Russia has launched another wave of heavy airstrikes across Ukraine, targeting residential areas and a hospital in Zaporizhzhia, leaving multiple civilians injured. As the war intensifies, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced plans to jointly produce Patriot missile interceptors with US defense giant Raytheon to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. The latest attacks have also disrupted Black Sea shipping, pushing global wheat prices higher and raising concerns over international food security. Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to urge Western allies to accelerate military assistance as Russian missile and drone attacks intensify.

Russia-Ukraine war escalates|  Zelensky pushes patriot missile production as Black sea crisis deepens

A deadly Russian attack struck the southeastern Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia on July 15, killing two people and injuring at least nine others, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The strike destroyed a residential building, leaving cars crushed and debris scattered across the area. Heartbreaking footage showed a woman grieving beside the body of her husband, who was killed in the attack.
Residents described the attack as an act of terror targeting civilians, claiming Russian forces are unable to advance into the city through conventional military operations. The latest strike adds to the growing humanitarian toll of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.


Russia attacks Zaporizhzhia again | Civilians killed as missile strike destroys homes

Ukrainian forces near the besieged Eastern stronghold of Chasiv Yar are staring at a full-blown Russian onslaught as they defend the city. They says they are still waiting for fresh ammunition after the United States approved a major military aid package, amid intensifying attacks from Russian troops and drones. Watch in for more details!

Russia-Ukraine war: Russia eyes Pokrovsk, Chasiv Yar & Kurakhove in the east

A Russia-backed politician was killed in a car bomb in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk on Wednesday (Nov 8), local media reported.&nbsp;

Luhansk Information Centre, a news agency run by Moscow-installed officials in the region, reported citing the politician's son that "as a result of an explosive device that detonated in Mikhail Filiponenko's car, the People's Council deputy was fatally wounded."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-army-braces-for-russian-attack-on-key-town-after-repelling-several-656351">Ukraine Army braces for Russian attack on key town after repelling several assaults</a>&nbsp;

As per media reports, the media site said Filiponenko was a member of the local parliament and former leader of the Lugansk separatist army of the Luhansk People's Republic. He was elected to the regional parliament in September in a vote that was condemned globally.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-says-it-destroyed-major-russian-ship-in-black-sea-655900">Ukraine says it destroyed major Russian ship in Black Sea</a>&nbsp;

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In occupied Lugansk, the ex-chief of the so-called “LPR people’s police” Mikhail Filiponenko was blown up in his car. <a href="https://t.co/401OAhww1e">pic.twitter.com/401OAhww1e</a>
— 🇺🇦 paolo rel (@paolobucci18) <a href="https://twitter.com/paolobucci18/status/1722197138854248832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Watch:&nbsp;Moscow bombarded 118 Ukraine towns&nbsp;

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This is not the first incident, such bomb attacks in Ukraine have targeted prominent Russian-installed officials.

Since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in Feb 2022, Moscow has routinely claimed territory as its own.&nbsp;

Luhansk is one of four Ukrainian regions Russia claims to have annexed since the start of its invasion, something Kyiv and its Western allies strongly reject.

(With inputs from agencies)

A Russia-backed politician was killed in a car bomb in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk on Wednesday (Nov 8), local media reported. Luhansk Information Centre, a news agency run by Moscow-installed officials in the region, reported citing the politician's son that "as a result of an explosive device that detonated in Mikhail Filiponenko's car, the People's Council deputy was fatally wounded.

A Russia-backed politician was killed in a car bomb in the eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk on Wednesday (Nov 8), local media reported. Luhansk Information Centre, a news agency run by Moscow-installed officials in the region, reported citing the politician's son that "as a result of an explosive device that detonated in Mikhail Filiponenko's car, the People's Council deputy was fatally wounded." Also read: Ukraine Army braces for Russian attack on key town after repelling several assaults As per media reports, the media site said Filiponenko was a member of the local parliament and former leader of the Lugansk separatist army of the Luhansk People's Republic. He was elected to the regional parliament in September in a vote that was condemned globally. Also read: Ukraine says it destroyed major Russian ship in Black Sea Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media. 🚨🚨🚨 In occupied Lugansk, the ex-chief of the so-called “LPR people’s police” Mikhail Filiponenko was blown up in his car. pic.twitter.com/401OAhww1e — 🇺🇦 paolo rel (@paolobucci18) November 8, 2023 × Watch: Moscow bombarded 118 Ukraine towns × This is not the first incident, such bomb attacks in Ukraine have targeted prominent Russian-installed officials. Since Russia sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in Feb 2022, Moscow has routinely claimed territory as its own. Luhansk is one of four Ukrainian regions Russia claims to have annexed since the start of its invasion, something Kyiv and its Western allies strongly reject. (With inputs from agencies)

Mikhail Filiponenko: Russia-backed politician killed in car bomb attack in eastern Ukraine

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. 
 
