If a recent study is to be believed, European countries are making oil payments amounting to $285 million (£217 million) every day to Russia, which is then helping Putin to fund&nbsp;his war against Ukraine.

New analysis by the Transport &amp; Environment (T&amp;E) thinktank estimates that Russia received $104bn from its crude, petrol and diesel exports to Europe and UK last year, more than twice the $43bn it took from gas shipments.

“Europe is sending over a quarter of a billion to Putin every day, even as he wages war in its own backyard. This has to end. But we should not simply swap Russian oil for Saudi oil. It’s time to greatly improve transport efficiency and turbocharge the electrification of transport to drive down our oil consumption,” William Todts, executive director of T&amp;E, said.

European countries are reliant on Russian oil for over a quarter of their crude oil.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-xi-calls-for-maximum-restraint-offers-to-mediate-between-ukraine-and-russia-460498" hreflang="en">Xi calls for ‘restraint’, offers to mediate between Ukraine and Russia</a>

While some European countries like Slovakia are dependent on Russia for over 90 per cent of their oil, the continent’s dependence as a whole, while significant, is not significant, the analysis shows.

The report was released just days ahead of the announcement made by the&nbsp;US to ban Russian oil imports. Shell also said that it would shut down its Russian petrol stations and oil spot purchases.

UK prime minister Boris Johnson is also expected to make a statement later this week on reducing British imports of Russian gas. Apart from that, several European countries are working out alternatives to end reliance on Russian oil.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-demands-us-explain-biological-programme-in-ukraine-460552">Russia demands explanation from US for 'biological programme' in Ukraine</a>

Reacting to the US measures, Russia’s deputy prime minister Alexander Novak, said that any rejection of Russian oil would have “catastrophic consequences” and could send prices as high as $300 a barrel.

Europe imported more than 200m tonnes of oil from&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;each year between 2004 and 2017, even increasing its purchases in the two years after Russia seized Crimea in 2014.

(With inputs from agencies)

If a recent study is to be believed, European countries are making oil payments amounting to $285 million (£217 million) every day to Russia, which is then helping Putin to fund his war against Ukraine.

If a recent study is to be believed, European countries are making oil payments amounting to $285 million (£217 million) every day to Russia, which is then helping Putin to fund his war against Ukraine. New analysis by the Transport & Environment (T&E) thinktank estimates that Russia received $104bn from its crude, petrol and diesel exports to Europe and UK last year, more than twice the $43bn it took from gas shipments. “Europe is sending over a quarter of a billion to Putin every day, even as he wages war in its own backyard. This has to end. But we should not simply swap Russian oil for Saudi oil. It’s time to greatly improve transport efficiency and turbocharge the electrification of transport to drive down our oil consumption,” William Todts, executive director of T&E, said. European countries are reliant on Russian oil for over a quarter of their crude oil. Also read | Xi calls for ‘restraint’, offers to mediate between Ukraine and Russia While some European countries like Slovakia are dependent on Russia for over 90 per cent of their oil, the continent’s dependence as a whole, while significant, is not significant, the analysis shows. The report was released just days ahead of the announcement made by the US to ban Russian oil imports. Shell also said that it would shut down its Russian petrol stations and oil spot purchases. UK prime minister Boris Johnson is also expected to make a statement later this week on reducing British imports of Russian gas. Apart from that, several European countries are working out alternatives to end reliance on Russian oil. Also read | Russia demands explanation from US for 'biological programme' in Ukraine Reacting to the US measures, Russia’s deputy prime minister Alexander Novak, said that any rejection of Russian oil would have “catastrophic consequences” and could send prices as high as $300 a barrel. Europe imported more than 200m tonnes of oil from Russia each year between 2004 and 2017, even increasing its purchases in the two years after Russia seized Crimea in 2014. (With inputs from agencies)

Putin's war on Ukraine being bolstered by oil payments from Europe: Report

Even though China has claimed to hold a neutral position in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a report has emerged about a Chinese journalist getting access to the Russian army in a bid to counter the information war against the Western media.

According to UK newspaper Telegraph, a journalist working for a state-owned Chinese broadcaster has been reporting freely from Russian-captured cities in Ukraine, holding interviews with the Russian soldiers and capturing footage of where the troops are stationed.

From landing an exclusive interview with Denis Pushilin, the head of the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic, or talking to Russian soldiers, journalist Lu Yuguang has been pushing Kremlin’s views as most of the Russian news channels and agencies have been banned as part of the sanctions by the West, reports the newspaper.

Moscow describes its actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation” to disarm its neighbour and unseat leaders it calls neo-Nazis, while the Western media calls it an “invasion”.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-ukraines-besieged-cities-35000-escaped-via-humanitarian-corridors-zelensky-460729">35,000 escape from Ukraine's besieged cities: Zelensky</a>

China also refuses to term the act as “invasion” and even issued directives to state media explicitly stating that reports must not criticise Russia or use the word.

Government officials have also reiterated that Beijing supports its ‘no-limits’ friendship with Russia.

This was reflected in Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s remarks earlier this week where he described China’s relationship with Russia as “rock solid and the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are very broad.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-condemns-airstrike-at-childrens-hospital-in-ukraine-zelensky-describes-it-as-war-crime-460757">US slams strike at kids' hospital in Ukraine; Zelensky calls it 'war crime'</a>

“No matter how sinister the international situation is, both China and Russia will maintain their strategic resolve and keep pushing forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era,” Mr Wang said.

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine conflict: 35,000 people evacuated from key cities of Ukraine

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-conflict-35000-people-evacuated-from-key-cities-of-ukraine-460874/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

Even though China has claimed to hold a neutral position in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a report has emerged about a Chinese journalist getting access to the Russian army in a bid to counter the information war against the Western media.

