Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters day 9 and reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant has sent the world in shock. In the latest, Biden spoke to Ukraine President Zelensky.

Biden speaks to Ukraine President Zelensky amid reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant

It is day 9 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine.

Shelling in Kyiv continues on Day 9: Air raid sirens blare through the night

<p>With the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifying, US President Joe Biden had a 'constructive conversation' with other Quad leaders, the White House said on Thursday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine was discussed by the Quad leaders, which include Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-shelling-sets-largest-nuclear-power-plant-in-europe-on-fire-says-ukraines-minister-458728" hreflang="en">Russian shelling sets largest nuclear power plant in Europe on fire, says Ukraine's minister</a></strong></p>

<p>On Wednesday, the leaders held a virtual meeting. In it, Russia's invasion in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region due to the crisis was discussed. &nbsp;</p>

<p>At a news conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "The President felt it was a constructive conversation." &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>In a press release, the White House said, “The Quad leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to meet in person in Tokyo later this year." . &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/please-use-with-caution-elon-musk-warns-that-starlink-can-be-targeted-by-russia-advises-caution-458726">Elon Musk warns that starlink can be 'targeted' by Russia, advises caution</a></strong></p>

<p>In a tweet after the meeting, Biden said, "I met with my fellow Quad leaders Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio about Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine and our commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific.” &nbsp;</p>

<p>Biden has also suggested that members of the respective national security teams can follow up after the meeting of the four heads of state, Psaki said. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


With the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifying, US President Joe Biden had a 'constructive conversation' with other Quad leaders, the White House said on Thursday.

With the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifying, US President Joe Biden had a 'constructive conversation' with other Quad leaders, the White House said on Thursday. The rapidly evolving situation in Ukraine was discussed by the Quad leaders, which include Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Read: Russian shelling sets largest nuclear power plant in Europe on fire, says Ukraine's minister On Wednesday, the leaders held a virtual meeting. In it, Russia's invasion in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region due to the crisis was discussed. At a news conference, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, "The President felt it was a constructive conversation." In a press release, the White House said, “The Quad leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and agreed to meet in person in Tokyo later this year." . Also Read: Elon Musk warns that starlink can be 'targeted' by Russia, advises caution In a tweet after the meeting, Biden said, "I met with my fellow Quad leaders Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio about Russia's ongoing attack on Ukraine and our commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity around the world, including in the Indo-Pacific.” Biden has also suggested that members of the respective national security teams can follow up after the meeting of the four heads of state, Psaki said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Constructive conversation': Quad leaders discuss Ukraine situation

The Russian invasion into Ukraine has displaced more than a million people with millions more at risk The European Union nations have been pretty swift in their response to the Ukrainians who are crossing over the border from Ukraine into the neighbouring nations.

Europe's bias of Ukrainian: Middle east refugees still seek shelter

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Russia to cut Ukraine in two? Moscow re-strategises its Kyiv plan

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky asks Putin for direct talks as invasion enters day 9

As the world pushed for new economic sanctions against Russia and President Putin amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, the global markets react. Russian currency tumbles to a record low.

Economic repercussions of the invasion: Rouble falls, the Russian economy nosedives | English News

It is day 9 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and scores of civilians have lost their lives in the conflict. Armies of both countries have been involved in intense fights since Russian troops entered Ukraine. Now, a Fire took place at Europe's largest nuclear plant after continuous Russian shelling.

Fire breaks out at Zaporizhzhya Nuclear power plant amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Here's a look at countries that possess Nuclear weapons and how many warheads are at their disposal amid the growing tensions between the West and Russia.

Nuclear war: Putin's threat or rhetoric? Who has how many nuclear warheads?

Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant after continuous Russian shelling

US has sent additional troops to Europe. UK is planning to seize the property of Russian Oligarchs. NATO Foreign Ministers are holding an emergency meeting in Brussels. Palki Sharma decodes Thursday's biggest developments with WION's correspondents.

Gravitas: Ukraine Conflict: Decoding Thursday's biggest developments

Russian soldiers have encircled Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. The UN's atomic watchdog has passed a resolution condemning the invasion and asking Russian troops to not target nuclear sites. Could Putin's war unleash a nuclear tragedy in Ukraine? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Risk of a nuclear disaster in Ukraine

Is Russia trying to drag India into the Ukraine conflict? Moscow claimed that Indian students were taken "hostage" and used as "human shields". India has refuted Russia's claims. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Ukraine invasion: Indians students used as human shields?

141 countries vote against Russia at UNGA. In a first, Moscow reveals death toll. Massive explosions rock Kyiv. Palki Sharma brings you a round-up of the latest developments.

Gravitas: Ukraine war enters Day 8. Here are all the developments

<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>Amid the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, an Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot in the capital city of Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The student has been identified as&nbsp;Harjot Singh, who said as quoted by ANI: "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet."&nbsp;</p>

<p>While responding to his video, India's ministry of external affairs noted that the government of India "will be bearing expenses for Harjot Singh's medical treatment" (in Kyiv, Ukraine).</p>

<p>"We are trying to ascertain his medical status... Our embassy is trying to get an update on his health status...trying to reach out but facing trouble as it's a conflict zone," the ministry added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A few days ago, an Indian student lost his life as the&nbsp;situation continues to escalate after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Indian government has been evacuating its citizen from war-torn Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-discusses-ukraine-situation-with-quad-leaders-458707">PM Modi discusses Ukraine situation with Quad leaders</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet," says Harjot Singh, an Indian who sustained multiple bullet injuries in war-torn Ukraine, receiving treatment at a Kyiv hospital <a href="https://t.co/8oc9urO74s">pic.twitter.com/8oc9urO74s</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1499705696925122561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) General VK Singh revealed the information to ANI at Poland's Rzeszow airport on Thursday (March 3).&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv," General (retd) Singh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The Indian embassy had earlier cleared on the priority that everyone should leave Kyiv. In the event of war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone's religion and nationality," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/polish-varsities-to-help-indian-students-from-ukraine-complete-their-studies-minister-vk-singh-458678">Polish varsities to help Indian students from Ukraine complete their studies: Minister VK Singh</a></strong></p>