The Ukrainian military, on Sunday (February 26) said that Russia conducted an unsuccessful operation near Yahidne over the past day. This comes after Moscow’s Wagner group claimed that they have captured the Ukrainian village of Berkhivka which is located on the outskirts of Bakhmut. These conflicting claims could not be independently verified. The mercenary group claimed to have captured the villages in eastern Ukrain, a region where the fighting has intensified in recent weeks.&nbsp;

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in his morning update, said that Russia’s offensive efforts have been focused along the Bakhmut front line which is also where Yahidne is located. The key eastern Ukrainian city has witnessed some of the most intense fighting where there are now only some 5,000 residents out of the 70,000 prior to the now-a-year-old Russian invasion.&nbsp;

What the Wagner group had claimed

The Russian mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin&nbsp;had on Saturday&nbsp;claimed that they have captured the eastern Ukrainian village&nbsp;of Yahidne. "At 1900 on 25th February, storm units of the Wagner Private Military Company secured complete control of the locality of Yagodnoye (Yahidne) to the north of Bakhmut," said&nbsp;Prigozhin, in an audio clip,&nbsp;as per Reuters.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-mercenary-group-wagner-chief-admits-facing-resistance-in-capturing-ukrainian-city-bakhmut-560926">Mercenary group Wagner chief says Moscow could take two years to capture eastern Ukrainian regions</a>

This also came a day after he had claimed control of Berkhivka which is a village located on the outskirts of Bakhmut. "Berkhivka is fully under our control. Units of Wagner Private Military Company are in full control of Berkhivka," said the Wagner chief, on social media.

Earlier this month, Prigozhin, in an interview had also said how Bakhmut is the key to Russia’s plan to firmly establish its presence in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

What has the Ukrainian military said?

In the aforementioned Ukrainian bulletin, the military said that Russia has conducted “unsuccessful offensives” in six settlements in the eastern Donetsk region, which Moscow has previously claimed to have annexed and also includes Yahidne and Berkhivka.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-accuses-west-of-destabilising-g20-finance-chiefs-meet-in-india-565962">Russia accuses West of ‘destabilising’ G20 finance chiefs’ meet in India</a>

The bulletin, on Sunday, also said that Russia shelled some parts of the 22 settlements along the front line in Donetsk over the past day, while Ukraine has managed to counter 71 attacks in Donetsk and some other regions along the frontline, reported Reuters.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. The Ukrainian military, on Sunday (February 26) said that Russia conducted an unsuccessful operation near Yahidne over the past day. This comes after Moscow’s Wagner group claimed that they have captured the Ukrainian village of Berkhivka which is located on the outskirts of Bakhmut. These conflicting claims could not be independently verified. The mercenary group claimed to have captured the villages in eastern Ukrain, a region where the fighting has intensified in recent weeks. The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces, in his morning update, said that Russia’s offensive efforts have been focused along the Bakhmut front line which is also where Yahidne is located. The key eastern Ukrainian city has witnessed some of the most intense fighting where there are now only some 5,000 residents out of the 70,000 prior to the now-a-year-old Russian invasion. What the Wagner group had claimed The Russian mercenary group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin had on Saturday claimed that they have captured the eastern Ukrainian village of Yahidne. "At 1900 on 25th February, storm units of the Wagner Private Military Company secured complete control of the locality of Yagodnoye (Yahidne) to the north of Bakhmut," said Prigozhin, in an audio clip, as per Reuters. ALSO READ | Mercenary group Wagner chief says Moscow could take two years to capture eastern Ukrainian regions This also came a day after he had claimed control of Berkhivka which is a village located on the outskirts of Bakhmut. "Berkhivka is fully under our control. Units of Wagner Private Military Company are in full control of Berkhivka," said the Wagner chief, on social media. Earlier this month, Prigozhin, in an interview had also said how Bakhmut is the key to Russia’s plan to firmly establish its presence in eastern Ukraine. What has the Ukrainian military said? In the aforementioned Ukrainian bulletin, the military said that Russia has conducted “unsuccessful offensives” in six settlements in the eastern Donetsk region, which Moscow has previously claimed to have annexed and also includes Yahidne and Berkhivka. ALSO READ | Russia accuses West of ‘destabilising’ G20 finance chiefs’ meet in India The bulletin, on Sunday, also said that Russia shelled some parts of the 22 settlements along the front line in Donetsk over the past day, while Ukraine has managed to counter 71 attacks in Donetsk and some other regions along the frontline, reported Reuters. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Ukraine military denies Russian mercenary Wagner group's claim of capturing villages near Bakhmut