Even though China has claimed to hold a neutral position in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, a report has emerged about a Chinese journalist getting access to the Russian army in a bid to counter the information war against the Western media. According to UK newspaper Telegraph, a journalist working for a state-owned Chinese broadcaster has been reporting freely from Russian-captured cities in Ukraine, holding interviews with the Russian soldiers and capturing footage of where the troops are stationed. From landing an exclusive interview with Denis Pushilin, the head of the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic, or talking to Russian soldiers, journalist Lu Yuguang has been pushing Kremlin’s views as most of the Russian news channels and agencies have been banned as part of the sanctions by the West, reports the newspaper. Moscow describes its actions in Ukraine as a “special military operation” to disarm its neighbour and unseat leaders it calls neo-Nazis, while the Western media calls it an “invasion”. Also read | 35,000 escape from Ukraine's besieged cities: Zelensky China also refuses to term the act as “invasion” and even issued directives to state media explicitly stating that reports must not criticise Russia or use the word. Government officials have also reiterated that Beijing supports its ‘no-limits’ friendship with Russia. This was reflected in Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s remarks earlier this week where he described China’s relationship with Russia as “rock solid and the prospects for cooperation between the two sides are very broad.” Also read | US slams strike at kids' hospital in Ukraine; Zelensky calls it 'war crime' “No matter how sinister the international situation is, both China and Russia will maintain their strategic resolve and keep pushing forward the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era,” Mr Wang said. Watch | Russia-Ukraine conflict: 35,000 people evacuated from key cities of Ukraine (With inputs from agencies)

China helping Russia to counter West’s information war on Ukraine: Report

The Russian and the Ukrainian foreign Ministers have met their Turkish counterparts just a few moments ago. The leaders are all set for high level meeting since Moscow invaded into Ukraine. The Ankara hopes to marks over the turning point in the raging conflict.

Kuleba, Lavrov arrive in Turkey to hold high-level talks amid Russian invasion of Ukraine

Amidst Russia-Ukraine conflict, Syrians came in support of Ukrainian citizens. Few of the Syrian rebels have also shared their stories of struggle.

Syrians empathise with Ukraine: Rebels share their stories of struggle amid Russia-Ukraine war

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been going on for some days now. 35000 people have been evacuated till now from key cities of Ukraine. However, humanitarian corridors worked only for some citizens and still many lives are in danger.

Russia-Ukraine conflict: 35,000 people evacuated from key cities of Ukraine

Just as the travel industry was seeking to climb out of a two-year depression, Russia’s assault on Ukraine has scrambled schedules and given Americans pause as they consider international vacations.

The extent to which travellers will feel the effects of the war depends on where they’re going, though experts say the rising price of oil will likely affect all airline ticket prices, even on domestic routes.

For Americans with international plans, the world map, which recently seemed to be expanding with the relaxation of COVID restrictions in many countries, has shrunk anew. Operators have largely scrapped travel in Russia for the rest of the year, which greatly affects Baltic cruise itineraries where the marquee port of call was St. Petersburg.

All of this comes at the time of year when many Americans plan their summer vacations. Some are hesitating. In a recent survey of about 350 American travellers on the impact of the war, the market research firm MMGY Global found that 47% are waiting to see how things pan out in Ukraine before making Europe plans. The conflict leapfrogged COVID-19 as a factor influencing decision-making, with twice as many respondents citing concern about the war spreading beyond Ukraine as those who fear the pandemic.

So far, travel companies are not seeing mass cancellations as travellers, who may have been conditioned to remain flexible by the pandemic, are sticking to their resolve. Nearly 65% of American adults surveyed by TheVacationer.com, a travel strategy website, said they would accept higher prices, longer transit times or another deterrent in order to travel in 2022.

“We’re not seeing a change in behaviour for now from our American travellers,” said Sarah Casewit, a senior travel curator with Origin, a membership-based travel-planning service, which has seen a rise in Europe bookings in recent weeks.

Whatever inconveniences travellers experience is, of course, nothing compared to the suffering inflicted on Ukrainians. Many travellers want to support Europeans who have been hoping for a robust summer season, but do not want to complicate humanitarian efforts to help war refugees.

Given the unpredictability of the war, travelers will need to remain flexible as flight operations, cruises and tours adjust to the conflict.

Turbulence in the air

No commercial carriers from the United States fly to Russia, and those with code-share and interline agreements with Russian carriers, including Delta and American, have cut them.

But the Federal Aviation Administration’s prohibition on flying over Ukraine, Belarus and much of Russia requires some routes to make costly diversions. For commercial flights departing from the United States, these routes are largely limited to India, which only reopened to tourists in mid-November. United Airlines has temporarily suspended service between San Francisco and Delhi and between Newark and Mumbai, though it is continuing service to Delhi from Chicago and Newark.

Rerouting to avoid Russian airspace on Asia flights by flying lower latitude routes over Alaska adds to the cost of operating those flights, said Robert Mann, an airline consultant, who estimated an extra hour of flight time can add up to $12,000.

Those aren’t the only additional expenses that will be passed on through higher ticket prices. The rising cost of oil, expected to rise even more after the Biden administration banned Russian oil imports, is contributing to higher airfares.

But for now, interest in Europe remains high among flyers. The airfare app Hopper found prices on Europe-bound flights from the U.S. have risen 16% since mid-February, from $660 to $763 round trip, which it attributes to post-omicron travel enthusiasm and the usual seasonal cycle of rising prices.

Chelsea Randall and Jacob Meziani became digital nomads during the pandemic — they both work in information technology — living in 16 cities in North America in the past year. In April, the engaged couple plan to move to Europe for several months, first traveling to Portugal and then Poland where they plan to visit Meziani’s family in Lublin, about four hours from the Russian border.

“We are going to stall a little bit, maybe a week or two, to see how it looks for surrounding countries to Ukraine since we don’t know what will happen with refugees,” he said. “If it stays the same as it is, we will book and get trip insurance or an Airbnb with a later cancellation date that can be more flexible.”

Cruises changing course

Cruise lines were counting on 2022 as their comeback year. But those that operate in and around Russia are quickly changing their routes.

From boutique lines such as Silversea to big-ship specialists such as Carnival, cruise lines have canceled Russian port visits. Princess Cruise Lines is modifying 24 itineraries initially scheduled to visit St. Petersburg.

“Some spend three full days there, longer than any other city in Europe,” said Samuel Spencer, the general manager of Ocean &amp; River Cruises Travel, an agency based in Calgary, who describes the city’s attractions, such as the State Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace, as unmatched. “It’s a major blow.”

Nonetheless, lines are working to secure substitute ports. Oceania Cruises, which is also canceling Russian stops in Murmansk, Archangel, Vladivostok and the Solovetsky Islands, plans to add additional overnights in Copenhagen and Stockholm in place of St. Petersburg.

Outside of Russia and Ukraine, where Viking canceled its river sailings, river cruise companies largely remain committed to their European schedules.

