LIVE: India brings back 219 citizens from Ukraine; 250 more on their way

First Air India flight carrying 219 Indian evacuees from Ukraine lands at Mumbai airport from Bucharest at 7.50 pm

4:29 PM

Russian troops build up on Ukrainian border in Kyiv region: Local official

Russian troops are building up on the Ukrainian border in the Kyiv region, local governor Oleksiy Kuleba said on Saturday.

 

Kuleba said 71 people were currently wounded in hospitals in the region, including soldiers and civilians.

4:23 PM

President Zelensky says Ukraine still in control of Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that the capital Kyiv was still under Ukrainian control after Russia launched an invasion on Thursday.

 

"We have withstood and are successfully repelling enemy attacks. The fighting goes on," he said in a video message posted on his social media.

 

"We already have almost full support from EU countries for disconnecting Russia from SWIFT. I hope that Germany and Hungary will have the courage to support this decision. We have the courage to defend our homeland, to defend Europe," Zelensky added.

 

"We are controlling Kyiv and key points around the city. Who wants to come and help us do, we will arm you. We need to stop this war, we can live in peace," he said.

4:18 PM

EU NATO members donate more weapons to Ukraine

The Netherlands will send 200 Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine as soon as possible, in addition to other military aid approved earlier this month, the Dutch Defense and Foreign Ministries said in a statement. 

 

The Czech Republic will send machine guns, sniper rifles, handguns and ammunition worth about $9 million, Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said. Last month the Czechs agreed to send 4,000 artillery shells. 

 

“This demonstrates the countries’ views about the war in Ukraine,” said Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas of Lithuania, another NATO member that has agreed to help arm Kyiv-led forces. 

4:13 PM

Internet in Ukraine disrupted as Russian troops advance

Internet connectivity in Ukraine has been badly affected by the Russian invasion, particularly in the southern and eastern parts of the country where fighting has been heaviest, internet blockage observatory NetBlocks said on Saturday.

 

Russian forces captured the southeastern Ukrainian city of Melitopol on Saturday, Russia's Interfax news agency reported, as Moscow launched coordinated cruise missile and artillery strikes on several cities, including the capital Kyiv.

 

Connectivity to GigaTrans, Ukraine's main internet provider, dropped to below 20% of normal levels before returning to higher levels in the early hours of Friday morning, NetBlocks said.

4:09 PM

Russia no longer needs diplomatic ties with West: Ex-President Medvedev

Russia doesn't really need diplomatic ties with the West after it imposed sanctions on Moscow over what he called Russia's military operation in Ukraine, former president and top security official Dmitry Medvedev said on Saturday.

 

Medvedev, writing on social media, said it was time to "padlock the embassies."

He said Moscow would continue its operation in Ukraine until it achieved goals defined by President Vladimir Putin.

 

Medvedev made the comments on his verified page on Russian social network VK.

3:48 PM

6 civilians hurt as rocket hits high-rise outside Kyiv

A rescue worker says at least six civilians were injured by a rocket that hit a high-rise apartment building on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital.

 

Petro Prokopov, a firefighter who was taking part in rescue efforts, said the building on the southwestern edge of Kyiv near Zhuliany airport was hit between 16 and 21 floors on Saturday. He said at least six people were injured and apartments on two floors were gutted by fire. Emergency responders have evacuated 80 people.

 

Kyiv's Mayor Vitali Klitschko posted an image showing a gaping hole on one side of the apartment building.

 

Separately, Ukraine's Infrastructure Ministry said a Russian missile was shot down before dawn Saturday as it headed for the dam of the sprawling water reservoir that serves Kyiv. If the dam is destroyed, the flooding will cause catastrophic casualties and losses - including flooding of residential areas of Kyiv and its suburbs, the ministry said.

 

Russian troops were pressing their attack on the Ukrainian capital, trying to advance on the city from several directions. Russia has repeatedly claimed its assault on Ukraine is aimed only at military targets.

3:31 PM

India closely monitoring global energy markets: Govt

Government of India is closely monitoring global energy markets as well as potential energy supply disruptions as a fall out of the evolving geopolitical situation, said Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas on Saturday.

 

"With a view to ensuring energy justice for its citizens and for just energy transition towards a net zero future, India stands ready to take appropriate action for ensuring ongoing supplies at stable prices.

 

"India is also committed to supporting initiatives for releases from Strategic Petroleum Reserves, for mitigating market volatility and calming the rise in crude oil prices," said the ministry.

3:25 PM

'Since 7 am on Saturday, 9,000 people have entered Poland from Ukraine'

3:17 PM

US President approves $350 mn in military aid for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden authorised the State Department to provide $600 million in immediate aid to Ukraine, including $350 million in military funding. 

 

Ukraine President said he spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and “weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine.”

2:46 PM

Wouldn't Azam khan, Mukhtar Ansari have an upper hand under Akhilesh govt?: Nadda

2:37 PM

Ukraine was struck by a missile earlier today

2:34 PM

Hungary offers Budapest for Russia-Ukraine talks

Hungary has offered its capital, Budapest, as a potential site for talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Facebook.

 

Szijjarto said he made the offer to his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and Ukrainian presidential adviser Andriy Yermak. 

 

“Budapest could be secure for both the Russian and Ukrainian delegations,” Szijjarto said. “Neither of them said no outright.”

2:22 PM

The first flight to Mumbai with 219 Indians evacuated from Ukraine has taken off from Romania, says Jaishankar

2:09 PM

Delhi: Lit candles, flowers placed outside the Ukraine Embassy

2:01 PM

Mumbai airport blocks special corridor for Indian students arriving in city today from Ukraine