Kyiv said that it is pulling its forces back from Severodonetsk. Russia recently shifted its focus to the east Ukrainian city with the aim of taking control of larger parts of the region.

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Russia aims to capture Severodonetsk & Lysychansk

US Undersecretary of Defense Colin Kahl said Ukraine forces need about three weeks of training to be able to use the Himars, a highly mobile guided rocket launcher that could give Ukraine an edge against Russia in Donbas

Himars rocket challenge: How Ukraine can stop Russia at Donbas

After taking over the second largest city of Mariupol, Russia is targeting Ukraine's eastern region. Russia is hoping to capture one of the last major cities there in the key eastern province which is still under Ukrainian control

Russia seeks to capture Ukraine-controlled regions

In a bittersweet moment, children in Kyiv, including evacuees from other parts of the country are seen decorating traditional Ukrainian Easter eggs with a stroke of patriotism.

How Ukrainian Children are marking Easter?

The devastation that Ukraine is facing has sparked a new debate among Americans, with many claiming that if the embattled Ukrainians were privy to guns they could've defended their country better. Let's take a look at what's being said.

USA debates: Could Ukrainians have defended their country better if they owned more guns?

Russia's recognition on 21st February of Ukraine’s self-declared independent regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas region of the Eastern Ukraine, deployment of forces under the guise of Peacekeeping Forces for the “protection” of the civilians, followed by full-scale military invasion in Ukraine on 24th February has drawn curtains on Act 1 of the drama.

The lead actors include President Putin of the Russian Federation on the one hand and President Biden of the USA and his NATO allies on the other, while the script revolves around&nbsp;President Zelensky of Ukraine.

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The USA and allies have imposed stringed sanctions on Russia, deployed forces on the territories of NATO Member countries in the neighbourhood, assured continued political, diplomatic, economic and military assistance to Ukraine but have made it clear that there is no plan to send NATO forces to Ukraine to fight Russia together with /on behalf of Ukraine.&nbsp;

It remains under suspense as to how the drama will unfold in subsequent acts.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-the-ghost-of-kyiv-the-ace-pilot-giving-hope-to-ukrainians-456795">Who is the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’? The ace pilot giving hope to Ukrainians</a>

The drama can be said to have begun in December last year when Russia sought a set of legally binding assurances including a halt on NATO's further eastwards expansion nearer to Russia's borders. Russia demanded in particular that two of Russia's next-door neighbours namely Ukraine and Georgia be declined NATO membership.

The rather impossible demands came in the backdrop of a massive military build-up by Russia along its borders with Ukraine and prolonged military exercise in Belarus, and also the ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine between the separatist forces (supported by Russia) &nbsp;and the Ukrainian military. 
&nbsp; 
The origins of the current phase of the standoff between the West and Russia can be traced to the period immediately after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991 when the West adopted a policy of ideological conquest of the former Soviet Union and its satellite countries in East Europe through financial and technical assistance.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-announces-historic-deployment-of-forces-to-bolster-eastern-europe-after-ukraine-invasion-456810">NATO announces 'historic' deployment of forces to bolster Eastern Europe after Ukraine invasion</a>

Gradually, NATO began to increase its footprints in the post-Soviet space. Beginning from 1999 the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland (1999), Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) have been taken into the fold of NATO.

Russia calls this expansion a breach of promises and assurances by NATO given to Russia in the wake of the disintegration of the USSR. However, being relatively weak, Russia could do nothing to halt this process. The situation changed with the advent of President Putin as Russia’s leader from 2000 onwards.&nbsp;

So when NATO announced in April 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine will be members of NATO (though no specific dates were indicated) Russia acted swiftly; it recognised the self-declared independence of two breakaway regions of Georgia namely Abkhazia and South Ossetia, intervened militarily and has since consolidated its positions in those regions. &nbsp;

In 2014, when the pro-Russia government in Ukraine was replaced by a pro-Western regime in Ukraine, Russia reacted again and this time successfully manipulated Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula’s incorporation into Russian Federation, often described as Crimea’s annexation..

