Video from eyewitnesses earlier Saturday showed explosions in a location northwest of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital. In the region, there is a military base. Meanwhile, the severe battle was reported outside Vasylkiv, around 30 kilometers southwest of Kyiv, by Ukrainian military troops. “Heavy fighting is currently underway in the town of Vasylkiv in the Kyiv region, where the occupiers are trying to land a landing party.”

Russian soldiers are approaching Kyiv from the north and east, according to Zelensky’s statement, after capturing control of an airbase just north of the city on Thursday. “Ukrainians resist the Russian aggression heroically,” he said.

Russian reconnaissance forces have penetrated the Obolon neighborhood of northern Kyiv, just a few kilometers from the city center, according to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. Civilians rushed to shelter from small weapons fire in chaotic scenes seen on video from the region.

According to the Ukrainian envoy to the United States, 92 employees working at the Chernobyl power plant, the site of the world’s worst-ever nuclear accident, have been kidnapped. On Thursday, Russian soldiers grabbed control of the complex, raising concerns that the conflict may disrupt the operation of nuclear waste facilities.

According to intelligence information, the city will fall in a few days. As Russia encircles, the capital, President Zelensky has acknowledged that he is target number 1. He is aware that when Russia reaches the city, they will replace him with a new leader.

Follow us and be updated on the battle for Kyiv

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Russia invades Ukraine just a few hours ago. Citizens of Kyiv and Kharkiv awoke to the sounds of sirens warning them to take cover. Then reports began to flood in that the Russian army has begun its invasion. Many rushed to the subway, others made a last-ditch effort to withdraw money from ATMs and buy gasoline. The stark reality of war has come down on the people of Ukraine.

Countries like the US, the UK, and members of the EU have condemned the attack made by President Putin. Most of them have slapped economic sanctions against Moscow. Everyone was asking to stop the violence.

President Vladimir Putin has addressed Ukrainians and asked them to lay down their arms and go home. Russian Government Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says that the goal of the “special mission” regarding Ukraine is the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country.

“Ideally, Ukraine should be liberated, cleansed of Nazis, of pro-Nazi people and ideology,” he said. “The operation has its goals, they should be reached. The president has said that all the decisions have been made and all the goals will be reached,” Peskov said. “It all depends on the decision of supreme commander-in-chief.”

World Response

There were mixed responses to his move. Below are a few announcements made by governments across the world.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – “We will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets,” she said.

“We condemn this barbaric attack and the cynical arguments that are being used to justify it.”

“These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s interests and their ability to finance the war. And we know that millions of Russians do not want war,” she added.

“We will not allow President Putin to replace the rule of law, by the rule of force, and ruthlessness, Ukraine will prevail.”

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – “We strongly criticize Russia’s actions and will cooperate with the United States and the international community to respond swiftly.”

Japan has also imposed sanctions against Russia. The sanctions include the issuance of visas and freezing of assets of people involved in the Donetsk and Luhansk declaration of independence. Import and exports to the regions are also banned.

Chinese Embassy has issued a warning to Chinese nationals in Ukraine

“The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically. There have been bombings in multiple cities, and the military operations are underway.” The statement also asked citizens to stay at home and away from windows or glass. They also added that for those Chinese nationals traveling on the roads, “the Chinese flag can be affixed to the visible part of the body.”

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20:49 (BKK): Russia spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says that the goal of the “special mission” regarding Ukraine is the “demilitarization and denazification” of the country.

“Ideally, Ukraine should be liberated, cleansed of Nazis, of pro-Nazi people and ideology,” he said. “The operation has its goals, they should be reached. The president has said that all the decisions have been made and all the goals will be reached,” Peskov said. “It all depends on the decision of supreme commander-in-chief.”

20:14 (BKK): Ukraine Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak says “Russia is attacking not just Ukraine, but all the rules of normal life in the modern world. What will be left of the security system on the continent? Zero.”

“The main thing now is to focus as much as possible on defending the country and preserving people’s normal lives,” Podolyak said.

19:17 (BKK): Indian Government and the Indian Air Force are in talks with the Ukrainian government regarding the evacuation of Indians in Ukraine. They are working on the best plans for a safe evacuation.

18:50 (BKK): Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov – “I cannot give you information on the military, technological and other components of this operation,” Peskov said. “The only primary source here should be our military and defense departments.”

“No one is talking about occupation, in this scenario that word is not applicable,” Peskov said. “This is a special operation. I do not think it’s necessary for me to explain anything here, because the president himself gave exhaustive explanations.”

18:31 (BKK): Ukraine reports casualties including 40 soldiers and 10 civilians since the attacks began.

18:22 (BKK): Chinese Embassy has issued a warning to Chinese nationals in Ukraine

“The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically. There have been bombings in multiple cities, and the military operations are underway.” The statement also asked citizens to stay at home and away from windows or glass. They also added that for those Chinese nationals traveling on the roads, “the Chinese flag can be affixed to the visible part of the body.”

