Tag: Kyiv

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Top US diplomats to visit Kyiv  

The country’s emergency services said a missile struck a 15-story residential building, in Odessa sparking a fire that took 90 minutes to extinguish…reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian officials on Saturday accused Russia of thwarting a fresh attempt to evacuate civilians from Mariupol and killing eight people in a strike on the Black Sea port of Odessa, all but burying hopes of a truce for Orthodox Easter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said an infant was among those killed in the strike that also wounded 18 people.

With the war poised to enter its third month on Sunday, Ukrainian authorities said “fierce battles” were raging in the east and the UN said nearly 5.2 million people had fled the country.

The country’s emergency services said a missile struck a 15-story residential building, in Odessa sparking a fire that took 90 minutes to extinguish.

“It was a terrifying night,” said Yelena, with black bags under tear-reddened eyes in Ukraine’s second city of Kharkiv, where residents said random Russian strikes could come at any hour, day or night.

Zelensky called for a meeting with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “to end the war,” which began with a Russian invasion on Feb. 24.

“I think that whoever started this war will be able to end it,” Zelensky said, adding he was “not afraid” to meet the Russian leader.

The attack on Odessa came as Kyiv prepared for its first wartime visit from two top US officials.

The Sunday visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will come at a symbolic moment — on the day the war enters its third month.

It also comes as the situation in the shattered port city of Mariupol remains bleak. The latest of many attempts to evacuate civilians failed Saturday, and the situation facing an embattled unit of Ukrainian fighters sheltering in tunnels under a sprawling steel mill there appeared increasingly desperate.

A series of European leaders have already traveled to Kyiv to meet with Zelensky and underscore their support, but the United States — a leading donor of finances and weaponry — had yet to send any top officials.

Zelensky, who announced the visit, said he was ready to exchange Ukraine’s soldiers defending the city “in whatever format” to save “these people who find themselves in a horrible situation, surrounded.”

But he again stressed that Kyiv would abandon talks with Moscow if its troops in Mariupol were killed.

“If our men are killed in Mariupol and if these pseudo-referendums are organized in the (southern) region of Kherson, then Ukraine will withdraw from any negotiation process,” he said.

Zelensky also criticized a decision by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to visit Moscow on Tuesday, before heading to Kyiv.

“There is no justice and no logic in this order,” he said.

ALSO READ-Zelensky calls for meeting with Putin to end war

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Over 1000 bodies discovered in Kyiv region

Since Russia launched its invasion of Kyiv until April 21, the UN Human Rights Office has recorded 2,435 civilian deaths and 2,946 injuries, reports Asian Lite News

Ukrainian law enforcement officers have discovered 1,084 bodies in the Kyiv region, with a majority of them shot dead, a top police official said.

“The bodies have been examined by investigators and transported to forensic medical facilities. The victims are civilians who had no connection to territorial defence (forces) or to other military formations,” Ukrayinska Pravda quoted Andrii Nabytov, head of the regional police, as saying in a televised broadcast on Friday night.

“The overwhelming majority, between 50 and 75 per cent, of the victims were killed by firearms: machine guns, sniper rifles, submachine guns, depending on the settlement. At present, more than 300 bodies of the victims have not been identified,” he added.

Instead of waiting for information, Nabytov urged Ukrainians to provide details about friends and relatives who have disappeared or who have not been in touch with them since the war broke out on February 24.

When providing information, they should, in the first instance, use the special phone line 102, he added.

Ukraine war.(credit: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskiy.official)

Since Russia launched its invasion of Kyiv until April 21, the UN Human Rights Office has recorded 2,435 civilian deaths and 2,946 injuries.

The dead included 631 men, 383 women, 42 girls, 61 boys, and 70 children.

However, the Office specified that the real numbers could be higher, as information from some locations where intense hostilities have been going on has been delayed and many reports are still pending corroboration.

The Ukrainian government has put the death toll at above 10,000.

ALSO READ: UN chief set to meet Zelensky, Putin

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Special flight carrying 218 Indians from Bucharest lands in Delhi

On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv asked all Indians to leave as soon as possible as the situation in the capital city of Ukraine is getting worse…reports Asian Lite News

Another special flight carrying 218 Indian nationals from Ukraine – evacuated via Bucharest – under the ‘Operation Ganga’ landed at Delhi airport on Wednesday morning.

This is the ninth flight of ‘Operation Ganga’ that evacuated stranded Indian citizens from Ukraine.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh received the Indian nationals at the airport. While interacting with media, he said: “About 220 students arrived via Istanbul. I asked a girl where she is from, like state-wise, but she replied, “I’m from India.” They still can’t believe that they are back in India due to stress. We ensured they spoke with their parents”.

Another flight carrying the Indian nationals is also expected to land soon at the airport. Meanwhile, two Indian Air Force aircraft took off for Romania and Hungary from the Hindon airbase this morning to bring back stranded Indians.

According to an estimate, a total of 18,000 students were stranded in the war-torn Ukraine.

However, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said on Tuesday that of them 12,000 have been brought back.

4 Union ministers take off for Budapest

Union Ministers Hardeep Singh Puri and Gen VK Singh (Retd) on Tuesday flew to Budapest and Warsaw respectively to oversee the evacuation of Indian nationals stranded in Ukraine.

Taking to Twitter Puri said, “All set to bring back our young students back home safely. Enroute to #Budapest with a refuelling stop in Istanbul with the ever efficient 6E boys & girls.”

Puri left by a special flight of IndiGo Airlines for the evacuation of Indian nationals stuck in Ukraine via Budapest. Union Minister General V.K. Singh is on his way to Poland to energize the government’s efforts to facilitate Indians stranded on the Ukrainian side of the Polish border. The Indian Ambassador to Poland is also present near the Polish border points to personally direct the evacuation efforts.

Taking to Twitter Gen Singh said, “Stay where you are, don’t move until you are told, and don’t panic. Your country will safely evacuate you. Jai Hind. #General_In_Poland.””My message to all parents, guardians and family members, Your kids will be back with you soon,” Singh said in his other tweet message.

While leaving for Slovakia, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said, “Thank you @flyspicejet for joining the efforts to evacuate our fellow Indians especially students who are facing huge difficulties due to war in #Ukraine.” PM @narendramodi Ji has given clear instructions to evacuate every Indian back home safely, he added in his tweet message. He also thanked SpiceJet for operating a special flight for Slovakia to evacuate the Indian nationals in Ukraine via the Slovakia border.

On February 28 the government, in a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to send four senior Union Ministers — Hardeep Singh Puri, Gen VK Singh, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Kiren Rijiju — to the countries neighbouring war- torn Ukraine to oversee the evacuation of Indian nationals under ‘Operation Ganga’.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia is leaving for Romania and Moldova, Kiren Rijiju for Slovakia, Hardeep Singh Puri is enroute to Hungary and Gen V.K. Singh (Retd) for Poland to oversee the evacuations.

On Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke to his Polish counterpart to discuss the evacuation efforts while Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla on Tuesday spoke to the Ambassadors of Russia and Ukraine to reiterate the demand for the safety of Indian nationals who are still in Kharkiv and cities in other conflict zones.

On Tuesday, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv asked all Indians to leave as soon as possible as the situation in the capital city of Ukraine is getting worse. On Monday, the weekend curfew was lifted in Kyiv and the Indian Embassy advised all students to make their way to the railway station for onward journey to the western parts. The Embassy officials were present at the railway station to facilitate and a large number of students were able to board the trains.

To avoid overcrowding and a long waiting time and ease pressure at the border points, the External Affairs Ministry’s teams and the Embassy are trying to arrange shelter in nearby towns, particularly Uzhhorod near the Hungary border, Indian officials said.

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British intel indicates Russian advance on Kyiv has made little progress

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings on the Ukraine-Russia crisis on March 7 and 8 in a hybrid format…reports Asian Lite News

Russia’s advance on Kyiv has made little progress in the past 24 hours due to logistical difficulties and the army has increased its use of artillery north of the capital, a British military intelligence update said.

“The Russian advance on Kyiv has made little progress over the past 24 hours probably as a result of continuing logistical difficulties,” the British defence ministry said in a military intelligence update.

“Russian forces have increased their use of artillery north of Kyiv and in vicinities of Kharkiv and Chernihiv. The use of heavy artillery in densely populated urban areas greatly increases the risk of civilian casualties.”

“Russia has failed to gain control of the airspace over Ukraine prompting a shift to night operations in an attempt to reduce their losses,” it said.

ICJ to hold public hearings on Ukraine-Russia crisis

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will hold public hearings on the Ukraine-Russia crisis on March 7 and 8 in a hybrid format.

“The International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, will hold public hearings in the case concerning Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) on Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 March 2022, at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the seat of the Court,” read the ICJ statement.

According to the statement, the hearings will be devoted to the request for the indication of provisional measures submitted by Ukraine.

Earlier, while addressing an urgent communication to Russian Foreign Affairs Minister, Judge JE Donoghue, International Court of Justice President, said, “I call the attention of the Russian Federation to the need to act in such a way as will enable any order the Court may make on the request for provisional measures to have its appropriate effects.”

Meanwhile, on February 24, Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia.

The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won’t be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia’s borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies.

Fighting in Ukraine has so far pushed more than 500,000 people across the country’s borders, according to the UN refugee agency.

Speaking at an emergency session of the UN General Assembly on February 28, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, had said that Russia has no plans to occupy Ukraine.

On February 28, negotiations between delegations of Russia and Ukraine were held in the Gomel Region of Belarus and another round of talks is scheduled for March 2.

