Ukraine Russia war Updates: PM Modi chairs high-level meet on conflict, evacuation of students

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes ‘desperate plea’ to US for more planes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea” to U.S. senators on Saturday to send more planes to help the country fight the Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy made the request on a call joined by more than 300 people, including senators, some House lawmakers and aides.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement that Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine."

“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Schumer said.

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Volodymyr Zelenskyy makes ‘desperate plea’ to US for more planes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea” to U.S. senators on Saturday to send more planes to help the country fight the Russian invasion.

Zelenskyy made the request on a call joined by more than 300 people, including senators, some House lawmakers and aides.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement that Zelenskyy made a “desperate plea for Eastern European countries to provide Russian-made planes to Ukraine."

“I will do all I can to help the administration to facilitate their transfer,” Schumer said.

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

After Aeroflot, Pobeda suspends international flights starting 8 March

#Russian airline "Pobeda" suspends flights abroad from March 8.

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Economic impact of war will be ‘all the more devastating’ should the conflict escalates, says IMF

#UPDATE The IMF has warned that the already serious global economic impacts of the war in #Ukraine would be "all the more devastating" should the conflict escalate pic.twitter.com/4oIQSSdnCu

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Israel PM Naftali Bennett meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin

Israel PM Naftali Bennett meets Russian President Vladimir Putin at Kremlin for Ukraine talks, reports AFP quoting spokesperson

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Russia and Ukraine to hold third round of talks on Monday

Russia and Ukraine will hold a third round of talks on Monday about ending hostilities, a Ukrainian negotiator said https://t.co/oH1tsoBrex pic.twitter.com/p8Hx8hhVdD

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

‘US citizens should depart Russia immediately’: State department issues new travel advisory

Russia: Do not travel due to the unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces in Ukraine, limited flights into and out of Russia, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens in Russia. U.S. citizens should depart immediately. https://t.co/TzWd169sYs pic.twitter.com/BOh4XDlX3B

— Travel - State Dept (@TravelGov) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Russia resumes ‘offensive’ after Mariupol ceasefire, according to AFP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Antony Blinken speaks to PRC State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi

I spoke with PRC State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi about Moscow’s unjustified ongoing attack against Ukraine. The world is watching to see which nations stand up for the basic principles of sovereignty, as Moscow pays a high price for its unconscionable actions.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Watch | Vladimir Putin warns the West that he would regard any no-fly zone over Ukraine as an act of war against Russia

🗣️ Watch: Vladimir Putin warns the West that he would regard any no-fly zone over Ukraine as an act of war against Russia.

Follow the latest on our liveblog 👇https://t.co/M5xUHtiYyQ pic.twitter.com/qMln4vn73U

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Watch | On Sweden’s Gotland, Ukraine war revives fears of Russia

VIDEO: The inhabitants of Gotland, a Swedish island located about 350km from Russia's exclave of Kaliningrad, grow increasingly anxious over the conflict with Russia after four Russian jets recently breached Sweden's airspace pic.twitter.com/CVOhFuTbRA

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

In pictures | Ukrainians evacuate city near Kyiv by foot

Ukrainians evacuate city near Kyiv by foot. #AFP
📸 @ArisMessinis pic.twitter.com/g11lfSHGQj

— AFP Photo (@AFPphoto) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Watch | PM Modi chairs high-level meeting on Ukraine crisis

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Volodymyr Zelenskyy trying to provoke conflict between Russia and NATO, claims Sergei Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Volodymyr Zelenskyy is trying to provoke a conflict between Russia and NATO.

“I have a question. If he (Zelenskyy) is so upset that NATO did not step up for him as he hoped, it means that he did hope for the conflict’s resolution though the involvement of NATO in this whole affair, rather than by negotiating,” Lavrov told a briefing.