Reverting to the current phase of crisis, it appears in hindsight that Russia from the very beginning had made up its mind at least to trifurcate Ukraine and take Eastern Ukraine under its influence and control.

Russia now appears to be going much further with the objective of subjugating entire Ukraine and even installing a puppet or at least a more pliable/ neutral regime in Ukraine.

President Putin is reported to have encouraged the Ukraine Armed Forces to take full control of the country suggesting that it would be easier to deal with them rather than the civilian leadership.

At this point of time, there is a fairly good clarity about the intentions of Russia and also the positions taken by the USA and its allies so far. At the same time there are many imponderables: Will Ukraine be able to resist Russia and compel it to withdraw? &nbsp;Looks difficult. Are we then heading for a scenario of the fall of Kiev or urban insurgency? What else the USA and NATO allies can or will do besides current efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically and weaken it economically by imposing sanctions.

Will there be an attempt to invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter to send international armed forces (read NATO) into Ukraine?&nbsp;

The economic sanctions have so far not deterred Russia. And in the given case the sanctions can also act as a double-edged sword causing an adverse impact on the energy security of Europe. Biden has already cautioned the American public in this regard though he has also assured to minimise the impact on the US population.&nbsp;

The Ukrainian crisis is a test for India’s diplomacy. It must be noted that India is not in alliance with USA or Russia, and to that extent India is not obliged to take sides with either of them.

At the same time, India has strong partnerships with both the USA and Russia, besides good relations with Europe and also Ukraine. Prima-facie, India has so far taken a balanced position. Some observers have described it as a neutral stance reminiscent of the period of non-alignment.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Note must be taken of the key element in India’s statements in which India has called for the resolution of the issue in a manner that would address the “legitimate security interests” of all concerned.

It requires a careful reading between the lines to determine whose “legitimate security interests” are under real threat. Is the tilt not slightly in favour of Russia whose security concerns arising out of NATO’s eastwards expansion appear genuine?.

Whether it entitles Russia to use force to address its concerns is a matter of entirely different and difficult debate as it involves issues such as sovereignty, territorial integrity on the one hand and the concept of indivisible security on the other.

The evacuation of estimated 20,000 Indian nationals mostly students stranded in Ukraine is India’s top priority at the moment. India’s track record in the evacuation of Indian national from conflict regions is commendable. In the given case, the situation is complicated by the fact that the Indian nationals are spread in various parts of Ukraine some of which are in conflict zones, and it is not possible to send flights to Ukraine as its airspace is closed.

Alternate arrangements for evacuation through land routes to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary etc. en-route to India through Chartered flights sponsored by the Indian Government are underway albeit with partial success so far. One hopes that all &nbsp;Indian nationals are able to return home safely. It is pointless to debate now as to whether or not it would have been desirable to begin the process a few weeks earlier.&nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the experts do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views.)

Russia's recognition on 21st February of Ukraine’s self-declared independent regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas region of the Eastern Ukraine, deployment of forces under the guise of Peacekeeping Forces for the “protection” of the civilians, followed by full-scale military invasion in Ukraine on 24th February has drawn curtains on Act 1 of the drama.

Russia's recognition on 21st February of Ukraine’s self-declared independent regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in Donbas region of the Eastern Ukraine, deployment of forces under the guise of Peacekeeping Forces for the “protection” of the civilians, followed by full-scale military invasion in Ukraine on 24th February has drawn curtains on Act 1 of the drama. The lead actors include President Putin of the Russian Federation on the one hand and President Biden of the USA and his NATO allies on the other, while the script revolves around President Zelensky of Ukraine. × The USA and allies have imposed stringed sanctions on Russia, deployed forces on the territories of NATO Member countries in the neighbourhood, assured continued political, diplomatic, economic and military assistance to Ukraine but have made it clear that there is no plan to send NATO forces to Ukraine to fight Russia together with /on behalf of Ukraine. It remains under suspense as to how the drama will unfold in subsequent acts. Also Read | Who is the ‘Ghost of Kyiv’? The ace pilot giving hope to Ukrainians The drama can be said to have begun in December last year when Russia sought a set of legally binding assurances including a halt on NATO's further eastwards expansion nearer to Russia's borders. Russia demanded in particular that two of Russia's next-door neighbours namely Ukraine and Georgia be declined NATO membership. The rather impossible demands came in the backdrop of a massive military build-up by Russia along its borders with Ukraine and prolonged military exercise in Belarus, and also the ongoing clashes in eastern Ukraine between the separatist forces (supported by Russia) and the Ukrainian military. The origins of the current phase of the standoff between the West and Russia can be traced to the period immediately after the disintegration of the USSR in 1991 when the West adopted a policy of ideological conquest of the former Soviet Union and its satellite countries in East Europe through financial and technical assistance. Also Read | NATO announces 'historic' deployment of forces to bolster Eastern Europe after Ukraine invasion Gradually, NATO began to increase its footprints in the post-Soviet space. Beginning from 1999 the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland (1999), Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia (2004), Albania and Croatia (2009), Montenegro (2017) and North Macedonia (2020) have been taken into the fold of NATO. Russia calls this expansion a breach of promises and assurances by NATO given to Russia in the wake of the disintegration of the USSR. However, being relatively weak, Russia could do nothing to halt this process. The situation changed with the advent of President Putin as Russia’s leader from 2000 onwards. So when NATO announced in April 2008 that Georgia and Ukraine will be members of NATO (though no specific dates were indicated) Russia acted swiftly; it recognised the self-declared independence of two breakaway regions of Georgia namely Abkhazia and South Ossetia, intervened militarily and has since consolidated its positions in those regions. In 2014, when the pro-Russia government in Ukraine was replaced by a pro-Western regime in Ukraine, Russia reacted again and this time successfully manipulated Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula’s incorporation into Russian Federation, often described as Crimea’s annexation.. Reverting to the current phase of crisis, it appears in hindsight that Russia from the very beginning had made up its mind at least to trifurcate Ukraine and take Eastern Ukraine under its influence and control. Russia now appears to be going much further with the objective of subjugating entire Ukraine and even installing a puppet or at least a more pliable/ neutral regime in Ukraine. President Putin is reported to have encouraged the Ukraine Armed Forces to take full control of the country suggesting that it would be easier to deal with them rather than the civilian leadership. At this point of time, there is a fairly good clarity about the intentions of Russia and also the positions taken by the USA and its allies so far. At the same time there are many imponderables: Will Ukraine be able to resist Russia and compel it to withdraw? Looks difficult. Are we then heading for a scenario of the fall of Kiev or urban insurgency? What else the USA and NATO allies can or will do besides current efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically and weaken it economically by imposing sanctions. Will there be an attempt to invoke Chapter VII of the UN Charter to send international armed forces (read NATO) into Ukraine? The economic sanctions have so far not deterred Russia. And in the given case the sanctions can also act as a double-edged sword causing an adverse impact on the energy security of Europe. Biden has already cautioned the American public in this regard though he has also assured to minimise the impact on the US population. The Ukrainian crisis is a test for India’s diplomacy. It must be noted that India is not in alliance with USA or Russia, and to that extent India is not obliged to take sides with either of them. At the same time, India has strong partnerships with both the USA and Russia, besides good relations with Europe and also Ukraine. Prima-facie, India has so far taken a balanced position. Some observers have described it as a neutral stance reminiscent of the period of non-alignment. Note must be taken of the key element in India’s statements in which India has called for the resolution of the issue in a manner that would address the “legitimate security interests” of all concerned. It requires a careful reading between the lines to determine whose “legitimate security interests” are under real threat. Is the tilt not slightly in favour of Russia whose security concerns arising out of NATO’s eastwards expansion appear genuine?. Whether it entitles Russia to use force to address its concerns is a matter of entirely different and difficult debate as it involves issues such as sovereignty, territorial integrity on the one hand and the concept of indivisible security on the other. The evacuation of estimated 20,000 Indian nationals mostly students stranded in Ukraine is India’s top priority at the moment. India’s track record in the evacuation of Indian national from conflict regions is commendable. In the given case, the situation is complicated by the fact that the Indian nationals are spread in various parts of Ukraine some of which are in conflict zones, and it is not possible to send flights to Ukraine as its airspace is closed. Alternate arrangements for evacuation through land routes to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary etc. en-route to India through Chartered flights sponsored by the Indian Government are underway albeit with partial success so far. One hopes that all Indian nationals are able to return home safely. It is pointless to debate now as to whether or not it would have been desirable to begin the process a few weeks earlier. (Disclaimer: The views of the experts do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views.)

