Russia Ukraine crisis Updates: First flight carrying 219 Indian evacuees from Ukraine lands at Mumbai airport from Bucharest

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Poland Ambassador to India pays tribute to Ukrainians killed in conflict

At the Embassy of Ukraine in Delhi, Ambassador of Poland to India Adam Burakowski on Saturday paid tribute to Ukrainians killed during Russia’s military operations.

“Today at the Embassy of Ukraine in Delhi I paid tribute to all Ukrainians killed during unprovoked Russian attack. Poland stays with Ukraine!” Burakowski tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Ukraine Health Minister Viktor Liashko had said that a total of 198 Ukrainians have been killed, including three children till now since the Russia-Ukraine crisis escalated on Thursday.

– ANI

Today at the Embassy of Ukraine in Delhi I paid tribute to all Ukrainians killed during unprovoked Russian attack.

🇵🇱Poland stays with 🇺🇦Ukraine!#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/a3wbz7EaPR

— Adam Burakowski (@Adam_Burakowski) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Sweden join Poles in boycotting Russia in World Cup play-offs

Sweden will not play Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine the football federation said on Saturday.

Sweden would have to beat the Czech Republic and Russia overcome Poland for them to face each other on March 29 in Russia.

“Whatever FIFA decide, we will not play against Russia in March,” Karl-Erik Nilsson, president of the federation said in a statement.

– AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

‘We’re letting everyone in’: Hungary is accepting all citizens and legal residents of Ukraine, says Viktor Orban

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has told a news conference in the border town of Beregsurany that Hungary is accepting all citizens and legal residents of Ukraine, regardless of whether they are subject to military conscription into the Ukrainian armed forces.

“We’re letting everyone in,” Orban said. “I’ve seen people who have no travel documents, but we’re providing them too with travel documents. And we’re also allowing in those who have arrived from third countries after the proper screening.”

Several thousand refugees fleeing Ukraine have crossed into Hungary in recent days, entering through five border crossings along Hungary’s 137-kilometer (85-mile) border with Ukraine.

– AP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Russian army ordered to broaden Ukraine advance ‘from all directions’, according to AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Watch | Piyush Goyal welcomes students at airport

वन्दे मातरम 🇮🇳

The mother never leaves her children in peril. The first batch of evacuees return home to safety from Ukraine.#OperationGanga pic.twitter.com/mNLkXw3rMn

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Belarusian leader in exile says President Alexander Lukashenko ‘committed treason’

Lukashenka committed treason – he made our country a participant in the invasion of Ukraine. So I declared myself as the national leader of Belarus to protect the sovereignty & independence of our country, represent it in security negotiations & crisis management in the region. pic.twitter.com/IyQ0YOM7Kf

— Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (@Tsihanouskaya) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force deployed to bolster NATO’s eastern front

UK @RoyalNavy, @BritishArmy and @RoyalAirForce deploy to bolster @NATO's eastern front.

✅ HMS Diamond to join HMS Trent
✅ Challenger 2 tanks arrive in 🇪🇪
✅ RAF Typhoon jets completing air policing missions

Read more: https://t.co/PTwYWP5OUb and https://t.co/twB9hFmXpO pic.twitter.com/npLIPInC6K

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Ukrainian S-300 system downs Russian Sukhoi Su-25 and a helicopter in Donbas, according to Kyiv Independent

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Russia-Ukraine conflict hits sunflower oil imports; industry weighs options in other countries

With imports of sunflower oil getting affected due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, industry body SEA on Saturday said it is weighing options to source cooking oils from other countries to maintain domestic supply and keep retail prices under check.

Industry players expect prices of cooking oils to remain stable as the supply of domestic mustard oil will improve from next month. Harvesting of mustard seeds crop is about to start.

India’s total imports of edible oils surged to a record Rs 1.17 lakh crore in 2020-21 marketing year (November to October) from nearly Rs 72,000 crore in the previous year due to a sharp rise in global prices. In terms of volume, the imports were stable at 130 lakh tonne.

