As the conflict intensifies, 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed so far, the interior ministry of Ukraine said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

These victims include 14 children. Around 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded, it said. &nbsp;

However, the statement of the ministry on Sunday did not give any information on the casualties among armed forces of Ukraine. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-sceptical-but-say-will-try-dialogue-with-russia-457239">Zelensky sceptical, but says will 'try' dialogue with Russia</a>

For the first time, the Russian military has admitted that it suffered casualties in the conflict. It said on Sunday that some troops were killed and others were wounded in Ukraine. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Sunday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov said, "There are dead and wounded among our comrades”, without giving any numbers. He added that Russia's losses were "many times" fewer than those of Ukrainian forces. &nbsp;

Ukraine has claimed that its forces have killed 3,500 Russian troops. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-president-vladimir-putin-orders-deterrence-forces-on-high-alert-457165">Russian President Vladimir Putin orders 'deterrence forces' on high alert</a>

Since the beginning of the attack on Thursday, the Russian military have hit 1,067 Ukrainian military facilities, including 27 command posts and communication centers, 38 air defence missile system and 56 radar stations, Konashenkov also said. &nbsp;

The claims of Konashenkov and allegations of Ukraine that its forces killed thousands of Russian troops can't be verified independently. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;&nbsp;

As the conflict intensifies, 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed so far, the interior ministry of Ukraine said. These victims include 14 children. Around 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded, it said.

As the conflict intensifies, 352 Ukrainian civilians have been killed so far, the interior ministry of Ukraine said. These victims include 14 children. Around 1,684 people, including 116 children, have been wounded, it said. However, the statement of the ministry on Sunday did not give any information on the casualties among armed forces of Ukraine. Also Read: Zelensky sceptical, but says will 'try' dialogue with Russia For the first time, the Russian military has admitted that it suffered casualties in the conflict. It said on Sunday that some troops were killed and others were wounded in Ukraine. On Sunday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj Gen Igor Konashenkov said, "There are dead and wounded among our comrades”, without giving any numbers. He added that Russia's losses were "many times" fewer than those of Ukrainian forces. Ukraine has claimed that its forces have killed 3,500 Russian troops. Also Read: Russian President Vladimir Putin orders 'deterrence forces' on high alert Since the beginning of the attack on Thursday, the Russian military have hit 1,067 Ukrainian military facilities, including 27 command posts and communication centers, 38 air defence missile system and 56 radar stations, Konashenkov also said. The claims of Konashenkov and allegations of Ukraine that its forces killed thousands of Russian troops can't be verified independently. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine conflict: 352 Ukrainian civilians killed, 1,684 injured

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have clamped down on&nbsp;Afghans&nbsp;leaving the country as, separately, their forces continue a&nbsp;massive&nbsp;security&nbsp;sweep, going house-to-house across the capital Monday in a "clearing operation".

The new travel&nbsp;ban&nbsp;was announced late Sunday by&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who packaged the restrictions as being aimed at preventing hardship for&nbsp;Afghans&nbsp;abroad.

Evacuations organised by nations or non-governmental organisations have been banned, while even families attempting to leave the country by their own means now need "an excuse", or they will be stopped by immigration.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-pakistan-to-hold-discussion-over-durand-line-457033">&nbsp;Afghanistan, Pakistan to hold discussion over Durand line</a>

"I have to say clearly that persons who leave the country along with their families and have no excuse... we are preventing them," Mujahid told a press conference late Sunday.

Women will also not be able to fly abroad unless accompanied by a male relative -- mirroring similar domestic restrictions introduced last year which bar solo travel between cities and towns.

"If they (women) want to travel abroad, they should have a chaperone," Mujahid said.&nbsp;

"This is the order of Islamic sharia law."

The announcement came the same weekend a search for "kidnappers, thieves and looters" kicked off in Kabul and other Afghan cities -- a so-called "clearing operation" separate&nbsp;from&nbsp;the travel measures.

The new travel restrictions will alarm tens of thousands of&nbsp;Afghans&nbsp;who have been promised asylum abroad after working with US-led foreign forces or other Western organisations during the&nbsp;Taliban's 20-year insurgency.

More than 120,000&nbsp;Afghans&nbsp;and dual nationals were evacuated up to August 31 when the last US-led troops withdrew, two weeks after the hardline Islamists seized Kabul.

Thousands with similar links are still in Afghanistan, however, desperate to leave and fearful they may be targeted by the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;as "collaborators".

The last official evacuation by air was on December 1, although organised road convoys to Pakistan have taken place as recently as last week.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistans-main-universities-reopen-after-six-months-few-women-return-456880">Afghanistan's main universities reopen after six months, few women return</a>

Bad conditions

Mujahid said the decision to&nbsp;ban&nbsp;departures came because the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;had received reports of thousands of&nbsp;Afghans&nbsp;"living in very bad conditions" abroad.

"The government has the responsibility to protect the people so this will be stopped until we get the assurance that their lives will not be endangered," he said, adding that they had never promised for evacuations to continue indefinitely.

"Initially we had said that the Americans... could take people whom they had any concerns about... But this is not a continuous promise."

Since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;took over Kabul in August, Afghanistan has plunged into economic crisis, pushing even those without links to the former regime to scramble for an exit.

Thousands of people daily try to cross into neighbouring Iran in search of work, or in a bid to reach Europe in the hope of asylum.

The United States has seized $7 billion in Afghan assets held abroad -- reserving half for humanitarian aid that bypasses the&nbsp;Taliban, and half for a fund to compensate families of those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/since-taliban-takeover-86-afghan-radio-stations-have-closed-453210">Since Taliban takeover, 86 afghan radio stations have closed</a>

Not against the common people

Meanwhile, a&nbsp;massive&nbsp;security&nbsp;sweep&nbsp;of Kabul continued Monday with&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;fighters going house-to-house in search of weapons and criminals blamed for a recent spate of robberies and kidnappings.

The "clearing operation" has alarmed many who fear being targeted because of their association with the previous Western-backed regime or US-led foreign forces.

Irate residents have posted videos on social media showing homes they said had been trashed during&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;searches, but several people told AFP their encounters had been polite and cursory.

Mujahid said authorities had discovered two kidnapped victims during the operation so far, and also freed two teenage girls who they found chained in a basement.

He said light and heavy weapons, explosives, radio equipment and drones had been seized, as well as vehicles belonging to the military or government.

Watch | Taliban administration approves the first budget since the takeover of the Afghanistan

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/taliban-administration-approves-the-first-budget-since-the-takeover-of-the-afghanistan-444633/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Six people suspected of being members of the Islamic State group had been detained, he said, along with nine kidnappers and 53 "professional thieves".

"We want to assure the residents of Kabul that these operations are not against the common people," Mujahid said.

"The residents of the city should be confident the search is going on carefully."

The Taliban have clamped down on Afghans leaving the country as, separately, their forces continue a massive security sweep, going house-to-house across the capital Monday in a "clearing operation".

The Taliban have clamped down on Afghans leaving the country as, separately, their forces continue a massive security sweep, going house-to-house across the capital Monday in a "clearing operation". The new travel ban was announced late Sunday by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who packaged the restrictions as being aimed at preventing hardship for Afghans abroad. Evacuations organised by nations or non-governmental organisations have been banned, while even families attempting to leave the country by their own means now need "an excuse", or they will be stopped by immigration. Also read | Afghanistan, Pakistan to hold discussion over Durand line "I have to say clearly that persons who leave the country along with their families and have no excuse... we are preventing them," Mujahid told a press conference late Sunday. Women will also not be able to fly abroad unless accompanied by a male relative -- mirroring similar domestic restrictions introduced last year which bar solo travel between cities and towns. "If they (women) want to travel abroad, they should have a chaperone," Mujahid said. "This is the order of Islamic sharia law." The announcement came the same weekend a search for "kidnappers, thieves and looters" kicked off in Kabul and other Afghan cities -- a so-called "clearing operation" separate from the travel measures. The new travel restrictions will alarm tens of thousands of Afghans who have been promised asylum abroad after working with US-led foreign forces or other Western organisations during the Taliban's 20-year insurgency. More than 120,000 Afghans and dual nationals were evacuated up to August 31 when the last US-led troops withdrew, two weeks after the hardline Islamists seized Kabul. Thousands with similar links are still in Afghanistan, however, desperate to leave and fearful they may be targeted by the Taliban as "collaborators". The last official evacuation by air was on December 1, although organised road convoys to Pakistan have taken place as recently as last week. Also read | Afghanistan's main universities reopen after six months, few women return Bad conditions Mujahid said the decision to ban departures came because the Taliban had received reports of thousands of Afghans "living in very bad conditions" abroad. "The government has the responsibility to protect the people so this will be stopped until we get the assurance that their lives will not be endangered," he said, adding that they had never promised for evacuations to continue indefinitely. "Initially we had said that the Americans... could take people whom they had any concerns about... But this is not a continuous promise." Since the Taliban took over Kabul in August, Afghanistan has plunged into economic crisis, pushing even those without links to the former regime to scramble for an exit. Thousands of people daily try to cross into neighbouring Iran in search of work, or in a bid to reach Europe in the hope of asylum. The United States has seized $7 billion in Afghan assets held abroad -- reserving half for humanitarian aid that bypasses the Taliban, and half for a fund to compensate families of those who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks. Also read | Since Taliban takeover, 86 afghan radio stations have closed Not against the common people Meanwhile, a massive security sweep of Kabul continued Monday with Taliban fighters going house-to-house in search of weapons and criminals blamed for a recent spate of robberies and kidnappings. The "clearing operation" has alarmed many who fear being targeted because of their association with the previous Western-backed regime or US-led foreign forces. Irate residents have posted videos on social media showing homes they said had been trashed during Taliban searches, but several people told AFP their encounters had been polite and cursory. Mujahid said authorities had discovered two kidnapped victims during the operation so far, and also freed two teenage girls who they found chained in a basement. He said light and heavy weapons, explosives, radio equipment and drones had been seized, as well as vehicles belonging to the military or government. Watch | Taliban administration approves the first budget since the takeover of the Afghanistan Six people suspected of being members of the Islamic State group had been detained, he said, along with nine kidnappers and 53 "professional thieves". "We want to assure the residents of Kabul that these operations are not against the common people," Mujahid said. "The residents of the city should be confident the search is going on carefully."

Taliban ban Afghans from evacuating amid massive security sweep

With the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalating, several countries of the West have started to help Ukraine militarily. Well, they are still not going to send troops on the ground but will give military equipment. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The countries, which have made the pledge to help Ukraine in this way recently are Sweden, Finland, Germany and the US. Lithuania has already been doing it.&nbsp;

But still the date of the delivery of the equipment has not been disclosed. Only time will tell that these vital things would reach the Ukrainian armed forces in time or not. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-ukraine-conflict-352-ukrainian-civilians-killed-1684-injured-457271">Russia-Ukraine conflict: 352 Ukrainian civilians killed, 1,684 injured</a>

For the first time, the US has approved the direct delivery of Stinger missiles to Ukraine. It is being done as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. &nbsp;

The US is currently working on the logistics of the shipment, the officials said. &nbsp;

At a news conference on Sunday, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said that Stockholm would ship 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 5,000 units of body armour, 5,000 helmets and 1,35,000 field rations in support to military of Ukraine. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-united-nations-top-court-ukraine-registers-genocide-case-against-russia-457279" hreflang="en">At United Nations' top court, Ukraine registers genocide case against Russia</a>

Earlier on Sunday, the neighbouring Finland had said that it would send 2,000 bulletproof vests, 2,000 helmets, 100 stretchers and equipment for two emergency medical care stations to Ukraine. &nbsp;

Germany has already announced that it will send 500 Stinger missiles and other weapons and supplies to the war-torn country. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalating, several countries of the West have started to help Ukraine militarily. Well, they are still not going to send troops on the ground but will give military equipment.

