Ukrainian officials said 198 civilians have been killed since Russia invaded the country.
Ukraine has agreed to hold talks with Russia on the Belarus border on Sunday, shortly after Russian President Valdimir Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put the country's nuclear "deterrence forces" on high alert and accused the West of taking "unfriendly" steps against his country.
Moscow has the world's second-largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and a huge cache of ballistic missiles which form the backbone of the country's deterrence forces, making his order cause for further international alarm.
The EU on Sunday announced harsh new sanctions against Russia, closing its airspace to Russian aircrafts and banning the broadcast of Russian state media outlets in the bloc.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the measures, also said the European Union was taking the unprecedented step of financing arms to Ukraine, and was hitting Russian ally Belarus with sanctions for facilitating the invasion.
Russian troops also entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting was under way on the fourth day of Russia's invasion of the pro-Western country. Later in the day, the governor of Kharkiv has said that Ukrainian troops have taken the city back, and managed to expel Russian forces.
PM Modi also held a high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis on Sunday evening. Sources said the agenda of the meeting -- which started at 8 pm -- was the safe return of Indian students from Ukraine.
Here are the updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis:
White House calls on China to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The White House called on China to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Sunday as Moscow's onslaught against its neighbor continued and Russian President Vladimir Putin put nuclear forces on high alert.
"This is not a time to stand on the sidelines. This is a time to be vocal and condemn the actions of President Putin and Russia invading a sovereign country," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in an interview with MSNBC.
Biden administration to push congress for $6.4 billion in aid to Ukraine, says Democratic leader
The Biden Administration will ask Congress for $6.4 billion dollars in economic and military aid to help Ukraine as it fights the Russian invasion, Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday.
Schumer said the request would be added to a spending bill expected to reach the Senate floor next week.
Stopped, Assaulted At Ukraine Border, Say Some Indian StudentsSeveral Indian students fleeing Ukraine have alleged that they were harassed, beaten by the Ukrainian guards at the Poland border and were not allowed to cross over.
In one of the videos shot at night, a student wheeling his suitcase behind him is kicked by a guard in uniform. It is not clear if the student is Indian but several other students who have been camping at the Poland-Ukraine border have alleged that Indian students have been harassed. Continue reading here.
Russia war on Ukraine has displaced 'over 7 million people'
Russia's war on Ukraine has displaced "over seven million people", the EU commissioner for crisis management said Sunday.
"We are witnessing what could become the largest humanitarian crisis on our European continent in many, many years," Janez Lenarcic told a media conference after a meeting of EU interior ministers focused on the refugee flow out of Ukraine.
Three more flights bring back 688 Indians from Ukraine
India on Sunday evacuated 688 more nationals from war-hit Ukraine on three Air India flights and said it was in touch with the other countries in that region to ensure the return of all its stranded citizens as concerns mounted over their safety.
Approximately 13,000 Indians are in Ukraine as of now, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who received the evacuees at the Delhi airport this morning, said.
Around a thousand Indians have already been flown out of Romania and Hungary and another 1,000 have been evacuated from Ukraine through the land routes, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla told a media briefing.
He said that locations of the Indian citizens are being shared with Ukraine and Russia for ensuring their protection and Indians who are near the borders with Hungary, Romania and Slovakia are being guided towards the respective border points in phases. The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) has also been urged to escort the Indians safely out of the country.
Russia admits to 'killed and injured' troops in Ukraine
The Russian army on Sunday admitted that there were "killed and injured" soldiers among its troops in Ukraine on the fourth day of its invasion of the country, without specifying how many Russians had died there.
"Russian servicemen are showing courage and heroism while fulfilling combat tasks in the special military operation. Unfortunately, there are killed and injured among our comrades," Moscow's army spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on state television.
EU escalates sanctions, closing airspace to Russia's planes, banning Russian state media
The EU on Sunday announced harsh new sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, closing its airspace to Russian aircraft and banning Russian state media outlets broadcasting in the bloc.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, announcing the measures, also said the European Union was taking the unprecedented step of financing arms to Ukraine, and was hitting Russian ally Belarus with sanctions for facilitating the invasion.
Tamil Nadu woman says her son is in Ukraine without water, food, begs Trichy district collector to bring him home
A woman from Tamil Nadu, whose son is stranded in Ukraine amid Russian military operations there, fell at the feet of the Trichy District Collector on Sunday and begged for the safe and immediate return of her son.
Jayalakshmi, who hails from Manapparai, fell at the feet of District Collector Sivarasu, who had come to attend a polio vaccination program at a primary health centre in the Big Peppermill area of Trichy.
The woman requested that her son be rescued at the earliest from Ukraine amid the tense situation.
