The UN General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia's immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.

141 out of 193 member countries voted in favour of the resolution and 35 countries abstained including China and India.&nbsp;

Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Russia voted against the resolution. The resolution required a 2/3 majority to be adopted in the General Assembly.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/320-missiles-in-a-day-russia-targets-short-range-ballistic-missiles-at-ukraine-what-is-the-result-458123">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result?</a>

Indian ambassador to the UN T S Tirumurti said: "We remain firm in our conviction that differences can only be solved through dialogue and diplomacy," while adding, "We express our deepest condolences to his family and to that of each and every innocent civilian who has lost his or her life in this conflict."

Watch | Gravitas: Is the West feeding Russia's war machine?

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"We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict zones. Many member states share this concern," he added.

The resolution was co-sponsored by nearly hundred member states which was titled "Aggression against Ukraine". Pakistan also abstained from the vote.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/320-missiles-in-a-day-russia-targets-short-range-ballistic-missiles-at-ukraine-what-is-the-result-458123">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result?</a>

"They have come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist," &nbsp;Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsy said at the General Assembly while adding," "It's already clear that the goal of Russia is not an occupation only. It is genocide."

(With inputs from Agencies)

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia's immediate withdrawal from Ukraine. 141 out of 193 member countries voted in favour of the resolution and 35 countries abstained including China and India.

The UN General Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to demand Russia's immediate withdrawal from Ukraine. 141 out of 193 member countries voted in favour of the resolution and 35 countries abstained including China and India. Eritrea, North Korea, Syria, Belarus and Russia voted against the resolution. The resolution required a 2/3 majority to be adopted in the General Assembly. Also Read in Pics: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result? Indian ambassador to the UN T S Tirumurti said: "We remain firm in our conviction that differences can only be solved through dialogue and diplomacy," while adding, "We express our deepest condolences to his family and to that of each and every innocent civilian who has lost his or her life in this conflict." Watch | Gravitas: Is the West feeding Russia's war machine? "We demand safe and uninterrupted passage for all Indian nationals, including our students who are still stranded in Ukraine, particularly from Kharkiv and other cities in the conflict zones. Many member states share this concern," he added. The resolution was co-sponsored by nearly hundred member states which was titled "Aggression against Ukraine". Pakistan also abstained from the vote. Also Read in Pics: Russia targets short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine; what is the result? "They have come to deprive Ukraine of the very right to exist," Ukraine's ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsy said at the General Assembly while adding," "It's already clear that the goal of Russia is not an occupation only. It is genocide." (With inputs from Agencies)

UN General Assembly votes to demand Russian withdrawal from Ukraine; India, China abstain

Ahead of Russia's aggression on Ukraine, President Putin had repeatedly said he had no plans to invade Kyiv.

Kremlin had in fact said the Russian president had joked that Western officials even knew the time of the attack while assuring French President Macron that Russia had no plans to attack Ukraine.

However, last week on Thursday Putin ordered "military operations" against Ukraine as missiles began landing in Kyiv destroying the capital's infrastructure amid ground assault by Russian forces.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-russia-has-parked-iskander-m-missile-system-along-ukraine-448119">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Why Russia has parked Iskander-M missile system along Ukraine</a>

Experts say the Russian president used the age-old Russian military technique called “maskirovka”.

According to Brijesh Singh, author and IPS officer who is an expert on the subject of information warfare and cybersecurity it "can be better understood by its literal English translation, which means 'masking something'."&nbsp;

"It involves the use of dummies, decoys, denial, disinformation and deception to misdirect the enemy. It has been a part of Russian intelligence tradecraft for centuries, even before the Communist era. It was actually taught at the military school founded by Czar Nicholas II,” Singh informs.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia hit with sanctions amid Ukraine war

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Days before the invasion, the Kremlin had said some Russian troops were going back to the barracks after their exercise with Belarusian&nbsp;forces and then a few days later it added the soldiers involved in the Crimean exercise would be returning to their bases.

US secretary of state Anthony Blinken had warned that Russia would be using "false flag" technique&nbsp;in order to justify its attack on Ukraine even as the White House stated that Putin's forces would be attacking Ukraine between mid-January and mid-February with thousands of troops deployed at the border.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-dagger-on-ukraine-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-can-degrade-high-value-targets-447431">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Russia's 'Dagger' on Ukraine: Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade targets</a>

“It is not that only Russians are using this, intelligence agencies all across the world use, what is called as 'active measures' or psychological operations to force their will on the enemy,” Brijesh Singh said.

“However, the Russian strategic maskirovka concept attempts to pre-emptively manipulate the decision-making process of the enemy and nudge it towards desired outcomes," he added.

The Russian president took everyone by surprise last Thursday as the UNSC was meeting in New York to announce his "military operation" against Ukraine.

"By using the theory of 'reflexive control' the enemy is manipulated into taking decisions which have been pre-decided by the manipulator. Such 'information confrontation' is used to win over global public opinion and also galvanise domestic population by using strategic misdirection,” Singh explained.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ahead of Russia's aggression on Ukraine, President Putin had repeatedly said he had no plans to invade Kyiv. Kremlin had in fact said the Russian president had joked that Western officials even knew the time of the attack while assuring French President Macron that Russia had no plans to attack Ukraine.

Ahead of Russia's aggression on Ukraine, President Putin had repeatedly said he had no plans to invade Kyiv. Kremlin had in fact said the Russian president had joked that Western officials even knew the time of the attack while assuring French President Macron that Russia had no plans to attack Ukraine. However, last week on Thursday Putin ordered "military operations" against Ukraine as missiles began landing in Kyiv destroying the capital's infrastructure amid ground assault by Russian forces. Also Read in Pics: Why Russia has parked Iskander-M missile system along Ukraine Experts say the Russian president used the age-old Russian military technique called “maskirovka”. According to Brijesh Singh, author and IPS officer who is an expert on the subject of information warfare and cybersecurity it "can be better understood by its literal English translation, which means 'masking something'." "It involves the use of dummies, decoys, denial, disinformation and deception to misdirect the enemy. It has been a part of Russian intelligence tradecraft for centuries, even before the Communist era. It was actually taught at the military school founded by Czar Nicholas II,” Singh informs. Watch: Russia hit with sanctions amid Ukraine war Days before the invasion, the Kremlin had said some Russian troops were going back to the barracks after their exercise with Belarusian forces and then a few days later it added the soldiers involved in the Crimean exercise would be returning to their bases. US secretary of state Anthony Blinken had warned that Russia would be using "false flag" technique in order to justify its attack on Ukraine even as the White House stated that Putin's forces would be attacking Ukraine between mid-January and mid-February with thousands of troops deployed at the border. Also Read in Pics | Russia's 'Dagger' on Ukraine: Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade targets “It is not that only Russians are using this, intelligence agencies all across the world use, what is called as 'active measures' or psychological operations to force their will on the enemy,” Brijesh Singh said. “However, the Russian strategic maskirovka concept attempts to pre-emptively manipulate the decision-making process of the enemy and nudge it towards desired outcomes," he added. The Russian president took everyone by surprise last Thursday as the UNSC was meeting in New York to announce his "military operation" against Ukraine. "By using the theory of 'reflexive control' the enemy is manipulated into taking decisions which have been pre-decided by the manipulator. Such 'information confrontation' is used to win over global public opinion and also galvanise domestic population by using strategic misdirection,” Singh explained. (With inputs from Agencies)

Maskirovka: Putin's secret deception campaign against Ukraine explained

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.

After Russia claimed it had seized the port city Kherson, Ukraine hit back saying that its forces were still locked in battle amid airstrikes and bombardment.

Reports claimed Kharkiv has been bombed relentlessly by Russian forces as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told a local television channel that World War III would involve nuclear weapons and will be destructive.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-unleashes-turkeys-bayraktar-tb2-drones-on-russia-is-it-a-gamechanger-458271">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger?</a>

The Russian foreign minister warned that the country would face "real danger" if Ukraine acquired nuclear weapons. As the war in Ukraine entered the seventh day, Ukrainian authorities said at least 350 people have been killed including 14 children.

Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko said "the enemy is drawing up forces closer to the capital", adding,"We are going to fight".

President Putin had ordered his forces to conduct military operations on February 24 as missiles began hitting Ukrainian cities even as President Zelensky, 44, vowed to keep fighting.

Watch:&nbsp;Tracking Russian advance; Kharkiv at the centre of aggression

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Meanwhile, Russia was hit by a series of sanctions as President Biden asserted that Russian oil imports to the United States was not "off the table". Western nations have already hit Russia with sanctions targeting its financial and airline sector.

"Nothing is off the table," Biden said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/320-missiles-in-a-day-russia-targets-short-range-ballistic-missiles-at-ukraine-what-is-the-result-458123">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger?</a>

United States Justice Department has said it will seize assets of individuals and entities who violate sanctions while declaring that it would pursue "corrupt Russian oligarchs".

"We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war," US Attorney General Merrick Garland said.

(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.

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. After Russia claimed it had seized the port city Kherson, Ukraine hit back saying that its forces were still locked in battle amid airstrikes and bombardment. Reports claimed Kharkiv has been bombed relentlessly by Russian forces as Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told a local television channel that World War III would involve nuclear weapons and will be destructive. Also Read in Pics: Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger? The Russian foreign minister warned that the country would face "real danger" if Ukraine acquired nuclear weapons. As the war in Ukraine entered the seventh day, Ukrainian authorities said at least 350 people have been killed including 14 children. Kyiv's mayor Vitali Klitschko said "the enemy is drawing up forces closer to the capital", adding,"We are going to fight". President Putin had ordered his forces to conduct military operations on February 24 as missiles began hitting Ukrainian cities even as President Zelensky, 44, vowed to keep fighting. Watch: Tracking Russian advance; Kharkiv at the centre of aggression Meanwhile, Russia was hit by a series of sanctions as President Biden asserted that Russian oil imports to the United States was not "off the table". Western nations have already hit Russia with sanctions targeting its financial and airline sector. "Nothing is off the table," Biden said. Also Read in Pics: Ukraine unleashes Turkey's Bayraktar TB2 drones on Russia: Is it a gamechanger? United States Justice Department has said it will seize assets of individuals and entities who violate sanctions while declaring that it would pursue "corrupt Russian oligarchs". "We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those whose criminal acts enable the Russian government to continue this unjust war," US Attorney General Merrick Garland said. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Nothing is off the table':  US may target Russian oil imports

Reports claim Putin is planning to proclaim Victor Yanukovych as Ukraine's next president even as President Zelensky has vowed to keep fighting against Russia.

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BREAKING: 
 
Russia has brought former Ukrainian President Yanukovych to Minsk. 
 
Putin is preparing to proclaim him the new President of Ukraine. 
 
Source: <a href="https://twitter.com/ukrpravda_news?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ukrpravda_news</a> <a href="https://t.co/Zpmf87eIEs">pic.twitter.com/Zpmf87eIEs</a>
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) <a href="https://twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1498959815703506944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Who is Viktor Yanukovych?

Former President Viktor Yanukovych had come to power in 2010 but was overthrown after violent protests hit the country in 2014. The demonstrations against the former president erupted after he refused to sign a trade deal with European Union (EU) as he sought closer ties with Russia.&nbsp;

Yanukovych was backed by Putin's regime as it tried to put him back in power but it failed as he fled east from Kyiv to Kharkiv before travelling to Russia.

He was also the prime minister of the country from 2006 to 2007 and for a brief period before 2005. He was also the governor of Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine from 1997 to 2002.&nbsp;

He ran for president for the first time in 2004 in controversial elections amid fraud allegations. The election&nbsp;led to the Orange revolution as the Ukraine Supreme Court moved to nullify&nbsp;the results and ordered fresh polls. Yanukovych lost the polls to Yushchenko in the second election.&nbsp;

What was the "Euromaidan" linked to Yanukovych?

The protests began in November 2013 in Independence Square in Kyiv as Yanukovych refused to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement even as the demonstrators demanded the resignation of Yanukovych.&nbsp;

The protesters violently clashed with police in Ukraine with the main demonstration taking place at Maidan (central square) in Kyiv. The protests began with the Twitter hashtag "Euromaidan", the protests mainly took place in a Maidan Nezalezhnosti in central Kyiv which became the rallying point for anti-Yanukovych protests.

