Russia-Ukraine War: NATO deploying additional forces in eastern parts over Russian military operations

New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, announced the country’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on Thursday and added that Ukrainian cities are under strikes.

Russia has defended its actions in Ukraine, saying “the root of today’s crisis around Ukraine is the actions of Ukraine itself.”

Russian envoy to the UN Vasily Alekseevich Nebenzya said that the Russian operation is aimed to protect residents in eastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday morning introduced martial law, urging citizens to remain calm amid Russia’s military operations.

Follow us below for the live updates on Russia-Ukraine Crisis: 

# The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is deploying additional defensive land and air forces to the eastern part of the Alliance, as well as additional maritime assets, the alliance’s council, said on Thursday.

# Smoke rises from the territory of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry’s unit in Kyiv.

#WATCH Smoke rises from the territory of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry’s unit in Kyiv

(Source: Reuters) pic.twitter.com/fi9yXrm4o0

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

# Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) on Thursday announced the suspension of scheduled and charter flights to/from Ukraine due to the closure of its airspace for civilian airspace users until 23:59 pm (Kiev time).

# Received a call from EU HRVP Josep Borrell Fontelles. Discussed the grave situation in Ukraine and how India could contribute to de-escalation efforts: EAM Dr S Jaishankar.

Received a call from EU HRVP Josep Borrell Fontelles. Discussed the grave situation in Ukraine and how India could contribute to de-escalation efforts: EAM Dr S Jaishankar

(File photos)#RussiaUkraineConflict pic.twitter.com/a3392Juk6z

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

# More than 40 Ukraine soldiers, around 10 civilians killed – AFP News Agency quotes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

More than 40 Ukraine soldiers, around 10 civilians killed – AFP News Agency quotes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy#RussiaUkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/0FKVprKpI9

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

# Delhi: Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India seeks Government of India’s intervention amid Russia-Ukraine crisis, urges PM Narendra Modi to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

#WATCH | Delhi: Dr Igor Polikha, Ambassador of Ukraine to India seeks Government of India’s intervention amid #RussiaUkraineConflict; urges PM Narendra Modi to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin. pic.twitter.com/L1b48I42DN

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022

# Ukrainians leave Kyiv after Russian forces begin a military operation in Ukraine

LIVE: Ukrainians leave Kyiv after Russian forces begin a military operation in Ukraine https://t.co/IuUcMs1c2o

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 24, 2022

# The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have claimed to have shot down five Russian aircraft and a helicopter, media reports said on Thursday. However, the Russian military has denied the claims, the TASS news agency reported.

# The current events have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine & Ukrainian people.They are connected with defending Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage & are trying to use it against our country: Russian Pres Vladimir Putin.

The current events have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine & Ukrainian people.They are connected with defending Russia from those who have taken Ukraine hostage & are trying to use it against our country:Russian Pres Vladimir Putin#UkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/QiGAjKJ3p8

— ANI (@ANI) February 24, 2022