She claimed that her son Rajesh, who is a sixth-year student at a medical college in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, is without water and food.
Speaking to media persons, Jayalakshmi said that Rajesh is staying in the cellar with about 500 students as the military operations are intensifying in the area.
Following the incident, the District Collector sympathized with the woman and said that immediate action would be taken to bring her son back.
The first flight from Romania carrying 219 Indian students reached Mumbai on Saturday evening.
So far, a total of 469 Indian nationals have been evacuated from war-hit Ukraine.
Medical oxygen running out in Ukraine as war rages, WHO warns
Ukraine is running out of oxygen supplies that critically ill people need, the World Health Organization said on Sunday, calling for safe passage for emergency imports as combat rages.
"The oxygen supply situation is nearing a very dangerous point in Ukraine. Trucks are unable to transport oxygen supplies from plants to hospitals across the country, including the capital Kyiv," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Kluge said in a statement.
"The majority of hospitals could exhaust their oxygen reserves within the next 24 hours. Some have already run out. This puts thousands of lives at risk."
Oxygen is essential for patients with a range of conditions, including the 1,700 in hospital with COVID-19 and those with other critical illnesses stemming from complications of pregnancy, childbirth, sepsis, injuries and trauma.
In "New Era" Amid Ukraine War, Germany Rewrites Defence, Foreign PoliciesChancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday announced a major shift in Germany's foreign and defence policy, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine forces Europe's biggest economy to ditch decades of reluctance in raising its military profile.
Haunted by its post-war guilt, Germany has always treaded lightly and quietly on the world stage when it comes to conflicts.
But at an emergency parliamentary sitting on Sunday, Scholz, who himself had been accused of dawdling on the Ukraine crisis, said: "With the invasion of Ukraine, we are now in a new era."
Hours after Germany dramatically reversed its ban on lethal weapons exports to conflict-zone by announcing huge shipments to Ukraine, Scholz said 100 billion euros will be earmarked for investments for the army in 2022 alone.
"Putin Escalating In Unacceptable Manner": US On Russia's Nuclear AlertPresident Vladimir Putin's order to put Russia's deterrence forces, which include nuclear arms - on high alert is unacceptable escalation, US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said on Sunday.
"It means that President Putin is continuing to escalate this war in a manner that is totally unacceptable and we have to continue to stem his actions in the strongest possible way," Thomas-Greenfield said in interview with CBS "Face the Nation."
Western allies must 'stand together' against Russia: NATO chief
The United States and Europe must "really stand together" in response to Russia's military aggression and "threatening rhetoric", NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Sunday, adding the alliance "does not want war".
"NATO does not want war with Russia, we don't seek confrontation," he told BBC World.
"We are (a) defensive alliance, but we need to make sure that there's no room for misunderstanding, miscalculation about our ability to defend and protect allies."
NATO is to deploy its rapid response force for the first time to bolster its eastern flank in the face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Canada closes airspace to all Russian carriers
Canada has closed its airspace to "all Russian aircraft operators" in protest of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ottawa announced Sunday.
"We will hold Russia accountable for its unprovoked attacks against Ukraine," Transport Minister Omar Alghabra said on Twitter.
The closure, effective immediately, aligns Canada with the vast majority of European countries.
Germany and Austria offer free train rides to Ukrainian refugees
Germany's rail operator said it will offer free train rides from Sunday to Ukrainian refugees travelling into the country from Poland.
Up to six trains are running daily from Poland to Germany at the moment, Deutsche Bahn said, but it was preparing to increase that capacity "at short notice".
Also on Sunday neighbouring Austria announced that its state railway company OeBB would offer free travel to those escaping the conflict.
Austrian Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler said in a tweet that she had agreed with OeBB that "Ukrainians who are fleeing will be able to use OeBB trains without tickets".
"In these times it is important to help quickly and simply. That it exactly what we are doing," she said.
Spain says closing airspace to Russian carriers
Spain said Sunday it was closing its airspace to Russian carriers, following similar moves by several European nations over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
"Spain will proceed to close its airspace to Russian airlines," the transport ministry said on Twitter, adding that it was following the "cooperation guidelines set by the European Union".
S Jaishankar speaks with Hungarian, Moldovian counterparts on evacuation of Indian from Ukraine
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar spoke with his Hungarian and Moldovian counterparts on Sunday and discussed cooperation for the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
The EAM thanked the Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto for aiding the evacuation of Indian Nationals from Ukraine and requested further cooperation.
Dr Jaishankar also spoke with Moldova Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu and sought support for the entry of Indian Nationals on the Ukraine-Moldova border.
The fourth flight has left Bucharest (Romania) for Delhi to bring back 198 stranded Indians from Ukraine safely under operation Ganga, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said on Sunday.