“So it turns out that he doesn’t hear the constant assertions coming from Washington, Paris, Berlin and other capitals that NATO is not going to intervene in this conflict. And it turns out that he is seeking to provoke a conflict involving NATO, between NATO and Russia,” the minister added.

– ANI

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Liz Truss’s remark about possible involvement of NATO in conflict prompted Moscow to put deterrence forces on high alert, says Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday (local time) said that UK Foreign Minister Liz Truss’s remark about the possible involvement of NATO in the conflict in Ukraine has prompted Moscow to put its deterrence forces on high alert.

At a meeting with female flight crews of Russian airlines, the Russian President explained that Russia decided to bring the deterrence forces into a special combat duty regime after Truss “blurted out that NATO could be involved in the conflict” in Ukraine, reported Sputnik.

“The reaction followed — they said that nothing of the kind was meant, but no one rebuked her, no one disavowed these statements. If anyone told us something, as in, this is her personal opinion, do not pay attention. Nobody [said] anything. And what should we think about this? What should we think about this? Of course, we took it as a signal,” Putin said.

According to Sputnik, Putin said that the Russian army has nearly completed the demolition of military infrastructure in Ukraine.

– ANI

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‘Stay inside shelters’, says India after students’ SOS video from Sumy

India on Saturday said it has “strongly pressed” the Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe passage for the Indian students stuck in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the students have been advised to take safety precautions such as staying inside shelters and to avoid taking unnecessary risks and that the government is “deeply concerned about them”.

On Friday, he put the number of Indian students stranded in Sumy, which is nearly 60 kilometres from the Russian border, at around 700.

The students have been sending SOS messages and posting videos on social media platforms, pleading for their urgent evacuation from the conflict zone as the city is witnessing fighting and airstrikes.

– Continue reading here

Have advised our students to take safety precautions, stay inside shelters and avoid unnecessary risks.

Ministry and our Embassies are in regular touch with the students.

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Civilian death toll at 351, confirms UN

The UN human rights office says it has confirmed the deaths of 351 civilians in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.

The Geneva-based office said that another 707 civilians were injured between 24 February and midnight Friday.

The rights office uses strict methodology and only reports casualties it has confirmed. It said Saturday it believes the real figures are considerably higher, “especially in government-controlled territory and especially in recent days,” as the receipt of information from some places where there was intense fighting was delayed and many reports were still undergoing corroboration.

Ukrainian officials have presented far higher numbers.

– AP

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Will leave no stone unturned in efforts to ensure safe evacuation of Indian students, writes Indian Embassy

MESSAGE FROM AMBASSADOR OF INDIA TO INDIAN STUDENTS IN UKRAINE.@MEAIndia @PIB_India @DDNewslive @DDNational @IndianDiplomacy @IndiaInHungary @IndiainPoland @eoiromania pic.twitter.com/FptG7kKDOb

— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Italy seizes 156 million dollars in oligarch wealth

European governments are moving against Russian oligarchs to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to back down on his war in Ukraine, seizing superyachts and other luxury properties from billionaires on sanctions lists.

Italy since Friday has seized 143 million euros ($156 million) in luxury yachts and villas in some of its most picturesque destinations, including Sardinia, the Ligurian coast and Lake Como.

“We must be able to stop Putin’s attack, bringing him to the table, and he won’t go with niceties," Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told Italian state TV on Friday, announcing Italy’s plans to begin the seizures of property belonging to oligarchs close to Putin.

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

PM Modi to chair high-level meet on Ukraine conflict shortly

PM Modi to chair a high-level meeting on the #Ukraine issue shortly. pic.twitter.com/3ZKkljKexs

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Protest against Russian invasion continues in Berdyansk

Also in Berdyansk peaceful Ukrainians demonstrate that their city does not belong to Russian invaders. I admire the fearless spirit of my compatriots and call on everyone around the globe to support them! Russians must go home. #CourageousBerdyansk pic.twitter.com/rwZuLrHwK8

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

No plans to declare martial law in Russia, says Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Saturday he had no intention of declaring martial law, as his country’s military incursion in Ukraine enters its second week.

