Russia-Ukraine War Day 10: Cease-fire attempt in Ukraine collapses amid Russian shelling

Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov said that Moscow has welcomed the independent foreign policy of India, strengthening of its role as well as its influence in the international arena.

Touching upon the relations with India, Alipov said, "Prime Minister and the Indian leadership meet the consistent independent policy of the state in international affairs. We have repeatedly stated that we have welcomed the independent foreign policy of India and strengthening of its role and its influence in the international arena. We never put any pressure on India and do not set any conditions. The Indians are now under severe pressure from the United States. I think this is a wrong and useless way."

The Russian envoy hailed the Indian foreign policy stand on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Commenting on India-Russia ties, Alipov says, "India's interests are in the first place. The interest of the two countries is of strategic nature. Our relations are developing in the interest of two countries."

On the issue of financial ties between both the countries, the envoy said "There is a working bilateral mechanism for mutual settlements in national currencies. Then there will be no obstacles in this area as well. From this side, it also makes sense for India to take a closer look for cooperation with Russia."

Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is nothing that warrants imposing martial law in Russia at this point.  Putin's comment on Saturday followed days of speculation that the introduction of martial law could be imminent. Putin said that “martial law is imposed in a country ... in the event of external aggression, including in specific areas of hostilities. But we don't have such a situation, and I hope we won't.” 

As the uncertain situation in Ukraine has become a major concern for the students doing medical education, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has recommended accommodating these students after the situation improves or in medical colleges in India.

"We have requested Centre to adjust them either in same medical colleges after situation improves or in private medical colleges in India because it is a matter of their career. We believe that the government of India will find out some way," said Dr Sahajanand Singh, President, IMA

Dr Jayesh M Lele, General Secretary, IMA said, "We understand that there are 18,0000 to 20,000 doctors in different years of medical education. So, we are requesting government as a member of the medical education a lot of parents are doctors, that they should be given a chance to rehabilitate themselves."

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin said that if Ukraine “continues to behave in the same way,” that will “bring into question the future of its statehood,” during a meeting broadcast on TV, reported Kyiv Independent.

MFA: Russia won’t forget London’s cooperation with nationalists in Ukraine and Kiev regime, as well as supply of arms being used against Russian military, reported Sputnik

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called another high-level meeting on Saturday evening to discuss the situation in war-hit Ukraine and India's evacuation efforts to bring back its citizens, sources said. Since Sunday, Modi has chaired a number of such meetings. 
India on Saturday said its main focus now is on the evacuation of around 700 Indian students stranded in the eastern Ukrainian city of Sumy which has been witnessing bombings and airstrikes. 

“You know, as we say, the thunder will not strike - the peasant will not cross himself”

 Putin - about a good motivation for our aircraft industry to increase the production of MS-21:

 “When circumstances force us to do something, we do it and achieve it.  The PD-14 engine is not only not inferior to us, it is indeed better in many respects.

 We need some more time, our engine will stop, the plane will be ours completely and completely.  Modern, Russian production.

 I proceed from the fact that we will fly "“In the conditions in which we are now, there can be only one way out - maximum economic freedom for people who are engaged in business.”

 Putin announced the expansion of measures to support Russian business.  It is planned to remove a number of restrictions from entrepreneurs:

 “In principle, such a decision has already been made: it is necessary to save people from the threat of criminal prosecution for economic crimes, especially if the damage caused is compensated.

 As for tax crimes, we agreed that criminal cases in this case can only be initiated based on the materials of the tax service.”

• Sanctions against Russia are akin to declaration of war
• Russia Tried to Peacefully Resolve Donbass Conflict, But Kiev Organised a Blockade

From Pisochyn & Kharkiv, we should be able to clear out everyone in the next few hours, so far I know no one left in Kharkhiv. Main focus is on Sumy now, challenge remains ongoing violence & lack of transportation; best option would be ceasefire: MEA

A student from Kerala stranded in war-hit Ukraine who earned praises for his struggle to return with his pet cat, will finally land in India soon.

It was a great challenge for young 21-year-old Akhil Radhakrishnan to not only make sure that his life was safe from the conflict-ridden Ukraine where he has been studying in Kharkiv National Medical University for the last two years but also to ensure that his pet cat also reaches India safely.

Ammini, the pet cat, was handed over to Akhil by his senior in college four months ago and since then the two have been inseparable.

