40 Soldiers, 10 Civilians Killed in Russian Air Attack on Ukraine, its Envoy in Delhi Pleads for India’s Intervention
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 24: As Russia declared war on Ukraine sending its troops across the border and launched air attacks, Ukraine admitted loss of at least 40 soldiers and 10 civilians even while claiming to have shot down at least five Russian planes on Thursday.
“As many as 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians have been killed by Russian shelling,” media reports said quoting an adviser to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Ukraine also claimed to have killed ‘around 50 Russian occupiers’ without providing details.
Russia declared military operations against Ukraine ‘to protect civilians in the eastern region.’ It claimed to have totally knocked out Ukraine air defences while Ukraine refuting the Russian claim counter-claimed that it had shot down five Russian planes. Ukraine declared martial law, nationwide emergency and shuts its airports as multiple explosions were heard near the main airport in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev.
Zelensky said the Ukrainian authorities would hand over weapons to all those willing to defend the country. “The future of the Ukrainian people depends on every Ukrainian,” he said, urging all those who can defend the country to come to the Interior Ministry’s assembly facilities.
Even as NATO agreed to further beef up land, sea and air forces on the eastern flank near Ukraine and Ukraine announced cutting of diplomatic ties with Russia, the Ukrainian ambassador in India urged the prime minister Narenra Modi to contact Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to mediate in the crisis.
India’s stand so far to stay neutral even while expressing “deep concern” over the developments had been appreciated by Russia but Ukraine said it was “deeply dissatisfied” with India’s attitude on the issue.
Ukraine envoy to India Igor Polikha on Thursday “pleaded” for India’s intervention in the conflict with Russia saying a “strong voice” of India might make Russian President “think”. While the envoy heaped praise on Modi and the country’s position as a “strong global leader,” there were also words of strong criticism for the stance of the foreign ministry, which ended with him saying they are “deeply dissatisfied.”
“I’m following all the reports on the site of your ministry and the latest advisory to your citizens in Ukraine,” Polikha told reporters in New Delhi today. “The recommendations and statement of your Ministry of External affairs — that was India is closely following the development of events. We are deeply dissatisfied with this position. What does this mean — closely following? Now, 50 people have been killed. When hundreds and thousands will be killed in this case, what will happen? Will follow more closely?” the Ukraine envoy said.
“We are expecting a much more favourable attitude of the Indian government in this crisis situation. It is the moment of truth. The moment of destiny… We are waiting, asking pleading for the assistance of India,” he added. Before that, the envoy made it clear that Ukraine expects India to be more actively engaged in view of its “special, privileged, strategic relation with Russia.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi “is one of the most powerful, respected world leaders… I don’t know how many word leaders Putin may listen to. But the status of Modi-ji makes me hopeful that in case of his strong voice, Putin at least should think over.”
NATO agreed at an emergency talks on Thursday to further beef up its land, sea and air forces on its eastern flank near Ukraine and Russia. “We are deploying additional defensive land and air forces to the eastern part of the alliance, as well as additional maritime assets,” NATO ambassadors said in a statement. “We have increased the readiness of our forces to respond to all contingencies.”
Countries closest to the conflict — Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland — requested rare consultations under Article 4 of NATO’s founding treaty, which can be launched when “the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the (NATO) parties is threatened.”
“We have decided, in line with our defensive planning to protect all allies, to take additional steps to further strengthen deterrence and defense across the Alliance,” the envoys said. “Our measures are and remain preventive, proportionate and non-escalatory.”
Ukrainian President announced the decision to rupture ties with Moscow and the Ukrainian officials said the country’s military was fighting back and asked for Western defense assistance.
Lithuania also declared a state of emergency in the country. The Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda on Thursday signed a decree declaring a state of emergency in the Baltic country in response to Russia’s military attack on Ukraine. The measure, in effect until March 10, allows for a more flexible use of state reserve funds and increased border protection, giving border guards greater authorities to stop and search individuals and vehicles in border areas.
NATO member Lithuania borders Russia’s Kaliningrad region to the southwest, Belarus to the east, Latvia to the north and Poland to the south. Poland has raised the level of readiness of some military units, its ministry of defence said on Thursday. “Today, in connection with the Russian aggression, minister Mariusz Blaszczak decided to introduce a further level of readiness in particular units of operational and territorial defense forces,” the Ministry said in a statement.