“As we have yet to set sail for the 2022 cruise season, we have no current plans to cancel or adjust Eastern European cruises at this time,” said Pam Hoffee, the managing director of Avalon Waterways, which does not operate in Russia, in a statement.

As with pandemic-inspired travel cancellations, domestic destinations may benefit. Bookings at American Queen Voyages, which offers cruises on American rivers and lakes, shot up 30% in the past two weeks, which it attributed to travelers choosing domestic over European travel.

“The biggest impact I have seen are those that have a cruise booked who do not want their money to go to Russia,” said Victoria Hardison-Sterry, a Florida-based travel adviser with Lakeshore Travel who had one client switch from a Baltic cruise in 2023 to an Alaska cruise. “My clients have been outspoken about not adding to the Russian economy.”

Others are worried about traveling in neighbouring regions that may be flooded by war refugees, and where the presence of tourists would be a hindrance.

In about six weeks, Spencer is slated to take a group on an AmaWaterways cruise through southeastern Europe, including traveling through Romania and ending in Budapest. “Clients were initially reassured that the route was 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers away from the Russia-Ukraine border, but that situation has changed as cities far inland have been targeted by Russia,” he said, noting Budapest is only a few hours from Ukraine. For now, the trip is on, though Spencer is following the news closely. “We travel to support local economies and interact with the cultures, but if they’re dealing with an exodus from Ukraine, we don’t want to be a burden.”

Ensemble Travel Group, a travel adviser consortium, is taking about 150 of its agents on a river cruise in Europe in April. The travelers plan to pack blankets and hygiene kits to donate to a nonprofit helping refugees while they are in Budapest with the goal of doing “something meaningful to help those impacted by this horrible situation,” said Todd Hutzulak, Ensemble’s executive director of marketing, whose grandfather is from Kyiv.

Redirecting tours

Perhaps no sector of the travel industry has been more affected than tour operators that had trips scheduled in Russia and, to a lesser extent, its neighbours.

Companies including smarTours, Kensington Tours and G Adventures have canceled upcoming trips there. Smithsonian Journeys canceled or rerouted all 2022 trips that visited Russia and said cancellations in Europe have been less than 1% since the war began. Ride and Seek, a bike tour company, plans to continue to operate its Paris-to-St.-Petersburg tour, adjusted to ride to the Russian border, then retreat to Tallinn, Estonia, for the final evening.

“Traditionally, Russia is an emerging market for us that’s growing,” said Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, which canceled a dozen tours in the country including its popular trans-Siberian train trips.

The company’s trips in border countries like Mongolia, the former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and Turkey remain on the books. The conflict so far has not triggered mass cancellations.

“In regular times, clients would have said, ‘I’m not going to travel,’ but people have gone two years not traveling,” he said. “There’s a push and pull thing going on.”

Many travelers, newly unbound by COVID-19 restrictions, are sticking to their bucket-list plans. The tour company Atlas Obscura said Romania, which borders Ukraine, was among the top-selling trips in the past week.

“After two years spent close to home, our travellers are planning ambitious, far-flung trips,” wrote Mike Parker, the general manager of the company’s travel division, in an email.

Mir Corporation, a Seattle-based tour company that specialises in travel to Russia and the region — and whose name translates from Russian as “peace” and “world” — has had to cancel a “significant” number of its trips, according to Annie Lucas, the vice president. Meanwhile, trips to the southern Caucasus region, Central Asia and the Middle East are on.

“People are hesitant, of course,” she said in a call from Tbilisi, Georgia, where she travels frequently. “We are hoping the strengthening of US and European efforts will lead to cease-fire negotiations to end this senseless suffering.”

Just as the travel industry was seeking to climb out of a two-year depression, Russia’s assault on Ukraine has scrambled schedules and given Americans pause as they consider international vacations.

Just as the travel industry was seeking to climb out of a two-year depression, Russia’s assault on Ukraine has scrambled schedules and given Americans pause as they consider international vacations. The extent to which travellers will feel the effects of the war depends on where they’re going, though experts say the rising price of oil will likely affect all airline ticket prices, even on domestic routes. For Americans with international plans, the world map, which recently seemed to be expanding with the relaxation of COVID restrictions in many countries, has shrunk anew. Operators have largely scrapped travel in Russia for the rest of the year, which greatly affects Baltic cruise itineraries where the marquee port of call was St. Petersburg. All of this comes at the time of year when many Americans plan their summer vacations. Some are hesitating. In a recent survey of about 350 American travellers on the impact of the war, the market research firm MMGY Global found that 47% are waiting to see how things pan out in Ukraine before making Europe plans. The conflict leapfrogged COVID-19 as a factor influencing decision-making, with twice as many respondents citing concern about the war spreading beyond Ukraine as those who fear the pandemic. So far, travel companies are not seeing mass cancellations as travellers, who may have been conditioned to remain flexible by the pandemic, are sticking to their resolve. Nearly 65% of American adults surveyed by TheVacationer.com, a travel strategy website, said they would accept higher prices, longer transit times or another deterrent in order to travel in 2022. “We’re not seeing a change in behaviour for now from our American travellers,” said Sarah Casewit, a senior travel curator with Origin, a membership-based travel-planning service, which has seen a rise in Europe bookings in recent weeks. Whatever inconveniences travellers experience is, of course, nothing compared to the suffering inflicted on Ukrainians. Many travellers want to support Europeans who have been hoping for a robust summer season, but do not want to complicate humanitarian efforts to help war refugees. Given the unpredictability of the war, travelers will need to remain flexible as flight operations, cruises and tours adjust to the conflict. Turbulence in the air No commercial carriers from the United States fly to Russia, and those with code-share and interline agreements with Russian carriers, including Delta and American, have cut them. But the Federal Aviation Administration’s prohibition on flying over Ukraine, Belarus and much of Russia requires some routes to make costly diversions. For commercial flights departing from the United States, these routes are largely limited to India, which only reopened to tourists in mid-November. United Airlines has temporarily suspended service between San Francisco and Delhi and between Newark and Mumbai, though it is continuing service to Delhi from Chicago and Newark. Rerouting to avoid Russian airspace on Asia flights by flying lower latitude routes over Alaska adds to the cost of operating those flights, said Robert Mann, an airline consultant, who estimated an extra hour of flight time can add up to $12,000. Those aren’t the only additional expenses that will be passed on through higher ticket prices. The rising cost of oil, expected to rise even more after the Biden administration banned Russian oil imports, is contributing to higher airfares. But for now, interest in Europe remains high among flyers. The airfare app Hopper found prices on Europe-bound flights from the U.S. have risen 16% since mid-February, from $660 to $763 round trip, which it attributes to post-omicron travel enthusiasm and the usual seasonal cycle of rising prices. Chelsea Randall and Jacob Meziani became digital nomads during the pandemic — they both work in information technology — living in 16 cities in North America in the past year. In April, the engaged couple plan to move to Europe for several months, first traveling to Portugal and then Poland where they plan to visit Meziani’s family in Lublin, about four hours from the Russian border. “We are going to stall a little bit, maybe a week or two, to see how it looks for surrounding countries to Ukraine since we don’t know what will happen with refugees,” he said. “If it stays the same as it is, we will book and get trip insurance or an Airbnb with a later cancellation date that can be more flexible.” Cruises changing course Cruise lines were counting on 2022 as their comeback year. But those that operate in and around Russia are quickly changing their routes. From boutique lines such as Silversea to big-ship specialists such as Carnival, cruise lines have canceled Russian port visits. Princess Cruise Lines is modifying 24 itineraries initially scheduled to visit St. Petersburg. “Some spend three full days there, longer than any other city in Europe,” said Samuel Spencer, the general manager of Ocean & River Cruises Travel, an agency based in Calgary, who describes the city’s attractions, such as the State Hermitage Museum and Peterhof Palace, as unmatched. “It’s a major blow.” Nonetheless, lines are working to secure substitute ports. Oceania Cruises, which is also canceling Russian stops in Murmansk, Archangel, Vladivostok and the Solovetsky Islands, plans to add additional overnights in Copenhagen and Stockholm in place of St. Petersburg. Outside of Russia and Ukraine, where Viking canceled its river sailings, river cruise companies largely remain committed to their European schedules. “As we have yet to set sail for the 2022 cruise season, we have no current plans to cancel or adjust Eastern European cruises at this time,” said Pam Hoffee, the managing director of Avalon Waterways, which does not operate in Russia, in a statement. As with pandemic-inspired travel cancellations, domestic destinations may benefit. Bookings at American Queen Voyages, which offers cruises on American rivers and lakes, shot up 30% in the past two weeks, which it attributed to travelers choosing domestic over European travel. “The biggest impact I have seen are those that have a cruise booked who do not want their money to go to Russia,” said Victoria Hardison-Sterry, a Florida-based travel adviser with Lakeshore Travel who had one client switch from a Baltic cruise in 2023 to an Alaska cruise. “My clients have been outspoken about not adding to the Russian economy.” Others are worried about traveling in neighbouring regions that may be flooded by war refugees, and where the presence of tourists would be a hindrance. In about six weeks, Spencer is slated to take a group on an AmaWaterways cruise through southeastern Europe, including traveling through Romania and ending in Budapest. “Clients were initially reassured that the route was 1,200 to 1,500 kilometers away from the Russia-Ukraine border, but that situation has changed as cities far inland have been targeted by Russia,” he said, noting Budapest is only a few hours from Ukraine. For now, the trip is on, though Spencer is following the news closely. “We travel to support local economies and interact with the cultures, but if they’re dealing with an exodus from Ukraine, we don’t want to be a burden.” Ensemble Travel Group, a travel adviser consortium, is taking about 150 of its agents on a river cruise in Europe in April. The travelers plan to pack blankets and hygiene kits to donate to a nonprofit helping refugees while they are in Budapest with the goal of doing “something meaningful to help those impacted by this horrible situation,” said Todd Hutzulak, Ensemble’s executive director of marketing, whose grandfather is from Kyiv. Redirecting tours Perhaps no sector of the travel industry has been more affected than tour operators that had trips scheduled in Russia and, to a lesser extent, its neighbours. Companies including smarTours, Kensington Tours and G Adventures have canceled upcoming trips there. Smithsonian Journeys canceled or rerouted all 2022 trips that visited Russia and said cancellations in Europe have been less than 1% since the war began. Ride and Seek, a bike tour company, plans to continue to operate its Paris-to-St.-Petersburg tour, adjusted to ride to the Russian border, then retreat to Tallinn, Estonia, for the final evening. “Traditionally, Russia is an emerging market for us that’s growing,” said Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of G Adventures, which canceled a dozen tours in the country including its popular trans-Siberian train trips. The company’s trips in border countries like Mongolia, the former Soviet republics of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, and Turkey remain on the books. The conflict so far has not triggered mass cancellations. “In regular times, clients would have said, ‘I’m not going to travel,’ but people have gone two years not traveling,” he said. “There’s a push and pull thing going on.” Many travelers, newly unbound by COVID-19 restrictions, are sticking to their bucket-list plans. The tour company Atlas Obscura said Romania, which borders Ukraine, was among the top-selling trips in the past week. “After two years spent close to home, our travellers are planning ambitious, far-flung trips,” wrote Mike Parker, the general manager of the company’s travel division, in an email. Mir Corporation, a Seattle-based tour company that specialises in travel to Russia and the region — and whose name translates from Russian as “peace” and “world” — has had to cancel a “significant” number of its trips, according to Annie Lucas, the vice president. Meanwhile, trips to the southern Caucasus region, Central Asia and the Middle East are on. “People are hesitant, of course,” she said in a call from Tbilisi, Georgia, where she travels frequently. “We are hoping the strengthening of US and European efforts will lead to cease-fire negotiations to end this senseless suffering.”

Changed itineraries, higher fares: How the war in Ukraine is affecting travel

In his strongest statement yet on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “maximum restraint” and offered to play a mediating role, saying that Beijing is willing to “work actively” with the international community for a peaceful solution.

During a virtual call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi said the situation in Ukraine was "worrisome" and China was "deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent," according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry.

"China will stay in communication and coordination with France, Germany and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community," the statement said, adding that all efforts "conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported."

According to Reuters, Macron reminded Xi of the role that China must play as a member of the UN security council.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-gives-up-on-joining-nato-says-he-does-not-want-to-lead-a-nation-begging-something-on-its-knees-460394">Zelensky gives up on joining NATO, says alliance scared of confronting Russia</a>

So far, China has refused to condemn Russia's actions outright and last month abstained from a Security Council vote seeking to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and demand it withdraw its forces.