“Martial law should only be introduced in cases where there is external aggression … we are not experiencing that at the moment and I hope we won’t,” Putin said during a televised meeting with employees of Russia’s flagship carrier Aeroflot.

– AFP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Countries that impose no-fly zone over Ukraine would be parties to conflict, declares Putin

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Watch | Special briefing on Operation Ganga by Arindam Bagchi

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Aviation Ministry says 11 flights with over 2,200 Indians to operate on Sunday

Eleven flights with more than 2,200 Indian evacuees will operate from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to India on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said.

About 3,000 Indians were airlifted on 15 flights to India on Saturday, the ministry’s statement noted.

“These included 12 special civilian and 3 Indian Air Force (IAF) flights,” it added.

– PTI

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Antony Blinken pledges more aid for Ukraine refugees

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised Poland Saturday for its open embrace of hundreds of thousands of fleeing Ukrainians and said Washington was preparing to set aside another 2.75 billion dollars for the humanitarian crisis.

“The people of Poland know how important it is to defend freedom,” he said after talks with Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau in Rzeszow, near the border with Ukraine.

“Poland is doing vital work in response to this crisis.”

He said the White House was seeking 2.75 billion dollars (2.51 billion euros) to provide support for those fleeing Ukraine, and countries that accept them, after Russia began its invasion on 24 February.

– AFP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Spanish clothing giant Inditex to ‘temporarily suspend’ all activities in Russia

Spanish clothing giant Inditex has decided to “temporarily suspend” all its activity in Russia, including over 500 stores and its online sales.

In a statement to Spanish stock market regulator CNMV, the parent company of Zara, Massimo Dutti and other fashion chains says that “under the current circumstances it cannot guarantee the continuity of its operations and the commercial conditions in the Russian Federation.”

It added that the company will focus on developing “a special support plan” for the more than 9,000 people it employs in Russia.

Inditex said that Russia accounts for 8.5 per cent of the group’s business. It said the move doesn’t significantly impact its investment there because all its Russian shops operate on rented premises.

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Three buses carrying Indian students reach Pisochyn, tweets Indian Embassy in Ukraine

3 buses organised by GoI have reached Pisochyn and will shortly be making their way westwards.
2 more buses will be arriving soon.
Safe travels to all our students.

Be Safe Be Strong @opganga @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/oHKLXHx0rg

— India in Ukraine (@IndiainUkraine) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Dmytro Kuleba calls Kherson an inspiration to Ukraine

Courageous Kherson inspires Ukraine and the world! Thousands of peaceful Ukrainians protest Russian occupation in front of armed Russian soldiers. What a spirit. I call on everyone around the globe: express your support for the fearless Ukrainians in Kherson! #CourageousKherson pic.twitter.com/olZoMs6ebm

— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Russian Aeroflot suspends international flights beginning 8 March

#UPDATE Russia's flagship airline Aeroflot said Saturday that it was suspending all of its international flights beginning March 8, as Moscow faces down waves of Western sanctions over its military incursion in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/cb3RBiflli

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

160 students belonging to Uttarakhand return from Ukraine under #OperationGanga

160 students belonging to Uttarakhand have returned from Ukraine under #OperationGanga. We're in the process of bringing back all 287 students to India. I have met the students who have returned & their parents too: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Ukraine crisis pic.twitter.com/0ovu39gudp

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

German broadcasters ARD, ZDF stop reporting from Russia

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Ukraine says southeast evacuations halted

The Ukrainian president’s office says civilian evacuations have halted in an area of the country where Russian defense officials had announced a cease-fire.

Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s office, said the evacuation effort was stopped because the city of Mariupol remained under fire on Saturday.

“The Russian side is not holding to the ceasefire and has continued firing on Mariupol itself and on its surrounding area,” he said. “Talks with the Russian Federation are ongoing regarding setting up a ceasefire and ensuring a safe humanitarian corridor.”