The protesters finally had their way as Yanukovych fled the country and the demonstrators took control of the presidential administration and his private estate.

Who was Yanukovych's successor?

Yanukovych left the country as Oleksandr Turchynov came to power followed by Petro Poroshenko.

However, Zelensky who was a popular TV star and comedian at the time stormed to power winning the elections in 2019. However, his anti-Russia stance did not go down well with Putin as he began pushing for NATO membership.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports claim Putin is planning to proclaim Victor Yanukovych as Ukraine's next president even as President Zelensky has vowed to keep fighting against Russia. BREAKING: Russia has brought former Ukrainian President Yanukovych to Minsk.

Reports claim Putin is planning to proclaim Victor Yanukovych as Ukraine's next president even as President Zelensky has vowed to keep fighting against Russia. BREAKING: Russia has brought former Ukrainian President Yanukovych to Minsk. Putin is preparing to proclaim him the new President of Ukraine. Source: @ukrpravda_news pic.twitter.com/Zpmf87eIEs — Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 2, 2022 × Who is Viktor Yanukovych? Former President Viktor Yanukovych had come to power in 2010 but was overthrown after violent protests hit the country in 2014. The demonstrations against the former president erupted after he refused to sign a trade deal with European Union (EU) as he sought closer ties with Russia. Yanukovych was backed by Putin's regime as it tried to put him back in power but it failed as he fled east from Kyiv to Kharkiv before travelling to Russia. He was also the prime minister of the country from 2006 to 2007 and for a brief period before 2005. He was also the governor of Donetsk Oblast in eastern Ukraine from 1997 to 2002. He ran for president for the first time in 2004 in controversial elections amid fraud allegations. The election led to the Orange revolution as the Ukraine Supreme Court moved to nullify the results and ordered fresh polls. Yanukovych lost the polls to Yushchenko in the second election. What was the "Euromaidan" linked to Yanukovych? The protests began in November 2013 in Independence Square in Kyiv as Yanukovych refused to sign the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement even as the demonstrators demanded the resignation of Yanukovych. The protesters violently clashed with police in Ukraine with the main demonstration taking place at Maidan (central square) in Kyiv. The protests began with the Twitter hashtag "Euromaidan", the protests mainly took place in a Maidan Nezalezhnosti in central Kyiv which became the rallying point for anti-Yanukovych protests. The protesters finally had their way as Yanukovych fled the country and the demonstrators took control of the presidential administration and his private estate. Who was Yanukovych's successor? Yanukovych left the country as Oleksandr Turchynov came to power followed by Petro Poroshenko. However, Zelensky who was a popular TV star and comedian at the time stormed to power winning the elections in 2019. However, his anti-Russia stance did not go down well with Putin as he began pushing for NATO membership. (With inputs from Agencies)

Putin's pick for next Ukraine president: Who is ​​​​​​​Viktor Yanukovych?

An Indian student told news agency ANI that the Indian flag not only saved Indians stranded in Ukraine, but it also helped Pakistani and Turkish students fleeing the war-torn country.

The Indian students who arrived in the city of Bucharest, Romania from Ukraine said that the Indian flag helped them, as well as some Pakistani and Turkish students, safely cross the various checkpoints.

"The Indian flag was also being used by Turkish and Pakistani students, a student said, adding that the Indian flag had been of tremendous help to them as well.

A medical student from Odesa, Ukraine, stated, "In Ukraine, we were advised that if we bring an Indian flag with us, we won't have any problems."

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | "We were easily given clearance due to the Indian flag; made the flag using a curtain &amp; colour spray...Both Indian flag &amp; Indians were of great help to the Pakistani, Turkish students," said Indians students after their arrival in Bucharest, Romania<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineCrisis?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineCrisis</a> <a href="https://t.co/vag59CcPVf">pic.twitter.com/vag59CcPVf</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1498847286818131969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The Union Minister, G. Kishan Reddy, had previously recommended Indian students stranded in Ukraine's crisis-stricken country to fly the national flag on their vehicles to ensure a safe departure.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/why-is-ukraine-such-a-popular-choice-for-indian-medical-students-456990">Also read | Why is Ukraine such a popular choice for Indian medical students?</a>

The students also described how they purchased spray paints from the marketplaces and used them to create an Indian flag on their own. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/stop-criticising-indian-students-stuck-in-ukraine-they-need-to-be-appreciated-457069">Also read | Stop criticising Indian students stuck in Ukraine; they need to be appreciated</a>

"I dashed inside the store and purchased some colour sprays and a curtain.After that, I cut the curtain and spray-painted the Indian tricolour on it "explained one of the students.&nbsp;

They didn't have much trouble at Molodova because the Indian embassy had already made the necessary arrangements. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-wipes-out-bloodthirsty-chechen-special-forces-sent-to-zelensky-457107">Also read | Ukraine wipes out 'bloodthirsty' Chechen special forces sent to assassinate Zelensky</a>

The students also thanked the Indian embassy authorities for providing them with food and lodging as they awaited their flights back to India.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

An Indian student told news agency ANI that the Indian flag not only saved Indians stranded in Ukraine, but it also helped Pakistani and Turkish students fleeing the war-torn country.

An Indian student told news agency ANI that the Indian flag not only saved Indians stranded in Ukraine, but it also helped Pakistani and Turkish students fleeing the war-torn country. The Indian students who arrived in the city of Bucharest, Romania from Ukraine said that the Indian flag helped them, as well as some Pakistani and Turkish students, safely cross the various checkpoints. "The Indian flag was also being used by Turkish and Pakistani students, a student said, adding that the Indian flag had been of tremendous help to them as well. A medical student from Odesa, Ukraine, stated, "In Ukraine, we were advised that if we bring an Indian flag with us, we won't have any problems." #WATCH | "We were easily given clearance due to the Indian flag; made the flag using a curtain & colour spray...Both Indian flag & Indians were of great help to the Pakistani, Turkish students," said Indians students after their arrival in Bucharest, Romania#UkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/vag59CcPVf — ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2022 × The Union Minister, G. Kishan Reddy, had previously recommended Indian students stranded in Ukraine's crisis-stricken country to fly the national flag on their vehicles to ensure a safe departure. Also read | Why is Ukraine such a popular choice for Indian medical students? The students also described how they purchased spray paints from the marketplaces and used them to create an Indian flag on their own. Also read | Stop criticising Indian students stuck in Ukraine; they need to be appreciated "I dashed inside the store and purchased some colour sprays and a curtain.After that, I cut the curtain and spray-painted the Indian tricolour on it "explained one of the students. They didn't have much trouble at Molodova because the Indian embassy had already made the necessary arrangements. Also read | Ukraine wipes out 'bloodthirsty' Chechen special forces sent to assassinate Zelensky The students also thanked the Indian embassy authorities for providing them with food and lodging as they awaited their flights back to India. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch | Indian flag helped Pakistani, Turkish students cross Ukraine border, says Indian student

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;put out a tweet expressing his grief and outrage over the current situation in his country after Russia bombed a TV tower in Kyiv, killing at least five people.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-forces-hit-kyiv-tv-tower-at-least-5-killed-457926">Also read | Russian forces hit Kyiv TV tower; at least 5 killed</a>

He tweeted, "To the world: what is the point of saying «never again» for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating…".

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To the world: what is the point of saying «never again» for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating…
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1498697538085568514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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At least five persons were murdered on March 1 as Russian soldiers fired a missile at Kyiv's major television tower and the city's largest Holocaust memorial, according to Ukrainian officials. The strike came after Russia threatened to launch "high-precision" strikes on the Ukrainian capital. 
 
"Never again" is a motto linked with Nazi Germany's Holocaust of Jews.

The slogan can also be found on Holocaust memorials such as the concentration camp of Dachau.

Around time, the term has been used all over the world to denounce and grieve terrorist attacks and genocides.

The president of Ukraine's remark is a jab at world powers that have sworn for decades not to repeat the horrors of Nazi Germany but have remained mute on Russia's ongoing military action.&nbsp;

The reference to Babyn Yar is especially significant: the ravine, which is now part of the Kyiv neighbourhood, was the site of Holocaust-era Jewish killings.

In September 1941, nearly 33,000 Jews were shot dead at Babyn Yar, making it one of the greatest mass killings under the Nazi dictatorship.

In following years, the ravine was the site of killings of Soviet Union prisoners of war and Ukrainian nationalists.

Russia has begun attacking civilian and governmental structures after failing to capture control of any major Ukrainian city six days after invading the nation.&nbsp; 
 
Watch | Gravitas: Putin's war marks new era of hard power politics

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The attack on the TV tower, which is located a few kilometres from central Kyiv and a short walk from multiple apartment buildings, killed five people and injured five more, according to Ukrainian officials.&nbsp;

Officials reported a TV control room and a power substation were affected, and at least some Ukrainian networks went dark for a time.

Later, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, announced on Facebook that a "powerful missile attack on the territory where the (Babi) Yar memorial complex is located" was underway.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Western companies profiting from Russia's war

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(With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a tweet expressing his grief and outrage over the current situation in his country after Russia bombed a TV tower in Kyiv, killing at least five people.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky put out a tweet expressing his grief and outrage over the current situation in his country after Russia bombed a TV tower in Kyiv, killing at least five people. Also read | Russian forces hit Kyiv TV tower; at least 5 killed He tweeted, "To the world: what is the point of saying «never again» for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating…". To the world: what is the point of saying «never again» for 80 years, if the world stays silent when a bomb drops on the same site of Babyn Yar? At least 5 killed. History repeating… — Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2022 × At least five persons were murdered on March 1 as Russian soldiers fired a missile at Kyiv's major television tower and the city's largest Holocaust memorial, according to Ukrainian officials. The strike came after Russia threatened to launch "high-precision" strikes on the Ukrainian capital. "Never again" is a motto linked with Nazi Germany's Holocaust of Jews. The slogan can also be found on Holocaust memorials such as the concentration camp of Dachau. Around time, the term has been used all over the world to denounce and grieve terrorist attacks and genocides. The president of Ukraine's remark is a jab at world powers that have sworn for decades not to repeat the horrors of Nazi Germany but have remained mute on Russia's ongoing military action. The reference to Babyn Yar is especially significant: the ravine, which is now part of the Kyiv neighbourhood, was the site of Holocaust-era Jewish killings. In September 1941, nearly 33,000 Jews were shot dead at Babyn Yar, making it one of the greatest mass killings under the Nazi dictatorship. In following years, the ravine was the site of killings of Soviet Union prisoners of war and Ukrainian nationalists. Russia has begun attacking civilian and governmental structures after failing to capture control of any major Ukrainian city six days after invading the nation. Watch | Gravitas: Putin's war marks new era of hard power politics The attack on the TV tower, which is located a few kilometres from central Kyiv and a short walk from multiple apartment buildings, killed five people and injured five more, according to Ukrainian officials. Officials reported a TV control room and a power substation were affected, and at least some Ukrainian networks went dark for a time. Later, Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine's presidential office, announced on Facebook that a "powerful missile attack on the territory where the (Babi) Yar memorial complex is located" was underway. Watch | Gravitas: Western companies profiting from Russia's war (With inputs from agencies)

World is silent and history is repeating itself: Zelensky as 5 die after Russia bombs TV tower

As a child in the Russian city of Volgograd, Nina Ryakhovskaya grew up with her younger cousin, sliding in their socks on their grandmother’s wooden floor, pretending to be figure skaters and confiding secrets and crushes to each other.

Now 40, and living in Kyiv with her Ukrainian husband, Ryakhovskaya recently called her cousin in Volgograd to tell her the Russians were invading Ukraine. Her cousin did not believe there was an invasion and told her that Russia was only conducting an operation against Nazis there, she said.

“It makes me feel like we are distant forever,” Ryakhovskaya said in a video call from a house in the countryside near Kyiv, where she fled with her husband and 7-year-old son as the Russian invasion unfolded. “I can’t forgive them. I can’t forgive that they are part of this.”

Because of their countries’ complex and intertwined history, many Ukrainians and Russians have relatives from both sides of the border who are now standing on opposite sides of the war. The conflict triggered by President Vladimir Putin of Russia has gone beyond the front lines and into the families of many Ukrainians and Russians, as well as the diasporas of those peoples around the world.

