The Russian advance into Ukraine has temporarily slowed, probably because of logistical problems and strong resistance, news agency Reuters quoted Britain's Defence Ministry as saying on Saturday.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 HIGHLIGHTS | Russian Advance Into Ukraine Temporarily Slowed Due To Strong Resistance: UK
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE Updates: Follow this page for all the updates and Breaking News on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
ABP News Bureau
Last Updated:
26 Feb 2022 11:53 PM
Germany To Send 100 Anti-Tank Weapons, 500 Surface-To-Air Missiles To Ukraine
Germany says it will send 1,000 anti-tank weapons, 500 'Stinger' surface-to-air missiles to Ukraine, reports AFP News Agency
Russian Advance Into Ukraine Temporarily Slowed Due To Strong Resistance: UK
'Responded To Their Concerns': MoS MEA Speaks To Parents Of Student Stranded In Ukraine
Interacted with parents of students, who are stuck in Ukraine. Listened to them and responded to the concerns regarding the safety and well-being of their children and conveyed the government's commitment to bring back each and every student safely: V Muraleedharan, MoS MEA
Ukraine Still In Control Of Kyiv, Says Zelenskiy
Romania Evacuates Kyiv Embassy
Maps Of Ukraine's Areas Under Russian Control As Of Feb 24 & 25
US Secretary Of State Antony Blinken Calls Out To Russian People Saying They Do No Deserve A 'Pointless War' With Ukraine
Russia Must Be Cut Off From SWIFT Banking System, Says Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki
First Flight Has Landed, Second To Reach Delhi Tomorrow: Piyush Goyal
Russian Military Ordered To Broaden Ukraine Advance 'From All Directions': Ministry
The Russian army has been given orders to broaden its offensive in Ukraine "from all directions", after Kyiv refused to hold talks in Belarus, Moscow's defence ministry said in a statement.
Not Refusing To Negotiate But Not Ready For Russian Ultimatums: Ukraine Officials
Ukraine on Saturday denied suggestions that it was refusing to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia but said it was also not ready to accept ultimatums or unacceptable conditions, news agency Reuters reported.
Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, told news agency Reuters Ukraine has prepared a negotiating position but was faced with impractical negotiating conditions from Russia.
Happy To Bring Our Students Back Home: Air India Flight Attendant
Air India Flight With 219 Indians From Ukraine Lands In Mumbai
Ukraine Prez Zelensky Dials PM Modi, Seeks Political Support In UNSC
Kremlin Accuses Ukraine Of Prolonging Conflict By Refusing Negotiations
The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of prolonging the military conflict by refusing to negotiate as Russia pressed on with its invasion of the pro-Western country, news agency AFP reported.
Ukraine Has 'Derailed' Russia's Attack Plan: President Zelensky
Ukraine President Zelensky on Friday said that the country has 'derailed' Russia's attack plan. He also urged Russians people to pressure on Vladimir Putin into halting the war.
"Ukraine's forces have halted the Kremlin's push to capture Kyiv and oust him and urged Russians to pressure leader Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion," news agency AFP quoted him as saying.
Russian Forces Now 30 KM Away From Ukraine's Kyiv: UK Defence Ministry
Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces now 30km from centre of the city. Ukrainian Armed Forces continue to put up staunch resistance across the country: UK Ministry of Defence
We Are Controlling Kyiv, Key Points Around City: Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky
"We are controlling Kyiv and key points around the city. Who wants to come and help us do, we will arm you. We need to stop this war, we can live in peace," new agency Reuters quoted Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky as saying.
Flight With 219 Indians Takes Off From Romania, Likely To Land In Mumbai At 8:30 PM
According to sources close to ABP News, the first flight to Mumbai with 219 Indian nationals has taken off from Romania and is likely to land in the financial capital at around 8:30 pm tonight.
Poland Stands With Ukraine, Condemn Russia Agression: Poland Envoy To India
"Poland stands with Ukraine. We condemn Russian aggression. Ukrainians are very patriotic people who are fighting for their country," Ambassador of Poland to India, Adam Burakowski told news agency ANI.
Jharkhand Govt To Reimburse Ticket Fare Of People Returning From Ukraine
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE | 9,000 people have entered Poland from Ukraine: Polish Deputy Internal Minister
Since 7 am on Saturday, 9,000 people have entered Poland from Ukraine, says Polish Deputy Internal Minister, reports Reuters.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Poland will not play their 2022 World Cup play-off with Russia in Moscow
Poland will not play their 2022 World Cup play-off with Russia in Moscow on March 24 due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine the president of the Polish football federation said on Saturday, AFP reported.
