New Delhi: Russia has launched a special military operation in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region. Russian forces entered Ukrainian territory from Krimea. Ballistic missile attacks were also launched in a number of Ukrainian cities this morning. Big explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other areas of Ukraine. Reports of explosions are now coming in several Ukrainian cities, and gunfire near main Boryspil airport in the capital Kyiv.
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged Ukrainian soldiers who are facing off Russian-backed rebels to lay down weapons and return to their homes. However, Mr. Putin said Russia did not plan to occupy Ukraine but warned that Moscow’s response would be instant if anyone tries to take on Russia.
Ukraine also said that Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes and this is a war of aggression. Mr. Kuleba said, Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had almost 200,000 troops and thousands of combat vehicles on Ukraine’s borders.
US President Joe Biden said Washington and its allies would respond in a united and decisive way to an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine. Mr. Biden vowed that the world will hold Russia and President Vladimir Putin accountable as he has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.
Russia is launching its military operation just days after recognizing the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine. The breakaway regions, which control large areas of the Donbas region, later asked Moscow for military support.
Russia has long resisted Ukraine’s move towards European institutions, both Nato and the EU. Now, Mr. Putin has claimed Ukraine is a puppet of the West and was never a proper state anyway. Mr. Putin has repeatedly accused US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demands to prevent Ukraine from joining Nato military alliance and offer Moscow security guarantees.
As a former Soviet republic, Ukraine has deep social and cultural ties with Russia, and Russian is widely spoken there, but ever since Russia invaded in 2014 those relations have frayed.
External Affairs Ministry has set up a control room in New Delhi in view of the prevailing situation in Ukraine. The control room will provide information and assistance. The contact details of the control room are 1800118797 (Toll-free) and these three numbers to get any assistance
91 11 23012113, 91 11 23014104, 91 11 23017905.
People can also email at([email protected]). In addition, Embassy of India in Ukraine has set up a 24-hour emergency helpline, which can be accessed by dialing 380 997300428, 380 997300483.
Tamil Nadu Government has also created a separate help desk for those from the State living in Ukraine. The Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and welfare of non-resident Tamils has appealed to contact through www.nrtamils.tn.gov.in for any help. Queries will be addressed at the phone numbers 044- 28515288 /9600023645/9940256444.
Air India flight – AI 1947 which was flying to Ukraine to bring Indian people home has returned to Delhi due to the closer of Ukrainian airspace.
Meanwhile, Indian Embassy in Kyiv has advised all Indian nationals in Ukraine to maintain calm and remain safe wherever they are, be it homes, hostels, accommodations, or in transit.
In an advisory, the Embassy said the present situation in Ukraine is highly uncertain. It asked Indians traveling to Kyiv, including those from western parts of Kyiv, to return to their respective cities, especially towards safer places along with the western bordering countries.
India has called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions between Russia and Ukraine. India’s Permanent Representative UN, TS Tirumurti cautioned that the situation is in danger of spiraling into a major crisis. He was addressing an emergency meeting of UN Security Council held in Ukraine this morning. This was the second meeting of UNSC this week and the fourth since January 31 as tensions escalated between Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Tirumurti emphasized sustained and focused diplomacy to address all issues concerning the situation.
Sources also said that high-level meetings in External Affairs Ministry are ongoing on the issue. Contingency plans are being put into operation. Given airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are being activated. Additional Russian-speaking officials have been sent to Indian Embassy in Ukraine and are being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine. Indian Embassy in Ukraine is functional.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a direct appeal to President Putin to stop Russian troops from attacking Ukraine.
