Russia-Ukraine crisis highlights: 137 dead after first day of fighting, reports AFP citing Ukrainian president

Russia says it has destroyed more than 70 military targets, including 11 airfields, in Ukraine after its invasion of the European nation began earlier in the day, reports AFP.

Central European countries geared up on Thursday for the arrival of refugees after Russia launched a full-blown invasion of Ukraine. Poland has set up reception points on its border, while Hungary and Slovakia plan to send troops to manage the likely influx, Reuters reported.

NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine's wish to be a member of the alliance is not an “excuse” for Russia to invade the European country. “Russia has no right to use violence and armed forces on a sovereign nation,” he added during a joint press conference with EU president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen say “fully prepared” to host refugees from Ukraine after Russia invades the European country.

Ukraine military plane with 14 on board crashes near Kyiv, reports AFP citing emergency service.

Centre allows Indian citizens returning from Ukraine to travel via transit under the bilateral air bubble agreement with Qatar, an official notification from Embassy of India in Doha said. As of the Ukraine airspace is shut; hence the move will be applied once it reopens.

Russia conducted over 30 strikes on civilian and military targets, reports Reuters citing Ukraine army.

Indian Embassy in Ukraine issues third advisory to its students, currently stranded in war-torn European country. It has asked students to look for nearest bomb shelters wherever they are in Ukraine as reports of air sirens and bomb attacks are emerging after Russia invaded the nation.

Kremlin said on Thursday that the duration of the military mission - invasion - will depend on ‘results' AFP reported. It added that it believes Russians will 'support' Ukraine operation.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz calls emergency parliamentary sitting on Sunday over Ukraine invasion by Russia.

Moldova says it is closing its airspace after Russia invaded Ukraine, reported AFP.

Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for NATO summit 'as soon as possible', reports AFP.

Ukraine breaks diplomatic ties with Russia, reports AFP quoting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This comes after Russia's full-flown air and ground military attack on Ukraine.

British PM Boris Johnson will address the nation on the current Russia-Ukraine crisis on Thursday, reports AFP citing his office.

Ambassador of Ukraine to India, Dr Igor Polikha on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin of the latter country's all-out invasion of Ukraine. Calling Modi one of the most “powerful and respected” leaders in the world, Polikha said Putin “at least should think over” if the Indian PM speaks with him. “I don't know how many world leaders Putin may listen to but status of Modi ji makes me hopeful that in case of his strong voice, Putin at least should think over,” he told ANI.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says current events “have nothing to do with a desire to infringe on the interests of Ukraine and Ukrainian people”, according to ANI. He added they are linked with defending Russia from those “who have taken Ukraine hostage and are trying to use it against our country."

Ukraine says it has killed ‘50 Russian occupiers’ and destroyed six planes, according to AFP.

India has cancelled special flights to Kyiv after Ukraine shut its airspace. The Embassy of India to Ukraine, in a statement on Twitter, shared helpline numbers for Indian nationals and students currently in the European nation. “Alternate arrangements are being made for evacuation of Indian nationals,” the statement read.

European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Thursday that Russia is facing unprecedented isolation over its strike on Ukraine, adding it will be hit with the harshest sanctions the EU has ever imposed. 

Black smoke rose from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv in Ukraine. Hours after Russia's announcement of a military opeartion, the Ukrainian ministry said the military command centre in Kharkiv was attacked by missile strikes. 

News agency AFP in Thursday shared photographs of a family taking shelter in a metro station in Ukraine as Russia begans its military strike. 

People familiar with developments told Hindustan Times on Thursday that India is considering alternate evacuation routes amid the closure of Ukraine airspace for civilian flights. 

“President Zelenskyy reached out to me tonight and we just finished speaking. I condemned this unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. I briefed him on the steps we are taking to rally international condemnation, including tonight at the United Nations Security Council,” a White House statement quoting President Joe Biden said on Thursday. 

News agency AFP reported on Thursday that Russain ground forces have crossed into Ukraine.