actions of their governments — crumbled Monday when executives worldwide moved to banish Russians from competitions and deepen the country’s isolation for its invasion of Ukraine.

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Russia has carried out 56 rocket strikes and sent 113 cruise missiles in five days, says Zelenskyy

All information on the electronic platform will be systemized for effective communication & distribution of essential goods... Do not listen to the Russian lies, listen to Ukraine's cries. We need your help: Ukraine representative at UNSC

More checkpoints on the border with Poland have been opened, including 2 additional pedestrian crossings, for all who want to go to the neighbouring safe country. An electronic resource platform will be launched tomorrow: Ukraine representative at UNSC

It's the most horrible & large-scale invasion since World War II... Russia keeps attacking kindergartens, orphanages, hospitals, mobile medical aid brigades & ambulances, with shellfire. This is action of a state determined to kill civilians: Ukraine at UNSC

Zelenskyy seeks ban on Russia in all global airports and ports

Ukraine Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba asks "the International Court of Justice to hold a hearing on Ukraine’s request as soon as possible and call upon Russia to immediately halt all military activity in Ukraine."

Over 5 lakh refugees have fled Ukraine since Russia waged war

The mass exodus of refugees from Ukraine to the eastern edge of the European Union showed no signs of stopping Monday, with the UN estimating that more than 5,00,000 people have already escaped Russia's burgeoning war against Ukraine.

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Ukrainian radicals are placing their attack weaponry in residential areas, which is a direct violation of international humanitarian law... Russia did not start the war, it's trying to end it. Ukraine started it in 2014: Russia representative at UNSC meet

A satellite image shows blaze at warehouse “Epicentr K” and destroyed fields in Chernihiv.

Over 5 days of operation, there hasn't been a single documented case of targetted destruction or evidence of the death of civilians caused by the Russian military... people are trying to blame us for what's being done by Ukraine itself: Russia at UNSC meeting

Russian Defence Ministry confirms that all peaceful citizens of Kyiv can leave the capital of Ukraine without hindrance via Kyiv-Vasilkov road which is open and safe. This op doesn't impact critical civilian infrastructure: Russia representative at UNSC meeting

The UN atomic energy watchdog's chief on Monday expressed "grave concern" that invading Russian troops were operating close to the largest nuclear power station in Ukraine.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Monday the country may allow Ukrainians to come to Brazil through a humanitarian visa.

Twitter to label tweets linking to Russian state media

witter will put warnings on tweets sharing links to Russian state-affiliated media, the platform said Monday, as Kremlin-tied outlets are accused of spreading misinformation on Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Pressure is on social media giants to squelch misleading or false information about the attack, which has drawn fierce international condemnation.

Kremlin-run media outlets RT and Sputnik have both faced accusations of using false narratives in an effort to argue in favour of war.

US yet to decide on barring Russian flights, White House says

Trudeau announces Canada ban on Russian oil imports

Modi speaks to BJP foreign affairs dept on involving diaspora, others in helping students in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken to the BJP's foreign affairs department and also reached out to several spiritual leaders and other organisations for helping the Indian students stranded in Ukraine as part of the government's all-out efforts to evacuate them from the war-hit country.

ICC to open probe on 'situation in Ukraine'

Biden says Americans should not worry about nuclear war

Americans should not be worried about nuclear war, US President Joe Biden said on Monday, the day after Russian President Vladimir Putin put Russia's nuclear deterrent on high alert amid Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

ICC prosecutor to proceed with investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine

EU sanctions Putin's spokesman, oligarchs, journalists

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov is among 26 prominent people sanctioned by the European Union for Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the decision published on Monday on the EU's official journal.

The listings include oligarchs and businessmen active in the oil, banking and finance sectors, as well as government members, high-level military people, and "propagandists who contributed to spread anti-Ukrainian propaganda," the EU said in a statement.

Russia says US expulsion of diplomats a 'hostile' act

Ukraine's EU dream: The long road to Brussels

With Ukraine pleading to be allowed to join the European Union as Russia invades, we look at the bloc's history of expansion and its crowded waiting room.

The European bloc, which began with six countries in 1957, has expanded several times with some of the most geopolitically sensitive additions coming since 1995.

