LIVE News Updates: PM Modi likely to speak to Russian President Putin tonight

AFP reported that Russia says it has destroyed Ukraine airbases and air defences.

According to Reuters, the Ukraine military said that five Russian planes and a Russian helicopter were shot down in the Luhansk region.

ANI reported that the Kerala opposition staged a walkout from the Assembly after the Speaker denied them permission to discuss 'Dollar smuggling case' in the House. The opposition protested outside the Assembly hall.

ANI reported that Maharashtra minister & NCP leader Nawab Malik's sister Dr Saeeda Khan reached the ED office. She has been stopped outside the office. Malik was sent to ED custody (on Feb 18) for 7 days by a court in Mumbai, in a money laundering case.

ANI reported that India women's team beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the 5th ODI to avoid 0-5 series sweep. Smriti Mandhana was the top scorer with 71 runs.

According to border guards, Ukraine is under attack along the Russia and Belarus borders, reported AFP.

AFP reported that EU chief Ursula von der Leyen denounced Russia's attack on Ukraine and vowed to hold Moscow "accountable".

ANI reported that Dawood Ibrahim's brother Iqbal Kaskar has been brought back to ED office after medical examination. He was sent to ED custody (on Feb 18) for 7 days by a court in Mumbai in a money laundering case.

Air raid sirens sound went off in the centre of Kyiv, reported AFP.

Ukraine's leader introduced martial law and urged Ukrainians not to 'panic' as he vowed victory, reported AFP.

PTI reported that the Rupee plummeted 55 paise to 75.16/USD in today's early trade as Russia announced military operation in Ukraine.

AFP reported that explosions heard in Kharkiv, a major Ukrainian city just south of the Russian border, after Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation.

ANI reported that the Air India flight AI1947 is coming back to Delhi due to NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) at, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine urged the UN 'to do everything possible to stop the war' at the second emergency Security Council session, reported AFP.

According to ANI, India reported 14,148 new Covid cases, 30,009 recoveries, and 302 deaths in the last 24 hours. This takes the number of active cases to 1,48,359 (0.35%), the daily positivity rate to 1.22%, the total recoveries to 4,22,19,896 and the death toll to 512924, while the total vaccination stands at 1,76,52,31,385 (30,49,988).

AFP reported that more explosions were heard in Ukraine's Black Sea port Odessa.

ANI quoted Ukraine's Foreign Minister as saying, "Ukraine will defend itself and will win. Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now."

ANI reported that Nifty is at 16,647.00 currently and went down by 413.35 points.

Powerful explosions were heard on the east Ukraine front, reported AFP.

ANI reported that the Sensex slipped 1,428.34 points and is currently at 55,803.72.

AFP reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military operation in Ukraine to defend separatists in the east of the country, and "demilitarise and de-nazify" its pro-Western neighbour. He denounced what he called was a "genocide" orchestrated by Ukraine and NATO aggression.

AFP reported that explosions were heard in Mariupol, eastern Ukraine.

AFP reported that an explosion was heard in Kyiv, Ukraine.

AFP reported that oil prices rose over $100 in light of the Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine.

AFP reported that Biden has condemned the 'unprovoked and unjustified attack' by Russia against Ukraine, and warned of 'catastrophic loss of life and human suffering'.

ANI quoted India's Permanent Rep to UN, TS Tirumurti at the UNSC meeting on Ukraine, as saying, "Over 20,000 Indian students are in Ukraine, we are facilitating the return of all Indian nationals including students as may be required."

Russian President Putin has vowed to retaliate against those who interfere with Russia's Ukraine operation, reported AFP.

According to the National Center for Seismology, an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 occurred 125 km South-South-West of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, at around 4:53am today, reported ANI.

Putin called on the Ukraine military to 'lay down its arms', reported AFP.

ANI reported that a special flight of Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) landed at Delhi Airport from Kyiv, at 7:45 am today, with 182 Indian citizens, including students, said an official of Ukraine International Airlines in India.

News agency ANI quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying, "Indeed an operation is being prepared (by Russia). President Vladimir Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance."