Ukraine
Russia closes airspace on borders with Ukraine, Belarus
The announcement came shortly after President Vladimir Putin authorised a "special military operation" in the conflict-hit Donbas region in eastern Ukraine, reports Xinhua news agency. Meanwhile, a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) posted on the website of the US Federal Aviation Administration Civil said that aviation flights in the Ukrainian airspace are limited in view of potential threats.
Explosions rock Ukraine's key airport, military facilities
The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said it was evacuating passengers and staff from Boryspil, reports Xinhua news agency citing the media outlets.Media reports said there were also attacks in Kharkiv city in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border, in Kramatorsk town in the frontline in eastern Ukraine, in Vasylkiv city near Kiev, in Dnipro city in central Ukraine as well as in the southern port city of Odessa.
World will hold Russia accountable for unprovoked attack on Ukraine: Biden
In a statement issued by the White House, Biden said that "Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering". "Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the US and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way," he said. Biden said that he will be monitoring the situation in Ukraine and will will meet his G7 counterparts.
Ukrainian govt websites hit by cyberattacks amid Russia's military operation
The websites of the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers, and those of the ministries of foreign affairs, infrastructure, education and others, were down, reports CNN. "In a separate and potentially more serious hacking incident hours earlier, a data-wiping tool was found on hundreds of computers in Ukraine, according to cybersecurity researchers," the report mentioned.
Putin authorises 'special operation' in Ukraine's Donbass: Reports
Quoting the Russian state news agency TASS, Xinhua news agency reported that the operation has begun. "We are hearing reports - some unconfirmed - of explosions in other parts of the Ukraine. Loud bangs in the capital Kyiv as well as Kramatorsk in the Donetsk region," BBC news reported. But there have also been reports on social media of explosions in Ukraine.
Guterres rebukes Russia for violating UN Charter, says world faces 'peril'
Reprimanding Moscow, Guterres said, "The decision of the Russian Federation to recognise the so-called 'independence' of Donetsk and Luhansk regions -- and the follow-up -- are violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and inconsistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations."
Ukraine imposes state of emergency over tensions with Russia
The legislation, introducing the state of emergency in all Ukrainian regions except for the conflict-hit Luhansk and Donetsk regions, for 30 days, was supported by 335 lawmakers in the 450-seat parliament on Wednesday. In the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where a Joint Forces Operation is underway, a special legal regime has been already in effect, Xinhua news agency reported.
Russia vows 'strong response' to new US sanctions
Following Moscow's recognition of the two "republics" in east Ukraine's Donbas, the US announced a package of restrictions targeting Russia's financial sector, Xinhua news agency reported. The statement said the sanctions are in line with Washington's ongoing attempts to "change Russia's course".
EU set to announce wide-ranging sanctions on Russia
The measures, which need to be signed by EU foreign ministers, would go further than those announced by the US and a significant distance beyond Boris Johnson's Russia sanctions, the report said. If approved, the EU will impose asset freezes and travel bans on 23 people, three banks and a notorious internet "troll factory" in St Petersburg, in response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Luhansk as independent states.
Ukraine asks its citizens to leave Russia immediately
Up to three million Ukrainians are believed to be living in Russia and many have family in both countries. In addition, a state of emergency is to be declared in Ukraine, lasting 30 days, the country's top security official said. Ukraine is also conscripting reservists into the regular military as it braces for a possible invasion by its neighbour, Russia.
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