<p>The students are currently fleeing Ukraine and trying to reach the border of Poland for their safe return to India.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Four Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh - are overseeing the evacuation efforts in the countries adjoining Ukraine.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky asks Putin for direct talks as invasion enters day 9</strong></p>

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Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. Amid the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict, an Indian student has been hospitalised after he was shot in the capital city of Ukraine. The student has been identified as Harjot Singh, who said as quoted by ANI: "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet." While responding to his video, India's ministry of external affairs noted that the government of India "will be bearing expenses for Harjot Singh's medical treatment" (in Kyiv, Ukraine). "We are trying to ascertain his medical status... Our embassy is trying to get an update on his health status...trying to reach out but facing trouble as it's a conflict zone," the ministry added. A few days ago, an Indian student lost his life as the situation continues to escalate after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered "military operations" in Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Indian government has been evacuating its citizen from war-torn Ukraine. ALSO READ | PM Modi discusses Ukraine situation with Quad leaders #WATCH "No support from the Indian embassy yet. I have been trying to get in touch with them, every day they say we will do something but no help yet," says Harjot Singh, an Indian who sustained multiple bullet injuries in war-torn Ukraine, receiving treatment at a Kyiv hospital pic.twitter.com/8oc9urO74s — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2022 × Minister of State (MoS) for Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) General VK Singh revealed the information to ANI at Poland's Rzeszow airport on Thursday (March 3). "A student from Kyiv was reported to have been shot and was immediately admitted to the hospital in Kyiv," General (retd) Singh said. "The Indian embassy had earlier cleared on the priority that everyone should leave Kyiv. In the event of war, the gun bullet does not look at anyone's religion and nationality," he added. ALSO READ | Polish varsities to help Indian students from Ukraine complete their studies: Minister VK Singh The students are currently fleeing Ukraine and trying to reach the border of Poland for their safe return to India. Four Union Ministers, Hardeep Singh Puri, Jyotiraditya M Scindia, Kiren Rijiju and Gen (Retd) VK Singh - are overseeing the evacuation efforts in the countries adjoining Ukraine. WATCH | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Zelensky asks Putin for direct talks as invasion enters day 9 ×

Russia-Ukraine conflict: Indian student shot in Kyiv, hospitalised - Video

<p>After Ukraine's nuclear power plant was hit, Russia blamed the explosion on Ukrainian "saboteurs" calling it "monstrous provocation".</p>

<p>"Last night on the territory adjacent to the power plant, an attempt was made by the Kyiv nationalist regime to carry out a monstrous provocation," Russia's defence ministry said.</p>

<p>The defence ministry added that the nuclear plant was operating normally and the area was under Russian control since February 28.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-is-the-chain-of-command-for-potential-russian-nuclear-strikes-458854">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;What is the chain of command for potential Russian nuclear strikes?</a></p>

<p>UK foreign secretary Liz Truss called for an urgent meeting of the UNSC after Russian forces attacked the nuclear power plant. The IAEA said the fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant did not affect "essential" equipment.</p>

<p>However, Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov alleged that "at about 2 am during a patrol of guarded territory adjacent to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a mobile patrol of the National Guard came under attack from a Ukrainian sabotage group".</p>

<p><strong>Watch: What next for Putin?</strong></p>

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<p>"To provoke return fire on the building, heavy small arms fire was opened on Russian National Guard servicemen from the windows of several floors of a training complex located outside the power plant," he said.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-war-russias-hunt-for-drone-killer-uav-concept-revealed-457886">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;Russia's hunt for 'drone-killer UAV concept' revealed</a></p>

<p>According to Igor Konashenkov, the "sabotage group" abandoned the training complex after the Russian patrol group returned fire to suppress the attack as it was set on fire and they left.</p>

<p>The IAEA said the training facility at the nuclear site at Zaporizhzhia which was hit was not part of the plant's reactors. Russia had earlier seized the Chernobyl nuclear plant on February 24.</p>

<p>"Currently, the staff of Zaporizhzhya NPP continues to work as usual, maintains the NPP facilities and monitors the radioactive situation. The radioactive background in the area of the nuclear power plant is normal,” the defence ministry spokesman added.</p>

<p>(With inputs from Agencies)</p>


After Ukraine's nuclear power plant was hit, Russia blamed the explosion on Ukrainian "saboteurs" calling it "monstrous provocation". "Last night on the territory adjacent to the power plant, an attempt was made by the Kyiv nationalist regime to carry out a monstrous provocation," Russia's defence ministry said.

After Ukraine's nuclear power plant was hit, Russia blamed the explosion on Ukrainian "saboteurs" calling it "monstrous provocation". "Last night on the territory adjacent to the power plant, an attempt was made by the Kyiv nationalist regime to carry out a monstrous provocation," Russia's defence ministry said. The defence ministry added that the nuclear plant was operating normally and the area was under Russian control since February 28. Also Read in Pics: What is the chain of command for potential Russian nuclear strikes? UK foreign secretary Liz Truss called for an urgent meeting of the UNSC after Russian forces attacked the nuclear power plant. The IAEA said the fire at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant did not affect "essential" equipment. However, Russian defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov alleged that "at about 2 am during a patrol of guarded territory adjacent to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, a mobile patrol of the National Guard came under attack from a Ukrainian sabotage group". Watch: What next for Putin? "To provoke return fire on the building, heavy small arms fire was opened on Russian National Guard servicemen from the windows of several floors of a training complex located outside the power plant," he said. Also Read in Pics: Russia's hunt for 'drone-killer UAV concept' revealed According to Igor Konashenkov, the "sabotage group" abandoned the training complex after the Russian patrol group returned fire to suppress the attack as it was set on fire and they left. The IAEA said the training facility at the nuclear site at Zaporizhzhia which was hit was not part of the plant's reactors. Russia had earlier seized the Chernobyl nuclear plant on February 24. "Currently, the staff of Zaporizhzhya NPP continues to work as usual, maintains the NPP facilities and monitors the radioactive situation. The radioactive background in the area of the nuclear power plant is normal,” the defence ministry spokesman added. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russia blames Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant attack on Ukrainian 'saboteurs'

India continues evacuation efforts in Ukraine amid the Russian Invasion. Around 18 flights are scheduled for evacuation on Thursday. Around, 3,900 Indians are expected to be brought back on Saturday.

