Indian Embassy in Ukraine functional, says Govt : 'Advisories must be followed'
New Delhi
The world plunged into one of its serious crises in the new century after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered invasion of Ukraine provoking widespread global reactions and sanctions from most western powers including the US.
Indian government announced that it is closely monitoring the situation and urgent "contingency plans" are being put into operation.
A key government told this journalist that given airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are being activated
"Additional Russian speaking officials have been sent to our Embassy in Ukraine and are being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine," the source maintained.
It has been announced that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine is functional and its advisories "should be followed carefully".
NATO has warned that Russian forces in Belarus could reach 30,000, including Speznaz special operations forces, SU-35 fighter jets, S-400 air defence systems and Iskander missiles, which can carry nuclear weapons, and have a range of 500 km.
Half of Russia’s air force is now deployed near Ukraine, according to western estimates, and Russian warships have been conducting training exercises in the Black Sea.
The Government of India on Thursday afternoon asserted that the fast changing Ukraine situation is being monitored closely and the focus as of now is on safety of Indian nationals.
The source said, "We are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. Focus is on safety and security of Indians, particularly students."
The Ministry of External Affairs control room is being "expanded and made operational on 24x7 basis".
After Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was targeting cities with weapons strikes.
Earlier in the day some Indian nationals and students arrived at Delhi airport.
"We received a message about the emergency situation in Ukraine for about a month or so, the Indian embassy also advised us to take precautionary step, so we landed back home," said a 24-year old student, who returned from Ukraine in the wake of Russia inspired conflict in that country.
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- High level meetings in MEA are going on
-Contingency plans are being put into operation
-Given airspace closure, alternate evacuation routes are being activated
-Additional Russian speaking officials have been sent to our Embassy in Ukraine and are being deployed in countries neighbouring Ukraine
-Indian Embassy in Ukraine is functional and its advisories should be followed carefully
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| MEA Control room, Delhi |
Nato has warned that Russian forces in Belarus could reach 30,000, including Speznaz special operations forces, SU-35 fighter jets, S-400 air defence systems and Iskander missiles, which can carry nuclear weapons, and have a range of 500km.
Half of Russia’s air force is now deployed near Ukraine, according to western estimates, and Russian warships have been conducting training exercises in the Black Sea. This footage released by the Russian MOD shows a Ka-27PS helicopter taking off and landing on the deck of a frigate during exercises
Vladimir Putin has demanded legal guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO or host its missile strike systems. , concessions he is unlikely to receive. A flurry of diplomatic activity including efforts by France for a Summit between Russian President and his US counterpart, has done little to ease tensions.
A mobile missile launcher appears on the outskirts of the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk, Ukraine. Ukraine says a full-scale invasion is underway by Russia, with explosions heard in cities across the country.
Tanks move into the city, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Mariupol. Photograph: Carlos Barría/Reuters/The Guardian
Tanks also move into the city rapidly
New Delhi
The Government of India on Thursday afternoon asserted that the fast changing Ukraine situation is being monitored closely and the focus as of now is on safety of Indian nationals.
A key source said, "we are closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation. Focus is on safety and security of Indians, particularly students."
The Ministry of External Affairs control room is being "expanded and made operational on 24x7 basis".
After Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and was targeting cities with weapons strikes.
Earlier in the day some Indian nationals and students arrived at Delhi airport.
"We received a message about the emergency situation in Ukraine for about a month or so, the Indian embassy also advised us to take precautionary step, so we landed back home," says a 24-year old student, who returned from Ukraine in the wake of Russia inspired conflict in that country.
The crisis has deepened as Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a 'military operation' in Ukraine.
Another student on her arrival in Delhi airport said, "The situation where I was living is not as bad as the place is far from the border. But our embassy told us to leave; came back after the advisory was issued".
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has given a powerful address directed to Russia. "We will defend ourselves, he said. 'Not attack, but defend ourselves. And when you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs, but our faces."
Zelenskiy made the remarks in a 10-minute address posted on Telegram during which he spoke in both Ukrainian and Russian, international media said.
The Ukrainian leader also said Russia's president, Putin, had not replied to his invitation to hold talks.
On Wednesday, Russia welcomed the independent position India has taken in the UN Security Council twice already and
which was expressed openly by the Indian external affairs minister and other officials.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said India has been playing a vital role as a responsible global power and it takes an “independent and balanced” approach to world affairs.
One special flight from Ukraine with Indians and students land in Delhi
Nirendra Dev
New Delhi
"We received a message about the emergency situation in Ukraine for about a month or so, the Indian embassy also advised us to take precautionary step, so we landed back home," says a 24-year old student, who returned from Ukraine in the wake of Russia inspired conflict in that country.
Sources said a special flight from Ukraine comprising Indian nationals and mainly students landed in Delhi on Thursday morning.
Russia President Vladimir Putin has declared a 'military operation' in Ukraine precipitating the ongoing crisis further.