The war has already created family rifts and prompted fears among some that relatives will harm each other in battle.

“I have cousins on both sides,” said Dan Hubbard, a professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. “I dread them killing each other.”

Hubbard, 64, was raised in the United States by his mother, who was Russian, and his Ukrainian great-grandmother. He fondly recalled how the two women used to share homemade cabbage pie while playing cards and making fun of each other’s accents.

Today, some members of his family live near Moscow and others are outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which is now under siege by Russian forces. Both his Russian and Ukrainian cousins are old enough to enlist in the army. Hubbard says he has been trying to avoid the news because it causes him too much pain.

“I feel for both sides because Russian boys don’t even know why they are there,” he said. “My cousins are killing one another because of a madman’s fantasy.”

Zoya, a 25-year-old assistant at a cosmetics company in St. Petersburg, is the daughter of a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father. She grew up near Moscow, but her paternal grandmother spoke to her in Ukrainian, read her Ukrainian poems and sang her Ukrainian songs.

“This conflict is like when your mom and dad have a fight,” said Zoya, who, like several people interviewed for this article, asked to be identified only by her first name for fear of repercussions in Russia. “You can’t choose one of them because you love them both.”

In a 2011 poll, 49% of Ukrainians said they had relatives in Russia, and there were 2.6 million Ukrainian citizens living in Russia in 2015, according to one study.

With a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father, Alona Cherkassky grew up in Moscow but spent her summers in Odessa, Ukraine, where her grandparents lived. As an adult, she prided herself on her double heritage. But with the Russian invasion, it has become a source of pain.

“It feels like a very personal attack,” said Cherkassky, 45, who now lives in London.

Cherkassky’s cousin Georgy, 44, a Russian animator, lives in Moscow with his wife, who is from Odessa, the seaside city where the Russian navy came ashore during the invasion. He said that his wife did not separate her Ukrainian identity from her adoptive Russian one until recently.

“Of course since they are bombing her homeland, she is thinking of herself more as Ukrainian,” Georgy said.

The kinship bond between Russians and Ukrainians that many people of mixed origin described has also been emphasized by Putin, who has repeatedly pointed out that the countries share a common heritage. But while for many this closeness made the invasion even more devastating, for Putin it was a justification for it.

“On the one side, our president says we’re all one people,” said Georgy, “but on the other side, he’s bombing them.”

Olena, who has a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father, said her parents were sheltering underground from Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, near the Russian border.

Olena said she grew up in both Ukraine and Russia, speaking a mix of both languages, reading literature and listening to a cross-border mix of pop music.

Now she lives in France, and she reads her children Russian and Ukrainian fairy tales and sings lullabies to them from both countries. But since Russia’s invasion, her children have started to ask which country is theirs.

“How can I say I am more Russian or more Ukrainian?” she asked. “I never needed to.”

Some people torn between the two countries expressed their distress on social media.

“My son is almost 6. His mother’s country of birth bombs his father’s,” Alexander Kolyandr, who identified himself as an analyst for an investment bank in Moscow, wrote on Twitter.

“My mom’s from Russia, my dad’s a Russian speaker from Ukraine,” Evan Gershkovich, a Moscow correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, wrote on Twitter on the war’s first day. “Today still isn’t computing even after weeks of watching this develop in real-time.”

In the house where she is staying in the Ukrainian countryside, Ryakhovskaya said she was freezing because when she left Kyiv she was in shock and took only summer clothes. She has now become scared of the dark. At night, she and her family only use headlamps so as to not attract the attention of Russian troops by turning on the house lights.

The fallout with her family in Russia has only added to her distress.

“It’s even harder because you lose your relatives,” she said. “They don’t believe a person they know from their childhood,” she added. “They believe the TV.”

As a child in the Russian city of Volgograd, Nina Ryakhovskaya grew up with her younger cousin, sliding in their socks on their grandmother’s wooden floor, pretending to be figure skaters and confiding secrets and crushes to each other.

As a child in the Russian city of Volgograd, Nina Ryakhovskaya grew up with her younger cousin, sliding in their socks on their grandmother’s wooden floor, pretending to be figure skaters and confiding secrets and crushes to each other. Now 40, and living in Kyiv with her Ukrainian husband, Ryakhovskaya recently called her cousin in Volgograd to tell her the Russians were invading Ukraine. Her cousin did not believe there was an invasion and told her that Russia was only conducting an operation against Nazis there, she said. “It makes me feel like we are distant forever,” Ryakhovskaya said in a video call from a house in the countryside near Kyiv, where she fled with her husband and 7-year-old son as the Russian invasion unfolded. “I can’t forgive them. I can’t forgive that they are part of this.” Because of their countries’ complex and intertwined history, many Ukrainians and Russians have relatives from both sides of the border who are now standing on opposite sides of the war. The conflict triggered by President Vladimir Putin of Russia has gone beyond the front lines and into the families of many Ukrainians and Russians, as well as the diasporas of those peoples around the world. The war has already created family rifts and prompted fears among some that relatives will harm each other in battle. “I have cousins on both sides,” said Dan Hubbard, a professor at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia. “I dread them killing each other.” Hubbard, 64, was raised in the United States by his mother, who was Russian, and his Ukrainian great-grandmother. He fondly recalled how the two women used to share homemade cabbage pie while playing cards and making fun of each other’s accents. Today, some members of his family live near Moscow and others are outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, which is now under siege by Russian forces. Both his Russian and Ukrainian cousins are old enough to enlist in the army. Hubbard says he has been trying to avoid the news because it causes him too much pain. “I feel for both sides because Russian boys don’t even know why they are there,” he said. “My cousins are killing one another because of a madman’s fantasy.” Zoya, a 25-year-old assistant at a cosmetics company in St. Petersburg, is the daughter of a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father. She grew up near Moscow, but her paternal grandmother spoke to her in Ukrainian, read her Ukrainian poems and sang her Ukrainian songs. “This conflict is like when your mom and dad have a fight,” said Zoya, who, like several people interviewed for this article, asked to be identified only by her first name for fear of repercussions in Russia. “You can’t choose one of them because you love them both.” In a 2011 poll, 49% of Ukrainians said they had relatives in Russia, and there were 2.6 million Ukrainian citizens living in Russia in 2015, according to one study. With a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father, Alona Cherkassky grew up in Moscow but spent her summers in Odessa, Ukraine, where her grandparents lived. As an adult, she prided herself on her double heritage. But with the Russian invasion, it has become a source of pain. “It feels like a very personal attack,” said Cherkassky, 45, who now lives in London. Cherkassky’s cousin Georgy, 44, a Russian animator, lives in Moscow with his wife, who is from Odessa, the seaside city where the Russian navy came ashore during the invasion. He said that his wife did not separate her Ukrainian identity from her adoptive Russian one until recently. “Of course since they are bombing her homeland, she is thinking of herself more as Ukrainian,” Georgy said. The kinship bond between Russians and Ukrainians that many people of mixed origin described has also been emphasized by Putin, who has repeatedly pointed out that the countries share a common heritage. But while for many this closeness made the invasion even more devastating, for Putin it was a justification for it. “On the one side, our president says we’re all one people,” said Georgy, “but on the other side, he’s bombing them.” Olena, who has a Russian mother and a Ukrainian father, said her parents were sheltering underground from Russian shelling in the eastern Ukrainian region of Sumy, near the Russian border. Olena said she grew up in both Ukraine and Russia, speaking a mix of both languages, reading literature and listening to a cross-border mix of pop music. Now she lives in France, and she reads her children Russian and Ukrainian fairy tales and sings lullabies to them from both countries. But since Russia’s invasion, her children have started to ask which country is theirs. “How can I say I am more Russian or more Ukrainian?” she asked. “I never needed to.” Some people torn between the two countries expressed their distress on social media. “My son is almost 6. His mother’s country of birth bombs his father’s,” Alexander Kolyandr, who identified himself as an analyst for an investment bank in Moscow, wrote on Twitter. “My mom’s from Russia, my dad’s a Russian speaker from Ukraine,” Evan Gershkovich, a Moscow correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, wrote on Twitter on the war’s first day. “Today still isn’t computing even after weeks of watching this develop in real-time.” In the house where she is staying in the Ukrainian countryside, Ryakhovskaya said she was freezing because when she left Kyiv she was in shock and took only summer clothes. She has now become scared of the dark. At night, she and her family only use headlamps so as to not attract the attention of Russian troops by turning on the house lights. The fallout with her family in Russia has only added to her distress. “It’s even harder because you lose your relatives,” she said. “They don’t believe a person they know from their childhood,” she added. “They believe the TV.”

'My cousins are killing one another': War in Ukraine splits mixed families

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.

After Russia warned residents in Kyiv to stay away from intelligence infrastructure, reports said the main television tower was hit amid escalating attacks on Ukraine's capital.

Reports said at least five people were killed after the Russian strike on the TV tower. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said the tower was located near a memorial site that commemorates the victims of Babyn Yar, a holocaust memorial.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/facts-about-ukraine-that-have-long-been-disputed-by-great-empires-457442">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Facts about Ukraine that have long been disputed by great empires</a>

"Russian troops fired on the TV tower, near the Memorial complex Babyn Yar," Ukraine's foreign ministry said, adding,"Russian criminals do not stop at anything in their barbarism."

US secretary of state Anthony Blinken had said earlier that civilian cars, buses and ambulances were&nbsp;being targeted by Russian forces including schools and hospitals as he suggested that Putin's Russia should be stripped off UN rights council membership.

Watch:&nbsp;US and Europe sanction Putin but where are his assets?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-and-europe-sanctions-putin-but-where-are-his-assets-457905/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"If Russian President Vladimir Putin achieves his goal of ousting the government in Kyiv, the humanitarian and rights crises in Ukraine will only get worse", Blinken warned as Russia continued its offensive against Ukraine for the sixth day on Tuesday.

UK PM Johnson said Putin has made a "miscalculation" based on evidence on how Ukrainians had responded.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-attack-wars-in-europe-since-fall-of-berlin-wall-457392">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Ukraine attack: Wars in Europe since fall of Berlin Wall</a>

"World has been united to praise the valour of the Ukraine people led by President Zelensky," PM Johnson said.

(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. After Russia warned residents in Kyiv to stay away from intelligence infrastructure, reports said the main television tower was hit amid escalating attacks on Ukraine's capital. Reports said at least five people were killed after the Russian strike on the TV tower. The Ukrainian foreign ministry said the tower was located near a memorial site that commemorates the victims of Babyn Yar, a holocaust memorial. Also Read in Pics: Facts about Ukraine that have long been disputed by great empires "Russian troops fired on the TV tower, near the Memorial complex Babyn Yar," Ukraine's foreign ministry said, adding,"Russian criminals do not stop at anything in their barbarism." US secretary of state Anthony Blinken had said earlier that civilian cars, buses and ambulances were being targeted by Russian forces including schools and hospitals as he suggested that Putin's Russia should be stripped off UN rights council membership. Watch: US and Europe sanction Putin but where are his assets? "If Russian President Vladimir Putin achieves his goal of ousting the government in Kyiv, the humanitarian and rights crises in Ukraine will only get worse", Blinken warned as Russia continued its offensive against Ukraine for the sixth day on Tuesday. UK PM Johnson said Putin has made a "miscalculation" based on evidence on how Ukrainians had responded. Also Read in Pics | Ukraine attack: Wars in Europe since fall of Berlin Wall "World has been united to praise the valour of the Ukraine people led by President Zelensky," PM Johnson said. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russian forces hit Kyiv TV tower; at least 5 killed

India abstained on a procedural resolution to call for a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly on Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Two days after the Russian veto blocked a UNSC resolution on its aggression against Ukraine, the Security Council voted to convene an emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly on the crisis.

The 15-nation Security Council met on Sunday afternoon to hold a vote on the emergency special session of the General Assembly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Only 10 such emergency sessions of the General Assembly have been held since 1950.

India abstained, while Russia voted against the resolution and 11 council members voted in favour. The vote calling for the session was procedural so none of the five permanent members of the Security Council -- China, France, Russia, UK and the US -- could exercise their vetoes.

President of the 76th session of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid, who was to attend the 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, cancelled his trip "due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine and potential developments in the Security Council," for the vote.