“Supply of sunflower oil has got disrupted because of conflict between Russia and Ukraine. India imports 25 lakh tonne of sunflower oil annually, of which 70 per cent comes from Ukraine, 20 per cent from Russia and 10 per cent from Argentina,” Solvent Extractors’ Association (SEA) Executive Director B V Mehta told PTI.

– PTI

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Turkey bans Russia warships from entering Black Sea

I thank my friend Mr. President of 🇹🇷 @RTErdogan and the people of 🇹🇷 for their strong support. The ban on the passage of 🇷🇺 warships to the Black Sea and significant military and humanitarian support for 🇺🇦 are extremely important today. The people of 🇺🇦 will never forget that!

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

First batch of Indian evacuees from Ukraine land in Mumbai

Just in!

First batch of Indian evacuees from #Ukraine land in Mumbai

Finally home 😀🇮🇳@IndiaToday pic.twitter.com/EjDqThTjMB

— Poulomi Saha (@PoulomiMSaha) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Cryptocurrencies enter Ukraine conflict

Having evacuated part of his team from Kyiv, Mike Chobanian, boss of cryptocurrency exchange Kuna, is watching the effects of Russia’s invasion on his flourishing industry with a weary eye.

“Business is running, but we’re in survival mode over here,” the 37-year-old boss said during a video call from his current refuge after leaving the Ukraine capital.

Russia’s military build-up led many Ukrainians to turn to cryptocurrencies, before the invasion seized up the sector. But it is still facilitating global fundraising efforts, albeit through an opaque decentralised system that Russia could also exploit to circumvent sanctions.

The Ukrainian government on Friday imposed sanctions against the rouble, forcing Chobanian to halt cryptocurrency swaps with the Russian currency.

– AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Polish PM slams Western, German ’egotism’ amid war

Ahead of a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Berlin Saturday afternoon, Poland’s prime minister has urged Germany to put aside “selfishness” and “egoism” and offer substantive support to the people of Ukraine.

“Nothing is going to stop Putin if we are not decisive enough,” Mateusz Morawiecki said in Berlin. “This is a very historic moment… we have no time to lose.”

Morawiecki said Germany’s aid thus far — of military helmets, not weapons — is a far cry from what’s necessary to help Ukraine defend itself.

“What kind of help was delivered to Ukraine? Five thousand helmets? This must be a joke,” Morawiecki said.

– AP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge extend support to Ukraine

In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future.

Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future 🇺🇦 W & C

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

UK cancels visas of Belarusian Men’s Basketball Team due to play in Newcastle tomorrow

I have cancelled the visas of the Belarusian Men’s Basketball Team who were due to play in Newcastle tomorrow night.

The UK will not welcome the national sports teams of those countries who are complicit in Putin’s unprovoked and illegal invasion of #Ukraine.

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Watch | missile or rocket strikes a residential building in Kyiv

Video shows a missile or rocket striking a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine. CNN's @clarissaward reports from the scene. Follow CNN's live coverage of Ukraine: https://t.co/3SXL1MxBjc pic.twitter.com/hprerf1uLL

— CNN (@CNN) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Enemy has not succeeded, says Ukraine’s deputy minister of defense Hanna Malyar

🔊 Звернення заступника Міністра оборони України Ганни Маляр:

«Третю добу триває загарбницька операція Російської Федерації на території нашої держави. ​
Ключові цілі та намагання противника досягнути успіху не реалізовані». pic.twitter.com/djkYe4kS9N

— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Russia responds to India abstaining from UNSC resolution on Ukraine invasion

Highly appreciate India’s independent and balanced position at the voting in the UNSC on February 25, 2022.

In the spirit of the special and privileged strategic partnership Russia is committed to maintain close dialogue with India on the situation around Ukraine https://t.co/oKtElMLLRf

— Russia in India 🇷🇺 (@RusEmbIndia) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Twitter access restricted in many parts of Russia, claims Netblocks

⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show that Twitter has been restricted on multiple providers in #Russia as of 9:00 a.m. UTC; the incident comes as the government clashes with social media platforms over policy in relation to the #Ukraine conflict 📉

📰 Report: https://t.co/ihPX8fb86s pic.twitter.com/nGrcHzjIXd

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Prague to give arms worth millions of dollars to Kyiv

The Czech Republic will donate machine guns, assault and sniper rifles, pistols and ammunition valued at 7.6 million euros ($8.6 million) to Ukraine, the defence minister said Saturday.

