Ukraine invasion: What to know as Putin alerts nuclear force to be ready.

Russian President Vladimir Putin positioned his nuclear forces on extended alert on Sunday in a chief escalation of tensions with the West. Russia’s traditional military attack on Ukraine entered its fourth day with combating in the streets of the united states'

second-largest metropolis, Kharkiv, and troops shifting in the direction of the capital.

Russian President Vladimir Putin put his nuclear forces on extended alert on Sunday in a primary escalation of tensions with the West. Russia’s traditional army assault on Ukraine entered its fourth day with preventing inside the streets of the u . s .’s 2nd-largest metropolis, Kharkiv, and troops transferring in the direction of the capital.

the USA and European nations said they were upping their deliveries of guns to Ukraine.
right here are the matters to know about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the security crisis in Europe:

RUSSIA places NUCLEAR FORCES ON ALERT

Unearthing lengthy-buried fears from the cold battle, Putin ordered Russian nuclear weapons prepared for elevated readiness to launch.
He stated NATO had made “aggressive statements” in the direction of Russia and stated the stiff financial sanctions imposed on Russia.
NATO Secretary-trendy Jens Stoltenberg informed CNN that Putin’s invocation of Russia’s nuclear arsenal changed into “risky rhetoric.”

The sensible meaning of Putin’s order turned into not right now clean. Russia and the us normally have land- and submarine-primarily based nuclear forces on alert and organized for fight always, however nuclear-capable bombers and different aircraft are not.

After rejecting Putin’s provide to meet in the Belarusian metropolis of Homel since Belarus changed into supporting the Russian attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to ship a Ukrainian delegation to satisfy Russian counterparts at an unspecified time and region on the Belarusian border.

The announcement got here hours after Russia introduced that its delegation had flown to Belarus to look ahead to talks. Ukrainian officials to begin with rejected the flow, pronouncing any talks must take vicinity somewhere else. Belarus has allowed Russia to use its territory as a staging floor for the invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy named Warsaw, Bratislava, Istanbul, Budapest and Baku as alternative venues for talks, earlier than accepting the Belarus border.

The Kremlin added later that Israeli high Minister Naftali Bennett had supplied to assist broking an cease to the preventing in a name with Putin. It didn’t say whether or not the Russian chief typical.

MANY UKRAINIANS FLEE, a few go back TO combat

The number of Ukrainians fleeing Europe’s biggest armed struggle given that world war II grew to 368,000, mainly women and children, the United international locations’ refugee enterprise said Sunday. That discern more than doubles the organization's estimate from the day before.

the road of cars on the Poland-Ukraine border stretched for 14 kilometers (nearly nine miles), and people fleeing needed to endure long waits in freezing temperatures in a single day. Over one hundred,000 people have crossed into Poland on my own, in line with Polish officers. a further 66,000 refugees have entered Hungary, with greater than 23,000 entering on Saturday alone, in step with the Hungarian officials.

within the rush to escape the bombs and tanks, a trickle of courageous males and females headed home to shield Ukraine. At a border crossing in southern Poland, related Press journalists spoke to humans in a line heading in opposition to the tide. They covered 20 Ukrainian truck drivers who worked in Europe and wanted to stand fight.

the sector actions TO PUNISH RUSSIA further

Following punishing financial sanctions, the European Union agreed to close its airspace to Russia’s airways and spend masses of hundreds of thousands of euros on guns to send to Ukraine in addition to goal pro-Kremlin media stores which are spreading disinformation about the invasion.

European commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the commission wishes “for the first time ever” to finance the purchase and delivery of guns to a 3rd-birthday celebration county under assault.

european overseas coverage chief Josep Borrell stated the bloc’s 27 overseas ministers had greenlighted the unprecedented aid for Ukraine and that those actions could take effect inside hours.

Japan joined the U.S. and ecu international locations in slicing pinnacle Russian banks off from the speedy global economic messaging gadget. Japan will even send $100 million in emergency humanitarian useful resource to Ukraine.

And petroleum giant BP said Sunday it's miles slicing ties with Rosneft, a country-owned Russian oil and fuel corporation. meaning BP exiting its stake in Rosneft and BP officials resigning positions on the Russian agency’s board.

signs OF DEEPER financial difficulties IN RUSSIA

There were some early symptoms that the preliminary financial harm to the Russian financial system is sizable.

whilst official fees for the Russian ruble had been unchanged at kind of 84 rubles to the greenback on Sunday, one on line Russian bank, Tinkoff, become giving an unofficial alternate price of 163 rubles over the weekend.

movies from Russia confirmed long traces of Russians looking to withdraw cash from ATMs, whilst the Russian critical financial institution issued a declaration calling for calm, a good way to avoid bank runs. reviews also said that Visa and credit card were now not being commonplace for people with worldwide bank bills.

Russia may additionally must close positive bank branches quickly or claim a countrywide financial institution excursion to guard its economic device, analysts stated.