With the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalating, several countries of the West have started to help Ukraine militarily. Well, they are still not going to send troops on the ground but will give military equipment. The countries, which have made the pledge to help Ukraine in this way recently are Sweden, Finland, Germany and the US. Lithuania has already been doing it. But still the date of the delivery of the equipment has not been disclosed. Only time will tell that these vital things would reach the Ukrainian armed forces in time or not. Also Read: Russia-Ukraine conflict: 352 Ukrainian civilians killed, 1,684 injured For the first time, the US has approved the direct delivery of Stinger missiles to Ukraine. It is being done as part of a package approved by the White House on Friday. The US is currently working on the logistics of the shipment, the officials said. At a news conference on Sunday, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said that Stockholm would ship 5,000 anti-tank weapons, 5,000 units of body armour, 5,000 helmets and 1,35,000 field rations in support to military of Ukraine. Also Read: At United Nations' top court, Ukraine registers genocide case against Russia Earlier on Sunday, the neighbouring Finland had said that it would send 2,000 bulletproof vests, 2,000 helmets, 100 stretchers and equipment for two emergency medical care stations to Ukraine. Germany has already announced that it will send 500 Stinger missiles and other weapons and supplies to the war-torn country. (With inputs from agencies)

West pledges more military aid to Ukraine. But will it reach Kyiv in time?

Cars with Ukrainian license plates have been queuing up at the borders of Poland, Hungary and Romania. Some manage to cross over while others are left abandoned after running out of gas. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Packed railway and bus stations, flooded streets and highways. This is the new reality of Ukraine as a massive humanitarian crisis unfolds in Europe, one that experts are estimating to be Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War Two. The panic is palpable. &nbsp;&nbsp;

On Wednesday, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the General Assembly that as many as five million Ukrainians could be displaced and that nearly three million are already displaced. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Two days after Russia’s invasion, Poland’s Interior Ministry confirmed that 115,000 people had crossed over to Poland from Ukraine, a figure that’s on a rapid rise. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the meantime, Poland has set up reception centres offering meals and medical care to the refugees; a majority of whom are reportedly the elderly, women and children. The UN estimates that Ukraine’s 54 per cent of people in need of assistance are women, 30 per cent are elderly, 13 per cent are children and 13 per cent have disabilities. &nbsp;&nbsp;

As for men aged between 18 and 60, social media is swamped with accounts of Ukrainian personnel yanking men out of buses and roads to conscript them in the army. &nbsp;

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Long story short: I just walked to Poland. 
 
It was a hellish 20-hour journey undertaken in the middle of winter with thousands of refugees. I saw some terrible things:
— Ukraine Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) <a href="https://twitter.com/UkraineLive2022/status/1497106536828710912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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While the bulk of Ukrainian refugees have received steadfast support from Poland, many are seeking asylum in other neighbouring nations i.e., Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova. &nbsp;

Unlike 2015 when Muslim Syrian refugees were not entirely welcomed by Hungary, Ukraine’s Christian population is at least not receiving a stony reception. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Consider the complex question; What happens when the wave of unity begins to wane? This as displacement numbers grow especially taking into account the possibility that Ukraine conflict is not short-lived. Not to forget, UN’s estimate of an additional one million people in Ukraine that are already displaced internally due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. &nbsp;

Advocacy Group, Refugees International has warned of further displacement and suffering during the Ukraine conflict. In a statement by its President, Eric P Schwartz, the organisation says, “In going to war against Ukraine, Russia is creating a crisis that risks displacement and suffering on a scale that could surpass any seen in Europe in decades. Millions of people are in danger. As efforts to deter Russia fail, governments of the world must be prepared to provide assistance and protection for people who are forced to flee, as well as those who may become civilian victims of military action.” &nbsp;

It is for this reason that the United States must contribute to ease the burden of its western allies. While the US along with the EU, the UK, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and New Zealand have announced a series of sanctions targeting Russia’s core financial infrastructure, oil refineries and military exports, are sanctions enough? Immediate action by the United States to rescue refugees is real damage control and need of the hour. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Interestingly, the United States is known to be a generous donor of humanitarian assistance in the world. Reportedly, US contribution to alleviate the Syrian crisis reached a whopping figure of $3.8 billion. But the paradox is that the United States provides assistance to the very crises it is fuelling with its own military actions and partnerships. Case in point are the US military operations in Iraq, Syria and the most recent being Afghanistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The West, especially Europe and the US, need a framework that includes not only the rescue of refugees but also one that protects them from secondary harms, like human rights violations. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Are wealthy Western democracies prepared to take on the obligation to rescue Ukrainian refugees? &nbsp;

On the ground in Ukraine to film a documentary on Russia’s invasion, actor and activist, Sean Penn has condemned the Russian President, Vladimir Putin for what Penn called “a most horrible mistake for all of humankind.” &nbsp;&nbsp;

The fact is wars only lead to destruction. They end lives and livelihoods. Childhood, marriages and families are destroyed. Putin is the tyrant behind the ruin of Ukraine but the incompetence of NATO especially, the US, unable to contain the ruthless expansionist is equally reprehensible.&nbsp;

Cars with Ukrainian license plates have been queuing up at the borders of Poland, Hungary and Romania. Some manage to cross over while others are left abandoned after running out of gas.

Cars with Ukrainian license plates have been queuing up at the borders of Poland, Hungary and Romania. Some manage to cross over while others are left abandoned after running out of gas. Packed railway and bus stations, flooded streets and highways. This is the new reality of Ukraine as a massive humanitarian crisis unfolds in Europe, one that experts are estimating to be Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War Two. The panic is palpable. On Wednesday, the US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the General Assembly that as many as five million Ukrainians could be displaced and that nearly three million are already displaced. Two days after Russia’s invasion, Poland’s Interior Ministry confirmed that 115,000 people had crossed over to Poland from Ukraine, a figure that’s on a rapid rise. In the meantime, Poland has set up reception centres offering meals and medical care to the refugees; a majority of whom are reportedly the elderly, women and children. The UN estimates that Ukraine’s 54 per cent of people in need of assistance are women, 30 per cent are elderly, 13 per cent are children and 13 per cent have disabilities. As for men aged between 18 and 60, social media is swamped with accounts of Ukrainian personnel yanking men out of buses and roads to conscript them in the army. Long story short: I just walked to Poland. It was a hellish 20-hour journey undertaken in the middle of winter with thousands of refugees. I saw some terrible things: — Ukraine Conflict Live 2022 (@UkraineLive2022) February 25, 2022 × While the bulk of Ukrainian refugees have received steadfast support from Poland, many are seeking asylum in other neighbouring nations i.e., Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova. Unlike 2015 when Muslim Syrian refugees were not entirely welcomed by Hungary, Ukraine’s Christian population is at least not receiving a stony reception. Consider the complex question; What happens when the wave of unity begins to wane? This as displacement numbers grow especially taking into account the possibility that Ukraine conflict is not short-lived. Not to forget, UN’s estimate of an additional one million people in Ukraine that are already displaced internally due to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. Advocacy Group, Refugees International has warned of further displacement and suffering during the Ukraine conflict. In a statement by its President, Eric P Schwartz, the organisation says, “In going to war against Ukraine, Russia is creating a crisis that risks displacement and suffering on a scale that could surpass any seen in Europe in decades. Millions of people are in danger. As efforts to deter Russia fail, governments of the world must be prepared to provide assistance and protection for people who are forced to flee, as well as those who may become civilian victims of military action.” It is for this reason that the United States must contribute to ease the burden of its western allies. While the US along with the EU, the UK, Japan, Canada, Taiwan and New Zealand have announced a series of sanctions targeting Russia’s core financial infrastructure, oil refineries and military exports, are sanctions enough? Immediate action by the United States to rescue refugees is real damage control and need of the hour. Interestingly, the United States is known to be a generous donor of humanitarian assistance in the world. Reportedly, US contribution to alleviate the Syrian crisis reached a whopping figure of $3.8 billion. But the paradox is that the United States provides assistance to the very crises it is fuelling with its own military actions and partnerships. Case in point are the US military operations in Iraq, Syria and the most recent being Afghanistan. The West, especially Europe and the US, need a framework that includes not only the rescue of refugees but also one that protects them from secondary harms, like human rights violations. Are wealthy Western democracies prepared to take on the obligation to rescue Ukrainian refugees? On the ground in Ukraine to film a documentary on Russia’s invasion, actor and activist, Sean Penn has condemned the Russian President, Vladimir Putin for what Penn called “a most horrible mistake for all of humankind.” The fact is wars only lead to destruction. They end lives and livelihoods. Childhood, marriages and families are destroyed. Putin is the tyrant behind the ruin of Ukraine but the incompetence of NATO especially, the US, unable to contain the ruthless expansionist is equally reprehensible.

Ukraine Conflict: Europe’s humanitarian disaster

As the Russia-Ukraine crisis intensifies, NATO has deployed Rapid Response Force.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: NATO deploys rapid response force

After breaking out of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the markets have shuddered and then swung wildly. &nbsp;

The current situation threatens to push inflation, squeezing the global economy even more. &nbsp;

Stocks fell initially on Thursday. The prices have also surged for wheat, oil and other commodities. &nbsp;

This comes as the world is worried that the conflict may disrupt global supplies. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-premeditated-ukraine-conflict-us-uk-hit-russia-with-new-sanctions-456254">For 'premeditated' Ukraine conflict, US, UK hit Russia with new sanctions</a>

But as the day progressed, things started to look better. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The S&amp;P 500 nosedived 2.6 per cent on Wall Street at the start of trading. Soon, it recovered the drop and flipped to a gain of 1.5 per cent. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In Europe, the heaviest losses hit stocks. The German DAX also went down 4 per cent. &nbsp;

The conflict also looked to push prices even higher at gasoline pumps and grocery stores around the world. &nbsp;

On both sides of the Atlantic, the prices of oil briefly went above USD 100 per barrel to its highest levels since 2014. But soon it came down and the price of oil in the US settled at USD 92.81. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-russia-police-arrest-thousands-participating-in-anti-war-protests-threaten-with-legal-repercussions-456259">In Russia, police arrest thousands for participating in 'anti-war' protests</a>

For natural gas, the spot price in Europe also jumped over 50 per cent. &nbsp;

The FTSE 100 in London tumbled 3.9 per cent while the Russian indexes plunged by a third or more after stock exchange in Moscow briefly suspended trading on all its markets on Thursday morning. &nbsp;&nbsp;

In Paris, the CAC 40 lost 3.8 per cent, and Asian markets also fell by nearly 2 per cent or more. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

After breaking out of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the markets have shuddered and then swung wildly. The current situation threatens to push inflation, squeezing the global economy even more.

