Vladimir Putin

After Russia on Thursday announced that it was conducting a "military operation" in Ukraine and the West sanctioned it, scientists and astronomers were concerned about the impact on joint space exploration projects.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, said, "They wish to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state."

The United States have imposed a slew of sanction measures on Russia after the latter conducted military operation against the Ukrainian armed forces in the two regions, including Donetsk and Luhansk which were identified as independent countries by Moscow few days ago.

Prime Minister Modi reiterated his long-standing conviction that differences between Russia and the NATO can only be resolved through honest and sincere dialogue.

Various high-level meetings are being held at the Ministry of External Affairs to devise contingency plans and identify alternate evacuation routes, according to sources.

V Muraleedharan stated that he spoke with some students in Ukraine. He said that students in southern Ukraine had informed him that they were receiving food, water, and electricity. He urged students and parents not to panic and ensured that the government would rescue them.

The Russian armed forces are not inflicting any missile, air, or artillery strikes on the cities of Ukraine, says Igor Konashenkov, chief spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defence.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday said that it stands in solidarity with Ukraine and continue to stand together condemning the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to President's office, more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around ten civilians were killed in the first hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Russia's armed forces outnumber and outgun Ukraine's, but as Russia launches what could be a large-scale invasion. Ukraine's army is also better trained and equipped than in 2014, when Russia took the Crimean peninsula without a fight.