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.
Live news updates: Russian President Vladimir Putin said he ordered a special military operation to “protect” the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, citing the need to “demilitarize” the country and accusing the US of crossing Russia’s “red line” by expanding NATO.
Putin said Russia doesn’t plan to occupy Ukraine, while urging soldiers there to put down their arms. His actions were condemned by US President Joe Biden, who called it an “unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces” on the people of Ukraine, and by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said it was a “serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security.”
11:23 PM
Russian Defense Ministry says its ground forces in Ukraine
The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed that its ground forces have moved into Ukraine from Crimea, the first confirmation from Moscow that its ground forces have moved in.
Russia previously said only that it unleashed air and missile strikes on Ukrainian air bases, air defense batteries and other military facilities. The ministry said it has destroyed 83 Ukrainian military facilities.
For the first time since the start of the action, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov confirmed the Russian ground troops had rolled into Ukraine, saying they advanced toward the city of Kherson, northwest of Crimea.
Kherson sits on reservoir providing the bulk of fresh water for Crimea until Ukraine cut it off with a dam in 2017 in response to Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.
Konashenkov said that the Russian troops' move allowed to resume water supply to Crimea.
11:13 PM
Ukraine crisis: NSUI stages protest outside MEA, demands safe return of students
Activists of Congress' students wing NSUI staged a protest in front of the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday, demanding safe return of the Indian students stranded in Ukraine.
Panic erupted in several cities of the eastern European nation after Russian President Vladimir Putin, in an early morning address, announced a military operation against the country. Thousands of Indian students are stranded there. According to estimates, over 15,000 Indians are currently staying in Ukraine.
NSUI national president Neeraj Kundan said there is a war-like situation in Ukraine since the last 10 days, and the parents of these students are appealing to the government for help.
11:00 PM
Russian banks would be excluded from London's financial system as part of further sanctions: Boris Johnson
Russian banks would be excluded from London's financial system as part of further sanctions: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a statement on Ukraine in Parliament
10:59 PM
Putin will never be able to cleanse the blood of Ukraine from his hands: British PM Boris Johnson
10:59 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefs PM Modi about recent developments
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefs Prime Minister Modi about recent developments regarding Ukraine: PMO. PM called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to path of diplomatic negotiations, dialogue: PMO on Modi-Putin conversation. PM reiterated his long-standing conviction that differences between Russia, NATO can be resolved through dialogue: PMO on Modi-Putin call.
10:57 PM
PM called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to path of diplomatic negotiations, dialogue: PMO
PM called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to path of diplomatic negotiations, dialogue: PMO on Modi-Putin conversation
10:57 PM
PM reiterated long-standing conviction that differences between Russia, NATO can be resolved via dialogue: PMO
PM reiterated his long-standing conviction that differences between Russia, NATO can be resolved through dialogue: PMO on Modi-Putin call
10:55 PM
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefs Prime Minister Modi about recent developments regarding Ukraine: PMO
Russian President Vladimir Putin briefs Prime Minister Modi about recent developments regarding Ukraine: PMO
10:46 PM
PM Modi speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, appeals for immediate cessation of violence: PMO
PM Modi speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, appeals for immediate cessation of violence: PMO
10:44 PM
Any sanctions will have an impact on our relationship: Foreign Secy
10:32 PM
Russia, Ukraine crisis might give India opportunity to export more wheat in global markets
The Russia-Ukraine conflict would have nil or negligible impact on India's foreign trade, and the crisis may give domestic exporters an opportunity to ship more wheat in the global markets, sources said on Thursday. India's central pool stood at 24.2 million tonnes, twice more than the buffer and strategic needs, they said.
More than a quarter of the world's wheat export comes from Russia and Ukraine.
Russia is the world's largest exporter of wheat, accounting for more than 18 per cent of international exports. In 2019, Russia and Ukraine together exported more than a quarter (25.4 per cent) of the world's wheat. Egypt, Turkey and Bangladesh bought more than half of Russia's wheat, they said.
10:14 PM
G7 nations 'ready to act' on potential disruption to energy supplies- statement, reports AFP
G7 nations 'ready to act' on potential disruption to energy supplies- statement, reports AFP
10:14 PM
Ukraine seeks India's support in defusing crisis
Meta to break language barriers with AI, builds universal speech translator
Ukraine on Thursday sought India's support in defusing the crisis following the Russian attack on the country and said it was "deeply dissatisfied" with New Delhi's position on the deteriorating situation.
Ambassador of Ukraine Igor Polikha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is among a very few global leaders to whom President Vladimir Putin listens to and New Delhi can leverage its proximity with Moscow to control the situation.
"I am following all the reports on the site of your ministry and the latest advisory to your citizens in Ukraine," Polikha told the media.
"We are deeply dissatisfied with the Indian position. We are asking, pleading for the strong voice of India. In this case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji can address Putin," he added.
9:59 PM
Russia-Ukraine conflict: India Inc frets over spiking crude, input costs
Industry leaders on Thursday said the Russia-Ukraine conflict may lead to a spurt in crude oil and commodity prices, which will raise their input costs and further stoke inflationary pressures.
Biscuits and confectionery maker Parle Products said the geopolitical situation is going to have a huge effect on crude oil prices and impact several industries as trade costs are bound to rise.
"For the previous 7-8 years it (crude oil) had been below 100 dollars but today it has crossed the 100 dollar mark, impacting several industries in addition to the food industry. "For instance, formalin oil, RBD oil will see a hike in price. Price hikes will have a huge impact on most of our products," said Krishnarao Buddha, Senior Category Head at Parle Products.
In addition, vegetable oil, which is used in several FMCG products like anti-caking agents and soaps will also experience inflation, he said.
9:46 PM
Our Embassy in Ukraine continues to be functional: Foreign Secy Harsh V Shringla
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First Published: Feb 24 2022 | 6:49 AM IST