After breaking out of Russia's conflict with Ukraine, the markets have shuddered and then swung wildly. The current situation threatens to push inflation, squeezing the global economy even more. Stocks fell initially on Thursday. The prices have also surged for wheat, oil and other commodities. This comes as the world is worried that the conflict may disrupt global supplies. Also Read: For 'premeditated' Ukraine conflict, US, UK hit Russia with new sanctions But as the day progressed, things started to look better. The S&P 500 nosedived 2.6 per cent on Wall Street at the start of trading. Soon, it recovered the drop and flipped to a gain of 1.5 per cent. In Europe, the heaviest losses hit stocks. The German DAX also went down 4 per cent. The conflict also looked to push prices even higher at gasoline pumps and grocery stores around the world. On both sides of the Atlantic, the prices of oil briefly went above USD 100 per barrel to its highest levels since 2014. But soon it came down and the price of oil in the US settled at USD 92.81. Also Read: In Russia, police arrest thousands for participating in 'anti-war' protests For natural gas, the spot price in Europe also jumped over 50 per cent. The FTSE 100 in London tumbled 3.9 per cent while the Russian indexes plunged by a third or more after stock exchange in Moscow briefly suspended trading on all its markets on Thursday morning. In Paris, the CAC 40 lost 3.8 per cent, and Asian markets also fell by nearly 2 per cent or more. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia-Ukraine conflict makes markets fall, oil prices soar

On Thursday, Russia launched an all-out land, air, and sea invasion of Ukraine, the worst attack by one country against another in Europe since World War II, fulfilling the West's greatest fears.&nbsp;

According to Mirror, distressing photo of a man crying over the body of what appears to be a relative has highlighted the brutal reality of the looming conflict.

As the sun rose this morning in Ukraine, the early toll of Russian missile strikes on densely populated cities began to emerge. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-bow-down-ukraine-president-vows-to-fight-back-against-aggressor-russia-456029">‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against Russia</a>

An attack on a military unit in Podilsk, near Odessa, killed six people and injured seven, according to officials.

The photos are thought to have been taken in Donbas, which is located in the separatist Donetsk area of the country's east.

One of the strikes seemed to have killed him. 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50-russian-occupiers-killed-we-have-losses-says-ukraine-as-casualties-rise-455989">'50 Russian occupiers killed': We have losses, says Ukraine as casualties rise</a>

The man is shown on his knees in the rubble, crying and holding his hands to his face in a heartbreaking photo.&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on all citizens who are ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come forward, saying Kyiv will issue weapons to everyone who wants them.

(With inputs from agencies)

On Thursday, Russia launched an all-out land, air, and sea invasion of Ukraine, the worst attack by one country against another in Europe since World War II, fulfilling the West's greatest fears.

On Thursday, Russia launched an all-out land, air, and sea invasion of Ukraine, the worst attack by one country against another in Europe since World War II, fulfilling the West's greatest fears. According to Mirror, distressing photo of a man crying over the body of what appears to be a relative has highlighted the brutal reality of the looming conflict. As the sun rose this morning in Ukraine, the early toll of Russian missile strikes on densely populated cities began to emerge. Also read | ‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against Russia An attack on a military unit in Podilsk, near Odessa, killed six people and injured seven, according to officials. The photos are thought to have been taken in Donbas, which is located in the separatist Donetsk area of the country's east. One of the strikes seemed to have killed him. Also read | '50 Russian occupiers killed': We have losses, says Ukraine as casualties rise The man is shown on his knees in the rubble, crying and holding his hands to his face in a heartbreaking photo. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on all citizens who are ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come forward, saying Kyiv will issue weapons to everyone who wants them. (With inputs from agencies)

Picture shows a Ukrainian crying near body of man killed in Russian strike

Hours after launching a full-scale military action against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday clarified said that Kremlin had no other choice but to “invade” its neighbour’s borders, according to AFP.

“What was happening left us with no choice,” the Russian leader said during a televised meeting with business representatives, adding that “we had no other way of proceeding”.

The remarks are in stark contrast to what was said earlier by the Russian leader that Moscow had no plans of launching a full-scale invasion.

Putin also said his country wanted to remain part of the world economy and had no plans to harm it.

“Russia remains part of the world economy,” he said.

“We are not going to damage the world economic system which we are part of," he said, adding he also did not want Russia to be excluded from the international economic community.

"It seems to me that our partners should understand this and not set themselves the task of pushing us out of this system," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-bow-down-ukraine-president-vows-to-fight-back-against-aggressor-russia-456029">‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against Russia</a>

The attack triggered Western warnings of unprecedented sanctions against Russia as NATO, EU and G7 leaders condemned the attack and vowed to hold Moscow accountable.

Russian airstrikes hit military installations across the country as ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes to the sounds of the bombing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/50-russian-occupiers-killed-we-have-losses-says-ukraine-as-casualties-rise-455989">'50 Russian occupiers killed': We have losses, says Ukraine as casualties rise</a>

Across Ukraine, at least 68 people were killed, including both soldiers and civilians, according to an AFP reported citing Ukrainian official sources.

Britain said it is freezing the UK assets of Russian elites in banking and arms manufacturing, sanctioning five more oligarchs and banning Aeroflot from its airspace, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday.

The US government also imposed sanctions&nbsp;on two Russian banks, Moscow's sovereign debt, several oligarchs and other measures.

Germany had earlier announced it would block the pipeline from opening for deliveries.

Watch |&nbsp;Ukraine under attack from land and sea, 'full scale' military operation underway

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ukraine-under-attack-from-land-and-sea-full-scale-military-operation-underway-456199/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

Hours after launching a full-scale military action against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday clarified said that Kremlin had no other choice but to “invade” its neighbour’s borders, according to AFP.

Hours after launching a full-scale military action against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday clarified said that Kremlin had no other choice but to “invade” its neighbour’s borders, according to AFP. “What was happening left us with no choice,” the Russian leader said during a televised meeting with business representatives, adding that “we had no other way of proceeding”. The remarks are in stark contrast to what was said earlier by the Russian leader that Moscow had no plans of launching a full-scale invasion. Putin also said his country wanted to remain part of the world economy and had no plans to harm it. “Russia remains part of the world economy,” he said. “We are not going to damage the world economic system which we are part of," he said, adding he also did not want Russia to be excluded from the international economic community. "It seems to me that our partners should understand this and not set themselves the task of pushing us out of this system," he added. Also read | ‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against Russia The attack triggered Western warnings of unprecedented sanctions against Russia as NATO, EU and G7 leaders condemned the attack and vowed to hold Moscow accountable. Russian airstrikes hit military installations across the country as ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes to the sounds of the bombing. Also read | '50 Russian occupiers killed': We have losses, says Ukraine as casualties rise Across Ukraine, at least 68 people were killed, including both soldiers and civilians, according to an AFP reported citing Ukrainian official sources. Britain said it is freezing the UK assets of Russian elites in banking and arms manufacturing, sanctioning five more oligarchs and banning Aeroflot from its airspace, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Thursday. The US government also imposed sanctions on two Russian banks, Moscow's sovereign debt, several oligarchs and other measures. Germany had earlier announced it would block the pipeline from opening for deliveries. Watch | Ukraine under attack from land and sea, 'full scale' military operation underway (With inputs from agencies)

‘No choice but to invade Ukraine to defend Russia’, says Vladimir Putin

Eight&nbsp;members of&nbsp;polio&nbsp;vaccination teams working to eradicate the crippling virus in Afghanistan were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;on Thursday in four separate&nbsp;attacks, the United Nations said.

Polio&nbsp;teams were frequently targeted by insurgent groups in Afghanistan until the Taliban's takeover of the country last year, when the hardline Islamist group said it wanted to work with the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;to stamp out the disease.

In the past&nbsp;polio&nbsp;campaigns in Afghanistan -- and neighbouring Pakistan -- were accused of being fronts for spying, while some clerics said the vaccine was a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/protesters-demand-release-of-afghanistans-frozen-assets-455272">Protesters demand release of Afghanistan's frozen assets</a>

"We are appalled&nbsp;by the brutality of these&nbsp;killings, across four separate locations," the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;said in a statement.

"This senseless violence must stop immediately, and those responsible must be investigated and brought to justice. These&nbsp;attacks&nbsp;are a violation of international humanitarian law."

The Taliban said they had "received the news" of the incidents and were trying to get more information.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/41-truck-afghan-convoy-reaches-wagah-border-to-collect-indian-wheats-first-consignment-455254">&nbsp;41-truck Afghan convoy reaches Wagah border to collect Indian wheat’s first consignment</a>

"Our policy is clear, we want to vaccinate and protect all the children in Afghanistan under the age of five," Javid Hajir, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told AFP.

The&nbsp;UN&nbsp;said one person was&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in Takhar province in the far north, and seven in neighbouring Kunduz province -- including four in the provincial capital Kunduz city.

They were engaged in house-to-house visits or on their way to begin campaigns, the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/women-workers-must-cover-up-even-with-a-blanket-say-afghan-taliban-455394">Women workers must cover up 'even with a blanket', say Afghan Taliban</a>

Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where&nbsp;polio&nbsp;has not been eradicated, although Pakistan last month reported a year without a case for the first time in history.

Eight members of polio vaccination teams working to eradicate the crippling virus in Afghanistan were killed on Thursday in four separate attacks, the United Nations said.

Eight members of polio vaccination teams working to eradicate the crippling virus in Afghanistan were killed on Thursday in four separate attacks, the United Nations said. Polio teams were frequently targeted by insurgent groups in Afghanistan until the Taliban's takeover of the country last year, when the hardline Islamist group said it wanted to work with the UN to stamp out the disease. In the past polio campaigns in Afghanistan -- and neighbouring Pakistan -- were accused of being fronts for spying, while some clerics said the vaccine was a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims. Also read | Protesters demand release of Afghanistan's frozen assets "We are appalled by the brutality of these killings, across four separate locations," the UN said in a statement. "This senseless violence must stop immediately, and those responsible must be investigated and brought to justice. These attacks are a violation of international humanitarian law." The Taliban said they had "received the news" of the incidents and were trying to get more information. Also read | 41-truck Afghan convoy reaches Wagah border to collect Indian wheat’s first consignment "Our policy is clear, we want to vaccinate and protect all the children in Afghanistan under the age of five," Javid Hajir, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, told AFP. The UN said one person was killed in Takhar province in the far north, and seven in neighbouring Kunduz province -- including four in the provincial capital Kunduz city. They were engaged in house-to-house visits or on their way to begin campaigns, the UN said. Also read | Women workers must cover up 'even with a blanket', say Afghan Taliban Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio has not been eradicated, although Pakistan last month reported a year without a case for the first time in history.

Eight polio vaccinators killed in series of Afghan attacks: UN

Twitter&nbsp;acknowledged Wednesday it suspended in error some&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;relaying information about&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;military movements as the threat builds for an attack on Ukraine.

The social network has begun restoring access to the users, which were taken down due to "our work to proactively address manipulated media," tweeted the platform's head of site integrity Yoel Roth.