Ukraine agrees to hold talks with Russia at Belarus border
Ukraine has agreed for talks with Russia on the Belarus border, the country's presidency said, after earlier turning down Moscow's offer of a meeting in Belarus, which has allowed Russian troops passage to attack Ukraine. Ukraine had proposed Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul and Baku as possible alternative locations for any talks.
US announces $54 million in aid for Ukraine
The United States said Sunday it is sending nearly $54 million in new humanitarian aid to Ukraine as it grapples with the Russian invasion.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is focused on Ukraine's "urgent humanitarian needs as an important part of our response to Russia's premeditated, unprovoked and unjustified attack."
This new assistance to be channelled through NGOs includes "provision of food, safe drinking water, shelter, emergency health care, winterization and protection," Blinken said in a statement.
The UN refugee agency UNHCR says that since Russia first attacked Thursday, about 370,000 people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries, while over 160,000 are estimated to be displaced within Ukraine.
Putin orders nuclear forces on high alertRussian President Vladimir Putin ordered his defence chiefs to put the country's nuclear "deterrence forces" on high alert Sunday and accused the West of taking "unfriendly" steps against his country.
International tensions are already soaring over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and Putin's order will cause further alarm.
Moscow has the world's second-largest arsenal of nuclear weapons and a huge cache of ballistic missiles which form the backbone of the country's deterrence forces.
"I order the defence minister and the chief of the general staff of the Russian armed forces to put the deterrence forces of the Russian army into a special mode of combat service," Putin said.
"You see that Western countries are not only unfriendly to our country in the economic sphere -- I mean illegitimate sanctions," he added, in a televised address.
Just In | PM Modi will hold a high-level meeting on the Ukraine crisis this evening.
Mumbai airport makes special arrangements for Indian students returning from Ukraine
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in compliance with the BMC, government and Airport Health Organization (APHO), undertook several measures to facilitate a smooth transit of Indian nationals returning from Ukraine to their respective destinations while adhering to all necessary norms and protocols.
The Air India flight AI1944 from Bucharest, Romania to Mumbai airport successfully landed at 7.50 pm with 219 young passengers on board on February 26.
"Of the 219 passengers, around 30 were from Mumbai and Maharashtra, who was cleared on priority and escorted out. Around 50 passengers were escorted to Buses at Level 1 for their onward journey to Gujarat," said airport officials.
Besides, the airport had set up dedicated check-in counters for recheck and baggage drop of all domestic connecting passengers. The airport and the domestic airlines also coordinated together and waived off the excess baggage of the young passengers.
'Heartbroken' Pope urges help for Ukraine, condemns warmongers
Pope Francis on Sunday called for humanitarian corridors to help refugees out of Ukraine and said those who make war should not be deluded into thinking that God is on their side.
As some in his audience at St. Peter's Square held large Ukrainian flags, Francis said his "heart is broken" and suggested a day of prayer and fasting for peace on Wednesday.
"Those who make war forget humanity. It does not come from the people," he said in a passionate voice.
"They don't consider the everyday lives of people but put partisan interests before everything and trust in the diabolic and perverse logic of weapons, which is the furthest thing from God's mind."
Emotions run high at Delhi airport as parents welcome children from Ukraine
Emotions ran high at the Delhi airport as the anxious wait of several parents to reunite with their children arriving from Ukraine ended in joy with the landing of the third evacuation flight on Sunday morning.
On the other hand, scores of parents, whose children are still stuck in the violence-hit country, are having sleepless nights as their children find themselves hiding in bunkers when sirens buzz.
The Indira Gandhi International Airport became a witness to a plethora of emotions as parents gave their children a grand welcome with flowers, cards and warm hugs upon their arrival from the Hungarian capital Budapest.
Air India's third evacuation flight, AI1940, which was scheduled to land here at around 7 am, reached a couple of hours late at 9.20 am. At around 2.45 am, Air India's second evacuation flight from Romanian capital Bucharest, brought back 250 Indian nationals to Delhi. The first evacuation flight, AI1944, had brought 229 people from Bucharest to Mumbai on Saturday evening.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says spoke to leader of Russia's ally Belarus
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he had spoken by phone with Belarus strongman and Kremlin ally Alexander Lukashenko, as Russia pressed on with its invasion of the pro-Western country.
"I've spoken with Alexander Lukashenko," Zelenskyy said on Facebook, without providing further details. Russia's invasion of Ukraine was partly launched from Belarus soil.
Putin accuses Ukraine of wasting 'opportunity' for talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday accused Ukrainian authorities of wasting "an opportunity" to hold talks after Moscow's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour.