How far will the Ukraine crisis go?

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could start a "major war in Europe" and invade the country "any day now" while urging Russian citizens to stand against it.

Zelensky said nearly Russian 200,000 soldiers were deployed along Ukraine's border including thousands of combat vehicles.

"Who can stop the war people. These people are among you, I am sure," Zelensky said appealing to the Russian people to stop Putin's regime.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-crisis-us-thaad-vs-russian-s-400-missile-defence-system-451457">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system</a>

The Ukraine president added that he had tried to reach out to Putin but there was "only silence". &nbsp;Zelensky added that Ukraine needs "security guarantees" and that Russia should be among countries to give "clear security guarantees."

Watch:&nbsp;China's lessons from the Ukraine crisis

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Meanwhile, separatist leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk in a letter to Putin asked for help to "repel Ukraine's aggression".&nbsp;Putin had earlier this week recognised the regions as republics amid large scale condemnation by the West including the UN. The Russian president had signed friendship treaties with the two regions including defence deals.

Reports claim shelling in the separatist region has increased in the past few days as another Ukrainian soldier was killed on Wednesday even as a power plant was hit in eastern Ukraine.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-the-real-mr-putin-meet-the-judo-fighter-who-worked-for-the-kgb-455631">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-the-real-mr-putin-meet-the-judo-fighter-who-worked-for-the-kgb-455631" hreflang="en">Who is the real Mr Putin? Meet the judo fighter who worked for the KGB</a>

In a move which further alarmed the European neighbours, Russian lawmakers gave Putin's regime permission to use force abroad. The US has been saying for the past month that over 100,000 Russian troops have amassed at the border.

However, Russia has repeatedly denied it wants to invade Ukraine however Putin's decision to move troops to the two breakaway regions has escalated tensions in the region as Ukraine urged its citizens to leave Russia.

Russia's moves come even as the US, Britain, EU and Australia announced sanctions. Amid soaring tensions, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "our world is facing a moment of peril, the world could see a scale and severity of need unseen for many years."

(With inputs from Agencies)

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could start a "major war in Europe" and invade the country "any day now" while urging Russian citizens to stand against it. Zelensky said nearly Russian 200,000 soldiers were deployed along Ukraine's border including thousands of combat vehicles. "Who can stop the war people. These people are among you, I am sure," Zelensky said appealing to the Russian people to stop Putin's regime. Also Read in Pics: US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system The Ukraine president added that he had tried to reach out to Putin but there was "only silence". Zelensky added that Ukraine needs "security guarantees" and that Russia should be among countries to give "clear security guarantees." Watch: China's lessons from the Ukraine crisis Meanwhile, separatist leaders of Donetsk and Lugansk in a letter to Putin asked for help to "repel Ukraine's aggression". Putin had earlier this week recognised the regions as republics amid large scale condemnation by the West including the UN. The Russian president had signed friendship treaties with the two regions including defence deals. Reports claim shelling in the separatist region has increased in the past few days as another Ukrainian soldier was killed on Wednesday even as a power plant was hit in eastern Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: Who is the real Mr Putin? Meet the judo fighter who worked for the KGB In a move which further alarmed the European neighbours, Russian lawmakers gave Putin's regime permission to use force abroad. The US has been saying for the past month that over 100,000 Russian troops have amassed at the border. However, Russia has repeatedly denied it wants to invade Ukraine however Putin's decision to move troops to the two breakaway regions has escalated tensions in the region as Ukraine urged its citizens to leave Russia. Russia's moves come even as the US, Britain, EU and Australia announced sanctions. Amid soaring tensions, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said "our world is facing a moment of peril, the world could see a scale and severity of need unseen for many years." (With inputs from Agencies)

Russia could invade any day now, says Ukraine President Zelensky

With crisis deepening after latest Russian move in eastern Ukraine, oil jumped to a seven-year high on Tuesday. US stock futures have also nosedived. &nbsp;

This comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognise the 'Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' as 'independent’. Moscow has also sent troops to these regions. &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-addresses-nation-rejects-making-any-territorial-concessions-455197" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses nation, rejects making any territorial concessions</a>

