<p><strong><em>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.</em></strong></p>

<p>Nearly 1,400 people were detained by Russian police during anti-war protests across the country after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to invade Ukraine, an independent monitor reported Thursday.</p>

<p>"More than 1,391 people have already been detained in 51 cities," said OVD-Info, which tracks arrests at opposition rallies. According to the monitor, more than 700 people have been detained in Moscow and over 340 in Saint Petersburg, the second-largest city.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-president-says-his-country-had-been-left-alone-to-fight-russia-456242" hreflang="en">Ukrainian President says his country had been 'left alone' to fight Russia</a></strong></p>

<p>In the early hours of Thursday, a number of Russian activists called on social media for people to take to the streets after Putin launched an offensive on Ukraine.</p>

<p>Approximately 2,000 protesters gathered near Pushkin Square in central Moscow, and up to 1,000 protesters gathered in Saint Petersburg, the former imperial capital.</p>

<p>Around Pushkin Square in Moscow, protesters chanted "No to war!"</p>

<p>"I am in shock. My relatives and loved ones live in Ukraine," Anastasia Nestulya, 23, said in Moscow.</p>

<p>"What can I tell them over the phone? You hang in there?" She said many were afraid to protest.</p>

<p>In Saint Petersburg, many struck a similar note.</p>

<p>"I have a feeling that the authorities have gone mad," said Svetlana Volkova, 27. The Russian protestor said that most people were unwilling to protest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"People have been fooled by propaganda."</p>

<p>As he was dragged away by three police officers, a young man shouted: "Who are you fighting with? Arrest Putin."</p>

<p>In recent years, protest laws in Russia have been toughened, and demonstrations often result in mass arrests.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/ukraine-russia-conflict-stephen-king-piers-morgan-other-celebs-react-455996" hreflang="en">Ukraine-Russia conflict: Stephen King, Piers Morgan &amp; other celebs react</a></strong></p>

<p>Alexei Navalny, the jailed opposition leader who used to organise Russia's largest anti-Putin protests said he was against the invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.</p>

<p>The independent television channel Dozhd published a video in which Navalny was heard saying, "I am against this war.".</p>

<p>"This war between Russia and Ukraine was unleashed to cover up the theft from Russian citizens and divert their attention from problems that exist inside the country," the 45-year-old said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Russian authorities had warned anti-war sympathisers against protesting.</p>

<p>Investigative Committee, the government body that investigates major crimes, warned Russians, that they could face legal repercussions for joining unsanctioned protests related to "the tense foreign political situation".</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukrainians around the world hold rallies &amp; call to 'stop Putin now'</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-ukrainians-around-the-world-hold-rallies-call-to-stop-putin-now-456231/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"One should be aware of the negative legal consequences of these actions in the form of prosecution up to criminal liability," the committee said.</p>

<p>On social media, these arrests have earned Russia and Putin some major scorn with some going so far as to label the Russian premier a "tyrant".</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">1400 arrested across 51 locations at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/antiwar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#antiwar</a> protests in Russia. I stand with them. This is NOT Russia attacking, but a tyrant who needs to go <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoMoreWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoMoreWar</a></p>
— Darryll 🌈 (@darryllm) <a href="https://twitter.com/darryllm/status/1496941376113901569?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">800 people arrested at Moscow antiwar protest. Russia is a fascist state and will hopefully someday be dissolved. <a href="https://t.co/1sAlRYkWJP">https://t.co/1sAlRYkWJP</a></p>
— Exiled Arizona (@exiledarizona) <a href="https://twitter.com/exiledarizona/status/1496902579497803777?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🙏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> also for those in Russia being arrested for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AntiWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AntiWar</a> protests as they stand up to Putin! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineInvasion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineInvasion</a> <a href="https://t.co/uRGBCcTQsD">https://t.co/uRGBCcTQsD</a></p>
— Miss H Pinner🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌈🧡#EqualityForAll (@hazelmpinner) <a href="https://twitter.com/hazelmpinner/status/1496975549805506562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Modern realities of Putin's power.<br />
6 cops detain one man who took to the streets of his country to protest against the war.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Moscow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Moscow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/protest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AntiWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AntiWar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AntiWarProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AntiWarProtest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kiev?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kiev</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kyiv?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kyiv</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/subwaystation?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#subwaystation</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RussiaInvadedUkraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RussiaInvadedUkraine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/russianinvasion?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#russianinvasion</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineRussiaConflict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineRussiaConflict</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Putin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Putin</a> <a href="https://t.co/UnEWkWyEwJ">pic.twitter.com/UnEWkWyEwJ</a></p>
— Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChaudharyParvez/status/1497032414366863360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Many have come out in support of the protestors</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">To protest in Russia against the Russian government is the benchmark for all of us. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/moscow?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#moscow</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StPetersburg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StPetersburg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/protest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#protest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/antiwar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#antiwar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a></p>
— Sophie Walker (@SophieRunning) <a href="https://twitter.com/SophieRunning/status/1496977130999234562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/antiwar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#antiwar</a> protest in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a><br />
The police arrests the protestors. One of them: "Arrest Putin, not me" :) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineRussiaConflict?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineRussiaConflict</a> <a href="https://t.co/kW3Le29Twa">pic.twitter.com/kW3Le29Twa</a></p>
— Tatevik Hovhannisyan (@tatevik_arm) <a href="https://twitter.com/tatevik_arm/status/1496962877743325187?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This.<br />
This is a freedom convoy. This is what it looks like to stand up to a dictator.<br />
<br />
Not the privileged adult temper tantrum/ street party/ bender drenched in fragility that terrorized Ottawa for 3+ weeks.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AntiWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AntiWar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Protest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Protest</a> <a href="https://t.co/dk00b3Ky1q">https://t.co/dk00b3Ky1q</a></p>
— Minka Singh (@minkasingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/minkasingh/status/1497029009464516612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 25, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