China has been criticised for siding with Russia, despite claiming that it holds a neutral position on the Ukraine crisis.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-intel-says-russia-may-escalate-invasion-despite-ukraine-setbacks-brands-vladimir-putin-angry-frustrated-460401">US intel says Russia may escalate despite Ukraine setbacks, brands Putin angry</a>

China also referred to Western sanctions against Russia as illegal – and in the meeting Xi expressed concern over the impact sanctions may have on the stability of global finance, energy supplies, transportation and supply chains.

Watch |&nbsp;'China pained to see flames of war reignite in Europe'

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-pained-to-see-flames-of-war-reignite-in-europe-460422/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

In his strongest statement yet on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “maximum restraint” and offered to play a mediating role, saying that Beijing is willing to “work actively” with the international community for a peaceful solution.

In his strongest statement yet on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “maximum restraint” and offered to play a mediating role, saying that Beijing is willing to “work actively” with the international community for a peaceful solution. During a virtual call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, Xi said the situation in Ukraine was "worrisome" and China was "deeply grieved by the outbreak of war again on the European continent," according to a statement from China's Foreign Ministry. "China will stay in communication and coordination with France, Germany and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community," the statement said, adding that all efforts "conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported." According to Reuters, Macron reminded Xi of the role that China must play as a member of the UN security council. Also read | Zelensky gives up on joining NATO, says alliance scared of confronting Russia So far, China has refused to condemn Russia's actions outright and last month abstained from a Security Council vote seeking to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and demand it withdraw its forces. China has been criticised for siding with Russia, despite claiming that it holds a neutral position on the Ukraine crisis. Also read | US intel says Russia may escalate despite Ukraine setbacks, brands Putin angry China also referred to Western sanctions against Russia as illegal – and in the meeting Xi expressed concern over the impact sanctions may have on the stability of global finance, energy supplies, transportation and supply chains. Watch | 'China pained to see flames of war reignite in Europe' (With inputs from agencies)

China’s Xi calls for ‘maximum restraint’, offers to mediate between Ukraine and Russia

War-torn Ukraine ranked second in the medal tally at Beijing Paralympic Winter Games on Wednesday.

The medals definitely serve as a golden brow raiser under a tense background of the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24.

The tally includes a total of 17 medals.

With six golds, seven silvers and four bronzes, the total number of medals stand a little short of a round figure.

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China has been topping the medal count with a total of twenty-seven medals, including eight golds, eight silvers and eleven bronze medals.

Canada ranked third with a total of fourteen medals (official Beijing Paralympic Winter Games website).

The multi-sports event will run between March 4 to March 13.

Para-athletes from all over the globe would be seen competing in 78 events across six Para sports - 39 for men, 35 for women and four mixed events.

War-torn Ukraine ranked second in the medal tally at Beijing Paralympic Winter Games on Wednesday. The medals definitely serve as a golden brow raiser under a tense background of the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24.

War-torn Ukraine ranked second in the medal tally at Beijing Paralympic Winter Games on Wednesday. The medals definitely serve as a golden brow raiser under a tense background of the Russia-Ukraine war that started on February 24. The tally includes a total of 17 medals. With six golds, seven silvers and four bronzes, the total number of medals stand a little short of a round figure. ALSO READ: Binance CEO turned down purchase of Chelsea, reveals spokesperson China has been topping the medal count with a total of twenty-seven medals, including eight golds, eight silvers and eleven bronze medals. Canada ranked third with a total of fourteen medals (official Beijing Paralympic Winter Games website). The multi-sports event will run between March 4 to March 13. Para-athletes from all over the globe would be seen competing in 78 events across six Para sports - 39 for men, 35 for women and four mixed events.

Beijing Paralympic Winter Games: Ukraine ranks second in medal tally amid war crisis

IAEA says that a nuclear facility in Kharkiv has been damaged by Russian shelling. This comes after Russia already took control of Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhya nuclear plants in Ukraine.

IAEA: Nuclear facility in Kharkiv damaged

Russia boycotted hearings at the top UN court during which Ukraine is seeking an emergency order to halt hostilities, arguing that Moscow has falsely applied genocide law in justifying its invasion.

Ukraine's envoy criticises Russia for not showing up at top UN court hearing

Russia is mulling imposing a ban on oil imports from Russia. This comes at a time when Russia is the world's top producer of natural gas right now and Europe's energy needs are fulfilled by Russia.

US mulls Russian oil import ban amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine.

UNSC urges safe aid delivery to Ukraine during an emergency meeting on humanitarian crisis

Has US & Russia sent mercenaries to fight? The US says Russia is using Syrian fighters whereas, Russia says the US is hiring terrorists as Ukraine reports foreign fighters in Kyiv.

US & Russia send mercenaries to fight? Ukraine reports foreign fighters in Kyiv

Watch this report to know more about the weapons being used during the war in Ukraine by Moscow and Kyiv. Soviet-era rockets and American javelins are a few known ones.

Here's a look at the military arsenal of Ukraine & Russia being used during the ongoing war

IAEA raised concerns over nuclear plants in Ukraine. This comes after Russian shelling resulted in a fire incident near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear plant. It also backed a trilateral meeting in Chernobyl. Russia however, agrees but not about the venue.

IAEA demands urgent talks in Chernobyl

Ukraine and Russia are fighting it out on social media. Memes have become the weapon of choice in this information warfare. The two sides have come up with some of the most creative and lethal memes.

Gravitas | Ukraine Vs Russia: The meme war

It is day 13 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, Residents prepare for war in Kyiv.

Residents prepare for war in Kyiv as the Russian invasion of Ukraine rages on for the 13th day

It is day 13 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. Despite efforts and global condemnation, there is still no deal on escape routes yet.

No deal yet on escape routes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters day 13

UNSC holds emergency meeting on humanitarian crisis unfolding Ukraine amid Russian invasion

In what is said to be a ripple effect of Ukraine war, Russia has demanded guarantees from the United States as Vienna talks reach a critical stage.

Russia demands guarantee from the US as Vienna talks reach a critical stage

What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? How to cope with war-related anxiety? Watch this report to know from the expert.

What's the impact of war on Children? How to help kids cope with war? Expert answers

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches.

