Russia-Ukraine Crisis Updates: Russian air strikes hit military installations across the country as ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes to the sounds of bombing.
Russia said today that Moscow is open to talks if Ukrainian forces surrender and insisted the invading forces want to free the country from "oppression".
Meanwhile, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin is ready to send a delegation to Minsk for Ukraine talks. Putin further called on Ukraine's military to remove the leadership in Kiev, while calling the Ukrainian authorities a "horde of narcissists and neo-Nazis".
Moscow stated that the first day of the invasion of Ukraine had achieved all its goals and had destroyed 83 land-based Ukrainian targets. According to official reports, Russia has carried out 203 attacks on its western neighbor since the beginning of the day.
Ukrainian forces on Thursday fought Russian invaders on three sides after Moscow launched an attack by land, sea and air in the biggest attack on a European state since World War II.
The attack triggered Western warnings of unprecedented sanctions against Russia as NATO, EU and G7 leaders condemned the invasion and vowed to hold Moscow accountable.
Here are the live updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis:
Feb 25, 2022 23:31 (IST)
Ukraine crisis: NATO deploys response units to strengthen security forces
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the coalition is strengthening its defenses on its eastern side with troops and air power in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He said the allies had activated defense plans and "as a result ... are deploying elements of the NATO response force on land, at sea and in the air", which includes thousands more troops and more than 100 at 30 locations. Jets are on high alert. he said.
Feb 25, 2022 23:19 (IST)
Russia-Ukraine crisis: Russian carrier Aeroflot suspends London, Dublin flights
Russia's major carrier announced on Friday it was suspending flights to London and Dublin as the UK cleared the airline for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. "Due to restrictions imposed by the UK authorities, Aeroflot is suspending all flights to and from London and Dublin until May 23, 2022," Aeroflot said in a statement.
Feb 25, 2022 22:48 (IST)
Russia-Ukraine crisis: Over 50,000 Ukrainians flee in 48 hours, UN . Is said
The UN refugee chief said on Friday that tens of thousands of people have fled Ukraine since the start of the Russian offensive less than two days ago. Already on Thursday, the UN refugee agency warned that around 100,000 people had been displaced inside the country, and on Friday it said a large number were fleeing to neighboring countries. "In less than 48 hours, more than 50,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled their country - most to Poland and Moldova," Filippo Grandi said in a tweet. (AFP)
Feb 25, 2022 22:38 (IST)
Ukraine crisis: Russia will "partially ban" Facebook, citing censorship
Russia's media regulator said today that it is limiting access to Facebook, accusing the US tech giant of censorship and violating the rights of Russian citizens. “In accordance with a decision of the general prosecutor regarding the social network Facebook, since February 25, Roskomnadzor is adopting measures to partially restrict access,” media regulator Roskomnadzor said in a statement without elaboration. (AFP)
Feb 25, 2022 22:33 (IST)
All efforts are being made for the safe return of students from Ukraine: Bihar Government
The Nitish Kumar government on Friday said all efforts were being made in coordination with the Center to evacuate the students of Bihar from Ukraine, who had gone to the war-torn country for higher education. State Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha said in a series of tweets that the Resident Commissioner in Delhi has also been directed to be in touch with the Embassy of Ukraine in this matter. (PTI)