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. Nearly 1,400 people were detained by Russian police during anti-war protests across the country after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to invade Ukraine, an independent monitor reported Thursday. "More than 1,391 people have already been detained in 51 cities," said OVD-Info, which tracks arrests at opposition rallies. According to the monitor, more than 700 people have been detained in Moscow and over 340 in Saint Petersburg, the second-largest city. Also read | Ukrainian President says his country had been 'left alone' to fight Russia In the early hours of Thursday, a number of Russian activists called on social media for people to take to the streets after Putin launched an offensive on Ukraine. Approximately 2,000 protesters gathered near Pushkin Square in central Moscow, and up to 1,000 protesters gathered in Saint Petersburg, the former imperial capital. Around Pushkin Square in Moscow, protesters chanted "No to war!" "I am in shock. My relatives and loved ones live in Ukraine," Anastasia Nestulya, 23, said in Moscow. "What can I tell them over the phone? You hang in there?" She said many were afraid to protest. In Saint Petersburg, many struck a similar note. "I have a feeling that the authorities have gone mad," said Svetlana Volkova, 27. The Russian protestor said that most people were unwilling to protest. "People have been fooled by propaganda." As he was dragged away by three police officers, a young man shouted: "Who are you fighting with? Arrest Putin." In recent years, protest laws in Russia have been toughened, and demonstrations often result in mass arrests. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: Stephen King, Piers Morgan & other celebs react Alexei Navalny, the jailed opposition leader who used to organise Russia's largest anti-Putin protests said he was against the invasion of Ukraine on Thursday. The independent television channel Dozhd published a video in which Navalny was heard saying, "I am against this war.". "This war between Russia and Ukraine was unleashed to cover up the theft from Russian citizens and divert their attention from problems that exist inside the country," the 45-year-old said. Russian authorities had warned anti-war sympathisers against protesting. Investigative Committee, the government body that investigates major crimes, warned Russians, that they could face legal repercussions for joining unsanctioned protests related to "the tense foreign political situation". Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Ukrainians around the world hold rallies & call to 'stop Putin now' "One should be aware of the negative legal consequences of these actions in the form of prosecution up to criminal liability," the committee said. On social media, these arrests have earned Russia and Putin some major scorn with some going so far as to label the Russian premier a "tyrant". 1400 arrested across 51 locations at #antiwar protests in Russia. I stand with them. This is NOT Russia attacking, but a tyrant who needs to go #NoMoreWar — Darryll 🌈 (@darryllm) February 24, 2022 × 800 people arrested at Moscow antiwar protest. Russia is a fascist state and will hopefully someday be dissolved. https://t.co/1sAlRYkWJP — Exiled Arizona (@exiledarizona) February 24, 2022 × 🙏 #Ukraine also for those in Russia being arrested for #AntiWar protests as they stand up to Putin! #UkraineInvasion https://t.co/uRGBCcTQsD — Miss H Pinner🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🌈🧡#EqualityForAll (@hazelmpinner) February 24, 2022 × Modern realities of Putin's power. 6 cops detain one man who took to the streets of his country to protest against the war.#Russia #Ukraine #Moscow #protest #AntiWar #AntiWarProtest #Kiev #Kyiv #subwaystation #RussiaInvadedUkraine #russianinvasion #UkraineRussiaConflict #Putin pic.twitter.com/UnEWkWyEwJ — Chaudhary Parvez (@ChaudharyParvez) February 25, 2022 × Many have come out in support of the protestors To protest in Russia against the Russian government is the benchmark for all of us. #moscow #StPetersburg #protest #antiwar #Ukraine — Sophie Walker (@SophieRunning) February 24, 2022 × #antiwar protest in #Russia The police arrests the protestors. One of them: "Arrest Putin, not me" :) #UkraineRussiaConflict pic.twitter.com/kW3Le29Twa — Tatevik Hovhannisyan (@tatevik_arm) February 24, 2022 × This. This is a freedom convoy. This is what it looks like to stand up to a dictator. Not the privileged adult temper tantrum/ street party/ bender drenched in fragility that terrorized Ottawa for 3+ weeks.#Ukraine #AntiWar #Protest https://t.co/dk00b3Ky1q — Minka Singh (@minkasingh) February 25, 2022 × (With inputs from agencies)

In Russia, police arrest thousands participating in 'anti-war' protests, threaten with 'legal repercussions'

<p>"The world will hold Russia accountable" for its attack against Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday. He warned the attack will cause "catastrophic loss of life."</p>

<p>Following the announcement of the start of military operations in Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said he would address the US public on Thursday to speak on the 'consequences' for Russia. He described the attack as "unprovoked and unjustified".</p>

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/live-updates-russia-ukraine-crisis-air-raid-siren-rings-out-in-kyiv-after-explosions-455211">Live updates: Russia-Ukraine crisis: Air raid siren rings out in Kyiv after explosions</a></h2>