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

UK dockers refuse Russian oil, accuse sanction loophole

British dockers on Saturday refused to unload Russian oil from a tanker, calling for the government to close a “loophole” in sanctions allowing foreign-flagged ships to deliver the fuel.

The Seacod is currently moored near the Stanlow refinery in northwest England, and unions say its cargo is not covered by a ban on Russian vessels because it is German flagged.

UK sanctions introduced over the invasion of Ukraine ban all ships that are Russian owned, operated, controlled, registered or flagged from entering British ports.

– AFP

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1.3 million people have fled Ukraine since beginning of conflict

1.3 million people have now fled Ukraine to seek safety. Unless there is an immediate end to the conflict, millions more are likely to be forced to flee. Here's how you can help: https://t.co/H2WrdGDq5z pic.twitter.com/WB2016SvDE

— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Germany signs agreement with Dutch gas company Gasunie to solve imminent energy crisis

The German government says the country’s state-owned development bank has signed an agreement with Dutch gas company Gasunie and German energy company RWE to build a liquid natural gas import terminal.

The Economy Ministry said Saturday that the memorandum of understanding to build the LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, on Germany’s North Sea coast, was signed Friday. It didn’t give financial details or a timeframe.

The terminal will be run by Gasunie, which is owned by the Dutch state, and Germany’s KfW development bank will have a 50% stake. The ministry said that, in the long term, the plan is to re-equip the terminal to import green hydrogen derivatives.

– AP

Germany getting serious abt energy independence @KfW @RWE_AG & @Gasunie just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build an LNG Terminal in Brunsbüttel 🇩🇪 It will be built with perspective to import green hydrogen @BMWK Robert Habeck welcomed the project https://t.co/btiI8Yop7m

— Jörg Kukies (@joergkukies) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Recep Tayyip Erdogan to speak with Vladimir Putin tomorrow

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s spokesman says the Turkish leader will speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday.

“This war must be stopped immediately and there must be a return to the negotiating table,” Ibrahim Kalin told broadcaster NTV in Istanbul. He said Saturday that “our president will talk to Putin tomorrow.”

NATO member Turkey has close ties to both Russia and Ukraine and has repeatedly offered to mediate between the two. It has invited the top diplomats of both countries to Turkey for talks next week.

– AP

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

Evacuation postponed in Mariupol

While CNN has claimed that evacuation in Mariupol has been postponed as Russia has continued with its shelling, however, Moscow-based Gazeta.Ru has quoted Seigei Lavrov saying that Mariupol authorities are refusing to help residents go through the humanitarian corridor.

Breaking: The governor of the Donetsk region, Pavlo Kyrylenko, has accused Russia of breaching a ceasefire that was only just agreed upon. "Due to the fact that the Russians...continue shelling of Mariupol, the evacuation of the population has been postponed,' he said.

— Natasha Bertrand (@NatashaBertrand) March 5, 2022

,

Появляется информация, что власти Мариуполя отказываются предоставить жителям возможность выйти по гуманитарному коридору — Лавров

— Газета.Ru (@GazetaRu) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LIVE Updates

I am sure soon we will be able to tell our people come back there is no threat anymore, says Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Indians stranded in Ukraine’s Sumy boil snow for drinking water

Indian students stuck in Sumy, Ukraine, are in dire situation. After a bomb exploded in the city on Thursday evening, there is no water supply to them. The students said that they are forced to collect snow, melt and use it for drinking, cooking.

Spoke to Stranded Indian studnts in Sumy state #Ukraine.Huge explosion near studnts hostel, Everyone is frightened, anxious. No availability of Light. Studnts took ice frm outside hostel & now melting it for drinking, as there is no water available.@Nidhi @_sayema @alishan_jafri pic.twitter.com/XLzZNLVnCB

— Nasir Khuehami (ناصر کہویہامی) (@NasirKhuehami) March 4, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine: MEA spokesperson

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, “We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students.”