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Russia's nuclear force, the world's biggest

President Vladimir Putin's order to place Russia's strategic forces on high alert has served as a stark reminder that he commands what experts agree is the world's biggest nuclear arsenal.

Here is a snapshot of Russia's nuclear capabilities, and how a strike might be launched.

Given that safety of Indian nationals is of paramount importance to my govt, senior ministers from GoI are being deployed as Special Envoys to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. We stand ready to help neighbours stranded in Ukraine: India at UNSC meeting

Ukraine talks yield no breakthrough as Russians close in

The first round of talks aimed at stopping the fighting between Ukraine and Russia ended Monday with no agreement except to keep talking, while an increasingly isolated Moscow ran into unexpectedly fierce resistance on the ground and economic havoc at home.

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Taking into account the humanitarian requirements in Ukraine, my govt has also decided to provide urgent relief supplies, including medicines & these are being dispatched tomorrow: India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti, at UNSC meeting

India remains deeply concerned at the unfolding developments in Ukraine... Our considered call for an immediate cessation of violence and an end to all hostilities is an urgent imperative: India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti, at UNSC meeting

India to send relief supplies to Ukraine today

India on Monday decided to send relief supplies to Ukraine to deal with the humanitarian situation along its bordering areas arising out of tens of thousands of people attempting to flee the Russian invasion.

After a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that reviewed the efforts to bring back Indians from Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the relief supplies will be sent on Tuesday.

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Candles are lit in the shape of the peace symbol to show solidarity with Ukraine, next to a police barricade at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi

Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine tweets, "400 students housed near Embassy since 24 Feb successfully left Kyiv by train... Ensured movement of more than 1000 Indian students from Kyiv towards Western Ukraine, today. Advised the remaining in Kyiv to leave once curfew is lifted."

US says 12 Russian UN staff expelled for non-diplomatic 'activities'

Formula One's governing body FIA will convene an extraordinary meeting of its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) on Tuesday after a number of sporting federations banned Russian athletes from competing internationally following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Indian students in UK mobilise support for Operation Ganga

Indian students in the UK have mobilised their networks across Europe to facilitate the evacuation of fellow students stranded in Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Thousands have been attempting to cross the border into neighbouring regions of Poland, Slovakia and Romania to be flown out on one of the Operation Ganga rescue flights, launched by the government to evacuate Indians from the conflict zone.

Presidents of 8 EU states call for immediate talks on Ukrainian membership

The presidents of eight central and eastern European nations on Monday called on European Union member states to immediately grant Ukraine a EU candidate country status and open membership talks according to an open letter published on Monday.

"We, the Presidents of the EU member states: the Republic of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland, the Slovak Republic, and the Republic of Slovenia strongly believe that Ukraine deserves receiving an immediate EU accession perspective," the letter said.

Britain calls for countries to provide more military support to Ukraine

Russia's foreign ministry said on Monday that those supplying lethal weapons to Ukraine will bear responsibility should they be used during Russia's military campaign there.

The ministry added that the steps the European Union has taken against Russia will not be left without a harsh response.

A serviceman of pro-Russian militia stands next to a house that caught fire after recent shelling, in Donetsk

NASA exploring ways to keep ISS afloat without Russian help

NASA is exploring ways to keep the International Space Station in orbit without Russian help, but doesn't see any immediate signs Moscow is withdrawing from the collaboration following the invasion of Ukraine, a senior official said Monday.

Kathy Lueders, who heads the agency's human spaceflight program, told reporters on a call that operations on the research platform were proceeding "nominally" and "we're not getting any indications at a working level that our counterparts are not committed."

Shell says it will exit Russian oil and gas investments, following a day after rival BP

Russia denounces UEFA, FIFA suspension as 'discriminatory'

Russia on Monday criticised its expulsion from the World Cup and the suspension of its teams from all international competitions as "discriminatory," in response to the latest international measure against Moscow for invading Ukraine.

"It has an obvious discriminatory character and harms a huge number of athletes, coaches, employees of clubs and national teams, and most importantly, millions of Russian and foreign fans, whose interests international sports organisations must protect in the first place," the Russian Football Union said in a statement.

Putin lays out conditions as Russians shell Ukrainian city

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday levelled conditions on ending Moscow's offensive against Ukraine as Russian forces shelled the country's second city in the face of sweeping Western sanctions.