<p>"Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable," he said.</p>

<p>Biden said his prayers were with the people of Ukraine "as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces", adding that Putin had chosen a premeditated war that would bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.</p>

<p>In a last-minute plea to Putin, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to stop the war "in the name of humanity", after the Russian leader announced the military operation.</p>

<p>"President Putin, in the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia," he said after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the crisis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"In the name of humanity do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century," he said, adding the conflict "must stop now."</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-russia-conflict-first-pictures-455872">Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures</a></strong></p>

<p>Condemning the "reckless and unprovoked attack" on Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO allies would meet to tackle the consequences of Moscow's "aggressive actions".</p>

<p>German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the Russian military operation in Ukraine as "a glaring violation" of international law on a "dark day" for Europe.</p>

<p>"Germany condemns in the strongest possible terms this unscrupulous act by President Putin. Our solidarity goes out to Ukraine and its people," he added in a statement.</p>

<p>Scholz, whose country currently holds the presidency of the G7 forum, said it was "a terrible day for Ukraine".</p>

<p>He urged Moscow to stop its military operation "immediately".</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Emergency UNSC meeting on Ukraine: Security Council to vote on a resolution condemning Russia</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/emergency-unsc-meeting-on-ukraine-security-council-to-vote-on-a-resolution-condemning-russia-455868/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, also condemned the "horrific events in Ukraine", saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack".</p>

<p>"The UK and our allies will respond decisively," he tweeted, adding he had spoken to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.</p>

<p>Even as world leaders condemn this alleged "attack," Russia's ambassador to the UN said in an emergency meeting of the Security Council late Wednesday that Moscow's military operation against Ukraine is only targeted at&nbsp;"the junta" in power in Kyiv.</p>

<p>"I wanted to say in conclusion that we aren't being aggressive against the Ukrainian people but against the junta that is in power in Kiyv," said Vassily Nebenzia.</p>

<p>"These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War, said European Commission foreign policy chief Josep Borrell</p>

<p>"The EU will respond in the strongest possible terms and agree on the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented," he added.</p>

<p>"We have a land war in Europe that we thought was only to find in history books. It is a flagrant breach of international law. For Russia, this attack will have severe political and economic consequences," said Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck.</p>

<p>China said it was closely monitoring the situation.</p>

<p>"China is closely monitoring the latest situation. We call on all sides to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from getting out of control," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


"The world will hold Russia accountable" for its attack against Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday. He warned the attack will cause "catastrophic loss of life.

"The world will hold Russia accountable" for its attack against Ukraine, US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday. He warned the attack will cause "catastrophic loss of life." Following the announcement of the start of military operations in Ukraine by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Biden said he would address the US public on Thursday to speak on the 'consequences' for Russia. He described the attack as "unprovoked and unjustified". Live updates: Russia-Ukraine crisis: Air raid siren rings out in Kyiv after explosions "Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable," he said. Biden said his prayers were with the people of Ukraine "as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces", adding that Putin had chosen a premeditated war that would bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. In a last-minute plea to Putin, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed to stop the war "in the name of humanity", after the Russian leader announced the military operation. "President Putin, in the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia," he said after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council over the crisis. "In the name of humanity do not allow to start in Europe what could be the worst war since the beginning of the century," he said, adding the conflict "must stop now." Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures Condemning the "reckless and unprovoked attack" on Ukraine, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said NATO allies would meet to tackle the consequences of Moscow's "aggressive actions". German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the Russian military operation in Ukraine as "a glaring violation" of international law on a "dark day" for Europe. "Germany condemns in the strongest possible terms this unscrupulous act by President Putin. Our solidarity goes out to Ukraine and its people," he added in a statement. Scholz, whose country currently holds the presidency of the G7 forum, said it was "a terrible day for Ukraine". He urged Moscow to stop its military operation "immediately". Watch | Emergency UNSC meeting on Ukraine: Security Council to vote on a resolution condemning Russia Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, also condemned the "horrific events in Ukraine", saying Russian President Vladimir Putin "has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack". "The UK and our allies will respond decisively," he tweeted, adding he had spoken to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky. Even as world leaders condemn this alleged "attack," Russia's ambassador to the UN said in an emergency meeting of the Security Council late Wednesday that Moscow's military operation against Ukraine is only targeted at "the junta" in power in Kyiv. "I wanted to say in conclusion that we aren't being aggressive against the Ukrainian people but against the junta that is in power in Kiyv," said Vassily Nebenzia. "These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War, said European Commission foreign policy chief Josep Borrell "The EU will respond in the strongest possible terms and agree on the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented," he added. "We have a land war in Europe that we thought was only to find in history books. It is a flagrant breach of international law. For Russia, this attack will have severe political and economic consequences," said Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck. China said it was closely monitoring the situation. "China is closely monitoring the latest situation. We call on all sides to exercise restraint to prevent the situation from getting out of control," said Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying. (With inputs from agencies)

'In the name of humanity': UN Chief's plea, Biden's warning as leaders react to Russia's Ukraine move

Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures from ground zero

<p>While Ukraine bears Russian missile strikes, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as scheduled.</p>

<p>Amid the ongoing crisis at the Ukraine-Russia border, Khan arrived in Moscow late on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-the-name-of-humanity-un-chiefs-plea-bidens-warning-and-more-leaders-react-to-russian-aggressions-455883">'In the name of humanity': UN Chief's plea, Biden's warning and more; leaders react to Russian aggressions</a></strong></p>

