The Evening Wrap: Russian troops launch wide-ranging attack on Ukraine

At least 68 people have been killed in the military operation launched by Russia on Ukraine. Ukrainian forces also claim they have killed “around 50 Russian occupiers”. With several fighter aircraft and helicopters seen in parts of Ukraine, an adviser to the presidential office said they feared that Russian forces could be air dropped into the country and then try to penetrate the government district in Kyiv. The United Nations, NATO and various countries around the world have scrambled to put pressure on Russia to cease the attack by threatening with sanctions and retaliation. The conflict began escalating on February 21, 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and deployed troops in a peacekeeping role. In a televised address, Putin said on February 24 that he decided to launch a “special military operation” aimed at the “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine and also bring to justice those who committed numerous crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals. “People’s republics of Donbass approached Russia with a request for help. In connection therewith, I made the decision to hold a special military operation,” Putin said in a special television address. He said the goal of the military operation is to “protect the people that are subjected to abuse, genocide from the Kiev regime for eight years, and to this end we will seek to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine and put to justice those that committed numerous bloody crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals”. Justice and truth are on Russia’s side, Putin was quoted as saying by state-run TASS news agency. “Forces are always needed but they can be of different quality,” he said. “And we know the real strength is in justice and truth that are on our side.” Putin said all the Ukrainian servicemen that will refuse to perform unlawful orders of Kiev and disarm will be able to freely leave the zone of military activities. “Do not perform their unlawful orders! I urge you to immediately disarm and go home. To make it clear: all servicemen of the Ukrainian army that will fulfill this demand will be able to freely leave the zone of combat action and return to their families,” Putin said. “All the responsibility for possible bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling in the territory of Ukraine,” he added. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence has said that it used precision weapons to neutralise Ukrainian air forces and air defences, as well as military infrastructure. “Ukrainian military infrastructure, air defence facilities, military airfields, and air forces are being neutralised by high-precision weapons”, the Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry stressed that the Russian military is not attacking Ukrainian cities, so there are no threats to the civilian population. The Ministry stressed that the Russian military is not attacking Ukrainian cities, so there are no threats to the civilian population. Security Council reacts to Putin announcement of ‘Special Operation’ in eastern Ukraine As news of Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering a military operation in eastern Ukraine broke, United Nations Secretary General Atonio Guterres, speaking at a hastily called Security Council meeting, asked Russia to stop the attack on Ukraine and to “give peace a chance.” By the morning of Thursday, New York time, it had become apparent that Moscow was engaged in an extensive attack on Ukraine. “President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance, too many people have already died,” the Secretary General said. Guterres was speaking before Putin’s announcement was made public. The United Nations (UN) Security Council met at 9.30 p.m. – its second meeting this week, this one called at Ukraine’s request. “It is too late to call for de-escalation,” Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said as he repeatedly said Putin had gone to war. He called for Russia’s representative Vasily Nebenzya to give up his position as President of the Council. After his speech, Nebenzya said it was not a “war” that Putin had declared but a “special military operation in the Donbass.” “For you those living in Donbass are simply pawns in a geopolitical game focused on weakening Russia,” he told Security Council members, denying that Russia had conducted false flags operations in the Donbass. During his main speech (which just preceded Kyslytsya’s), Nebenzya said, “We don’t know all the details today” about his President’s (Putin’s) operation in eastern Ukraine. India, which has strong partnerships with Moscow and the West, continued to use long winded phrases and oblique references to the situation, as in pervious Council meetings, not referring to Russia by name. During his remarks, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti said India had “noted with regret” that calls for de-escalation of tensions were not heeded. “We call for immediate de-escalation and refraining from any further action that could contribute to a worsening of the situation. We call on all parties to exert greater efforts to bridge divergent interests,” he said, adding that the “legitimate security interests of all parties should be fully taken into account.” Tirumurti also did not mention the Minsk Agreement as he had done in earlier meetings. Instead he called for a settlement “in accordance with international law” and agreements between parties. He said that a solution lies in “sustained diplomatic dialogue.” The representatives of the U.S., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and her British counterpart, Barbara Woodward, made second statements after Putin’s announcement. Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. would be presenting a Security Council resolution. “This is a grave emergency,” she said. “In my [ earlier ] remarks tonight, I said that we predicted Russia’s false flag attacks, the misinformation, the theatrical emergency meetings and the cyberattacks. But one piece had not come to pass. Unfortunately, while we’ve been meeting in the Security Council tonight, it appears that President Putin has ordered that last step at the exact time as we are gathered in the Council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in total disdain for the responsibility of this Council,” she said. Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. Indian students stuck in Ukraine worried about safety, future Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. On Wednesday, Ayush Kumar was trying to book a flight back to India for March. On Thursday morning, as Russia invaded Ukraine, he was stocking up on groceries and essentials. A resident of Uttar Pradesh, the second year MBBS student is among a large number of Indians studying in Ukraine. “I was trying to leave for India and I was looking for a flight. On Wednesday, I was trying for a flight for March 17. Today, the airspace is closed,” said Kumar who studies in Danylo Halytsky lviv National Medical University, Lviv. The city in western Ukraine is on high alert. “The situation is not as dangerous as in eastern Ukraine. But we are on alert. Emergency sirens played in the morning. We were told to keep stock of groceries and water and prepare a small backpack with documents,” he said, speaking to The Hindu from Lviv over phone. Kumar lives in an apartment with three other students, while many more are in the hostel. “Many like me were planning to leave in the first week of March. But now we can’t. I’m very worried about my course. My family is very worried and we’re keeping in touch via WhatsApp. From 4.30 a.m. today, I’ve received several calls. By 6 a.m., I could hear sirens -- for the first time in my life. Lviv is not densely populated, but for the first time today, I saw a queue in front of the ATM,” he said. Many Indian students chose to study in Ukraine as they couldn’t get seats in government medical colleges here. “I would have to go for a private college or choose BDS or BMS. The option to go abroad was affordable. Indian companies sell packages. In my college, it’s going to cost me ₹32-36 lakh for six years,” explained Kumar, adding that this includes fees, flights, visa, insurance and commission. Since the pandemic, classes have been conducted online. A month ago, they were informed that March onwards, classes would be offline. But with the situation deteriorating, professors have advised students to not panic as classes will continue online, he said. Arshsalan Azeem from Guwahati, Assam, is in the same college. Last year, he had returned to India during the summer vacations in July, and went back to Ukraine in August. He had similar plans for this year, too, until things went awry. “When we started looking for earlier flights, they were very expensive. We thought we’ll wait, but the situation worsened,” he said. Citizens were caught unaware, he said. “In Eastern Ukraine, the situation has been dicey since 2014 (Crimean crisis). Western Ukraine was not anxious. Everything was normal until Thursday morning when sirens started blaring and there was chaos. We were asked to stay put inside. But there were too many people out on the streets getting groceries. Stocks are getting over,” he said. Azeem lives in the hostel and has stock to last one or two weeks. “As soon as the air base opens, we want to fly back. Otherwise, we will have to move to some other country. I’ll need funds but ATMs are out of cash. Grocery stores have 70 to 80 people waiting in line. In the worst case scenario, we’ve been asked to evacuate to neighbouring countries,” he said. Students are anxious about their academics too. “I am worried about my course too. How do I pursue it further if I have to leave,” he said. Students are anxious about their academics too. “I am worried about my course too. How do I pursue it further if I have to leave,” he said. Dissatisfied with Indian response: Ukraine envoy Ukraine on Thursday made a forceful plea to India to stop the bloodshed following President Putin’s order for “special military operations” in Ukraine. “We are deeply dissatisfied with the Indian position. Already 10-15 people are killed. We are asking, pleading for the strong voice of India. In this case Prime Minister Modi ji can address Putin. He can address our President. This is not the time for protocol-bound statements. Your officials said they are closely watching the situation. This means nothing. India is the founder of non-alignment. We plead for the support of India. It’s the moment of truth and moment of destiny,” said Ambassador Igor Polikha of Ukraine. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally initiate dialogue with President Putin to halt the Russian military advances. Polikha confirmed that Russia has launched military assault from three sides and that ground invasion is currently underway. Polikha, who began his diplomatic career in 1989 as a part of the foreign service of the erstwhile Soviet Union, said that there was a possibility of the conflict turning into a bigger war in the coming hours. “One civilian has died and 10 to 15 military personnel have become casualties. I don’t know what will happen next.” Very few countries in the world can influence Russia and India is one of those nations with special ties with Russia, he noted. Sensex tanks over 2,700 points amid global meltdown, investors lose ₹13 lakh crore Very few countries in the world can influence Russia and India is one of those nations with special ties with Russia, he noted. The Sensex crashed over 2,700 points on February 24 — its biggest single-day plunge in about two years — in lockstep with a severe sell-off in global markets after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, plunging Europe into its biggest crisis since the Second World War. The 30-share BSE gauge plummeted about 2,850 points during the session before closing at 54,529.91, registering a massive fall of 2,702.15 points or 4.72%. This was its biggest decline since March 23, 2020, and the fourth-worst fall ever in absolute terms. Likewise, the NSE barometer Nifty nosedived 815.30 points or 4.78% to end at 16,247.95. Globally, stocks plunged and safe haven assets like gold and Japanese yen rallied amid the intensifying Ukraine crisis, which experts believe may roil the global economy. Market benchmarks in Europe and Asia fell by as much as 4%. Brent crude oil jumped above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014 on unease about possible disruption of supplies from Russia. “Ukraine is under attack from Russian forces. The threat of severe sanctions on Moscow is now at its highest level, sending equity markets tumbling globally. Sentiment is driving market direction, which will lead to a large sell-off...,” said Leonardo Pellandini, Equity Strategy, Julius Baer. Continuing their selling spree, foreign institutional investors offloaded shares worth ₹3,417.16 crore in the Indian capital markets on Wednesday, exchange data showed. “It was a big surprise for the world market as it was not anticipating a war. It was expecting a diplomatic meet between Biden and Putin. SGPC says suppression of religious freedom will not be tolerated The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for the management of gurdwaras, on Thursday objected to the action of a college in Bengaluru, which has reportedly asked an ‘amritdhari’ (initiated) Sikh girl to remove her turban to attend the college. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has written a letter in this regard to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, asking him to ensure the preservation of the religious freedom of Sikhs in the State and also reminding him of the contribution of Sikhs to India. “It cannot be tolerated to force Sikhs to remove their turban in their own country. It is an unconstitutional decision that will never be accepted. Turban is very important in Sikh faith and it is an integral part of Sikh dress. Forcing anybody to remove the dastar (turban) is in violation of Sikh traditions and principles,” Dhami wrote. “The questions are being raised on the turban of Sikhs in India, where turban-wearing Sikhs have served as the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Army Chief. Sikhs all over the world wear a turban and are working on various top positions, whereas, in their own country India, turbans are being challenged,” the letter adds. Dhami said that the suppression of Sikhs’ religious freedom can never be in the interest of the country. The SGPC president has also demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the matter, and the issuance of instructions to every State to uphold the religious freedom of the people. Dhami said that the Sikh community would never tolerate any act of suppression of their religious freedom and they would strongly oppose it. Nawab Malik arrest: MVA leadership’s solidarity protest marked by absence of Shiv Sena top brass The battle between the ruling ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ coalition of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, and the Opposition BJP following the Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of Maharashtra Minister and senior NCP leader Nawab Malik was joined in earnest, with MVA leaders and the BJP activists staging protests and counter-protests on February 24. While almost all top NCP