He also met with Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya on Saturday after the veto on the draft resolution in the Security Council. Kyslytsya briefed Shahid "on the security situation in Kyiv and the potential action he would be seeking in the General Assembly."

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also cancelled his scheduled trip to Geneva for the Human Rights Council meeting "due to the aggravating situation in Ukraine."

The Security Council on Friday evening failed to adopt the US-sponsored resolution that would have deplored Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine after Moscow used its veto.

On Friday too, India, China and the UAE abstained from the resolution, while 11 members of the Council voted in favour.

The UNSC resolution was expected to be blocked since Russia, a permanent member of the Council and President of the UN organ for the month of February, was certain to use its veto. Western nations said the resolution had sought to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield had said after the failed UNSC vote that "we will be taking this matter to the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply and the nations of the world will continue to hold Russia accountable."

While a UNSC resolution would have been legally binding, General Assembly resolutions are not. A vote in the 193-member UN body is symbolic of world opinion.

In the explanation of vote in the Security Council on Friday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti had said India is "deeply disturbed" by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine and urges that all efforts be made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities.

Tirumurti also said India is "deeply concerned" about the welfare and security of the Indian community, including a large number of Indian students, in Ukraine.

"Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution," Tirumurti had said.

In March 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea, the General Assembly had adopted a resolution that underscored the "invalidity" of the referendum held in "autonomous Crimea".

By a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 11 against, with 58 abstentions, the Assembly had adopted a resolution titled 'Territorial Integrity of Ukraine', calling on States, international organisations and specialised agencies not to recognise any change in the status of Crimea or the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol, and to refrain from actions or dealings that might be interpreted as such. India had abstained from the resolution.

Under the resolution "Uniting for Peace", adopted by the General Assembly in November 1950, an emergency special session can be convened within 24 hours of such a meeting being requested.

The UNGA "resolves that if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in any case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately with a view to making appropriate recommendations to Members...," the resolution states.

"If not in session at the time, the General Assembly may meet in emergency special session within twenty-four hours of the request therefore. Such emergency special session shall be called if requested by the Security Council on the vote of any seven members, or by a majority of the Members of the United Nations," it says.

The UNGA resolution of 1950 also reaffirms the "importance of the exercise by the Security Council of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and the duty of the permanent members to seek unanimity and to exercise restraint in the use of the veto."

India abstained on a procedural resolution to call for a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Two days after the Russian veto blocked a UNSC resolution on its aggression against Ukraine, the Security Council voted to convene an emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly on the crisis.

India abstained on a procedural resolution to call for a rare special emergency session of the UN General Assembly on Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Two days after the Russian veto blocked a UNSC resolution on its aggression against Ukraine, the Security Council voted to convene an emergency special session of the 193-member General Assembly on the crisis. The 15-nation Security Council met on Sunday afternoon to hold a vote on the emergency special session of the General Assembly on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Only 10 such emergency sessions of the General Assembly have been held since 1950. India abstained, while Russia voted against the resolution and 11 council members voted in favour. The vote calling for the session was procedural so none of the five permanent members of the Security Council -- China, France, Russia, UK and the US -- could exercise their vetoes. President of the 76th session of the General Assembly Abdulla Shahid, who was to attend the 49th regular session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, cancelled his trip "due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine and potential developments in the Security Council," for the vote. He also met with Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya on Saturday after the veto on the draft resolution in the Security Council. Kyslytsya briefed Shahid "on the security situation in Kyiv and the potential action he would be seeking in the General Assembly." UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres also cancelled his scheduled trip to Geneva for the Human Rights Council meeting "due to the aggravating situation in Ukraine." The Security Council on Friday evening failed to adopt the US-sponsored resolution that would have deplored Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine after Moscow used its veto. On Friday too, India, China and the UAE abstained from the resolution, while 11 members of the Council voted in favour. The UNSC resolution was expected to be blocked since Russia, a permanent member of the Council and President of the UN organ for the month of February, was certain to use its veto. Western nations said the resolution had sought to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine. US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield had said after the failed UNSC vote that "we will be taking this matter to the General Assembly, where the Russian veto does not apply and the nations of the world will continue to hold Russia accountable." While a UNSC resolution would have been legally binding, General Assembly resolutions are not. A vote in the 193-member UN body is symbolic of world opinion. In the explanation of vote in the Security Council on Friday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti had said India is "deeply disturbed" by the recent turn of developments in Ukraine and urges that all efforts be made for the immediate cessation of violence and hostilities. Tirumurti also said India is "deeply concerned" about the welfare and security of the Indian community, including a large number of Indian students, in Ukraine. "Dialogue is the only answer to settling differences and disputes, however daunting that may appear at this moment. It is a matter of regret that the path of diplomacy was given up. We must return to it. For all these reasons, India has chosen to abstain on this resolution," Tirumurti had said. In March 2014, after Russia's annexation of Crimea, the General Assembly had adopted a resolution that underscored the "invalidity" of the referendum held in "autonomous Crimea". By a recorded vote of 100 in favour to 11 against, with 58 abstentions, the Assembly had adopted a resolution titled 'Territorial Integrity of Ukraine', calling on States, international organisations and specialised agencies not to recognise any change in the status of Crimea or the Black Sea port city of Sevastopol, and to refrain from actions or dealings that might be interpreted as such. India had abstained from the resolution. Under the resolution "Uniting for Peace", adopted by the General Assembly in November 1950, an emergency special session can be convened within 24 hours of such a meeting being requested. The UNGA "resolves that if the Security Council, because of lack of unanimity of the permanent members, fails to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security in any case where there appears to be a threat to the peace, breach of the peace, or act of aggression, the General Assembly shall consider the matter immediately with a view to making appropriate recommendations to Members...," the resolution states. "If not in session at the time, the General Assembly may meet in emergency special session within twenty-four hours of the request therefore. Such emergency special session shall be called if requested by the Security Council on the vote of any seven members, or by a majority of the Members of the United Nations," it says. The UNGA resolution of 1950 also reaffirms the "importance of the exercise by the Security Council of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and the duty of the permanent members to seek unanimity and to exercise restraint in the use of the veto."

India abstains from UNSC procedural vote to call for General Assembly session on 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.

A video of a man blocking a Russian military convoy has gone viral with many calling him the "tank man".

A short 30-second video clip shared by Ukraine's news outlets showed a man suddenly appearing before the convoy as the military vehicles were moving at top speed.

The convoy was halted by the man for a few seconds as he&nbsp;sought to stop the string of vehicles on the road. The vehicles then began bypassing him.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/strike-force-russias-tornado-s-rocket-system-can-strike-multiple-targets-454294">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia's Tornado-S rocket system can strike multiple targets</a>

The man's heroics was immediately compared to the iconic "tank man" of Tiananmen Square during the student uprising against the Communist Party in China in 1989.

(Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.)

Netizens applauded the risk taken by the anonymous person as&nbsp;they slammed the Russian assault on Ukraine.

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> 's own "Tank Man" throws himself against an entire Russian column. <a href="https://t.co/egSg8FsYlu">pic.twitter.com/egSg8FsYlu</a>
— ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ (@DesiPepe) <a href="https://twitter.com/DesiPepe/status/1497202087100559371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"TANK MAN" in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PutinsWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PutinsWar</a> <a href="https://t.co/PIwixEUv40">pic.twitter.com/PIwixEUv40</a>
— Brent Erickson (@BErickson_BIO) <a href="https://twitter.com/BErickson_BIO/status/1497200479801073665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ukrainian man pulling his best tank man with a Russian convoy <a href="https://t.co/27R3iXBmRv">pic.twitter.com/27R3iXBmRv</a>
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) <a href="https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1497199623114575872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Ukrainian forces continued to resist the massive Russian assault for the third consecutive day on Saturday&nbsp;amid heavy fighting in capital Kyiv. There were reports of heavy gunfire around residential areas in Kyiv.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/why-russia-has-parked-iskander-m-missile-system-along-ukraine-448119">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Why Russia has parked Iskander-M missile system along Ukraine</a>

The US embassy in Kyiv said that the "security situation throughout Ukraine remains highly volatile" and that "conditions may deteriorate" as heavy gunfire could be heard in the capital.

There were reports of shelling in central Kyiv with gunfire heard after dawn on Saturday near government buildings at the city centre.

(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. A video of a man blocking a Russian military convoy has gone viral with many calling him the "tank man". A short 30-second video clip shared by Ukraine's news outlets showed a man suddenly appearing before the convoy as the military vehicles were moving at top speed. The convoy was halted by the man for a few seconds as he sought to stop the string of vehicles on the road. The vehicles then began bypassing him. Also Read in Pics: Russia's Tornado-S rocket system can strike multiple targets The man's heroics was immediately compared to the iconic "tank man" of Tiananmen Square during the student uprising against the Communist Party in China in 1989. (Disclaimer: WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos and videos shared on social media.) Netizens applauded the risk taken by the anonymous person as they slammed the Russian assault on Ukraine. #Ukraine 's own "Tank Man" throws himself against an entire Russian column. pic.twitter.com/egSg8FsYlu — ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ (@DesiPepe) February 25, 2022 × "TANK MAN" in #Ukraine #Russia #PutinsWar pic.twitter.com/PIwixEUv40 — Brent Erickson (@BErickson_BIO) February 25, 2022 × Ukrainian man pulling his best tank man with a Russian convoy pic.twitter.com/27R3iXBmRv — OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 25, 2022 × Ukrainian forces continued to resist the massive Russian assault for the third consecutive day on Saturday amid heavy fighting in capital Kyiv. There were reports of heavy gunfire around residential areas in Kyiv. Also Read in Pics: Why Russia has parked Iskander-M missile system along Ukraine The US embassy in Kyiv said that the "security situation throughout Ukraine remains highly volatile" and that "conditions may deteriorate" as heavy gunfire could be heard in the capital. There were reports of shelling in central Kyiv with gunfire heard after dawn on Saturday near government buildings at the city centre. (With inputs from Agencies)

Watch: Ukraine's 'tank man' halts Russian military convoy; Twitter applauds as video goes viral

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.

As Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine, the Zelenksy government said a Moldovan-flagged chemical tanker and a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship was hit by missiles from Russian warships near the Odessa port in the Black Sea.&nbsp;

Ukraine's defence forces said it had "repulsed" an attack on the capital's Victory Avenue.

Ukraine President Zelensky had said on Friday that Russian "sabotage" groups had entered capital Kyiv as Russian defence forces conducted heavy bombing on the capital.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-dagger-on-ukraine-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-can-degrade-high-value-targets-447431">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Russia's 'Dagger': Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade high value targets</a>

As the battle for Kyiv intensified, residents armed themselves as the government said anyone between the age of 18 and 60 could&nbsp;pick up a gun and get ready to fight.

Reports claimed Russian soldiers were trying to capture the city's electricity generating plant with the war&nbsp;raging&nbsp;inside the capital. Reports said intense gunfire and artillery rounds could be heard in capital Kyiv.

Watch:&nbsp;Kyiv residents rush to bunkers amid reports of explosions

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kyiv-residents-rush-to-bunkers-amid-reports-of-explosions-what-ukraine-president-said-456625/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Amid the fighting, Ukrainians sought shelter&nbsp;in underground Metro stations and in nearby churches as residents continued to seek safety from the escalating Russian attacks.

Reports said Ukrainians began fleeing to Romania driving in trucks and cars mostly comprising of women and children with men banned from leaving the country due to the fighting.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-next-wonder-weapon-kedr-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-454013">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile</a>

Reports said Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in heavy fighting in the northern district in the country's capital. Amid the fierce fighting, the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria announced they would be closing their airspace to Russian carriers.

"As of midnight today, we are halting the traffic of all Russian airline companies in Czech airspace," transport minister Martin Kupka said as Poland declared that the "ban will apply from midnight".

Bulgaria said it will close its airspace to Russian carriers&nbsp;due to "the worsening military conflict and in solidarity with Ukraine."

Russian forces unleashed a three-pronged attack on Ukraine from the north, east and south as tanks entered the breakaway regions. Russian forces said that Hostomel airfield near Kyiv was annexed on Friday as it launched its ground attack on Kyiv.