Poland last played Russia in June 2021
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE | 198 Ukrainian civilians killed in Russian invasion: Ukrainian health minister
The Ukrainian health minister says 198 people have been killed and more than 1,000 others have been wounded in the Russian offensive so far, the Associated Press reported.
The UN refugee agency says over 120,000 Ukrainian refugees have left the country since Russia began its attack
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Russia's communications regulator urges media to not call attack on Ukraine as 'assault, invasion'
Russia's communications regulator has urged media to remove reports describing Moscow's attack on Ukraine as an "assault, invasion, or declaration of war", AFP reported.
No Deaths In Missile Attack On Residential Building In Kyiv, Interior Ministry Adviser Says Russia Lying About Not Shelling Civilian Infrastructure
A missile that struck a residential building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Saturday killed no one, Reuters reported citing a statement by an adviser to the interior minister.
Adviser Anton Herashchenko said that Russia was lying about not shelling civilian infrastructure. According to the adviser, at least 40 such sites had been hit and Russian troops were shelling civilian sites.
World 'must be prepared' for 'long' war in Ukraine: French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday, as reported by AFP.
"If I can tell you one thing this morning it is that this war will last.... This crisis will last, this war will last and all the crises that come with it will have lasting consequences," Macron said, as quoted by AFP.
"War has returned to Europe, this was chosen unilaterally by President Putin," the President asserted.
Kyiv apartment block hit by missile, AFP reported emergency services as saying. A high-rise apartment block was hit by shelling overnight in Kyiv as fighting raged between Russian attackers and Ukrainian forces, emergency services said.
As per AFP, the authorities say the number of victims is "being specified" and that an evacuation is underway.
Here are the visuals.
As per AFP, the authorities say the number of victims is "being specified" and that an evacuation is underway.
Here are the visuals.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE | Russian troops capture Melitopol in Ukraine: Russia's defence ministry
Russian troops have captured the city of Melitopol in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhya region, Reuters reports citing Russia's defence ministry.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Ukrainian presidential adviser says situation in suburbs and outskirts of Kyiv 'under control'
Myhailo Podoliak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said early Saturday that Russian forces had tried to "bring the maximum amount of equipment into the city of Kyiv", CNN reported.
But, he said, "Currently, the situation in the suburbs and the surrounding area is under control."
Speaking on Ukrainian television, he said there were "separate sabotage and reconnaissance groups" in the city, but that police and territorial self-defense units "are actively working against them."
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Russia suspends space launches from French Guiana over sanctions
Russia on Saturday suspended space launches from French Guiana over sanctions, AFP reported.
Russia is suspending space launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its technical personnel in response to EU sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, the space agency said.
"In response to EU sanctions against our enterprises, Roskosmos is suspending cooperation with European partners over organizing space launches from the Kourou cosmodrome and withdrawing its technical personnel... from French Guiana," the chief of the Russian space agency said.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Biden approves $350 million in military aid for Ukraine
President Joe Biden instructed the U.S. State Department to release $350 million in military aid to Ukraine on Friday, news agency Reuters reported.
In a memorandum to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Biden directed that $350 million allocated through the Foreign Assistance Act be designated for Ukraine's defense.
The Ukrainian president shot a selfie-style video to vow to stay and fight on.
"I am here. We will not lay down any weapons. We will defend our state because our weapons are our truth," he declared, denouncing claims that he had surrendered or fled.
He termed the speculation as disinformation.
The anti-war coalition is working, writes Ukrainian President
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Kyiv officials urge people to seek shelter as street fighting begins
Kyiv officials have warned residents that street fighting is underway against Russian forces, the Associated Press reported.
According to AP, the warning issued Saturday advised residents to remain in shelters, to avoid going near windows or on balconies, and to take precautions against being hit by debris or bullets.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had warned that Moscow would attempt to take Kyiv before dawn. "We cannot lose the capital," he said in an earlier address, AFP reported.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy declines US offer to evacuate Kyiv
Kyiv, Feb 26 (PTI | AP): Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was asked to evacuate Kyiv at the behest of the US government but turned down the offer.
Zelenskyy said in response: The fight is here; I need ammunition, not a ride, according to a senior American intelligence official with direct knowledge of the conversation, who described Zelenskyy as upbeat.
Invading Russian forces closed in on Ukraine's capital on Saturday, in an apparent encircling movement after a barrage of airstrikes on cities and military bases around the country.
In another update, a second Russian Ilyushin Il-76 military transport plane was shot down near Bila Tserkva, 50 miles (85 km) south of Kyiv, according to two American officials with direct knowledge of conditions on the ground in Ukraine.