"She is very lovely and I can't separate from her and I am glad that the Embassy of India in Ukraine is now allowing me to take her along," Akhil said while heaving a huge sigh of relief.

It has been very difficult for the last two weeks for this young student who was trying to come from safely to Budapest.

"I got onto a train from a car and reached Kyiv. Then, I took a bus to come to Chop.... By taking another two trains, I managed to reach Budapest," said Akhil.

The train ride certainly was not easy says Akhil. "We sat in front of the bathroom and I had only an inch of space to travel but the most important thing was to reach safely," Radhakrishnan added.

A delighted Akhil is now waiting to board the Indian Air Force flight to India from where he will head back to his home in Kerala and most importantly with the love of his life his pet cat in tow.

Spanish clothing giant and Zara fast-fashion chain owner Inditex announced Saturday it was "temporarily suspending its activity in 502 stores" in Russia as well as on the group's online shopping store

A long-range precision strike on a military depot in the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr has destroyed a warehouse storing West-supplied weapons, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed in its latest update on Saturday.

The warehouse was located on a military base in the northwest of Ukraine, the spokesman for the ministry, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said. The site had been used to store the American and Anglo-Swedish Javelin and NLAW man-portable anti-tank systems shipped to Ukraine in the run-up to the ongoing crisis.

Konashenkov claimed the number of Ukrainian military infrastructure targets destroyed during the operation had now surpassed 2,000. Russian troops and the allied forces of the Lugansk and Donetsk People’s Republics, Ukraine’s breakaway provinces, which Russia recently recognized as independent states, have also made progress since the start of the conflict, he said.

The major general announced a temporary ceasefire for the cities of Mariupol and Volnovakha in the east, which will be in operation from 10am to 4pm local time. He said Russian and Ukrainian forces had agreed on establishing humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to evacuate from the two cities.

Russia invaded Ukraine nine days ago, citing the growing threat posed by NATO’s creeping expansion, and what it claimed was continued Ukrainian violence against the breakaway regions to justify its offensive. Western nations have condemned it as an unprovoked act of aggression and imposed harsh sanctions intended to cripple the Russian economy.

• Western countries have increased the dispatch of mercenaries to the combat zones in Ukraine. The UK, Denmark, Latvia, Poland, and Croatia have officially allowed their citizens to participate in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.
• US launched a large-scale campaign to recruit private military outfits such as Academi, Cubic, and DynCorp. The French Foreign Legion also plans to send ethnic Ukrainians. A number of fighters are expected to come from Germany.
• As per Ukrainian President Zelensky, around 16,000 foreign fighters are expected in Ukraine. About 200 of mercenaries from Croatia have already entered the country through Poland and joined uncontrollable nationalist units in the South East of Ukraine.

 Civilians' evacuation in Mariupol postponed as Russian forces fail the temporary ceasefire agreement. Evacuation was scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. but Russian forces didn't stop shelling the area. Authorities were hoping to evacuate up to 200,000 people from the city.

The International Organisation for Migration says the number of people who have left Ukraine since fighting began has now reached 1.45 million. The UN migration agency, citing figures from government ministries in countries where they have arrived, said Saturday that 787,300 of them went to Poland. Some 228,700 fled to Moldova, 144,700 to Hungary, 132,600 to Romania and 100,500 to Slovakia. The IOM said that nationals of 138 countries have crossed Ukraine's borders into neighbouring nations.

The Kremlin said on Saturday that the West was behaving like bandits but that Russia was far too big to be isolated as the world was much larger than just the United States and Europe.

The Kremlin has defended new legislation that could see people jailed for up to 15 years for publishing "fake news" about the Russian military, saying the country was facing "an information war"

A possible embargo on Russian oil could hit global energy markets hard, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

"This is an issue we have been watching very closely. Of course, this situation could alter international energy markets dramatically, this can't but have quite serious consequences", the spokesman said.

A seven-hour ceasefire has begun in Mariupol and Volnovakha cities of Ukraine to set up humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and delivery of food and medicines, said a media report.

"Temporary ceasefire begins in Mariupol and Volnovakha to set up humanitarian corridors. The corridors will serve to evacuate civilians and deliver food and medicine to the cities that have been cut off from the world by Russian attackers," tweeted The Kyiv Independent, a Ukraine media outlet.