Have advised our students to take safety precautions, stay inside shelters and avoid unnecessary risks.

Ministry and our Embassies are in regular touch with the students.

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Athens evacuates more Greeks from Ukraine

Athens launched a new operation on Saturday to evacuate Greek expatriates and citizens from Odessa as Russia’s defence ministry announced a ceasefire to allow civilians in Mariupol and Volnovakha to leave.

According to Athens News Agency quoting diplomatic sources, the evacuation coordinated by the Greek General Consul in Odessa involves 25 people. Among them, nine are members of the crew of a Greek-owned ship stranded at the port of Odessa since the beginning of the war. 

The evacuees, who left Saturday morning, are expected to reach Moldova by the end of the day.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Ukraine conflict fuels supply chain concerns

At a logistics expo in London this week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine dominated discussions, rather than interest in the latest package-tracking devices or how to kick-start the sector after the coronavirus pandemic.

A week of fighting has forced many companies to suspend operations out of Ukraine as well as Russia, as world governments began imposing tough financial sanctions.

Now there are fears the conflict could cause more disruption to the sector and hinder recovery from the pandemic, which battered world supply chains.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Almost 90% of Volnovakha city damaged by bombing, says report

Almost 90% of the Volnovakha city is damaged by bombing, says local MP Dmytro Lubinets, according to The Guardian. He added that streets are strewn with bodies and people at shelters are running out of food.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Not over soon, says Antony Blinken

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns that the war in Ukraine “may not be over soon” and that the US and European allies must sustain tough pressure on Russia until it ends.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Formula One team Haas drops Russian driver Nikita Mazepin: Haas

Formula One team Haas on Saturday announced they have dropped Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and terminated their contract with title sponsor Uralkali due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

“Haas F1 team has elected to terminate with immediate effect, the title partnership of Uralkali, and the driver contract of Nikita Mazepin,” the team said in a statement on their website.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

PayPal shuts down its services in Russia citing Ukraine aggression

Payments company PayPal Holdings Inc shut down its services early on Saturday in Russia, citing “the current circumstances,” joining many financial and tech companies in suspending operations there after the invasion of Ukraine, reports Reuters.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Over 66,200 Ukrainian men have returned from abroad to fight

Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday that 66,224 Ukrainian men had returned from abroad to join the fight against Russia’s invasion.

“That’s how many men returned from abroad at this moment to defend their country from the horde. These are 12 more combat and motivated brigades! Ukrainians, we are invincible,” Reznikov said in an online post.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

‘Piano Man’ comforts Ukranian refugees at Polish border with music

Ukrainians fleeing their homes and their country found a moment of solace and comfort when they were serenaded by ‘Piano Man’ Davide Martello at the Polish border on Friday.

According to a Reuters report, the German pianist was seen playing his piano at the border with Poland at Korczowa. In a video by Reuters, he can be seen playing British rock band Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ and also inviting people around him to join him in the performance.

Ukrainians arriving at the Polish border were serenaded by 'Piano Man' Davide Martello, who travelled from Germany to bring some musical joy to the refugees pic.twitter.com/s3b5CCBbRH

— Reuters (@Reuters) March 4, 2022

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Russian strikes in last 24 hr lower than previous days, says British defence ministry

The British defence ministry says in its intelligence update that the rate of Russian air and artillery strikes in the last 24 hours are lower than previous days.

It says that the Ukrainian forces were holding the cities of Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol and that there were reports of fighting in Sumy.

The update adds that the Russian forces were “possibly” advancing towards the southern city of Mykolaiv.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine - 05 March 2022

Find out more about the UK government's response: https://t.co/lxblo0LTY6…

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/scyVonQwH9

— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) March 5, 2022

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Elon Musk says Starlink won’t block Russian news

SpaceX founder Elon Musk says the company’s Starlink satellite internet service was “told by some governments (not Ukraine) to block Russian news sources.”

