Russia-Ukraine War Day 4 Highlights: Russia on Friday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution on Ukraine, while India, China, and UAE have abstained from the vote. The vote was 11 in favor, one against, and three abstentions.
Also Read | Why is Russia declaring war against Ukraine? Here’s what you should know
The EU, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States have just released a co-ordinated statement condemning the Russian invasion.
"As Russian forces unleash their assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, we are resolved to continue imposing costs on Russia that will further isolate Russia from the international financial system and our economies," they say.
Measures to be implemented in the coming days include removing "selected Russian banks from the Swift messaging system".
"This will ensure that these banks are disconnected from the international financial system and harm their ability to operate globally."
Swift is the global financial artery that allows the smooth and rapid transfer of money across borders.
Also Read | Why Russia doesn't want Ukraine want to join NATO | All you need to know
Russia-Ukraine War Day 4 Highlights -
18:51 pm | A special flight carrying Indian students stranded in Ukraine arrives at Delhi airport.
18:48 pm | Russian President Vladimir Putin has put Russian nuclear deterrent forces on alert amid tensions with the West over Ukraine.
18:23 pm | Ukraine agrees to hold talks with Russia in Belarus – Moscow: Russian State Media
18:08 pm | Our Embassy in Kyiv and our Ministry had issued a number of advisories prior to the situation developing. 4000 of our nationals had left before the conflict, pursuant to these advisories. We estimated that about 15,000 citizens were left in Ukraine: Foreign Secy Harsh V Shringla.
18:00 pm | Since the airspace in Ukraine was closed, we identified land evacuation options from Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Specific border crossing points were identified and the MEA had deployed teams to assist in the evacuation process: Foreign Secretary Harsh V Shringla.
17:21 pm | Ukrainian forces have secured full control of Kharkiv following street fighting with Russian troops in the country's second-biggest city, reports AFP quoting local governor.
17:21 pm | Those who judge that the situation is not conducive for travel, or are unable to leave due to any reason, may wait until further developments: Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine in an advisory to Indian nationals.
17:08 pm | MEA Dr S Jaishankar dialed Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto. "Thankful for the evacuation support provided so far. Requested further cooperation on the Hungary-Ukraine border" tweets MEA Dr S Jaishankar.
17:08 pm | MEA S Jaishankar dialed Moldova Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu seeking support for facilitating entry of Indian nationals on Ukraine-Moldova border."Appreciate his ready response & strong support. MEA representatives will accordingly reach there tomorrow," tweets S Jaishankar.
16:49 pm | More than 3,68,000 people had fled Ukraine since Russia invaded on Thursday.
16:34 pm | Belgium closes airspace to all Russian airlines.
16:27 pm | Ukraine has submitted its application against Russia to the ICJ.Russia must be held accountable for manipulating notion of genocide to justify aggression. We request urgent decision ordering Russia to cease military activity now&expect trials to start next week: Ukraine President.
16:25 pm | Indian citizens are being evacuated from Ukraine through Romania & Hungary. We are continuously exploring and working to open up more borders with the neighboring countries for our citizens: Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine in an advisory to Indian nationals.
16:18 pm | Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan writes to PM Modi requesting urgent intervention for Indian students stranded in Ukraine.
16:08 pm | Special UNSC session on Ukraine to be held at 3pm New York Time on 27th February.
15:56 pm | All the Indians stranded in Ukraine will be brought back to the country at the government's expense. We have decided to increase the number of flights to neighbouring countries of Ukraine with their permission for this purpose: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
15:47 pm | Central Govt is bringing back students who are stranded in Ukraine. We are making arrangements to bring students of Bihar back to the state from different airports. We will ensure no one faces any problem: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar.
15:39 pm | Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren writes to Home Minister Amit Shah and informs him about the list of people from the state - along with their details- who are stuck in Ukraine; requests him to instruct concerned officials of Govt of India to take steps for their safe return.
15:34 pm | Poland is allowing Indian students who escape from Russian aggression in Ukraine to enter Poland without any visa: Ambassador of Poland to India Adam Burakowski.
15:31 pm | Another batch of students from Delhi is expected to arrive tomorrow. The students are happy to be back. We will bring each and every Indian back safely: Rajendra Trivedi, Gujarat Revenue Minister.
15:24 pm: "Students from India are being evacuated gradually. Indian Embassy helped us a lot in Ukraine. We want to thank the Government of India for everything. The Embassy took us to the Romanian border from there we took our flight," students say.
15:19 pm: Gujarat | Students stranded in Ukraine reached Ahmedabad. These students arrived in Mumbai last night.
14:47 pm: The students stranded in Kharkiv and Kyiv are facing a lot of difficulties. I request the Government of India to bring these students near the border so that they are evacuated safely. Also, the number of evacuation planes should be increased: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel.
14:45 pm: Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren writes to PM Modi and informs him about the list of people from the state - along with their details- who are stuck in Ukraine; requests him to instruct concerned officials of Govt of India to take steps for their safe return.
14:03 pm: Indian diaspora is advised to move away from conflict zones to the Western region subject to security situation and the extant regulations. Ukraine Railways is additionally organising emergency trains at no cost, 1st come basis from Kyiv. Schedule can be found at train stations.
13:45 pm: President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is willing to hold talks with Russia - but not in neighbouring Belarus as it's being used as a launchpad for invasion. "Warsaw, Bratislava, Budapest, Istanbul, Baku. We proposed all of them," he said in an online address.