The Russian attacks on Kharkiv killed at least 11 people, Ukrainian officials said. Kyiv says more than 350 civilians, including 14 children, have been killed since the invasion began on Thursday. The United Nations said more than half a million people have fled the country.

SBI stops transactions with sanctioned Russian entities

India's top lender will not process any transactions involving Russian entities subject to international sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, according to a letter seen by Reuters and people familiar with the matter.

"No transactions involving entities, banks, ports or vessels appearing" on a US, European Union or United Nations sanctions list shall be processed irrespective of the currency of the transaction, said a letter sent by State Bank of India (SBI) to certain clients.

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Centre taking all steps to rescue TN students stranded in Ukraine: EAM Jaishankar

The Centre is taking all steps to rescue Tamil Nadu students stranded in Ukraine and they would be brought to India soon, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Monday. The minister gave the assurance to ensure the safe return of students from the state during a telephonic conversation with the Chief Minister.

Russia has deployed about half the forces it had at the border into Ukraine

NYSE, Nasdaq halt trading in stocks of Russia-based companies

Erdogan says Turkey cannot abandon ties with Russia or Ukraine

President Tayyip Erdogan on Monday repeated that Turkey could not abandon its ties with Russia or Ukraine, amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, adding Ankara would implement a pact on passage from its straits to prevent an escalation of the war.

Protest outside United Nations headquarters during UN General Assembly emergency session on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine, tweets, "successfully facilitated the movement of more than 1400 students out of Zaporizhzhia, a city in southeast Ukraine, westwards."

Meta says Ukraine's military, politicians targeted in hacking campaign

IOC calls for ban on Russians from world sport

Finland in 'historic' decision to supply arms to Ukraine: PM

Finland has taken the "historic" decision to supply weapons to Ukraine following Russia's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour, the country's prime minister announced Monday.

"Finland is going to supply military assistance to Ukraine," Sanna Marin told reporters. "It is a historic decision for Finland."

Traditionally neutral Switzerland will adopt all the sanctions already imposed by the EU on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, including against President Vladimir Putin, Bern said Monday.

UK to freeze assets of all Russian banks 'in days'

The UK on Monday said it will introduce further sanctions against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, promising a "full assets freeze" on all of the country's banks.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the freeze would take effect "in days", as part of new legislation to squeeze Russia's economy for its "unjustified aggression".

People gather during an anti-war protest, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, at the Muensterhof square in Zurich, Switzerland February 28, 2022.

UNGA President Shahid calls for immediate ceasefire, full return to diplomacy, dialogue

President Putin has no assets abroad: Kremlin on personal sanctions by Western nations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has no assets abroad, the Kremlin said on Monday, dismissing as "absurd and short-sighted" the personal sanctions slapped on him by the US and its Western allies for ordering a full-fledged military offensive against Ukraine.

"He is quite indifferent," Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said when asked how Putin takes personal restrictions, adding that the president annually declares all his property.

Ukraine, Russia envoys talk under shadow of nuclear threat

Russian and Ukrainian officials met for talks Monday amid high hopes but low expectations for any diplomatic breakthrough, after Moscow ran into unexpectedly stiff resistance when it unleashed the biggest land war in Europe since World War II.

Outgunned Ukrainian forces managed slow the Russian advance and Western sanctions began to squeeze the Russian economy, but the Kremlin again raised the specter of nuclear war, reporting that its land, air and sea nuclear forces were on high alert following President Vladimir Putin's weekend order.

Stepping up his rhetoric, Putin denounced the US and its allies as an “empire of lies.”

Fighting in Ukraine must stop, UN chief Antonio Guterres tells emergency special session of UN General Assembly.

Modi speaks to Romanian, Slovakian PMs, reviews Operation Ganga

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asked four union ministers to travel to the four nations neighbouring Ukraine for guiding and coordinating the implementation of “Operation Ganga”, which was launched to evacuate citizens of India from the war-torn East European nation.

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UEFA decides to end its partnership with Russia's Gazprom across all competitions, effective immediately.

The decision covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions, and UEFA EURO 2024.

"President Putin discussed the economic situation with the financial and economic bloc of the Government and the Central Bank," tweets President of Russia Twitter handle

FIFA & UEFA decide together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA & UEFA competitions, until further notice.