“We will not do so unless at gunpoint. Sorry to be a free speech absolutist,” Musk said in a post on Twitter.

Earlier this week, Ukraine’s minister of digital transformation thanked Musk for providing equipment to Starlink.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Ukraine port city Mariupol to begin evacuations soon

Civilians will start being evacuated from the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol Saturday, city officials said, after surrounding Russian forces announced a ceasefire to allow its population to leave.

Mariupol, a southern city of about 450,000 people on the Azov Sea, will begin evacuations at 0900 GMT (2:30 pm IST), city hall announced on social media in a message that added, “it will be possible to leave the city by private transport.”

“A huge request to all drivers leaving the city, to contribute as much as possible to the evacuation of the civilian population — take people with you, fill vehicles as much as possible,” the statement said.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

France works to secure Ukraine nuclear sites

The office of President Emmanuel Macron says France will soon propose concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of Ukraine’s five main nuclear sites.

The safeguards will be drawn up on the basis of International Atomic Energy Agency criteria, a statement from the French presidency said Saturday.

A Russian attack on a nuclear plant sparked a fire on Friday and briefly raised worldwide fears of a catastrophe. The statement said Macron is “extremely concerned about the risks to nuclear safety, security and the implementation of international safeguards resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

France works to secure Ukraine nuclear sites

The office of President Emmanuel Macron says France will soon propose concrete measures to ensure the safety and security of Ukraine’s five main nuclear sites.

The safeguards will be drawn up on the basis of International Atomic Energy Agency criteria, a statement from the French presidency said Saturday.

A Russian attack on a nuclear plant sparked a fire on Friday and briefly raised worldwide fears of a catastrophe. The statement said Macron is “extremely concerned about the risks to nuclear safety, security and the implementation of international safeguards resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

In Pictures: Heartbreak: War-hit Ukrainians flee their homes, spark refugee crisis of epic proportions

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

China pulls Premier League coverage over Ukraine support plans

The Chinese rights holders of the English Premier League are not airing its football matches this weekend, schedules show, with the games expected to show solidarity with Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. Beijing has been treading a cautious diplomatic line on the conflict, refusing to condemn the acts of its close partner Moscow.Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin declared in Beijing last month that their friendship had “no limits”, a deepening embrace driven by mutual desire to counter US influence

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Europe’s far right in quagmire over Ukraine war and Putin links

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has plunged far-right movements across Europe into an identity crisis, as they struggle to square their loyalty to Vladimir Putin with the public’s overwhelming solidarity with Kyiv.

From Germany to France to Italy, extremist groups have condemned the assault, but some have in the same breath championed President Putin’s line of blaming the West for triggering the conflict in the first place.

“When someone attacks, it is clear that we must be on the side of the one that was attacked,” said Matteo Salvini of Italy’s far-right Northern League, who has in the past openly declared his admiration for Putin.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Update

Russia declares temporary ceasefire in two Ukrainian cities for civilians to leave

Russia’s defence ministry announced a ceasefire Saturday to allow residents of two besieged cities, including the strategic port town of Mariupol, to evacuate.

“Today, March 5, from 10 am Moscow time, the Russian side declares a regime of silence and opens humanitarian corridors for the exit of civilians from Mariupol and Volnovakha,” the ministry said.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Russia ready to evacuate Indian students from Ukraine: envoy tells UNSC

Russia has informed the UN Security Council that Russian buses are ready at crossing points to go to the eastern Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Sumy to evacuate Indian students and other foreign nationals who are stranded there, amidst the raging conflict in the East European country.

The 15-nation Council held an emergency session on Friday, called by Albania, France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, following Russia’s attack on Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe. 

During the meeting, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said that the Russian military is doing everything to ensure the peaceful evacuation of foreign nationals stranded in Ukraine.