13:35 pm: 223 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 28 aircraft (on the ground), 39 multiple rocket launchers, 86 field artillery mounts and mortars, 143 units of special military vehicles were destroyed: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:34 pm: All Ukrainian servicemen are treated with respect and assistance. After filling in the documents, they will be sent to their families: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:34 pm: Yesterday, in Kharkiv region, 302nd anti-aircraft missile regiment of Armed Forces of Ukraine, equipped with Buk M-1 air defence systems, voluntarily laid down their arms and surrendered. 471 Ukrainian servicemen were detained: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:33 pm: Over the past day, Kherson and Berdyansk cities were blocked by the Russian Armed Forces. Genichevsk city and Chernobaevka airfield near Kherson were also taken under control: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:33 pm: The grouping of troops of Donetsk People's Republic continued the offensive in the direction of Petrovskoe, advancing another 12 kilometers. Pavlopol and Pischevik were taken under control: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:32 pm: The depth of advance deep into the defence since the beginning of the offensive operation is 52 kilometers: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:31 pm: Over the past 24 hrs, a grouping of troops of Lugansk People's Republic, with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces, carried out successful offensive ops & took control over Novoakhtyrka, Smolyaninovo, Stanichno-Luhanskoe settlements: Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson.
13:30 pm: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ready for talks with Russia, but not in Belarus.
13:19 pm: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel meets and interacts with students of the state who returned to the country from Ukraine. Arrangements have been made for their stay at Chhattisgarh Sadan in Delhi.
13:12 pm: Kremlin says ready for talks with Ukraine in Belarus.
13:06 pm: By running Operation Ganga, we are bringing back 1000s of Indians home. Our sons, daughters still stranded in Ukraine will be brought back. GoI working day and night for them...Wherever there is trouble, we left no tone unturned to bring our citizens back: PM Modi in Basti, UP.
12:01 pm: Russian troops have entered Ukraine's second city Kharkiv and fighting is under way, the head of the regional administration said.
11:59 am: Operation Ganga is underway. The fourth flight has left from Bucharest (Romania) to bring 198 Indian nationals to Delhi safely: EAM Dr S Jaishankar.
11:58 am: Russia claims to have besieged two big cities in south and southeast of Ukraine.
11:49 am: We have a list of about 273 students from Bihar (stranded in Ukraine), the number can go up. Bihar govt will bring them home on its expenses... Teams of Bihar Foundation (in Mumbai) and Bihar Bhawan (in Delhi) working on students' evacuation: Bihar Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad.
11:43 am: Bihar students stranded in Ukraine amid crisis, arrive in their home state. "Happy to be back. Seeing the Indian flag, neither Ukrainians nor Russians would say anything, so it was a relief. The situation is grave there, some of our friends are living in bunkers," they said.
11:40 am: "Indian Embassy was always supportive and used to send emails on what to do. Parents were worried and it was stressful while in Ukraine. Embassy took us to the Romanian border, passports were checked there & we entered Romania and were repatriated to India," students say.
11:38 am: R Jagadishwar Reddy,DCP Shamshabad says, "As per our info, 2nd batch of students will be repatriated in Delhi. From there, Telangana-Andhra students will come to Hyderabad. All facilities provided to them to get back home, they're provided cab facility to reach home from airport"
11:36 am: 15 students from Ukraine arrived in Hyderabad earlier today after they were evacuated and brought to Delhi along with other students. They were received by General Admn Dept Secretary, Shamshabad MLA T Prakash Goud and local corporator, as instructed by CM KCR.
11:05 am: Indian students arrive from Ukraine at Delhi's IGI Airport, on a spl flight. "Many Indians are stuck there. But we met minister Piyush Goyal in Mumbai after we landed, he ensured us that all our friends will be back. Govt of India has done good work. Relaxed after reaching India"
10:17 am: Another set of 5 batches is arriving at 10.15 today. So, 18 confirmed at Delhi Airport today. As of now, we have details of 386 people belonging to Karnataka, stranded in Ukraine: Manoj Rajan, Commissioner, Karnataka State Disaster Mgmt Authority, appointed as the nodal officer.
10:15 am: 12 people who had arrived in Mumbai just landed in Bengaluru. Another batch arrived in Delhi, they've been shifted to Karnataka Bhawan. We've booked their tickets to Bengaluru, they'll reach around 2-3 pm: Dr Manoj Rajan, Commissioner, Karnataka State Disaster Mgmt Authority.
9:10 am: Manchester City and Ukraine mid-fielder Oleksandr Volodymyrovych Zinchenko broke down ahead of their Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park as both the teams showed their support for his nation. Manchester City players wore 'No War' T-shirts in support of Ukraine while condemning the actions of the Russian government as they lined up to face Everton.
9:00 am: US, allies cut selected Russian banks from main international payment system SWIFT.The US, EU and their allies have agreed to cut off a number of Russian banks from the main international payment system, SWIFT. The measures also include restrictions on the Russian central bank's international reserves, ending the "golden passports" for wealthy Russians and their families and targeting individuals and institutions in Russia and elsewhere that support the war against Ukraine.
8:30 am: There have been multiple reports in the past half an hour that an oil depot in Vasylkiv, a city in the Kyiv region, has been hit by a Russian rocket.
Local media reported both the city's mayor Nataliia Balasynovych, as well as Ukaine government adviser Anton Geraschenko, have confirmed the hit.
8:00 am: Ukraine Crisis: All ATCs, including Pakistan, gave full cooperation in evacuation mission, says Air India Pilot