“The government on Saturday approved further help to Ukraine, which is facing a Russian attack,” Minister Jana Cernochova said in a tweet.

“The defence ministry will also take care of transport to a place set by the Ukrainian side. Our help is not over,” she added.

– AFP

Kulomety, samopaly, odstřelovací pušky, pistole a odpovídající munice v hodnotě 188 milionů. Vláda v sobotu schválila další pomoc Ukrajině, která čelí ruskému útoku. MO bezprostředně zajistuje i dopravu na místo, které určí ukrajinská strana. Naše pomoc nekončí.#StandWithUkraine

— Jana Černochová (@jana_cernochova) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

US announces 350 million dollar in new US military aid to Ukraine

The United States is providing Ukraine with $350 million in additional military equipment to fight off Russia’s “brutal and unprovoked assault,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Saturday.

“This package will include further lethal defensive assistance to help Ukraine address the armored, airborne, and other threats it is now facing,” Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken said that last fall as Russia started amassing troops on the border with its pro-Western neighbor, President Joe Biden authorized $60 million in immediate military assistance to Ukraine, then another $200 million in December as President Vladimir Putin’s threat became more acute.

– AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Ukraine prolonging conflict by refusing talks, says Moscow

The Kremlin on Saturday accused Ukraine of prolonging the military conflict by refusing to negotiate as Russia pressed on with its invasion of the pro-Western country.

“In connection with the expected negotiations, the Russian president yesterday afternoon ordered the suspension of the advance of the main forces of the Russian Federation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters during a conference call.

“Since the Ukrainian side refused to negotiate, the advance of the Russian forces resumed this afternoon.”

– AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Ukraine doesn’t have nuclear weapons, says Dmytro Kuleba dismissing Russian allegation

Russian propaganda has gone off the rails and speculates Ukraine might be preparing to drop a ‘dirty bomb’ on the Russian territory. This is a sick fake. Ukraine doesn’t have nuclear weapons, doesn’t conduct any work to create/acquire them. We are a responsible member of the NPT.

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Провів розмову з Прем'єр-міністром 🇮🇳 @narendramodi. Повідомив про перебіг відсічі 🇺🇦 агресії 🇷🇺. На нашій землі – понад 100 тис. загарбників, які підступно обстрілюють житлові будинки. Закликав 🇮🇳 надати політичну підтримку. Зокрема в Радбезі 🇺🇳. Маємо спільно зупинити агресора!

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Viktor Orban agrees to ban Russia from SWIFT, says Hungarian prime minister

Rozmawiałem dzisiaj ponownie z premierem Węgier V. Orbanem. I po raz kolejny zapewnił mnie o poparciu dla daleko idących sankcji skierowanych wobec Rosji. W tym także o zablokowaniu systemu SWIFT.

— Mateusz Morawiecki (@MorawieckiM) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Kyiv toughens curfew, violators to be considered ’enemy’, says Mayor Vitali Klitschko

Kyiv authorities on Saturday toughened curfew orders in the city, saying violators would be considered “enemy” saboteurs as Russian forces press to capture Ukraine’s capital.

Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko said that to improve the defence of the capital the curfew will be extended from 5:00 pm to 8:00 am local time between Saturday and Monday.

“All civilians who are on the street during the curfew will be considered members of the enemy’s sabotage and reconnaissance groups,” Klitschko wrote in an online post.