17:25 (BKK): Multiple attacks are now being reported as many users take to social media to share photos of what is happening in Ukraine.

17:16 (BKK): Reports of Russian tanks presence in Kharkiv. Ukraine President Zelensky offers weapons to everyone who wants them. Many civilians have undergone basic military training in the past few weeks in preparation for an invasion.

16:42 (BKK): President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine officially cuts all diplomatic ties with Russia in a briefing.

16:50 (BKK): People begin to take shelter while some are trying to leave the capital. Many are stuck in traffic and some are queueing to access the ATM or groceries. The underground train stations has become a temporary bomb shelter.

16:33 (BKK): European stock markets plunge as Russia invades. FTSE 100 down by 2.5%, FrencH CAC down 4%, Germany’s Dax down by 4%.

Dow is 1.4% lower, S&P 500 is 1.8% lower and Nasdaq closed 2.6%

Asian Markets has shown the same pattern.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index – decrease by 3%

Korea’s Kospi – down by 2.6 %

Japan’s Nikkei 225 – down 2%

China’s Shanghai Composite – down 1.7%

16:14 (BKK): Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison – “We denounce what are unilateral hostile actions in Ukraine. Russia is flagrantly breaching international law and the UN Charter. Russia has chosen war, together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms.” 

15:52 (BKK): Indian Embassy in Ukraine has released a statement.

For Indians living in Ukraine, the present situation is highly uncertain. Please maintain calm and remain safe wherever you are, be it in your homes, hotels, accommodations, or in transit.

All those who are traveling to Kyiv, including those traveling from western parts of Kyiv, are advised to return to their respective cities temporarily, especially towards safer places along the western bordering countries.

Further advisories will be issued for any update.

15:42 (BKK): French President Emmanuel Macron – “France strongly condemns Russia’s decision to wage war on Ukraine. Russia must end its military operations immediately, France stands in solidarity with Ukraine. It stands with Ukrainians and is working with its partners and allies to end the war.”

15:15 (BKK): EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen – “We will freeze Russian assets in the European Union and stop the access of Russian banks to European financial markets,” she said.

“We condemn this barbaric attack and the cynical arguments that are being used to justify it.”

“These sanctions are designed to take a heavy toll on the Kremlin’s interests and their ability to finance war. And we know that millions of Russians do not want war,” she added.
“We will not allow President Putin to replace the rule of law, by the rule of force, and ruthlessness, Ukraine will prevail.”

15:00 (BKK): Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida – “We strongly criticize Russia’s actions and will cooperate with the United States and the international community to respond swiftly.”

Japan has also imposed sanctions against Russia. The sanctions include the issueance of visa and freezing of assessts of people invovled in the Donetsk and Luhansk declaration of independece. Import and exports to the regions are also banned.

14:05 (BKK): The world has shown its support for Ukraine as leaders pledged their support. Leaders include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Council President Charles Michel, Emir of Qatar, and Polish President Andrzej Duda.

14:00 (BKK): General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces reports five Russian aircrafts and a helicopter was shot down earlier today. Russian military claims Ukraine “did not provide any resistance.”

13:45 (BKK): Ukraine Foreign Ministry Dmytro Keleba urged Ukrainians to stay strong and share the truth.

“Putin attacked, but no one is running away,” he wrote. “Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win. Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately,” he said.

13:44 (BKK): Tanks begin to move in via Belarus border.

13:39 (BKK): Ukraine Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Oleg Nikolenko “This is an act of war, an attack on sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a gross violation of the UN Statute and the fundamental norms and principles of international law,” the Russian attack is seen as move to “destroy the state of Ukraine, seize Ukrainian territory by force, and establish occupation control.”

13:03 (BKK): Kharkhiv Mayor  Igor Terekhov warns everyone to stay at home. “Please do not leave your homes today. Due to the complicated situation, schools, kindergartens and other institutions do not work today — until the situation becomes clearer.”

12:59 AM (BKK): Stocks plunge as Moscow Echange closes until further notice.

12:52 AM (BKK): South Korean embassy in Ukraine advises citizens to prepare for an evacuation. “Considering the urgent change in the current situation, we strongly recommend that the South Koreans who are still in Ukraine be fully prepared so that they can move to a safe area or location promptly in case of an emergency.” 

12:48 AM (BKK): Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced “The situation is tense. We will continue to work in collaboration with the international community, including the G7 nations. We will do our best to collect information and get a grasp of the situation.”

12:46 AM (BKK): Russian Military releases a statement “The Russian Armed Forces are not launching any missile or artillery strikes on the cities of Ukraine. High-precision weapons destroy military infrastructure: military airfields, aviation, air defense facilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” the statement read. “The civilian population is not at risk.” 