PTI

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Russian invasion hits Ukraine’s booming surrogacy industry

Ukraine is one of the world’s most popular surrogacy destinations for foreign couples, second only to the United States, says Growing Families, a global non-profit in the field. Around 2,000 to 2,500 children are born through surrogacy in the country every year, according to a 2018 report in Al Jazeera. With at least 800 surrogates pregnant with the children of foreign nationals in Ukraine as of today, parents, who are in their homeland, and families of pregnant women are both leaving in fear.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Neutral Switzerland’s economy shaken by sanctions on Russia

Switzerland’s newly adopted tough stance on Russia has forced the Swiss economy to readjust to sanctions, blowing a wind of panic through the raw materials market in particular.

Switzerland announced Monday it would follow the sanctions being imposed by the European Union, abandoning Bern’s traditional reserve by ordering the immediate freezing of assets belonging to Russian companies and individuals appearing on the EU blacklist.

And it went further on Friday, adopting even stricter EU sanctions applied in response to Moscow’s February 24 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Zelenskyy addresses protesters across Europe

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the European nations to support his country’s fight against the invading Russian military. Zelenskyy appeared on video as he addressed thousands of people protesting the war in several European cities, naming among them Paris, Prague, Lyon, Frankfurt and others. He asked the big crowds not to be silent about what was going on in his country.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Zelensky slams NATO for rejecting no-fly zone over his country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lashed NATO on Friday for ruling out a no-fly zone over his country saying the Western military alliance knew further Russian aggression was likely.

Earlier Friday, NATO rejected Ukraine’s request to impose a no-fly zone to halt Russia’s bombing, but Western allies did warn President Vladimir Putin of fresh sanctions if he does not stop the war.

“Knowing that new strikes and casualties are inevitable, NATO deliberately decided not to close the sky over Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a video published by the presidency.

“We believe that the NATO countries themselves have created a narrative that the closing of the skies over Ukraine would provoke direct Russian aggression against NATO.”

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NMC allows Ukraine returnees to complete MBBS internship in India

Ukraine-returned Indian MBBS students who may not have been able to complete their mandatory 12-month internship due to the ongoing strife will be allowed to complete the remaining internship in India provided they have cleared the foreign medical graduate exam (FMGE) before applying for such internship here.

In a circular entitled “Guidelines for registration of Foreign Medical Graduates”, the National Medical Commission (NMC) today extended to war-affected students the relief it had granted on November 18, 2021, to Indian MBBS students returning from abroad due to Covid.

Ukraine Russia war LATEST Updates

Singapore sanctions Russia over ‘unprovoked attack’ on Ukraine

Singapore announced sanctions against Russia on Saturday that include four banks and an export ban on electronics, computers and military items, in a rare move by the Asian financial hub in response to what it said was Moscow’s “dangerous precedent” in Ukraine, reports Reuters.

“We cannot accept the Russian government’s violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of another sovereign state,” its foreign ministry said in a statement, which gave no timeframe for when the sanctions would take effect.

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Bloomberg News suspends work in Russia, CNN stops broadcasts

Bloomberg News announced Friday it was suspending the work of its journalists in Russia and CNN said it will stop broadcasting in the country.

The moves by Bloomberg and CNN come after Russian lawmakers passed legislation that criminalizes independent reporting.

“We have with great regret decided to temporarily suspend our news gathering inside Russia,” Bloomberg quoted the news agency’s editor-in-chief John Micklethwait as saying.

“The change to the criminal code, which seems designed to turn any independent reporter into a criminal purely by association, makes it impossible to continue any semblance of normal journalism inside the country,” Micklethwait said.

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Samsung Electronics suspends shipments to Russia

Samsung Electronics has suspended shipments to Russia over “geopolitical developments”, the firm said Saturday, as major firms including Apple cut ties with the country over its invasion of Ukraine.

The South Korean tech giant is the world’s biggest memory chip maker and the leading smartphone seller in Russia.