A company spokesperson said earlier claims that the&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;were taken offline by a coordinated campaign or mass complaints were untrue.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-along-russia-belarus-borders-report-455876">Ukraine under attack along Russia, Belarus borders: Report</a>

"We took enforcement action on a number of&nbsp;accounts&nbsp;in error," the spokesperson added. "We're expeditiously reviewing these actions and have already proactively reinstated access to a number of affected&nbsp;accounts."&nbsp;

Like Facebook and YouTube, the platform is regularly accused of not doing enough to fight misinformation.&nbsp;

But&nbsp;Twitter&nbsp;has fewer human and financial resources t5han its Silicon Valley neighbors to curb the harmful phenomenon.&nbsp;

Tens of thousands of&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;troops&nbsp;are massed near Ukraine's borders, with the West saying they could attack at any moment.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kyiv severs ties with Moscow, Putin warms West against aggression

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-kyiv-severs-ties-with-moscow-putin-warms-west-against-aggression-456068/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv, the Kremlin said, in a move that opens the door for&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to move in.

Washington and Britain say Russia's force is poised to strike Ukraine and trigger the most serious war in Europe for decades, but&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;President Vladimir Putin says he is open to negotiation -- within limits.

Twitter acknowledged Wednesday it suspended in error some accounts relaying information about Russian military movements as the threat builds for an attack on Ukraine.

Twitter acknowledged Wednesday it suspended in error some accounts relaying information about Russian military movements as the threat builds for an attack on Ukraine. The social network has begun restoring access to the users, which were taken down due to "our work to proactively address manipulated media," tweeted the platform's head of site integrity Yoel Roth. A company spokesperson said earlier claims that the accounts were taken offline by a coordinated campaign or mass complaints were untrue. Also read | Ukraine under attack along Russia, Belarus borders: Report "We took enforcement action on a number of accounts in error," the spokesperson added. "We're expeditiously reviewing these actions and have already proactively reinstated access to a number of affected accounts." Like Facebook and YouTube, the platform is regularly accused of not doing enough to fight misinformation. But Twitter has fewer human and financial resources t5han its Silicon Valley neighbors to curb the harmful phenomenon. Tens of thousands of Russian troops are massed near Ukraine's borders, with the West saying they could attack at any moment. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kyiv severs ties with Moscow, Putin warms West against aggression Rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine have asked Moscow for military help against Kyiv, the Kremlin said, in a move that opens the door for Russian troops to move in. Washington and Britain say Russia's force is poised to strike Ukraine and trigger the most serious war in Europe for decades, but Russian President Vladimir Putin says he is open to negotiation -- within limits.

Twitter mistakenly pulled accounts monitoring Russian troops

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in Moscow, set to meet President Putin amidst Ukraine conflict. Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land air and sea. Since the cold war, Russian President Vladimir Putin says his aim is to demilitarize Ukraine. Missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities and explosions were heard near the capital Kyiv.

Pakistan PM Imran Khan in Moscow, to meet President Putin amidst Ukraine conflict

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against Ukraine on February 24. The forces invaded Ukraine from several directions and this is being seen as the beginning of war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion.

Putin denied for months that he was planning an invasion. However, today, in a televised speech, he declared that he had ordered "a special military operation" to protect Russian citizens who had been subjected to "genocide" in Ukraine.&nbsp;

Historical backdrop&nbsp; 
The tensions between Russia and Ukraine go years back. However, tensions escalated in 2021 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Joe Biden to let Ukraine join NATO.&nbsp;

Ukraine is a democratic country of 44 million people, with over 1,000 years of history. It also happens to be the biggest country in Europe by area after Russia.

After the fall of the Soviet Union, it voted for independence from Moscow.&nbsp;Putin deems Ukraine as an artificial creation carved from Russia by enemies. He has also described Ukraine as a puppet of the West.&nbsp;

Zelensky's request to be a part of NATO angered Russia and it started placing troops near the Ukraine border.&nbsp;

On November 10, 2021, the US reported unusual Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border. On November 28, Ukraine said Russia is massing nearly 92,000 troops for an offensive at the end of January or early February.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wont-bow-down-ukraine-president-vows-to-fight-back-against-aggressor-russia-456029">Also read |&nbsp;‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against ‘aggressor’ Russia</a>

However, Moscow denied it and accused Kyiv of a military build-up of its own.&nbsp;

In December, President Biden warned of severe sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine.&nbsp;Putin has constantly demanded guarantees from the West and Ukraine that it will not join NATO.&nbsp;

2014 invasion 
This is not the first time that tensions have mounted between Russia and Ukraine. Russia had invaded Ukraine in 2014 and annexed its Crimean peninsula. Rebels backed by President Putin seized large swathes of eastern Ukraine and fought the army. The attack came in when its pro-Russian president was deposed. The war has claimed over 14,000 lives since then.&nbsp;

What does Ukraine want?&nbsp; 
A 2001 poll suggests that nearly half of Ukrainians supported the country’s exit from the Soviet Union. Now, over 80 per cent of people support Ukraine’s independence.&nbsp;

Current situation 
As Russia continued to launch missiles, Ukraine's military claimed at least "50 Russian occupiers" were killed. "Shchastya is under control. 50 Russian occupiers were killed. Another Russian plane was destroyed in the Kramatorsk district. This is the sixth," Ukraine's military said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-under-attack-heres-a-timeline-of-months-of-tensions-around-russia-ukraine-conflict-456061">Also read |&nbsp;Ukraine under attack: Here's a timeline of months of tensions around Russia-Ukraine conflict</a>

The border guards further claimed that Russian forces were launching attacks with rockets and helicopters from several directions.

Ukraine's Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny said President Zelensky had ordered its forces to "inflict maximum losses against the aggressor".

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against Ukraine on February 24. The forces invaded Ukraine from several directions and this is being seen as the beginning of war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against Ukraine on February 24. The forces invaded Ukraine from several directions and this is being seen as the beginning of war in Europe over Russia's demands for an end to NATO's eastward expansion. Putin denied for months that he was planning an invasion. However, today, in a televised speech, he declared that he had ordered "a special military operation" to protect Russian citizens who had been subjected to "genocide" in Ukraine. Historical backdrop The tensions between Russia and Ukraine go years back. However, tensions escalated in 2021 when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Joe Biden to let Ukraine join NATO. Ukraine is a democratic country of 44 million people, with over 1,000 years of history. It also happens to be the biggest country in Europe by area after Russia. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it voted for independence from Moscow. Putin deems Ukraine as an artificial creation carved from Russia by enemies. He has also described Ukraine as a puppet of the West. Zelensky's request to be a part of NATO angered Russia and it started placing troops near the Ukraine border. On November 10, 2021, the US reported unusual Russian troop movements near the Ukrainian border. On November 28, Ukraine said Russia is massing nearly 92,000 troops for an offensive at the end of January or early February. Also read | ‘Won’t bow down’: Ukraine president vows to fight back against ‘aggressor’ Russia However, Moscow denied it and accused Kyiv of a military build-up of its own. In December, President Biden warned of severe sanctions if Russia invaded Ukraine. Putin has constantly demanded guarantees from the West and Ukraine that it will not join NATO. 2014 invasion This is not the first time that tensions have mounted between Russia and Ukraine. Russia had invaded Ukraine in 2014 and annexed its Crimean peninsula. Rebels backed by President Putin seized large swathes of eastern Ukraine and fought the army. The attack came in when its pro-Russian president was deposed. The war has claimed over 14,000 lives since then. What does Ukraine want? A 2001 poll suggests that nearly half of Ukrainians supported the country’s exit from the Soviet Union. Now, over 80 per cent of people support Ukraine’s independence. Current situation As Russia continued to launch missiles, Ukraine's military claimed at least "50 Russian occupiers" were killed. "Shchastya is under control. 50 Russian occupiers were killed. Another Russian plane was destroyed in the Kramatorsk district. This is the sixth," Ukraine's military said. Also read | Ukraine under attack: Here's a timeline of months of tensions around Russia-Ukraine conflict The border guards further claimed that Russian forces were launching attacks with rockets and helicopters from several directions. Ukraine's Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny said President Zelensky had ordered its forces to "inflict maximum losses against the aggressor".

What's the reason for Ukraine-Russia conflict? Here's what you should know

Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land air and sea. Since the cold war, Russian President Vladimir Putin says his aim is to demilitarize Ukraine. Missiles rained down on Ukrainian cities and explosions were heard near the capital Kyiv. For more perspective on this we are joined by Spencer Critchley to shed more light on this.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Kyiv severs ties with Moscow, Putin warms West against aggression

Moscow&nbsp;said Monday that a&nbsp;shell&nbsp;fired&nbsp;from&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;had destroyed a&nbsp;border&nbsp;facility&nbsp;used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east&nbsp;Ukraine.

"On February 21, at 9:50 am (0650 GMT), an unidentified projectile fired from Ukraine completely destroyed a border facility used by the FSB border guard service in the Rostov region, around 150 meters from the Russian-Ukrainian border," the security service said in a statement.

The statement added that no one had been injured in the incident and that Russian military engineers had arrived at the scene.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-explosion-reportedly-hits-donetsk-airport-area-kremlin-says-biden-putin-summit-premature-454999">Ukraine crisis: Explosion reportedly hits Donetsk airport area; Kremlin says Biden-Putin summit 'premature'</a>

Video released by the FSB &nbsp;showed a small, apparently one-room building with its roof and walls caved in and a Russian flag leaning against strewn debris.

Ukraine has been fighting separatists who have had Moscow's backing since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula after historic street protests in Kyiv. More than 14,000 people have already died in the fighting.

Kyiv's Western allies however have warned in recent weeks of a possible sharp escalation in the conflict with Russia massing an estimated force of more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ballistic-cruise-missiles-in-exercises-russia-flexes-muscles-as-us-says-moscow-poised-to-strike-454638">&nbsp;Ballistic, cruise missiles in exercises: Russia flexes muscles as US says Moscow ‘poised to strike’</a>

They have also warned of staged attacks that Moscow and pro-Russian separatists could use as a pretext to launch an assault on Ukraine.

The southern Rostov region, where the FSB said the shelling took place, announced a state of emergency last week over an anticipated influx of civilians from the rebel-controlled territories whose leaders announced evacuation orders.

Moscow said Monday that a shell fired from Ukraine had destroyed a border facility used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east Ukraine.

Moscow said Monday that a shell fired from Ukraine had destroyed a border facility used by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), amid Western concerns about an escalation in fighting in east Ukraine. "On February 21, at 9:50 am (0650 GMT), an unidentified projectile fired from Ukraine completely destroyed a border facility used by the FSB border guard service in the Rostov region, around 150 meters from the Russian-Ukrainian border," the security service said in a statement. The statement added that no one had been injured in the incident and that Russian military engineers had arrived at the scene. Also read | Ukraine crisis: Explosion reportedly hits Donetsk airport area; Kremlin says Biden-Putin summit 'premature' Video released by the FSB showed a small, apparently one-room building with its roof and walls caved in and a Russian flag leaning against strewn debris. Ukraine has been fighting separatists who have had Moscow's backing since 2014 when Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula after historic street protests in Kyiv. More than 14,000 people have already died in the fighting. Kyiv's Western allies however have warned in recent weeks of a possible sharp escalation in the conflict with Russia massing an estimated force of more than 100,000 troops around Ukraine. Also read | Ballistic, cruise missiles in exercises: Russia flexes muscles as US says Moscow ‘poised to strike’ They have also warned of staged attacks that Moscow and pro-Russian separatists could use as a pretext to launch an assault on Ukraine. The southern Rostov region, where the FSB said the shelling took place, announced a state of emergency last week over an anticipated influx of civilians from the rebel-controlled territories whose leaders announced evacuation orders.