The media outlet informed that the ceasefire will aid the evacuation of 440,000 people of Mariupol and 21,000 people of Volnovakha.

"The ceasefire is declared for 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. today. The evacuation of civilians is set to start at 11 a.m. Mariupol, of 440,000 people, and Volnovakha, of 21,000 people, have been largely cut off water, heat, and electricity," it tweeted.

Earlier, Mykhailo Podoliyak, the advisor to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, informed that humanitarian evacuation corridors are being prepared for opening in Mariupol and Volnovakha.

"In Mariupol and Volnovakha, humanitarian evacuation corridors are being prepared for opening, columns are being formed from those who are subject to evacuation. The parties temporarily ceased fire in the area of the corridors...," he tweeted.

This comes as the Russian defence ministry declared a ceasefire for the evacuation of civilians in Mariupol and Volnovakha, adding that the corridors and the evacuation routes had been agreed upon with Ukraine.

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

Amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis raging for over a week now, Ukraine plans to hold the third round of talks with Russian officials to try to end the fighting triggered by Moscow's invasion this weekend, said one of Kyiv's negotiators.

In the last 7 days, a total of 29 flights from Romania alone have flown our students back to India.

We are deeply concerned about Indian students in Sumy, Ukraine. Have strongly pressed Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire to create a safe corridor for our students: MEA

MFA of Ukraine, "We are doing everything we can to evacuate hundreds of foreign students from the Sumy city. Sumy is now on the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe due to indiscriminate Russian shelling. Ukraine is doing its best to save and secure people."

"Today, on March 5, from 10am Moscow time, Russian side declared a regime of silence & opened humanitarian corridors for civilians to leave Mariupol & Volnovakha. Humanitarian corridors & exit routes have been coordinated with the Ukrainian side," says Russian Embassy in India.

Kyiv regional administration released a statement regarding the areas most at risk due to the Russian attack - Zhytomyr highway, Bucha-Irpin-Hostomel, Makariv - North of the Vyshhorod district.

Online vacation rental company Airbnb has announced to suspend all operations in Russia and Belarus amid the Ukraine invasion. The company's CEO and Co-Founder, Brian Chesky announced on Twitter: "Airbnb is suspending all operations in Russia and Belarus." A spokesperson from Airbnb told TechCrunch that this "means that we will block calendars from accepting new bookings in both countries until further notice. We will also restrict users in Belarus and Russia from making new reservations as guests." The announcement from Airbnb came after the company said it will facilitate free and temporary housing for up to 1,00,000 refugees fleeing Ukraine.

A Russian airstrike on the village of Markhalevka near Kyiv killed six people, including a child.

Birthday of an Indian student, Kartik was celebrated at a camp on Romanian border yesterday.

Russia declares ceasefire in Ukraine from 06:00 GMT to open humanitarian corridors for civilians. READ STORY

In the Bucha district near Kyiv, Russian forces opened fire on a car with civilians. Two people were killed, including a 17-year-old girl, and four others were injured. The prosecutor’s office in the Kyiv region has launched criminal proceedings.

United Nations: Russia has informed the UN Security Council that Russian buses are ready at crossing points to go to the eastern Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Sumy to evacuate Indian students and other foreign nationals who are stranded there, amidst the raging conflict in the East European country. The 15-nation Council held an emergency session on Friday, called by Albania, France, Ireland, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, following Russia's attack on Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant, the biggest in Europe. READ STORY

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will visit Europe from March 6- 11 to coordinate new sanctions against Russia and show support for Ukraine. Trudeau will travel to the United Kingdom, Latvia, Germany, and Poland, the Office of the Prime Minister announced on March 4, reports The Kyiv Independent

Exploring all possible mechanisms to evacuate citizens in Sumy, safely & securely. Discussed evacuation & identification of exit routes with all interlocuters including Red Cross. Control room will continue to be active until all our citizens are evacuated. Be Safe Be Strong

Singapore sanctions Russia in response to its all-out war against Ukraine. Singapore announced sanctions against Russia on March 5 that include four banks and an export ban on electronics, computers and military items, reports The Kyiv Independent

Russian forces bomb military hospital in the town of Irpin, just outside capital Kiev as shelling intensifies in region

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that his country wishes to continue a dialogue with Ukraine and wants peace, provided that all of Moscow's security demands are met amid the war on Kiev. Putin made the remarks on Friday during a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as the Russian assault on Ukraine continued for a ninth day, reports Xinhua news agency.

