Russian military says it knocked out Ukraine air defences
Moscow(AP): The Russian military says it has knocked out Ukraine's air defence assets and airbases.
The Russian Defence Ministry said the Russian strikes have suppressed air defence means of the Ukrainian military, adding that the infrastructure of Ukraine's military bases has been incapacitated. It denied the claims that a Russian warplane was shot down over Ukraine.
The Ukrainian military, meanwhile, reported that it has shot down five Russian aircraft while fending off the Russian attack on the country.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he unleashed an attack on Ukraine in a televised address early Thursday, drawing international condemnation.
Beijing: China is advising its people in Ukraine to stay home because of ongoing military actions and chaos but made no mention of Russian forces.
The notice issued on its Kyiv embassy's social media account Thursday said: Social order is chaotic and out of control, especially in the cities where at times of serious unrest."
It said a person walking on the streets could be a target of attack and traffic could be stopped at any time. It added that people should remain calm and contact local authorities if they come into danger.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the military operation in eastern Ukraine early Thursday.
China has denounced sanctions against Russia, with which it has increasingly aligned its foreign policy to challenge the West, and blamed the US and its allies for provoking Moscow.
Brussels: The top European Union chiefs said the invasion of Ukraine will impose massive and severe consequences on Russia and that more sanction will be in the offing.
The 27-nation bloc already issued sanctions on Russia for its recognition of breakaway republics in Ukraine earlier this week, and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and foreign policy chief Josep Borrell will outline a further sanctions package .
The 27 EU leaders will discuss them later Thursday at a summit meeting and they could be imposed soon after.
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Stampede at ‘Bekal Beach Festival’: One killed, more than 15 viewers injured
Kasaragod: In a second incident of a stampede during a programme in the district in recent times, a 19-year-old youngster died and more than 15 people were injured in a stampede that occurred during the ‘Bekal Beach Festival’ near Bekal Park on Monday night.
The deceased is identified as Shivananda of Poyinachi. Injured persons, including many children and senior citizens, are being treated in hospital.
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While the musical event of singer Vedan during the festival was reportedly cancelled after the stampede, it had initially attracted hundreds of people, with the audience gathering till the railway track near Bekal Park. The chaos, however, resulted in several people running away from the venue.
Shivananda reportedly died as he was hit by a train running on the track. Another person from the audience, who was with Shivananda, is also learned to have been hit by the train.
The organizers are accused of holding the event later than scheduled initially.
About a month ago, a stampede broke out during the musical event of Hanan Shah in Kasaragod, injuring more than 15 people.