leaders and several Congress Ministers gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Mantralaya in Mumbai, the MVA protest against the BJP-led Centre’s misuse of probe agencies was marked by the conspicuous absence of the Shiv Sena leaders. While senior Sena leader and State Industries Minister Subhash Desai arrived late at the protest venue, most of the top party brass was not present. Explaining their absence, the Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said Shiv Sena leaders including Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and Eknath Shinde were away campaigning in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh while others including State Transport Minister Sanjay Parab were away for an annual religious ceremony in Maharashtra’s Konkan region. “There is no need to take any other meaning concerning some Sena leaders who could unfortunately not be present as events [Malik’s interrogation and arrest by the ED] happened suddenly. Many of them are campaigning in Uttar Pradesh while others are attending the annual Bharadi Devi jatra at Anganewadi village [in Konkan’s Sindhudurg district]…all those Shiv Sena leaders who are in Mumbai will be reaching the protest venue soon,” said Kayande, stressing that all three parties stood united against the ED’s action on Malik. On the other hand, the BJP activists were seen protesting in Pune and other places in the State, raising slogans against Malik and calling for his immediate resignation while demanding his alleged ‘links’ with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim be further probed. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The number of reported coronavirus cases from India stood at 4,28,81,337 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 5,12,977. Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. [logo] The Evening Wrap 24 FEBRUARY 2022 [The Hindu logo] Welcome to the Evening Wrap newsletter, your guide to the day’s biggest stories with concise analysis from The Hindu. [[Arrow]Open in browser]( [[Mail icon]More newsletters]( Russian troops launch wide-ranging attack on Ukraine At least 68 people have been killed in the [military operation launched by Russia on Ukraine](. Ukrainian forces also claim they have killed “around 50 Russian occupiers”. With several fighter aircraft and helicopters seen in parts of Ukraine, an adviser to the presidential office said they feared that Russian forces could be air dropped into the country and then try to penetrate the government district in Kyiv. The United Nations, NATO and various countries around the world have scrambled to put pressure on Russia to cease the attack by threatening with sanctions and retaliation. The conflict began escalating on February 21, 2022 after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognised separatist regions in eastern Ukraine and deployed troops in a peacekeeping role. [Smoke and flame rise near a military building after an apparent Russian strike in Kyiv on February 24, 2022. ] In a televised address, Putin said on February 24 that he decided to launch a “special military operation” aimed at the “demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine and also bring to justice those who committed numerous crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals. “People’s republics of Donbass approached Russia with a request for help. In connection therewith, I made the decision to hold a special military operation,” Putin said in a special television address. He said the goal of the military operation is to “protect the people that are subjected to abuse, genocide from the Kiev regime for eight years, and to this end we will seek to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine and put to justice those that committed numerous bloody crimes against peaceful people, including Russian nationals”.  Justice and truth are on Russia’s side, Putin was quoted as saying by state-run TASS news agency. “Forces are always needed but they can be of different quality,” he said. “And we know the real strength is in justice and truth that are on our side.” Putin said all the Ukrainian servicemen that will refuse to perform unlawful orders of Kiev and disarm will be able to freely leave the zone of military activities. “Do not perform their unlawful orders! I urge you to immediately disarm and go home. To make it clear: all servicemen of the Ukrainian army that will fulfill this demand will be able to freely leave the zone of combat action and return to their families,” Putin said. “All the responsibility for possible bloodshed will be entirely on the conscience of the regime ruling in the territory of Ukraine,” he added. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defence has said that it used precision weapons to neutralise Ukrainian air forces and air defences, as well as military infrastructure. “Ukrainian military infrastructure, air defence facilities, military airfields, and air forces are being neutralised by high-precision weapons”, the Ministry said in a statement. The Ministry stressed that the Russian military is not attacking Ukrainian cities, so there are no threats to the civilian population. The Ministry stressed that the Russian military is not attacking Ukrainian cities, so there are no threats to the civilian population. Security Council reacts to Putin announcement of ‘Special Operation’ in eastern Ukraine    As news of Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering a military operation in eastern Ukraine broke, United Nations Secretary General Atonio Guterres, speaking at a hastily called Security Council meeting, [asked Russia to stop the attack on Ukraine]( and to “give peace a chance.” By the morning of Thursday, New York time, it had become apparent that Moscow was engaged in an extensive attack on Ukraine. “President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance, too many people have already died,” the Secretary General said. Guterres was speaking before Putin’s announcement was made public. The United Nations (UN) Security Council met at 9.30 p.m. – its second meeting this week, this one called at Ukraine’s request. “It is too late to call for de-escalation,” Ukraine’s UN Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya said as he repeatedly said Putin had gone to war. He called for Russia’s representative Vasily Nebenzya to give up his position as President of the Council. After his speech, Nebenzya said it was not a “war” that Putin had declared but a “special military operation in the Donbass.” “For you those living in Donbass are simply pawns in a geopolitical game focused on weakening Russia,” he told Security Council members, denying that Russia had conducted false flags operations in the Donbass. During his main speech (which just preceded Kyslytsya’s), Nebenzya said, “We don’t know all the details today” about his President’s (Putin’s) operation in eastern Ukraine. India, which has strong partnerships with Moscow and the West, continued to use long winded phrases and oblique references to the situation, as in pervious Council meetings, not referring to Russia by name. During his remarks, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, T.S. Tirumurti said India had “noted with regret” that calls for de-escalation of tensions were not heeded. “We call for immediate de-escalation and refraining from any further action that could contribute to a worsening of the situation. We call on all parties to exert greater efforts to bridge divergent interests,” he said, adding that the “legitimate security interests of all parties should be fully taken into account.” Tirumurti also did not mention the Minsk Agreement as he had done in earlier meetings. Instead he called for a settlement “in accordance with international law” and agreements between parties. He said that a solution lies in “sustained diplomatic dialogue.” The representatives of the U.S., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and her British counterpart, Barbara Woodward, made second statements after Putin’s announcement. Thomas-Greenfield said the U.S. would be presenting a Security Council resolution. “This is a grave emergency,” she said. “In my [ earlier ] remarks tonight, I said that we predicted Russia’s false flag attacks, the misinformation, the theatrical emergency meetings and the cyberattacks. But one piece had not come to pass. Unfortunately, while we’ve been meeting in the Security Council tonight, it appears that President Putin has ordered that last step at the exact time as we are gathered in the Council seeking peace, Putin delivered a message of war in total disdain for the responsibility of this Council,” she said. Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. Indian students stuck in Ukraine worried about safety, future   Woodward said the U.K. supported the U.S.’s call for a resolution. Other members also made second statements after Putin announced his operation. France too said it would prepare a resolution and asked all members to support it. France’s U.N. representative, Nicolas de Riviere, said Putin’s announcement during the meeting showed his disdain for the UN and international law. On Wednesday, Ayush Kumar was trying to book a flight back to India for March. On Thursday morning, as Russia invaded Ukraine, he was stocking up on groceries and essentials. A resident of Uttar Pradesh, the second year MBBS student is [among a large number of Indians studying in Ukraine](. “I was trying to leave for India and I was looking for a flight. On Wednesday, I was trying for a flight for March 17. Today, the airspace is closed,” said Kumar who studies in Danylo Halytsky lviv National Medical University, Lviv. [Ayush Kumar, an Indian who studies at the Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv. Photo: Special Arrangement] The city in western Ukraine is on high alert. “The situation is not as dangerous as in eastern Ukraine. But we are on alert. Emergency sirens played in the morning. We were told to keep stock of groceries and water and prepare a small backpack with documents,” he said, speaking to The Hindu from Lviv over phone. Kumar lives in an apartment with three other students, while many more are in the hostel. “Many like me were planning to leave in the first week of March. But now we can’t. I’m very worried