dailyO
Politics

Ukraine-Russia War LIVE Updates: No Indians held hostage, Kremlin threatens nuclear WWIII

Advertisement
Amrutha Pagad
Amrutha PagadMar 03, 2022 | 13:17

Ukraine-Russia War LIVE Updates: No Indians held hostage, Kremlin threatens nuclear WWIII

The Ukraine-Russia War has shattered the peace of Europe and the world as a whole. With threats of the war turning into a larger and more dangerous nuclear war, the world has been trying to get Ukraine and Russia to sit down and talk out their issues. Western nations have imposed sanctions on Russia trying to get Putin to back off. But the conflict continues.

Advertisement

The latest: 

  • Ukraine delegation is headed towards the Belarus border for talks with their Russian counterparts. Kyiv says they are ready to agree to 'humanitarian corridors' during the talks. 
  • MEA says around 18,000 Indian nationals have left Ukraine and out of them, 6,400 have been brought back by 30 flights under Operation Ganga. However, the MEA spokesperson added that initially, 20,000 Indian nationals had registered while many others had not. The government says there are still some Indians in Kharkiv. 
  • The International Atomic Energy Agency has called on Russia to cease all its actions at Ukraine's nuclear sites. Moreover, the UN rights chief has said that Russia's nuclear war threats underline the 'gravity of the risks to all of humanity'. 
  • French President to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on phone. Earlier, French President Macron had spoken with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, who had urged for urgent peace talks. 
  • Ukraine's President Zelenskyy says the government has set up a special program to support those who've lost job opportunities due to Russian invasion. 
Advertisement
  • Swedish furniture company Ikea has suspended its operations in Russia affecting nearly 15,000 workers.  
  • Russian Grand Prix cancelled as F1 terminates the contract. 
  • UN says it has already raised $1.5 billion in aid for Ukraine. 
  • Russia covers the flags of the US, Britain and Japan on its Soyuz rocket scheduled to launch later this week. It left out the flag of India.
  • Reports have emerged that Russia may back exiled former Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych if the current Zelenskyy regime falls. Moscow has been wanting to replace the current Ukrainian government with a government of its own choice that will be pro-Russian. 
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vows to rebuild the country after war, says Russia will pay all the destruction they've brought. 
Advertisement
  • Ukraine explains why Russia invaded the country. 
  • Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praise the Consultative Committee on External Affairs after the meeting on Ukraine, saying that this is how the spirit of foreign policy should be run. On the other hand, Rahul Gandhi raised the concern of China and Pakistan becoming closer to Russia. 
  • Photo shows a massive crowd of civilians in Ukraine's Enerhodar city blocking the way of Russian military forces. 
  • Russian and Belarus athletes have been banned from competing in the Paralympic Winter Games 2022 in Beijing for their countries' involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had earlier allowed the athletes to compete, but later changed its decision after several member countries threatened to boycott the Games. 
  • India is sending humanitarian aid to Ukraine consisting of medicines, blankets, tarpaulin and other relief supplies.  
    • Ukraine shares pictures and claims of shooting down Russian fighter jets and destroying Russian tanks. 
      • Anti-war protests continue in Russia. So far, nearly 7,000 have reportedly been detained for staging protests in Moscow and Vladimir Putin's hometown St Petersburg. 
      • Ukraine shares image of destruction in its cities on Day 8 of the war. 
        • TIME magazine honours the spirit of Ukrainians including its leaders like President Volodymyr Zelenskyy by dedicating the cover page to the Ukrainian national flag. 

          ukraine-647_030322123944.jpg
          Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (left), a Ukrainian soldier (center) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (right).

          WHERE ARE THE INDIAN NATIONALS? The evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine is underway. Already, a delegation of Union ministers has been rushed to Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to facilitate the evacuation. But so far, two Indian students have lost their lives in Ukraine – one was killed in shelling in Kharkiv and the other died of a stroke in a hospital.

          • MEA refuted the Russian report that claimed Ukrainian forces had held some Indians hostage, saying that no such information has been received and that the Indian Embassy in Ukraine is in touch with all Indians.
            • Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to participate in a Quad meeting today. This is the first Quad meeting being held since the war broke out between Ukraine and Russia and other countries were forced to take a side.
              • Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that IAF and Indian carriers are set to operate 19 evacuation flights on Thursday, March 3, 2022, carrying a total of 3,726 Indians.
              • Ukraine has also established a helpline number for Asian, African and other foreign students and nationals stranded in the country to help them cross the borders. Black people had reported racist discrimination at Poland's borders and some Indians had reported being harassed by Ukrainian forces.

                WHAT’S THE LATEST ON THE BATTLE? Russian forces claim to have seized a strategic port city, Kherson, near the Black Sea. On the other hand, there are concerns that Russian forces have become more aggressive in their invasion, shelling and targetting civilian buildings.

                • For the first time since the invasion, Russia reported military casualties. According to Russian officials, nearly 500 soldiers have been killed and almost 1,600 are wounded. Ukraine claims that over 7,000 Russian soldiers have been killed so far, though it has not yet disclosed its military casualties. But Ukraine says at least 2,000 civilians have died in the war so far.
                • The UN says at least 1 million people have fled Ukraine so far and become refugees. Japan on the other hand has offered to take in Ukrainian refugees.
                • So far, Russian forces have been funneling towards Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, but the massive convoy seen near the city has not moved much since March 2. Russian forces have been suffering from several logistical issues which had made its initial plan of a swift takeover of Kyiv difficult.

                WHAT IS RUSSIA SAYING? Russia has been making vague warnings on starting a nuclear war, with its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying that if there is a World War III, it would involve nuclear weapons. Kremlin has been discussing the impact of Western sanctions on its economy, but it is clear that Russian common people have been the hardest hit.

                • Several countries have slapped sanctions against a number of state-owned Russian banks and businesses. Reports suggest that the Russian economy could shrink by 7% as a result of the Ukraine war sanctions.

                WHAT IS UKRAINE SAYING? Ukraine has been urging the European Union to immediately make it a member, saying that extraordinary circumstances call for extraordinary measures. However, so far there has been no announcement on this, though multiple countries like Poland and Hungary have supported Ukraine’s demands.

                • Volodymyr Zelenksyy and his ministers remain on the streets, leading Ukraine in its defence against the invasion by Russian forces.
                • Reports also claimed that the feared Chenchen groups of assailants sent to assassinate Zelenskyy by Russia were killed by Ukrainian forces. But the Ukrainian President remains Russia’s No 1 target, which is seeking a regime change in the country.

                WHAT IS THE WORLD SAYING? The International Criminal Court prosecutor has opened up an investigation into the alleged war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine. The probe will look into senior officials too. 

                WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING?

                • A comedy series starring Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called Servant of the People is gaining massive popularity as the war between Ukraine and Russia continues. Netizens have been digging out old clips from the series and pointing out how surreal the reel and real world have become.
                • Before becoming the President of Ukraine, Zelenskyy was an actor and comedian. In the series Servant of the People he ironically played the role of the Ukrainian President.
                • A viral video showed a Russian soldier who surrendered before the Ukrainian forces being fed by locals and even helping him video-call his mother as he burst into tears. 

                Last updated: March 03, 2022 | 18:42
                IN THIS STORY
                Please log in
                I agree with DailyO's privacy policy