All had come to pray at the tomb of St. Nicholas, revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the former Soviet bloc, in the basilica named for him in the port city of Bari, on Italy’s southern coast. Though more than 1,000 miles from the conflict in Ukraine, and united in their veneration for the saint, the congregation of mostly women in long winter coats made for a strangely out-of-place diorama of all that binds and that is tearing apart their ancestral homelands.

A woman wearing the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine’s flag said she asked the saint for a miracle: to stop Russia’s invasion of her home country. A Belarusian woman nearby defended Russian President Vladimir Putin. So did the Serbian monk assisting the bishop in the prayers. The Russian faithful by the choir refused to assign blame for the war.

“It’s a sin what Putin is doing,” said Lali Bubashvili, 50, a woman from Georgia, a former Soviet republic, who sat on a back pew, recalling Russia’s invasion there. “Years ago, we suffered the war. We know it’s a barbarous thing.”

The relics believed to be of St. Nicholas were brought from present-day Turkey by sailors 1,000 years ago, and his bones have been entombed in Bari ever since. Although the basilica that houses them is Roman Catholic, once a week it invites the Orthodox faithful to hold their own service using the crypt.

The presence of the relics has long made Bari an unusual linchpin in relations between Italy and Russia and between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches.

In 2007, Putin himself came to Bari and knelt in front of St. Nicholas’ tomb, just as the faithful did during the prayer for peace. In 2009, Italy returned ownership to Russia of an Orthodox church named after St. Nicholas to fortify ties with Moscow.

Years earlier, Putin donated a statue of the saint that stands in the square in front of the basilica, along with a signed plaque honoring “friendship and cooperation” that is dedicated to “the citizens of Bari.”

But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has now made the ancient crypt, and the city around it, an unexpected satellite for the pain and bitterness of the conflict. On the streets of Bari, the war has caused tensions between Ukrainian and Russian residents and headaches for local politicians.

Local people recently petitioned for the removal of the plaque bearing Putin’s dedication. Although Bari’s mayor, Antonio Decaro, brought yellow and blue flowers last month to the foot of the statue of St. Nicholas in sympathy with Ukraine, he has opposed removing the dedication, saying that to do so would cancel a piece of history.

“They won’t take the Putin sign down,” said Inna Honcharenko, 38, who is from Vinnytsia, near Kyiv, as she directed volunteers collecting donations for Ukraine in another part of town. “There’s too much the hand of Russia here.”

She said the war had exposed ugly tensions among Eastern European neighbors in the city. Russians had walked by the collection center and said the Ukrainian flag hanging out front was good only for cleaning their shoes. She said that vandals had smashed its window and that some Russian friends in Bari had stopped talking to her.

But the outpouring of help from Italians bringing pasta, rice, diapers, baby food, canned beans and much else encouraged her. “From Italy, we are helping our boys who are fighting for our people,” she said by a poster of Putin that read “Killer” with a bloody handprint on his face.

At the Russian Orthodox church with an emerald onion dome, a woman behind the closed gates explained that the church, despite its usual operating hours, was now closed to visitors. “This is Russian Federation territory,” she said.

The church’s priest, Viacheslav Bachin, declined to respond when asked about the war. He has referred to the position of Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has often been aligned with Putin and who has shifted from avoiding casting blame for the war in Ukraine to blaming the West.

In 2017, as a gesture in improving relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, Pope Francis lent Patriarch Kirill some of the relics of St. Nicholas, which left the church for the first time in about 1,000 years. On the day the lent relic — believed to be the left rib closest to the heart of St. Nicholas — arrived in Moscow, Putin kissed the glass case containing it.

Last week in the basilica’s crypt, Bachin swung incense around the tomb, hung with lanterns and icons, and Bishop Gedeon, a prominent Orthodox bishop from Kyiv whose given name is Yuriy Kharon, led the prayer. It seemed to send a message of reconciliation. But the bishop is a member of the Russian Patriarchate’s Orthodox church in Ukraine.

In 2019, amid increased tensions with Russia, Ukraine established its own, autonomous Orthodox Church, altering a centuries-old religious tradition under which the Kyiv church answered to Moscow. That year, Ukraine’s government deported Gedeon and revoked his citizenship for actively supporting Russia’s armed aggression in the country.

Part of Putin’s rationale for the war has been to accuse the Ukrainians, without evidence, of planning the “destruction” of the Moscow Patriarchate’s church in Kyiv. The breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church has vehemently denounced the Russian invasion as fratricide.

“We say peace to all, do not judge one another,” Gedeon, whose Ukrainian citizenship was subsequently restored by a court, said in an appeal at the end of the service. As the faithful trickled out, he said it was critical “not to look for fault” and to pray and push for dialogue.

But some worshippers in the crypt had a clear sense of who was to blame.

Larisa Dimetruk, 62, who is from Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, said she came to beseech St. Nicholas to make the Russians “stop their president.”

“Only the people can stop him,” she said. “We didn’t come here to pray together. We came here for a miracle.”

But some supported Putin. Larysa Makarava, 50, a Belarusian who lives in Bari, said that before the service, she had taken her daughter, who stood by her side, to the eye doctor, who said he thought Putin was crazy. “I told him absolutely no. I opened his eyes,” she said, adding that Putin “is forced to do this. He is not against the people.”

Others simply felt torn and had no interest in talking politics.

“We’ve all run out of tears,” said Olga Sebekina, from St. Petersburg, Russia, who said her grandmother was Ukrainian and that she still had family there. “Which side of my heart should break more?”

Heartbreak was in abundance throughout Bari over the war.

As volunteers in the collection center furiously cut masking tape and sealed care packages, a wail erupted from the back of the room, freezing everyone in place. Tatiana Shyrokykh, 58, sobbed as she looked at her phone and a video sent by a relative showing an attack on Chernihiv in Ukraine’s north.

“My mother’s building,” she said, showing a gaping hole in an apartment building, fire smoldering on streets and ambulances navigating through rubble. The women put their arms around her and consoled her, with tears dampening their own eyes. A Ukrainian teenager in an Italia sweatshirt sat silent at a table, distractedly picking tape off scissors.

After Shyrokykh made some calls home and caught her breath, she said her grown children still lived in Chernihiv, although she had urged them to flee, and that they had taken refuge underground.