The Kremlin said that Putin had briefed Israel's Prime Minister Naftali Bennett about "the course of a special military operation to protect Donbas."
During the call, he "also noted that the Russian delegation is in the Belarus city of Gomel and is ready for negotiations with representatives of Kyiv, who, showing inconsistency, have not yet taken advantage of this opportunity".
Japan says joining measures to cut Russian banks from SWIFT
Japan will join Western nations in removing selected Russian banks from the SWIFT messaging system, the country's Prime Minister said Sunday, piling further pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
"In what was released this morning by the Western nations, steps are taken to isolate Russia from the international financial system and the world economy including exclusion of specific Russian banks from SWIFT," Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said.
"Western nations have requested Japan participate. Japan will join this initiative," he added.
Ukraine army secures Kharkiv, expelling Russian troops
Ukrainian forces had secured full control of Kharkiv on Sunday following street fighting with Russian troops in the country's second-biggest city, the local governor said.
"Kharkiv is fully under our control," the head of the regional administration, Oleg Sinegubov, said on Telegram, adding that the army was expelling Russian forces during a "clean-up" operation.
Italy makes immediate payment of 110 million euros to Ukraine
Italy has transferred an immediate payment of 110 million euros ($120 million) to Ukraine's government "as a sign of solidarity and support", Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio announced on Twitter on Sunday.
"I've informed my colleague Dmytro Kuleba that I've just signed a resolution for the immediate payment of 110 million euros to the government in Kyiv, as a sign of solidarity and support from Italy to a people with whom we have fraternal relations," Di Maio tweeted.
UN nuclear watchdog to hold emergency meeting on Ukraine
The UN nuclear watchdog IAEA's board of governors will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday on the situation in Ukraine, diplomats said on Sunday.
One diplomat told Reuters the agenda item would be "the safety, security and safeguards implications of the situation in Ukraine." Another said it was called by Canada and Poland, which are members of the 35-nation board, at the request of Ukraine, which is not on the board.
IAEA Director General Mariano Grossi said on Saturday he was gravely concerned about Ukraine and called on all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardise the security of nuclear material and facilities.
Russian flights barred from German airspace
Germany will impose a three-month ban on all Russian flights from its airspace from 1400 GMT on Sunday, the Transport Ministry said, as the screws tighten on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
"In a Notice to Air Missions, the transport ministry has imposed a flight ban for Russian aircraft and aircraft operators in and over German airspace," said the ministry, adding that order was valid for three months.
Only humanitarian flights will be exempt.
Ukraine lodges case against Russia the International Court of Justice in the Hague
Ukraine has lodged a complaint against Russia at the International Court of Justice in the Hague to get it to halt its invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday.
"Russia must be held accountable for manipulating the notion of genocide to justify aggression," Zelensky declared in a tweet.
"We request an urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now and expect trials to start next week."
Ukraine launches website for Russians to find killed soldiersUkrainian authorities on Sunday launched a website to help Russian families track down soldiers who have been killed or captured fighting in Moscow's invasion of the pro-Western country. The site -- 200rf.com -- contains pictures of the documents and corpses of Russian soldiers Ukraine said had been killed since President Vladimir Putin launched the attack. It also has videos of soldiers Ukraine says it has captured.
Ukrainian refugee tally tops 368,000: UN
The UN refugee agency said Sunday more than 368,000 people had fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Thursday.
"The current total is now 368,000 and continues to rise," United Nations High Commission for Refugees or UNHCR said in a tweet, adding the new figure was based on "data made available by national authorities".
Kerala Chief Minister writes to PM Modi to help Indians trapped in Ukraine
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his immediate intervention to bring all Indians, most of them students, back from war-hit cities of Ukraine.
In the letter, he said some of the Indians have taken refuge in bunkers in eastern cities like Kyiv, Kharkiv and Sumi with food and water shortage.
Mr Vijayan sought also the opening of a route through Moldovia to rescue the stranded Indians. He said he has raised these issues with the Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Portugal to send military equipment to Ukraine
Portugal is to send military equipment to Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Sunday, joining other Western nations in dispatching help to the eastern European country under Russian attack.
Lisbon is to dispatch "vests, helmets, night-vision goggles, grenades and ammunition of various calibres", the ministry said in a statement in the early hours on Twitter.
"Portugal supports Ukraine, which is defending itself against an unjustified, illegal and unacceptable invasion," Defence Minister Joao Cravinho said in another tweet.
Turkey, overseeing passage to Black Sea, calls Russian invasion "war"Turkey called Russia's invasion of Ukraine a "war" on Sunday in a rhetorical shift that could pave the way for the NATO member nation to enact an international pact limiting Russian naval passage to the Black Sea. Under the 1936 Montreux Convention, Turkey has control over the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits that connect the Mediterranean and Black seas and can limit the passage of warships during wartime or if threatened.