Ukraine: India’s evacuation efforts for nationals continue amid Russian invasion

<p>After being ordered to shut down due to coverage of Ukraine's invasion, Russian television channel TV Rain (Dozhd) has suspended operations. The channel has been accused of showing "banned" content where they also referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a "war."</p>

<p>A video which has gone viral shows the staff resigning on air, after declaring ‘no to war’ in its last telecast. Journalists from the same channel decided to take a stand for peace.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“No to war," said Natalia Sindeyeva, one of the channel’s founders. After this, the employees staged a walk-out from the studio.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Meanwhile TVRain, the last independent media outlet operating in Russia, has shut down — here's the last few minutes of its broadcast, poorly Google Translated. It then cut to Swan Lake, which has particular relevance: <a href="https://t.co/XXtUHroZkt">https://t.co/XXtUHroZkt</a> <a href="https://t.co/Iq7HSal7FW">pic.twitter.com/Iq7HSal7FW</a></p>
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) <a href="https://twitter.com/bubbaprog/status/1499417275081842694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">TV Rain goes out with a bang, broadcasting the Swan Lake performance that aired on Soviet TVs in 1991 during the attempted coup against Gorbachev. At a time when many wonder if those around Putin could stop this war in Ukraine and Russia’s plunge into isolation. <a href="https://t.co/ADFGVwxy8o">https://t.co/ADFGVwxy8o</a></p>
— Andrew Roth (@Andrew__Roth) <a href="https://twitter.com/Andrew__Roth/status/1499445366411993093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>The channel also played Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake,' referring to the moment from August 1991 when Soviet TV stations showed the ballet instead of the live civil unrest.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-forces-seize-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-as-ukrainians-put-out-fire-458825"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Russian forces seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as Ukrainians put out fire</strong></a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, the Russian forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine's southeast.</p>

<p>It is the Europe's largest nuclear power plant.</p>

<p>"Operational personnel are monitoring the condition of power units," it said on social media, while quoting the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate.</p>

<p>This comes as intense fighting is going on between Russian and Ukrainian forces. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while citing the country's regulatory authorities, said that essential equipment at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was unaffected in the incident and there was no change in radiation levels. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine had said that the plant in its southeast was shelled overnight, the IAEA added.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


After being ordered to shut down due to coverage of Ukraine's invasion, Russian television channel TV Rain (Dozhd) has suspended operations. The channel has been accused of showing "banned" content where they also referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a "war.

After being ordered to shut down due to coverage of Ukraine's invasion, Russian television channel TV Rain (Dozhd) has suspended operations. The channel has been accused of showing "banned" content where they also referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a "war." A video which has gone viral shows the staff resigning on air, after declaring ‘no to war’ in its last telecast. Journalists from the same channel decided to take a stand for peace. “No to war," said Natalia Sindeyeva, one of the channel’s founders. After this, the employees staged a walk-out from the studio. Meanwhile TVRain, the last independent media outlet operating in Russia, has shut down — here's the last few minutes of its broadcast, poorly Google Translated. It then cut to Swan Lake, which has particular relevance: https://t.co/XXtUHroZkt pic.twitter.com/Iq7HSal7FW — Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) March 3, 2022 × TV Rain goes out with a bang, broadcasting the Swan Lake performance that aired on Soviet TVs in 1991 during the attempted coup against Gorbachev. At a time when many wonder if those around Putin could stop this war in Ukraine and Russia’s plunge into isolation. https://t.co/ADFGVwxy8o — Andrew Roth (@Andrew__Roth) March 3, 2022 × The channel also played Tchaikovsky’s ‘Swan Lake,' referring to the moment from August 1991 when Soviet TV stations showed the ballet instead of the live civil unrest. Also read | Russian forces seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as Ukrainians put out fire Meanwhile, the Russian forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine's southeast. It is the Europe's largest nuclear power plant. "Operational personnel are monitoring the condition of power units," it said on social media, while quoting the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate. This comes as intense fighting is going on between Russian and Ukrainian forces. On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while citing the country's regulatory authorities, said that essential equipment at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was unaffected in the incident and there was no change in radiation levels. Ukraine had said that the plant in its southeast was shelled overnight, the IAEA added. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: ‘No to war,’ say staff of Russian news channel as they resign on air

<p>Mila Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher have come together to support the people of Ukraine.<br />
<br />
Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, opened up about the crises her homeland is going through for the very first time.<br />
<br />
On Thursday, the 38-year-old actress took to her Instagram and shared a video message on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the couple have also vowed for a donation.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/no-batman-no-cannes-here-is-the-list-of-sanctions-imposed-on-russia-so-far-458930" hreflang="en">No Batman, No Cannes: Here is the list of sanctions imposed on Russia so far</a><br />
<br />
''I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983. I came to America in 1991. I've always considered myself an American,'' the actress began. ''A proud American. I love everything this country has done for myself and my family. But, today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian,'' she added.<br />
<br />
“The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity,” Mila added. Ashton continued, “And while we witnessed the bravery of the people of the country that she was born in, we are also witness to the needs of those who have chosen safety.”</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CaqQZ-clv8u/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk)</a></p>
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<p>The couple have partnered with Airbnb and FlexPort.org to offer relief options for refugees.The couple says their goal is to reach $30 million.&nbsp;<br />
"The people of Ukraine are strong and brave but being strong and brave doesn't mean you're not worthy of support," Kunis said in a video posted to the GoFundMe campaign. "We need to support the people of Ukraine. Please help us."</p>

<p><a href="http://13.235.153.162/photos/i-stand-by-my-motherland-celebrities-from-ukraine-respond-to-russian-invasion-456843" hreflang="en">I stand by my motherland: Celebrities from Ukraine respond to Russian invasion</a><br />
<br />
''Through GoFundMe, this fundraiser will provide an immediate impact on refugee and humanitarian aid efforts. The fund will benefit Flexport.org and Airbnb.org , two organizations who are actively on the ground providing immediate help to those who need it most. Flexport.org is organizing shipments of relief supplies to refugee sites in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. Airbnb.org is providing free, short-term housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine. Standing with Ukraine means supporting Ukrainians. #StandWithUkraine, '' the post caption reads.</p>

<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;&nbsp;Kutcher has slammed the media in Russia for 'lying' as the country continues to invade Ukraine.&nbsp;Kutcher has been sharing posts on social media in support of Ukraine ever since Russia began its invasion a week back.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


Mila Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher have come together to support the people of Ukraine. Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, opened up about the crises her homeland is going through for the very first time.