Her daughter had instructed her disabled mother to climb into the bathtub and keep her head low, which she said was how she survived when the attack came and blew out the apartment’s glass.

“All of Europe is scared of Putin and don’t want to do anything,” Shyrokykh said, starting to cry again. “He goes against the whole world, like a god.”

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches.

As the Orthodox chants in Russian and the Ukrainian bishop’s voice echoed in the ancient crypt, the faithful lowered their scarf-wrapped heads to the marble floor, held candles over their Cyrillic prayer books or wept under low stone arches. All had come to pray at the tomb of St. Nicholas, revered by Orthodox Christians throughout the former Soviet bloc, in the basilica named for him in the port city of Bari, on Italy’s southern coast. Though more than 1,000 miles from the conflict in Ukraine, and united in their veneration for the saint, the congregation of mostly women in long winter coats made for a strangely out-of-place diorama of all that binds and that is tearing apart their ancestral homelands. A woman wearing the yellow and blue colors of Ukraine’s flag said she asked the saint for a miracle: to stop Russia’s invasion of her home country. A Belarusian woman nearby defended Russian President Vladimir Putin. So did the Serbian monk assisting the bishop in the prayers. The Russian faithful by the choir refused to assign blame for the war. “It’s a sin what Putin is doing,” said Lali Bubashvili, 50, a woman from Georgia, a former Soviet republic, who sat on a back pew, recalling Russia’s invasion there. “Years ago, we suffered the war. We know it’s a barbarous thing.” The relics believed to be of St. Nicholas were brought from present-day Turkey by sailors 1,000 years ago, and his bones have been entombed in Bari ever since. Although the basilica that houses them is Roman Catholic, once a week it invites the Orthodox faithful to hold their own service using the crypt. The presence of the relics has long made Bari an unusual linchpin in relations between Italy and Russia and between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches. In 2007, Putin himself came to Bari and knelt in front of St. Nicholas’ tomb, just as the faithful did during the prayer for peace. In 2009, Italy returned ownership to Russia of an Orthodox church named after St. Nicholas to fortify ties with Moscow. Years earlier, Putin donated a statue of the saint that stands in the square in front of the basilica, along with a signed plaque honoring “friendship and cooperation” that is dedicated to “the citizens of Bari.” But Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has now made the ancient crypt, and the city around it, an unexpected satellite for the pain and bitterness of the conflict. On the streets of Bari, the war has caused tensions between Ukrainian and Russian residents and headaches for local politicians. Local people recently petitioned for the removal of the plaque bearing Putin’s dedication. Although Bari’s mayor, Antonio Decaro, brought yellow and blue flowers last month to the foot of the statue of St. Nicholas in sympathy with Ukraine, he has opposed removing the dedication, saying that to do so would cancel a piece of history. “They won’t take the Putin sign down,” said Inna Honcharenko, 38, who is from Vinnytsia, near Kyiv, as she directed volunteers collecting donations for Ukraine in another part of town. “There’s too much the hand of Russia here.” She said the war had exposed ugly tensions among Eastern European neighbors in the city. Russians had walked by the collection center and said the Ukrainian flag hanging out front was good only for cleaning their shoes. She said that vandals had smashed its window and that some Russian friends in Bari had stopped talking to her. But the outpouring of help from Italians bringing pasta, rice, diapers, baby food, canned beans and much else encouraged her. “From Italy, we are helping our boys who are fighting for our people,” she said by a poster of Putin that read “Killer” with a bloody handprint on his face. At the Russian Orthodox church with an emerald onion dome, a woman behind the closed gates explained that the church, despite its usual operating hours, was now closed to visitors. “This is Russian Federation territory,” she said. The church’s priest, Viacheslav Bachin, declined to respond when asked about the war. He has referred to the position of Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, who has often been aligned with Putin and who has shifted from avoiding casting blame for the war in Ukraine to blaming the West. In 2017, as a gesture in improving relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches, Pope Francis lent Patriarch Kirill some of the relics of St. Nicholas, which left the church for the first time in about 1,000 years. On the day the lent relic — believed to be the left rib closest to the heart of St. Nicholas — arrived in Moscow, Putin kissed the glass case containing it. Last week in the basilica’s crypt, Bachin swung incense around the tomb, hung with lanterns and icons, and Bishop Gedeon, a prominent Orthodox bishop from Kyiv whose given name is Yuriy Kharon, led the prayer. It seemed to send a message of reconciliation. But the bishop is a member of the Russian Patriarchate’s Orthodox church in Ukraine. In 2019, amid increased tensions with Russia, Ukraine established its own, autonomous Orthodox Church, altering a centuries-old religious tradition under which the Kyiv church answered to Moscow. That year, Ukraine’s government deported Gedeon and revoked his citizenship for actively supporting Russia’s armed aggression in the country. Part of Putin’s rationale for the war has been to accuse the Ukrainians, without evidence, of planning the “destruction” of the Moscow Patriarchate’s church in Kyiv. The breakaway Ukrainian Orthodox Church has vehemently denounced the Russian invasion as fratricide. “We say peace to all, do not judge one another,” Gedeon, whose Ukrainian citizenship was subsequently restored by a court, said in an appeal at the end of the service. As the faithful trickled out, he said it was critical “not to look for fault” and to pray and push for dialogue. But some worshippers in the crypt had a clear sense of who was to blame. Larisa Dimetruk, 62, who is from Lutsk, in northwestern Ukraine, said she came to beseech St. Nicholas to make the Russians “stop their president.” “Only the people can stop him,” she said. “We didn’t come here to pray together. We came here for a miracle.” But some supported Putin. Larysa Makarava, 50, a Belarusian who lives in Bari, said that before the service, she had taken her daughter, who stood by her side, to the eye doctor, who said he thought Putin was crazy. “I told him absolutely no. I opened his eyes,” she said, adding that Putin “is forced to do this. He is not against the people.” Others simply felt torn and had no interest in talking politics. “We’ve all run out of tears,” said Olga Sebekina, from St. Petersburg, Russia, who said her grandmother was Ukrainian and that she still had family there. “Which side of my heart should break more?” Heartbreak was in abundance throughout Bari over the war. As volunteers in the collection center furiously cut masking tape and sealed care packages, a wail erupted from the back of the room, freezing everyone in place. Tatiana Shyrokykh, 58, sobbed as she looked at her phone and a video sent by a relative showing an attack on Chernihiv in Ukraine’s north. “My mother’s building,” she said, showing a gaping hole in an apartment building, fire smoldering on streets and ambulances navigating through rubble. The women put their arms around her and consoled her, with tears dampening their own eyes. A Ukrainian teenager in an Italia sweatshirt sat silent at a table, distractedly picking tape off scissors. After Shyrokykh made some calls home and caught her breath, she said her grown children still lived in Chernihiv, although she had urged them to flee, and that they had taken refuge underground. Her daughter had instructed her disabled mother to climb into the bathtub and keep her head low, which she said was how she survived when the attack came and blew out the apartment’s glass. “All of Europe is scared of Putin and don’t want to do anything,” Shyrokykh said, starting to cry again. “He goes against the whole world, like a god.”