Belgium closes airspace to Russian airlines
Belgium is closing its airspace to Russian flights, the country's prime minister said on Sunday, adding to a growing number of EU countries that have done the same. "Belgium has decided to close its airspace to all Russian airlines," Prime Minister Alexander De Croo tweeted. "Our European skies are open skies. They're open for those who connect people, not for those who seek to brutally aggress."
Polish border sees 156,000 arrivals from Ukraine
Poland's border guards on Sunday said more than 156,000 people had crossed into the EU member from Ukraine in the days since Russia invaded the ex-Soviet country.
The latest figure represented an increase of tens of thousands on what was reported Saturday, showing just how quickly Ukrainian refugees are flowing into their western neighbour.
"Since the start of the hostilities in Ukraine on February 24, border guard officers processed a total of 187,800 people at all the crossings with Ukraine," Poland's border guards tweeted.
That number also included those who had left Poland for Ukraine, but the vast majority, or more than 156,000, were people fleeing Ukraine, they said.
Russia has lost some 4,300 men in the invasion, says Ukrainian minister
Russian forces have lost about 4,300 servicemen during their invasion of Ukraine, Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar said on Sunday, adding however that the number was being clarified.
She also said on her Facebook page that Russian troops lost about 146 tanks, 27 aircraft and 26 helicopters.
Indians escaping Ukraine allowed to enter Poland without visa
Poland is allowing Indian students who escape from Russian aggression in Ukraine to enter Poland without any visa, said Ambassador of Poland to India Adam Burakowski.
EU could ban Russian flights from its airspace, official says
A European Union-wide ban for Russian flights could be part of a fresh package of sanctions on Moscow to be discussed later on Sunday by the bloc's foreign ministers, an EU official said.
A vast majority of EU member states have already closed their airspace to these flights, and a more formal decision could be taken shortly, the official added.
Denmark joins Finland in closing airspace to Russian planes
Finland and Denmark on Sunday said they would close their airspace to Russian planes, joining other European countries in ramping up sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre (800-mile) border with Russia, "is preparing to close its airspace to Russian air traffic," Transport Minister Timo Harakka wrote in an overnight tweet.
He did not state when the measure would take effect.
Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said on Twitter his country too would "be closing its airspace for Russian aircraft".
Romania to send fuel, ammunition to UkraineRomania will send provisions and equipment worth 3 million euros ($3.38 million) to Ukraine and has offered to care for the wounded in military and civilian hospitals, government spokesperson Dan Carbunaru said on Sunday. Provisions to be sent include fuel, ammunition, bullet-proof vests, helmets, military equipment, food and water, he added.
Greece to send Ukraine defence equipment
Greece is to send Ukraine "defence equipment" and humanitarian aid, the prime minister's office said Sunday, after Athens accused Russia of killing 10 ethnic Greeks during its invasion of Ukraine. Two military transport planes were to depart for Poland on Sunday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' office said in a statement, without adding further details about what equipment they would be carrying.
Ukraine official says military situation largely unchanged
An adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday the situation has not changed significantly in Ukraine, with the country in control of the territory west of Kyiv and Russian troops not making any advance in the south.
Ukraine conflict could last 'number of years': UK FM Truss
The Russia-Ukraine conflict could last a "number of years" and the world needs to be prepared for Moscow "to seek to use even worse weapons", British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss warned Sunday.
International Judo Federation suspends Putin as honorary president
Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the sport's governing body announced on Sunday.
Google Blocks Russian State Media From Earning On Its PlatformsGoogle on Saturday became the latest US tech giant to prevent Russian state media from earning money on its platforms in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. It follows similar moves by its YouTube subsidiary and Facebook. "In response to the war in Ukraine, we are pausing Google monetization of Russian state-funded media across our platforms," a Google spokesperson said in a statement. "We're actively monitoring new developments and will take further steps if necessary."
UK says Russia needs to withdraw from Ukraine for any talks
British foreign minister Liz Truss said on Sunday there could be no talks with Russia over Ukraine while Moscow has troops in its neighbour, adding that the conflict could be protracted.
Zelensky hails international 'coalition' backing Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday hailed the assistance Ukraine was receiving from its international allies as Russia's invading forces pressed on with an assault.
Indian diaspora advised to move away from conflict zones
Amid the ongoing tension between Russia and Ukraine, the Indian embassy in Kyiv on Sunday advised the Indian diaspora to move away from conflict zones to the Western region subject to the security situation and the extant regulations.
