LATEST update on Ukraine-Russia crisis (ABP News)

After Russia held nuclear drills on Saturday in neighbouring Belarus, hundreds of artillery shells exploded along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists, and thousands of people evacuated eastern Ukraine. In an emergency meeting called by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) amid growing tension between Russia-Ukraine, India voiced concern over the escalation and highlighted the safety of its citizens is of paramount importance. UNSC open briefing session was called after Russia on Monday declared it would recognise two breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine. At the UNSC meeting on Ukraine, India’s permanent representative to the UN, TS Tirumurti said, diplomatic efforts should be intensified to ensure that a mutually amicable solution has arrived at the earliest.