LIVE: Russia's military ops in Ukraine a 'forced measure', says Putin

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday Ukrainian forces were fighting to prevent Russian troops from capturing the former nuclear power plant at Chernobyl.

9:41 PM

Heard sound of multiple explosions while exiting Kyiv airport: Indian student in Ukraine

India-bound Ronak Sherasiya, an MBBS student in Ukraine, was meant to take a morning flight out of Kyiv on Thursday, but instead he is on his way back to his university in a bus, the sound of "multiple explosions" that he said he heard while exiting the airport, still echoing in his head.

 

The 18-year-old native of Gujarat, a first year student at the Bukovinian State Medical University (BSMU) in Chernivtsi, a beautiful town in western Ukraine, about 500 km from capital Kyiv, said, "I had no idea that in a matter of few hours, the situation in Ukraine will take such a drastic turn".

 

"I and my friend and classmate Mahavir, also from Gujarat, were suppose to take a flight from Kyiv to Istanbul and then another flight from there to India. Our flight from Kyiv was scheduled to take off around 9 AM local time, so we had reached airport in the wee hours. When went to the counter to check-in, we were told that our flight has been cancelled," he told PTI over phone.

9:37 PM

Ukrainian leader: Russian forces trying to seize Chernobyl

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian forces are trying to seize the Chernobyl nuclear plant.

 

The plant was the site of the world's worst nuclear accident when a nuclear reactor exploded in April 1986, spewing radioactive waste across Europe. The plant lies 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the capital of Kyiv.

 

The exploded reactor has been covered by a protective shelter to prevent radiation leak and the entire plant has been decommissioned. Zelenskyy said on Twitter that our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. He added that this is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.

9:32 PM

Topmost priority of govt is safety and security of Indian nationals: Harsh V Shringla

9:28 PM

I don't know how much longer my country will exist: Ukraine President

The fate of Ukraine is looking increasingly uncertain as Russia launches a series of strikes across the country, President Volodymyr Zelensky has apparently told his Austrian counterpart, RT reported.

 

The Ukraine President apparently warned that the Eastern European nation may not be able to withstand the offensive by Moscow's armed forces.

 

In a statement issued on Thursday, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer shared details of his telephonic conversation with Zelensky. According to Vienna's leader, Zelensky told him, "I don't know how much longer my country will exist", RT reported.

9:21 PM

Pak PM Imran Khan meets Russian President Putin amidst Ukraine conflict; discusses developments in South Asia

President Vladimir Putin met Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Kremlin on Thursday in his first face-to-face talks since the start of a special Russian military operation in eastern Ukraine and the two leaders discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional topics, including "developments in South Asia".

 

Khan, who arrived in Russia on Wednesday on a two-day visit - the first by a Pakistani premier in over two decades began his engagements in Moscow by laying a wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier', hours after the Russian President ordered a special military operation in eastern Ukraine, ignoring last-minute appeals and warnings from the West.

 

During the meeting in the Kremlin, the leaders of the two countries discussed the main aspects of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on current regional topics, including developments in South Asia, said a brief statement issued by the Russian President's office - Kremlin.

9:17 PM

Embassy of India, Kyiv writes to Govt of Ukraine for safety & security of Indian students

9:13 PM

With crisis in Ukraine deepening, Indian students make tearful pleas to govt for safe return

As the situation in Ukraine worsens after the Russian attack, hundreds of stranded Indian students made desperate appeals to the government on Thursday to ensure their safe return.

 

Several videos emerged on social media in which teary-eyed students urged the Indian authorities to make arrangements for their return.

 

The videos have gone viral on social media, with several prominent personalities sharing them and calling on the government to take action. In one such video, around a dozen visibly-distressed students were seen stranded on a railway station in the capital city of Kyiv.

9:02 PM

Ukraine's capital of Kyiv imposes curfew: Mayor

The mayor of Ukraine's capital of Kyiv ordered a curfew on Thursday in comments shown on television after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.

 

 

 

8:42 PM

Russian troops breach area near Chernobyl, says adviser to Ukrainian minister

8:40 PM

Embassy of India in Ukraine accommodates more than 200 Indian students at school

8:39 PM

To assist in evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine, MEA teams are being sent to borders: Ministry

8:05 PM

UK's Johnson to Germany's Scholz: Inaction on Ukraine would have unthinkable consequences

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Western "inaction or underreaction" in response to Russia invading Ukraine would have unthinkable consequences, a spokeswoman for his office said on Thursday.

 

Johnson held calls with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere and Germany's Scholz to discuss sanctions after Russian forces invaded Ukraine in a massed assault by land, sea and air.

 

"Prime Minister (Johnson) underscored that western inaction or underreaction would have unthinkable consequences. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact and to discuss our response further in this afternoon's meeting of G7 leaders," a Downing Street spokeswoman said in a statement.

 

7:51 PM

Def Ministry signs contract worth Rs 1,075 cr with Bharat Electronics Limited

7:49 PM

PM Modi likely to speak to Putin tonight, says report

7:23 PM

Russia says it has destroyed 74 military facilities in Ukraine: Report

Russia's defence ministry said it had destroyed 74 above-ground military infrastructure facilities in Ukraine on Thursday, including 11 aerodromes, the RIA news agency reported.