<p>During his ill-timed visit to Russia, the first such trip by a Pakistani PM in 23 years Imran Khan aims to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multibillion-dollar gas pipeline in collaboration with Russian companies.</p>

<p>Vladimir Putin, the Russian&nbsp;premier, will meet with Khan during this visit. The two men are expected to discuss issues regarding economic cooperation.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his entire visit are GOING Ahead as Planned and CONTRARY to what AP has reported, the Meeting is On, per sources. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Pakistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Pakistan</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PMIKinRussia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PMIKinRussia</a></p>
— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnasMallick/status/1496750027548602369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Pakistani&nbsp;Federal Minister for Information &amp; Broadcasting also tweeted that "Speculations about PM&nbsp;<br />
@ImranKhanPTI&nbsp;&nbsp;visit are misplaced. The Visit is proceeding and PM will return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule"</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Speculations about PM <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> visit are misplaced. The Visit is proceeding and PM will return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule</p>
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) <a href="https://twitter.com/fawadchaudhry/status/1496766900834951169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Pakistani media reported earlier that Moscow and Islamabad were in talks regarding the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin this year.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-united-states-watches-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-excited-to-meet-vladimir-putin-in-moscow-455824">As United States watches, Pakistan PM Imran Khan 'excited' to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow</a></strong></p>

<p>According to a Pakistani newspaper, Putin's visit has been discussed for the past two years, but couldn't materialize due to a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

<p>Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement&nbsp;of the launch of a military operation against Ukraine on Thursday, several reports emerged that the Russian forces have fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrives in Moscow to hold talks amid Ukraine crisis</strong></p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-pm-imran-khan-arrives-in-moscow-to-hold-talks-amid-ukraine-crisis-455818/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>News agencies also stated that Russia has landed troops on its coast on Thursday, officials and media said, after President Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in the east.&nbsp;</p>

<p>World leaders have condemned the attack, warning&nbsp;that&nbsp;"the world will hold Russia accountable" for its attack against Ukraine, and the&nbsp;"catastrophic loss of life" this attack will cause.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


While Ukraine bears Russian missile strikes, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as scheduled. Amid the ongoing crisis at the Ukraine-Russia border, Khan arrived in Moscow late on Wednesday.

While Ukraine bears Russian missile strikes, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as scheduled. Amid the ongoing crisis at the Ukraine-Russia border, Khan arrived in Moscow late on Wednesday. Also read | 'In the name of humanity': UN Chief's plea, Biden's warning and more; leaders react to Russian aggressions During his ill-timed visit to Russia, the first such trip by a Pakistani PM in 23 years Imran Khan aims to push for the construction of a long-delayed, multibillion-dollar gas pipeline in collaboration with Russian companies. Vladimir Putin, the Russian premier, will meet with Khan during this visit. The two men are expected to discuss issues regarding economic cooperation. Prime Minister Imran Khan’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his entire visit are GOING Ahead as Planned and CONTRARY to what AP has reported, the Meeting is On, per sources. #Pakistan #Russia #PMIKinRussia — Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) February 24, 2022 × The Pakistani Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting also tweeted that "Speculations about PM @ImranKhanPTI visit are misplaced. The Visit is proceeding and PM will return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule" Speculations about PM @ImranKhanPTI visit are misplaced. The Visit is proceeding and PM will return to Pakistan tonight as per schedule — Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 24, 2022 × Pakistani media reported earlier that Moscow and Islamabad were in talks regarding the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin this year. Also read | As United States watches, Pakistan PM Imran Khan 'excited' to meet Vladimir Putin in Moscow According to a Pakistani newspaper, Putin's visit has been discussed for the past two years, but couldn't materialize due to a variety of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Following Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement of the launch of a military operation against Ukraine on Thursday, several reports emerged that the Russian forces have fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine. Watch | Pakistan PM Imran Khan arrives in Moscow to hold talks amid Ukraine crisis News agencies also stated that Russia has landed troops on its coast on Thursday, officials and media said, after President Putin authorised what he called a special military operation in the east. World leaders have condemned the attack, warning that "the world will hold Russia accountable" for its attack against Ukraine, and the "catastrophic loss of life" this attack will cause. (With inputs from agencies)

Even amid Russian 'military operation' on Ukraine, Imran Khan-Vladimir Putin meet to go ahead as planned

<p>After Russia fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on the south coast, the ruble plunged to a record low on Thursday, while the euro plunged to a multi-year low against the Swiss franc.</p>

<p>In addition, riskier commodity-linked currencies like the Australian dollar also tanked as Ukraine said Russia had launched a full-scale invasion.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-the-name-of-humanity-un-chiefs-plea-bidens-warning-and-more-leaders-react-to-russian-aggressions-455883">'In the name of humanity': UN Chief's plea, Biden's warning and more; leaders react to Russian aggressions</a></strong></p>

<p>The dollar rose nine per cent against the ruble, which has been battered lately in the wake of worries about the effects of the sanctions on the Russian economy, while the Moscow Stock Exchange plunged almost 14 per cent after trading was suspended earlier in the day. The country's central bank said it was intervening to "stabilise the situation".</p>

<p>"To stabilise the situation on the financial market, the Bank of Russia has decided to start interventions in the foreign exchange market," the central bank said in a statement, adding that it and other financial institutions: "have clear action plans for any scenario."</p>