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Mysterious symbols emerge on various buildings in Kyiv

It comes amid rising concerns that Kyiv could soon come under heavy attack, after the Kremlin this morning warned civilians to leave the city via a “safe highway” to the southwest…reports Asian Lite News

A set of mysterious symbols have emerged on various buildings in Kyiv, sparking fears that Russian saboteurs may be marking out targets for a major aerial assault, Daily Mail reported.

Images of the symbols circulated on social media after Ukraine’s State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection (DSSZZI) posted a warning on social media encouraging residents to cover them up.

Red and orange crosshairs have been painted onto various structures in the capital, including several high-rise buildings, with certain symbols only visible under UV light, the report said.

“City officials are asking residents of high-rise buildings who have access to the roof to urgently check the rooftops for symbols,” the post read.

“If any symbols are found, please cover them up with dirt or something else.”

Fears that the symbols could in fact be target indicators were confirmed over the weekend when Mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko declared: “City officials are urging citizens to immediately report tagged locations, submit photos to law enforcement, and report suspects who may be involved in tagging.”

“Labels are placed to adjust the fire of the occupying forces of the Russian Federation.”

It comes amid rising concerns that Kyiv could soon come under heavy attack, after the Kremlin this morning warned civilians to leave the city via a “safe highway” to the southwest.

Russia used similar tactics during its intervention in Syria, in which military leaders told civilians to leave cities along a safe route before conducting heavy bombing campaigns while fighting alongside Bashar al-Assad.

The use of target indicators (TIs) for aerial assaults was pioneered primarily by the RAF and the German Luftwaffe in World War II, Daily Mail reported.

Now, the Ukrainian military has reportedly seized several silent, light-emitting beacons from several positions around the capital, which are believed to be TIs for Russian aircraft or missiles.

These lights can be used as TIs to lead missiles to their targets with pinpoint accuracy and help them to avoid obstacles or enemy fire.

The painted crosshairs meanwhile represent a more old-fashioned approach to target indication – though they are less susceptible to sabotage, jamming and hacking unlike more technologically advanced methods, Daily Mail reported.

A video shared on Twitter purported to show one of the transmitting devices captured by Ukrainian forces, which flashed intermittently with a sharp green light.

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UK withdrawing some embassy staff from Kyiv

Ukrainian border patrol troops guard the country's border to Hungary on Wednesday. Moscow is warning countries not to supply weapons to Kiev, amid an escalation in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Photo: -/Ukrinform/dpa/IANS

The embassy moves seem to be precautionary, and nothing specific is thought to have occurred in the past 24 hours to have triggered the decisions of the US and UK…reports Asian Lite News

The government has begun to withdraw staff from the British embassy in Ukraine amid warnings of a Russian invasion.

Officials say there have been no specific threats to British diplomats, but about half of the staff working in Kyiv will return to the UK.

The US is taking similar action, saying a Russian invasion could come “at any time”, but EU staff will stay in place.

Russia has denied plans for military action, but tens of thousands of troops have amassed on the border.

The embassy moves seem to be precautionary, and nothing specific is thought to have occurred in the past 24 hours to have triggered the decisions of the US and UK.

The US State Department also warned people not to travel to Ukraine and Russia due to the ongoing tension and “potential for harassment against US citizens”.

“There are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine,” an advisory said.

Non-essential US embassy staff have also been told they can leave, and US citizens have been urged to do the same.

The US has stressed it is not an evacuation, but the state department told AFP news agency that if there was a Russian invasion, it would “not be in a position to evacuate US citizens”.

Ukraine said it was “premature” of the US to withdraw staff and “a display of excessive caution”.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he would not “dramatize” the tensions by withdrawing staff.

“We are not going to do the same thing because we don’t know any specific reasons,” he said as he arrived for a meeting with foreign ministers.

The head of Nato has warned there is a risk of fresh conflict in Europe, with an estimated 100,000 Russian troops now at the border with Ukraine, and diplomatic efforts have failed to ease tensions.

On Saturday, some 90 tons of US “lethal aid” including ammunition for “front-line defenders” arrived in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the government was putting together a “series of actions that would figure into [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin’s calculus” including beefing up defences in Ukraine with more military assistance.

Russia has seized Ukrainian territory before, when it annexed Crimea in 2014, following fierce protests in Ukraine that toppled the country’s pro-Russian president. Russian forces seized control of Crimea before the territory voted to join Russia in a referendum the West and Ukraine deemed illegal.

Russian-backed rebels control areas of eastern Ukraine near Russia’s borders in a conflict which has cost an estimated 14,000 lives. A 2015 peace deal is far from being fulfilled.

On Sunday, the UK Foreign Office accused Putin of planning to install a pro-Moscow figure to lead Ukraine’s government.

The man named by the UK Foreign Office – former Ukrainian MP Yevhen Murayev – called the claims “stupid” in an interview with Reuters news agency.

UK ministers have warned that the Russian government will face serious consequences if there is an incursion.

US officials said they were concerned that Russia could try to topple and replace the Ukraine government but declined to comment on the UK accusation.

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