Russia-Ukraine crisis: New round of talks expected soon; Kyiv, Moscow agree on evacuation corridors

Amid heavy fighting around Kharkiv, India asked all its citizens stranded in the city to leave immediately for three safe zones that are in the range of up to 16 km from there. Russian troops are inching closer towards the capital of Ukraine, with more soldiers being called in. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on the EU for a 'fast-tracked' membership.

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EU agrees to offer protection to Ukraine refugees

The EU on Thursday agreed to approve temporary protection for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine -- so far numbered at one million -- while also setting up a humanitarian hub in Romania.

The moves by the European Union came in parallel to its sanctions on Russia imposed in successive waves over the course of the invasion, now in its eighth day.

In Washington, the administration of President Joe Biden announced a similar move, granting temporary protected status to Ukrainians already in the country.

That means they can remain in the US and the threat of deportation is lifted.

US grants 'temporary protected status' to Ukrainians, halts deportations

Johnson, Bolsonaro call for Ukraine ceasefire

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro have called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, a Johnson spokesperson said following talks between the two leaders.

"The leaders agreed on the requirement for an urgent ceasefire in Ukraine and said peace had to prevail," the Downing Street spokesperson said.

Johnson said the "world could not allow President Putin's aggression to succeed," denouncing his regime's "disgusting actions" that killed civilians and destroyed cities.

People hold a sign reading “Stop Putin” during an anti-war protest outside the offices of the European Union, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Caracas, Venezuela March 3, 2022.

S&P Global Ratings downgrades Russia to 'CCC-' on Ukraine war

US says Russia has fired 480 missiles so far

US officials say Russia has fired 480 missiles at Ukraine as Russian troops make more progress in the south, but are largely stalled in the north.

The official says about 90 per cent of the Russian combat power that had been arrayed around Ukraine is now in the country.

Specifically, the official said that the majority of the Russian missile launches since the war began - or more than 230 of them - are coming from mobile systems within Ukraine.

Musk warns that Starlink system could be "targeted" in Ukraine

SpaceX chief Elon Musk warned that there is a high chance that its Starlink satellite broadband service could be "targeted" in Ukraine, which has been hit by Russian invasion.

"Important warning: Starlink is the only non-Russian communications system still working in some parts of Ukraine, so probability of being targeted is high. Please use with caution," Musk tweeted.

Russia says new round of talks expected soon

Russian negotiators in talks with Ukraine say another round of talks will likely be held shortly.

Vladimir Medinsky, Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser who led the Russian delegation in the talks Thursday in Belarus near the Polish border, said the parties' “positions are absolutely clear, they are written down point by point,” including issues related to a political settlement of the conflict.

He added without elaboration that “mutual understanding was found on part of them.”

Russian forces seize key Ukrainian port, pressure others

Russian forces battled for control of a vital energy-producing city in Ukraine's south on Thursday and also gained ground in their bid to cut off the country from the sea, as Ukrainian leaders called on citizens to wage guerrilla war against the invaders.

The fighting at Enerhodar, a city on the Dnieper River that accounts for about one-quarter of the country's power generation, came as the two sides met for another round of talks aimed at stopping the bloodshed that has set off an exodus of over 1 million refugees.

Kasparov calls on world powers to throw Russia 'back into the Stone Age'

Russian human rights activist and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov on Thursday urged world powers to adopt a harsher military and economic strategy against Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview with Reuters, Kasparov called on Western countries to recall their ambassadors from Moscow, eject Russia from the global police agency Interpol, and impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

"Russia should be thrown back into the Stone Age to make sure that the oil and gas industry and any other sensitive industries that are vital for survival of the regime cannot function without Western technological support," Kasparov said.

579 people from Delhi still stranded in Ukraine, 299 brought back

As many as 579 people from Delhi are still stranded in war-torn Ukraine while 299 people belonging to the national capital have been brought back, officials in the city government said on Thursday.

Till evening, district authorities including district magistrates (DM) and sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) visited the residences of 606 students who have either been evacuated or are still stuck in the East European country, the officials said.

Danve visits Mumbai airport, oversees rail transport arrangements for students returning from Ukraine

30 flights operated, about 6,400 people brought back under 'Operation Ganga'

A total of 30 flights have been operated and around 6,400 people brought back under Operation Ganga that was launched to evacuate Indian nationals in Ukraine, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

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Get us out or else we will die for sure: Indian students send frantic SOS following explosion near campus

"The Ukrainian government is not allowing us to travel to the Russian border. Please do whatever you can or else we will die for sure," a group of Indian students stuck in Sumy State University said on Thursday late night as they rushed themselves into a bunker in the campus after hearing loud explosion sounds.