– AFP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Latvian airline AirBaltic suspends flights to Russia

airBaltic suspends flights to Russia: pic.twitter.com/5WEakOJGOH

— airBaltic (@airBaltic) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Watch | Batches of Indian students enter Hungary from Ukrainian side at Zahony crossing

More batches of Indian students enter Hungary from Ukrainian side at Zahony crossing, travelling onward to Budapest for return to India by AI flight today @MEAIndia @IndiainUkraine @IndianDiplomacy @DDNewslive @airindiain pic.twitter.com/XleEiGwbyH

— India in Hungary (@IndiaInHungary) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Embassy of India in Hungary issues advisory for Indians to be evacuated from Ukraine via Hungary

Latest Advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated Via Hungary @IndiainUkraine @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @BshBudapest pic.twitter.com/LpLL4EaCj7

— India in Hungary (@IndiaInHungary) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Watch | Ukrainians seek shelter inside a Kyiv basement as fighting reaches the streets of the capital

VIDEO: Ukrainians seek shelter inside a Kyiv basement as fighting reaches the streets of the capital pic.twitter.com/WbffR1Z5jJ

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates:

Latvia, Estonia close airspace to Russia

Эстония закрывает воздушное пространство для самолетов РФ, сообщает министр экономики республики:https://t.co/0XvTpOCeRR pic.twitter.com/j6YXXZ2j4a

— ТАСС (@tass_agency) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Indian Embassy in Slovakia issues advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated

Advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated via Slovakia.

Kindly register: https://t.co/pmNGeshS6H@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/ZT4IAnPNca

— India in Slovakia (@IndiaInSlovakia) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Indian Embassy in Slovakia issues advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated

Advisory for Indians in Ukraine desiring to be evacuated via Slovakia.

Kindly register: https://t.co/pmNGeshS6H@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/ZT4IAnPNca

— India in Slovakia (@IndiaInSlovakia) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates:

Russian army takes control of Ukrainian city of Melitopol

Ukrayna'nın Melitopol kentindeki polis binasının üzerinde Rusya bayrağı asıldı

— ABC Gazetesi (@abcgazete) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates

Russia likely to freeze Western assets, pull out of nuclear arms pacts

A senior Russian official has warned that Moscow could react to Western sanctions over its attack on Ukraine by opting out of the last remaining nuclear arms pact and freezing Western assets.

Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russia’s Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, shrugged off a set of crippling sanctions that the US, the European Union and other allies slapped on Russia as a reflection of Western “political impotence.”

In comments posted on his page on Russian social media VKontakte, Medvedev said the sanctions could offer Moscow a pretext for a complete review of its ties with the West, suggesting that Russia could opt out of the New START nuclear arms control treaty that limits the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals.

– AP

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates:

Russian forces continue advance on Kyiv

We can confirm the latest developments in Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/HOW8dM5m0b

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) February 26, 2022

Russia Ukraine crisis LIVE Updates:

Zelenskyy urges Germany, Hungary to support cutting Russia from SWIFT

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday urged Germany and Hungary to back severing Russia from the SWIFT banking system to punish Moscow for invading his country.

“There is already almost full support from the EU countries to disconnect Russia from SWIFT. I hope that Germany and Hungary will have the courage to support this decision,” Zelensky said in a video address posted online.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Successfully fought off enemy attacks, says President Zelenskyy

In a video message, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that “Kyiv and key places near the Capital” are under their control. He added: “The occupiers wanted to capture our capital and install their puppets like Donetsk. We broke their idea.”

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

100,000 Ukrainians cross border into Poland: official

Polish Deputy Interior Minister Pawel Szefernaker on Saturday said 100,000 people have crossed the border into Poland from Ukraine since Russia’s invasion this week.

“From the onset of warfare in Ukraine through today, along the entire border with Ukraine, 100,000 people have crossed the border from Ukraine into Poland,” Szefernaker told reporters in the border village of Medyka, southeastern Poland. 

-AFP

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

First flight carrying evacuated Indians takes off from Romania

The first flight takes off from Romania carrying Indians living in Ukraine takes off, tweets External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The flight carrying 219 Indians is expected to reach Mumbai around 6.30 pm, according to media reports.

As many as 470 Indians living in Ukraine were evacuated to Romania through a land route on Friday. They are now being brought to India in Air India flights.

Regarding evacuation of Indian nationals from Ukraine, we are making progress.

Our teams are working on the ground round the clock. I am personally monitoring.

