Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that at least 137 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed since the Russian invasion began early on Thursday, and 316 soldiers have been wounded. Zelensky in a video message posted on his Facebook page also said other states were “afraid” to support Ukraine’s accession to NATO.   The Ukrainian government through the country’s Interior Ministry of Defense further announced on Thursday that all Ukrainian men ages 18 through 60 will be barred from leaving the country. The message reads: “The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reports that due to the imposition of martial law in Ukraine, the departure of a certain category of citizens from Ukraine is temporarily restricted. “In particular, male citizens of Ukraine aged 18 to 60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine. “Such a rule will apply for the period of martial law. We ask citizens to take this information into account.” This follows the Ukrainian government’s decision to give firearms to any citizens who wants to fight Russian troops. The Daily Wire reports that “Zelensky announced on Thursday morning that he would give weapons to anyone who wanted to defend the country from the full-scale Russian invasion that was launched during the early morning hours, which came at approximately the same time that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that a “special military operation” was underway.” Putin told Ukrainian soldiers to give up and go home while threatening the U.S. and NATO that if they intervene, “Russia will respond immediately, and you will have consequences that you never have had before in your history.” “We will give weapons to anyone who wants to defend the country. Be ready to support Ukraine in the squares of our cities. We will lift sanctions on all citizens of Ukraine who are ready to defend our country as part of territorial defense with weapons in hands,” Zelensky said in a statement.

  China’s embassy in Ukraine has announced the organisation of charter flights to evacuate those Chinese nationals who wish to leave the country under attack from Russia, even as Beijing says it understands Moscow’s “reasonable” security concerns. Beijing launched a process to collect the information of those wanting to leave, saying that the registration window would close on Sunday. No timetable was given for when the flights would begin. China has said about 6,000 of its citizens are in Ukraine. “At present, the situation in Ukraine has deteriorated rapidly, and our citizens and Chinese enterprises in Ukraine face high risk to their security,” the embassy said in a statement. “We have started registration to prepare for transfer arrangements by chartered flights… The flight time will be confirmed according to the safety situation of the flights, and will be notified in advance.” Russian forces have launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, unleashing airstrikes and sending its troops deep into the country, after weeks of diplomatic efforts failed to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching the military operation. On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, that Beijing “has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries” but understood “Russia’s reasonable concerns on security issues”. AFP

  About 12,000 students are reportedly among the many Nigerians currently stranded in the wake of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, Daily Trust findings show. Following the attack by Russian forces on major Ukrainian cities on Thursday morning, many Nigerian students and some parents, businessmen and professionals in Ukraine have expressed worry over the fate of citizens living in the troubled country. The Nigerian government said it has arranged a special evacuation flight for Nigerians in Ukraine but could not say the exact number of its citizens living in the Eastern European country. However, a statement issued on Thursday by the Country Representative of Ukrainian universities in Nigeria, Dr Cliff Ogbeide, said over 12,000 Nigerians are currently studying in Ukrainian universities. This was corroborated by Jibrin Chinade, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine during an interview with Trust TV. “It is instructive to know that Ukraine, having robust diplomatic relations with Nigeria, is offering affordable university admission to Nigerian students with an estimated number hovering above 12,000 currently,” Ogbeide reportedly said. Daily Trust reports that the Nigerian government had earlier issued an advisory to its citizens in Ukraine, saying they are “responsible for their personal security and safety.” A statement shared on Twitter by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) said: “The embassy urges Nigerian nationals resident in Ukraine to remain calm but be very vigilant and be responsible for their personal security and safety.” The statement also asked students seeking temporary relocation to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions, authorities/ agents. “In case of students seeking such temporary relocation, they are enjoined to seek proper clearance and guarantee from their respective institutions, authorities/agents on the way forward in respect to their studies during this period and/or thereafter,” the embassy reportedly told students. While some Nigerian students in Ukraine said they felt abandoned by their country amidst the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine, others said they were living in fear. Firdausi Muhammad Usman, a medical student in Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine told the BBC Hausa Service that everyone, especially students were living in fear and anxiety since early Thursday and that they were at a loss as to the exact situation on the ground. She said: “Around 5am local time, we could hear huge explosions which got us up. I was together with my younger sister at the time; we were terrified and did not know what to do. “All of a sudden, I could see the Ukrainians we live alongside in the building trooping out with their children and portmanteaus. We remained in the building until around 1pm when we heard another explosion, and then we were told that we should seek refuge at a shelter that is safer. “While in the shelter, we found out that curfew had been imposed; therefore we should go back to our residence. Streetlights have been put off but water supply and electricity were still accessible, but in the morning internet services were cut off; we are now relying on ‘data plan’ to connect to the world through which we are able to communicate with our families in Nigeria. “Our families are in a panic. The embassy did not yet speak to us or issue any statement, but they only issued us some forms in which we filled our basic information and the addresses of our kins in Nigeria,” she said. A Nigerian parent whose daughter is studying in Ukraine said there was tension among parents on the situation. “We are facing the consequences because before now when I talked with my daughter she told me that there is a crisis going on in eastern Ukraine, that means that the separatists are fighting the Ukrainian authorities for sovereignty,” he said. Asked if he was thinking of evacuating his daughter, the parent said: “Of course, that’s the most strategic thing to do but the issue is that it depends on when and if one’s daughter is safe. “For you to even get to the airport you need to travel on a train for seven hours, so it is not really an easy thing. The best thing is evacuation but what we are calling is a diplomatic approach so that the issue can be settled. We are calling for dialogue.” The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has also written to President Muhammadu Buhari appealing for the immediate evacuation of students in Ukraine. A letter signed by Eunice Eleaka, NANS executive reads: “We plead with you His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari to please send for the immediate evacuation of the Nigerian students currently in Ukraine. “We can only trust and wait on our great nation (giant of Africa) in this perilous time.” The House of Representatives has also called for the evacuation of Nigerians especially students living in Ukraine. It has mandated the leader of the House, Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), the Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Buba Yakub (APC, Adamawa) to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the issue. This was sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Ahmed Munir (APC, Kaduna) at plenary on Thursday. Presenting the motion, the lawmaker said, there was a need for Nigeria to evacuate its citizens from the country as tension grew and war commenced. Munir noted that the lives of Nigerians are at risk as the war may escalate in the coming days putting them in a more precarious situation. However, some Nigerians currently trapped in Ukraine have ruled out the option of returning to the country. Speaking with Daily Trust via telephone, they expressed cynicism about the federal government’s promise to evacuate willing Nigerians from the war-torn country following Russia’s invasion. Edidiong Cyprian, a Nigerian who has lived in Kiev, Ukraine’s capital, for many years, described the promise as unrealistic due to past unfulfilled promises of evacuation. “I was here in 2013 during a similar crisis when they promised to evacuate Nigerians and they never did,” he said. Treasure Chinenye Bellgam, a