Moscow says shell fired from Ukraine destroys Russian border facility

An air raid on a rebel base "neutralised" 57 "terrorists" in northern&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;where eight&nbsp;soldiers&nbsp;were also&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in fighting, the&nbsp;army&nbsp;said Saturday.

Friday's air force strike targeted a "terrorist base" and "violent clashes" led to the&nbsp;soldiers' deaths, a statement said.

The troops were targeted by "unidentified armed men" in the Archam region near the border with restive Burkina Faso and Niger, the statement said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-announces-mali-troop-pullout-after-decade-454037">France announces Mali troop pullout after decade</a>

About 40 civilians were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;this week in this zone where rival jihadist groups, including the so-called Islamic State, operate, locals told AFP.

The civilians were considered to be loyal to rival jihadist groups, according to the local sources.

Mali&nbsp;is at the epicentre of a Sahel-wide jihadist conflict, which has&nbsp;killed&nbsp;thousands of&nbsp;soldiers&nbsp;and civilians and displaced some two million people.

Watch |&nbsp;Mali asks France to expedite pulling out of troops from country

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mali-asks-france-to-expedite-pulling-out-of-troops-from-country-454523/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Rival jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State not only carry out regular attacks on national and foreign troops, but are also fighting each other for territory.

An air raid on a rebel base "neutralised" 57 "terrorists" in northern Mali where eight soldiers were also killed in fighting, the army said Saturday. Friday's air force strike targeted a "terrorist base" and "violent clashes" led to the soldiers' deaths, a statement said.

An air raid on a rebel base "neutralised" 57 "terrorists" in northern Mali where eight soldiers were also killed in fighting, the army said Saturday. Friday's air force strike targeted a "terrorist base" and "violent clashes" led to the soldiers' deaths, a statement said. The troops were targeted by "unidentified armed men" in the Archam region near the border with restive Burkina Faso and Niger, the statement said. Also read | France announces Mali troop pullout after decade About 40 civilians were killed this week in this zone where rival jihadist groups, including the so-called Islamic State, operate, locals told AFP. The civilians were considered to be loyal to rival jihadist groups, according to the local sources. Mali is at the epicentre of a Sahel-wide jihadist conflict, which has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians and displaced some two million people. Watch | Mali asks France to expedite pulling out of troops from country Rival jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State not only carry out regular attacks on national and foreign troops, but are also fighting each other for territory.

Mali army says 8 soldiers killed, nearly 60 'terrorists neutralised'

France&nbsp;announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta,&nbsp;after&nbsp;nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.

The&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;deployment has been fraught with problems for&nbsp;France. Of the country's 53 soldiers killed serving in West Africa, 48 of them died in&nbsp;Mali.

"Multiple obstructions" by the ruling junta meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in&nbsp;Mali, said a statement signed by&nbsp;France&nbsp;and its African and European allies.

The decision applies to both 2,400 French troops in&nbsp;Mali, where&nbsp;France&nbsp;first deployed in 2013, and a smaller European force of several hundred which was created in 2020 with the aim of taking the burden off the French forces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-says-iran-nuclear-deal-within-grasp-predicts-a-major-crisis-if-agreement-isnt-reached-453893">France says Iran nuclear deal 'within grasp', predicts a major crisis if agreement isn't reached</a>

"We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share," President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference, saying that he "completely" rejected the idea that&nbsp;France&nbsp;had failed in the country.

Macron said that French bases in Gossi, Menaka and Gao in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;would close but vowed that the withdrawal would be carried out in an "orderly" manner.

The announcement of the withdrawal comes at a critical time for Macron, just days before the president is expected to make a long-awaited declaration that he will stand for a second term at elections in April.

Macron's priority will now be to ensure that the withdrawal does not invite comparisons with the chaotic US departure from Afghanistan last year.

France&nbsp;initially deployed troops against jihadists in&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;in 2013 but the insurgency was never fully quelled, and now new fears have emerged of a jihadist push to the Gulf of Guinea.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-covid-restrictions-eased-for-vaccinated-british-travellers-452978">France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers</a>

'Collapse of state'&nbsp;

"It is an inglorious end to an armed intervention that began in euphoria and which ends, nine years later, against a backdrop of crisis between&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;and&nbsp;France," wrote the Le Monde daily.

Macron denied that the intervention had been in vain.

"What would have happened in 2013 if&nbsp;France&nbsp;had not chosen to intervene? You would for sure have had the collapse of the Malian state," said Macron, hailing the decision of his predecessor Francois Hollande to order troops in.

Even&nbsp;after&nbsp;the pull-out from&nbsp;Mali, however, the allies vowed to remain engaged in fighting terror in other countries including Niger.

"They agreed nonetheless to continue their joint action against terrorism in the Sahel region, including in Niger and in the Gulf of Guinea," their statement said, adding that the outline of this action would be made clear in June.

Speaking alongside Macron, Senegalese President Macky Sall said fighting "terrorism in the Sahel cannot be the business of African countries alone."

Macron warned that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the Sahel region of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea nations "a priority for their strategy of expansion."

Macron on Wednesday prepared the ground for the announcement with a dinner bringing together the leaders of&nbsp;France's key allies in the Sahel region -- Chad, Mauritania and Niger.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-urges-mali-to-end-hereditary-slavery-425038">UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery</a>

'A void'

Around 25,000 foreign troops are currently deployed in the Sahel region of West Africa.

They include around 4,300 French soldiers, which under a reduction announced last year are due to fall to around 2,500 in 2023 from a peak of 5,400.

In&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;specifically, there is also the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA established in 2013 and the EUTM&nbsp;Mali, an EU military training mission that aims to improve the Malian military's capacity in fighting terrorists.

Macron said&nbsp;after&nbsp;the departure,&nbsp;France&nbsp;will still provide support for MINUSMA, without giving details.

But Paris' withdrawal could set the stage for other European powers like Britain or Germany to abandon their roles in the multinational missions.

Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said Wednesday that the departure "creates a void".

In the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, "national armies will have to deal with problems on our national territories, and that's our philosophy", he told broadcasters RFI and&nbsp;France&nbsp;24.

Relations between&nbsp;France&nbsp;and&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;plunged to new lows&nbsp;after&nbsp;the junta led by strongman Assimi Goita refused to stick to a calendar to a return to civilian rule.

Watch |&nbsp;France and allies announces withdrawal of its troops from Mali

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-and-allies-announces-withdrawal-of-its-troops-from-mali-454016/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The West also accuses&nbsp;Mali&nbsp;of using the services of the hugely controversial Russian mercenary group Wagner to shore up its position, a move that gives Moscow a new foothold in the region.

Macron accused Wagner of sending more than 800 fighters to the country for the sake of its own "business interests" and shoring up the junta.

France announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency.

France announced on Thursday that it was withdrawing troops from Mali due to a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta, after nearly 10 years of fighting a jihadist insurgency. The Mali deployment has been fraught with problems for France. Of the country's 53 soldiers killed serving in West Africa, 48 of them died in Mali. "Multiple obstructions" by the ruling junta meant that the conditions were no longer in place to operate in Mali, said a statement signed by France and its African and European allies. The decision applies to both 2,400 French troops in Mali, where France first deployed in 2013, and a smaller European force of several hundred which was created in 2020 with the aim of taking the burden off the French forces. Also read | France says Iran nuclear deal 'within grasp', predicts a major crisis if agreement isn't reached "We cannot remain militarily engaged alongside de-facto authorities whose strategy and hidden aims we do not share," President Emmanuel Macron told a news conference, saying that he "completely" rejected the idea that France had failed in the country. Macron said that French bases in Gossi, Menaka and Gao in Mali would close but vowed that the withdrawal would be carried out in an "orderly" manner. The announcement of the withdrawal comes at a critical time for Macron, just days before the president is expected to make a long-awaited declaration that he will stand for a second term at elections in April. Macron's priority will now be to ensure that the withdrawal does not invite comparisons with the chaotic US departure from Afghanistan last year. France initially deployed troops against jihadists in Mali in 2013 but the insurgency was never fully quelled, and now new fears have emerged of a jihadist push to the Gulf of Guinea. Also read | France: Covid restrictions eased for vaccinated British travellers 'Collapse of state' "It is an inglorious end to an armed intervention that began in euphoria and which ends, nine years later, against a backdrop of crisis between Mali and France," wrote the Le Monde daily. Macron denied that the intervention had been in vain. "What would have happened in 2013 if France had not chosen to intervene? You would for sure have had the collapse of the Malian state," said Macron, hailing the decision of his predecessor Francois Hollande to order troops in. Even after the pull-out from Mali, however, the allies vowed to remain engaged in fighting terror in other countries including Niger. "They agreed nonetheless to continue their joint action against terrorism in the Sahel region, including in Niger and in the Gulf of Guinea," their statement said, adding that the outline of this action would be made clear in June. Speaking alongside Macron, Senegalese President Macky Sall said fighting "terrorism in the Sahel cannot be the business of African countries alone." Macron warned that Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group have made the Sahel region of West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea nations "a priority for their strategy of expansion." Macron on Wednesday prepared the ground for the announcement with a dinner bringing together the leaders of France's key allies in the Sahel region -- Chad, Mauritania and Niger. Also read | UN urges Mali to end hereditary slavery 'A void' Around 25,000 foreign troops are currently deployed in the Sahel region of West Africa. They include around 4,300 French soldiers, which under a reduction announced last year are due to fall to around 2,500 in 2023 from a peak of 5,400. In Mali specifically, there is also the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA established in 2013 and the EUTM Mali, an EU military training mission that aims to improve the Malian military's capacity in fighting terrorists. Macron said after the departure, France will still provide support for MINUSMA, without giving details. But Paris' withdrawal could set the stage for other European powers like Britain or Germany to abandon their roles in the multinational missions. Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara said Wednesday that the departure "creates a void". In the Sahel and Gulf of Guinea, "national armies will have to deal with problems on our national territories, and that's our philosophy", he told broadcasters RFI and France 24. Relations between France and Mali plunged to new lows after the junta led by strongman Assimi Goita refused to stick to a calendar to a return to civilian rule. Watch | France and allies announces withdrawal of its troops from Mali The West also accuses Mali of using the services of the hugely controversial Russian mercenary group Wagner to shore up its position, a move that gives Moscow a new foothold in the region. Macron accused Wagner of sending more than 800 fighters to the country for the sake of its own "business interests" and shoring up the junta.

France announces Mali troop pullout after decade

Russia&nbsp;announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula Thursday, continuing a troop withdrawal that was met with scepticism from Ukraine's Western allies.

"Units of the southern military district that ended tactical exercises at training grounds on the Crimean peninsula are returning by rail to their permanent bases," the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-hit-by-cyberattack-after-some-russian-troops-pullback-453614">Ukraine hit by cyberattack after some Russian troops pull back</a>

The United States on Wednesday dismissed reports that Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border, instead accusing Moscow of sending more soldiers as fears of an invasion grow.

State-run television showed columns of military hardware crossing a recently-constructed bridge connecting the peninsula to the Russian mainland.

Thursday's announcement is the latest reported drawdown of a Russian military force estimated by the West to be more than 100,000 troops, which Washington had said could be preparing to invade.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Ukraine-Russia conflict: Wednesday the day of attack?

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NATO, the United States and European leaders have denied, however, that there is any meaningful pullback of Russian troops and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow's military personnel were actually rotating.

Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and threw its weight behind pro-Moscow separatists in fighting that broke out that year and has claimed more than 14,000 lives.
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Russia announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula Thursday, continuing a troop withdrawal that was met with scepticism from Ukraine's Western allies.

Russia announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula Thursday, continuing a troop withdrawal that was met with scepticism from Ukraine's Western allies. "Units of the southern military district that ended tactical exercises at training grounds on the Crimean peninsula are returning by rail to their permanent bases," the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies. Also read | Ukraine hit by cyberattack after some Russian troops pull back The United States on Wednesday dismissed reports that Russia was withdrawing troops from Ukraine's border, instead accusing Moscow of sending more soldiers as fears of an invasion grow. State-run television showed columns of military hardware crossing a recently-constructed bridge connecting the peninsula to the Russian mainland. Thursday's announcement is the latest reported drawdown of a Russian military force estimated by the West to be more than 100,000 troops, which Washington had said could be preparing to invade. Watch | Gravitas: Ukraine-Russia conflict: Wednesday the day of attack? NATO, the United States and European leaders have denied, however, that there is any meaningful pullback of Russian troops and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow's military personnel were actually rotating. Russia took control of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 and threw its weight behind pro-Moscow separatists in fighting that broke out that year and has claimed more than 14,000 lives.

Russia announces new military withdrawal from Crimea

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction.

The drills tested the force’s preparation for live fire operations, practising “driving artillery, tank and armoured vehicles” in field exercises, the Ukrainian statement said. Some units of the force were put on their highest level of alert, it said, and senior Russian military officers were observing the activity.

The warning was the latest evidence of a shift by Kyiv to more alarming commentary about the military risk facing Ukraine. That follows weeks of efforts to minimize the threat of an invasion, seeking to calm the public and limit the economic fallout.

Ukraine this week began its own nationwide military exercises to coincide with joint Russian and Belarusian exercises to the north of Ukraine, in Belarus.

To the south, the Russian navy announced Thursday the closure of large swaths of the Black Sea for live-fire exercises by its fleet that will effectively blockade Ukrainian ports including the port of Odessa. The naval exercises were scheduled to begin Sunday and last six days.

Russia has massed armoured vehicles and soldiers near its borders to the northeast of Ukraine and in the south on the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. It also has sent a large military contingent to Belarus for what it says are military exercises with the Belarusian military. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is only 140 miles from the border with Belarus.

To the east, the army of Russian-backed separatists in two enclaves in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples’ republics, was put on partial alert and ordered to conduct field exercises, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said Friday in a statement.

Ukraine and Western governments view the separatist army, believed to consist of about 30,000 troops, as controlled and armed by the Russian government, while Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have consistently denied any Russian role in the conflict.

On Friday, President Joe Biden was expected to hold a phone call with 10 other trans-Atlantic leaders “to discuss our shared concerns about Russia’s continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence,” the White House said in a statement.

Among those joining Biden were President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain.

A wide range of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis have borne little fruit to date.

In news conferences that extended after midnight in Berlin, both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators said a channel of talks supported by President Emmanuel Macron of France had brought no breakthroughs so far.

The negotiations focused on a settlement agreement for the eastern Ukraine war but were seen as a possible path to ease the wider tensions from the Russian buildup. They were the second this year by foreign policy advisers to the French, German, Russian and Ukrainian governments.

“It would be good if during the second meeting we could agree on something,” Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, said. After nine hours of talks the negotiators could not agree on a joint statement. “It went the way it did today,” Yermak said.

Russia’s negotiator, Dmitri Kozak, offered an even more dour assessment. He said the Ukrainian government had not altered its long-standing positions in the settlement talks for the eastern Ukraine conflict, which have been going on for seven years.

Separate talks in Moscow between British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also went nowhere, with Lavrov comparing them to “the conversation of a mute person with a deaf person.”

Truss had said one purpose of the visit was to convey to Russian officials warnings about the seriousness of Western economic sanctions and other repercussions if they use military force in Ukraine. Lavrov countered by reiterating Russia’s position that it has no plans to invade Ukraine and that its military is merely conducting exercises.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate, a proposal accepted by Ukraine but declined by Russia. Next week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Kyiv and Moscow. And Russian officials have said they will respond in writing to proposals for security talks offered by the United States and NATO.

Russia has made a series of demands of the West, including scaling back the NATO military presence in Eastern Europe to 1990s levels and guaranteeing that Ukraine could never join NATO. The United States has called those demands “nonstarters” and instead offered a series of proposals aimed at arms control.

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction.

Ukraine’s military warned Friday that Russian-backed separatists in the country’s east are conducting military exercises, completing a near encirclement of Ukraine by hostile forces, even as diplomatic initiatives have failed to gain traction. The drills tested the force’s preparation for live fire operations, practising “driving artillery, tank and armoured vehicles” in field exercises, the Ukrainian statement said. Some units of the force were put on their highest level of alert, it said, and senior Russian military officers were observing the activity. The warning was the latest evidence of a shift by Kyiv to more alarming commentary about the military risk facing Ukraine. That follows weeks of efforts to minimize the threat of an invasion, seeking to calm the public and limit the economic fallout. Ukraine this week began its own nationwide military exercises to coincide with joint Russian and Belarusian exercises to the north of Ukraine, in Belarus. To the south, the Russian navy announced Thursday the closure of large swaths of the Black Sea for live-fire exercises by its fleet that will effectively blockade Ukrainian ports including the port of Odessa. The naval exercises were scheduled to begin Sunday and last six days. Russia has massed armoured vehicles and soldiers near its borders to the northeast of Ukraine and in the south on the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow annexed in 2014. It also has sent a large military contingent to Belarus for what it says are military exercises with the Belarusian military. The Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, is only 140 miles from the border with Belarus. To the east, the army of Russian-backed separatists in two enclaves in eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk and Luhansk peoples’ republics, was put on partial alert and ordered to conduct field exercises, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said Friday in a statement. Ukraine and Western governments view the separatist army, believed to consist of about 30,000 troops, as controlled and armed by the Russian government, while Russian officials including President Vladimir Putin have consistently denied any Russian role in the conflict. On Friday, President Joe Biden was expected to hold a phone call with 10 other trans-Atlantic leaders “to discuss our shared concerns about Russia’s continued buildup of military forces around Ukraine and continued coordination on both diplomacy and deterrence,” the White House said in a statement. Among those joining Biden were President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission, European Council President Charles Michel, President Emmanuel Macron of France, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain. A wide range of diplomatic efforts to defuse the crisis have borne little fruit to date. In news conferences that extended after midnight in Berlin, both Russian and Ukrainian negotiators said a channel of talks supported by President Emmanuel Macron of France had brought no breakthroughs so far. The negotiations focused on a settlement agreement for the eastern Ukraine war but were seen as a possible path to ease the wider tensions from the Russian buildup. They were the second this year by foreign policy advisers to the French, German, Russian and Ukrainian governments. “It would be good if during the second meeting we could agree on something,” Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, said. After nine hours of talks the negotiators could not agree on a joint statement. “It went the way it did today,” Yermak said. Russia’s negotiator, Dmitri Kozak, offered an even more dour assessment. He said the Ukrainian government had not altered its long-standing positions in the settlement talks for the eastern Ukraine conflict, which have been going on for seven years. Separate talks in Moscow between British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also went nowhere, with Lavrov comparing them to “the conversation of a mute person with a deaf person.” Truss had said one purpose of the visit was to convey to Russian officials warnings about the seriousness of Western economic sanctions and other repercussions if they use military force in Ukraine. Lavrov countered by reiterating Russia’s position that it has no plans to invade Ukraine and that its military is merely conducting exercises. Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to mediate, a proposal accepted by Ukraine but declined by Russia. Next week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Kyiv and Moscow. And Russian officials have said they will respond in writing to proposals for security talks offered by the United States and NATO. Russia has made a series of demands of the West, including scaling back the NATO military presence in Eastern Europe to 1990s levels and guaranteeing that Ukraine could never join NATO. The United States has called those demands “nonstarters” and instead offered a series of proposals aimed at arms control.

Ukraine, in a shift of tone, warns of Russia-backed military exercises

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow.

According to a report by blockchain analytics company Elliptic, donations worth thousands of dollars have seeped into non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteer groups— increasing by over 900 per cent in 2021.

The report states that NGOs and volunteer groups, who are peeved with government corruption, have taken upon themselves to fund weapons and medical supplies to Ukrainian soldiers, as well for the development of a facial recognition app that identifies if someone is a Russian mercenary or spy.

Elliptic says that donors are using Bitcoin to funnel money to such NGOs, bypassing any banks and financial institutions that might block payments.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
New Elliptic research shows how war in the Ukraine is being crowdfunded with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/crypto?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#crypto</a>. Crypto funds are used to equip the Ukrainian army and fund cyberattacks against Russia. Crypto donations to these groups increased by over 900% in 2021. <a href="https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz">https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz</a> <a href="https://t.co/1PXcyqfDKG">pic.twitter.com/1PXcyqfDKG</a>
— elliptic (@elliptic) <a href="https://twitter.com/elliptic/status/1491034134160056321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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“Elliptic has identified several cryptocurrency wallets used by these volunteer groups and NGOs, which have collectively received funds totalling just over $570,000 – much of it over the past year,” states the report.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ultimatums-threats-from-west-on-ukraine-wont-work-against-russia-says-foreign-minister-452104">Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister</a>

According to the report, groups receiving Bitcoin donations include Come Back Alive, which provides training, military, and medical equipment, and the Myrotvorets Center, which has ties to the Ukrainian government.

As Russia and US continue to exchange threats over the Ukraine crisis, several European leaders are trying to broker peace in order to stave off a war in the eastern European region.

France’s Emmanuel Macron, top ministers from Britain have arrived in Moscow to defuse the tense situation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-crisis-russia-continues-to-deploy-more-forces-adding-tactical-groups-says-us-451895">Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US</a>

According to reports and claims made by the West, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, stoking fears of invasion.

On Thursday Russia began the 10-day joint military drills in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour and a close ally of Russia. Some 30,000 Russian troops are expected to take part.

A Kremlin spokesman said the joint drills were serious, but he pointed out the nature of threats was higher than before.

(With inputs from agencies)

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow.

As tensions continue to mount over the Ukraine crisis, a new report has claimed that Kyiv is crowdfunding donations in Bitcoin to fund a possible war against Moscow. According to a report by blockchain analytics company Elliptic, donations worth thousands of dollars have seeped into non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and volunteer groups— increasing by over 900 per cent in 2021. The report states that NGOs and volunteer groups, who are peeved with government corruption, have taken upon themselves to fund weapons and medical supplies to Ukrainian soldiers, as well for the development of a facial recognition app that identifies if someone is a Russian mercenary or spy. Elliptic says that donors are using Bitcoin to funnel money to such NGOs, bypassing any banks and financial institutions that might block payments. New Elliptic research shows how war in the Ukraine is being crowdfunded with #crypto. Crypto funds are used to equip the Ukrainian army and fund cyberattacks against Russia. Crypto donations to these groups increased by over 900% in 2021. https://t.co/7clIA9hZYz pic.twitter.com/1PXcyqfDKG — elliptic (@elliptic) February 8, 2022 × “Elliptic has identified several cryptocurrency wallets used by these volunteer groups and NGOs, which have collectively received funds totalling just over $570,000 – much of it over the past year,” states the report. Also read | Ultimatums, threats from West on Ukraine won’t work against Russia, says foreign minister According to the report, groups receiving Bitcoin donations include Come Back Alive, which provides training, military, and medical equipment, and the Myrotvorets Center, which has ties to the Ukrainian government. As Russia and US continue to exchange threats over the Ukraine crisis, several European leaders are trying to broker peace in order to stave off a war in the eastern European region. France’s Emmanuel Macron, top ministers from Britain have arrived in Moscow to defuse the tense situation. Also read | Ukraine crisis: Russia continues to deploy more forces, adding tactical groups, says US According to reports and claims made by the West, Russia has amassed over 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, stoking fears of invasion. On Thursday Russia began the 10-day joint military drills in Belarus, Ukraine's northern neighbour and a close ally of Russia. Some 30,000 Russian troops are expected to take part. A Kremlin spokesman said the joint drills were serious, but he pointed out the nature of threats was higher than before. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine using Bitcoin to crowdfund possible war against Russia: Report

The road meandering towards Gaza Valley is notorious for the stench of&nbsp;pollution&nbsp;choking the plant and animal life that once flourished in the Palestinian enclave's biggest wetland.