The first flight to Mumbai with 219 Indian nationals has taken off from Romania. pic.twitter.com/8BSwefW0Q1

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 26, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine President Zelenskyy urges for membership of the European Union

“It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine’s membership in the EU,” he writes on Twitter.

It is a crucial moment to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in the #EU. Discussed with @eucopresident further effective assistance and the heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future.

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Poland refuses to play 2022 World Cup play-off against Russia

Poland will not play their 2022 World Cup play-off with Russia in Moscow on March 24 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine the president of the Polish football federation said on Saturday.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russia watchdog bans ‘invasion’ and ‘assault’ in media

Russia’s communications regulator on Saturday ordered media to remove reports describing Moscow’s attack on Ukraine as an “assault, invasion, or declaration of war” or face being blocked and fined.

In a statement, Roskomnadzor accused a number of independent media outlets including television channel Dozhd and the country’s top independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta of spreading “unreliable socially significant untrue information” about the shelling of Ukrainian cities by the Russian army and civilian deaths.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine says 198 civilians killed in Russian invasion

Ukraine’s health minister said Saturday that 198 civilians, including three children, have been killed so far by Russian forces attacking the pro-Western country. 

“Unfortunately, according to operative data, at the hands of the invaders we have 198 dead, including 3 children, 1,115 wounded, including 33 children,” Health Minister Viktor Lyashko wrote on Facebook.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Chinese banks limit financing for Russian purchases: Bloomberg

Several Chinese public banks are limiting financing to purchase raw materials from Russia for fear of Western sanctions following the invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg news agency reported on Saturday.

China and Russia have strengthened their ties considerably since Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequent Western sanctions.

To power its growth, the Asian giant has also increased its purchases of Russian commodities, with about 30 percent of Russian oil and gas now sold to China.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

‘This war will last,’ warns France’s Macron on Ukraine

The world must brace for a long war between Russia and Ukraine after Moscow launched an invasion of its pro-Western neighbour, French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Saturday.

“I can tell you one thing this morning it is that this war will last,” Macron’s told France’s annual agriculture fair. 

“This crisis will last, this war will last and all the crises that come with it will have lasting consequences,” Macron added, warning: “We must be prepared”.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russia halts space launches from French Guiana over sanctions

Russia is suspending space launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its technical personnel in response to EU sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, the space agency said Saturday.

“In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organising space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel… from French Guiana,” Dmitry Rogozin, chief of the Russian space agency, said on messaging app Telegram.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russia strikes Ukraine with cruise missiles

The Russian military says it has launched a barrage of cruise missiles at Ukrainian military facilities, reports AP. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said Saturday that the military struck a range of Ukrainian military installations with long-range Kalibr cruise missiles.

He said that since the start of Russia’s attack Thursday, the military has hit 821 Ukrainian military facilities, including 14 air bases and 19 command facilities, and destroyed 24 air defense missile systems, 48 radars, seven warplanes, seven helicopters, nine drones, 87 tanks and eight military vessels.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Russia fires cruise missiles at Ukraine military infrastructure

The Russian army has targeted Ukraine’s military infrastructure with cruise missiles from the air and sea, the defence ministry said on Saturday, as Moscow pressed on with the invasion of the pro-Western country.

“During the night, the armed forces of the Russian Federation launched a strike with long-range precision weapons using air- and sea-launched cruise missiles against the military infrastructure of Ukraine,” defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in televised remarks.

He said that the Russian army only targeted military infrastructure without damaging “residential and social infrastructure”

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Missile hits apartment in Kyiv, says mayor

A high-rise apartment block was hit by shelling overnight in Kyiv as fighting raged between Russian attackers and Ukrainian forces, emergency services said Saturday. 

The authorities said the number of victims was “being specified” and that an evacuation was underway. They posted a picture online of the tower block with a hole covering at least five floors blasted into the side and rubble strewn across the street below.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaly Klitschko said online that the building had been hit by a missile.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Civilians take up arms in Ukraine to battle Russian tanks 

Civilians — some of whom have never held a gun before — prepare to battle with Russian tanks with the Ukrainian defence ministry urging them “to make Molotov cocktails and neutralise the enemy”, reports AFP.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Zelensky says Western ‘partners’ sending weapons to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that “partners” were sending weapons to help Kyiv fight Russian troops, adding he had spoken by phone with French leader Emmanuel Macron.