Italian city tied to Russia by a revered saint feels the sting of war in Ukraine

The assault on Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy and Mariupol continues as the Russian invasion of Ukraine enters day 13. The proposed humanitarian corridor failed on Monday.

Humanitarian corridors failed on Monday: 13 people killed in shelling in the town of Marakiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Moscow of cynicism ascertaining how Russian troops destroyed buses meant to evacuate civilians from combat zones. Despite announcing a local ceasefire in multiple Ukrainian cities. However, the Ukrainian leader said that Ukraine will still continue to negotiate a Peace Deal with Russia.

Ukrainian President has accused Moscow of Cynicism

Ukraine and Russia made tentative progress in talks but failed to reach a deal on creating "humanitarian corridors" from pummelled cities. Moscow proposes a new ceasefire, which Kyiv has yet to accept.

Humanitarian Corridors Fail: Shelling continues despite offers of safe passage

Oil prices continue to surge as Western allies of Ukraine battled with Russia over oil import. In the latest Russia has threatened to close its main gas pipeline to Germany.

Ukraine war puts oil market in turmoil: Russia threatens Europe's gas supplies

The Russian invasion of Ukraine pushed thousands of people out of their homes. Millions have been forced to flee Ukraine and seek shelter in neighboring countries. These refugees are now calling for international support to help end the war.

Russian invasion fuels refugee crisis: 1.7 MN people have fled Ukraine

The family of Sainikhesh Ravichandran, an Indian student who has joined a pro-Ukrainian militia—Georgian National Legion—are extremely worried and anguished.

Hailing from Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu state, Sainikhesh—a student at the National Aerospace University in Ukraine's Kharkiv—is said to have volunteered to join the forces that are fighting against Russia.

When contacted his mother, Jhansi Lakshmi told WION that she last spoke to him around five days ago. However, she added that their family was extremely anguished and not in a position to divulge any further.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
This is the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Coimbatore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Coimbatore</a> residence of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/indianstudentsinukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#indianstudentsinukraine</a> Sainikhesh Ravichandran, who joined the militia to fight <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UkraineRussianWar?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UkraineRussianWar</a> 
 
Anguished, the boy's mother told me that she last spoke to him 5 days ago... 
 
Family is deeply pained, troubled..<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ukraine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ukraine</a> <a href="https://t.co/kgeLG0RfGh">pic.twitter.com/kgeLG0RfGh</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1501105670573420547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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According to reports, Indian intelligence officials had recently visited the family’s residence near Thudiyalur in western Coimbatore district and apprised them of the boy having&nbsp;joined the Ukraine forces.

It is being claimed that the 21-year-old had been keen to join the Indian armed forces when he was in his home country. Even his social media profile shows pictures of personnel dressed in military combat gear, brandishing an assault rifle.

There are also other pictures doing the rounds on social media purportedly showing the Indian student posing with the Ukrainian forces, all dressed in military combat gear.

However, WION could not independently verify the authenticity of the&nbsp;pictures of the boy in military fatigues.

This development comes at a time when India continues to evacuate thousands of its students from war-torn Ukraine and its contiguous nations via special flights operated by both private carriers and the Indian Air Force.

The family of Sainikhesh Ravichandran, an Indian student who has joined a pro-Ukrainian militia—Georgian National Legion—are extremely worried and anguished. Hailing from Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu state, Sainikhesh—a student at the National Aerospace University in Ukraine's Kharkiv—is said to have volunteered to join the forces that are fighting against Russia.

The family of Sainikhesh Ravichandran, an Indian student who has joined a pro-Ukrainian militia—Georgian National Legion—are extremely worried and anguished. Hailing from Coimbatore in southern Tamil Nadu state, Sainikhesh—a student at the National Aerospace University in Ukraine's Kharkiv—is said to have volunteered to join the forces that are fighting against Russia. When contacted his mother, Jhansi Lakshmi told WION that she last spoke to him around five days ago. However, she added that their family was extremely anguished and not in a position to divulge any further. This is the #Coimbatore residence of the #indianstudentsinukraine Sainikhesh Ravichandran, who joined the militia to fight #Russia #UkraineRussianWar Anguished, the boy's mother told me that she last spoke to him 5 days ago... Family is deeply pained, troubled..#Ukraine pic.twitter.com/kgeLG0RfGh — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) March 8, 2022 × According to reports, Indian intelligence officials had recently visited the family’s residence near Thudiyalur in western Coimbatore district and apprised them of the boy having joined the Ukraine forces. It is being claimed that the 21-year-old had been keen to join the Indian armed forces when he was in his home country. Even his social media profile shows pictures of personnel dressed in military combat gear, brandishing an assault rifle. There are also other pictures doing the rounds on social media purportedly showing the Indian student posing with the Ukrainian forces, all dressed in military combat gear. However, WION could not independently verify the authenticity of the pictures of the boy in military fatigues. This development comes at a time when India continues to evacuate thousands of its students from war-torn Ukraine and its contiguous nations via special flights operated by both private carriers and the Indian Air Force.

‘Spoke to him 5 days ago’, mother of Indian student who joined Ukraine militia tells WION

Amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has intensified its attack. In the latest, Russian airstrikes hit apartment buildings in Sumy, claiming at least 9 lives, including that of 2 children.

Russian airstrikes hit apartment buildings in Sumy, at least 9 including 2 children killed

It is day 13 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.

WION ground report from Kyiv: Carnage continues on day 13 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

It is day 12 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, Putin has set conditions for a ceasefire.

Putin sets conditions for a ceasefire as Russia builds military column near Kyiv

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