<p>While explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and gunfire was heard near Kyiv's main airport, safe havens such as the yen and dollar were in demand.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-russia-conflict-first-pictures-455872">Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures</a></strong></p>

<p>With a fall of 0.84 per cent to $1.1209, the euro reached its lowest level since January 31.</p>

<p>Euro depreciated as much as 1.28 per cent versus other traditional haven currencies, hitting a nearly one-month low of 128.37 yen and as much as 0.84 per cent versus the Swiss franc, which reached 1.0292, the weakest since May 2015.</p>

<p>There was a 0.90 per cent drop in the Australian dollar to $0.7167, while the New Zealand dollar declined by 1.00 per cent to $0.6706.</p>

<p>"The situation certainly looks like it's going to get worse before it gets better, and that means the commodity currencies can weaken," said Joseph Capurso, a strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Russia: Military infrastructure being disabled in Ukraine, no threat to Ukrainian civilians</strong></p>

<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>

<p>"If things get real bad," Aussie could test $0.70, and if the euro is poised to fall "quite a bit more," he said.</p>

<p>Sterling was a bit more resilient, declining 0.41 per cent to $1.3490, the lowest since February 15.</p>

<p>For the first time since January 31, the US dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, rose as much as 0.60 per cent to 96.762.</p>

<p>Besides its status as a safe haven, the dollar has also been boosted by expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin raising rates next month, although the rising risk related to Ukraine forced traders to lower their expectations from 25 per cent earlier in the day to 16 per cent.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


After Russia fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on the south coast, the ruble plunged to a record low on Thursday, while the euro plunged to a multi-year low against the Swiss franc.

After Russia fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on the south coast, the ruble plunged to a record low on Thursday, while the euro plunged to a multi-year low against the Swiss franc. In addition, riskier commodity-linked currencies like the Australian dollar also tanked as Ukraine said Russia had launched a full-scale invasion. Also read | 'In the name of humanity': UN Chief's plea, Biden's warning and more; leaders react to Russian aggressions The dollar rose nine per cent against the ruble, which has been battered lately in the wake of worries about the effects of the sanctions on the Russian economy, while the Moscow Stock Exchange plunged almost 14 per cent after trading was suspended earlier in the day. The country's central bank said it was intervening to "stabilise the situation". "To stabilise the situation on the financial market, the Bank of Russia has decided to start interventions in the foreign exchange market," the central bank said in a statement, adding that it and other financial institutions: "have clear action plans for any scenario." While explosions were reported in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv and gunfire was heard near Kyiv's main airport, safe havens such as the yen and dollar were in demand. Also read | Ukraine-Russia conflict: First pictures With a fall of 0.84 per cent to $1.1209, the euro reached its lowest level since January 31. Euro depreciated as much as 1.28 per cent versus other traditional haven currencies, hitting a nearly one-month low of 128.37 yen and as much as 0.84 per cent versus the Swiss franc, which reached 1.0292, the weakest since May 2015. There was a 0.90 per cent drop in the Australian dollar to $0.7167, while the New Zealand dollar declined by 1.00 per cent to $0.6706. "The situation certainly looks like it's going to get worse before it gets better, and that means the commodity currencies can weaken," said Joseph Capurso, a strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Watch | Russia: Military infrastructure being disabled in Ukraine, no threat to Ukrainian civilians "If things get real bad," Aussie could test $0.70, and if the euro is poised to fall "quite a bit more," he said. Sterling was a bit more resilient, declining 0.41 per cent to $1.3490, the lowest since February 15. For the first time since January 31, the US dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, rose as much as 0.60 per cent to 96.762. Besides its status as a safe haven, the dollar has also been boosted by expectations that the Federal Reserve will begin raising rates next month, although the rising risk related to Ukraine forced traders to lower their expectations from 25 per cent earlier in the day to 16 per cent. (With inputs from agencies)

As Russia fires missiles at Ukraine, its currency ruble falls 9% against dollar

<p>The week before intensive diplomatic meetings began over the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, U.S. and Ukrainian officials watched from afar as Russia began emptying out its embassy in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.</p>

<p>On January&nbsp;5, 18 people -&nbsp;mostly the children and wives of Russian diplomats -&nbsp;boarded buses and embarked on a 15-hour drive home to Moscow, according to a senior Ukrainian security official.</p>

<p>About 30 more followed in the next few days, from Kyiv and a consulate in Lviv, in western Ukraine. Diplomats at two other Russian consulates have been told to prepare to leave Ukraine, the security official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters.</p>

<p>How to interpret the evacuation has become part of the mystery of divining the next play by President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Thinning out the Russian Embassy may be part propaganda, part preparation for a looming conflict or part feint, Ukrainian and U.S. officials say. It could be all three.</p>

<p>In recent days, the slow departures — which the Russians most likely knew that the Americans and the Ukrainians would see — have become part of the puzzle of what happens next.</p>

<p>They are a more ominous data point, in addition to cyberattacks on Ukrainian ministries last week, and reports from Microsoft and the US&nbsp;government that far more destructive malware has been planted in Ukrainian networks but not activated.</p>

<p>Enormous train convoys loaded with tanks, missiles and troops continue to push west through Russia, apparently heading for the Ukrainian border. Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian leader of Belarus, announced Monday that Russian forces and equipment had begun arriving in his country for a joint military exercise that would be held in two places: on Belarus’ western edge, near Poland and Lithuania, two NATO countries; and along the Ukrainian border, which could prove another pathway for invasion.</p>