“A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with Emmanuel Macron,” Zelensky tweeted. “Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!”

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

We will defend Ukraine, says Zelensky in Kyiv

This morning, Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy posted another video from central Kyiv. The 40-second video appears to address false rumours. The leader, according to a partial translation by the Kyiv Independent, says: “There’s a lot of false information on the internet that I call on our army to lay down their arms and that there’s evacuation,” he said. “We are here. We are not going to lay down our arms. We will defend our country.”

Не вірте фейкам. pic.twitter.com/wiLqmCuz1p

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 26, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Big break: 3,500 Russian soldiers have been killed so far, the Ukrainian military claims, reports BBC

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Joe Biden authorises Pentagon to spend $350 million on security to Ukraine

United States President Joe Biden has authorised the Pentagon to send up to $350 million of security assistance to Ukraine as it battles Russian invasion, reports AP.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Facebook bans Russian state media from running ads, monetizing

Facebook on Friday restricted Russian state media’s ability to earn money on the social media platform as Moscow’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine reached the streets of Kyiv. “We are now prohibiting Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on our platform anywhere in the world,” Nathaniel Gleicher, the social media giant’s security policy head, said on Twitter.He added that Facebook would “continue to apply labels to additional Russian state media.“Facebook’s parent company Meta said earlier Friday that Russia would hit its services with restrictions after it refused authorities’ order to stop using fact-checkers and content warning labels on its platforms.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

IAF withdraws itself from multi-national exercise CobraWarrior 2022 in UK

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Street fighting begins in Kyiv; people urged to seek shelter

Russian troops stormed toward Ukraine’s capital early Saturday as explosions reverberated through the city and the president urged the country to “stand firm” against the siege that could determine its future, reports AP. He refused American help to evacuate, saying: “The fight is here.”

Hundreds of casualties were reported in the fighting, which included shelling that sliced through a Kyiv apartment building and pummeled bridges and schools. There also were growing signs that Russia may be seeking to overthrow Ukraine’s government, which U.S. officials have described as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ultimate objective.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Fighting erupts in Kyiv, say reports

Fighting has erupted in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, reports the BBC, citing a statement by the government on news agency Interfax. The statement also urges residents to stay in shelters and to not go near windows or balconies.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Big break:  Gunfire heard in Ukraine’s capital, near to the city center, reports CNN

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Czechs, Poland, Bulgaria to close airspace to Russian flights

The Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria each said Friday they would close their airspace to flights by Russian carriers in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, starting from midnight. 

Earlier Friday the Polish airline LOT had already halted flights to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. 

“As of midnight today, we are halting the traffic of all Russian airline companies in Czech airspace,” Czech Transport Minister Martin Kupka tweeted.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Second military transport plan shot down, says report

A second Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane was shot down near Bila Tserkva, 50 miles (85 kilometers) south of Kyiv, according to two American officials with direct knowledge of conditions on the ground in Ukraine as per AP.

On Friday, Ukraine’s military said it had shot down a Russian military transport plane with paratroopers on board.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Don’t move to border posts without coordination with us: Indian embassy in Ukraine

India on Saturday advised its stranded nationals in Ukraine to exercise caution at all times and not move to any border posts to exit the country without prior coordination with its officials.

The Indian embassy in Ukraine issued a fresh advisory in view of increasing Russian attacks on several Ukrainian cities and reports of heavy fighting around the capital Kyiv.

The embassy particularly advised those staying in the eastern part of Ukraine to continue to remain in their current places of residence and stay indoors or in shelters as much as possible.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Zelenskyy declines US offer to evacuate Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the U.S. government but turned down the offer.

Zelenskyy said in response: “The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride,” according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation, who described Zelenskyy as upbeat.