(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. As Russia continued its strikes on Ukraine, the Zelenksy government said a Moldovan-flagged chemical tanker and a Panamanian-flagged cargo ship was hit by missiles from Russian warships near the Odessa port in the Black Sea. Ukraine's defence forces said it had "repulsed" an attack on the capital's Victory Avenue. Ukraine President Zelensky had said on Friday that Russian "sabotage" groups had entered capital Kyiv as Russian defence forces conducted heavy bombing on the capital. Also Read in Pics | Russia's 'Dagger': Kinzhal hypersonic missiles can degrade high value targets As the battle for Kyiv intensified, residents armed themselves as the government said anyone between the age of 18 and 60 could pick up a gun and get ready to fight. Reports claimed Russian soldiers were trying to capture the city's electricity generating plant with the war raging inside the capital. Reports said intense gunfire and artillery rounds could be heard in capital Kyiv. Watch: Kyiv residents rush to bunkers amid reports of explosions Amid the fighting, Ukrainians sought shelter in underground Metro stations and in nearby churches as residents continued to seek safety from the escalating Russian attacks. Reports said Ukrainians began fleeing to Romania driving in trucks and cars mostly comprising of women and children with men banned from leaving the country due to the fighting. Also Read in Pics | Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile Reports said Russian and Ukrainian forces were engaged in heavy fighting in the northern district in the country's capital. Amid the fierce fighting, the Czech Republic, Poland and Bulgaria announced they would be closing their airspace to Russian carriers. "As of midnight today, we are halting the traffic of all Russian airline companies in Czech airspace," transport minister Martin Kupka said as Poland declared that the "ban will apply from midnight". Bulgaria said it will close its airspace to Russian carriers due to "the worsening military conflict and in solidarity with Ukraine." Russian forces unleashed a three-pronged attack on Ukraine from the north, east and south as tanks entered the breakaway regions. Russian forces said that Hostomel airfield near Kyiv was annexed on Friday as it launched its ground attack on Kyiv. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ships hit by Russian missiles near Odessa port: 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.

Amid heavy fighting in the Ukrainian capital, President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message said: "My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state." &nbsp;

US press secretary Jen Psaki sought to defend Zelensky saying: "Obviously going after a head of state would be a significant, horrific act by the Russian leadership."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/eye-on-ukraine-why-russia-is-raising-second-regiment-of-avangard-hypersonic-missile-system-452390">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Why Russia is raising second regiment of Avangard hypersonic missile system</a>

Zelensky on Friday had said he is "target No-1" for Russian forces amid heavy fighting inside Kyiv between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops.

"He is still in Ukraine, proudly and courageously facing up the Russian attack,” Psaki added. US President Joe Biden had earlier spoken to the Ukraine president as Russian forces continued to pound capital Kyiv&nbsp;for the third consecutive day.

Watch:&nbsp;NATO deploys rapid response force

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-nato-deploys-rapid-response-force-456635/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Reports say the whereabouts of the Ukrainian president is unknown. Zelensky had said on Friday that Russian "sabotage" groups had entered Kyiv. Late on Friday, the Ukrainian president said Russian troops will try to storm Kyiv.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-are-hypersonic-missiles-different-is-it-the-new-wonder-weapon-444335">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How are hypersonic missiles different, is it the new 'wonder weapon'?</a>

"This night will be more difficult than the day. Many cities of our state are under attack," Zelensky said in a video message. Ukraine's military said it had downed &nbsp;"two enemy targets" while identifying a SU-25 helicopter and a bomber in the separatist eastern region.

The military said it had "knocked down" a Russian transport plane near Vasylkiv city which is located southwest of Kyiv.

(With inputs from Agencies) 
&nbsp;

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. Amid heavy fighting in the Ukrainian capital, President Volodymyr Zelensky in a video message said: "My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state." US press secretary Jen Psaki sought to defend Zelensky saying: "Obviously going after a head of state would be a significant, horrific act by the Russian leadership." Also Read in Pics: Why Russia is raising second regiment of Avangard hypersonic missile system Zelensky on Friday had said he is "target No-1" for Russian forces amid heavy fighting inside Kyiv between Ukrainian forces and Russian troops. "He is still in Ukraine, proudly and courageously facing up the Russian attack,” Psaki added. US President Joe Biden had earlier spoken to the Ukraine president as Russian forces continued to pound capital Kyiv for the third consecutive day. Watch: NATO deploys rapid response force Reports say the whereabouts of the Ukrainian president is unknown. Zelensky had said on Friday that Russian "sabotage" groups had entered Kyiv. Late on Friday, the Ukrainian president said Russian troops will try to storm Kyiv. Also Read in Pics: How are hypersonic missiles different, is it the new 'wonder weapon'? "This night will be more difficult than the day. Many cities of our state are under attack," Zelensky said in a video message. Ukraine's military said it had downed "two enemy targets" while identifying a SU-25 helicopter and a bomber in the separatist eastern region. The military said it had "knocked down" a Russian transport plane near Vasylkiv city which is located southwest of Kyiv. (With inputs from Agencies)

My family is the number two target, says Ukraine President Zelensky in video message

Satellite pictures show vehicles lined up at Ukraine-Romania border

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.

As Russia continued its assault on Ukraine, reports said an apartment block in Kyiv was hit by a missile.

Ukraine's defence ministry said Russian forces during the night launched strikes with "long-range precision weapons using air-and sea-launched cruise missiles" against the military infrastructure of Ukraine.

<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>

Amid the heavy fighting, Russian forces claimed they had annexed the Ukrainian city of Melitopol as its forces unleashed cruise missile and artillery strikes on several cities including capital Kyiv.

Watch: Zelenksy refuses US' offer to evacuate him

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/day-3-of-russian-invasion-zelensky-refused-us-offer-to-evacuate-him-from-ukraine-456695/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Ukraine said heavy fighting was continuing on the ground in the capital as the country's defence ministry claimed that it had shot down "two enemy targets were shot down" identifying them as a Russian SU-25 helicopter and a bomber in the separatist zone in the east.

Explosions were also heard in Kyiv's northern district Obolonsky as Ukrainian forces clashed with Russian troops&nbsp;on the streets. Ukrainian defence ministry claimed 2,800 Russian soldiers have been killed, although Russia is yet to release its casualty figures.

Reports quoting Ukrainian officials said Russian forces had launched cruise missiles from the Black Sea at Mariupol.&nbsp;Reports claimed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles were launched at Ukraine from the Black Sea.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-checkmate-why-the-orion-combat-drone-is-a-gamechanger-446455">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp; Russia's 'checkmate': Why the Orion combat drone is a gamechanger</a>

Meanwhile, French President Macron warned that the world "must be prepared" for a "long" war in Ukraine as Russia moved to suspend space launches from French Guiana over sanctions.

"I can tell you one thing this morning it is that this&nbsp;war&nbsp;will last," Macron said, adding,"&nbsp;"This crisis will last, this&nbsp;war&nbsp;will last and all the crises that come with it will have lasting consequences,"

"In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organizing space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel... from French Guiana," the Russian space agency said.

(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. As Russia continued its assault on Ukraine, reports said an apartment block in Kyiv was hit by a missile. Ukraine's defence ministry said Russian forces during the night launched strikes with "long-range precision weapons using air-and sea-launched cruise missiles" against the military infrastructure of Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system Amid the heavy fighting, Russian forces claimed they had annexed the Ukrainian city of Melitopol as its forces unleashed cruise missile and artillery strikes on several cities including capital Kyiv. Watch: Zelenksy refuses US' offer to evacuate him Ukraine said heavy fighting was continuing on the ground in the capital as the country's defence ministry claimed that it had shot down "two enemy targets were shot down" identifying them as a Russian SU-25 helicopter and a bomber in the separatist zone in the east. Explosions were also heard in Kyiv's northern district Obolonsky as Ukrainian forces clashed with Russian troops on the streets. Ukrainian defence ministry claimed 2,800 Russian soldiers have been killed, although Russia is yet to release its casualty figures. Reports quoting Ukrainian officials said Russian forces had launched cruise missiles from the Black Sea at Mariupol. Reports claimed Russian Kalibr cruise missiles were launched at Ukraine from the Black Sea. Also Read in Pics | Russia's 'checkmate': Why the Orion combat drone is a gamechanger Meanwhile, French President Macron warned that the world "must be prepared" for a "long" war in Ukraine as Russia moved to suspend space launches from French Guiana over sanctions. "I can tell you one thing this morning it is that this war will last," Macron said, adding," "This crisis will last, this war will last and all the crises that come with it will have lasting consequences," "In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organizing space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel... from French Guiana," the Russian space agency said. (With inputs from Agencies)

'This war will last': Ukraine apartment block in Kyiv hit by missiles

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.

To keep you up to speed, here are the top developments in the Ukraine-Russia war on Saturday, 26 February.

Zelenskyy says Ukrainian army not surrendering

Ukrainian President Volodymyr&nbsp;Zelensky recorded a video address in Kyiv on Saturday urging residents not to believe fake information about the surrender of the Ukrainian army. He said there was misinformation spreading on the internet about the Ukrainian army putting down arms and about the ongoing evacuation.

Zelensky&nbsp;claimed that he was in Kyiv and that the country's army wouldn't lay down arms.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-updates-ukraine-war-air-raid-sirens-ring-out-in-kyiv-after-amid-clashes-455211">Also Read |&nbsp;Live Updates:&nbsp;Air raid sirens ring out in Kyiv after amid clashes</a>

"Our arms are our truth," he said. "Our truth is that it's our land, our country, our children and we will defend all of this," he added.

His message comes as Russian troops stormed towards Kyiv and street fighting broke out in the Ukrainian capital.

Zelensky also said Western 'partners' are sending weapons to Ukraine

“A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with @EmmanuelMacron,” he tweeted, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron.

“Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!”

European Council membership for Ukraine?

In another tweet, the Ukraine president reported progress in Ukraine’s membership of the European Council. “The crucial moment has come to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in #ЄС.” He discussed with Charles Michel, the president of the European Council,&nbsp; “further effective assistance and heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future.”

Situation on the ground

There was heavy gunfire in Kyiv as Russian invasion of its former Soviet Union neighbour entered the third day on Saturday.

Street fighting was witnessed in Kyiv as people were urged to seek shelter.

Ukraine military command said areas near Sumy, Poltava and Mariupol hit by Russian air strikes.

Facebook moves against Russia

Meanwhile, Facebook said it is banning Russian state media from running ads and monetising its platforms.

Nathaniel Gleicher, the head of the Facebook security policy, said on Saturday that the social network would ban Russian state media from running ads and monetising the platform over the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

Sanctions hit space cooperation

Russia said it is suspending space launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its technical personnel in response to EU sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organizing space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel... from French Guiana," Dmitry Rogozin, chief of the Russian space agency, said on messaging app Telegram. 
&nbsp;

(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. To keep you up to speed, here are the top developments in the Ukraine-Russia war on Saturday, 26 February. Zelenskyy says Ukrainian army not surrendering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recorded a video address in Kyiv on Saturday urging residents not to believe fake information about the surrender of the Ukrainian army. He said there was misinformation spreading on the internet about the Ukrainian army putting down arms and about the ongoing evacuation. Zelensky claimed that he was in Kyiv and that the country's army wouldn't lay down arms. Also Read | Live Updates: Air raid sirens ring out in Kyiv after amid clashes "Our arms are our truth," he said. "Our truth is that it's our land, our country, our children and we will defend all of this," he added. His message comes as Russian troops stormed towards Kyiv and street fighting broke out in the Ukrainian capital. Zelensky also said Western 'partners' are sending weapons to Ukraine “A new day on the diplomatic frontline began with a conversation with @EmmanuelMacron,” he tweeted, referring to French President Emmanuel Macron. “Weapons and equipment from our partners are on the way to Ukraine. The anti-war coalition is working!” European Council membership for Ukraine? In another tweet, the Ukraine president reported progress in Ukraine’s membership of the European Council. “The crucial moment has come to close the long-standing discussion once and for all and decide on Ukraine's membership in #ЄС.” He discussed with Charles Michel, the president of the European Council, “further effective assistance and heroic struggle of Ukrainians for their free future.” Situation on the ground There was heavy gunfire in Kyiv as Russian invasion of its former Soviet Union neighbour entered the third day on Saturday. Street fighting was witnessed in Kyiv as people were urged to seek shelter. Ukraine military command said areas near Sumy, Poltava and Mariupol hit by Russian air strikes. Facebook moves against Russia Meanwhile, Facebook said it is banning Russian state media from running ads and monetising its platforms. Nathaniel Gleicher, the head of the Facebook security policy, said on Saturday that the social network would ban Russian state media from running ads and monetising the platform over the Russian military operation in Ukraine. Sanctions hit space cooperation Russia said it is suspending space launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its technical personnel in response to EU sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. "In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organizing space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel... from French Guiana," Dmitry Rogozin, chief of the Russian space agency, said on messaging app Telegram. (With inputs from agencies)

Ukraine not surrendering, says president: Top developments in Russia-Ukraine war right now

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky&nbsp;said Russian troops resumed missile attacks on Friday morning at 4am while declaring that both military and civilian targets were being hit.

