Russia Declares War On Ukraine, Putin Clears "Military Operation"

Ukraine crisis Updates: Russia also called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms, and justified the invasion by claiming a "genocide" in Ukraine's east

Russian special forces have entered eastern Ukraine (File)

WorldNDTV News Desk: February 24, 2022, New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced today a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, called the Donbas region. "I have made the decision of a military operation," he said in a surprise statement on television shortly before 6 am. Weeks of intense diplomacy to avert war and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia failed to deter Mr Putin, who had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along the borders of Ukraine. Russia also called on Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their arms, and justified the invasion by claiming a "genocide" in Ukraine's east. US President Biden immediately warned of "consequences" for Russia and said the world would "hold Russia accountable" for its actions. He said Russia's move would cause "catastrophic loss of life and human suffering", while NATO's chief condemned Russia's "reckless and unprovoked attack' on Ukraine.

Ukraine Death Count From Russian Invasion Rises To 3: Border Guards

The Ukrainian military death toll from the Russian invasion rose to three Thursday, the border guard service said, with confirmed losses suffered along the southern border with Kremlin-annexed Crimea.

The Russian armed forces were trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said.

As Air India Flight Returns, Ukraine Evacuation Options Being Worked Out

India is looking for alternative routes to evacuate its citizens living in conflict-hit Ukraine after the east European nation closed its airspace following a Russian invasion. An Air India flight going to Ukraine turned back for Delhi this morning. Flight trackers on the internet show no commercial aircraft in Ukrainian airspace as of now.

Sources said high-level meetings are going on at the Ministry of External Affairs, or MEA, to work out contingency plans and find alternate evacuation routes for thousands of Indian citizens living in Ukraine.

Poland Calls For Emergency NATO Consultations

Poland on Thursday asked NATO to activate Article 4, which calls for emergency consultations if a member is threatened, after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. 

Poland's ambassador in Brussels, where NATO is based, "submitted a request to the NATO secretary general, together with a group of allies," Polish government spokesman Piotr Mueller said. 

Ukraine is not a NATO member, but the alliance has repeatedly condemned Russia's aggressions against its neighbour.

Ukraine President Calls For European 'Unity' In Call With France's Macron

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called for European "unity" in a call with French President Emmanuel Macron after his country came under Russian attack, Macron's office said.

Zelensky also called for "many interventions" to aid Ukraine, while Macron assured Ukraine of France's "support and solidarity," it said.

Macron Summons French Defence Council On Ukraine: Presidency

President Emmanuel Macron has summoned the French defence council early Thursday in response to Russian attacks on Ukraine, his office said.

The gathering of the council, headed by Macron and featuring a small number of key ministers, is to start at 9:00 am (0800 GMT), the Elysee said.

Russia Faces 'Unprecedented Isolation' Over Ukraine Attack: European Union

Russia faces "unprecedented isolation" over its attack on Ukraine and will be hit with the "harshest sanctions" the EU has ever imposed, the bloc's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday.

"This is not a question of blocs. This is not a question of diplomatic power games. It's a matter of life and death. It is about the future of our global community," he said in a broadcast statement.

China Says 'Closely Watching' Ukraine Situation After Russian Attack

China says 'closely watching' Ukraine situation after Russian attack, reported news agency AFP.

Ukraine Border Guards Report First Death From Russian Invasion

Ukraine border guards report first death from Russian invasion, reported news agency AFP.