On Friday, Ukraine's military said it had shot down a Russian military transport plane with paratroopers on board.
According to a statement from the military's General Staff, the first Il-76 heavy transport plane was shot down near Vasylkiv, a city 25 miles south of Kyiv. The Russian military has not commented on either incident so far, and the reports could not be immediately verified. (AP)
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: US slaps individual sanctions on Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov
Washington, Feb 26 (PTI) In a rare move, the US has slapped sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and his foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, holding them "directly responsible" for Moscow's "unprovoked and unlawful" invasion of Ukraine.
The latest US sanctions build on other sweeping actions that America and partners took earlier this week targeting the core infrastructure of the Russian financial system, including sanctions against Moscow's largest financial institutions, the US Department of the Treasury said in a statement.
The US, in coordination with allies and partners, continued to forcefully respond to Russia's "unjustified, unprovoked and premeditated" invasion of Ukraine by imposing sanctions on Putin and Lavrov, as well as other members of Russia's Security Council, according to the statement issued on Friday.
Putin and Lavrov are "directly responsible for Russia's unprovoked and unlawful further invasion of Ukraine, a democratic sovereign state", it said.
The sanctions will go directly after their assets.
It is exceedingly rare for the Treasury to designate a head of state. "President Putin joins a very small group that includes despots such as (North Korea's) Kim Jong Un, (Belarus President) Alyaksandr Lukashenka, and (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad," the statement said.
In addition, the US also slapped sanctions against Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, First Deputy Minister of Defence, and General of the Army Valery Gerasimov. The Treasury has previously designated 11 members of the Russian Security Council.
President Joe Biden has built a global coalition to stand up in the face of Putin and his "aggression and invasion of Ukraine , White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters at her daily news conference.
What he has done is he has rallied the world, our European partners, even at cost to them in some capacities, to put in place significant sanctions, historic sanctions that would have an enormous impact on the Russian financial sector. It is President Putin's choice to go to war and invade Ukraine. That is what he has done, she said.
It is our choice and our responsibility, and the role of the president of the United States to rally opposition and make sure they feel significant pain from that choice. That's exactly what we have done, Psaki said.
"Cumulatively, these actions impose unprecedented diplomatic and economic costs on Russia and further isolate it from the global financial system and international community," the treasury department statement said.
Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen said Putin rejected every good faith effort the US and its allies and partners made to address "our mutual security concerns through dialogue to avoid needless conflict and avert human suffering".
The US is prepared to impose further costs on Russia for its appalling behaviour on the world stage, she said.
This is a dangerous moment for Europe and really for freedom-loving people everywhere. Putin's assault on Ukraine is an attack on the principles that undergird global peace, stability, and security the world over, State Department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.
But Putin didn't account for everything, and he didn't account for the bravery and resolve of the people of Ukraine. We commend the Ukrainian people for showing strength and determination in response to an unprovoked attack by the Kremlin. We have seen Ukrainian soldiers demonstrate incredible bravery in the first day of self-defence: shooting down Russian aircraft, firing at tanks, and holding many of the positions while under violent assault, he said.
The Kremlin continues to use disinformation, including false reports alleging widespread surrender of Ukrainian troops. Moscow is resorting to outright lies in an effort to weaken the resolve of Ukraine's military and of its people, Price said.
We also are seeing reports that the Russian Federation plans to threaten to kill the family members of Ukrainian soldiers if they do not surrender. These tactics are classic intimidation; they are synonymous with the Kremlin; they are unacceptable. This isn't the first time, of course, Putin has decided that his country can attack another country with impunity, he said.
Putin's war of choice has required that we follow through on imposing the massive consequences and severe costs, and that we ensure his flagrant violation of international law will be a strategic failure. We stand united with our NATO allies and partners in Europe and around the world in confronting the Russian government and holding President Putin and those around him to account, Price said.
Senator Jack Reed, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, welcomed the sanctions.
He said, "With these targeted, personal sanctions that go directly after Putin and Lavrov assets, President Biden has made it clear: those who ordered the illegal invasion of Ukraine will pay a severe price.
Combined with earlier sanctions, the Kremlin is already suffering the weight of the international response. The value of Russia's currency has fallen massively, its economy is starting to lose access to the world's financial systems, and its technology and military industries will soon feel the pinch of these historic actions, Reed said.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Jailed Russian opposition leader says he is against Moscow's military action against Ukraine
Jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Thursday he was against Moscow's military action against Ukraine as he stood trial from prison after President Vladimir Putin launched an attack, news agency AFP reported.