12:44 AM (BKK): Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba says “The world must act immediately. Future of Europe & the world is at stake. ” Shares a few suggestions

1. Devastating sanctions on Russia NOW, including SWIFT
2. Fully isolate Russia by all means, in all formats 
3. Weapons, equipment for Ukraine 
4. Financial assistance 
5. Humanitarian assistance

12:18 AM (BKK): President Zelensky announced martial law – “No panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will win over everybody because we are Ukraine.”

12:01 AM (BKK): “All parties concerned should exercise restraint and avoid the further escalation of tensions,” – Zhang Jun China UN Ambassador. China seeks to promote peace talks and diplomatic solutions.

11:52 AM (BKK): Attacks have begun as troops begin to cross the border. UN-Secretary General warns of war worse than any in this century. Meanwhile, flights announce that Ukraine is a no-fly zone.

11:49 AM (BKK): To those who threaten Russia “know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never experienced in your history”- Vladimir Putin

10:47 AM (BKK): UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Moscow to give peace a chance and to stop attacking Ukraine. Emergency meetings are ongoing to address the Russian advance.

10:32 AM (BKK): President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the “special military operation” in the Donbas region. Explosions in Kyiv and Kharkiv. Russian invasion has began.

February 23, 2022: USA and UK sanction Russia to deter any attack.

February 22, 2022: Russia moves in for “peacekeeping” missions in eastern Ukraine.

February 21, 2022: Biden and Putin agree for talks

February 20, 2022: The US warns everyone of imminent attacks

February 19: 2022: US President Joe Biden says Russia will invade.

February 18, 2022: US says Russia has already selected targets in Ukraine.

February 17, 2022: Despite claims of pulling back, Russia has added more troops at the border.

February 16, 2022: Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense and two other banks were hacked.

February 15, 2022: Russian military advances closer to Ukraine

February 14, 2022: US warns that Russian Invasion will be any day now.

February 13, 2022: Experts begin to realize that Ukraine is surrounded.

February 12, 2022: Russia says that the west has a “large-scale disinformation” campaign.

February 11, 2022: Joe Biden urges americans living in Ukraine to “leave now”

Febraury 10, 2022: Russia advances further towards the Ukrainian border

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Russia announces military operation in Eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the “special military operation” in the Donbas region. This has come after US, UK, and other European nations have announced their sanctions to deter the Russian invasion.

A few signs have pointed to the beginning of the attacks. The first one was President Putin allegedly not answering the calls of President Zelensky. The second sign was Russia announcing the Ukraine region as a no-fly zone. Finally, the Russian President has responded.

A few days ago, President Putin declared the eastern separatist-held regions of Ukraine independent. While Ukraine’s president did not acknowledge any of it, Putin is beginning his operations in the region.

United Nations

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Moscow to give peace a chance and to stop attacking Ukraine. “The day was full of rumors and indications of an offensive against Ukraine was imminent. In the recent past, there were several situations with similar indications, similar rumors. And I never believed in them, convinced that nothing serious would happen,” Guterres told the council. “I was wrong. And I would like not to be wrong again today.”

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has also expressed her thoughts.

“We are here tonight because we believe, along with Ukraine, that a full-scale, further invasion into Ukraine by Russia is imminent,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.

“Tonight, we’re seeing the Russians close airspace, move troops into Donbas, and move forces into combat-ready positions,” she added, calling this “a perilous moment.”

“And we are here for one reason and one reason only: to ask Russia to stop. Return to your border. Send your troops, and your tanks, and your planes back to their barracks and hangars. And send your diplomats to the negotiating table,” she said.

Reports are coming in of explosions in Kyiv and the second largest city of the country Kharkiv.

President Putin addressed Ukrainian soldiers and advised them to lay down their arms and go home. He also warned that any military aggression will be on the conscience of the Ukrainian government.

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Boris Johnson has named five banks whose assets will be frozen. He also announced three Russian billionaires who had been given a UK travel ban. Johnson said that this is just the “first barrage” of sanctions and could get worse if Russia continues to invade.

US and EU have also imposed a sanction of their own. This is part of a coordinated response by the West to the growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The UK is also planning to sanction members of the Russian Parliament who voted to recognize the independence of eastern Ukraine. The sanctions will be most likely the same as those of the Russian billionaires.

In the upcoming weeks, they will be preventing any business of financing of Donetsk and Luhansk regions. This similarly happened when Russia reclaimed Crimea. They said that they are willing to slap additional “unprecedented” measures and are prepared for more.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson also said that President Putin is “establishing the pretext for a full-scale offensive.” His statements were based on satellite reports of Russian troops massing on different areas near the border.

The EU has announced plans to target the Russian parliament as well as banks that are financing the Russian military. Germany has also frozen the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project with Russia.

MPs also called for additional sanctions on Russia such as excluding them from the global Swift payment platform. They also wanted a ban on trading Russian sovereign debt. A proposal also includes the prevention of Russia spreading any false propaganda to the world. They suggest that if the full sanctions are not done now, then the Russian President might think invasion outweighs these sanctions.

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