“Due to current geopolitical developments, shipments to Russia have been suspended,” Samsung said in a statement.

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As Iran talks near end, UN nuclear watchdog chief in Tehran

The head of the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog prepared to meet Saturday with Iranian officials as talks in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered atomic deal with world powers appear to be reaching their end.

Rafael Mariano Grossi described his weekend visit to Tehran as a means “to address outstanding questions" as negotiators back in Europe appear to be reaching a deadline to see if the 2015 accord can be revived.

“This is a critical time but a positive outcome for everyone is possible,” Grossi wrote on Twitter ahead of his flight Friday.

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Three IAF aircraft carrying 629 Indians lands in Delhi

Three IAF aircraft carrying 629 Indians from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries landed at the Hindon air base here on Saturday morning, the air force said.

India has been evacuating its citizens from war-torn Ukraine’s neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland as the Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 due to the Russian military offensive.

“Till date, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has flown 10 sorties to bring back 2,056 passengers, while taking 26 tonnes of relief load to these countries, as part of Operation Ganga,” the IAF statement said.- PTI

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Indigo flight carrying 229 Indians land in Delhi

A special flight carrying 229 Indians from Ukraine arrived in Delhi from Suceava in Romania, said news agency ANI.

#OperationGanga | A special Indigo flight, carrying 229 Indian nationals from #Ukraine, arrives in Delhi from Suceava in Romania pic.twitter.com/mucdrnJk1R

— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2022

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‘Cyberattack’ knocks thousands offline in Europe

Thousands of internet users across Europe have been thrown offline after what sources said Friday was a likely cyberattack at the beginning of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.

According to Orange, nearly 9,000 subscribers of a satellite internet service provided by its subsidiary Nordnet in France are without internet following a “cyber event” on February 24 at Viasat, a US satellite operator of which it is a client. 

Eutelsat, the parent company of the bigblu satellite internet service, also confirmed to AFP on Friday that around one-third of bigblu’s 40,000 subscribers in Europe, in Germany, France, Hungary, Greece, Italy and Poland, were affected by the outage on Viasat.

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UNSC to meet Monday on humanitarian crisis in Ukraine

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Monday on the humanitarian crisis triggered in Ukraine by the Russian invasion, diplomats said Friday.

After this public session, the 15 members of the council will confer behind closed doors to discuss a possible draft resolution, a diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP.

This latter meeting has been proposed by Mexico and France, who are pushing a draft that calls for an end to hostilities in Ukraine, unhindered flow of humanitarian aid and protection of civilians.

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Strategic Ukrainian port Mariupol ‘blockaded’ by Russian forces: mayor

Ukraine’s strategic port city of Mariupol is under a “blockade” by Russian forces after days of “ruthless” attacks, its mayor said on Saturday, calling for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor.

Located on the Sea of Azov, the city of 450,000 people has been bombarded by shellings and cut off without water or electricity in the depths of winter.

“For now, we are looking for solutions to humanitarian problems and all possible ways to get Mariupol out of the blockade,” said Vadim Boychenko in a message posted to the mayor’s Telegram account.

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What is happening on the ground in Ukraine?

Battles involving airstrikes and artillery continued Friday northwest of Kyiv, and in the northeast, with the cities of Kharkiv and Okhtyrka coming under heavy strikes, Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said.

Ukrainian defense forces were holding on to the northern city of Chernihiv, and have prevented Russian efforts to take the important southern city of Mykolaiv, he said. Ukrainian artillery has been defending Odesa from repeated attempts by Russian ships to fire on the Black Sea port city, he said, insisting there’s no immediate threat to the city.

Some Ukrainian drone enthusiasts are risking their lives by forming a volunteer drone force to help their country repel the Russian invasion. Civilians are using aerial cameras to track Russian convoys and relay the images and GPS coordinates to Ukrainian troops.

-AP