“If there’s a complete-scale banking panic, that’s a driver of crisis in its personal right,” said Adam Tooze, a professor of history at Columbia college and Director of the EU Institute. “a rush into greenbacks through the Russian widespread population moves things into a wholly new domain of financial war.”

extra STINGERS HEADED TO UKRAINE

The U.S. for the primary time has accredited the direct delivery of Stinger floor-to-air missiles to Ukraine. They can be used to shoot down helicopters and different aircraft. The decision changed into showed by using united states officials speaking on circumstance of anonymity.

The selection comes on the heels of Germany’s declaration that it will send 500 Stinger missiles and different weapons and substances to Ukraine.

The Baltic states have additionally been supplying Ukraine with Stingers due to the fact January, and with a purpose to do this needed to get U.S. permission.

Germany also announced Saturday that it'd ship 1,000 anti-tank guns, further to the 400 German-made anti-tank weapons it also authorized to be shipped from the Netherlands.

The Stingers from the U.S. are a part of a further $350 million in navy help to Ukraine, which also will include anti-tank guns, frame armor and small hands.

two non-NATO members also have been sending army materials. Sweden said Sunday it would ship 5,000 anti-tank guns, 5,000 helmets, five,000 frame armors and one hundred thirty five,000 area rations, at the same time as Finland said it'd ship 2,000 helmets, 2,000 bullet proof vests, a hundred stretchers and gadget for two emergency hospital therapy stations.

RUSSIANS towards THE battle

Defying crackdowns by police, demonstrators marched in town facilities from Moscow to Siberia chanting “No to battle!”

In St. Petersburg, in which numerous hundred collected within the city center, police in full riot tools have been grabbing one protester after every other and dragging a few into police vehicles, despite the fact that the demonstration turned into non violent. footage from Moscow showed police throwing several female protesters at the ground before dragging them away.

consistent with the OVD-info rights institution, which tracks political arrests, through Sunday evening police detained as a minimum 1,474 Russians in 45 cities over antiwar demonstrations that day, bringing the whole detained inside the previous few days to over five,000.

“i've two sons and that i don’t want to present them to that bloody monster,” Dmitry Maltsev, forty eight, who joined the rally in St. Petersburg, instructed The associated Press. “war is a tragedy for everybody.”

Protests additionally occurred in Belarus, in which more than 500 people were detained on Sunday, in line with the u . s . a .’s maximum prominent human rights institution. The Viasna human rights middle said demonstrations had been held in as a minimum 12 cities, such as Minsk, the capital. Demonstrators positioned flora on a growing pile out of doors the Ukrainian Embassy.

RUSSIA acknowledges CASUALTIES

The Russian military recounted that it has suffered casualties in Ukraine, with out putting quite a number on them. “There are useless and wounded among our comrades,” said Russian protection Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov.

every side within the war has made claims approximately casualties and navy harm inflicted on the alternative aspect, however the numbers have not been tested. Konashenkov’s statement become the first by using Russian military officers to admit any troop losses in their personal.

Ukraine mentioned military casualties early on. It has not given more than a few. Ukraine reviews civilian deaths and said Sunday that 352 people were killed, such as 14 kids.

---

UNITED nations to satisfy

The U.N. protection Council has voted to permit the 193-member popular assembly to maintain an emergency consultation at the invasion. It’s to be held Monday.

The vote on Sunday was 11 in desire of the consultation and Russia towards it, with China, India and the United Arab Emirates abstaining. there may be no veto on a procedural vote, so it changed into authorized. The 11-1-three vote was the same as on a resolution Friday worrying that Moscow prevent its attack. however if so, Russia used its veto and the resolution become defeated.
preventing SPREADS IN UKRAINE

Russian troops drew closer to Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, a metropolis of just about 3 million, and street fighting broke out in Kharkiv. Strategic ports inside the south had been coming below stress from attackers.

Ukrainian defenders placed up stiff resistance that appeared to slow the invasion. but a U.S. respectable advised that a long way stronger Russian forces inevitably will study and adapt their processes as Russia’s attack goes on.

best an occasional vehicle seemed on a deserted main side road of Kyiv as a strict 39-hour curfew kept humans off the streets till Monday morning. authorities warned that all and sundry venturing out with out a pass might be considered a Russian saboteur.

Terrified residents as a substitute hunkered down in houses, underground garages and subway stations in anticipation of a full-scale Russian attack.

“I want I had by no means lived to look this,” said Faina Bystritska, 87, a Jewish survivor of worldwide battle II. She said sirens blare almost continuously in her hometown, Chernihiv, which is ready about 150 kilometers (ninety miles) from Kyiv and below attack.

Ukrainians have volunteered en masse to shield their country, taking guns dispensed by using government and making ready firebombs. Ukraine is also releasing prisoners with military revel in who need to combat for the country, authorities said.

Pentagon officers stated Russian troops are being slowed by means of Ukrainian resistance, gasoline shortages and other logistical troubles, and that Ukraine’s air defense structures, even as weakened, are nevertheless operating.

RUSSIA AND UKRAINE TO keep TALKS