Russia launches military operation in Ukraine

In a shocking development, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on February 24 morning, triggering condemnation and concerns worldwide. The world is carefully monitoring the rapidly evolving situation, with Ukraine terming it as “a full-scale invasion.” Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, asserted that his country will defend itself and win. “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now,” Kuleba tweeted. India, which has a robust strategic partnership with Russia, is in a quandary and may have to revise its circumspect stand. The US and its western allies are set to hit back with a package of severe sanctions.