Invading Russian forces closed in on Ukraine’s capital on Saturday, in an apparent encircling movement after a barrage of airstrikes on cities and military bases around the country.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

List of updated coordinates of MEA teams assisting Indian nationals in Ukraine

List of Updated Coordinates of MEA Teams that are currently assisting Indian nationals in Ukraine.#RussiaUkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/vl7Lhsk6xv

— Prasar Bharati News Services & Digital Platform (@PBNS_India) February 26, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

When the Russians come, that’s when you get a gun and you learn how to shoot it: Ukrainian MP

Kira Rudik is a Ukrainian parliamentarian currently in Kyiv. She’s just spoken to CNN, saying it is strange to go from working as a member of parliament, under the threat of Russian attack, and then to have it suddenly start.

“And then one day, you just know they’re coming,” said Rudik, speaking to CNN from the capital city Kyiv. “And then you have to do something. And that’s when you get a gun and then you learn how to shoot it.”

I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy

— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

US sanctions on Russian oligarchs miss richest of rich

The term Russian oligarch conjures images of posh London mansions, gold-plated Bentleys and sleek superyachts in the Mediterranean, their decks draped with partiers dripping in jewels.

But the raft of sanctions on oligarchs announced by President Joe Biden this week in response to the invasion of Ukraine may do little to dim the jet-setting lifestyles of Russia’s ultra-rich and infamous – much less force a withdrawal of tanks and troops.

US sanctions target Russian President Vladmir Putin and a handful of individuals believed to be among his closest security advisers, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. But the list is just as notable for who isn’t on it — most of the top names from Forbes’ list of the richest Russians, whose multi-billion-dollar fortunes are now largely intertwined with the West, from investments in Silicon Valley start-ups to British Premier League soccer teams.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

UN chief says Russian soldiers should ‘return to their barracks’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on soldiers in Russia’s war on Ukraine to “return to their barracks” Friday.

“We must never give up. We must give peace another chance,” he told reporters after Moscow vetoed a UN resolution condemning its “aggression” in Ukraine.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

‘Repulsed’ Russain attack on Kyiv, says Ukrainian army

Ukraine ‘repulsed’ Russian attack on main Kyiv avenue, said news agency AFP quoting the Ukrainian army. Russia “attacked one of the military units on Victory Avenue in Kyiv. The attack was repulsed,” Ukraine’s army said on its verified Facebook page, without specifying where exactly the incident took place.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Ukraine military claims to have shot down Russian military plane

Ukraine’s military says it has shot down a Russian military transport plane with paratroopers on board.

According to a statement from the military’s General Staff, the Il-76 heavy transport plane was shot down near Vasylkiv, a city 40 kilometers south of Kyiv. The Russian military has not commented on the incident so far, and the report could not be immediately verified.

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

Air India plane departs from Mumbai for Bucharest to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine

An Air India plane departed from the Mumbai airport on Saturday morning for Romanian capital Bucharest to evacuate Indians stranded in Ukraine due to the Russian military offensive.

The flight, AI1943, took off from the Mumbai airport around 3.40 AM and is expected to land at the Bucharest airport around 10 AM (Indian Standard Time), senior government officials said.

Indian nationals who have reached the Ukraine-Romania border by road are being taken to Bucharest by Indian government officials so that they can be evacuated in the Air India flight, they noted.

First batch of Indian evacuees from #Ukraine reach Romania via Suceava border crossing. MEA to facilitate onward travel to Bucharest and then to India. @airindiain to operate flight from Delhi and Mumbai to Bucharest and Budapest today to fly back stranded Indians@MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/NRMnuC2LC7

— DD NEWS SRINAGAR (@ddnewsSrinagar) February 26, 2022

Russia-Ukraine crisis LATEST Updates

India abstains on UNSC resolution that ‘deplores’ Russian aggression against Ukraine

India abstained on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that “deplores in the strongest terms” Russia’s “aggression” against Ukraine, with New Delhi saying dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes and voicing “regret” that the path of diplomacy was given up.

The resolution did not pass since permanent member Russia, and President of the Security Council for the month of February, used its veto. The resolution received 11 votes in favour and three abstentions, including by India, China and the UAE.