Mila Kunis and her husband Ashton Kutcher have come together to support the people of Ukraine. Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, opened up about the crises her homeland is going through for the very first time. On Thursday, the 38-year-old actress took to her Instagram and shared a video message on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the couple have also vowed for a donation. No Batman, No Cannes: Here is the list of sanctions imposed on Russia so far ''I was born in Chernivtsi, Ukraine in 1983. I came to America in 1991. I've always considered myself an American,'' the actress began. ''A proud American. I love everything this country has done for myself and my family. But, today, I have never been more proud to be a Ukrainian,'' she added. “The events that have unfolded in Ukraine are devastating. There is no place in this world for this kind of unjust attack on humanity,” Mila added. Ashton continued, “And while we witnessed the bravery of the people of the country that she was born in, we are also witness to the needs of those who have chosen safety.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ashton Kutcher (@aplusk) × The couple have partnered with Airbnb and FlexPort.org to offer relief options for refugees.The couple says their goal is to reach $30 million. "The people of Ukraine are strong and brave but being strong and brave doesn't mean you're not worthy of support," Kunis said in a video posted to the GoFundMe campaign. "We need to support the people of Ukraine. Please help us." I stand by my motherland: Celebrities from Ukraine respond to Russian invasion ''Through GoFundMe, this fundraiser will provide an immediate impact on refugee and humanitarian aid efforts. The fund will benefit Flexport.org and Airbnb.org , two organizations who are actively on the ground providing immediate help to those who need it most. Flexport.org is organizing shipments of relief supplies to refugee sites in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova. Airbnb.org is providing free, short-term housing to refugees fleeing Ukraine. Standing with Ukraine means supporting Ukrainians. #StandWithUkraine, '' the post caption reads. Meanwhile, Kutcher has slammed the media in Russia for 'lying' as the country continues to invade Ukraine. Kutcher has been sharing posts on social media in support of Ukraine ever since Russia began its invasion a week back.

Ukrainian-born Mila Kunis launches fundraiser for refugees with Ashton Kutcher

No Batman, No Cannes: Here is the list of sanctions imposed on Russia so far

<p>Ukrainian football manager Yuriy Vernydub had celebrated passionately as he inspired his club Sheriff Tiraspol to a stunning win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in September last year. Sheriff Tiraspol had pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Champions League history as they earned a 2-1 win over 13-time European champions Real Madrid at their home - Santiago Bernabeu.</p>

<p>The victory had helped the Moldovanclub finish on top of Group D which also had the likes of Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk along with Real Madrid. It was one of the biggest wins in the history of the club, which have an annual budget of around only 6-7 million USD. After guiding the minnows to a win against the La Liga giants, Vernydub is now back in his home country - Ukraine, far from the football field for an entirely different battle.</p>

<p>Six months after the win over Real Madrid, Vernydub left his team midway through their Europa League campaign last week to return to Ukraine to support the country in their ongoing war against Russia. Russia has launched a full-fledged military invasion of Ukraine and the country is battling hard amid support from all corners of the globe.</p>

<p>Like many other former and current sports stars in Ukraine, Vernydub has exchanged his coaching gear for that of the Ukrainian forces and is ready to fight against Russia. The football coach has joined the Ukrainian forces and a picture of him in army uniform has left many on social media inspired.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Incredible: Yuriy Vernydub, who managed Sheriff to a famous Champions League victory at Real Madrid last September has returned to Ukraine and mobilized to defend his nation. These images speak volumes about unpredictability of life and commitment to homeland. Godspeed Yuriy <a href="https://t.co/hoenQ5MnCO">pic.twitter.com/hoenQ5MnCO</a></p>
— roger bennett (@rogbennett) <a href="https://twitter.com/rogbennett/status/1498318253713674249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 28, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In September 2021, Yuriy Vernydub Led FC Sheriff to a Historic Victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in one of the biggest-ever Champions League shocks.<br />
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Now, Sheriff's Manager - Yuri Vernudyb is Back in his native - Ukraine, defending his country.<br />
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<a href="https://t.co/4n7NyTx6uA">pic.twitter.com/4n7NyTx6uA</a></p>
— AZR (@AzrOrganization) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzrOrganization/status/1498658164925136899?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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<p>Vernydub revealed his son broke the news to him of Russia's attack on Ukraine and the first thing he wanted to do was to return home and join the army. The Sheriff Tiraspol manager said he immediately enrolled in the army once he was back home despite his family suggesting him not to do so.</p>

<p>"My son called me at 4:30 am and he told me the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I would return to Ukraine to fight," Vernydub was quoted as saying by <em>BBC</em>.</p>

<p>"We flew home and landed in Iasi, Romania. I then went by bus to Tiraspol, in Transnistria, with the rest of the team on Friday evening and left for Ukraine first thing on Saturday morning. I enrolled on Sunday," He added.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ukraine-under-attack-heres-how-ukrainian-sports-stars-joining-fight-against-russia-458607">Ukraine under attack: Here's how Ukrainian sports stars joining fight against Russia</a></p>

<p>The 56-year-old football coach was born in Zhytomyr, a northern city in Ukraine. In his professional career as a footballer, he played for several clubs including &nbsp;Russian heavyweights Zenit Saint Petersburg before retiring. He began his managerial career in 2002 when he became the assistant manager of the Ukrainian football club Metalurh Zaporizhzhia.</p>

<p>He became the manager of Sheriff Tiraspol in 2020 and led the club to the Moldovian National Division title in his first year in charge of the club. After masterminding one of the biggest wins for Sheriff against Real Madrid,&nbsp;Vernydub is now on the battlefront against the Russians and is in no mood to leave his country.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/premier-league-captains-to-wear-special-armbands-in-ukrainian-colours-to-show-support-458536">Premier League: Captains to wear special armbands in Ukrainian colours to show support</a></p>

<p>"The people close to me tried to stop me. My wife, my children, my grandchildren. I stood strong and I thank my wife for supporting me. She knows my character. If I make a decision, I won't change it," said the 56-year-old.</p>

<p>"We could have gone to Moldova and this option is still open for my children, for their wives, for my grandchildren. But me and my wife - we are staying here for sure," he added.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Ukrainian football manager Yuriy Vernydub had celebrated passionately as he inspired his club Sheriff Tiraspol to a stunning win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in September last year.