That is expected to change after the sullied habitat was declared Gaza's first nature reserve, set for a UN-backed, decade long clean-up effort under the territory's Hamas Islamist rulers.&nbsp;

"The valley will return to its beautiful natural state" for local people to walk through and enjoy, said Jaber Abu Hajeer, the mayor of the area known as Wadi Gaza.

The fouling of the valley with raw sewerage, wastewater and rubbish is a consequence of chronic under-development in the strip that has been blockaded by Israel since 2007.

Also read&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italian-woman-found-seated-on-her-dining-table-in-mummified-state-two-years-after-her-death-452149">Italian woman found seated on her dining table in mummified state two years after her death&nbsp;</a>

Gaza's poor infrastructure cannot manage the waste produced by a population that has rapidly grown to 2.3 million.

For more than three decades, sewage was pumped straight into Wadi Gaza and parts of its became dumping grounds for household waste and construction debris.

What was once a "beautiful nature reserve" gradually became "a swamp full of insects, snakes and bacteria, an out-of-control dump," said Abdel-Fattah Abd Rabbo, an environmental specialist at the Islamic University of Gaza.

Until last year, some 16,000 cubic metres of wastewater were pumped into the valley every day, say local authorities, causing a range of health problems for families living along the waterway that empties into the Mediterranean Sea.

Local resident Abdulkarim al-Louh said "unfortunately, due to the political situation that we are living under, the reserve got destroyed and was transformed into a waste water swamp".

He said he hoped that reversing the damage "will clear the area of the diseases, water waste, insects and mosquitos that all Wadi Gaza residents suffer from".

&nbsp;'Green belt'&nbsp;

The pumping of untreated effluent into the valley stopped last year, when a new treatment plant opened in central Gaza,&nbsp;but Wadi Gaza's full rehabilitation is expected to take time. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The United Nations Development Programme is backing a 10-year, $66 million effort, led by five local Gazan governments, that aims to make the area an urgently needed ecological oasis.&nbsp;

A UNDP project coordinator, Muhammad Abu Shaaban, said the goal is create a "green belt", rich in biodiversity.

Step one is the clean-up, and municipal staff were on site last week trying to clear the creek of filth.

The next phase is a massive tree-planting effort, ahead of infrastructure improvements including better road access to make the area attractive to local tourists.&nbsp;

Abu Shaaban said the master plan aims to solve "all the environmental issues in the valley", including&nbsp;pollution, encroachment, building violations and "the floods the valley has been suffering from over the years".

Gaza's population, which has endured the crippling blockade and waves of conflict between Hamas and Israel, have few outdoor recreational spaces other than the coastline.&nbsp;

Israel and Egypt tightly control access in and out of Gaza and foreign visitors are largely kept away.&nbsp;

Mayor Hajeer pledged that, when the restoration project is completed, Wadi Gaza will become "a cultural, sporting and tourist attraction".

Abdulrahim Abu al-Konboz, director of solid waste management in Gaza, said all residents "will benefit from this programme since the water that runs through Wadi Gaza will be clean and free of pollutants when it reaches the sea.&nbsp;

"Gaza beach in the summer will be free of the&nbsp;pollution&nbsp;which used to come from the Wadi Gaza area."

The road meandering towards Gaza Valley is notorious for the stench of pollution choking the plant and animal life that once flourished in the Palestinian enclave's biggest wetland.

The road meandering towards Gaza Valley is notorious for the stench of pollution choking the plant and animal life that once flourished in the Palestinian enclave's biggest wetland. That is expected to change after the sullied habitat was declared Gaza's first nature reserve, set for a UN-backed, decade long clean-up effort under the territory's Hamas Islamist rulers. "The valley will return to its beautiful natural state" for local people to walk through and enjoy, said Jaber Abu Hajeer, the mayor of the area known as Wadi Gaza. The fouling of the valley with raw sewerage, wastewater and rubbish is a consequence of chronic under-development in the strip that has been blockaded by Israel since 2007. Also read | Italian woman found seated on her dining table in mummified state two years after her death Gaza's poor infrastructure cannot manage the waste produced by a population that has rapidly grown to 2.3 million. For more than three decades, sewage was pumped straight into Wadi Gaza and parts of its became dumping grounds for household waste and construction debris. What was once a "beautiful nature reserve" gradually became "a swamp full of insects, snakes and bacteria, an out-of-control dump," said Abdel-Fattah Abd Rabbo, an environmental specialist at the Islamic University of Gaza. Until last year, some 16,000 cubic metres of wastewater were pumped into the valley every day, say local authorities, causing a range of health problems for families living along the waterway that empties into the Mediterranean Sea. Local resident Abdulkarim al-Louh said "unfortunately, due to the political situation that we are living under, the reserve got destroyed and was transformed into a waste water swamp". He said he hoped that reversing the damage "will clear the area of the diseases, water waste, insects and mosquitos that all Wadi Gaza residents suffer from". 'Green belt' The pumping of untreated effluent into the valley stopped last year, when a new treatment plant opened in central Gaza, but Wadi Gaza's full rehabilitation is expected to take time. The United Nations Development Programme is backing a 10-year, $66 million effort, led by five local Gazan governments, that aims to make the area an urgently needed ecological oasis. A UNDP project coordinator, Muhammad Abu Shaaban, said the goal is create a "green belt", rich in biodiversity. Step one is the clean-up, and municipal staff were on site last week trying to clear the creek of filth. The next phase is a massive tree-planting effort, ahead of infrastructure improvements including better road access to make the area attractive to local tourists. Abu Shaaban said the master plan aims to solve "all the environmental issues in the valley", including pollution, encroachment, building violations and "the floods the valley has been suffering from over the years". Gaza's population, which has endured the crippling blockade and waves of conflict between Hamas and Israel, have few outdoor recreational spaces other than the coastline. Israel and Egypt tightly control access in and out of Gaza and foreign visitors are largely kept away. Mayor Hajeer pledged that, when the restoration project is completed, Wadi Gaza will become "a cultural, sporting and tourist attraction". Abdulrahim Abu al-Konboz, director of solid waste management in Gaza, said all residents "will benefit from this programme since the water that runs through Wadi Gaza will be clean and free of pollutants when it reaches the sea. "Gaza beach in the summer will be free of the pollution which used to come from the Wadi Gaza area."

Pollution clean-up aims to create Gaza's first nature reserve

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists.

While the weapons systems may help to maintain parity in the slow-moving war of attrition that has prevailed for years, neither they nor anything else the Ukrainian military can now muster would be sufficient to repel the full-on Russian assault that Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow appears to be preparing. With nearly 100,000 troops now massed across Ukraine’s eastern, northern and southern borders and more on the way, even the Ukrainian officials responsible for their country’s defence acknowledge that without a significant influx of resources, their forces do not stand much of a chance.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine needs to be objective at this stage,” said Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service. “There are not sufficient military resources for repelling a full-scale attack by Russia if it begins without the support of Western forces.”

Budanov outlined his nightmare vision of a Russian invasion that would begin with airstrikes and rocket attacks aimed initially at ammunition depots and trench-bound troops. Very quickly, he said, the Ukrainian military would be incapacitated, its leadership unable to coordinate a defence and supply the front. After that, he said, responsibility would fall to front-line commanders to carry on the fight alone.

“They will hold up as long as there are bullets,” Budanov said. “They’ll be able to use what they have in their hands, but believe me without delivery of reserves, there’s not an army in the world that can hold out.”

While Russia could be prepared militarily to launch an invasion of Ukraine as early as January or February, Ukraine and Western intelligence services say there is no indication that Russia President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind whether to do so. In a video call with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Putin dismissed concerns about the troop buildup on Ukraine’s border, shifting blame to the United States and NATO, which he accused of threatening Russia’s security by supporting Ukraine’s military with arms and training.

“The Russian troops are on their own territory,” an adviser to Putin, Yuri Ushakov, said in a briefing with reporters after the presidents had spoken. “They don’t threaten anyone.”

Still, the amassing of troops and heavy weaponry on the border has forced Ukrainian officials to face some hard truths in recent weeks. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russia has devised plans for an offensive involving 175,000 troops.

Ukraine has only slightly more enlisted soldiers and officers in its entire military, according to the Ministry of Defense. It is outgunned on land, at sea and in the air, with only about 200 aircraft in its air force, including transport vehicles, fewer than the number of fighter planes that Russia has deployed already to the Ukrainian border.

Russia’s forces include battle-ready submarines and frigates in the Black Sea armed with cruise missiles, and land-based units equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles, while Ukraine lacks serious missile defence systems. The Russian missiles could wipe out a significant part of the Ukrainian military in less than an hour, said Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and PhD candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert.

“If Russia really wants to unleash its conventional capabilities, they could inflict massive damage in a very short period of time,” Lee said. “They can devastate the Ukrainian military in the east really quickly, within the first 30-40 minutes.”

Ukraine’s military is not the pushover it once was. In 2014, elite Russia troops were able to seize the entire Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine without firing a shot. When Russian-backed separatists then took over part of eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region, Ukraine had to rely on volunteer brigades of people who took up arms, with little or no military training, to help beat back the insurgency.

But the Ukrainian military clawed its way back, fighting the separatists to a stalemate and putting a stop to the most serious hostilities. It did so with help from Western allies. The United States alone has provided $2.5 billion in military assistance that has included high-tech surveillance and communications equipment and drones. In November, the United States delivered about 88 tons of ammunition, part of a $60 million military aid package pledged by the Biden administration.

On Wednesday, Biden ruled out deploying U.S. forces to Ukraine to deter Russia. But there are more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine, a combination of U.S. Special Forces and National Guard, currently the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive troop deployments. About a dozen other NATO countries also have military advisers in Ukraine now, the officials said.

Under the Trump administration, the Ukrainians, for the first time, were given anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian forces have refrained from firing Javelins on the battlefield, partly from a desire to avoid antagonizing the Kremlin.

The Biden administration has continued to supply them, delivering a new cache of missiles in October. John F. Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, said Wednesday that there were no conditions or restrictions placed on the Javelins, except that the Ukrainian forces use them “responsibly” and “in self-defence.”

In an interview with Radio Liberty this month, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the commander of the Joint Operation Forces fighting the separatists, said the Javelins had already been deployed to military units in eastern Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military issues, confirmed that Javelin missiles had been deployed to front-line military units a month ago, but had not yet been fired in battle.