<p>The exercise has been given a very American-sounding name: Allied Resolve. But in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials fully expect any Russian troops deployed to Belarus for the exercises to remain in place indefinitely, leaving Ukraine open to attack from the north, the east and the south.</p>

<p>“We’ll be fully surrounded by equal forces,” the senior Ukrainian security official said.</p>

<p>In Washington, US&nbsp;officials say they still assess that Putin has not yet made a decision to invade. They describe him as more a tactician than a grand strategist, and they believe that he is constantly weighing a host of different factors.</p>

<p>Among them is how well he could weather the threatened sanctions on his banks and industry, and whether his demands that Ukraine stop veering toward NATO -&nbsp;and that NATO stop spreading toward Russia -&nbsp;are receiving enough attention.</p>

<p>But the U.S. officials say Putin may also have concluded that with the United States and other countries arming Ukraine, his military advantage is at risk of slipping away. Britain’s defence secretary, Ben Wallace, announced in an address to Parliament on Monday that the country would begin providing Ukraine with light, anti-armour defensive weapons. Putin may become tempted to act sooner rather than later.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;officials saw Russia’s embassy evacuations coming. “We have information that indicates the Russian government was preparing to evacuate their family members from the Russian Embassy in Ukraine in late December and early January,” a US&nbsp;official said in a statement.</p>

<p>Ukrainian officials say they saw the Russians leave.</p>

<p>But that leaves open the question of what, if anything, the Russians were signalling.</p>

<p>It is possible they were trying to bolster the case that the U.S. and its Western allies should take seriously their demands that Ukraine can never join NATO, and that troops, nuclear weapons and other heavy weaponry must be removed from former Warsaw Pact states, like Poland, that were once allied with the Soviet Union.</p>

<p>It could also be that the Russians were trying to indicate that an attack was brewing, though there were no other signals. In fact, the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is not increasing at a rate that Pentagon officials expected a month ago.</p>

<p>The latest US&nbsp;estimates are that about 60 battalion tactical groups, known as BTGs and each with an average of 800 soldiers, are now in place at the border with Ukraine. Combined with other local forces, the Russians have about 77,000 troops at the border, with more on the way. Others put the figure at closer to 100,000 — much depends on how different forces are counted — but that is well short of the Pentagon’s estimate more than a month ago that the total number could rise to 175,000.</p>

<p>US&nbsp;and European intelligence and military officials say Putin may be waiting for the ground to freeze, making it easier to get heavy equipment over the border. Or he may be building up slowly, for diplomatic advantage, as he awaits a written reply from the Biden administration and NATO to his demands that they roll back NATO’s military posture to what it was 15 years ago — much farther from Russia’s borders.</p>

<p>While US&nbsp;officials still believe Putin is undecided about his next move, officials in Kyiv are assessing what an attack may look like, if it happens. It could come in the form of a full-on invasion, the Ukrainian security official said. Or Russia could launch a cyberattack on the Ukrainian energy grid — far larger than the ones conducted in 2015 and 2016 — combined with the military escalation in Ukraine’s east, where Russian-backed separatist forces remain deeply entrenched.</p>

<p>No one but the leaders in the Kremlin seem to know for sure how the next days and weeks might play out.</p>

<p>Against this backdrop, a senior delegation of U.S. senators arrived in Kyiv on Monday. Their trip followed a visit to Kyiv last Wednesday by CIA Director William J. Burns, who consulted with intelligence officials and met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss efforts to de-escalate tensions with Moscow, a US&nbsp;official said. Burns’ trip was reported earlier by CNN.</p>

<p>The senators' visit was a bipartisan show of support from Ukraine’s most powerful ally, even if they brought few specific proposals for staving off a Russian attack.</p>

<p>“Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, and the actions that they are planning today, represent the most serious assault on the post-World War II order in our lifetime,” Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, said at a news conference in Kyiv.</p>

<p>Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and instigated a violent separatist uprising that effectively cleaved away two Ukrainian provinces. More than 13,000 people were killed in the fighting.</p>

<p>At the news conference, Murphy said he hoped legislation that outlines punishing sanctions against Russia’s leadership, including Putin, would reach President Joe Biden’s desk before any Russian action and possibly help deter it. In a meeting with the senators late Monday, Zelenskyy urged them to impose sanctions quickly “to counter the aggression” from Russia.</p>

<p>The senators’ pledges to defend democracy and vanquish tyranny seemed a throwback to the Cold War. Indeed, observers have argued that Putin’s threats against Ukraine are rooted in a desire to reconstitute a Moscow-led Eastern bloc reminiscent of Soviet times.</p>

<p>Similarly, Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader who is close to Putin, made his own argument that the Russians were responding to the Americans.</p>

<p>“What are the Americans doing here?” Lukashenko said. “There are these hotheads who are calling for war.”</p>

<p>It is possibly in that spirit that Russian troops will begin military exercises in Belarus next month. Security officials fear that the exercises could become a pretext for long-term deployment of Russian forces in the former Soviet republic, which shares a lengthy western border with the European Union and NATO.</p>

<p>Lukashenko has pledged to follow Putin’s lead on any action in Ukraine.</p>


The week before intensive diplomatic meetings began over the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, U.S. and Ukrainian officials watched from afar as Russia began emptying out its embassy in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital.