Ukrainian football manager Yuriy Vernydub had celebrated passionately as he inspired his club Sheriff Tiraspol to a stunning win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League in September last year. Sheriff Tiraspol had pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the Champions League history as they earned a 2-1 win over 13-time European champions Real Madrid at their home - Santiago Bernabeu. The victory had helped the Moldovanclub finish on top of Group D which also had the likes of Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk along with Real Madrid. It was one of the biggest wins in the history of the club, which have an annual budget of around only 6-7 million USD. After guiding the minnows to a win against the La Liga giants, Vernydub is now back in his home country - Ukraine, far from the football field for an entirely different battle. Six months after the win over Real Madrid, Vernydub left his team midway through their Europa League campaign last week to return to Ukraine to support the country in their ongoing war against Russia. Russia has launched a full-fledged military invasion of Ukraine and the country is battling hard amid support from all corners of the globe. Like many other former and current sports stars in Ukraine, Vernydub has exchanged his coaching gear for that of the Ukrainian forces and is ready to fight against Russia. The football coach has joined the Ukrainian forces and a picture of him in army uniform has left many on social media inspired. Incredible: Yuriy Vernydub, who managed Sheriff to a famous Champions League victory at Real Madrid last September has returned to Ukraine and mobilized to defend his nation. These images speak volumes about unpredictability of life and commitment to homeland. Godspeed Yuriy pic.twitter.com/hoenQ5MnCO — roger bennett (@rogbennett) February 28, 2022 × In September 2021, Yuriy Vernydub Led FC Sheriff to a Historic Victory against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in one of the biggest-ever Champions League shocks. Now, Sheriff's Manager - Yuri Vernudyb is Back in his native - Ukraine, defending his country. pic.twitter.com/4n7NyTx6uA — AZR (@AzrOrganization) March 1, 2022 × Vernydub revealed his son broke the news to him of Russia's attack on Ukraine and the first thing he wanted to do was to return home and join the army. The Sheriff Tiraspol manager said he immediately enrolled in the army once he was back home despite his family suggesting him not to do so. "My son called me at 4:30 am and he told me the Russians attacked us. I knew then that I would return to Ukraine to fight," Vernydub was quoted as saying by BBC. "We flew home and landed in Iasi, Romania. I then went by bus to Tiraspol, in Transnistria, with the rest of the team on Friday evening and left for Ukraine first thing on Saturday morning. I enrolled on Sunday," He added. Also Read: Ukraine under attack: Here's how Ukrainian sports stars joining fight against Russia The 56-year-old football coach was born in Zhytomyr, a northern city in Ukraine. In his professional career as a footballer, he played for several clubs including Russian heavyweights Zenit Saint Petersburg before retiring. He began his managerial career in 2002 when he became the assistant manager of the Ukrainian football club Metalurh Zaporizhzhia. He became the manager of Sheriff Tiraspol in 2020 and led the club to the Moldovian National Division title in his first year in charge of the club. After masterminding one of the biggest wins for Sheriff against Real Madrid, Vernydub is now on the battlefront against the Russians and is in no mood to leave his country. Also Read: Premier League: Captains to wear special armbands in Ukrainian colours to show support "The people close to me tried to stop me. My wife, my children, my grandchildren. I stood strong and I thank my wife for supporting me. She knows my character. If I make a decision, I won't change it," said the 56-year-old. "We could have gone to Moldova and this option is still open for my children, for their wives, for my grandchildren. But me and my wife - we are staying here for sure," he added.

Ukrainian football manager who beat Real Madrid last year is now on battlefield for his country

<p><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></p>

<p>European intelligence officials have revealed that Kremlin is planning to stage public executions in captured Ukrainian cities. This will be an attempt at breaking people's morale. Apart from this, Russia has also planned crackdowns on protests and imprisonment of political opponents.</p>

<p>The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity. However, he claims that he has seen documents from Russia's intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service.</p>

<p>Bloomberg's political editor Kitty Donaldson, in a report was quoted as saying, "The agency is also planning violent crowd control and repressive detention of protest organisers in order to break Ukrainian morale."</p>

<p>The revelation comes in as it has been over a week since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started. The forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine's southeast.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-forces-seize-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant-as-ukrainians-put-out-fire-458825"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Russian forces seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as Ukrainians put out fire</strong></a></p>

<p>It is the Europe's largest nuclear power plant.</p>

<p>"Operational personnel are monitoring the condition of power units," it said on social media, while quoting the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate.</p>

<p>Efforts are being made to ensure the operations were in line with safety requirements, it said.</p>

<p>A fire, which had broken out in a training building in the plant, has been extinguished, Ukraine's state emergency service had earlier said on Friday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while citing the country's regulatory authorities, said that essential equipment at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was unaffected in the incident and there was no change in radiation levels. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Ukraine had said that the plant in its southeast was shelled overnight, the IAEA added.</p>

<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. European intelligence officials have revealed that Kremlin is planning to stage public executions in captured Ukrainian cities. This will be an attempt at breaking people's morale. Apart from this, Russia has also planned crackdowns on protests and imprisonment of political opponents. The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity. However, he claims that he has seen documents from Russia's intelligence agency, the Federal Security Service. Bloomberg's political editor Kitty Donaldson, in a report was quoted as saying, "The agency is also planning violent crowd control and repressive detention of protest organisers in order to break Ukrainian morale." The revelation comes in as it has been over a week since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started. The forces have seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine's southeast. Also read | Russian forces seize Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant as Ukrainians put out fire It is the Europe's largest nuclear power plant. "Operational personnel are monitoring the condition of power units," it said on social media, while quoting the Ukrainian nuclear inspectorate. Efforts are being made to ensure the operations were in line with safety requirements, it said. A fire, which had broken out in a training building in the plant, has been extinguished, Ukraine's state emergency service had earlier said on Friday. On Friday, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), while citing the country's regulatory authorities, said that essential equipment at Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was unaffected in the incident and there was no change in radiation levels. Ukraine had said that the plant in its southeast was shelled overnight, the IAEA added. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia to stage public executions in Ukraine; crackdowns and detaining opponents also a part of plan

After months of speculations, calculations, assessments and back-to-back diplomatic talks, Ukraine is under attack from land and sea, this is the biggest attack in Europe since the cold war. NATO Foreign Ministers held an emergency meeting in Brussels.