Brent crude futures rose around 4% to $97.35. It is the highest rise since September 2014. While S&amp;P 500 futures fell 2% and Nasdaq futures dived 2.7%. &nbsp;

European equities also dropped 1.3% overnight to a four-month low. The Russian rouble tanked and Russia's MOEX equity index fell by 10.5%. Australia's ASX 200 also followed suit and fell 1.3% in early trade. On Monday, markets in the&nbsp;US were closed for a holiday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ray Attrill, NAB head of foreign exchange strategy, said, "In these circumstances, risk metrics are the driving force."&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-chief-antonio-guterres-voices-concern-calls-russian-move-a-violation-of-ukraines-sovereignty-455208" hreflang="en">UN chief Guterres calls Russian move a 'violation' of Ukraine’s sovereignty</a>

In the currency trade, the yen hiked by 0.2% in Asia to a nearly three-week high of 114.50 per dollar. The euro nosedived around 0.1% to a one-week low of $1.1296. The Russian rouble also touched a one-month low of 80.289 per dollar. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The tensions also drove US Treasury yields lower, with benchmark 10-year Treasury yields down 5.5 basis points (bp) to 1.8715%. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

With crisis deepening after latest Russian move in eastern Ukraine, oil jumped to a seven-year high on Tuesday. US stock futures have also nosedived. This comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognise the 'Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' as 'independent’.

With crisis deepening after latest Russian move in eastern Ukraine, oil jumped to a seven-year high on Tuesday. US stock futures have also nosedived. This comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to recognise the 'Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics' as 'independent’. Moscow has also sent troops to these regions. Also Read: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses nation, rejects making any territorial concessions Brent crude futures rose around 4% to $97.35. It is the highest rise since September 2014. While S&P 500 futures fell 2% and Nasdaq futures dived 2.7%. European equities also dropped 1.3% overnight to a four-month low. The Russian rouble tanked and Russia's MOEX equity index fell by 10.5%. Australia's ASX 200 also followed suit and fell 1.3% in early trade. On Monday, markets in the US were closed for a holiday. Ray Attrill, NAB head of foreign exchange strategy, said, "In these circumstances, risk metrics are the driving force." Also Read: UN chief Guterres calls Russian move a 'violation' of Ukraine’s sovereignty In the currency trade, the yen hiked by 0.2% in Asia to a nearly three-week high of 114.50 per dollar. The euro nosedived around 0.1% to a one-week low of $1.1296. The Russian rouble also touched a one-month low of 80.289 per dollar. The tensions also drove US Treasury yields lower, with benchmark 10-year Treasury yields down 5.5 basis points (bp) to 1.8715%. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian move in eastern Ukraine triggers oil jump, stocks fall

The leader of the east Ukraine breakaway region, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic(DPR) has called for military conscription amid tensions with Ukraine's forces at the border.&nbsp;

"I urge my fellow citizens who are in the reserves to come to military conscription offices. Today I signed a decree on general mobilisation," Denis Pushilin said in a video statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/skyfall-avangard-sarmat-russias-new-killer-superpower-weapons-revealed-448724">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Skyfall, Avangard, Sarmat: Russia's new killer 'superpower' weapons revealed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Most DPR residents are Russian speakers and many have already been granted Russian citizenship, however, Ukraine says the people who run the DPR are "Russian proxies", a claim denied by Russian authorities.

"Together, we will achieve for all of us the victory we desire and need. We will protect Donbas and all Russian people," Pushilin added.

Watch:&nbsp;Amid Ukraine issue, Russia to stage massive nuclear drills

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/amid-ukraine-issue-russia-to-stage-massive-nuclear-drills-vladimir-putin-to-oversee-454495/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile,&nbsp;Ukraine's army said one&nbsp;soldier was killed in the eastern region even as the Kremlin informed that President Putin will be speaking to French President Macron amid increased tensions in the region.

"As a result of a shelling attack, one Ukrainian soldier received a fatal shrapnel wound," Ukraine's military said in a statement.

Ukrainia's President Volodymyr Zelensky will be attending Saturday's Munich Security Conference although&nbsp;President Biden had earlier questioned whether it would be wise to leave Kyiv due to increased Russian activity in the region.

