LIVE: PM Modi puts emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy in Quad meeting

'We have started talking to Russia's representatives,' said Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter

9:11 PM

Nine dead after Russian forces strike northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv: AFP News Agency quotes Governor

Nine dead after Russian forces strike northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv: AFP News Agency quotes Governor

9:05 PM

Ukraine crisis: India ramps up evacuation, Russia promises help

As war rages on in Ukraine, India on Thursday bolstered efforts to evacuate its citizens from the strife-torn country, with four IAF aircraft bringing back 798 people and more than 7,400 Indians expected to return home to safety over the next two days, officials said.

 

An implacable Russia, which is pressing ahead with its bombardment of key Ukrainian cities, while rejecting calls by the international community for cessation of hostilities, bared a softer side, saying it is ready to send 130 buses to evacuate stranded Indian students and other foreigners from Ukraine's battle-scarred Kharkiv and Sumy cities to its Belgorod region.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), meanwhile, said evacuation efforts from Ukraine have gathered pace, with about 1,000 Indians having left Kharkiv for nearby Pisochyn pursuant to its advisory a day ago.

9:01 PM

We urge immediate cessation of violence and end to hostilities: India at 49th UN Human Rights Council Session

8:40 PM

Canada slaps 35 percent tariffs on Russia, Belarus imports

Canada will remove Russia and Belarus's most favoured nation status as a trading partner, and will provide additional lethal aid to Ukraine, including rocket launchers and hand grenades, Canadian officials said Thursday.

 

The only other country that does not enjoy the most favoured nation status with Canada is North Korea, and goods from Russia and Belarus will be subjected to a 35% tariff when imported into Canada, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said.

 

8:35 PM

Ukraine presidential adviser says talks with Russia have started

Talks between Ukraine and Russia have started and the Ukrainian delegation's agenda is to agree an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to leave front line communities, a Ukrainian presidential adviser said on Thursday.

 

"We have started talking to Russia's representatives," said adviser Mykhailo Podolyak on Twitter.

8:28 PM

Covid-19: Delhi reports 326 new cases, 3 deaths

8:11 PM

Ukrainian parliament backs bill to seize Russia-owned assets in Ukraine

Ukraine's parliament on Thursday approved a bill to allow the seizure of assets or property in Ukraine owned by Russia or Russian citizens due to the invasion of Ukraine.

 

Under the law, the government can suggest which assets to confiscate to the Security Council, which must then give its approval for their transfer to state ownership.

 

7:46 PM

Ukrainian delegation arrived for talks with Russia in Belarus: Report

The Ukrainian delegation of negotiators has arrived by helicopter for talks with the Russian side in Belarus, Russian state news agency TASS said on Thursday, citing its reporter on the ground.

 

7:27 PM

Ukraine Parliament approves law to allow seizure of assets owned by Russia or its citizens in Ukraine: Report

7:03 PM

Putting efforts to bring Naveen's dead body back to India: MEA

6:54 PM

Russia will achieve its goals in Ukraine, Putin tells Macron

6:52 PM

US stocks flat in premarket as war rages in Europe

US markets were essentially flat in premarket trading while oil prices continued to climb as Russian forces bombarded Ukraine's second-largest city and besieged two ports.

The economic fallout from the Russian invasion expanded, with Fitch Ratings and Moody's Ratings cutting Russia's credit rating.

They said the invasion and Western sanctions have hurt Moscow's ability to repay debts and raised risks for the economy and stability.

On Wall Street, futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average wavered between slight gains and losses a couple of hours before the market opens in New York.

6:49 PM

Ensure you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, govt tells Ukraine returnees

The government on Thursday asked all students who have returned from Ukraine to get both doses of COVID-19 vaccine if they are not already fully vaccinated.

 

Thousands of Indians stranded in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion have been brought back to India on evacuation flights being run by the government under 'Operation Ganga'.

 

"We would like to ensure, through you (media), that all the students who are returning (from Ukraine) are fully vaccinated or get their vaccination," Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Balram Bhargava said during a press conference here.

6:46 PM

Russian forces seize key Ukrainian port, pressure others

Russian forces have seized a strategic Ukrainian seaport and besieged another as part of efforts to cut the country off from its coastline, even as Moscow said Thursday it was ready for talks to end the fighting that has sent more than 1 million people fleeing over Ukraine's borders.

 

The Russian military said it had control of Kherson, and local Ukrainian officials confirmed that forces have taken over local government headquarters in the Black Sea port of 280,000, making it the first major city to fall since the invasion began a week ago.

 

Elsewhere, the Russians pressed their offensive on multiple fronts, though a column of tanks and other vehicles has apparently been stalled for days outside the capital of Kyiv. Heavy fighting continued Thursday on the outskirts of another strategic port city on the Azov Sea, Mariupol, plunging it into darkness, isolation and fear. Electricity and phone connections are largely down, and homes and shops are facing food and water shortages.

6:44 PM

Students stuck in Ukraine's north-eastern city of Sumy appeal for help

As the Ukraine crisis deepens with each passing day, students still stuck in the north-eastern city of Sumy have appealed for help, hoping they will be evacuated before they are faced with a situation like in Kiev and Kharkiv.

 

The eastern part of Ukraine has been witnessing intense fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) here said on Wednesday that efforts are on to reach cities in the eastern part of that country, though it is not easy.

 

As fighting intensified in Kharkiv, India on Wednesday asked its nationals to leave the second-largest Ukrainian city urgently to three nearby places "even on foot", while Russia promised to create "humanitarian corridors" for evacuation of Indians from the conflict zones.

 

"We are stuck here in Sumy. We are waiting for evacuation but we are not getting any update....we are helpless here. Our daily groceries, essentials, food stuff...all supplies are low. Situation is not good outside too. I hope we hear from the government soon," Sheikh Abrar, a fourth year student at the Medical Institute of Sumy State University, told PTI over phone.