The week before intensive diplomatic meetings began over the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border, U.S. and Ukrainian officials watched from afar as Russia began emptying out its embassy in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. On January 5, 18 people - mostly the children and wives of Russian diplomats - boarded buses and embarked on a 15-hour drive home to Moscow, according to a senior Ukrainian security official. About 30 more followed in the next few days, from Kyiv and a consulate in Lviv, in western Ukraine. Diplomats at two other Russian consulates have been told to prepare to leave Ukraine, the security official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss national security matters. How to interpret the evacuation has become part of the mystery of divining the next play by President Vladimir Putin of Russia. Thinning out the Russian Embassy may be part propaganda, part preparation for a looming conflict or part feint, Ukrainian and U.S. officials say. It could be all three. In recent days, the slow departures — which the Russians most likely knew that the Americans and the Ukrainians would see — have become part of the puzzle of what happens next. They are a more ominous data point, in addition to cyberattacks on Ukrainian ministries last week, and reports from Microsoft and the US government that far more destructive malware has been planted in Ukrainian networks but not activated. Enormous train convoys loaded with tanks, missiles and troops continue to push west through Russia, apparently heading for the Ukrainian border. Alexander Lukashenko, the authoritarian leader of Belarus, announced Monday that Russian forces and equipment had begun arriving in his country for a joint military exercise that would be held in two places: on Belarus’ western edge, near Poland and Lithuania, two NATO countries; and along the Ukrainian border, which could prove another pathway for invasion. The exercise has been given a very American-sounding name: Allied Resolve. But in Kyiv, Ukrainian officials fully expect any Russian troops deployed to Belarus for the exercises to remain in place indefinitely, leaving Ukraine open to attack from the north, the east and the south. “We’ll be fully surrounded by equal forces,” the senior Ukrainian security official said. In Washington, US officials say they still assess that Putin has not yet made a decision to invade. They describe him as more a tactician than a grand strategist, and they believe that he is constantly weighing a host of different factors. Among them is how well he could weather the threatened sanctions on his banks and industry, and whether his demands that Ukraine stop veering toward NATO - and that NATO stop spreading toward Russia - are receiving enough attention. But the U.S. officials say Putin may also have concluded that with the United States and other countries arming Ukraine, his military advantage is at risk of slipping away. Britain’s defence secretary, Ben Wallace, announced in an address to Parliament on Monday that the country would begin providing Ukraine with light, anti-armour defensive weapons. Putin may become tempted to act sooner rather than later. US officials saw Russia’s embassy evacuations coming. “We have information that indicates the Russian government was preparing to evacuate their family members from the Russian Embassy in Ukraine in late December and early January,” a US official said in a statement. Ukrainian officials say they saw the Russians leave. But that leaves open the question of what, if anything, the Russians were signalling. It is possible they were trying to bolster the case that the U.S. and its Western allies should take seriously their demands that Ukraine can never join NATO, and that troops, nuclear weapons and other heavy weaponry must be removed from former Warsaw Pact states, like Poland, that were once allied with the Soviet Union. It could also be that the Russians were trying to indicate that an attack was brewing, though there were no other signals. In fact, the buildup of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border is not increasing at a rate that Pentagon officials expected a month ago. The latest US estimates are that about 60 battalion tactical groups, known as BTGs and each with an average of 800 soldiers, are now in place at the border with Ukraine. Combined with other local forces, the Russians have about 77,000 troops at the border, with more on the way. Others put the figure at closer to 100,000 — much depends on how different forces are counted — but that is well short of the Pentagon’s estimate more than a month ago that the total number could rise to 175,000. US and European intelligence and military officials say Putin may be waiting for the ground to freeze, making it easier to get heavy equipment over the border. Or he may be building up slowly, for diplomatic advantage, as he awaits a written reply from the Biden administration and NATO to his demands that they roll back NATO’s military posture to what it was 15 years ago — much farther from Russia’s borders. While US officials still believe Putin is undecided about his next move, officials in Kyiv are assessing what an attack may look like, if it happens. It could come in the form of a full-on invasion, the Ukrainian security official said. Or Russia could launch a cyberattack on the Ukrainian energy grid — far larger than the ones conducted in 2015 and 2016 — combined with the military escalation in Ukraine’s east, where Russian-backed separatist forces remain deeply entrenched. No one but the leaders in the Kremlin seem to know for sure how the next days and weeks might play out. Against this backdrop, a senior delegation of U.S. senators arrived in Kyiv on Monday. Their trip followed a visit to Kyiv last Wednesday by CIA Director William J. Burns, who consulted with intelligence officials and met with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss efforts to de-escalate tensions with Moscow, a US official said. Burns’ trip was reported earlier by CNN. The senators' visit was a bipartisan show of support from Ukraine’s most powerful ally, even if they brought few specific proposals for staving off a Russian attack. “Russia’s actions in eastern Ukraine and Crimea, and the actions that they are planning today, represent the most serious assault on the post-World War II order in our lifetime,” Sen. Christopher Murphy, D-Conn., who sits on the Foreign Relations Committee, said at a news conference in Kyiv. Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014 and instigated a violent separatist uprising that effectively cleaved away two Ukrainian provinces. More than 13,000 people were killed in the fighting. At the news conference, Murphy said he hoped legislation that outlines punishing sanctions against Russia’s leadership, including Putin, would reach President Joe Biden’s desk before any Russian action and possibly help deter it. In a meeting with the senators late Monday, Zelenskyy urged them to impose sanctions quickly “to counter the aggression” from Russia. The senators’ pledges to defend democracy and vanquish tyranny seemed a throwback to the Cold War. Indeed, observers have argued that Putin’s threats against Ukraine are rooted in a desire to reconstitute a Moscow-led Eastern bloc reminiscent of Soviet times. Similarly, Lukashenko, the Belarusian leader who is close to Putin, made his own argument that the Russians were responding to the Americans. “What are the Americans doing here?” Lukashenko said. “There are these hotheads who are calling for war.” It is possibly in that spirit that Russian troops will begin military exercises in Belarus next month. Security officials fear that the exercises could become a pretext for long-term deployment of Russian forces in the former Soviet republic, which shares a lengthy western border with the European Union and NATO. Lukashenko has pledged to follow Putin’s lead on any action in Ukraine.