Russia warns Ukraine its offensive will not stop for talksThe Kremlin on Sunday said it has warned Ukraine that Russia's military operation would be suspended during any potential talks, the Interfax news agency reported. Russia earlier said its delegation was ready to meet Ukrainian officials in the Belarusian city of Gomel, a location Kyiv rejected as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Minsk itself was complicit in the Russian invasion.
'Russia attacking schools, ambulances, everything': Ukraine's PresidentUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Moscow was bombarding residential areas in Ukraine as its invading forces sought to push deeper into the pro-Western country.
Ukraine's Zelenskiy says Russia's actions bear signs of "genocide"Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy urged the world on Sunday to scrap Russia's voting power at the U.N. Security Council and said Russian actions verged on "genocide." "This is terror. They are going to bomb our Ukrainian cities even more, they are going to kill our children even more subtly. This is the evil that has come to our land and must be destroyed," Zelenskiy said on a short video message. "Russia's criminal actions against Ukraine bear signs of genocide," he added.
Ukraine running trains for free, check schedule, says Indian embassy
Ukraine Railways is additionally organising emergency trains at no cost, first come basis from Kyiv. Schedule can be found at train stations. Indian citizens are advised to move away from conflict zones to the western region subject to security situation and the extant regulations, the Indian embassy in Ukraine tweeted.
Indian students hoping for exit through Poland stuck at border in freezing coldSeveral Indian students in Ukraine trudged 35km in freezing temperature to reach the border with Poland hoping for an escape from the ravaging war, but are now stuck there with little or no food and shelter.
Russia's Belarus talks plan is 'propaganda', Ukraine official saysUkraine wants only "real" negotiations with Russia over its military offensive, without ultimatums, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Reuters on Sunday, calling Moscow's decision to send a delegation to Belarus for talks "propaganda".
Google blocks Russia's RT app downloads on Ukrainian territory, says RTAlphabet Inc's Google has banned downloads of Russian state-owned media outlet RT's mobile app on Ukrainian territory at the request of the government in Kyiv, RT said on Sunday.Google on Saturday barred RT and other channels from receiving money for ads on their websites, apps and YouTube videos, similar to a move by Facebook after the invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky says Russia striking residential areas in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday that Moscow was bombarding residential areas in Ukraine as its invading forces sought to push deeper into the pro-Western country. "The past night in Ukraine was brutal, again shooting, again bombardments of residential areas, civilian infrastructure," Zelensky said in an address posted online.
Japanese Billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani Donates $8.7 Million To UkraineJapanese billionaire Hiroshi "Mickey" Mikitani said Sunday he will donate $8.7 million to the government of Ukraine, calling Russia's invasion "a challenge to democracy".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said night was 'brutal', Russia striking residential areas
Govt is working tirelessly to bring back Indians stuck in Ukraine: PM Modi
By running Operation Ganga, we are bringing back 1000s of Indians home. Our sons, daughters still stranded in Ukraine will be brought back, the Prime Minister said
Ukraine rejects Russian offer of talks in BelarusUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected a Russian offer of talks in Belarus on Sunday, saying Minsk itself was complicit in the Russian invasion, but leaving the door open to negotiations in other locations. The Kremlin said on Sunday its delegation was ready to meet Ukrainian officials in the Belarusian city of Gomel.
Finland to close airspace to Russian planesFinland will close its airspace to Russian planes, joining other European countries in ramping up sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, the government announced early Sunday. Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre (800-mile) border with Russia, "is prepared to close its airspace to Russian air traffic," Transport Minister Timo Harakka wrote in an overnight tweet.
UN reports at least 240 civilian casualties, 64 deaths in UkraineAt least 64 civilians have been killed and more than 160,000 are on the move after Russian troops entered Ukraine this week, a United Nations relief agency said.
Ukraine says it downed missile launched by Russian bomber flying over BelarusUkrainian forces have downed a cruise missile that was launched by a Russian Tu-22 strategic bomber from the territory of Belarus, Valery Zaluzhny, the chief commander of the armed forces, said on Sunday.
Putin hails 'heroism' of Russian special forces in UkraineRussian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday congratulated members of special forces on their professional holiday, saying they fought "heroically" in Ukraine, while the Kremlin stressed it was ready for talks with Kyiv.
"Special gratitude to those who these days are heroically fulfilling their military duty in the course of a special operation to provide assistance to the people's republics of Donbas," Putin said in a televised address.
Russian troops enter Ukraine's second city, fighting under wayRussian troops have entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting was under way on Sunday, the head of the regional administration said on the fourth day of Moscow's invasion of the pro-Western country. "The Russian enemy's light vehicles broke into the city of Kharkiv," Oleg Sinegubov said in a Facebook post, urging residents not to leave shelters. "The Ukrainian armed forces are eliminating the enemy."