NATO activates its rapid response force after Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels

<p>Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.</p>

<p>In Situation Room meetings in recent days, the issue has come up repeatedly, according to three officials. Putin’s tendency, U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House and Congress, is to double down when he feels trapped by his own overreach. So they have described a series of possible reactions, ranging from indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities to compensate for the early mistakes made by his invading force, to cyberattacks directed at the U.S. financial system, to more nuclear threats and perhaps moves to take the war beyond Ukraine’s borders.</p>

<p>The debate over Putin’s next moves is linked to an urgent reexamination by intelligence agencies of the Russian leader’s mental state, and whether his ambitions and appetite for risk have been altered by two years of COVID-19 isolation.</p>

<p>Those concerns accelerated after Putin’s order Sunday to place the country’s strategic nuclear weapons on a “combat ready” alert to respond to the West’s “aggressive comments.” (In the ensuing days, however, national security officials say they have seen little evidence on the ground that Russia’s nuclear forces have actually moved to a different state of readiness.)</p>

<p>It was a sign of the depth of U.S. concern that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that he was canceling a previously scheduled Minuteman nuclear missile test to avoid escalating direct challenges to Moscow or giving Putin an excuse to once again invoke the power of the country’s nuclear arsenal.</p>

<p>“We did not take this decision lightly, but instead, to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Wednesday. “We recognize at this moment of tension how critical it is that both the United States and Russia bear in mind the risk of miscalculation, and take steps to reduce those risks.”</p>

<p>Nonetheless, Putin’s reaction to the initial wave of sanctions has provoked a range of concerns that one senior official called the “Cornered Putin Problem.” Those concerns center on a series of recent announcements: the pullout of oil companies like Exxon and Shell from developing Russia’s oil fields, the moves against Russia’s central bank that sent the ruble plunging, and Germany’s surprise announcement that it would drop its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces and ramp up its military spending.</p>

<p>But beyond canceling the missile test, there is no evidence that the United States is considering steps to reduce tensions, and a senior official said there was no interest in backing off sanctions.</p>

<p>“Quite the contrary,’’ said the official, who, like other U.S. officials interviewed for this story, asked for anonymity to discuss the internal debates among Biden’s advisers.</p>

<p>In fact, President Joe Biden announced expanded sanctions Thursday, aimed at Russia’s oligarch class. Many of those named — including Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson and one of his close advisers — rank among his most influential defenders and the beneficiaries of the system he has created.</p>

<p>Biden, reading a statement and taking no questions, said the sanctions have had “a profound impact already.”</p>

<p>A few hours after he spoke, S&amp;P dropped Russia’s credit rating to CCC-, the credit rating agency said in a statement. That is far below the junk bond levels Russia was ranked at a few days after the invasion and just two notches above a warning that the country was going into default.</p>

<p>It suggested that Putin’s effort to “sanctions-proof” his economy had largely failed. And at least for now, there is no discernible off-ramp for the Russian leader short of declaring a cease-fire or pulling back his forces — steps he has so far shown no interest in taking.</p>

<p>At a news briefing at the White House on Thursday afternoon, press secretary Jen Psaki said that she knew of no efforts to show Putin a way out. “I think right in this moment, they are marching toward Kyiv with a convoy and continuing to take reportedly barbaric steps against the people of Ukraine. So now is not the moment where we are offering options for reducing sanctions.”</p>

<p>Yet a senior State Department official, asked about the debates inside the administration on the risks ahead, said there were nuances in the administration’s approach that point to possible outs for the Russian leader.</p>

<p>Biden’s policy, the official said, was not one of seeking regime change in Russia. The idea, he said, was to influence Putin’s actions, not his grip on power. And the sanctions, the official noted, were designed not as a punishment, but as leverage to end the war. They will escalate if Putin escalates, the official said. But the administration would calibrate its sanctions, and perhaps reduce them, if Putin begins to de-escalate.</p>

<p>And the official said that because Putin has now exerted such control over Russian media, closing down the last vestiges of independent news organizations, he could spin some kind of de-escalation into a victory.</p>

<p>Yet that hope collides with the assessments of Putin’s instincts, many of which are based on open, unclassified observations.</p>

<p>CIA Director William Burns was an early advocate of the view that the Russian leader planned to invade and was not massing troops around Ukraine simply to gain leverage in some kind of bargaining game.</p>

<p>“I would never underestimate President Putin’s risk appetite on Ukraine,” Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, who has dealt with Putin for more than two decades, said in December.</p>

<p>Putin’s views on Ukraine are fiercely held. He seems unlikely to accept any result that does not achieve his goal of bringing Ukraine closer to the Russian fold. And, especially after the Russian military’s poor performance in the first week of the war, he may be concerned that any whiff of failure could weaken his hold on power.</p>

<p>Putin’s strategy in coming weeks, some other U.S. officials have warned in closed meetings since the crisis accelerated, could be to redirect the conflict toward Washington, hoping to distract from the Russian forces’ attacks on civilians in Ukraine and rouse a nationalistic response to the actions of a longtime adversary.</p>

<p>If Putin wants to strike at the U.S. financial system, as Biden has struck at his, he has only one significant pathway in: his well-trained army of hackers and an adjacent group of criminal ransomware operators, some of whom have publicly pledged to help him in his battle.</p>

<p>Tatyana Bolton, the policy director for cybersecurity and emerging threats at the R Street Institute, expressed confidence Thursday that the financial industry was ready.</p>

<p>“The JPMorgans of the world spend more on cybersecurity than many government agencies,’’ said Bolton, a former senior official in the Department of Homeland Security whose family emigrated from Russia.</p>