The Ukraine president said Russian troops were stopped from advancing in most directions as reports said there was heavy bombing reported in capital Kyiv.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-underground-metro-stations-in-kyiv-serve-as-bomb-shelters-amid-russian-invasion-456185">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Underground metro stations in Kyiv serve as bomb shelters amid Russian invasion</a>

Zelensky&nbsp;told a television channel that the "world is continuing to observe what is going on&nbsp;in Ukraine from afar."

The Ukraine&nbsp;president had said earlier said that a "new Iron Curtain" had descended and it "is closing Russia off from the civilised world".

President Putin had earlier said Russia's response would be "immediate" against "whoever tries to hinder us". "It will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history," the Russian president warned amid strikes against Ukraine on Friday.

Watch:&nbsp;Civilian areas of Kyiv report massive missile strikes

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Zelensky&nbsp;added that sanctions imposed on Russia are "not enough".

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted Ukraine's government adviser as saying that Russia plans to break through into Kyiv with tanks. The government official said defenders in Kyiv were ready with "anti-tank missiles supplied by our allies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russia-ukraine-conflict-day-2-of-the-russian-attack-456268">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;First pictures of attack on Kyiv on Day 2</a>

Newswire Reuters quoting Ukraine's deputy defence minister said army units were "defending positions on four&nbsp;fronts despite being outnumbered".

The minister reportedly said that Russian forces "may enter areas just outside Kyiv today".

(With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian troops resumed missile attacks on Friday morning at 4am while declaring that both military and civilian targets were being hit.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian troops resumed missile attacks on Friday morning at 4am while declaring that both military and civilian targets were being hit. The Ukraine president said Russian troops were stopped from advancing in most directions as reports said there was heavy bombing reported in capital Kyiv. Also Read in Pics: Underground metro stations in Kyiv serve as bomb shelters amid Russian invasion Zelensky told a television channel that the "world is continuing to observe what is going on in Ukraine from afar." The Ukraine president had said earlier said that a "new Iron Curtain" had descended and it "is closing Russia off from the civilised world". President Putin had earlier said Russia's response would be "immediate" against "whoever tries to hinder us". "It will lead you to such consequences that you have never encountered in your history," the Russian president warned amid strikes against Ukraine on Friday. Watch: Civilian areas of Kyiv report massive missile strikes Zelensky added that sanctions imposed on Russia are "not enough". Meanwhile, Reuters quoted Ukraine's government adviser as saying that Russia plans to break through into Kyiv with tanks. The government official said defenders in Kyiv were ready with "anti-tank missiles supplied by our allies". Also Read in Pics: First pictures of attack on Kyiv on Day 2 Newswire Reuters quoting Ukraine's deputy defence minister said army units were "defending positions on four fronts despite being outnumbered". The minister reportedly said that Russian forces "may enter areas just outside Kyiv today". (With inputs from Agencies)

Sanctions imposed on Russia 'not enough', says Ukraine President Zelensky

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's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday hit out against Russian strikes on Kyiv describing it as "horrific".

"Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany," Kuleba said, adding, "Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Horrific Russian rocket strikes on Kyiv. Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany. Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhete.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) <a href="https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1497058048430460934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
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"Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhere," Ukraine's foreign minister said.

<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>

Meanwhile, reports said sirens went off in western Ukraine as Russian strikes continued for the second day on Friday. Heavy bombing was reported in Kyiv as people rushed to underground shelters.

Reports claimed at least three civilian areas in capital Kyiv had come under ballistic attack on Friday.

Watch:&nbsp;Oil prices surge amid Russian attacks

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/oil-prices-surge-2-to-101barrel-as-russian-invasion-of-ukraine-rings-supply-alarm-bells-456306/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, Ukraine President Zelensky said Russian strikes were aimed at both military and civilian targets while adding that Russian&nbsp;advance&nbsp;was stopped in most directions.

The Ukraine president said Russian missile strikes had resumed at 4am local time on Friday

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/war-zone-ukraines-us-made-javelin-anti-tank-missile-vs-russian-t-72-beasts-451693">Also Read:&nbsp;Ukraine's US-made Javelin anti-tank missile vs Russian T-72 beasts</a>

As the strikes continued people rushed to buy food and drinking water in the capital.

(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's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on Friday hit out against Russian strikes on Kyiv describing it as "horrific". "Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany," Kuleba said, adding, "Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one." Horrific Russian rocket strikes on Kyiv. Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany. Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhete. — Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 25, 2022 × "Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhere," Ukraine's foreign minister said. Also Read in Pics: How Putin built Russia's Army as a potent force Meanwhile, reports said sirens went off in western Ukraine as Russian strikes continued for the second day on Friday. Heavy bombing was reported in Kyiv as people rushed to underground shelters. Reports claimed at least three civilian areas in capital Kyiv had come under ballistic attack on Friday. Watch: Oil prices surge amid Russian attacks Meanwhile, Ukraine President Zelensky said Russian strikes were aimed at both military and civilian targets while adding that Russian advance was stopped in most directions. The Ukraine president said Russian missile strikes had resumed at 4am local time on Friday Also Read: Ukraine's US-made Javelin anti-tank missile vs Russian T-72 beasts As the strikes continued people rushed to buy food and drinking water in the capital. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Like 1941 when attacked by Nazi Germany': Ukraine lashes out at Putin

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.

Russia continued its attack on Ukraine for the second day on Friday as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian "sabotage groups" had entered capital Kyiv.

The Ukraine president had imposed curfew in Kyiv and declared martial law as Russian forces began shelling Ukraine. Reports claimed fighting is underway on the outskirts of the capital as people took to underground shelters.

Watch:&nbsp;Chernobyl nuclear site turns into a war zone

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Reports claimed loud explosions could be heard in central Kyiv early on Friday morning as Ukrainian forces claimed they shot down a Russian aircraft over Kyiv as it crashed into a multi-storey&nbsp;building in the capital and set it on fire.

Anton Herashchenko who is an official in Ukraine's interior ministry&nbsp;said on Telegram that: "Attacks on Kyiv with cruise and ballistic missiles have just resumed. I heard two powerful explosions."

Reports claimed there were at least two blasts heard in Kyiv on Friday morning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-russia-conflict-first-pictures-455872">Also Read : Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures from ground zero</a>

There were also reports of air defence firing in Kyiv early on Friday. On Thursday, air raid sirens could be heard as Russia launched pre-dawn attacks. At least 137 people were reported killed on the first day of the Russian attack amid bombing in strategic areas in Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/strike-force-russias-tornado-s-rocket-system-can-strike-multiple-targets-454294">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia's Tornado-S rocket system can strike multiple targets</a>

Russian President Putin had declared military operations against Ukraine on Thursday even as the UNSC meeting was underway as Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities within minutes.

(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. Russia continued its attack on Ukraine for the second day on Friday as Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russian "sabotage groups" had entered capital Kyiv. The Ukraine president had imposed curfew in Kyiv and declared martial law as Russian forces began shelling Ukraine. Reports claimed fighting is underway on the outskirts of the capital as people took to underground shelters. Watch: Chernobyl nuclear site turns into a war zone Reports claimed loud explosions could be heard in central Kyiv early on Friday morning as Ukrainian forces claimed they shot down a Russian aircraft over Kyiv as it crashed into a multi-storey building in the capital and set it on fire. Anton Herashchenko who is an official in Ukraine's interior ministry said on Telegram that: "Attacks on Kyiv with cruise and ballistic missiles have just resumed. I heard two powerful explosions." Reports claimed there were at least two blasts heard in Kyiv on Friday morning. Also Read : Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures from ground zero There were also reports of air defence firing in Kyiv early on Friday. On Thursday, air raid sirens could be heard as Russia launched pre-dawn attacks. At least 137 people were reported killed on the first day of the Russian attack amid bombing in strategic areas in Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: Russia's Tornado-S rocket system can strike multiple targets Russian President Putin had declared military operations against Ukraine on Thursday even as the UNSC meeting was underway as Russian strikes hit Ukrainian cities within minutes. (With inputs from Agencies)

Zelensky warns Russian 'sabotage groups' in Kyiv; plane shot down, claims 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.

At least 18 people were killed after airstrikes hit a military base in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odessa as&nbsp;Russia carried out military operations against&nbsp;Ukraine on Thursday.

At least 137 people were killed on the first day of fierce bombing by Russian forces as it forces bombed strategic airbases in Ukraine.

Reports said Russian paratroopers took control of the Gostomel airfield even as Russian ground forces moved from all directions towards Ukraine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/pics-scared-residents-struggle-to-flee-kyiv-as-they-line-up-at-atms-gas-stations-456056">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Scared residents struggle to flee Kyiv as they line up at ATMs, gas stations</a>

Russian forces had moved on Ukraine at daybreak on Thursday after Putin declared he had ordered military operation on Ukraine and within minutes explosions could be heard across Ukraine including capital Kyiv as air raid sirens rang out and President Zelensky announced martial law to be imposed in the country.

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;Operations in Ukraine to last as long as necessary, says Russia

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Underground shelters including metro stations have been converted into bombing shelters. Russia's defence military had said it won't target Ukraine's cities with missiles however it continued to shell several key areas including Ukraine's airbases.

Reports claimed Ukrainian refugees began arriving in Hungary and Romania.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/target-ukraine-russias-icbm-strategy-revealed-455357">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Target Ukraine: Russia's ICBM strategy revealed</a>

At least 14 people were killed after Ukraine's military plane crashed in Kyiv even as Russia continued its bombing attacks in eastern Ukraine targeting the village of Starognativka with missiles.

Reports claimed Russian tanks crossed the border from the northern region including from the Crimea region where Russian forces had amassed for months.

(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. At least 18 people were killed after airstrikes hit a military base in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odessa as Russia carried out military operations against Ukraine on Thursday. At least 137 people were killed on the first day of fierce bombing by Russian forces as it forces bombed strategic airbases in Ukraine. Reports said Russian paratroopers took control of the Gostomel airfield even as Russian ground forces moved from all directions towards Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: Scared residents struggle to flee Kyiv as they line up at ATMs, gas stations Russian forces had moved on Ukraine at daybreak on Thursday after Putin declared he had ordered military operation on Ukraine and within minutes explosions could be heard across Ukraine including capital Kyiv as air raid sirens rang out and President Zelensky announced martial law to be imposed in the country. Watch: Operations in Ukraine to last as long as necessary, says Russia Underground shelters including metro stations have been converted into bombing shelters. Russia's defence military had said it won't target Ukraine's cities with missiles however it continued to shell several key areas including Ukraine's airbases. Reports claimed Ukrainian refugees began arriving in Hungary and Romania. Also Read in Pics | Target Ukraine: Russia's ICBM strategy revealed At least 14 people were killed after Ukraine's military plane crashed in Kyiv even as Russia continued its bombing attacks in eastern Ukraine targeting the village of Starognativka with missiles. Reports claimed Russian tanks crossed the border from the northern region including from the Crimea region where Russian forces had amassed for months. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russia-Ukraine conflict: At least 137 people killed; Russian paratroopers annex airfield

As Russia closes in on capital Kyiv, the Indian embassy in Ukraine has issued a new advisory to Indian nationals, especially students, stuck there, saying that arrangements are being made to evacuate&nbsp;them.

Asking them to remain “strong, safe and alert”, the embassy has urged students living closest to border checkpoints -- CHOP-ZAHONY, Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian border near Chernivtsi -- to depart first in an organised manner.