182 Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine leave from Bucharest, Romania for Delhi.

Moscow, Kyiv plan 'second round' of conflict talks

Talks between Russia and Ukraine end: Reports

Putin bans forex transfers to outside Russia from March 1

Russian President VladimirPutinordered a ban on foreign exchange loans and transfers by Russian residents to outside of Russia from March 1, the Kremlin said on Monday, in retaliation for economic sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West.

Putinalso signed into a law an order for exporting companies to sell 80% of their forex revenues received from Jan 1, 2022, on the market.

We did not begin these hostilities, they were unleashed by Ukraine dissenters, says Russia at UNGA

Zelenskyy signs application for Ukraine's membership in EU

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed an application for the membership of Ukraine in the European Union, announces Parliament of Ukraine (ANI)

Proposal of Ukraine joining NATO a red line: Russia to UNGA

If Ukraine does not survive, world peace, UN, and even democracy will not survive: Ukraine to UNGA

US believes Russian still haven't achieved air superiority over Ukraine: US Defense Official

352 Ukrainians, including 16 children killed during first five days of Russian invasion: Ukraine tells UNGA

Russian Federation the only guilty party: Ukraine Ambassador tells UNGA

Its never too late to engage in good faith negotiations and to address all the issues peacefully, says Guterres

The guns are talking now, but the path of dialogue should always remain open: Guterres

I urge the International committee to give support the needs of those displaced by the crisis: Secretary-General Guterres

Even before the past events started, the UN was providing 3 million people on both sides with humanitarian assistance: Antonia Guterres

The mere idea of a nuclear conflict is simply inconsiderable: Guterres

We call for an immediate ceasefire by all parties; exercise maximum restraint and initiate dialogue. Diplomacy and dialogue must prevail: UNGA

France preparing to seize Russian assets

French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire says France is getting ready to seize all assets of Russian officials and business leaders who are being targeted by EU sanctions.

Le Maire said France is in the process of listing property including financial assets, real estate, yachts and luxury cars.

French authorities are also seeking to identify other Russian individuals who could be added into the EU list of people targeted by sanctions due to “their proximity with the Russian leadership,” he added. - AP.

Ukraine-Russia talks at the border are continuing: Ukrainian official

Talks betweenUkraineand Russia are continuing at the Belarussian border, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said on Twitter on Monday.

Negotiations started earlier in the day.Ukraine's goal is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of Russian forces fromUkraine, according to the presidency.

PM chairs 3rd meeting on Ukraine crisis in 48 hours: Reports

Helping Ukraine is top priority for emergency EU energy meeting, France says

HelpingUkraineis the highest priority of Monday's emergency meeting of European Union energy ministers, France's ecological transition minister Barbara Pompili told reporters on her arrival to the meeting in Brussels.

Pompili added that the EU had enough short-term oil and gas capacities in stock to deal with any short-term disruption to energy supplies following Russia's invasion ofUkraine.

Shelling kills at least 11 in Ukraine's second-biggest city Kharkiv

IOC recommends banning Russian, Belarusian athletes from international events

The International Olympic Committee said on Monday its executive board had recommended that international sports federations ban Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials from competing in events.

You can watch the 11th Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly here

With an hour left for the UNGA Special Session on Ukraine, here's what you need to know

The United Nations Security Council on Sundaygave a green light for the first emergency session of the General Assembly since 1982 that will be held later tonight.

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PM Modi to hold third high-level meet on Ukraine in next 24 hours: Reports

Russia bans airlines from 36 countries

Russia announced Monday it was banning flights by airlines from 36 countries including Britain and Germany after many have barred Russian planes over Moscow's invasion ofUkraine.

Russia's civil aviation authority said it was bringing in the restrictions "as a retaliatory measure for the ban by European states on flights by civil aviation operated by Russian airlines or registered in Russia."

US halts operations at embassy in Belarus, OKs evacuation from US embassy in Moscow

Operations at the USembassy in Minsk have been suspended and non-emergency employees and family members are authorized to voluntarily depart the USembassy in Moscow, Secretary of State Blinken said in a statement on Monday.

"We took these steps due to security and safety issues stemming from the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces inUkraine," Blinken said.