Russia thins out its embassy in Ukraine, a possible clue to Putin’s next move

<p>A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow.</p>

<p>Taras Kozak of the pro-Moscow party "Opposition Platform" already owned two national TV stations before he took over the channel ZIK this week.</p>

<p>Kozak is a close ally of politician Viktor Medvedchuk, a controversial figure in Ukraine because of his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin while Kiev is fighting a Moscow-backed separatist war.</p>

<p>Journalist Roman Nedzelskiy, one of five journalists to resign from the channel along with its CEO, said Medvedchuk now essentially controls ZIK.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Tomorrow I will be on the air with the last broadcast of the weekly show 'Details' and then I will start looking for a job," he said on Facebook late Friday.</p>

<p>"Medvedchuk is an enemy of my country, a murderer of both the past and the future," his colleague Vakhtang Kipiani wrote as he announced his resignation.</p>

<p>Mustafa Nayyem, a Ukrainian MP, wrote on social media that the takeover would be a challenge for new President Volodymyr Zelensky.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is difficult to say which is worse -- a Russian tank on the demarcation line or a broadcast holding... belonging practically to a relative of Vladimir Putin".&nbsp;</p>

<p>Medvedchuk claims Putin is godfather to one of his daughters.</p>

<p>Ukraine is locked in a five-year conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country that has claimed over 13,000 lives.</p>


A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow.

A Ukrainian MP with ties to Russia has bought a national Ukrainian news channel, prompting a round of resignations from journalists who fear his ownership will mean coverage influenced by Moscow. Taras Kozak of the pro-Moscow party "Opposition Platform" already owned two national TV stations before he took over the channel ZIK this week. Kozak is a close ally of politician Viktor Medvedchuk, a controversial figure in Ukraine because of his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin while Kiev is fighting a Moscow-backed separatist war. Journalist Roman Nedzelskiy, one of five journalists to resign from the channel along with its CEO, said Medvedchuk now essentially controls ZIK. "Tomorrow I will be on the air with the last broadcast of the weekly show 'Details' and then I will start looking for a job," he said on Facebook late Friday. "Medvedchuk is an enemy of my country, a murderer of both the past and the future," his colleague Vakhtang Kipiani wrote as he announced his resignation. Mustafa Nayyem, a Ukrainian MP, wrote on social media that the takeover would be a challenge for new President Volodymyr Zelensky. "It is difficult to say which is worse -- a Russian tank on the demarcation line or a broadcast holding... belonging practically to a relative of Vladimir Putin". Medvedchuk claims Putin is godfather to one of his daughters. Ukraine is locked in a five-year conflict with Russia-backed separatists in the east of the country that has claimed over 13,000 lives.

Journalists resign after pro-Russia MP buys Ukraine channel

<p>Demands voiced by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to release Ukrainian sailors held by Russia are unacceptable, Moscow's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Saturday.</p>

<p>Merkel and Macron demanded on Friday that Russia release the Ukrainian sailors, whom it captured along with their ships last month in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea with the Azov Sea.</p>

<p>Russian border patrol boats fired on, boarded and seized the three Ukrainian vessels, along with 24 sailors, in November off the coast of Crimea. The sailors are still being held in detention by Russian authorities.</p>

<p>Macron and Merkel on Friday said these "excessive inspections" were a source of "deep concern".</p>

<p>"We call for all ships using the Kerch Strait to be given safe, free, and unhindered passage, and for the immediate and unconditional release of the Ukrainian sailors. They too must be allowed to spend the holidays with their families."</p>

<p>In a separate statement, Merkel's office said the chancellor had also discussed the Ukrainian issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call Friday and urged the release of the sailors.</p>


Demands voiced by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to release Ukrainian sailors held by Russia are unacceptable, Moscow's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Saturday.

Demands voiced by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron to release Ukrainian sailors held by Russia are unacceptable, Moscow's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website on Saturday. Merkel and Macron demanded on Friday that Russia release the Ukrainian sailors, whom it captured along with their ships last month in the Kerch Strait, which links the Black Sea with the Azov Sea. Russian border patrol boats fired on, boarded and seized the three Ukrainian vessels, along with 24 sailors, in November off the coast of Crimea. The sailors are still being held in detention by Russian authorities. Macron and Merkel on Friday said these "excessive inspections" were a source of "deep concern". "We call for all ships using the Kerch Strait to be given safe, free, and unhindered passage, and for the immediate and unconditional release of the Ukrainian sailors. They too must be allowed to spend the holidays with their families." In a separate statement, Merkel's office said the chancellor had also discussed the Ukrainian issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a phone call Friday and urged the release of the sailors.

Moscow rejects Europe's demand to release Ukrainian sailors