Russian attacks on Ukraine have intensified, but now the Ukrainian military claims to have shot down five Russian planes and one helicopter. Ukraine’s claim has been denied by Russia. Russia’s Defense Ministry claims to have destroyed Ukraine’s air defense.
In a statement, the Russian Defense Ministry said it had dismantled the infrastructure of Ukrainian airbases.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has denied missile and artillery attacks on Ukrainian cities, saying Russia is targeting Ukraine’s military infrastructure, air defense and air forces.
Explosions have been heard in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, since the Russian invasion, and martial law has been imposed across Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that martial law will be enforced throughout the country. He says Russia has launched missile attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure, the Border Guards.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has also said that “No panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will win over everybody because we are Ukraine.”
According to British media, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a special military operation on Ukraine and demanded that the Ukrainian army surrender. President Putin has threatened to retaliate if Russia intervenes.
According to Putin, the military operation is a response to Ukraine’s threats and to an unarmed region. Putin warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to consequences they have never seen.
Russia has attacked the Kyiv International Airport in the Ukrainian capital, following which Ukraine’s airspace has been closed to civilian aircraft.
Ukrainian Civil Aviation has also issued a notice of closure of airspace for all airlines. The attack on various Russian cities by Ukraine has been officially confirmed.
Ukraine’s first statement since the Russian invasion came in which the Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said the capital, Kyiv, Mariupol, Odessa and other cities had been attacked. Ukraine’s Interior Ministry says Russia has fired ballistic and cruise missiles.
According to the foreign news agency, the Russian army has reached the Mariupol and Odessa regions of Ukraine. The Russian military has fired missiles at military command centers in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
NO ONE IS RUNNING AWAY: Dmytro Kuleba
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, today told Ukrainians that the country is fighting.
To Ukrainians around the globe: Putin attacked, but no one is running away. Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win,” he wrote on Twitter. “Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately.”
According to foreign media, Ukrainian capital Kyiv, explosions were also heard in Mariupol and the port of Black Sea port Odessa.
EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL BEGINS:
An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is underway on tensions and conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres sent a message to Putin to “stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died”.
An emergency meeting of the Security Council has been convened at the request of Ukraine. This will be the second emergency meeting of the Security Council in three days.
RUSSIA’S OPERATION IS CORRECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN:
According to the foreign news agency, the Russian ambassador to the UN informed the Security Council about the Russian attack on eastern Ukraine. Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations says Russia’s operation is justified under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
STATEMENTS BY UKRAINIAN, AMERICAN AND BRITISH AMBASSADORS TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL:
Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations has told the Security Council that Russia has declared war, and that it is up to the UN Security Council to stop Russia from doing so.
The US ambassador to the United Nations has said in a statement to the Security Council that he will present a resolution to the UN Security Council today against Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
“At a time when we want peace here, Putin has sent a message of war,” said US Ambassador Bryan.
The British ambassador to the United Nations said in a statement that Russia’s military action in eastern Ukraine was “unprovoked and unwarranted”.
WILL RESPOND TO ATTACK ON UKRAINE: US PRESIDENT:
US President Joe Biden says “The world will hold Russia accountable”. US President Joe Biden has condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine, saying that the United States and its allies would respond decisively to Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
“President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering.” Biden condemned Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified attack”.
US President Joe Biden says he will work with NATO for a strong and united response to Russia’s actions, but has emphasised the US will not send American troops to Ukraine, adding that a Russian attack on Ukraine would cause catastrophic human casualties.
He has said that the world will hold Russia accountable for the attack on Ukraine. I will address the nation today on the consequences of this Russian attack.
NATO CONDEMNS ATTACK ON UKRAINE:
NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, saying “there is a risk of civilian casualties.”
“NATO allies will meet to deal with Russia’s new aggression. We stand with the people of Ukraine in this terrible time,” he said.
NATO Secretary General also said that NATO would do everything possible to protect and defend all allies.
GOLD, CRUDE OIL ARE EXPENSIVE IN THE WORLD MARKET:
World gold and crude oil prices have risen sharply since Ukraine’s invasion of Russia. Crude Oil has risen above 101 a barrel on the world market, while gold has risen by 40 an ounce.
Brent crude traded at 101.22 $ on the Singapore market, while WTI crude traded at 96.42$, while gas prices rose 4% to 4.80 $ per mmbtu.
It should be noted that Asian stock markets are in a slump after Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
ASIAN STOCK MARKETS SLUMP:
Asian stock markets plunged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Japan, Australia, China, Singapore and other stock markets fell as much as 3%.
The Sensex index is down more than 1,400 points, while the Mumbai-based trading index is at 55,800 points. The Pakistan Stock Exchange also started trading negatively today.
INCREASE IN GRAIN PRICES:
International grain prices have risen by 5% since the invasion of Ukraine, a major agricultural country. In Singapore, wheat prices rose 5.5 percent, corn prices rose 4 percent and soybeans rose 2 percent.