<p>But she was concerned about the possibility that Putin would finally activate “pre-positioned malware in the energy sector as a means of getting back at the United States.”</p>

<p>Members of Congress have also raised concerns that Putin could unleash Moscow’s network of criminal hackers, who have conducted ransomware attacks that have shut down hospitals, meat processing plants and the Colonial Pipeline network that carried nearly half of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on the East Coast.</p>

<p>“If the situation escalates further, I think we are going to see Russian cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a member of the House Intelligence Committee who was co-chair of an influential cyberspace commission.</p>

<p>Another possibility is that Putin will threaten to push farther into Moldova or Georgia, which, like Ukraine, are not members of NATO — and thus territory that the U.S. and NATO forces would not enter. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making Moldova one of his stops on a reassurance tour that began Thursday.</p>

<p>There are larger worries, involving potential nuclear threats. On Sunday, as the fighting accelerated, Belarus passed a referendum that amended its constitution to allow for nuclear weapons to be based, once again, on its territory. U.S. officials are expecting that President Alexander Lukashenko may well ask Putin to place tactical weapons in his country, where they would be closer to European capitals. And Putin has shown, twice this week, that he is ready to remind the world of the powers of his arsenal.</p>

<p>But the next move for Putin is likely to further intensify his operations in Ukraine, which would almost certainly result in more civilian casualties and destruction.</p>

<p>“It wasn’t a cakewalk for Putin, and now he has no choice but to double down,” said Beth Sanner, a former top intelligence official. “This is what autocrats do. You cannot walk away or you look weak.”</p>


Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine.

Senior White House officials designing the strategy to confront Russia have begun quietly debating a new concern: that the avalanche of sanctions directed at Moscow, which has gained speed faster than they imagined, is cornering President Vladimir Putin and may prompt him to lash out, perhaps expanding the conflict beyond Ukraine. In Situation Room meetings in recent days, the issue has come up repeatedly, according to three officials. Putin’s tendency, U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House and Congress, is to double down when he feels trapped by his own overreach. So they have described a series of possible reactions, ranging from indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian cities to compensate for the early mistakes made by his invading force, to cyberattacks directed at the U.S. financial system, to more nuclear threats and perhaps moves to take the war beyond Ukraine’s borders. The debate over Putin’s next moves is linked to an urgent reexamination by intelligence agencies of the Russian leader’s mental state, and whether his ambitions and appetite for risk have been altered by two years of COVID-19 isolation. Those concerns accelerated after Putin’s order Sunday to place the country’s strategic nuclear weapons on a “combat ready” alert to respond to the West’s “aggressive comments.” (In the ensuing days, however, national security officials say they have seen little evidence on the ground that Russia’s nuclear forces have actually moved to a different state of readiness.) It was a sign of the depth of U.S. concern that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced Wednesday that he was canceling a previously scheduled Minuteman nuclear missile test to avoid escalating direct challenges to Moscow or giving Putin an excuse to once again invoke the power of the country’s nuclear arsenal. “We did not take this decision lightly, but instead, to demonstrate that we are a responsible nuclear power,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Wednesday. “We recognize at this moment of tension how critical it is that both the United States and Russia bear in mind the risk of miscalculation, and take steps to reduce those risks.” Nonetheless, Putin’s reaction to the initial wave of sanctions has provoked a range of concerns that one senior official called the “Cornered Putin Problem.” Those concerns center on a series of recent announcements: the pullout of oil companies like Exxon and Shell from developing Russia’s oil fields, the moves against Russia’s central bank that sent the ruble plunging, and Germany’s surprise announcement that it would drop its ban on sending lethal weapons to Ukrainian forces and ramp up its military spending. But beyond canceling the missile test, there is no evidence that the United States is considering steps to reduce tensions, and a senior official said there was no interest in backing off sanctions. “Quite the contrary,’’ said the official, who, like other U.S. officials interviewed for this story, asked for anonymity to discuss the internal debates among Biden’s advisers. In fact, President Joe Biden announced expanded sanctions Thursday, aimed at Russia’s oligarch class. Many of those named — including Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesperson and one of his close advisers — rank among his most influential defenders and the beneficiaries of the system he has created. Biden, reading a statement and taking no questions, said the sanctions have had “a profound impact already.” A few hours after he spoke, S&P dropped Russia’s credit rating to CCC-, the credit rating agency said in a statement. That is far below the junk bond levels Russia was ranked at a few days after the invasion and just two notches above a warning that the country was going into default. It suggested that Putin’s effort to “sanctions-proof” his economy had largely failed. And at least for now, there is no discernible off-ramp for the Russian leader short of declaring a cease-fire or pulling back his forces — steps he has so far shown no interest in taking. At a news briefing at the White House on Thursday afternoon, press secretary Jen Psaki said that she knew of no efforts to show Putin a way out. “I think right in this moment, they are marching toward Kyiv with a convoy and continuing to take reportedly barbaric steps against the people of Ukraine. So now is not the moment where we are offering options for reducing sanctions.” Yet a senior State Department official, asked about the debates inside the administration on the risks ahead, said there were nuances in the administration’s approach that point to possible outs for the Russian leader. Biden’s policy, the official said, was not one of seeking regime change in Russia. The idea, he said, was to influence Putin’s actions, not his grip on power. And the sanctions, the official noted, were designed not as a punishment, but as leverage to end the war. They will escalate if Putin escalates, the official said. But the administration would calibrate its sanctions, and perhaps reduce them, if Putin begins to de-escalate. And the official said that because Putin has now exerted such control over Russian media, closing down the last vestiges of independent news organizations, he could spin some kind of de-escalation into a victory. Yet that hope collides with the assessments of Putin’s instincts, many of which are based on open, unclassified observations. CIA Director William Burns was an early advocate of the view that the Russian leader planned to invade and was not massing troops around Ukraine simply to gain leverage in some kind of bargaining game. “I would never underestimate President Putin’s risk appetite on Ukraine,” Burns, a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow, who has dealt with Putin for more than two decades, said in December. Putin’s views on Ukraine are fiercely held. He seems unlikely to accept any result that does not achieve his goal of bringing Ukraine closer to the Russian fold. And, especially after the Russian military’s poor performance in the first week of the war, he may be concerned that any whiff of failure could weaken his hold on power. Putin’s strategy in coming weeks, some other U.S. officials have warned in closed meetings since the crisis accelerated, could be to redirect the conflict toward Washington, hoping to distract from the Russian forces’ attacks on civilians in Ukraine and rouse a nationalistic response to the actions of a longtime adversary. If Putin wants to strike at the U.S. financial system, as Biden has struck at his, he has only one significant pathway in: his well-trained army of hackers and an adjacent group of criminal ransomware operators, some of whom have publicly pledged to help him in his battle. Tatyana Bolton, the policy director for cybersecurity and emerging threats at the R Street Institute, expressed confidence Thursday that the financial industry was ready. “The JPMorgans of the world spend more on cybersecurity than many government agencies,’’ said Bolton, a former senior official in the Department of Homeland Security whose family emigrated from Russia. But she was concerned about the possibility that Putin would finally activate “pre-positioned malware in the energy sector as a means of getting back at the United States.” Members of Congress have also raised concerns that Putin could unleash Moscow’s network of criminal hackers, who have conducted ransomware attacks that have shut down hospitals, meat processing plants and the Colonial Pipeline network that carried nearly half of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel on the East Coast. “If the situation escalates further, I think we are going to see Russian cyberattacks against our critical infrastructure,” said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., a member of the House Intelligence Committee who was co-chair of an influential cyberspace commission. Another possibility is that Putin will threaten to push farther into Moldova or Georgia, which, like Ukraine, are not members of NATO — and thus territory that the U.S. and NATO forces would not enter. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is making Moldova one of his stops on a reassurance tour that began Thursday. There are larger worries, involving potential nuclear threats. On Sunday, as the fighting accelerated, Belarus passed a referendum that amended its constitution to allow for nuclear weapons to be based, once again, on its territory. U.S. officials are expecting that President Alexander Lukashenko may well ask Putin to place tactical weapons in his country, where they would be closer to European capitals. And Putin has shown, twice this week, that he is ready to remind the world of the powers of his arsenal. But the next move for Putin is likely to further intensify his operations in Ukraine, which would almost certainly result in more civilian casualties and destruction. “It wasn’t a cakewalk for Putin, and now he has no choice but to double down,” said Beth Sanner, a former top intelligence official. “This is what autocrats do. You cannot walk away or you look weak.”