  The Ukraine government says Russian forces have seized control of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal was said to have announced this while speaking to journalists on Thursday. This development comes hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a special millitary intervention in Ukraine’s Donbas region. The Chernobyl plant was the site of the world’s “worst” nuclear accident when a nuclear reactor exploded in April 1986, spewing radioactive waste across Europe. The plant lies 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the capital of Kyiv. The exploded reactor was covered by a protective shelter to prevent radiation leak and the entire plant has been disabled. “Unfortunately, I have to say that, as of now, the Chernobyl zone, the so-called exclusion zone, and all Chernobyl facilities have been taken under control by Russian armed groups,” Shmyhal told a media briefing after an extraordinary cabinet meeting in Kyiv. “According to the leadership of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, there are no victims at the moment.” He added that further information will be released after clarification. Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, also confirmed the incident. “It is impossible to say the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe after a totally pointless attack by the Russians,” Podolyak said. “This is one of the most serious threats in Europe today.” Earlier, as fighting raged near the Chernobyl site, Zelenskyy had said Russian forces were attempting to take over the nuclear plant. “Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chornobyl_NPP. Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe,” Zelenskyy had tweeted.

  Roman Abramovich on Thursday faced calls to be stripped of his right to own a football club after documents linked him to the Russian president, Vladimir Putin’s administration. It also accused Abramovich of “public association with corrupt activity and practices”. The billionaire Chelsea owner is facing renewed focus on his business activities as Russia begins to launch an all-out attack on Ukraine. Labour MP, Chris Bryant, today shared a leaked Home Office document in the Commons. Bryant noted the document was from 2019 and questioned why no action had yet been taken against Abramovich based on its warnings. “I have got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office which says in relation to Mr Abramovich – ”As part of HMG’s Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices. “An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence,” he said. Bryant added that “That is nearly three years ago and yet remarkably little has been done in relation. “Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country? Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets including his £152million home? And making sure that other people who have had Tier 1 Visas like this are not engaged in a malign activity?” The UK Sun also reports that Abramovich has effectively been barred from living in Britain ever again. He has not watched matches at Stamford Bridge for months and withdrew an application for a British Tier 1 investor visa in 2018. This came after delays in his application, following criticism of Russian oligarchs following the Salisbury poisonings. Senior security sources are of the view that it is unlikely that the 55-year-old will ever be allowed to live in Britain again. Immigration officials have also reportedly been instructed to make it impossible for Abramovich to base himself in the UK.