Another student on her arrival in Delhi airport said, "The situation where I was living is not as bad as the place is far from the border. But our embassy told us to leave; came back after the advisory was issued".
Meanwhile, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy has given a powerful address directed to Russia. "We will defend ourselves, he said. 'Not attack, but defend ourselves. And when you attack us, you will see our faces, not our backs, but our faces."
Zelenskiy made the remarks in a 10-minute address posted on Telegram during which he spoke in both Ukrainian and Russian, international media said.
The Ukrainian leader also said Russia's president, Putin, had not replied to his invitation to hold talks.
On Wednesday, Russia welcomed the independent position India has taken in the UN Security Council twice already and
which was expressed openly by the Indian external affairs minister and other officials.
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin said India has been playing a vital role as a responsible global power and it takes an “independent and balanced” approach to world affairs.
Babushkin said these referring to statements made by the Indian side at two Security Council meetings
on the Ukraine crisis.
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As of 18 February the US estimated that Russia had between 169,000 and 190,000 personnel in and around Ukraine.
An estimated 32,000 separatist forces were already operating in the breakaway areas of Donetsk and Luhansk – some of whom were likely to be unacknowledged Russian forces – before Putin’s announcement that he was sending in troops.
Many of the heavy weapons stationed near Ukraine arrived as far back as spring 2021.
US sanctions announced are intended to hurt Russia's ability to finance its military efforts:
two state-owned banks - which the US says are key to Russia's defence sector - will no longer be able to do business in the US or access its financial system
five people described as part of Putin's inner circle have been sanctioned
restrictions have been placed on US deals involving Russia's national debt
Americans are now banned from doing business in Luhansk and Donetsk
Few US firms are active in the regions involved. But the White House said it could impose wider sanctions "should Russia further invade Ukraine".
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| Another blow |
An increasing number of politicians and media analysts claim Putin may be mentally unstable, or that he is isolated in a bubble of yes-men who don’t warn him of dangers ahead. Many commentators say he is trying to restore the Soviet Union or recreate a Russian sphere of influence on his country’s borders, and that this week’s intrusion into eastern Ukraine is the first step towards an all-out attack on Kyiv to topple its government and even move against the Baltic states. None of these assertions is necessarily true.
Global reactions pour in against Putin's actions in Ukraine
Nirendra Dev
New Delhi
Global reactions to the unprecedented actions from Russian President Vladimir Putin against Ukraine are pouring in.
Experts also say that perhaps the Russian President has got himself "isolated in a bubble of yes-men"
who hardly caution him against making wrong and dangerous moves.
"Many commentators say he is trying to restore the Soviet Union or recreate a Russian sphere of
influence on his country’s borders, and that this week’s intrusion into eastern Ukraine is the first step
towards an all-out attack on Kyiv to topple its government and even move against the Baltic states,"
says Jonathan Steele in 'The Guardian'.
Steele is a 'Guardian columnist', roving foreign correspondent and author.
Since 9/11 he has reported from Afghanistan and Iraq among other places.
He, however, adds - "None of these assertions is necessarily true".
France’s president Emmanuel Macron, who had made a last-ditch effort to broker peace through a
summit between Vladimir Putin and Joe Biden, said: "France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage
war on Ukraine. Russia must end its military operations immediately".
He said, "France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with the Ukrainians and works with its partners
and allies to end the war".
Ukraine itself has accused Russia of moving military equipment into the country from annexed Crimea.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised what he called a special military operation, Ukraine's
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of
Ukraine and was targeting cities with weapons strikes.
NATO has warned that Russian forces in Belarus could reach 30,000, including Speznaz special operations
forces, SU-35 fighter jets, S-400 air defence systems and Iskander missiles, which can carry
nuclear weapons, and have a range of 500km.
Reportedly, half of Russia’s air force is now deployed near Ukraine.
Russian warships have been conducting training exercises in the Black Sea.
A footage released by the Russia shows a Ka-27PS helicopter taking off and landing on the deck of
a frigate during exercises
Vladimir Putin has demanded legal guarantees that Ukraine will never join NATO or host its missile strike
systems. A flurry of diplomatic activity including efforts by France for a Summit between the Russian President
and his US counterpart has done little to ease tensions.
US sanctions are aimed to hurt Russia's ability to finance its military efforts:
Two state-owned banks - which the US says are key to Russia's defence sector - will no longer be able to
do business in the US or access its financial system. Five people described as part of Putin's inner circle
have been sanctioned and restrictions have been placed on US deals involving Russia's national debt.
Americans are now banned from doing business in Luhansk and Donetsk.
The European Union is sanctioning 27 Russian individuals and organisations, including banks.
It is also limiting access to European capital markets — cutting off the ability to access funds from EU
banks - and banning trade between the EU and the two rebel-held regions.
Some 351 members of Russia's Duma, parliament's lower house, are also being targeted with sanctions.
German chancellor Olaf Scholz has put on hold permission for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline from
Russia to Germany to open.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three
wealthy Russian businessmen, and threatened further moves.
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