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US to impose sanctions on more Russian oligarchs

The United States on Thursday will impose sanctions on an array of Russian oligarchs and the Kremlin spokesman, the White House said, as Washington takes aim at those close to Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

The United States imposed full blocking sanctions on several oligarchs and officials, as well as some of their companies, the White House said. Those designated include Russian tycoon Alisher Usmanov, the founder of Russian mining company Metalloinvest, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Russian forces have opened fire in town next to nuclear power plant, says Ukrainian official

Russian forces have opened fire in the Ukrainian town of Energodar next to Europe's largest nuclear power plant after entering in tanks, Ukrainian interior ministry adviser Anton Herashchenko said in online posts on Thursday.

Earlier he said Russian troops were stepping up efforts to seize control of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. The plant's workers live in the nearby town of Energodar.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday said he was bracing for a "long" war in Ukraine, as Russia's offensive entered its second week.

Queen Elizabeth has given a "generous donation" to support people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, according to a coalition of British aid charities that have launched an appeal for funds.

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russia's military operations in Ukraine were going according to plan and praised its soldiers as heroes.

Putin says Russia fighting 'neo-Nazis' in Ukraine

Russia to appeal to sports court against World Cup ban

The Russian football federation (RFU) said on Thursday that it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against its expulsion from the 2022 World Cup and all international competitions.

Russia was due to face Poland on March 24 in a World Cup play-off. But on February 28, FIFA and UEFA banned the country from all competitions in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Russia forces not yet in control of Kherson, US official says

Moldova has officially started the process of applying for membership of the European Union, the country's president said on Thursday.

India resists US bid to get Quad to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine

India on Thursday argued that the Quad should keep its focus on countering China in the Indo-Pacific region, even as the United States raised the issue of Russia’s military offensives against Ukraine during a virtual meeting of the leaders of the four-nation coalition.

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Indian students at Sumy State University in Ukraine say they heard a loud explosion

Vladimir Putin says Ukraine and Russia are 'one people'

"I want to say that the special military operation is going strictly according to schedule, according to plan," he said, opening a meeting with his security council. "We are at war with neo-Nazis," Putinsaid, adding: "I will never give up on my conviction that Russians and Ukrainians areonepeople." (AFP)

Putin says Russian military advance in Ukraine 'going to plan'

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday that Moscow's advance in Ukraine is going "according to plan" and ordered large compensations for Russian soldiers killed in the invasion.

"I want to say that the special military operation is going strictly according to schedule, according to plan," he said, opening a meeting with his security council. "We are at war with neo-Nazis," the Russian leader said, adding: "I will never give up on my conviction that Russians and Ukrainians are one people."

Talks with Putin only way to stop war, says Ukrainian leader

Chernihiv air strike death toll rises to 22

Nine dead after Russian forces strike Ukrainian city Chernihiv, reports AFP.

Ukraine assessing option of internal peacekeeper, says foreign minister

Canada slaps 35% tariffs on Russia, Belarus imports

Russia Ukraine talks under way in Belarus

Direct talks between Russian and Ukrainian representatives are underway on Belarusian territory. We hope that they bring about an end to this situation, restore peace in Donbass and enable all people in Ukraine to return to peaceful life: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia (ANI)

Kiren Rijiju speaks to Indian students stranded at Slovakia border

In call with Macron, Putin calls Ukraine neo-Nazi regime; Macron says Putin deluding himself

India should have used India's goodwill to mediate Ukraine-Russia conflict: Congress

Embassy tells Indians stranded in Kharkiv to fill out details

A few hundred Indians still stuck in Kharkiv: MEA

Requesting Ukraine for special train to get Indians to safety: MEA

Around 1,000 Indians left Kharkiv for Pisochyn after Embassy's advisory: MEA

PM Modi interacts with Ukraine returnees in Varanasi

Ukrainian negotiator says plans to discuss humanitarian corridors

Ukraine delegation headed to conflict talks with Russia: Kyiv

IAEA resolution urges Russia to 'cease actions' at Ukraine nuclear sites

Indian students slam 'gutless' govt for offering roses instead of support in Ukraine

A number of Indian students evacuatedfrom Ukraine have criticised the government, claiming that they received little to no help from Indian Embassy officials, with one even slamming the gesture of handing over a rose to returnees.

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Russian forces take control of Kherson administrative building: Governor

Ikea terminates operations in Russia, Belarus

Ukraine troops not just defending country but also staging counter-attacks against Russia

UN has raised $1.5 billion for humanitarian aid in Ukraine

'We are being destroyed,' Mariupol city council says

Mariupol city council said Russia was constantly and deliberately shelling critical civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian southern port, leaving it without water, heating or power and preventing bringing supplies or evacuating people.

"They are breaking food supplies, setting us up in a blockade, as in the old Leningrad," the council said in a statement.