"I am against this war," Navalny was heard saying in a video of the in-prison trial published by independent news outlet Dozhd.
"This war between Russia and Ukraine was unleashed to cover up the theft from Russian citizens and divert their attention from problems that exist inside the country," he said.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Gunfire heard in Kyiv
Several bursts of gunfire were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, close to the city center around 5:45 a.m. local time Saturday (10:45 p.m. ET Friday), CNN reported.
It appeared to come from the southeast, it said.
The United States embassy for Ukraine warned US citizens in a tweet on Saturday that “conditions may deteriorate without warning,” and advised Americans in the country to locate their nearest shelter.
“The security situation throughout Ukraine remains highly volatile, and conditions may deteriorate without warning. US citizens should remain vigilant and know the location of your closest shelter or protected space," said the tweet.
The security situation through
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Embassy of India in Kyiv's advisory to Indian nationals
All Indian citizens are advised not to move to any of the border posts without prior coordination with GoI officials at border posts: Embassy of India in Kyiv, Ukraine in an advisory to Indian nationals.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE | 5 Blasts Near Power Station In Ukraine's Capital Kyiv: City Mayor
The mayor of Ukraine's capital city of Kyiv Vitali Klitchko said on Friday that five blasts were heard in a close interval of three to five minutes near a power station in the north of the city.
"The emergency services are underway. We're finding out the details," he said, as quoted by Reuters.
According to him, bridges in the city had been taken under protection and special control, as Russian troops are nearing, while checkpoints are being installed near strategic city objects.
"The situation now - without exaggeration - is threatening for Kyiv. The night, close to the morning, will be very difficult".
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE | Ukraine 'repulsed' Russian attack on main Kyiv avenue: Ukrainian army
Ukraine 'repulsed' Russian attack on main Kyiv avenue, said the Ukrainian army, as reported by AFP.
Russia "attacked one of the military units on Victory Avenue in Kyiv. The attack was repulsed," Ukraine's army said on its verified Facebook page, without specifying where exactly the incident took place.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Ukraine's military says it has shot down a Russian military transport plane near Vasylkiv
Ukraine's military says it has shot down a Russian military transport plane with paratroopers on board near Vasylkiv, a city 40 kilometres south of Kyiv, AP reports.
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: Russia vetoes UN demand that Russia stop attacking Ukraine
Russia vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding that Moscow immediately stop its attack on Ukraine and withdraw all troops, a defeat the United States and its supporters knew was inevitable but said would highlight Russia's global isolation.
The vote on Friday was 11 in favour, with Russia voting no and China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining, which showed significant but not total opposition to Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of his country's smaller and militarily weaker neighbour.
The resolution's failure paves the way for supporters to call for a quick vote on a similar resolution in the 193-member U.N. General Assembly, where there are no vetoes. There was no immediate word on a timetable for an assembly vote.
The vote was delayed for two hours. The United States and Albania, which co-sponsored the resolution, and their supporters scrambled behind the scenes to get wavering nations to support the resolution. China's decision to abstain, rather than use its veto alongside usual ally Russia, was seen as a diplomatic achievement.
"You can veto this resolution, but you cannot veto our voices," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield told her Russian counterpart. "You cannot veto the truth. You cannot veto our principles. You cannot veto the Ukrainian people."
Brazil's Ambassador Ronaldo Costa Filho, whose country's vote was initially in question but turned into a yes, said his government is "gravely concerned" about Russia's military action. "A line has been crossed, and this council cannot remain silent," he said.
In response, Russian U.N. Ambassador reiterated his country's claims that it is standing up for people in eastern Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting the government for eight years. He accused the West of ignoring Ukrainian abuses there.
"You have made Ukraine a pawn in your geopolitical game, with no concern whatsoever about the interests of the Ukrainian people," he said, calling the failed resolution "nothing other than yet another brutal, inhumane move in this Ukrainian chessboard."
China's U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun said all efforts must be made for a diplomatic solution and stressed that a response from the Security Council "should be taken with great caution rather than adding fuel to fire." He warned that Western sanctions "may completely shut the door to a peaceful solution" and echoed Russian claims that it is being threatened by NATO's expansion over the years.
"Russia's legitimate security aspirations should be given attention and addressed properly," Zhang said, and "Ukraine should become a bridge between east and west, not an outpost for confrontation among major powers."
Britain's U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward called Russia's claim that it was acting in self-defence "absurd."
"Russia's only act of self-defence is the vote they have cast against this resolution today," she said.