“Once above routes are operational, Indian nationals travelling by their own arrangements for transport would be advised to proceed to above border checkpoints, and remain in touch with the Helpline Numbers set up at respective check­points for facilitation through the border. Numbers would&nbsp;be shared once the control rooms are established,” the advisory stated.

Students have been advised to remain in touch with student contractors, for orderly movement.

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The advisory has asked its citizens to carry essential items along with them, including passport, cash, and COVID-19 double vaccination certificate

"Carry passport, cash preferably in USD for any emergency expenses, and other essentials. COVID-19 double vaccination certificate, if available," the advisory states.

"Print out Indian flag and paste prominently on vehicles and buses while travelling," it added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-evacuate-stranded-citizens-in-ukraine-from-neighbouring-countries-sources-456437" hreflang="en">India to evacuate stranded citizens in Ukraine from neighbouring countries</a>

Meanwhile, government sources have said that evacuation flights are being organised for Indians stranded in Ukraine.

According to sources, they will be flown back from neighbouring countries and the cost will be borne by the Government of India

Air India has been roped in for the evacuation process. It will operate two flights to the Romanian capital, Bucharest, on Friday, while a third flight is planned for tomorrow (Saturday) from Budapest.

As Russia closes in on capital Kyiv, the Indian embassy in Ukraine has issued a new advisory to Indian nationals, especially students, stuck there, saying that arrangements are being made to evacuate them.

As Russia closes in on capital Kyiv, the Indian embassy in Ukraine has issued a new advisory to Indian nationals, especially students, stuck there, saying that arrangements are being made to evacuate them. Asking them to remain “strong, safe and alert”, the embassy has urged students living closest to border checkpoints -- CHOP-ZAHONY, Hungarian border near Uzhhorod, PORUBNE-SIRET Romanian border near Chernivtsi -- to depart first in an organised manner. “Once above routes are operational, Indian nationals travelling by their own arrangements for transport would be advised to proceed to above border checkpoints, and remain in touch with the Helpline Numbers set up at respective checkpoints for facilitation through the border. Numbers would be shared once the control rooms are established,” the advisory stated. Students have been advised to remain in touch with student contractors, for orderly movement. The advisory has asked its citizens to carry essential items along with them, including passport, cash, and COVID-19 double vaccination certificate "Carry passport, cash preferably in USD for any emergency expenses, and other essentials. COVID-19 double vaccination certificate, if available," the advisory states. "Print out Indian flag and paste prominently on vehicles and buses while travelling," it added. Also read | India to evacuate stranded citizens in Ukraine from neighbouring countries Meanwhile, government sources have said that evacuation flights are being organised for Indians stranded in Ukraine. According to sources, they will be flown back from neighbouring countries and the cost will be borne by the Government of India Air India has been roped in for the evacuation process. It will operate two flights to the Romanian capital, Bucharest, on Friday, while a third flight is planned for tomorrow (Saturday) from Budapest.

Indian embassy in Ukraine issues advisory, asks citizens to follow these steps

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.

Amid reports of heavy fighting, Ukraine's Army said its forces were engaged in fighting Russian forces outside capital Kyiv.

As the fighting continued, UK defence minister Wallace said Russia has lost more than 450 personnel. Reports said on Thursday that at least 137 people were killed as President Putin launched an attack on Ukraine early morning.

<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>

There were reports of clashes in Kyiv's northern district as Russian forces advanced on the outskirts of Ukraine's capital. Reports claimed there were blasts in the capital's central area as people scrambled&nbsp;to safety.

"Putin's assault on Ukraine is barbaric, unjustified and shows a callous disregard for human life," UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said while adding,"We will continue to hold Putin to account."&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Thousands of Ukrainians flee to Poland, Hungary

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Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had launched "horrific rocket strikes" on Kyiv early morning on Friday as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant fell to Russian forces.

Reports claimed the Gostomel airfield near Kyiv was also overrun by Russian paratroopers even as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has been "left on its own" while warning that Russian "sabotage groups" had entered Kyiv.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-dagger-on-ukraine-kinzhal-hypersonic-missiles-can-degrade-high-value-targets-447431">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missiles</a>

As heavy fighting continued around Ukraine's capital, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a radio station that, "Putin has decided to take Ukraine off the map of nations."

Le Drian raised concern over possible Russian offensive against ex-Soviet states Georgia and Moldova in the future.

(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. Amid reports of heavy fighting, Ukraine's Army said its forces were engaged in fighting Russian forces outside capital Kyiv. As the fighting continued, UK defence minister Wallace said Russia has lost more than 450 personnel. Reports said on Thursday that at least 137 people were killed as President Putin launched an attack on Ukraine early morning. Also Read in Pics: US THAAD vs Russian S-400 missile defence system There were reports of clashes in Kyiv's northern district as Russian forces advanced on the outskirts of Ukraine's capital. Reports claimed there were blasts in the capital's central area as people scrambled to safety. "Putin's assault on Ukraine is barbaric, unjustified and shows a callous disregard for human life," UK foreign secretary Liz Truss said while adding,"We will continue to hold Putin to account." Watch: Thousands of Ukrainians flee to Poland, Hungary Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had launched "horrific rocket strikes" on Kyiv early morning on Friday as the Chernobyl nuclear power plant fell to Russian forces. Reports claimed the Gostomel airfield near Kyiv was also overrun by Russian paratroopers even as Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has been "left on its own" while warning that Russian "sabotage groups" had entered Kyiv. Also Read in Pics: Russia's Kinzhal hypersonic missiles As heavy fighting continued around Ukraine's capital, French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian told a radio station that, "Putin has decided to take Ukraine off the map of nations." Le Drian raised concern over possible Russian offensive against ex-Soviet states Georgia and Moldova in the future. (With inputs from Agencies)

Heavy clashes in Kyiv's northern district as Russian forces advance

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.

Russian authorities moved quickly to cancel flights in southern Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced military action against Ukraine.

Newswire AFP reported that Ukraine was under attack from Russia and Belarus border.

Russian and Belarus had earlier taken part in large scale military exercise although Russia had said it had pulled out some troops from Belarus but satellite photos a few days ago suggested military units were still deployed in the area.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/latest-satellite-pictures-show-russian-troop-deployment-near-ukraine-455540">Also Read in Pictures:&nbsp;Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine</a>

As loud explosions were heard across Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was "a glaring violation" and a "dark day" for Europe.

The Ukrainian government-held town of Shchastya said it had fallen to Russian-backed eastern insurgents.

"Germany condemns in the strongest possible terms this unscrupulous act by President Putin. Our solidarity goes out to Ukraine and its people," the German chancellor said.

Amid the explosions, air raid sirens rang out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv as the Russian defence ministry said it will not target Ukrainian cities with missiles.

Watch:&nbsp;Russia announces military operations in Ukraine&nbsp;

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Reports said Belarusian troops had joined Russian forces to attack Ukraine.&nbsp;

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. Russian authorities moved quickly to cancel flights in southern Russia after President Vladimir Putin announced military action against Ukraine. Newswire AFP reported that Ukraine was under attack from Russia and Belarus border. Russian and Belarus had earlier taken part in large scale military exercise although Russia had said it had pulled out some troops from Belarus but satellite photos a few days ago suggested military units were still deployed in the area. Also Read in Pictures: Latest satellite pictures show Russian troop deployment near Ukraine As loud explosions were heard across Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said it was "a glaring violation" and a "dark day" for Europe. The Ukrainian government-held town of Shchastya said it had fallen to Russian-backed eastern insurgents. "Germany condemns in the strongest possible terms this unscrupulous act by President Putin. Our solidarity goes out to Ukraine and its people," the German chancellor said. Amid the explosions, air raid sirens rang out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv as the Russian defence ministry said it will not target Ukrainian cities with missiles. Watch: Russia announces military operations in Ukraine Reports said Belarusian troops had joined Russian forces to attack Ukraine.

Ukraine under attack along Russia, Belarus borders: Report

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

As the UNSC conducted an emergency session on the Ukraine crisis, Russian President Putin appeared on state television and declared he had authorised "special operation" to "protect Donbass" while urging Ukrainian forces to "lay down arms".

"Entire course of events, information analysis shows clashes between Russia, nationalistic forces in Ukraine are inevitable and a matter of time," Putin said.

The Russian president said leading NATO member countries supported neo-Nazis in Ukraine while adding that he has "no plans to occupy Ukraine".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/target-ukraine-russias-icbm-strategy-revealed-455357">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Target Ukraine: Russia's ICBM strategy revealed</a>

"Russia does not have a single opportunity other than to defend itself, it will use it," Putin declared on state TV.

Putin added that Russia will seek to demilitarise Ukraine and will "immediately respond to any external threat".

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;Russian military fans out in eastern Ukraine

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At the same time, Putin said, "Russia's policy is based on freedom, this right should be enjoyed by everyone, including residents of Ukraine."

"I have made the decision of a military operation," Putin said in a surprise statement on television.&nbsp;

"In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the friendship and mutual assistance treaties with the DPR and LPR, ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation," the Russian president said.

<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;Who is the real Mr Putin? Meet the judo fighter who worked for the KGB</a>

"Crimeans made their choice, our actions are self-defence against threats being created, I call for interaction," he said.

"NATO's war machine is moving, approaching Russia's borders closely," Putin asserted while adding that, Russia has been trying for 30 years to negotiate NATO's non-expansion to the east but faced deceit and attempts of blackmail."

"NATO has an impudent manner of speaking from a position of own exclusivity," Putin added.

Putin vowed to retaliate against "interference" with Russia's Ukraine operation. "Politics is a dirty business but NATO's actions are contrary to morality."

(With inputs from Agencies)

As the UNSC conducted an emergency session on the Ukraine crisis, Russian President Putin appeared on state television and declared he had authorised "special operation" to "protect Donbass" while urging Ukrainian forces to "lay down arms".

As the UNSC conducted an emergency session on the Ukraine crisis, Russian President Putin appeared on state television and declared he had authorised "special operation" to "protect Donbass" while urging Ukrainian forces to "lay down arms". "Entire course of events, information analysis shows clashes between Russia, nationalistic forces in Ukraine are inevitable and a matter of time," Putin said. The Russian president said leading NATO member countries supported neo-Nazis in Ukraine while adding that he has "no plans to occupy Ukraine". Also Read in Pics | Target Ukraine: Russia's ICBM strategy revealed "Russia does not have a single opportunity other than to defend itself, it will use it," Putin declared on state TV. Putin added that Russia will seek to demilitarise Ukraine and will "immediately respond to any external threat". Watch: Russian military fans out in eastern Ukraine At the same time, Putin said, "Russia's policy is based on freedom, this right should be enjoyed by everyone, including residents of Ukraine." "I have made the decision of a military operation," Putin said in a surprise statement on television. "In this regard, in accordance with Article 51, Part 7 of the UN Charter with the sanction of the Federation Council and in pursuance of the friendship and mutual assistance treaties with the DPR and LPR, ratified by the Federal Assembly, I have decided to conduct a special military operation," the Russian president said. Also Read in Pics: Who is the real Mr Putin? Meet the judo fighter who worked for the KGB "Crimeans made their choice, our actions are self-defence against threats being created, I call for interaction," he said. "NATO's war machine is moving, approaching Russia's borders closely," Putin asserted while adding that, Russia has been trying for 30 years to negotiate NATO's non-expansion to the east but faced deceit and attempts of blackmail." "NATO has an impudent manner of speaking from a position of own exclusivity," Putin added. Putin vowed to retaliate against "interference" with Russia's Ukraine operation. "Politics is a dirty business but NATO's actions are contrary to morality." (With inputs from Agencies)

Putin declares military operation 'to demilitarise 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.

As Russian strikes continued, Ukraine's military claimed at least "50 Russian occupiers" were killed.&nbsp;

"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/photos/war-zone-ukraines-us-made-javelin-anti-tank-missile-vs-russian-t-72-beasts-451693">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Ukraine's US-made Javelin anti-tank missile vs Russian T-72 beasts</a>

Ukraine's border guards said at least three military personnel were killed after Russian forces launched&nbsp;attacks in the border areas. Ukraine said the&nbsp;military death toll had risen to five amid Russian strikes on Thursday.