about my course. My family is very worried and we’re keeping in touch via WhatsApp. From 4.30 a.m. today, I’ve received several calls. By 6 a.m., I could hear sirens -- for the first time in my life. Lviv is not densely populated, but for the first time today, I saw a queue in front of the ATM,” he said. Many Indian students chose to study in Ukraine as they couldn’t get seats in government medical colleges here. “I would have to go for a private college or choose BDS or BMS. The option to go abroad was affordable. Indian companies sell packages. In my college, it’s going to cost me ₹32-36 lakh for six years,” explained Kumar, adding that this includes fees, flights, visa, insurance and commission. Since the pandemic, classes have been conducted online. A month ago, they were informed that March onwards, classes would be offline. But with the situation deteriorating, professors have advised students to not panic as classes will continue online, he said. Arshsalan Azeem from Guwahati, Assam, is in the same college. Last year, he had returned to India during the summer vacations in July, and went back to Ukraine in August. He had similar plans for this year, too, until things went awry. “When we started looking for earlier flights, they were very expensive. We thought we’ll wait, but the situation worsened,” he said. Citizens were caught unaware, he said. “In Eastern Ukraine, the situation has been dicey since 2014 (Crimean crisis). Western Ukraine was not anxious. Everything was normal until Thursday morning when sirens started blaring and there was chaos. We were asked to stay put inside. But there were too many people out on the streets getting groceries. Stocks are getting over,” he said. Azeem lives in the hostel and has stock to last one or two weeks. “As soon as the air base opens, we want to fly back. Otherwise, we will have to move to some other country. I’ll need funds but ATMs are out of cash. Grocery stores have 70 to 80 people waiting in line. In the worst case scenario, we’ve been asked to evacuate to neighbouring countries,” he said. Students are anxious about their academics too. “I am worried about my course too. How do I pursue it further if I have to leave,” he said. Students are anxious about their academics too. “I am worried about my course too. How do I pursue it further if I have to leave,” he said. Dissatisfied with Indian response: Ukraine envoy   Ukraine on Thursday made a forceful plea to India to stop the bloodshed following President Putin’s order for “special military operations” in Ukraine. “[We are deeply dissatisfied with the Indian position](. Already 10-15 people are killed. We are asking, pleading for the strong voice of India. In this case Prime Minister Modi ji can address Putin. He can address our President. This is not the time for protocol-bound statements. Your officials said they are closely watching the situation. This means nothing. India is the founder of non-alignment. We plead for the support of India. It’s the moment of truth and moment of destiny,” said Ambassador Igor Polikha of Ukraine. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally initiate dialogue with President Putin to halt the Russian military advances. Polikha confirmed that Russia has launched military assault from three sides and that ground invasion is currently underway. Polikha, who began his diplomatic career in 1989 as a part of the foreign service of the erstwhile Soviet Union, said that there was a possibility of the conflict turning into a bigger war in the coming hours. “One civilian has died and 10 to 15 military personnel have become casualties. I don’t know what will happen next.” Very few countries in the world can influence Russia and India is one of those nations with special ties with Russia, he noted. Sensex tanks over 2,700 points amid global meltdown, investors lose ₹13 lakh crore   Very few countries in the world can influence Russia and India is one of those nations with special ties with Russia, he noted. The [Sensex crashed over 2,700 points]( on February 24 — its biggest single-day plunge in about two years — in lockstep with a severe sell-off in global markets after Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, plunging Europe into its biggest crisis since the Second World War. The 30-share BSE gauge plummeted about 2,850 points during the session before closing at 54,529.91, registering a massive fall of 2,702.15 points or 4.72%. This was its biggest decline since March 23, 2020, and the fourth-worst fall ever in absolute terms. Likewise, the NSE barometer Nifty nosedived 815.30 points or 4.78% to end at 16,247.95. Globally, stocks plunged and safe haven assets like gold and Japanese yen rallied amid the intensifying Ukraine crisis, which experts believe may roil the global economy. Market benchmarks in Europe and Asia fell by as much as 4%. Brent crude oil jumped above $100 per barrel for the first time since 2014 on unease about possible disruption of supplies from Russia. “Ukraine is under attack from Russian forces. The threat of severe sanctions on Moscow is now at its highest level, sending equity markets tumbling globally. Sentiment is driving market direction, which will lead to a large sell-off...,” said Leonardo Pellandini, Equity Strategy, Julius Baer. Continuing their selling spree, foreign institutional investors offloaded shares worth ₹3,417.16 crore in the Indian capital markets on Wednesday, exchange data showed. “It was a big surprise for the world market as it was not anticipating a war. It was expecting a diplomatic meet between Biden and Putin. SGPC says suppression of religious freedom will not be tolerated The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the body responsible for the management of gurdwaras, on Thursday [objected to the action of a college in Bengaluru]( which has [reportedly asked an ‘amritdhari’ (initiated) Sikh girl to remove her turban]( to attend the college. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has written a letter in this regard to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, asking him to ensure the preservation of the religious freedom of Sikhs in the State and also reminding him of the contribution of Sikhs to India. “It cannot be tolerated to force Sikhs to remove their turban in their own country. It is an unconstitutional decision that will never be accepted. Turban is very important in Sikh faith and it is an integral part of Sikh dress. Forcing anybody to remove the dastar (turban) is in violation of Sikh traditions and principles,” Dhami wrote. “The questions are being raised on the turban of Sikhs in India, where turban-wearing Sikhs have served as the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Army Chief. Sikhs all over the world wear a turban and are working on various top positions, whereas, in their own country India, turbans are being challenged,” the letter adds. Dhami said that the suppression of Sikhs’ religious freedom can never be in the interest of the country. The SGPC president has also demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the matter, and the issuance of instructions to every State to uphold the religious freedom of the people. Dhami said that the Sikh community would never tolerate any act of suppression of their religious freedom and they would strongly oppose it. Nawab Malik arrest: MVA leadership’s solidarity protest marked by absence of Shiv Sena top brass The battle between the ruling ‘Maha Vikas Aghadi’ coalition of the Shiv Sena, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Congress, and the Opposition BJP following the Enforcement Directorate’s arrest of Maharashtra Minister and senior NCP leader Nawab Malik was joined in earnest, with MVA leaders and the BJP activists staging protests and counter-protests on February 24. While almost all top NCP leaders and several Congress Ministers gathered at the Mahatma Gandhi statue near the Mantralaya in Mumbai, the MVA protest against the BJP-led Centre’s misuse of probe agencies was marked by [the conspicuous absence of the Shiv Sena leaders](. While senior Sena leader and State Industries Minister Subhash Desai arrived late at the protest venue, most of the top party brass was not present. Explaining their absence, the Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said Shiv Sena leaders including Aaditya Thackeray, Sanjay Raut and Eknath Shinde were away campaigning in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh while others including State Transport Minister Sanjay Parab were away for an annual religious ceremony in Maharashtra’s Konkan region. “There is no need to take any other meaning concerning some Sena leaders who could unfortunately not be present as events [Malik’s interrogation and arrest by the ED] happened suddenly. Many of them are campaigning in Uttar Pradesh while others are attending the annual Bharadi Devi jatra at Anganewadi village [in Konkan’s Sindhudurg district]…all those Shiv Sena leaders who are in Mumbai will be reaching the protest venue soon,” said Kayande, stressing that all three parties stood united against the ED’s action on Malik. On the other hand, the BJP activists were seen protesting in Pune and other places in the State, raising slogans against Malik and calling for his immediate resignation while demanding his alleged ‘links’ with fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim be further probed. Covid Watch: Numbers and Developments The [number of reported coronavirus cases from India]( stood at 4,28,81,337 at the time of publishing this newsletter, with the death toll at 5,12,977.  Evening Wrap will return tomorrow. Today‘s Top Picks [[China tells Russia it ‘understands’ its ‘legitimate security concerns’] China tells Russia it ‘understands’ its ‘legitimate security concerns’]( [[Cryptocurrencies fall after Russia invades Ukraine] Cryptocurrencies fall after Russia invades Ukraine]( [[Oil prices break $100 on Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine] Oil prices break $100 on Russian 'military operation' in Ukraine]( [[U.S. group hacked top research institutes in India, Russia and China, says Beijing cyber firm] U.S. group hacked top research institutes in India, Russia and China, says Beijing cyber firm]( Copyright @ 2021, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](