Russian news agency Sputnik quoting a source said a shell allegedly exploded in Rostov region about 1 km from Russia's border with Ukraine.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BREAKING</a> | Shell allegedly explodes in Rostov region, about 1 km from Russian border with Ukraine - source<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SputnikBreaking?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SputnikBreaking</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/explosion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#explosion</a><a href="https://t.co/2JJUs86AFu">https://t.co/2JJUs86AFu</a> <a href="https://t.co/TDNtTcVdkb">pic.twitter.com/TDNtTcVdkb</a>
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Reports claim the pro-Russian rebels have evacuated residents from Donetsk and surrounding areas with several leaving for Russia. At least 700,000 people are reportedly being evacuated by the rebels from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

There have been reports of increased shelling in the Donbas region. On Thursday, a shell had hit a kindergarten in eastern Ukrainian village with children and staff inside the premises, however, there were no casualties.

Ukraine has been battling against pro-Russia rebels in the eastern region since 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea. The conflict has so far reportedly claimed around 14,000 lives.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-crisis-how-putin-built-russias-army-as-a-potent-force-453715">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How Putin built Russia's Army as a potent force</a>

Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine's top security officer had said earlier that the situation is being "escalated by the Russian Federation through&nbsp;its supporters on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions."

"This is an attempt to provoke our armed forces, our military to respond and react to them," he said. Reports claim there have been at least 66 exchanges of fire as Ukraine's armed forces and Moscow-backed rebels accused each other of ceasefire violations.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The leader of the east Ukraine breakaway region, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic(DPR) has called for military conscription amid tensions with Ukraine's forces at the border.

The leader of the east Ukraine breakaway region, the so-called Donetsk People's Republic(DPR) has called for military conscription amid tensions with Ukraine's forces at the border. "I urge my fellow citizens who are in the reserves to come to military conscription offices. Today I signed a decree on general mobilisation," Denis Pushilin said in a video statement. Also Read in Pics: Skyfall, Avangard, Sarmat: Russia's new killer 'superpower' weapons revealed Most DPR residents are Russian speakers and many have already been granted Russian citizenship, however, Ukraine says the people who run the DPR are "Russian proxies", a claim denied by Russian authorities. "Together, we will achieve for all of us the victory we desire and need. We will protect Donbas and all Russian people," Pushilin added. Watch: Amid Ukraine issue, Russia to stage massive nuclear drills Meanwhile, Ukraine's army said one soldier was killed in the eastern region even as the Kremlin informed that President Putin will be speaking to French President Macron amid increased tensions in the region. "As a result of a shelling attack, one Ukrainian soldier received a fatal shrapnel wound," Ukraine's military said in a statement. Ukrainia's President Volodymyr Zelensky will be attending Saturday's Munich Security Conference although President Biden had earlier questioned whether it would be wise to leave Kyiv due to increased Russian activity in the region. Russian news agency Sputnik quoting a source said a shell allegedly exploded in Rostov region about 1 km from Russia's border with Ukraine. #BREAKING | Shell allegedly explodes in Rostov region, about 1 km from Russian border with Ukraine - source#SputnikBreaking #explosionhttps://t.co/2JJUs86AFu pic.twitter.com/TDNtTcVdkb — Sputnik (@SputnikInt) February 19, 2022 × Reports claim the pro-Russian rebels have evacuated residents from Donetsk and surrounding areas with several leaving for Russia. At least 700,000 people are reportedly being evacuated by the rebels from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic. There have been reports of increased shelling in the Donbas region. On Thursday, a shell had hit a kindergarten in eastern Ukrainian village with children and staff inside the premises, however, there were no casualties. Ukraine has been battling against pro-Russia rebels in the eastern region since 2014 after Russia's annexation of Crimea. The conflict has so far reportedly claimed around 14,000 lives. Also Read in Pics: How Putin built Russia's Army as a potent force Oleksiy Danilov, Ukraine's top security officer had said earlier that the situation is being "escalated by the Russian Federation through its supporters on the territory of Donetsk and Luhansk regions." "This is an attempt to provoke our armed forces, our military to respond and react to them," he said. Reports claim there have been at least 66 exchanges of fire as Ukraine's armed forces and Moscow-backed rebels accused each other of ceasefire violations. (With inputs from Agencies)

Pro-Russian rebel leader announces 'general mobilisation'; 1 Ukraine soldier killed in clashes

A Ukrainian court on Thursday (September 5) released on bail a man suspected of involvement in the downing of a Malaysia Airlines flight over eastern Ukraine in 2014 that killed 298 people.

Ukraine court releases MH17 suspect on bail

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