Russia's Lavrov accuses West of considering 'nuclear war'

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday accused Western politicians of considering nuclear war, one week after Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine.

"I would like to point out that it's in the heads of Western politicians that the idea of a nuclear war is spinning constantly, and not in the heads of Russians," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian and foreign media.

Russia prepared for dialogue with West on security guarantees, says senior diplomat

Russia is prepared for dialogue with the West on security guarantees and strategic stability issues, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told RBC on Thursday.

"We are prepared for dialogue on these issues (security guarantees), as well as on issues related to strategic stability. We regret that our colleagues in Washington made a decision—and announced it several days ago—to suspend these contacts," he pointed out, adding that the US was fully to blame for suspending dialogue.

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EU sanctions on Russia starting to have an effect, says official

The European Union's sanctions againstRussiaover its invasion of Ukraine are starting to have an initial impact, an EU official said on Thursday. "We believe that the package of sanctions we've put on the table is quite impressive and is now starting to have the first effects," the official said.

"Take the economic side, we have the Moscow stock exchange being closed since Monday. The depreciation of the rouble is also quite impressive. The fact that the Russian Central Bank had to double his interest rate to 20 per cent also," the official said.

Major General of Russian army killed in Ukraine

A Russian MajorGeneral, identified as Andrei Sukhovetskiy, has been killed in Ukraine.

(NEXTA)

A Moroccan student studying in Ukraine and fleeing the war holds his dog after arriving at Mohammed V airport in Casablanca

(AFP Photo)

Indian students embrace their family members upon arrival in the country

(PTI Photo)

Moroccan students embrace their family members after fleeing Ukraine

(AFP Photo)

Russia warns West against further escalation

Moscow warned the West against further escalating tensions with it, Interfax news agency quotedRussia's Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying on Thursday.

Russian rouble falls to record lows after ratings downgrades

The Russian rouble slid further on Thursday, hitting record lows against the dollar and euro, after ratings agencies Fitch and Moody's downgradedRussia's sovereign debt to "junk" status citing the impact of Western sanctions.

At 2 pm, the rouble was more than 10 per centweaker against the dollar at 117.5 and had lost over 7 per cent against the euro to trade at 124.1 on the Moscow Exchange, marking the first time the rouble has traded above 110 to the dollar in Moscow.

Ukraine shoots down Russian aircraft

Ukraine's air defence shot down a Russian fighter aircraft Sukhoi Su-30 flying over Irpin, a satellite city of Kyiv.

(The Kyiv Independent)

149 repatriated from Ukraine under Operation Ganga

A total of 149 people have returned from Ukraine under Operation Ganga, says Karnataka nodal officer Manoj Rajan. Of them, 63 are returning or have returned today.

External affairs ministry holds meeting on Ukraine

Aluminium at record high, nickel scales 11-year peak on Russian supply woes

Aluminium prices climbed to an all-time high on Thursday, while nickel surged to its highest in 11 years asRussia's invasion of Ukraine prompted further sanctions on Moscow, raising trader concerns over supplies from the Black Sea region.

Three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange rose more than 3 per centto a record high of $3,691.50 a tonne. LME nickel climbed 6.1 per cent to $27,470 a tonne, after hitting its highest since April 2011 at $27,815 a tonne.

Hungary will not veto EU sanctions on Russia, says Orban

Hungary will not veto European Union sanctions againstRussiaand the unity of the 27-member bloc is paramount given the war in Ukraine, which Hungary condemns unequivocally, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.

Captured Russian occupant confirms orders to shoot at civilians

Captured Russian occupant confirms that he received the task to shoot at civilians, according to a video posted by NEXTAon Twitter.

Oil depot in Chernihiv on fire after being hit during shelling

'Can we ask Putin to stop the war?' CJI Ramana on plea to evacuate Indians from Ukraine

Hearing a plea seeking direction to the Indian government for evacuating all Indian students stranded in Ukraine on Thursday, a bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana had to ask the petitioner, "What can the court do? Can we issue a direction to the President of Russia to stop the war?"

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India's February sunoil imports fall as war disrupts shipments

India's sunflower oil imports in February plunged 54 per cent from a month earlier as shipments from the Black Sea region were hit afterRussiainvaded Ukraine, while palm oil imports in the month fell 15 per cent because of higher prices, three dealers told Reuters.

Russia starts training exercise to deploy anti-aircraft missiles

Spotify shuts Russia offices

Spotify closes its office in Russia indefinitely in response to what the music streaming service described as Russia’s “unprovoked attack on Ukraine.”

(The Kyiv Independent)

Military faculty building in Sumy shelled

A building of the military faculty of Sumy State University in Ukraine's northeastern city Sumy was shelled this morning by Russian forces, head of the Sumy Regional Military Administration Dmytro Zhyvytsky reported.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Fourth IAF aircraft lands near Delhi

The fourth flight of the Indian Air Force C-17 from Bucharest landed at the Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad around 8.15 am. As many as 180 passengers, mostly students, were on board. The flight is part of the Government of India's massive airlift effort under 'Operation Ganga.'