No one has had to pay a single rupee for evacuation flight airfare, such stories are wrong: MEA

Three more evacuation flights scheduled over the next 24 hours: MEA

Six flights have landed so far – four from Bucharest, two from Budapest

New route opened through Moldova, working on opening more routes to Hungary

The Moldova route will help Indians in Odessa, Southern Ukraine, says Bagchi.

All Ukraine border points remain crowded: MEA spokesperson

Over 8,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine; 1,396 flown back to India: MEA

Modi govt's policy is to help even those stuck on Mars: VK Singh hails Ukraine evacuation efforts

Chelsea FC owner and Russian businessman Roman Abramovich contacted by Ukraine to help achieve peaceful resolution

Indian Embassy in Ukraine urges nationals to head to train stations, remain calm in event of crowding as curfew lifted in Kiev

Over 500,000 people have fled Ukraine after invasion: UN

German club Schalke ends partnership with Russia's Gazprom over invasion of Ukraine

Airbnb to house up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees

Home rental company Airbnb Inc said on Monday its non-profit arm Airbnb.org would offer free, temporary housing for up to 100,000 refugees fleeingUkraine.

Chief Executive Brian Officer Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, the chairman of Airbnb.org, have sentletters to leaders of Poland, Romania, Germany and Hungary offering help to house the refugees. The countries share borders withUkraine.

Russia-Ukraine talks begin in Belarus: Russia Today

Putin indifferent to sanctions against him: Kremlin

Kremlin will not 'declare position' ahead of Ukraine talks: Spokesperson

Weapons supply to Ukraine dangerous, destabilising: Kremlin

Ukraine demands 'immediate ceasefire', Russian withdrawal

Ukrainedemanded an immediate Russian ceasefire and troop withdrawal on Monday as its delegation arrived in Belarus for talks with Russian negotiators on the fifth day of the Kremlin's offensive.

Ukraine's delegation is set to meet Russian representatives for the first talks since Moscow's invasion, as the fighting for several Ukrainian cities continues and the Russian ruble collapses.

Poland announces special evacuation flights for Indians

Poland, Baltic states ask social media platforms to suspend Russian, Belarus accounts

Poland and the Baltic states asked Meta, Twitter, Google and YouTube to suspend the accounts of authorities and propaganda media of Russia and Belarus.

(NEXTA)

UN chief says rights violations in Ukraine are escalating

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that the escalation ofRussia's military operations in Ukraine was leading to rising human rights violations and that the global body was monitoring them with teams on the ground.

'Each of us is the president... Each a warrior'

“When I planned to become a president, I said that each of us is the president. Because we are all responsible for our state. For our beautiful Ukraine. And now it has happened that each of us is a warrior... And I am confident that each of us will win,” Zelenskyy said.

(KyivPost)

Zelenskyy asks the EU for membership

“We ask the European Union for Ukraine's immediate accession under a new special procedure,” said Zelenskyy in a video address.

(The Kyiv Independent)

China says it opposes sanctions after SWIFT ban on Russian banks

China's foreign ministry on Monday reiterated its opposition to the use of what it calls illegal and unilateral sanctions, after western countries moved to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system.

Ukraine to release prisoners with military experience to fight Russians

Ukraine's Zelenskyy says Ukraine will release prisoners with military experience if they are willing to join the fight against Russia.

Ukraine demands 'immediate ceasefire', Russian withdrawal

Ukraine demanded an immediate Russian ceasefire and troop withdrawal on Monday as a Kyiv delegation arrived for talks with Russian negotiators on the fifth day of the Kremlin's offensive against the country.

"The Ukrainian delegation arrived at the Ukrainian-Belarusian border to take part in talks with representatives of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian presidency said in a statement. "The key issue of the talks is an immediate ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine."

Ukrainian delegation arrives for talks with Russia on border of Belarus; unclear whether they'll lead to breakthrough

UK defence secretary: I don't think Putin wants to use nuclear weapons

British defence minister Ben Wallace said Monday that he does not expect Russian President Vladimir Putin to use nuclear weapons in his pursuit of Ukraine, days after the former Soviet republic invaded its neighbour.

"We should be worried that a state like Russia believes that the rules don't apply to them, whether that is invading Ukraine or using nerve agent in Salisbury, but fundamentally a deterrent is what it is, a deterrent," Wallace told Times Radio.