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<h5>Meanwhile, an aide to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that over 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians died in the first hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I know that more than 40 have been killed and several dozen wounded. I am aware of nearly 10 civilian losses, "presidential administration aide Oleksiy Arestovych told reporters.</h5>
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The border guards said Russian forces were launching attacks with rockets and helicopters from several directions.

Watch:&nbsp;WION speaks to an Indian student living in Ukraine amid the Russian strikes

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Meanwhile, Ukraine's Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny said President Zelensky had ordered its forces to "inflict maximum losses against the aggressor".

Amid the attacks, Russia said it was closing shipping in Azov Sea until further notice.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraines-challenge-how-russia-uses-spetsnaz-as-tip-of-the-spear-450702">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How Russia uses Spetsnaz as 'tip of the spear'</a>

Ukraine President's adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said: "The armed forces of Ukraine are waging heavy combat," while adding,"We have losses."

"In several places, the Russian armed forces have been repelled," the president's adviser added.

(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. As Russian strikes continued, 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 in Pics: Ukraine's US-made Javelin anti-tank missile vs Russian T-72 beasts Ukraine's border guards said at least three military personnel were killed after Russian forces launched attacks in the border areas. Ukraine said the military death toll had risen to five amid Russian strikes on Thursday. Meanwhile, an aide to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that over 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians died in the first hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "I know that more than 40 have been killed and several dozen wounded. I am aware of nearly 10 civilian losses, "presidential administration aide Oleksiy Arestovych told reporters. × The border guards said Russian forces were launching attacks with rockets and helicopters from several directions. Watch: WION speaks to an Indian student living in Ukraine amid the Russian strikes Meanwhile, Ukraine's Major General Valeriy Zaluzhny said President Zelensky had ordered its forces to "inflict maximum losses against the aggressor". Amid the attacks, Russia said it was closing shipping in Azov Sea until further notice. Also Read in Pics: How Russia uses Spetsnaz as 'tip of the spear' Ukraine President's adviser Mykhailo Podoliak said: "The armed forces of Ukraine are waging heavy combat," while adding,"We have losses." "In several places, the Russian armed forces have been repelled," the president's adviser added. (With inputs from Agencies)

'50 Russian occupiers killed': We have losses, says Ukraine as casualties rise

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.

Ukrainian authorities said one person was killed and one injured in the Kyiv region as explosions could be heard in the capital as&nbsp;President Putin on Thursday ordered military action against Ukraine.

Russia's defence ministry said it had attacked military bases in Ukraine adding, "military infrastructure at Ukrainian army airbases has been rendered out of action."

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Amid strikes by Russian forces, Ukraine's defence ministry claimed it had shot down five Russian planes including a helicopter in the eastern region.

Watch:&nbsp;Military infrastructure being disabled in Ukraine, says Russia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-military-infrastructure-being-disabled-in-ukraine-no-threat-to-ukrainian-civilians-455924/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down," the Ukraine military said.

Reports claimed Ukraine had come under attack from Belarus as President Alexander Lukashenko called a meeting with his army chiefs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russias-next-wonder-weapon-kedr-intercontinental-ballistic-missile-454013">Also Read in Pics |&nbsp;Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile</a>

Reports said Belarusian troops had joined Russian forces to attack Ukraine. As air raid sires rang out in Kyiv as&nbsp;reports said all Russian diplomats were evacuated from Kyiv.

Meanwhile, Russian-backed separatists said they had shot down two Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian border guards reported that the Russian military had crossed Ukraine's border into Chernihiv, Kharviv and Luhansk region.

Newswire Reuters reported that armoured tanks were&nbsp;heading towards Mariupol. Earlier explosions were heard in Mariupol after Putin had ordered military action against Ukraine.

(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. Ukrainian authorities said one person was killed and one injured in the Kyiv region as explosions could be heard in the capital as President Putin on Thursday ordered military action against Ukraine. Russia's defence ministry said it had attacked military bases in Ukraine adding, "military infrastructure at Ukrainian army airbases has been rendered out of action." Also Read in Pics| Target Ukraine: Russia's ICBM strategy revealed Amid strikes by Russian forces, Ukraine's defence ministry claimed it had shot down five Russian planes including a helicopter in the eastern region. Watch: Military infrastructure being disabled in Ukraine, says Russia "According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down," the Ukraine military said. Reports claimed Ukraine had come under attack from Belarus as President Alexander Lukashenko called a meeting with his army chiefs. Also Read in Pics | Russia's next wonder weapon: Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile Reports said Belarusian troops had joined Russian forces to attack Ukraine. As air raid sires rang out in Kyiv as reports said all Russian diplomats were evacuated from Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russian-backed separatists said they had shot down two Ukrainian drones. Ukrainian border guards reported that the Russian military had crossed Ukraine's border into Chernihiv, Kharviv and Luhansk region. Newswire Reuters reported that armoured tanks were heading towards Mariupol. Earlier explosions were heard in Mariupol after Putin had ordered military action against Ukraine. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine's army airbases rendered out of action, says Russia

An Air India flight from Ukraine landed at Delhi airport on Tuesday night.

The flight AI 1946 comprised mostly of students. The Indian embassy in Kyiv had earlier asked students to temporarily leave the country amid the rising tensions in the region after President Putin said his regime would recognise two areas in eastern Ukraine escalating tensions with the West.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-russia-ukraine-crisis-japan-to-impose-sanctions-on-russia-455211">Also Read |&nbsp;Live Blog: Ukraine crisis as it happens&nbsp;</a>

There were at least 240 Indians onboard the flight. Air India had announced that it would operate three flights between India and Ukraine on February 22, 24 and 26.

The students who were mostly studying medicine landed at Delhi airport. They were received by their parents after an anxious wait at the arrival lounge.

Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan in a tweet said Indians and students belonging to various states are returning from Ukraine to Delhi.

(With inputs from Agencies)

An Air India flight from Ukraine landed at Delhi airport on Tuesday night. The flight AI 1946 comprised mostly of students. The Indian embassy in Kyiv had earlier asked students to temporarily leave the country amid the rising tensions in the region after President Putin said his regime would recognise two areas in eastern Ukraine escalating tensions with the West.

An Air India flight from Ukraine landed at Delhi airport on Tuesday night. The flight AI 1946 comprised mostly of students. The Indian embassy in Kyiv had earlier asked students to temporarily leave the country amid the rising tensions in the region after President Putin said his regime would recognise two areas in eastern Ukraine escalating tensions with the West. Also Read | Live Blog: Ukraine crisis as it happens There were at least 240 Indians onboard the flight. Air India had announced that it would operate three flights between India and Ukraine on February 22, 24 and 26. The students who were mostly studying medicine landed at Delhi airport. They were received by their parents after an anxious wait at the arrival lounge. Minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan in a tweet said Indians and students belonging to various states are returning from Ukraine to Delhi. (With inputs from Agencies)

Indians arrive in Air India flight from Ukraine

A day after the United States and many partners imposed a broad range of sanctions against Moscow, Ukraine declared a state of emergency, began mobilising reservists, and urged its residents to leave Russia immediately.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is open to talks, but he lauded the military's readiness, which he said has been upgraded and improved by drills.

Concerted Western actions fell short of the sanctions package threatened by the Biden administration if Russia invaded Ukraine on a large scale.

Here are some of the most important developments in the crisis:&nbsp;

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for "diplomatic solutions" over Ukraine but warned that "the interests of Russia and the security of our citizens are non-negotiable for us."

Ukraine is set to impose a state of emergency and has asked its citizens to leave Russia amid fears of military conflict.

The Ukrainian military says one soldier has been killed and six wounded in shelling by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine in the past 24 hours. It has called in the services of military reservists.

Australia, Canada, and Japan imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the Ukraine crisis, following closely behind US measures targeting Ukraine's separatist regions. Sanctions have been slapped by the UK, while the EU is also on a similar path.

Germany has taken steps to halt the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project from Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)

A day after the United States and many partners imposed a broad range of sanctions against Moscow, Ukraine declared a state of emergency, began mobilising reservists, and urged its residents to leave Russia immediately.

A day after the United States and many partners imposed a broad range of sanctions against Moscow, Ukraine declared a state of emergency, began mobilising reservists, and urged its residents to leave Russia immediately. Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow is open to talks, but he lauded the military's readiness, which he said has been upgraded and improved by drills. Concerted Western actions fell short of the sanctions package threatened by the Biden administration if Russia invaded Ukraine on a large scale. Here are some of the most important developments in the crisis: Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for "diplomatic solutions" over Ukraine but warned that "the interests of Russia and the security of our citizens are non-negotiable for us." Ukraine is set to impose a state of emergency and has asked its citizens to leave Russia amid fears of military conflict. The Ukrainian military says one soldier has been killed and six wounded in shelling by pro-Russian separatists in east Ukraine in the past 24 hours. It has called in the services of military reservists. Australia, Canada, and Japan imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the Ukraine crisis, following closely behind US measures targeting Ukraine's separatist regions. Sanctions have been slapped by the UK, while the EU is also on a similar path. Germany has taken steps to halt the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project from Russia. (With inputs from agencies)

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Russia has decided not to send troops to eastern Ukraine “for now”, but added that it will do so in case of a "threat", the deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after Moscow's parliament ratified cooperation deals with Ukraine's separatist republics.

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said the treaties include the provision of "military aid" but added that "speculation" on troop deployments should be avoided.

"For now, no one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance in accordance with the ratified treaties,” he said.

Russia had deployed a few Russian troops to eastern Ukraine as “peacekeepers” after Vladimir Putin recognised Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent from Ukraine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-hit-list-of-ukrainians-to-be-killed-after-invasion-claims-us-455387">Russia has ‘hit list’ of Ukrainians to be killed after invasion, claims US</a>

The deployment of troops&nbsp;invited ire from the West leaders, with the United Kingdom imposing sanctions on three Russian banks and three men who are close to Putin.

Britain has threatened to cut off Russian companies' access to US dollars and British pounds, blocking them from raising capital in London and to expose what PM Boris Johnson calls the “Russian doll” of property and company ownership.

The series of announcements comes even as Russia amassed over 150,000 soldiers to regions near Ukraine's borders, with the West fearing Moscow could use them for an attack at any moment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-family-guy-predict-vladimir-putins-ukraine-strategy-455350">Did Family Guy predict Vladimir Putin's Ukraine strategy?</a>

Meanwhile, Kremlin-backed separatist leader Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday that Moscow formally recognized the breakaway region of Donetsk within the wider boundaries of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, much of which is controlled by Ukrainian forces.

Speaking on Russian state television, Pushilin said the matter of the territory not controlled by separatists would be resolved later.

"The border issue is not simple, it will be resolved later," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia has decided not to send troops to eastern Ukraine “for now”, but added that it will do so in case of a "threat", the deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Russia has decided not to send troops to eastern Ukraine “for now”, but added that it will do so in case of a "threat", the deputy foreign minister said on Tuesday. The announcement comes after Moscow's parliament ratified cooperation deals with Ukraine's separatist republics. Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko said the treaties include the provision of "military aid" but added that "speculation" on troop deployments should be avoided. "For now, no one is planning to send anything anywhere. If there is a threat, then we will provide assistance in accordance with the ratified treaties,” he said. Russia had deployed a few Russian troops to eastern Ukraine as “peacekeepers” after Vladimir Putin recognised Donetsk and Luhansk regions as independent from Ukraine. Also read | Russia has ‘hit list’ of Ukrainians to be killed after invasion, claims US The deployment of troops invited ire from the West leaders, with the United Kingdom imposing sanctions on three Russian banks and three men who are close to Putin. Britain has threatened to cut off Russian companies' access to US dollars and British pounds, blocking them from raising capital in London and to expose what PM Boris Johnson calls the “Russian doll” of property and company ownership. The series of announcements comes even as Russia amassed over 150,000 soldiers to regions near Ukraine's borders, with the West fearing Moscow could use them for an attack at any moment. Also read | Did Family Guy predict Vladimir Putin's Ukraine strategy? Meanwhile, Kremlin-backed separatist leader Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday that Moscow formally recognized the breakaway region of Donetsk within the wider boundaries of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, much of which is controlled by Ukrainian forces. Speaking on Russian state television, Pushilin said the matter of the territory not controlled by separatists would be resolved later. "The border issue is not simple, it will be resolved later," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia won’t send troops to east Ukraine ‘for now’, says deputy foreign minister

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