Amid ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin and appealed for an immediate cessation of violence. The PM also called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of dialogue, said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
PM Modi also sensitised the Russian President about India’s concerns regarding the safety of the Indian citizens in Ukraine, especially students, and conveyed that India attaches the highest priority to their safe exit and return to India.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine, stating any foreign interference would lead to “consequences they have never seen.” Reacting to the development, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister called it a “full-scale invasion” and a “war of aggression” and said that the country will “defend itself and win”.
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Martial law has been declared in Ukraine, news agency AP reported, as Russia launched military strikes in the region. The Russian defence ministry said that Ukraine’s air bases and military infrastructure has been neutralised, according to reports. Whereas Russian-backed separatists claimed control of two towns in the Luhansk region of Ukraine, said Reuters.
Here’s all that has happened so far:
🔴 In a televised address early Thursday, Putin announced a ‘military operation’ in Ukraine, to “protect civilians” in the region. He added that Russia doesn’t have a goal to occupy Ukraine, but aims to ensure “demilitarisation” of the region. All Ukrainian servicemen who lay down arms will be able to safely leave the zone of combat, he said. Warning other countries of consequences for interfering, Putin also accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demand to prevent Ukraine from joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees. He held Ukraine responsible for the “bloodshed”.
🔴 Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other areas of Ukraine as Putin spoke. News agency AFP reported that Russian soldiers have also reached Odessa, while the Kyiv Airport is being evacuated.
Police investigate the consequences of Russian shelling in Kyiv. (AP)
🔴 The Ukraine military has claimed that five Russian planes and one Russian helicopter were shot down in the Luhansk region, Reuters reported.
🔴 Martial law has been declared in Ukraine, news agency AP reported, as Russia launched military strikes in the region.
🔴 Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted Thursday, “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.” He also called for sanctions on Russia and financial and humanitarian assistance for Ukraine.
Ukrainian military track burns at an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine. (AP)
🔴 US President Joe Biden has called the move an “unprovoked and unjustified attack” on Ukraine. “President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable,” Biden said.
🔴 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an address early Thursday said, “The people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine want peace.” In an emotional speech, the President added, “But if we come under attack, if we face an attempt to take away our country, our freedom, our lives and lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. When you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs.” He also stated that his attempts for a call with Putin late Wednesday went unanswered.
🔴 In view of the “highly uncertain” situation in the country, the Indian embassy in Ukraine has issued a new advisory for citizens, asking all those who are travelling to Kyiv to return to their cities, “especially safer places along the western bordering countries”. It further asked Indian nationals to “maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are”.
🔴 In a UNSC emergency meeting, convened shortly before Putin’s announcements, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, “I have only one thing to say from the bottom of my heart: President Putin stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance, too many people have already died.”
🔴 India, meanwhile, warned that the situation is in danger of spiralling into a major crisis, calling for an immediate de-escalation and refraining from any further action which may contribute to the worsening of the situation. T S Tirumurti, the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations expressed “deep concern” over the developments which “if not handled carefully, may undermine the peace and security of the region.”
🔴 As many as 40 Ukranian soldiers and around 10 civilians have been killed by Russian shelling, a Reuters report, quoting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy advisor, has said.
🔴 The AFP, meanwhile reported that Ukraine said it killed ‘around 50 Russian occupiers’ without providing details.
🔴 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday said that the country has severed diplomatic relations with Russia and urged all citizens who were ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come forward, saying Kyiv would issue weapons to everyone who wants them. Zelenskiy also urged Russians to come out and protest against the war.
🔴 Ambassador of India to Ukraine Partha Satpathy on Thursday urged the Indian nationals residing in the country to “stay calm and face the situation with fortitude.” He further requested those stranded in Kyiv to get in touch with friends and relatives there.
🔴 NATO said on Thursday it would take new deterrence and defence steps after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, which would include putting over 100 warplanes on high alert and further increase the presence of troops on its eastern flank.
🔴 The Indian embassy in Kyiv, in a fresh advisory, said that movement of people is now difficult in Ukraine as it is under martial law and those hearing air sirens and bomb warnings should find nearby bomb shelters. It said for those students who are stranded without a place of stay in Kyiv, the embassy is in touch with establishments to put them up.
🔴 The mayor of Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv ordered a curfew on Thursday in comments shown on television after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine
— with inputs from agencies