IndiGo, SpiceJet to operate aircraft for evacuating stranded Indian citizens

IndiGo will operate two aircraft to Budapest in Hungary and Bucharest in Romania, while SpiceJet will operate one flight to Budapest for evacuating stranded Indians, both companies said in separate statements.

"IndiGo is operating 2 evacuation flights using A321 aircraft to bring back Indian citizens safely, following the crisis in Ukraine. These flights are being operated from Delhi to Bucharest, Romania and to Budapest, Hungary via Istanbul, today, as part of Govt of India’s Operation Ganga mission. We are closely liaising with the government to offer our support for more such evacuations flights," IndiGo said.

SpiceJet said,"... Will operate a special evacuation flight to Budapest, Hungary to bring home Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine. The airline will use its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft for this special flight. The aircraft will fly to Budapest from Delhi and the return flight will operate via Kutaisi, Georgia."

Russia interested in reaching agreement with Ukraine at talks, says negotiator

Russia is interested in coming to an agreement that is in the interests of both sides at talks with Ukraine, Russian negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said on Monday, as officials prepare to meet near the border.

Medinsky said talks were expected to begin at 2 pm. Russia's political and economic isolation deepened on Monday as its forces met stiff resistance in Ukraine's capital and other cities.

European stock markets sink at open

Europe's major stock markets sank in opening deals on Monday after world powers imposed fresh sanctions onRussiaover its invasion of Ukraine. In initial deals, London stocks lost about 1 per cent, while Frankfurt and Paris each shed 2 per cent in value.

Time denies its magazine cover had a Putin-Hitler collage

Time Magazine denied that the magazine was published with a cover of aphoto collage of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Adolf Hitler. The collage was made by designer Patrick Mulderwith a reference to the fact that Hitlerand Putin,at different times, won the "Man of the Year" nomination of the Time Magazine.

(NEXTA)

State-owned SberBank in Russia bans withdrawals for 10 days

SberBank, which is one of the largest state-owned banks, headquartered in Moscow, has banned withdrawals for 10 days.

(Nexta)

Greece shuts airspace to Russian aircraft

Greece on Monday closed its airspace for all Russian aircraftin line with a European Union decision, the country's civil aviation authority said.

Ukrainians can 'freely' leave Kyiv, says Russian army

Russian army says Ukraine civilians can "freely" leave Kyiv, claimingair superiority in Ukraine.

Another set of Indian students heads to Poland

Indian embassy in Kyiv asks nationals to reach western parts through rail as weekend curfew is lifted

"Weekend curfew lifted in Kyiv. All students are advised to make their way to the railway station for an onward journey to the western parts. Ukraine Railways is putting special trains for evacuations," stated the Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine.

(ANI)

Sixth evacuation flight takes off from Hungary with 240 Indians on board

Ukrainian delegation on Belarus territory, on its way to venue for negotiations

Nirmala Sitharaman speaks on Ukraine crisis, impact on trade

Russia used Iskander missile systems from Belarus to attack Zhytomyr Airport

Russia used Iskander missile systems to attack Zhytomyr Airport. The air strikes were conducted from Belarus, using Russian ballistic missile launchers. Earlier, Belarus said it wouldn’t allow air strikes from its territory amid Ukraine’s upcoming peace talks with Russia.

(The Kyiv Independent)

S Korea bans exports of strategic items to Russia, joins SWIFT sanctions

South Korea will tighten export controls againstRussia, by banning exports of strategic items, and join Western countries' moves to block some Russian banks from the SWIFT international payments system, Seoul's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The Korean government has also decided to promote the additional release of strategic oil reserves for stabilisation of the international energy market and to further review other measures such as the resale of LNG to Europe, the ministry said in a statement.

'Efforts to occupy Kyiv have failed'

The situation in Kyiv is under Ukrainian control, according to Ukraine’s Armed Forces. “All Russian efforts to occupy it have failed,” a statement released by them reads.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Rockets damage houses, public services

In Chernihiv, 16 people were injured by enemy rockets in the city centre. Houses were damaged houses, while paediatric dentistry, youth centres andShchorsa cinema were destroyed.