Washington’s newest worry: The dangers of cornering Putin

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, around 875,000+ Ukrainians have fled to neighbouring nations. Hungary & Poland will deal with the refugee crisis.

Ukrainians fleeing Russian invasion arrive in Poland

What is next for Putin? It has been 9 days since Putin ordered Russian invasion. Watch Israel's political analyst's take on the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

What next for Putin? Watch Israel's political analyst's take on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Significance of Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia NPP, the largest nuke power plant in Europe targetted by Russia

Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters day 9 and reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant sent the world in shock. In the latest, Zaporizhzhya Nuclear plant fell into Russia's hands.

Ukraine: Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant is now in Russia's control

<p>Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have become the target of rage of several people around the world. &nbsp;</p>

<p>This seems to have happened as the president has attacked Ukraine with full might recently. &nbsp;</p>

<p>In the recent development, a US senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, has called on citizens of Russia to rise up and assassinate Putin to bring an end to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-humanitarian-relief-biden-administration-offers-temporary-protected-status-to-ukrainians-in-us-458809">Biden admin offers 'Temporary Protected Status' to Ukrainians in US</a></strong></p>

<p>“Is there a Brutus in Russia? &nbsp;Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? &nbsp;The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service,” said Graham, a Republican, in a tweet. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military?<br />
<br />
The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out.<br />
<br />
You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service.</p>
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1499574209567199235?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 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>"Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness, you need to step up to the plate," Graham added. &nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The only people who can fix this are the Russian people.<br />
<br />
Easy to say, hard to do.<br />
<br />
Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate.</p>
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) <a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/1499575352426958848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 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>Some of Graham's Republican colleagues, including Reps Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have rebuked the senator's call for Putin's killing. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainian-sniper-killed-russias-top-general-say-reports-458776" hreflang="en">Ukrainian sniper killed Russia's top general, say reports</a></strong></p>

<p>Not just this, a Russian businessman, who is based in California, has offered $1 million for the arrest of Putin for war crimes committed during Ukraine conflict. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On social media, Alex Konanykhin on Tuesday, said, “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws.” &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have become the target of rage of several people around the world. This seems to have happened as the president has attacked Ukraine with full might recently.

Russian President Vladimir Putin seems to have become the target of rage of several people around the world. This seems to have happened as the president has attacked Ukraine with full might recently. In the recent development, a US senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, has called on citizens of Russia to rise up and assassinate Putin to bring an end to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Also Read: Biden admin offers 'Temporary Protected Status' to Ukrainians in US “Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service,” said Graham, a Republican, in a tweet. Is there a Brutus in Russia? Is there a more successful Colonel Stauffenberg in the Russian military? The only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out. You would be doing your country - and the world - a great service. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 4, 2022 × "Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness, you need to step up to the plate," Graham added. The only people who can fix this are the Russian people. Easy to say, hard to do. Unless you want to live in darkness for the rest of your life, be isolated from the rest of the world in abject poverty, and live in darkness you need to step up to the plate. — Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) March 4, 2022 × Some of Graham's Republican colleagues, including Reps Matt Gaetz of Florida and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, have rebuked the senator's call for Putin's killing. Also Read: Ukrainian sniper killed Russia's top general, say reports Not just this, a Russian businessman, who is based in California, has offered $1 million for the arrest of Putin for war crimes committed during Ukraine conflict. On social media, Alex Konanykhin on Tuesday, said, “I promise to pay $1,000,000 to the officer(s) who, complying with their constitutional duty, arrest(s) Putin as a war criminal under Russian and international laws.” (With inputs from agencies)

To end Ukraine’s invasion, US senator calls for Russian President Vladimir Putin's assassination

Russia seizes second nuclear plant

Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters day 9 and reports of a fire at Europe's largest nuclear plant has sent the world in shock. In the latest, Zaporizhzhya Nuclear plant fell into Russia's hands.

Europe's largest Nuclear plant falls into Russia's hands after fire extinguished

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