Lavrov says Russia did not expect sanctions on athletes, journalists

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said,"Russia was ready for sanctions, but Moscow did not expect them to be imposed on athletes, journalists, representatives of the cultural sphere."

(NEXTA)

Ukraine ministry launches app to notify citizens about air strikes

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has launched an app with air alert notifications.The app is already available in Google Play Store and AppStore.

(NEXTA)

Russia imposes 30% commission on forex purchases by individuals, say brokers

Russia's central bank has imposed a 30 per cent commission on foreign currency purchases by individuals on currency exchanges, brokers told Reuters, citing a letter from the regulator.

The central bank has not immediately replied to a request for comment.

Brent touches nine-year high, supply issues roil oil markets

Oil prices extended their rally on Thursday, with Brent rising above $118 a barrel as trade disruption and shipping issues from Russian sanctions over the Ukraine crisis sparked supply worries, while US crude stocks fell to multi-year lows.

Brent crude futures rose as high as $118.22 a barrel, the highest since February 2013. The contract was at $116.60 a barrel, up $3.67, or 3.2 per cent, by 9.45 am.

Moody's downgrades Russia's ratings to B3

Credit rating agency Moody's said on Thursday it has downgraded Russia's long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to B3 from Baa3, citing severe sanctions that Western countries have imposed on Russia. The ratings remain on review for further downgrade, it said.

Russia blocks independent news outlets, social media, says US

The United States accusedRussiaon Wednesday of launching a "full war on media freedom and the truth" by blocking independent news outlets and preventing Russians from hearing news of the invasion of Ukraine.

"Russia’sgovernment is also throttling Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram platforms that tens of millions of Russia’scitizens rely on to access independent information and opinions," the State Department said in a statement.

Ukrainian vessel hit by missile

Kyiv explosions caught on camera

External affairs ministry responds to reports of Indians being held hostage

"Our Embassy in Ukraine is in continuous touch with Indian nationals in Ukraine. We note that with the cooperation of the Ukrainian authorities, many students have left Kharkiv yesterday. We have not received any reports of any hostage situation regarding any student," MEA said in a statement.

(ANI)

UN estimates civilian deaths at 752

The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said as of midnight on March 1, it has recorded 752 civilian casualties in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Air raid alerts issued in Kyiv

Amazon CEO pledges logistics, cybersecurity support for Ukraine

Amazon.com Inc is using its logistics capability to get supplies to those in need and cybersecurity expertise to help governments and companies as part of its support for Ukraine, Chief Executive Andy Jassy said on Twitter on Wednesday.

"Amazon stands with the people of Ukraine, and will continue to help," Jassy said, following Russia's invasion that Moscow has called a "special operation." Amazon, which earlier this week pledged to donate up to $10 million for humanitarian efforts, is the latest company to mobilize in offering aid.

'Russia's friends: North Korea, Eritrea, Syria, Belarus and no one else'

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy made the comment in reference to the only countries that voted against a resolution at the UN General Assembly calling on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.

(The Kyiv Independent)

Three IAF aircraft land at Hindon air base, in Ghaziabad near Delhi

Russian forces capture Ukrainian city of Kherson

Russian forces have taken over the Ukrainian city of Kherson, local officials confirmed late Wednesday, the first major urban centre to fall since Moscow invaded a week ago.

"The (Russian) occupiers are in all parts of the city and are very dangerous," Gennady Lakhuta, head of the regional administration, wrote on messaging service Telegram.

Modi, Putin discuss evacuation of Indians from Ukraine as fighting intensifies

As fighting escalated in Ukraine, especially its second-largest city Kharkiv, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin reviewed the situation in the war ravaged nation which India has asked its nationals to leave "immediately", an official statement said on Wednesday night.

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At border, Ukrainian soldiers treated them like 'puppets', says student who returned to MP

An Indian woman student who returned home in Madhya Pradesh's Indore on Wednesday claimed that Ukrainian soldiers bullied them at the Polish border and treated them like "puppets."

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227 civilian deaths in Ukraine since invasion, says UN

The UN said Wednesday that it had recorded nearly 230 civilian deaths in Ukraine, including 15 children, since Russia's full-scale invasion began, warning that the true toll was likely far higher.

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Moscow says Ukraine took Indians hostage, stopped them from leaving Kharkiv via Russia; Kyiv wants truce first

Even as New Delhi and Moscow are working together to evacuate citizens of India stranded in the war zone of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine through Russia, the move has apparently hit a hitch, with the two warring sides blaming each other.

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