(Stratcom Centre UA)

Russian forces shoot down bus, block medical services

In the Okhtyrka district of Sumy region, Russian tanks shot down a bus with civilians. The Russian military doesn’t allow ambulances. The surrounding area is mined. Family doctors are now walking to provide medical care to the victims.

(Stratcom Centre UA)

Russia carried out overnight missile strikes, says Ukraine

Russian forces carried out missile strikes across Ukraine overnight, Oleksiy Arestovych, adviser to the head of the President's Office, said. Air strikes occurred in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, and Chernihiv and air raid sirens went off in many others.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Union ministers to travel to Europe for evacuating students

Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh to travel to neighbouring countries of Ukraine to coordinate the evacuation mission and help students.

(ANI)

PM calls high-level meeting on Ukraine crisis, ministers may head to Europe

Russia bans foreign shareholders from selling Russian securities

TheRussian Central Bank has banned foreign shareholders owning shares in Russian companies from selling Russian securities.

Russia Central Bank suspends stock exchange

Trading on the MoscowExchange stock market will not open until 15:00 Moscow time. The decision will be announced at 13:00, the Central Bank said.

(NEXTA)

Air raid alerts issued in Kyiv

Kyiv residents must get to the nearest shelter, the defence personnel announced, even as the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that the situation in the capital remained under their control.

(NEXTA, The Kyiv Independent)

Russian rouble tanks almost 30% after latest sanctions

Russia's rouble plunged nearly 30 per cent against the dollar Monday after world powers imposed fresh, harsher sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Blasts reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv

Blasts were heard in Kyiv and Kharkiv early on Monday morning, Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection reported.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Rocket hits residence in Cherginov

249 stranded Indians brought back to country from Bucharest

The fifth Operation Ganga flight, carrying 249 Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine, which departed from Bucharest (Romania) reached Delhi airport.

Wheat jumps most in a decade; corn, soybeans rally

Chicago wheat jumped almost 7 per cent on Monday, the market's biggest single-day rally in 10 years, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine has curbed supplies from one of the world's biggest exporting regions.

Corn gained more than 3 per cent while soybeans rose 2.4 per cent.

The most-active wheat contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was up 6.8 per cent at $19.18-1/4 a bushel, as of 5.55 am, after climbing earlier in the session 8 per cent to $9.35 a bushel. Corn rose 3.2 per cent to $ 6.77 a bushel and soybeans added 2.4 per cent to $16.23 a bushel.

Indian government issues advisory for nationals stranded in Ukraine

WTI crude surges more than 5% on Russia-Ukraine crisis

West Texas Intermediate crude surged more than five per cent in early trade on Monday as traders grow increasingly worried about an energy crisis after Western nations imposed fresh sanctions on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The contract rose 5.07 per cent to $96.23, while Brent was up 4.30 per cent at $102.14.

Chinese payment stocks jump as SWIFT sanctions against Russia boosts yuan hopes

Chinese payment-related stocks jumped Monday as investors bet that the United States and Europe kickingRussiaout of SWIFT would benefit China's cross-border payment system and accelerate digital currency development.

Ukraine claims 4,500 Russian soldiers killed, tanks destroyed

The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces says Russia suffers significant losses. As of February 27 evening, it estimated loss of 4,500 personnel, 150 tanks, over 700 armoured vehicles, 60 fuel tanks, 1 Buk missile system, 4 Grad systems and 26 helicopters.

(KyivPost)

Google temporarily disables Google Maps live traffic data in Ukraine

More than 500 people have been detained in Belarus for protesting against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the country's most prominent human rights group.

Brazil 'neutral' in Russia-Ukraine conflict, Bolsonaro says

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said Sunday that South America's biggest country will remain "neutral" over Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine.

The far-right Bolsonaro, who undertook a controversial visit to Moscow on February 16 to meet with President Vladimir Putin just as Russian leaders were finalizing plans for their full-scale invasion, said his Russian counterpart confided some "secret" issues about Ukraine in their lengthy conversation.

Bolsonaro said he told Putin that Brazil will maintain a position of neutrality in the war, and that it remains "in favour of peace."

US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, & G7 FMs spoke with Ukrainian FM Dmytro Kuleba "to express united support for Ukraine; will hold Russia accountable for its... invasion, & continue to provide security, economic, & humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.