“The Javelins are there, and if our enemies employ tanks they will be used,” the official said.

The Biden administration has remained vague about how else it might come to Ukraine’s defence in case of invasion.

In his video call with Putin on Tuesday, Biden looked his counterpart in the eye and warned the United States would go beyond the economic punishments imposed on Russia after the 2014 seizure of Crimea should Putin decide to order military action, according to an account by Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser. What those penalties might be were left unclear, though few expect the United States to commit significant military assistance beyond what has already been provided.

The lack of firm commitments from Ukraine’s Western backers are a source of consternation for Ukrainian officials.

“They need to decide, either we’re allies as they declare — and in that case allies help one another — or they need to say that this is not exactly the case,” said Budanov, the military intelligence chief. “If the civilized world wants to avoid catastrophe — and this will be a catastrophe for everyone — we need military technical support now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, not in year. Now.”

Those who understand that such a level of support is unlikely have begun to speak darkly of popular armed resistance against any Russian occupation. Pavlyuk noted that Ukraine had up to half a million people with military experience. If the West does not come to Ukraine’s aid, he said, “we’ll start a partisan war.”

“Eight years have passed and there are very many people with military experience who are prepared with weapons in their hands to fight,” he said.

One senior Ukrainian military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that if all else failed, the military would simply open its weapons depots and allow the Ukrainian people to take whatever they need to defend themselves and their families.

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists.

On the 30th anniversary of the founding of Ukraine’s armed forces this week, the country’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, donned a helmet and flak jacket to tour the trenches and announced with great fanfare the delivery of new tanks, armoured vehicles and ships to front-line units engaged in fighting Russian forces and Kremlin-backed separatists. While the weapons systems may help to maintain parity in the slow-moving war of attrition that has prevailed for years, neither they nor anything else the Ukrainian military can now muster would be sufficient to repel the full-on Russian assault that Ukrainian and Western officials say Moscow appears to be preparing. With nearly 100,000 troops now massed across Ukraine’s eastern, northern and southern borders and more on the way, even the Ukrainian officials responsible for their country’s defence acknowledge that without a significant influx of resources, their forces do not stand much of a chance. “Unfortunately, Ukraine needs to be objective at this stage,” said Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service. “There are not sufficient military resources for repelling a full-scale attack by Russia if it begins without the support of Western forces.” Budanov outlined his nightmare vision of a Russian invasion that would begin with airstrikes and rocket attacks aimed initially at ammunition depots and trench-bound troops. Very quickly, he said, the Ukrainian military would be incapacitated, its leadership unable to coordinate a defence and supply the front. After that, he said, responsibility would fall to front-line commanders to carry on the fight alone. “They will hold up as long as there are bullets,” Budanov said. “They’ll be able to use what they have in their hands, but believe me without delivery of reserves, there’s not an army in the world that can hold out.” While Russia could be prepared militarily to launch an invasion of Ukraine as early as January or February, Ukraine and Western intelligence services say there is no indication that Russia President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind whether to do so. In a video call with President Joe Biden on Tuesday, Putin dismissed concerns about the troop buildup on Ukraine’s border, shifting blame to the United States and NATO, which he accused of threatening Russia’s security by supporting Ukraine’s military with arms and training. “The Russian troops are on their own territory,” an adviser to Putin, Yuri Ushakov, said in a briefing with reporters after the presidents had spoken. “They don’t threaten anyone.” Still, the amassing of troops and heavy weaponry on the border has forced Ukrainian officials to face some hard truths in recent weeks. The U.S. intelligence community has assessed that Russia has devised plans for an offensive involving 175,000 troops. Ukraine has only slightly more enlisted soldiers and officers in its entire military, according to the Ministry of Defense. It is outgunned on land, at sea and in the air, with only about 200 aircraft in its air force, including transport vehicles, fewer than the number of fighter planes that Russia has deployed already to the Ukrainian border. Russia’s forces include battle-ready submarines and frigates in the Black Sea armed with cruise missiles, and land-based units equipped with Iskander-M ballistic missiles, while Ukraine lacks serious missile defence systems. The Russian missiles could wipe out a significant part of the Ukrainian military in less than an hour, said Robert Lee, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and PhD candidate at King’s College in London, who is a Russian military expert. “If Russia really wants to unleash its conventional capabilities, they could inflict massive damage in a very short period of time,” Lee said. “They can devastate the Ukrainian military in the east really quickly, within the first 30-40 minutes.” Ukraine’s military is not the pushover it once was. In 2014, elite Russia troops were able to seize the entire Crimean Peninsula in southern Ukraine without firing a shot. When Russian-backed separatists then took over part of eastern Ukraine’s Donbass region, Ukraine had to rely on volunteer brigades of people who took up arms, with little or no military training, to help beat back the insurgency. But the Ukrainian military clawed its way back, fighting the separatists to a stalemate and putting a stop to the most serious hostilities. It did so with help from Western allies. The United States alone has provided $2.5 billion in military assistance that has included high-tech surveillance and communications equipment and drones. In November, the United States delivered about 88 tons of ammunition, part of a $60 million military aid package pledged by the Biden administration. On Wednesday, Biden ruled out deploying U.S. forces to Ukraine to deter Russia. But there are more than 150 U.S. military advisers in Ukraine, a combination of U.S. Special Forces and National Guard, currently the Florida National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, according to two U.S. Defense Department officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive troop deployments. About a dozen other NATO countries also have military advisers in Ukraine now, the officials said. Under the Trump administration, the Ukrainians, for the first time, were given anti-tank Javelin missiles. Ukrainian forces have refrained from firing Javelins on the battlefield, partly from a desire to avoid antagonizing the Kremlin. The Biden administration has continued to supply them, delivering a new cache of missiles in October. John F. Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, said Wednesday that there were no conditions or restrictions placed on the Javelins, except that the Ukrainian forces use them “responsibly” and “in self-defence.” In an interview with Radio Liberty this month, Gen. Oleksandr Pavlyuk, the commander of the Joint Operation Forces fighting the separatists, said the Javelins had already been deployed to military units in eastern Ukraine. A senior Ukrainian military official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military issues, confirmed that Javelin missiles had been deployed to front-line military units a month ago, but had not yet been fired in battle. “The Javelins are there, and if our enemies employ tanks they will be used,” the official said. The Biden administration has remained vague about how else it might come to Ukraine’s defence in case of invasion. In his video call with Putin on Tuesday, Biden looked his counterpart in the eye and warned the United States would go beyond the economic punishments imposed on Russia after the 2014 seizure of Crimea should Putin decide to order military action, according to an account by Jake Sullivan, the president’s national security adviser. What those penalties might be were left unclear, though few expect the United States to commit significant military assistance beyond what has already been provided. The lack of firm commitments from Ukraine’s Western backers are a source of consternation for Ukrainian officials. “They need to decide, either we’re allies as they declare — and in that case allies help one another — or they need to say that this is not exactly the case,” said Budanov, the military intelligence chief. “If the civilized world wants to avoid catastrophe — and this will be a catastrophe for everyone — we need military technical support now, not tomorrow, not the day after tomorrow, not in year. Now.” Those who understand that such a level of support is unlikely have begun to speak darkly of popular armed resistance against any Russian occupation. Pavlyuk noted that Ukraine had up to half a million people with military experience. If the West does not come to Ukraine’s aid, he said, “we’ll start a partisan war.” “Eight years have passed and there are very many people with military experience who are prepared with weapons in their hands to fight,” he said. One senior Ukrainian military official who spoke on condition of anonymity said that if all else failed, the military would simply open its weapons depots and allow the Ukrainian people to take whatever they need to defend themselves and their families.

Ukraine commanders say a Russian invasion would overwhelm them

Tensions continue to escalate in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian army is planning to enter the regional capital of Tigray in a bit to try and destroy the rebel forces.

Tensions escalate as Ethiopia is planning to enter Tigray amid conflict

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government.

The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray.

On Thursday, Tedros, who previously served as the Ethiopian health minister and foreign minister, &nbsp;tweeted. “People in #Tigray #Ethiopia, living under de facto blockade for over a year, are dying from lack of medicine &amp; food, &amp; repeated drone attacks. @WHO &amp; partners call for safe, unimpeded access to deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of people in great need."

The tweet didn’t sit well with the Ethiopian government which denied blocking aid.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitter-temporarily-suspends-trends-feature-in-ethiopia-over-fear-of-violence-427199">&nbsp;Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence</a>

“Tedros Adhanom’s moral, legal and professional standing threatens WHO’s organisational standing,” it said in a statement, reports Reuters.

“He has spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence, credibility which is evident from his social media postings,” it added.

Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Tedros failed to show integrity and professionalism and was a member of the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly 30 years before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's 2018 appointment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-appreciates-indias-stance-on-tigray-conflict-at-unsc-404485">Ethiopia appreciates India's stance on Tigray conflict at UNSC</a>

"Tedros encourages the TPLF in his media engagements and celebrates what is presumed to be a military success of the group, besides engaging in selective outrage where he discriminately addresses the humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia," the ministry said.

The government designated TPLF a terrorist group after the war erupted in November 2020. Tedros, a Tigrayan, was a member of the TPLF, Reuters reported.

Thousands have been killed in the conflict in Tigray, which spread to two neighbouring regions in northern Ethiopia before Tigrayan forces were forced to withdraw back to Tigray in December.

(With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government. The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray.

Ethiopia has accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) chief of supporting the rebellious Tigrayan forces who are fighting the government. The Ethiopian government was miffed with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus when he tweeted that aid was being blocked from getting through his hometown Tigray. On Thursday, Tedros, who previously served as the Ethiopian health minister and foreign minister, tweeted. “People in #Tigray #Ethiopia, living under de facto blockade for over a year, are dying from lack of medicine & food, & repeated drone attacks. @WHO & partners call for safe, unimpeded access to deliver humanitarian aid to the millions of people in great need." The tweet didn’t sit well with the Ethiopian government which denied blocking aid. Also read | Twitter temporarily suspends Trends feature in Ethiopia over fear of violence “Tedros Adhanom’s moral, legal and professional standing threatens WHO’s organisational standing,” it said in a statement, reports Reuters. “He has spread harmful misinformation and compromised WHO's reputation, independence, credibility which is evident from his social media postings,” it added. Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Tedros failed to show integrity and professionalism and was a member of the TPLF, which dominated Ethiopian politics for nearly 30 years before Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's 2018 appointment. Also read | Ethiopia appreciates India's stance on Tigray conflict at UNSC "Tedros encourages the TPLF in his media engagements and celebrates what is presumed to be a military success of the group, besides engaging in selective outrage where he discriminately addresses the humanitarian concerns in Ethiopia," the ministry said. The government designated TPLF a terrorist group after the war erupted in November 2020. Tedros, a Tigrayan, was a member of the TPLF, Reuters reported. Thousands have been killed in the conflict in Tigray, which spread to two neighbouring regions in northern Ethiopia before Tigrayan forces were forced to withdraw back to Tigray in December. (With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia raps WHO chief for ‘supporting’ rebellion Tigray forces

Ethiopian prime minister Abby Ahmed has said that federal troops will not advance further into the war-torn province of Tigre to avoid an escalation of the conflict.

Govt says, no further advance into Tigray

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