The resolution's supporters had agreed to weaken the text to get additional support. They eliminated putting the resolution under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which can be enforced militarily, and a determination "that the situation in Ukraine constitutes a breach of international peace and security, and that the Russian Federation has committed acts of aggression against Ukraine." They also changed "condemns" to "deplores" in sections about Russia's actions.
In the draft that was put to a vote, the council would have deplored Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine "in the strongest terms" and demanded an immediate halt to its use of force and the immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine's internationally recognised borders.
It would have deplored Russia's February 21 decision declaring areas of Ukraine's Donetsk and Luhansk regions independent and would have ordered Russia to "immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision." And it would have reaffirmed the council's commitment "to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders".
In a show of support before the meeting, representatives of the 27 nations belonging to the European Union stood outside the Security Council chamber behind Ukraine's blue and yellow flag with Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya.
The Security Council resolution would have been legally binding. General Assembly resolutions aren't legally binding but serve as a reflection of world opinion. (PTI | AP)
Russia Attacks Ukraine Day 3 LIVE: India abstains on UNSC resolution that condemns Russia's 'aggression' against Ukraine
United Nations, Feb 26: India abstained on a US-sponsored UN Security Council resolution that condemned Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine and demanded "immediate, complete and unconditional" withdrawal of Russian forces from the neighbouring country.
The UN Security Council voted on Friday on the draft resolution sponsored by the US and Albania and supported by several other nations including Poland, Italy, Germany, Estonia, Luxembourg and New Zealand.
Eleven countries voted in favour of the resolution while three countries - India, China and the UAE abstained.
A permanent member of the Security Council, Russia used its veto power blocking the resolution, as expected, but Western nations said the resolution seeks to show Moscow's isolation on the global stage for its invasion and actions against Ukraine.
All eyes were on how India will cast its vote on the resolution given that New Delhi has strong defence ties with Moscow.
During a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi "appealed for an immediate cessation of violence, and called for concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations and dialogue."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to discuss Russia's "premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified attack on Ukraine", the State Department said.
Blinken "stressed the importance of a strong collective response to condemn Russia's invasion and call for an immediate withdrawal and ceasefire."
India has so far refrained from condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine and in a statement in the Security Council on Wednesday night, just as Putin ordered Ukraine's invasion, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti expressed "deep concern" over the developments, which if not handled carefully, may well undermine the peace and security of the region.
Ahead of the UNSC vote, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba said in a tweet that in a call to Jaishankar, he asked "India to use all influence in its relations with Russia to force it to cease military aggression against Ukraine. Urged India as a non-permanent UNSC member to support today's draft resolution on restoring peace in Ukraine."
The resolution condemned Russia's "aggression against Ukraine" and decides that Russia "shall immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and shall refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any UN member state."
The resolution also said that Russia "shall immediately, completely, and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders."
The resolution said Moscow "shall immediately and unconditionally reverse the decision related to the status of certain areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine."
A senior Biden administration official had said a day before that Washington was putting forward the resolution "with every expectation that Russia will use its veto" and in doing so, "they will underscore their isolation."
"First, of course, we expect that Russia will use its veto. And in doing so, they will underscore their isolation. We're not going to abandon our principles; we're not going to stand by and do nothing. It's important that we send a message to Ukraine, to Russia, and to the world that the Security Council will not look away, the official said.
Background
Russia-Ukraine Crisis LIVE Updates: On the second day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian army on Friday to replace the country's government, whom he branded as "terrorists" and "a band of drug addicts and neo-Nazis" in a televised address.
In a televised address to the Ukrainian military, he encouraged them to "take power in your own hands," news agency AFP reported.
While referring to the leadership in Kyiv led by President Volodymyr Zelensky, President Putin said, "It seems like it will be easier for us to agree with you than this gang of drug addicts and neo-Nazis."
On the other hand, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday said that it is all geared up for the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in war-torn Ukraine amid the Russian military's operation in the European country.
"Indian Air Force is geared up for any requirements of the evacuation of our citizens from Ukraine," an IAF spokesperson Wing Commander Ashish Moghe told news agency ANI when asked about the possibility of its planes going for bringing back Indian nationals.
To evacuate stranded Indian nationals from Ukraine, Air India plans to fly two aircraft to Bucharest, Romania, on Friday.
Indian nationals who have crossed the Ukraine-Romania border would be escorted to Bucharest by Indian government officials in order for them to be evacuated on the two Air India planes, PTI quoted government officials as saying.
Following the Russian invasion, the Ukrainian government has closed its airspace. On Friday, the Indian government said that it was planning on evacuating Indians through land borders with Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Romania.
The two Air India flights will depart from Bucharest on Saturday, according to officials.
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