Russian delegation arrives in the Belarusian city of Homel for talks with Ukrainian officialsKremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies that Russia was ready for talks with Ukraine, adding that a delegation from Moscow had arrived in the Belarusian city of Gomel.
Families appeal for help as dozens of Indian students are stranded at the Ukraine-Poland border
Ukraine establishing foreign legion for volunteers from abroad
Ukraine is establishing a foreign "international" legion for volunteers from abroad, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday. "This will be the key evidence of your support for our country," Zelenskiy said in a statement.
Russian troops enter Ukraine's second city, fighting going onRussian troops have entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting was under way on Sunday, the head of the regional administration said on the fourth day of Moscow's invasion of the pro-Western country. "The Russian enemy's light vehicles broke into the city of Kharkiv," Oleg Sinegubov said in a Facebook post. "The Ukrainian armed forces are eliminating the enemy."
Blast heard in Kyiv after air raid alertA blast was heard to the west of the Kyiv city centre on Sunday, minutes after air raid sirens, a Reuters correspondent reported.
Russia claims to have besieged two big cities in Ukraine south and southeast
Moscow claimed Sunday its troops had "entirely" besieged the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and the city of Berdyansk in the southeast, as the Russian army pressed ahead with the invasion of the pro-Western country. "Over the past 24 hours, the cities of Kherson and Berdyansk have been completely blocked by the Russian armed forces," defence ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.
Ukraine crisis: 4th flight on its way from Bucharest to India
"Operation Ganga is underway. The fourth flight has left from Bucharest (Romania) to bring 198 Indian nationals to Delhi safely," Foreign Minister S Jaishankar
Russia claims to have besieged two big cities in south and southeastMoscow claimed Sunday its troops had "entirely" besieged the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson and the city of Berdyansk in the southeast, as the Russian army pressed ahead with the invasion of the pro-Western country.
YouTube blocks monetization for some Russian channelsYouTube announced on Saturday it would block certain Russian channels from monetizing their videos, among other restrictions, due to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Read More Russian troops enter Ukraine's Kharkiv
Russian troop vehicles were seen on the streets of Ukraine's northeastern city of Kharkiv on Sunday, Anton Herashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's interior minister, wrote on Telegram. Videos published by Herashchenko and Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection showed several light military vehicles moving along a street and, separately, a burning tank.
Google bars Russian state-funded media from receiving money for adsGoogle has said it is pausing monetisation of Russian state-funded media and barring the outlets from running ads across its services, according to a statement seen by Reuters.
Ukraine war complicates US central bank's inflation fighting effortThe uncertainty created by Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impact on the global economy is piling more complexity onto the US central bank's already tough fight to contain rising prices. Soaring energy and food costs have pushed inflation in the world's largest economy to the highest pace in four decades, and the Federal Reserve is poised to raise the benchmark borrowing rate in March to put out the fire.
Russia praises India's 'balanced' stance on UkraineRussia has praised India's "independent and balanced" position after Delhi abstained from a UN Security Council vote that deplored Moscow's "aggression" against Ukraine.
India, along with China and the UAE, did not vote on the resolution Friday, a move in line with the fine balance Delhi has sought to strike between partnerships with Moscow and Western allies.
Ottawa flags "concerns" over Russian channel RT broadcasts
Canadian authorities expressed "concerns" on Saturday over the local broadcasting of state-funded Russian channel RT, which critics have long labelled a mouthpiece for the Kremlin. Regularly accused in the West of contributing to disinformation, RT is in the crosshairs of several European countries, with the heat on the channel amped up since Russia's invasion of Ukraine this week. "I share the concerns of many Canadians about the presence of Russia Today in our broadcasting system," Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez tweeted. "We're looking at all options," he added, amid growing calls in Canada to ban the channel.
China envoy to Ukraine postpones evacuation of citizensChina's envoy to Ukraine said Sunday current conditions were too unsafe to evacuate citizens, days after the embassy said it would prepare plans to help people leave after the Russian invasion. In a lengthy video message on the embassy's official WeChat account, Chinese ambassador Fan Xianrong sought to dispel rumours he had left Kyiv and reassure Chinese nationals left stranded in the war-torn country.
North Korea blames US for Ukraine crisisNorth Korea has accused the United States of being the "root cause of the Ukraine crisis" while defending Russia, in Pyongyang's first official response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Washington has pursued "military supremacy in disregard of the legitimate demand of Russia for its security" according to the commentary, attributed to Ri Ji Song, a researcher at the North's Society for International Politics Study.
Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie reacts to Ukraine crisisHollywood superstar Angelina Jolie recently shared a message of prayer for the people who are the victims of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Jolie took to her Instagram handle to share a statement on the Russia-Ukraine conflict in her capacity as a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
"Like many of you, I'm praying for the people in Ukraine," Jolie said in the statement adding, "My focus along with my @refugees colleagues is that everything possible is done to ensure the protection and basic human rights of those displaced, and refugees in the region."
What is SWIFT, the global finance arm that West can twist to hurt RussiaExclusion from SWIFT, a very discreet but important cog in the machinery of international finance, is one of the most disruptive sanctions the West has deployed against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
The move had been threatened in recent weeks by the United States, the European Union and other Western allies as a means of escalating punishment of Russia for its aggressions against its ex-Soviet neighbour.
Read More Australia to send weapons to Ukraine via NATO partnersAustralia will supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO allies in Europe, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Sunday, days after Canberra said it would only provide Kiev with "non-lethal" assistance.
"We are already providing significant support in terms of non-lethal aid but I've just spoken to the Defence Minister [Peter Dutton] and we'll be seeking to provide whatever support we can for lethal aid through our NATO partners, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom," Morrison said as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Over 3,000 protesters detained in Russia for anti-war protests: ReportOver 3,000 protesters have been detained in Russia over the last three days for participating in anti-war protests, a monitoring group has claimed.
"For the last three days, at least 3,093 people have been arrested for anti-war protests from all over Russia," tweeted 'OVD-Info Monitor', a group tracking arrests during protests all over Russia.
The police detained at least 1,967 people on February 24, 634 on February 25 and 492 on February 26, added the group.
Read More Bihar govt launches helpline for students trapped in UkraineWith the evacuation of Indian students trapped in Ukraine picking up speed, the Bihar government has started helplines for boys and girls hailing from the state who had gone to the war-torn country for pursuing higher education and are now anxious to make an exit in the wake of the military crisis.
The helpline numbers issued by the state Disaster Management Department are 0612-2294204, 0612-1070 and 7070290170. An email-id has also been issued by the government -- seoc-dmd@bihar.gov.in. The Bihar Bhavan in New Delhi has also issued a helpline number and email-id -- 7217788114, rescm.bi@nic.in.
3rd flight carrying 240 Indians from Budapest lands in Delhi
A third flight carrying 240 Indians from Budapest has landed in Delhi. Earlier, Air India's second evacuation flight from Romanian capital Bucharest carrying 250 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine had landed at Delhi airport this morning.
Prince William, Kate Middleton praise Ukraine President Zelenskyy
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton have spoken out in support of Ukraine and its President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. They backed Ukraine and its leader amid attacks from Russia in a message via Twitter on Saturday. "In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future," the tweet read. It continued, "Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future."
Town near Ukraine's Kyiv hit by missiles, oil terminal on fireRussian missiles have hit the Ukrainian town of Vasylkiv southwest of the capital, Kyiv, setting an oil terminal ablaze, the town's mayor said in a video posted online. "The enemy wants to destroy everything around," said the mayor, Natalia Balasinovich.
European Union's new sanctions to "cripple" Putin amid Ukraine invasionEuropean Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said that Brussels would propose to freeze the assets of the Russian central bank, in a major escalation of sanctions against Moscow following the invasion of Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also said the EU would remove "certain" Russian banks from the SWIFT payment system, in response to a key demand of Kyiv to punish Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US, Allies To Remove Russian Banks From Global Payment System SWIFT
Germany and its Western allies agreed to cut Russia out of the SWIFT global payment system, a spokesperson for the German government said on Saturday, in a third sanctions package aimed at halting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ukraine says Russian troops blow up gas pipeline in Kharkiv
Russian troops have blown up a natural gas pipeline in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's state service of special communications and information protection said on Sunday.
Ukraine roads company removing road signs to confuse RussiansA Ukrainian company in charge of building and maintaining roads said it was removing all road signs that could be used by invading Russian forces to find their way around the country.
China will not come to Russia's rescue: US official over Ukraine crisisChina does not seem to be helping Russia with the Western financial sanctions on Moscow over its aggression in Ukraine, a senior Biden Administration official has said.
"The latest time suggests that China's not coming to the rescue," the official said during a conference call on Saturday, according to Sputnik News Agency.
"I think it was reported... that China was actually restricting some of its banks to provide credit to facilitate energy purchases from Russia, which suggests that much like has been the pattern for years and years, China has tended to respect the force of US sanctions," the official said further.
Donald Trump praises Putin, revives election lies at conservative forumDonald Trump emerged from political exile Saturday to blast President Joe Biden and NATO over the Ukraine crisis and reprise his false claims of a stolen 2020 election in a speech to grassroots Republicans. Trump blamed Russia's invasion of its neighbor on Biden's "weakness" and lavished praise on President Vladimir Putin's intellect.