The President also expressed hope that Kiev will take a "reasonable and constructive stance" during a third round of talks between Russia and Ukraine. According to Ukrainian Presidential Adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, the third round of peace talks between the two warring sides may take place on Saturday or Sunday.

Reports of fighting taking place in streets of Sumy. Residents are asked to stay at home or go to a safe place.

The Kyiv Independent

Air raid alerts in Chernihiv. Residents should go to the nearest shelter: The Kyiv Independent

South Korean tech company, Samsung has suspended product shipments to Russia "due to current geopolitical developments," joining other global giants like Apple and Microsoft who have stopped sales and services in the country after it attacked Ukraine.

"Samsung Electronics said on March 5 that shipments to Russia have been suspended "due to current geopolitical developments", The Kyiv independent, a Ukraine media outlet reported.

The media outlet added that the company is also donating USD 6 million, including USD 1 million in consumer electronics, to actively support humanitarian efforts "around the region."

Russia has fired more than 500 missiles in the week since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Russia is launching all different types of missiles at a rate of about two dozen per day, a Pentagon official said, ANI reported quoting The Kyiv Independent. 

Multiple explosions heard in Kharkiv. Residents have been asked to go to the nearest shelter, ANI has reported quoting The Kyiv Independent. 

 Another batch of 229 Indian nationals who were stranded in Ukraine arrived in New Delhi from Romania's Suceava on Saturday morning as part of the ongoing 'Operation Ganga' in a special Indigo flight. Union Minister of State L Murugan received students at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
 

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday intensified a crackdown on media outlets and individuals who fail to hew to the Kremlin line on Russia’s war in Ukraine, blocking Facebook and Twitter and signing into law a bill that criminalizes the intentional spreading of what Moscow deems to be “fake” reports.

Strategic Ukrainian port city Mariupol 'blockaded' by Russian forces: Mayor​ (AFP)

The United Nations has welcomed Russia-Ukraine talks and expressed the hope that all agreements will be implemented without delay.
"We welcome the reported agreement between the Ukrainian and Russian negotiators during their second round of talks in Belarus yesterday," the Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo said in a statement on Friday.

Brazil's government announced on Thursday that it will grant temporary visas and residence permits to Ukrainians and stateless people affected by Russia's invasion of its neighbor, according to the country's official gazette.

(Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has slammed NATO's decision not to implement a no-fly zone over Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. "A NATO summit took place today. It was a weak summit, a confused summit, a summit that shows that not everyone considers the fight for freedom in Europe the number one goal," Zelenskyy said in a video message, as quoted by Russia's Sputnik. Zelenskyy accused the members of the military alliance of giving Russia "the green light to start shelling Ukrainian cities and villages."

 "This is the self-hypnosis of those who are weak, insecure inside, despite the fact they possess weapons many times stronger than we have," the Ukrainian President was quoted as saying by CNN.

The remarks came during the extraordinary meeting of the NATO Foreign Ministers in Brussels on Friday.

Amid the ongoing Russian military operations in Ukraine, over 11,000 Indian nationals evacuated from the conflict-torn country, informed Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Saturday.The minister received 170 Indian citizens at Indira Gandhi International Airport who were evacuated from Ukraine.Taking to Twitter, Muraleedharan said, "Operation Ganga is in full swing, with over 11,000 Indians evacuated from Ukraine so far. Happy to have received a group of 170 Indians at New Delhi airport, evacuated through AirAsia India. Thank our Missions, foreign governments, and volunteers for their constant support."

The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine is calling Russia’s attack on a nuclear plant a war crime. “It is a war crime to attack a nuclear power plant,” the embassy statement said. “Putin’s shelling of Europe’s largest nuclear plant takes his reign of terror one step further.”

Russian troops seized the plant Friday in an attack that set it on fire and briefly raised fears of a nuclear disaster. The blaze was extinguished and no radiation was released. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Russia’s action “nuclear terrorism” and appealed to the U.N. Security Council for action to safeguard Ukraine’s endangered nuclear facilities.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal appealed to the International Atomic Energy Agency and the EU to send representatives to all five of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. “This is a question of the security of the whole world,” he said in a nighttime video address. (AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will talk to the US Senators on Saturday on a video conference call, according to a person familiar with the invitation from the Ukrainian embassy. (AP)